[ WP ] write the song `` All Along the Watchtower '' as a short story

Marcus and Darian were in deep shit; that much was brutally apparent. This was to have been their boldest plan ( at least Marcus's; Darian was a bit of a nutter really ) and naturally it failed completely and utterly. `` Never over extend yourself,'' that had always been the creed. `` Yet, we were eager and hungr... no they were desperate. Marcus was now old and jobs were harder to come by, and he oft lived under the yoke of having to reprove himself to unfair clients and meager coin; however, even in his extended age he had known his limits entirely. Taking on the young Darian had been a mistake, that was obvious now ( read: painstakingly obvious ) and Marcus had slipped up. Darian was a young court jester and a quickly rising one at that; but he was ambitious and found himself unsatisfied. None among us know exactly how he happened upon the guild, but he was no idiot and he clued in on Marcus as a hawk swooping upon elder prey. Immediately Marcus knew why Darian had approached him first with his plan; no well off sane man would consider it and even a moderately crazy one ( of whom there were many in the guild ) would've laughed him out of the tavern or worse yet even thrown a glass at the wild eyed man. But Marcus was desperate and he heard him out. 
 
 `` Go ahead then, I have n't all day'' 
 
 `` Silence yourself you old fool; you dare n't miss out on my grandest of schemes. I am discrediting myself to even propose it to one such as you, so show me some respect.'' 
 
 `` Go ahead then, fool.'' 
 
 `` Fine. Prick. My plan is one of simple elegance, yet stark brilliance. It concerns the women's royalty ball. You've heard of it, right geezer?'' 
 
 `` Course've. What's you're point, ye of simple understanding?'' 
 
 `` Think about it elder brain: I'm a jester; there's a giant gathering of affluent women; I can get you in, we disguise you, scope out the party, and pick out a girl to ransom.'' 
 
 ``....'' 
 
 `` Well? What'a think greyhair?'' 
 
 `` It's stupid.'' 
 
 `` What?! It's brilliant, and you know it. You simply want to steal my plan and use it against me.'' 
 
 `` I would n't be able to do this stupid shite without you.'' 
 
 `` Oh. A' course. I knew this.'' 
 
 ``....'' 
 
 `` So are you on board?'' 
 
 Marcus looked him square in the eyes; so much so that Darian was ( though he would never admit it ) deeply terrified. Marcus's deep purple eyes, which had been a notable characteristic of his persona in a time long past, pierced into Darian's essence. Marcus could read people, and their intentions; and in Darian he could sense... sincerity. He was off, that was apparent, but he believed in his plan, and who knows, Marcus had never been one to doubt his ability to work on the fly, so maybe he could make it happen. 
 
 `` I'm in then. But be warned, do not cross me. Or you die. Is no embelishment; it will be harsh.'' 
 
 `` Come off it old man. Lets get to planning.'' 
 
 ____________________ 
 
 
 The plan itself had not started as a disaster. On the night of the meeting, Darian had let Marcus into the castle ( more of a tower given its almost comical high ) and they had picked a target: The Duchess of Worsterchershirington. She was wealthy, or at least ate well, as was pretty apparent, and surely she would catch a fine price. `` Perhaps by the pound,'' Darian cruelly thought. 
 
 But it was the escape that had eluded them; they were to have scaled one of the lower towers; there were several in this monstrosity of a compound, then repelled down to their escape horses. Unfortunately, gravity was unfavorable to them, and when they reached the platform of their escape; the hearty duchess burst through the rotted beams.
