DOC steps into the pool of light by the counter with HIGHPOCKETS. After a minute, HIGHPOCKETS looks up and notices him.

HIGHPOCKETS

Oh, Howdy.

DOC

Howdy yourself.

He picks up the book HIGHPOCKETS has been reading and looks at the cover. He takes a pair of spectacles from his pocket, puts them on, and reads aloud:

DOC

"The Life of George Washington With Curious Anacdotes Equally Honorable to Himself And Exemplary to His Young Countryman."  

He looks up at HIGHPOCKETS, gives a little laugh and puts the book back down. He leaves his spectacles perched on the bridge of his nose.

 DOC

I don't seem to recall any curious anecdotes about the late Mr. Washington. Fact t'was: he was one of my duller passengers. (He takes a small notebook from his pocket and begins to read)  Abraham Lincoln, also known as Longshanks and Shirttail...

HIGHPOCKETS

Ain't heard that one in years!

DOC

...or Mr. Highpockets..."   (Looks up)  Mister Highpockets?

HIGHPOCKETS

Some call me "Highpockets" in fun, 'n' the "Mister" so's I know it's jes' fun.

DOC

(Studying his height)  Well it fits you right enough.  (Back to reading)

"Father: Thomas Lincoln, late of Kentucky and Indiana... (Looks up again) Pa's gotta itchy foot, ain't he?

HIGHPOCKETS

I think he's stopped scratchin' now.

DOC

"Mother: Nancy Hanks Lincoln,  (Looks up, reflecting) Nancy Hanks? I seem to -- yes. Brown hair. Voice as soft as early-spring wind.

HIGHPOCKETS

Yes.

DOC

Yes. I remember her. (Reads again) "Brothers and sisters: Sarah-deceased, childbirth. Age: 19..."

HIGHPOCKETS

Yes.

DOC

Thomas. Infant. Deceased - not long after birth... (Highpockets nods) One step-brother: John J. Jonston. Two step-sisters: Sarah Elizabeth and Matilda. Stepmother: Sarah Bush Lincoln..." (Looks at highpockets over his glasses) All this apply to you, Highpockets?

HIGHPOCKETS

Yes

DOC

Then you're the one right enough.

HIGHPOCKETS

The one for what?  Who are you, mister?

DOC

Sticks. Doctor Stygian Sticks, though 'round here folks call me jes' plain Doc Sticks.

HIGHPOCKETS

Ah -- medical doctor, are ye?

DOC

After a fashion. (Chuckles, removes his derby) never lost a patient, But more proper a doctor of philosophy -- and letters -- and on occasions I turn my hand to a little magic.  My card.

HIGHPOCKETS

(Reads)  "Dr. Stygian Sticks, illusions and tricks." (Hands the card back to him.) Well, you're right amusin', Doc, but what can I do for you?

DOC

Nothin'! I'm here to perform a service for you. (Smiles) Your time is up.

HIGHPOCKETS

My time?

DOC

(Sighs, takes out his notebook andhis glasses. Puts on his glasses, thumbs through the notes, and then reads:)  You were given ... "twenty-two years, seven months, two days, goin' on fourteen hours 'n' forty-eight minutes..." (looking up at him over his glasses.) Allowin' for a misfire, of course.

HIGHPOCKETS

(Nervous but amused) A misfire?

DOC

That's right.  That's the way it's t'be. (Reads again) "Quarter to three this afternoon you're t'be killed with a shot from a derringer ..."

HIGHPOCKETS

Shot?!  'N' by a derringer did you say?

DOC

All here -- plain to the eye! (Reads again) "A lead ball from a derringer, less'n half'n inch in diameter, will pierce the left side of your head from the back in a line with -- and three inches from -- the left ear, crossin' the brain obliquely 'n' lodgin' a few inches behind the right eye ..."  (Stops for a moment, looks over his glasses at Highpockets.)  Exact enough fer ye so far? (Goes back to reading) "It'll drive bone fragments into the interior lobe of the left hemisphere of the brain."  (Slams the book shut and removes his glasses once again, puts them in his coat pocket.) We might be a touch academic, but we're thorough.

HIGHPOCKETS

But -- that's foolish! Who'd want to shoot a poor, debt-ridden store clerk in a little town like New Salem?!  'N' with a derringer! Why if anybody'd shoot me hereabouts it'd be with a squirrel gun or a Colt maybe! But a derringer?! Doc, you've made a mistake is all.

DOC

(A little annoyed) Why is it folks always think I've made a mistake when I come for them? Since the beginnin' o' time I aint never made a mistake! Oh, I know that sometimes I take a generous, lovin' young'un while a thievin' old rascal is left to live 'til ninety-nine, but that's the way of it! No'un ever said the world is just or equitable! When I come I'm where I should be, "N' the one who comes with me is the one I was sent to fetch!

HIGHPOCKETS

Well now, jes' rein in there a piece, Doc! No offense intended, but -- well -- it ain't sensible! Lookit me!  I'm only twenty-two years old! Stronger'n temptation! My heart's sound 'n' my wind's good.  But - it ain't right!  Not today!

DOC

What's wrong with today? When it comes to dyin', one day's pretty much like another. What'd you want? To go out with thunder 'n' lightin' 'n' the earth tremplin'?  You want folks to remember that Abraham Lincoln died on the day of the great catastrophe o' thirty-one?

HIGHPOCKETS

No!  No! you can't take me yet!

DOC

Why not?

HIGHPOCKETS

'Cause - 'Cause - I was meant to do somethin'! I knowed it all my life! I felt it! I was put here to do somethin'! Somethin' important!

DOC

(Roaring)  Well, why ain't ye done it then?!

HIGHPOCKETS

'Cause I thought I had more time?

DOC

(Standing up to him)  Well, you ain't got more time! (Turns away from him) It ain't as though you wasn't warned! I picked you up in my wagon back on Little Pidgeon Creek when you was ten -- jes' after that mare o' your pa's kicked ye in the head! (Sits on a barrel) Which probably explains a lot.

HIGHPOCKETS

(Stunned) You -- did?  I don't -- remember.

DOC

You ain't supposed to remember!  That's the way it works! (Sullenly) I put you off at the crossroads before the darness came down.

HIGHPOCKETS

Why?

DOC

(Impatiently)  'Cause it wasn't your time!

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