In "The Last Kind Words Saloon" by Larry McMurtry, the narrative opens with a peaceful atmosphere in the town of Tombstone, setting the stage for the unfolding story. This tranquility hints at the calm before potential turmoil, as the characters navigate their lives in a historical setting filled with tension and expectation.

The tranquility of Tombstone is significant as it contrasts with the tumultuous events that characterize the Wild West. McMurtry's depiction of a quiet day allows readers to reflect on the complexities of life in this era, where beneath the surface calm, personal dramas and larger conflicts brew, shaping the destinies of the characters involved.