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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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<blockquote data-quote="orchid blossom" data-source="post: 2819606" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p>Katherine, meanwhile, had been trying to stay between the two groups in order to either help out if needed or go get the others. Suddenly she sees Chet, Minerva and Nanuet ride away and they are looking the wrong way for her to get their attention. Ruby and Jake have been gone for a while, she also does not know where they went off to. Katherine sighs, forgotten again. She straightens herself up, wipes some imaginary dust from her clothes and decides to go in search of Nolan Edwards.</p><p></p><p>Nolan is just walking out of the hotel when Kate arrives. "Well, nothing much happened at the farmhouse last night. Quite peaceful actually, maybe a bit too peaceful for my taste. The area was tainted enough that even most of the animals had been scared away. Stayed up pretty late just pondering over some things. Seems like you and your friends have been busy. I was just heading over to the Sheriff's office to see if he was alright and to figure out what he had in mind for the next step. I have my own ideas, but since I was employed by then I like to get their input."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, my friends are busy. I'm not sure where Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs are, but the others are following Mr. Whittaker out of town to see what he's up to. Mr. Martin is a peace officer, and our friend Nanuet an excellent tracker. With the Priestess with them, they should be able to stay out of sight and get themselves out of trouble if they get in it.</p><p></p><p>I'll come with you to see the sheriff if you don't mind. I can at least update the others when I see them again."</p><p></p><p>"Don't mind in the slightest, in fact I prefer to have company. I guess that is something different now in my old age. For so long I have worked alone, now I just feel, well, lonely."</p><p></p><p>Kate and Edwards take the short stroll to the sheriff’s office. Weeks is busy cleaning his weapons when the two arrive. Sheriff Weeks has nothing unusual to report. Edwards asks him what his plan is and he says that he would like to investigate Bobby Whittaker first since the trouble seems to coincide with his arrival in town.</p><p></p><p>"It just seems too convenient, but right now that is the most likely lead. I must admit I didn't quite feel up to it today. The last few days have been very emotional for me, I needed a bit of time to clear my head, try and put the personal stuff aside and focus on the job. I am ready now though," he says as he clicks the barrels of the shotgun back into place.</p><p></p><p>"We understand, Sheriff," Kate replied. "You're doing just fine. If you don't mind my asking, we found some old letters at the farmhouse written to and from a Martha Smith and one of those vampires. Do you know who she was?"</p><p></p><p>"Sure, the Smith's owned the ranch together; the other two were hired hands. She passed about 2 years ago, trouble with child birth I believe it was. Shame, they were good folks at one time."</p><p></p><p>Kate caught her breath and tried not to think of the vague fear in her own mind that she could suffer the same fate.</p><p></p><p>"That is a shame," she said softly. "It must be terrible to lose a wife and a child. One day dreaming of the life you were going to have, and the next.... He might have been desperate enough to welcome becoming what he is now.</p><p></p><p>Deputy Martin is looking into Mr. Whittaker at the moment. He and two others followed him out of town tonight, so he should have some information for you when he comes back."</p><p></p><p>Edwards listens to the Sheriff share his information about the ranchers and then the discussion of what to do next. "Well then, you're friends are quite resourceful. Glad to hear that they are on top of things, without your help this whole situation would have taken me a month to straighten out. Well, I'm famished; I think I'll get a bite to eat and then head to the saloon. Care to join me for dinner young lady? My treat. Sheriff, if you can take a break you are more than welcome to join us as well."</p><p></p><p>"Dinner would be lovely, thank you Mr. Edwards. Like you, I find I prefer having company these days. Perhaps you could give the Sheriff and I some more education about your work. It's my guess there are more than just Vampires out in the world that you hunt down." Kate took the man’s arm and looked to the Sheriff.</p><p></p><p>"The saloon seems to be the place to be tonight. I will have to bring a little mirror with me, I believe. Sheriff Weeks, are you coming?"</p><p></p><p>"Uhh, actually I think I'll pass. There are a few more things around here that I would like to get cleaned up and in order. I'll be around if you need me for anything, just that I'd like to get things in order now that Sheriff Wilson is really gone. I heard they are doing the burial tomorrow."</p><p></p><p>"I understand. You'll let us know when the burial is? Sheriff Wilson was a good man and I'd like to pay my respects. Have a good night, you know where to find us if you need us."</p><p></p><p>Kate turned back to Mr. Edwards and let him lead her back toward the hotel. "I have a bit of holy water and a small mirror I can carry with me. Perhaps after dinner we can find out if there are any Vampires at Greely's saloon."</p><p></p><p>"A splendid idea, but for now let's worry about dinner. I think I'm in the mood for a nice rare steak."</p><p></p><p>Nolan Edwards treated Kate to pleasant conversation and a decent meal. He answered several questions about his line of work and things such as ghouls, ghasts, vampires, werewolves, mummies and the sort. Some he had encountered first hand, others he had only heard about. The time went quickly as Edwards had many stories to tell and was quite willing to share. He actually seemed pleased that someone took an interest as he mentioned many times that his was a lonely line of work.</p><p></p><p>"Well, unless you protest I believe it is time we got back to work and headed to the saloon."</p><p></p><p>"I do not protest," she said lightly. "Just give me a moment to run up to my room and I'll be right with you."</p><p></p><p>Kate went upstairs and quickly slipped the holy water into her pocket along with a small primping mirror. She was back in the dining room in only a couple minutes and they went over to Greely's saloon.</p><p></p><p>Back at their newly rented house Ruby leads Jake down the narrow tunnel. An indeterminate amount of time goes by and the tunnel seems to just keep going. The cobwebs are heavy indicating that no one has come this far in quite some time and there are no signs of any monstrous bugs like the one from the beginning of the tunnel. The tunnel continues it's straight unwavering path.</p><p></p><p>Jake spends a moment pondering the directions things were facing and attempts to line everything up in his mind. "West!" he declares, "I believe we are heading west, that would be underneath several houses and eventually the Whittaker house, but we would have gone beyond that by now," he says.</p><p></p><p>Ruby stops walking. "We've been going for a really long time and it doesn't seem like anyone has come this way in a long time. Let's go back. We can't miss meeting with Whittaker at the Saloon tonight." Jake agrees and they head back to the house. "We should get our stuff and move in here. I would much rather spend the night here with you next to me than in the hotel where we know those monsters can get in."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, we will move our stuff in. There is enough room for everyone, that is if Katherine will let Maddie share a room with her." Jake cannot help himself and grins after saying that.</p><p></p><p>On the way back to the house Jake says, "I have been trying to remember if Mayor's house had any markings on O'Neil’s map. I do not think it did. It is an older house, and could be this tunnel has nothing to do with current troubles. If they had Indian squabbles when it was first built it might have been just an escape route. Strange that it is so long, would have been a tremendous amount of work to dig this out." He shakes is head and adds, "Bizarre town this Thomaswell."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, very bizarre. I can't wait to get out of here." Ruby shudders. "But I think you're right, this doesn't have to do with our current predicament. Especially since this problem just happens and this tunnel looks old."</p><p></p><p>They enter the house and climb out of the basement. "I think we could use some of these supplies too," she points to the walls. "So... get out stuff now or later? And oh," Ruby teases, "We get the big chubby baby making bed!" She giggles at her own joke.</p><p></p><p>"Get our stuff now," he says and then playfully slaps at her behind, "and of course we get the GOOD bed, I just paid the rent. It needs a different name I think," he rolls his eyes, "I do not think I could deal with any other monsters right now."</p><p></p><p>Ruby laughs, "You know I'm only kidding Jake, I don't want any more monsters either. Not now and most likely not later either." They walk out to the porch and Ruby leans against the house as Jake locks up. "I'm glad I'm with the guy with the money. I like getting the best stuff. As for the bed, think of a better name then. I need to be amused." She takes his hand and they start towards the hotel.</p><p></p><p>Ruby and Jake find themselves back at the hotel. They head to their room and haphazardly throw their belongings into their bags. They stop at the front desk to check out and thank the owner for his help.</p><p></p><p>They drag their stuff over to the new house and unceremoniously dump it. "Let's head over to the Saloon and wait for the others, and check up on Greely."</p><p></p><p>Jake nods and they head over to the Saloon.</p><p></p><p>The saloon is still fairly quiet. Thom and Greely are busy restocking the bar and arranging the tables. Ruby and Jake notice there are a couple tables missing after their destruction a couple of nights ago. Apparently their has not been time to find suitable replacements. There are a few extra chairs set out in their place.</p><p></p><p>There are a half dozen other patrons in the saloon. They are seated near the back, 4 men and two women. The men are playing darts while the women are plying their trade and providing company for the men. A solitary waitress does her duty and ensures the men have what they want.</p><p></p><p>Kate arrived at the saloon at the same time as Jacky O'Neil. O'Neil seemed to be a little disheveled compared to his usual neat self. When he enters the saloon he heads straight to the bar and orders a bottle of whiskey from Greely as soon as Ruby's vodkas are poured. He grabs the bottle and heads to the back of the room and heads to where they are playing darts and attempts to convince them to switch to poker instead.</p><p></p><p><em>Katherine might have to retire early tonight,</em> she thought, looking over at O'Neill. "Mr. Edwards, why don't we sit over here?" Kate said, leading him over to a table near Jake and Ruby. She deliberately took a seat with her back to the bar and said. "I believe I'd enjoy a glass of wine. I'll just primp a bit while you fetch that for me."</p><p></p><p>Nolan Edwards smiled and walked over to the bar. Kate fished out her little mirror and pretended to pick at her hair as she angled the mirror toward Mr. Greely, then Thom.</p><p></p><p>Edwards responds quickly to Kate's request and heads to the bar to get two glasses of wine.</p><p></p><p>Kate uses the mirror to try catch a reflection of Greely. She lines up the small mirror and sees her escort clearly but does not see the reflection of Mr. Greely as he pours the wine out for him. She switches her angle a bit to try and catch Thom in her view. She can clearly see him as he goes about his duties around the saloon.</p><p></p><p>Katherine forced herself to keep her breathing even. She turned and smiled toward her escort, putting a bit of Maddie into her own behavior. Her gaze swept over the rest of the room to where O'Neill was trying to break up the game of darts. She turned back to her primping, this time angling toward the men in the corner.</p><p></p><p>Nolan returned with the glasses of wine, now aware of Kate's trick. He lets her concentrate and puts the glasses of wine on the table without saying anything.</p><p></p><p>Kate tries to get a good look at the group in the back corner of the saloon. The people back there are constantly in motion and the mirror offers a small field of view, so it is very hard for her to get a completely accurate view of everyone back there but she is able to pick out the two women and O'Neill specifically as well as a few others and she is fairly certain if not positive that everyone back there has a reflection.</p><p></p><p>Kate clicked the little mirror closed and took a sip of her wine. "Greely has no reflection," she said quietly. "Thom does. I tried to look at the others back by the dart board, but they are moving a great deal. Mr. O'Neill does reflect, as do the women. I don't think there are any monsters back there. I'd suggest searching Greely's house tonight while no one is there. There's no use in attacking him if he can retreat to his coffin."</p><p></p><p>Nolan keeps a calm face and sips from his wine. He then replies, keeping his voice low. "Excellent work Katherine, keep this up and you will put me out of a job. We should discuss a few things, but I am not sure this is the best place, the walls may have ears."</p><p></p><p>"Thank you, but I doubt I'd put you out of a job. I'm not very strong, as you can see. And I already have three jobs, I don't think I could handle a fourth. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs are here. Would you like me to get them and we could go back to the hotel?"</p><p></p><p>At the bar Thom greets Ruby with a smile. "Hello pretty lady, how are you today?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby offers him her hand, "Good evening Mr. Thom. I'm feeling mostly better, how are you?" She glances around the saloon, "Think it will be busy tonight?"</p><p></p><p>Thom scratches his head, then rubs the scar that mars it. "I don't know, maybe. Not so many people come to have fun any more. Most people who come are sad." He takes Ruby's hand in both of his huge paws and vigorously shakes it up and down.</p><p></p><p>Ruby giggles. "Thanks Thom. You know, I like you too. You're a good man." Ruby smiles at him as a thought comes to her mind. "Have you ever thought of leaving Thomaswell? There isn't much here in this little town."</p><p></p><p>"Oh, I don't think I could leave here. I'm not too smart anymore. Mr. Greely takes care of me, and he wouldn't leave."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, Mr. Greely seems to take care of you," Ruby squeezes his hand, "I was only wondering if you ever thought about it. I bet there are other places you could go with friends who would be glad to have you. But I'm happy you're happy here. You do a good job." Ruby smiles at him again. "I think we'll go speak to Mr. Greely now."</p><p></p><p>Thom smiles at Ruby's words, a little rivulet of drool forming on his chin as he does so. "I don't really have no other friends Mrs. Constance. Mr. Greely just takes care of me and I work hard for him. You can go talk to him now if you like."</p><p></p><p>As they walk across the room Ruby says to Jake, "We never had anything for dinner. We might have to get something."</p><p></p><p>Ruby looks around the room, checking to see is there are any mirrors anywhere. She walks up the the bar, "Evening Mr. Greely. How are you tonight?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby finds no mirrors in the common room of the saloon with her initial scan. When she speaks to Greely he seems a bit out of sorts.</p><p></p><p>"Eh? Oh, I guess I'm fine. Haven't been sleeping well lately, too many things on my mind I suppose. I never have gotten used to sleeping during the day. Surprised to see you around here still, with all the strange goings on and whatnot. Rumor has it the stage is coming tomorrow. I sure hope it does, I need to restock." Greely continues to work as he talks to Ruby.</p><p></p><p>Ruby's heart skipped a beat and as her lips turn into a smile. "Oh, isn't that <em>wonderful</em> news! Hear that Jake... the stage is coming tomorrow! We can go home!"</p><p></p><p>Ruby pauses, "You're right Mr. Greely, strange things have been going on," Ruby says while unconsciously touching her bruised face. "And I do want to get out of here. But my friends are good samaritans so to speak. Could we have some vodkas please?"</p><p></p><p>While Greely is looking away getting their drinks Ruby nods to Jake and his pocket.</p><p></p><p>Greely stops his tidying work and goes to fetch two shot glasses and a bottle of vodka for Ruby. He pours the two and offers them to her. "Let's start the night off on a good night, first round is on me."</p><p></p><p>Jake moves towards her and deftly removes the flask from his pocket and opens the stopper, hiding it all behind his duster. He lounges at the bar near Ruby.</p><p></p><p>"Thank you Mr Greely," Ruby says, accepting the vodkas. When O'Neil asks for his wine Ruby turns her back and faces Jake. She downs her entire vodka with an "ugh" that she keeps in and quickly and quietly offers the glass to Jake down low.</p><p></p><p>He uses his deft hands and refills the glass with holy water. Ruby then places the glass on the bar next to the other. Looking at Jake she says, "We should have a toast, darling husband, to celebrate the purchase of our new home."</p><p></p><p>Jake lifts his glass, as does Ruby. As Greely walks past them Ruby says, "To our new home!" She begins lifting her glass and 'accidentally' spills it, splashing it onto the bar and Greely the best she can.</p><p></p><p>"Ooppps," she says with a fake blush and her fingers to her lips, and Jake and Ruby watch with interest to the results of their experiment.</p><p></p><p>Ruby spills the water on the bar but doesn't manage to get anything on Greely. However he comes back with a towel to clean up the spill. As soon as he begins wiping it up he appears uncomfortable and quickly abandons the towel on the bar, wiping his hand on his apron. "Thom, get some towels for me please and wipe down the bar over here." he says pointing to the area where the water was spilled. "I'll be back in just a moment."</p><p></p><p>Greely walks out from behind the bar and heads to the back door of the saloon.</p><p></p><p>Ruby raises her eyebrows and glances at Jake. "Did you see that?" she whispers, while continuing to watch to see if Thom also has the same reaction. "What are we going to do?"</p><p></p><p>Kate got up and walked over to the bar after Greely walked away and whispered. "Mr. Greely had no reflection in my mirror. Mr. Edwards wants to talk. Confronting him here probably isn't a good idea. We don't want to tip him off that we know, plus it would be better to destroy his refuge first." She made sure to finish talking before Thom arrived.</p><p></p><p>Thom does as he is told and grabs a bundle of towels from the stock room. He breaks the twine on the stack of cloth towels and uses one to wipe off the bar and then stows the rest away underneath. "Did you spill your drink Pretty Constance? Can Thom get you another one?"</p><p></p><p>"I did Thom. And you are very sweet to offer to replace it. But I think my husband and I are going to join our new friend for dinner right now. We'll be back later. I hope you'll be here," she says, knowing full well he will. "Thank you," she smiles, then rises from her chair.</p><p></p><p>"Al?" Jake slams back his vodka and follows wordlessly.</p><p></p><p>The quartet head back over to the hotel, where Jake and Ruby order dinner.</p><p></p><p>"That answers that question," Ruby finally states. "Greely is one of them. I knew Thom wasn't. The question now is what do we do?"</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2819606, member: 12815"] Katherine, meanwhile, had been trying to stay between the two groups in order to either help out if needed or go get the others. Suddenly she sees Chet, Minerva and Nanuet ride away and they are looking the wrong way for her to get their attention. Ruby and Jake have been gone for a while, she also does not know where they went off to. Katherine sighs, forgotten again. She straightens herself up, wipes some imaginary dust from her clothes and decides to go in search of Nolan Edwards. Nolan is just walking out of the hotel when Kate arrives. "Well, nothing much happened at the farmhouse last night. Quite peaceful actually, maybe a bit too peaceful for my taste. The area was tainted enough that even most of the animals had been scared away. Stayed up pretty late just pondering over some things. Seems like you and your friends have been busy. I was just heading over to the Sheriff's office to see if he was alright and to figure out what he had in mind for the next step. I have my own ideas, but since I was employed by then I like to get their input." "Yes, my friends are busy. I'm not sure where Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs are, but the others are following Mr. Whittaker out of town to see what he's up to. Mr. Martin is a peace officer, and our friend Nanuet an excellent tracker. With the Priestess with them, they should be able to stay out of sight and get themselves out of trouble if they get in it. I'll come with you to see the sheriff if you don't mind. I can at least update the others when I see them again." "Don't mind in the slightest, in fact I prefer to have company. I guess that is something different now in my old age. For so long I have worked alone, now I just feel, well, lonely." Kate and Edwards take the short stroll to the sheriff’s office. Weeks is busy cleaning his weapons when the two arrive. Sheriff Weeks has nothing unusual to report. Edwards asks him what his plan is and he says that he would like to investigate Bobby Whittaker first since the trouble seems to coincide with his arrival in town. "It just seems too convenient, but right now that is the most likely lead. I must admit I didn't quite feel up to it today. The last few days have been very emotional for me, I needed a bit of time to clear my head, try and put the personal stuff aside and focus on the job. I am ready now though," he says as he clicks the barrels of the shotgun back into place. "We understand, Sheriff," Kate replied. "You're doing just fine. If you don't mind my asking, we found some old letters at the farmhouse written to and from a Martha Smith and one of those vampires. Do you know who she was?" "Sure, the Smith's owned the ranch together; the other two were hired hands. She passed about 2 years ago, trouble with child birth I believe it was. Shame, they were good folks at one time." Kate caught her breath and tried not to think of the vague fear in her own mind that she could suffer the same fate. "That is a shame," she said softly. "It must be terrible to lose a wife and a child. One day dreaming of the life you were going to have, and the next.... He might have been desperate enough to welcome becoming what he is now. Deputy Martin is looking into Mr. Whittaker at the moment. He and two others followed him out of town tonight, so he should have some information for you when he comes back." Edwards listens to the Sheriff share his information about the ranchers and then the discussion of what to do next. "Well then, you're friends are quite resourceful. Glad to hear that they are on top of things, without your help this whole situation would have taken me a month to straighten out. Well, I'm famished; I think I'll get a bite to eat and then head to the saloon. Care to join me for dinner young lady? My treat. Sheriff, if you can take a break you are more than welcome to join us as well." "Dinner would be lovely, thank you Mr. Edwards. Like you, I find I prefer having company these days. Perhaps you could give the Sheriff and I some more education about your work. It's my guess there are more than just Vampires out in the world that you hunt down." Kate took the man’s arm and looked to the Sheriff. "The saloon seems to be the place to be tonight. I will have to bring a little mirror with me, I believe. Sheriff Weeks, are you coming?" "Uhh, actually I think I'll pass. There are a few more things around here that I would like to get cleaned up and in order. I'll be around if you need me for anything, just that I'd like to get things in order now that Sheriff Wilson is really gone. I heard they are doing the burial tomorrow." "I understand. You'll let us know when the burial is? Sheriff Wilson was a good man and I'd like to pay my respects. Have a good night, you know where to find us if you need us." Kate turned back to Mr. Edwards and let him lead her back toward the hotel. "I have a bit of holy water and a small mirror I can carry with me. Perhaps after dinner we can find out if there are any Vampires at Greely's saloon." "A splendid idea, but for now let's worry about dinner. I think I'm in the mood for a nice rare steak." Nolan Edwards treated Kate to pleasant conversation and a decent meal. He answered several questions about his line of work and things such as ghouls, ghasts, vampires, werewolves, mummies and the sort. Some he had encountered first hand, others he had only heard about. The time went quickly as Edwards had many stories to tell and was quite willing to share. He actually seemed pleased that someone took an interest as he mentioned many times that his was a lonely line of work. "Well, unless you protest I believe it is time we got back to work and headed to the saloon." "I do not protest," she said lightly. "Just give me a moment to run up to my room and I'll be right with you." Kate went upstairs and quickly slipped the holy water into her pocket along with a small primping mirror. She was back in the dining room in only a couple minutes and they went over to Greely's saloon. Back at their newly rented house Ruby leads Jake down the narrow tunnel. An indeterminate amount of time goes by and the tunnel seems to just keep going. The cobwebs are heavy indicating that no one has come this far in quite some time and there are no signs of any monstrous bugs like the one from the beginning of the tunnel. The tunnel continues it's straight unwavering path. Jake spends a moment pondering the directions things were facing and attempts to line everything up in his mind. "West!" he declares, "I believe we are heading west, that would be underneath several houses and eventually the Whittaker house, but we would have gone beyond that by now," he says. Ruby stops walking. "We've been going for a really long time and it doesn't seem like anyone has come this way in a long time. Let's go back. We can't miss meeting with Whittaker at the Saloon tonight." Jake agrees and they head back to the house. "We should get our stuff and move in here. I would much rather spend the night here with you next to me than in the hotel where we know those monsters can get in." "Yes, we will move our stuff in. There is enough room for everyone, that is if Katherine will let Maddie share a room with her." Jake cannot help himself and grins after saying that. On the way back to the house Jake says, "I have been trying to remember if Mayor's house had any markings on O'Neil’s map. I do not think it did. It is an older house, and could be this tunnel has nothing to do with current troubles. If they had Indian squabbles when it was first built it might have been just an escape route. Strange that it is so long, would have been a tremendous amount of work to dig this out." He shakes is head and adds, "Bizarre town this Thomaswell." "Yes, very bizarre. I can't wait to get out of here." Ruby shudders. "But I think you're right, this doesn't have to do with our current predicament. Especially since this problem just happens and this tunnel looks old." They enter the house and climb out of the basement. "I think we could use some of these supplies too," she points to the walls. "So... get out stuff now or later? And oh," Ruby teases, "We get the big chubby baby making bed!" She giggles at her own joke. "Get our stuff now," he says and then playfully slaps at her behind, "and of course we get the GOOD bed, I just paid the rent. It needs a different name I think," he rolls his eyes, "I do not think I could deal with any other monsters right now." Ruby laughs, "You know I'm only kidding Jake, I don't want any more monsters either. Not now and most likely not later either." They walk out to the porch and Ruby leans against the house as Jake locks up. "I'm glad I'm with the guy with the money. I like getting the best stuff. As for the bed, think of a better name then. I need to be amused." She takes his hand and they start towards the hotel. Ruby and Jake find themselves back at the hotel. They head to their room and haphazardly throw their belongings into their bags. They stop at the front desk to check out and thank the owner for his help. They drag their stuff over to the new house and unceremoniously dump it. "Let's head over to the Saloon and wait for the others, and check up on Greely." Jake nods and they head over to the Saloon. The saloon is still fairly quiet. Thom and Greely are busy restocking the bar and arranging the tables. Ruby and Jake notice there are a couple tables missing after their destruction a couple of nights ago. Apparently their has not been time to find suitable replacements. There are a few extra chairs set out in their place. There are a half dozen other patrons in the saloon. They are seated near the back, 4 men and two women. The men are playing darts while the women are plying their trade and providing company for the men. A solitary waitress does her duty and ensures the men have what they want. Kate arrived at the saloon at the same time as Jacky O'Neil. O'Neil seemed to be a little disheveled compared to his usual neat self. When he enters the saloon he heads straight to the bar and orders a bottle of whiskey from Greely as soon as Ruby's vodkas are poured. He grabs the bottle and heads to the back of the room and heads to where they are playing darts and attempts to convince them to switch to poker instead. [i]Katherine might have to retire early tonight,[/i] she thought, looking over at O'Neill. "Mr. Edwards, why don't we sit over here?" Kate said, leading him over to a table near Jake and Ruby. She deliberately took a seat with her back to the bar and said. "I believe I'd enjoy a glass of wine. I'll just primp a bit while you fetch that for me." Nolan Edwards smiled and walked over to the bar. Kate fished out her little mirror and pretended to pick at her hair as she angled the mirror toward Mr. Greely, then Thom. Edwards responds quickly to Kate's request and heads to the bar to get two glasses of wine. Kate uses the mirror to try catch a reflection of Greely. She lines up the small mirror and sees her escort clearly but does not see the reflection of Mr. Greely as he pours the wine out for him. She switches her angle a bit to try and catch Thom in her view. She can clearly see him as he goes about his duties around the saloon. Katherine forced herself to keep her breathing even. She turned and smiled toward her escort, putting a bit of Maddie into her own behavior. Her gaze swept over the rest of the room to where O'Neill was trying to break up the game of darts. She turned back to her primping, this time angling toward the men in the corner. Nolan returned with the glasses of wine, now aware of Kate's trick. He lets her concentrate and puts the glasses of wine on the table without saying anything. Kate tries to get a good look at the group in the back corner of the saloon. The people back there are constantly in motion and the mirror offers a small field of view, so it is very hard for her to get a completely accurate view of everyone back there but she is able to pick out the two women and O'Neill specifically as well as a few others and she is fairly certain if not positive that everyone back there has a reflection. Kate clicked the little mirror closed and took a sip of her wine. "Greely has no reflection," she said quietly. "Thom does. I tried to look at the others back by the dart board, but they are moving a great deal. Mr. O'Neill does reflect, as do the women. I don't think there are any monsters back there. I'd suggest searching Greely's house tonight while no one is there. There's no use in attacking him if he can retreat to his coffin." Nolan keeps a calm face and sips from his wine. He then replies, keeping his voice low. "Excellent work Katherine, keep this up and you will put me out of a job. We should discuss a few things, but I am not sure this is the best place, the walls may have ears." "Thank you, but I doubt I'd put you out of a job. I'm not very strong, as you can see. And I already have three jobs, I don't think I could handle a fourth. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs are here. Would you like me to get them and we could go back to the hotel?" At the bar Thom greets Ruby with a smile. "Hello pretty lady, how are you today?" Ruby offers him her hand, "Good evening Mr. Thom. I'm feeling mostly better, how are you?" She glances around the saloon, "Think it will be busy tonight?" Thom scratches his head, then rubs the scar that mars it. "I don't know, maybe. Not so many people come to have fun any more. Most people who come are sad." He takes Ruby's hand in both of his huge paws and vigorously shakes it up and down. Ruby giggles. "Thanks Thom. You know, I like you too. You're a good man." Ruby smiles at him as a thought comes to her mind. "Have you ever thought of leaving Thomaswell? There isn't much here in this little town." "Oh, I don't think I could leave here. I'm not too smart anymore. Mr. Greely takes care of me, and he wouldn't leave." "Yes, Mr. Greely seems to take care of you," Ruby squeezes his hand, "I was only wondering if you ever thought about it. I bet there are other places you could go with friends who would be glad to have you. But I'm happy you're happy here. You do a good job." Ruby smiles at him again. "I think we'll go speak to Mr. Greely now." Thom smiles at Ruby's words, a little rivulet of drool forming on his chin as he does so. "I don't really have no other friends Mrs. Constance. Mr. Greely just takes care of me and I work hard for him. You can go talk to him now if you like." As they walk across the room Ruby says to Jake, "We never had anything for dinner. We might have to get something." Ruby looks around the room, checking to see is there are any mirrors anywhere. She walks up the the bar, "Evening Mr. Greely. How are you tonight?" Ruby finds no mirrors in the common room of the saloon with her initial scan. When she speaks to Greely he seems a bit out of sorts. "Eh? Oh, I guess I'm fine. Haven't been sleeping well lately, too many things on my mind I suppose. I never have gotten used to sleeping during the day. Surprised to see you around here still, with all the strange goings on and whatnot. Rumor has it the stage is coming tomorrow. I sure hope it does, I need to restock." Greely continues to work as he talks to Ruby. Ruby's heart skipped a beat and as her lips turn into a smile. "Oh, isn't that [i]wonderful[/i] news! Hear that Jake... the stage is coming tomorrow! We can go home!" Ruby pauses, "You're right Mr. Greely, strange things have been going on," Ruby says while unconsciously touching her bruised face. "And I do want to get out of here. But my friends are good samaritans so to speak. Could we have some vodkas please?" While Greely is looking away getting their drinks Ruby nods to Jake and his pocket. Greely stops his tidying work and goes to fetch two shot glasses and a bottle of vodka for Ruby. He pours the two and offers them to her. "Let's start the night off on a good night, first round is on me." Jake moves towards her and deftly removes the flask from his pocket and opens the stopper, hiding it all behind his duster. He lounges at the bar near Ruby. "Thank you Mr Greely," Ruby says, accepting the vodkas. When O'Neil asks for his wine Ruby turns her back and faces Jake. She downs her entire vodka with an "ugh" that she keeps in and quickly and quietly offers the glass to Jake down low. He uses his deft hands and refills the glass with holy water. Ruby then places the glass on the bar next to the other. Looking at Jake she says, "We should have a toast, darling husband, to celebrate the purchase of our new home." Jake lifts his glass, as does Ruby. As Greely walks past them Ruby says, "To our new home!" She begins lifting her glass and 'accidentally' spills it, splashing it onto the bar and Greely the best she can. "Ooppps," she says with a fake blush and her fingers to her lips, and Jake and Ruby watch with interest to the results of their experiment. Ruby spills the water on the bar but doesn't manage to get anything on Greely. However he comes back with a towel to clean up the spill. As soon as he begins wiping it up he appears uncomfortable and quickly abandons the towel on the bar, wiping his hand on his apron. "Thom, get some towels for me please and wipe down the bar over here." he says pointing to the area where the water was spilled. "I'll be back in just a moment." Greely walks out from behind the bar and heads to the back door of the saloon. Ruby raises her eyebrows and glances at Jake. "Did you see that?" she whispers, while continuing to watch to see if Thom also has the same reaction. "What are we going to do?" Kate got up and walked over to the bar after Greely walked away and whispered. "Mr. Greely had no reflection in my mirror. Mr. Edwards wants to talk. Confronting him here probably isn't a good idea. We don't want to tip him off that we know, plus it would be better to destroy his refuge first." She made sure to finish talking before Thom arrived. Thom does as he is told and grabs a bundle of towels from the stock room. He breaks the twine on the stack of cloth towels and uses one to wipe off the bar and then stows the rest away underneath. "Did you spill your drink Pretty Constance? Can Thom get you another one?" "I did Thom. And you are very sweet to offer to replace it. But I think my husband and I are going to join our new friend for dinner right now. We'll be back later. I hope you'll be here," she says, knowing full well he will. "Thank you," she smiles, then rises from her chair. "Al?" Jake slams back his vodka and follows wordlessly. The quartet head back over to the hotel, where Jake and Ruby order dinner. "That answers that question," Ruby finally states. "Greely is one of them. I knew Thom wasn't. The question now is what do we do?" [/QUOTE]
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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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