Some of the businessman feel the marshal's rules, like curfew, are hampering their business. They decide to do something about it themselves but not with a low card. The one who draws the short straw wins.
Marshal Troop is approached by an attorney representing 27 businessmen in Laramie willing to make him wealthy if he agrees to a few new tasks which includes lifting the 10:00 pm curfew. When he refuses the offer, three of the ringleaders decide to kill Troop. They draw for the short straw to decide who kills him. The man drawing the short straw has reservations about their plan and asks if one of the others want the task but he is forced to do the job. He starts by bringing in a hired gun. Troop knows him and foils the gunman's plan. A drunk released early from the jail is mistakenly shot when he is taken for Troop. Troop and McKay are on edge as they await the next attack which does come.—Anonymous
Several businessmen who have lost money with the arrival of Dan as marshal conspire to kill the marshal. They decide that the one who draws the short straw will have to arrange Troop's murder.