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Story Hour
"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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<blockquote data-quote="orchid blossom" data-source="post: 2819622" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p>Chester finds Weeks. "Sheriff. We got Greely. He was one of those monsters and might even have been their boss. It looks like he turned Edwards into a vampire last night or so. He's gone too, now. Rest his soul. One last thing we're going to check up on is Whitaker. I followed him and Romo out of town the other night. They're running guns from the looks of it, but for who, I don't know. Since the trouble began when he came to town, we're going to see if he's a vampire also. OK?"</p><p></p><p>Weeks seemed a bit overwhelmed by all the information Chester was giving him and all he could do was nod. "Do you really think he is one of those monsters too? Edwards was definitely changed into something, I don't know what happened. I hope this is all over soon, my nerves can't take too much more. You go ahead and do what ever you gotta do, you've got a badge, use it."</p><p></p><p>Chester pats the man on the back. "I know it's a lot to swallow, Sheriff. This whole territory seems to be a magnet for strange happenings. Sheriff Wilson had some idea of what was going on, otherwise he wouldn't have asked Mr. Edwards to come. Hopefully with Greely and Turner gone, your monster problem is taken care of. We'll try to fix what we came out here to do, though. If Whitaker is part of this, we'll find out soon enough."</p><p></p><p>Chester raises his voice so the crowd can hear him. "Folks. The hotel is going to be closed for a while. There's nothing to be worried about. The sheriff has everything under control. Just go on home."</p><p></p><p>Most of the distraught crowd is pleased to have someone telling them what to do and even more pleased to know that they didn't have to return to the hotel immediately. Victor Bishop raises a stink for a moment about Chester effectively closing down his business but it doesn't take much to put him in his place.</p><p></p><p>Chester says, "Now Mr. Bishop. It's just going to be for the rest of the day. I doubt many people would have an appetite with a dead body in the lobby, right? We'll get this mess straightened out and tomorrow will be another day, OK? This gives the people a chance to forget that there was a monster here."</p><p></p><p>The sheriff excuses himself stating that he has several things to attend to "First and foremost moving this body over to the docs for now."</p><p></p><p>"Sure thing, sheriff." Chester heads back to the rented house. He slumps into a chair in the kitchen. "Man, do I need a drink." After a while, he rummages around the cupboard and finds a bottle of whiskey. He quickly downs a shot.</p><p></p><p>Katherine walked past Edwards, carefully looking away from his ruined body as she made her way to the back where the other guests had been escaping. She made her way over to the harried Sheriff.</p><p></p><p>"Sheriff Weeks?" she asked quietly. "I hate to interrupt you, especially with something like this. Mr. Jacobs suggests that you gather a few men to exhume those who have died since the trouble started, to make sure their rest is peaceful."</p><p></p><p>"Not sure what I would do without you folks, you've been a tremendous help. I for one will be sad to see you go. I'll do what I can to make sure that gets done today while the sun is still up. Thanks again ma'am."</p><p></p><p>"To be honest, I think anyone still buried in the ground is resting peacefully. It's a precaution. But it's a good idea just the same." She reached out and shook his hand. "We're glad to have helped. Good luck to you."</p><p></p><p>Kate wrapped Chester's jacket tight around her and walked tiredly back to the rented house and up to her room. It was the first time she got a chance to see the blood soaked into the high collar of her blouse. She stripped it off, as well as her skirt and climbed back into bed. She knew she should eat, but she didn't think anything was going to stay down just now.</p><p></p><p>Thom does not appear to know what to do with himself. Currently he is sweeping the floor, but he appears to be quite intoxicated from a bottle of whiskey that lies on the floor nearby. He sings to himself off tune.</p><p></p><p>"Thom what did you do?" Ruby admonishes him. "You never put the bottle on the floor! And you need to save some for me!" Ruby winks at him and picks up the bottle. She wipes it on her dress then finishes it off. "I want to speak to you now. Would you talk with me?"</p><p></p><p>"What dyd I do? What did I dooo?" he sings out loud. "We can talk now if you want, I don't know why I am sweeping, it just makes me feel better sometimes. What did you want to talk about?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby begins to regret her decision. <em>What am I thinking, I'm no babysitter...</em> "Thom, what will you do now that Greely is gone?"</p><p></p><p>"I don't know Pretty Constance. I think I will be happy for now and worry about it later. Maybe I can find a pretty girlfriend and get married or maybe I can work on a farm? I am pretty strong, they like strong people on the farm to do the hard works."</p><p></p><p>"A girlfriend huh?" Ruby softens and smiles. He was still a man after all. "Well I was thinking. Ja-uh, Mr. Jacobs and I have a Saloon back in Promise City. We are doing some renovations and it's going to be a really big Saloon with a another door on the side street. So we're going to need someone to watch the door. Also our friends Mrs. Kale and Nanuet have a farm and they could probably use the help too. What do you say, do you think you'd like to come back to Promise City with us? You could live in the Saloon and in return work for us."</p><p></p><p>"Me, work in a saloon some more? I would really love to! Mr. Ja-Jacobs said it was OK? Is Promise City nice? I promise I'll be nice! Oh wow, this is going to be fun!" Thom runs to Ruby and gives her a big kiss on the cheek followed by a hug Ruby almost regrets allowing to happen.</p><p></p><p>"Thom!" Ruby hollers out until he releases her a bit. "I think we need to work on being more gentle," she laughs. "Yes, Promise City is a big city and you'll love it there. Right now you need to figure out what you should take with you. It has to be able to fit on the stage. Do you have a lot of things to bring? Where do you stay now?"</p><p></p><p>"I'm sorry, just nobody never been so nice to Thom." He scratches his head at the question. "I stay here, on the cot under the trapdoor, you saw my room this morning. I don't have nothing much to bring, just some clothes I guess."</p><p></p><p>"You don't have any money or anything?" Ruby pulls her hair off her face. "It's ok, we'll figure out something. You don't need any anyway. Now here is what I want you to do. Please get all the bottles of liquor out here on the bar. I would appreciate that. Wait!" She looks at Thom closely. "Maybe you ought to pack your clothes first. Maybe not a good idea to pick up liquor bottles right now. Ok, so you go pack your bags, ok?"</p><p></p><p>"OK, I can do that. Do you have another name? Pretty Constance is long and it sometimes sounds funny." Thom leaves Ruby to go pack his clothes, that should take about 5 minutes.</p><p></p><p>"Yes actually, you can call me Ruby. And my husband, it's easier if you call him Jake."</p><p></p><p>"Ruby and Jake, Ruby and Jake. OK, let me get my clothes now, then I can get the bottles and put them on the bar."</p><p></p><p>Thom squeezes down the trap door behind the bar and gets to work on his packing.</p><p></p><p>Ruby smiles as Thom leaves. "Yes," she says out loud to herself, "Jake and Ruby."</p><p></p><p>She heads back upstairs and continues searching the rooms. After that is done she returns to the bottom floor to search around the spots they did not search earlier in the morning.</p><p></p><p>Ruby searches but finds little of interest. "Dammit," she swears to herself. "Oh well, we will never know the secret of the door."</p><p></p><p>She stands in front of the bar and looks over the bottles of liquor. She pulls out anything of interest or expensive looking.</p><p></p><p>"Thom sweetie, are you ready to go?"</p><p></p><p>"OK, sure! Promises City, here I come!" Thom follows Ruby like a lost puppy wherever she leads him.</p><p></p><p>"Let's gather these bottles and then we'll be off. We have a bit more business to do before we leave today, but believe me, we will be leaving on today's stage."</p><p></p><p>Almost on cue, as Ruby and Thom gather up the bottles and exit the saloon she can hear a buzz among the few people on the streets and everybody seems to be heading eastward. She thinks she hears someone mention that that stage has arrived.</p><p></p><p>Jake has seen and copied many a last will and testament when he worked in the family business. His father would be outraged to learn that Jake also managed to learn how to forge signatures in the hours stuck at the work desk. Jake examines Greely's papers closely, examines the style carefully. He also looks them over for anything else of value. He practices Greely's handwriting on the backs of the Mayors letters before attempting the document. Finally, when he thinks he is ready, Jake makes a will that looks like Greely's style. In return for the work that Thom has been doing for him, Greely leaves him ownership of the saloon if Thom should survive him. Jake then practices the Mayors signature as well, and when he is ready, attaches it as witness. After all the ink is dry, Jake uses some tricks of the trade to make the document look older, and gives it creases similar to the other papers in Greely's stash.</p><p></p><p>Jake looks at his work. It would pass to an untrained eye, but given what he had to work with it was not the best job he had done. Whether or not it would stand up, Jake had a decision to make. He burns up the Mayor's letters that he practiced on, shakes his head at the marginal quality work but has no more time to improve it. He leaves the house in search of the Sheriff.</p><p></p><p>Sheriff Weeks is hard at work organizing some men to dig up and examine the bodies of the recently deceased. He is trying to explain the reason to the men as Jake approaches "They might be able to come back from the dead. Check the coffins for scratch marks, see if anything happens when they are in the sun, and stop at least a half hour before sundown. Come right to the office if you find anything."</p><p></p><p>"Seems like you have things well in hand there Sheriff." Jake says to him and hands him the paper from the stack he is carrying. "Look what I found. Seems that big Thom now owns himself a saloon."</p><p></p><p>The sheriff has everybody leave when Jake starts the conversation with him. He unfolds the paper and looks at it for a few moments. "Have to give me a break, I never did learn my letters too good." he says with a shy smile. "Greely always did like old Thommy. Took pretty good care of him from what I understand," he says as he re-folds the paperwork, "but we'll need a judge or a lawyer at least I reckon to get this set right. Nearest one is over in Wingo, about 4 hours on horseback from here."</p><p></p><p>"I did not quite finish my law degree, Sheriff, but I am a notary. I have seen enough of these to know that this at least has the basic points to be legal. Too bad after we leave Thom will not have an advocate. Whittaker will just find some way to have this invalidated and buy the placed at auction and poor Thom will get nothing." Jake sighs. "I am quite a negotiator, I bet I could sell it to Whittaker on Thom's behalf and then the money could go in a bank with someone as a guardian for Thom."</p><p></p><p>"Well, with all that fancy talk I bet you could sell a anything to just about anybody. I know you're leaving on the stage today. Tell you what, you get that saloon sold before you leave and I won't say a word. Nice thing you'd be doing for Thom, poor guy ain't got nothing I reckon."</p><p></p><p>Jake nods. "I will do what I can." He then head off to find the others.</p><p></p><p>Once back at the house Jake finds Minerva and Chester. "Nanuet still sleeping? I am heading over to the saloon to find Ruby and then off to see Whittaker. You both coming?"</p><p></p><p>"Yep," Chester says. "Whitaker is the last bit of business we need to see to here. Damn shame about Edwards, becoming what he spent his life hunting. I guess this town really is cursed."</p><p></p><p>Minerva checks on Nanuet. Although he is still rather pasty and cold, his breathing is even and he seems to be resting comfortably so she leaves with Jake.</p><p></p><p>The three of them go to the saloon and find Ruby and Thom just finishing collecting up the bottles. "Look at all that liquor! Anything good for my birthday celebration? We will have to make sure we find room for the best on the stage."</p><p></p><p>Minerva looks to him. "You have a birthday coming up Senor Jake? When, may I ask, were you born?"</p><p></p><p>"Much to the dismay of my father I was thrust upon this world Wednesday the 15th of May, 1861."</p><p></p><p>"Too bad for your father, isn't it?" Ruby laughs. "All the better for me. Just think Jake, if either of us didn't leave home we would never have met." Ruby walks closer to him and takes his hand. "Just the way it was meant to be."</p><p></p><p>"Hermes!" Minerva says. and quickly hides her surprise. "I have a birthday in May also. Perhaps we could have a double fiesta."</p><p></p><p>"Oh no," Ruby protests, "we can't do that. You each deserve your own parties and Jake hasn't had one in a long time..."</p><p></p><p>"Ruby, If you insist we can have a two day fiesta!" Minerva laughs.</p><p></p><p>"Two day fiesta is good Minerva. Don't think anything of it, I just want Jake's birthday to be very special this year. I am sure you're not offended. Besides, the more parties the merrier! My birthday is coming also and I've never had a real celebration." </p><p>"Perhaps the building of the Church and my house will be complete when we return! I am so looking forward to entertaining in my own home! oh and of course thanking the gods in a proper place of worship also," Minerva adds.</p><p></p><p>Chester adds, "What's going on here? You're not buying another saloon, are you?"</p><p></p><p>"Yes darling, there are some good bottles here. I guess Greely was saving them for us. Wasn't that nice of him?" Ruby hears the noise. "What is that? We'd better check it out, if it is the stage we dont' want it leaving without us." She finishes packing the bottles carefully in boxes from behind the bar.</p><p></p><p>"Not buying a Saloon, Chester. Did you show the Sheriff that paperwork honey?"</p><p></p><p>Jake says, "The Sheriff seems willing to let me help Thom on that matter. Have Thom bring stuff to the stage. We can walk and talk on the way there. I am sure I can have him wait for us."</p><p></p><p>Thom, eager to please scoops up the box with ease and begins heading towards the east end of town.</p><p></p><p>"Si, We must be on the stage. Nanuet needs help that cannot be found here. We must find a priest to restore him."</p><p></p><p>"How is he doing Minerva?" Ruby asks as they walk to the stage.</p><p></p><p>"He has been sleeping since I brought him back to the house. And he is so cold. I am quite worried about him. I would not want to spend another day in this town. When we are finished here, I will go and wake him, but I will need help getting him and our belongings to the stage. "</p><p></p><p>Ruby nods, "I am worried also. And Kate is injured too, we have to watch out for her. She is too stubborn to admit to how bad she is." Ruby pauses, "Wait a minute... Jake how are you feeling? You almost got your leg gnawed off."</p><p></p><p>Chester smiles. "We all are. We'll have the priest take a look at all of us. Who knows what Greely can do."</p><p></p><p>"I am fine," Jake says, "the healers did their job and it was not as bad as it looked." </p><p></p><p>The thought of home was pleasing to Ruby... but she had a lingering doubt in her mind. It was something she had been trying to squash, trying to make it not a big deal but she hadn't really dealt with it and it was a worry in her mind.</p><p></p><p>"Yes... home..." Ruby says distractedly before snapping out of it. "Minerva, we haven't been gone all that long you know. What has it been, 4 nights? Was the church close to being completed?"</p><p></p><p>"Has it really only been four days? Four days since we have been here, perhaps but it was several days on the train to get here and I'm afraid that it will be several more days to get back as well." Minerva sighs. "It feels like an eternity..... I do not know how close to completion that the church is. They have banned me from the building until it is complete. I am not sure if they are trying to surprise me, or have just wearied of my meddling." She laughs as she shrugs her shoulders.</p><p></p><p>"Yes, it does feel like an eternity. I can't wait to get home. And maybe you will be surprised and the church will be done! I hope the construction on the Lucky Lady has begun. It feels like that takes forever."</p><p></p><p>Ruby sighs, "I just want some peace and quiet, and to sing in my Saloon like I'm supposed to. And," she glances at the telegraph office, looking at Jake through the window, "Work out any other issues that may have arisen along the way."</p><p></p><p>The stage has indeed pulled into the eastern end of town. Several business owners and their workers are busy unloading supplies from the otherwise empty stage. The driver climbs down from his perch and heads to the telegraph office.</p><p></p><p>Jake follows the man into the telegraph office. "I am glad to see you. How long will you be in town? We have a full load for you, so I do not want you to leave without us. I trust my extra tip was good for that."</p><p></p><p>"Hey, there you are. You're tip is still good in my book! I thought I wasn't going to be able to earn it. Came into town late a couple nights back but somebody said you folks weren't ready to leave yet. Spoke all formal like about unfinished business and other malarkey. Glad to see you're here. I can wait, as far as I know you're my only passengers. I'll just head over to Greely's and get a beer if you don't mind, this jerky needs something to wash it down."</p><p></p><p>"Hold it! What did he look like?"</p><p></p><p>The driver scratched his head. "Didn't take too much notice of him. Dressed kinda nice, blue eyes, I remember that, something about those eyes. Anyways, I waited a little while for you, but figured he was right and I knew I would be back soon. Why? Some sort of problem?"</p><p></p><p>"No, no problem at all." Jake starts to leave then turns and says, "The beer at Greely's is on the house, but you have to serve yourself."</p><p></p><p>Back outside Jake gathers the others and tells them what the stage driver told him while he reloads his revolver. "Let us go speak with Whittaker now."</p><p></p><p>Ruby's face drops. "Wait a minute, what are you saying? What night was that?" The panic begins to reappear in Ruby's eyes as she tries to keep her breathing steady.</p><p></p><p>"He said a couple of nights ago. I do not know how reliable that is. Strange is it not?" Jake points towards Whitakers house and starts walking. "I aim to finish this."</p><p></p><p>Chester checks his sixguns as well. "Right wit' you, Jake. I hope it's just gun-running. I can leave that with Sheriff Weeks. He needs some time to digest all this supernatural stuff."</p><p></p><p>"Wait a minute!" Ruby yells out, gripping Jake's arm tightly and stopping him, "Are you saying that Colin is still alive?" she says in panicked tones, "Is that what you are saying??"</p><p></p><p>"Either it was the night before he was killed or he is not dead. If he is not dead, where is he? Come on."</p><p></p><p>Ruby shivers as Jake starts walking off without her. All the panic and fear comes back to the surface and her hands start shaking as she tries to push it all back down. She hand brushes her skirt where she keeps her little silver flask. She drags behind the others, losing the fight not to take just a small sip...</p><p></p><p>Whittaker’s house is completely on the other side of town and then some. As the group walks through the town they can see the good that they have done. Yes, it will take some time for the town to recover, if it ever really does, but everyone's spirits seem to be lifted, even despite the recent episode in the hotel. Now it is the monster's who are the one's dying rather than the townsfolk.</p><p></p><p>They arrive at Whittaker's house and it is closed up tight as a drum.</p><p></p><p>Jake pounds on the door. "Open up, official business!" He looks at Chet, "Be ready for anything pardner." They wait but there is no response from inside the house.</p><p></p><p>Chester draws his gun, "I hear you. I'll check the back." Chester quietly walks to the back door. The back door is also locked as well as all the 1st story windows.</p><p></p><p>Jake looks at his companions and asks, "Any ideas before I do something more dramatic?"</p><p></p><p>Chester comes back. "The other door is locked, too. I'm all for busting down the door, but if you have a less violent way."</p><p></p><p>Ruby hangs near the back, looking at the ground, kicking at the dirt with the toe of her boot. "I've been inside, there is only the windows."</p><p></p><p>"What do you mean, 'only the windows'?"</p><p></p><p>"Less violent?" Jake laughs darkly. He pounds on the door again and says, "Open up or we will knock this door down."</p><p></p><p>Ruby says, "He says he can't be in the light. He stays upstairs, he won't be down. Break a window. Or Thom can break down the door."</p><p></p><p>A voice can be heard from inside, "What do you want? I was sleeping! No need for talk of breaking down the door.""</p><p></p><p>"Mr. Whittaker?" Ruby's wavering voice calls out, "It's Mrs. Jacobs, I need to speak to you urgently."</p><p></p><p>"Give me a minute, I told you I can't bear the sunlight."</p><p></p><p>About 2 tense minutes goes by and then the sounds of locks being opened can be heard from the other side of the front door. The door swings open and there is a man, or rather a humanoid shape, covered in clothes and wearing a large hood covering his face entirely. "Well, I see we have a whole crew here, what is so urgent?"</p><p></p><p>Chester holsters his gun, but keeps his hand on the butt.</p><p></p><p>"Senor Whittaker," Minerva says stepping forward and placing her hand on his arm, surreptitiously casting cure minor wounds. We have come to see if you are alright. Terrible things have happened in town."</p><p></p><p>"What? Who are you? Unhand me! I don't know what you are talking about!" Whittaker bellows. Other than being agitated he does not seem to react to Minerva's prayers.</p><p></p><p>Jake watches Minerva carefully, not knowing what she is up to. He drops his bag and pulls the flap back on his duster.</p><p></p><p>"I apologize for startling you," she says stepping back. "I am the Priestess Minerva Garcia Florencia."</p><p></p><p>"Mr. Whittaker, I am sorry for the intrusion," Ruby says while stepping forward, pushing down her fear. "And forgive the rudeness of my friends. We are all anxious to get home. Which is why we are here. May I come in? My husband and I have a business offer to make you."</p><p></p><p>Jake says plainly, "This is an official investigation sir, there have been more deaths. I need to see your hand sir."</p><p></p><p>"Look, you all have some explaining to do. Two men looking like they are getting ready to draw on me as I wake from my sleep, women grabbing at me. Thom, what are you doing here? Mrs. Jacobs, start explaining please, I wouldn't have even come down if I didn't hear it was you. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs can come in, if he leaves his gun outside. I don't know you well enough. I suppose you'll use your badge to bring it in anyways, but you'll earn more trust if you don't."</p><p></p><p>"See my hands? What for? My skin doesn't tolerate sunlight, you can see them inside if you insist."</p><p></p><p>Whittaker takes a step back and lets Jake and Ruby in, but is not agreeable to letting anyone else in the house.</p><p></p><p>Chester stands on the porch, a grim look on his face. "I'll wait here with Thom and Minerva."</p><p></p><p>"Before we do that, I need to set the deputy's mind at ease," Jake says. "The man we are looking for cut his left hand. If we could just see your left hand, and see that it has no cut on it he could be on his way." Jake slides the small mirror out of his pocket in his own left hand surreptitiously.</p><p></p><p>"Well, this is a most unusual way of doing business. Oh, and hear are my hands for you to see deputy, just as you asked," he says holding out his hands and allowing Jake to see backside and palm of both hands, both free of cuts.</p><p></p><p>Jake quickly holds his hand underneath Whittaker’s and sees that there is a reflection in the mirror of that hand.</p><p></p><p>Ruby looks at Jake, confusion obvious but she keeps quiet about that. "Where is Romo?" Ruby asks.</p><p></p><p>"He left on business, as if it is any concern of yours. Now what is this you were talking about? Selling me a saloon? What is going on, I've been sleeping all day."</p><p></p><p>Ruby steps into the house. "I'm here to find out of you'd like to own more property in town, a saloon to be precise. And to let you know we'll be leaving today. Which after this exchange you will be glad of that no doubt. Thom is with us now."</p><p></p><p>Once Jake and Ruby are inside and the door is closed Whittaker lowers the head to reveal his mussed hair and sleepy eyes.</p><p></p><p>Ruby sighs and says, "Well, there were some unfortunate circumstances... Mr. Greely is no longer among the living. And it turns out that Thom is the recipiant of the Saloon. So now he has two saloons. And..." Ruby pauses to let Jake continue.</p><p></p><p>Jake relaxes and lets out the breath he had been holding. "As the Missus says, big Thom would be willing to sell a saloon. Since you are the only one in town with sufficient cash, I thought you might be interested. Probably a good idea to have a legitimate business so all that money does not look suspicious." Jake takes off his badge and puts it in his pocket. "If you know what I mean. Now, I figure that saloon is worth about thirty-five hundred, but needs a little repair. You interested?"</p><p></p><p>"Well, since this whole thing seems a little fishy, Thom coming into it so sudden and all, without the proper authorities in town to see to the will, how about $2,000?</p><p></p><p>Ruby uses some diplomacy on Mr. Whittaker as she butts in. "Oh, come on now Mr. Whittaker. You would be the owner of the ONLY saloon in town, the only thing people around here do for fun. And poor Thom, this is all he has in the whole world, what he has to live his life off of..."</p><p></p><p>Jake says, "I figure it will take around five hundred to fix it up. I have a will and deed right here, and the Sheriff has already said it looks legitimate to him. Let us say, two thousand five hundred and we happily leave on the stage and I never say a word to anyone about gun running? Your town will be growing back pretty fast now that the blood monsters are dead. I mean, after all you could rename it could you not?"</p><p></p><p>"I still like the way you do business Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs. I suppose we will need Thom to sign the deed over to me. Let me get the money in order and we'll get this done. $2500, done deal," he says extending his hand to both in turn.</p><p></p><p>Ruby gracefully extends her hand to Whittaker. The thrill of the scam was coursing though her, pushing her fear way deep down inside her. "It's our pleasure," she smiles.</p><p></p><p>The smile lessens slightly, "Uh, you don't happen to have any guests staying here, do you?"</p><p></p><p>"Guests? No, I have no guests here at the moment. Let me go get the money so you can be on your way. There's whiskey and bourbon on the desk there, glasses too, help yourselves." With that Whittaker heads up the stairs to the second story of his house leaving the two alone for the moment.</p><p></p><p>Ruby releases her breath, unaware she was holing it in. Her hands still shaking slightly she heads right for the bourbon. "Might as well, right?" She takes a long drink from her full glass before turning back to Jake. "Now what about Colin?"</p><p></p><p>Jake still appears slightly nervous, with his hands going to and coming off his guns. "I will be glad to be leaving here."</p><p></p><p>"Me too," she says, eyeing his twitching. "And I hope not to get shot before I do."</p><p></p><p>Jake shrugs. "Talk to the driver and we can figure out if he saw that man before or after that morning."</p><p></p><p>"And if we think it was him..."</p><p></p><p>Moments later Whittaker returns, three bundles of cash in hand. "Here you are, $2500 cash. We can bring Thom in and let him sign this over to me and then go our merry ways. If you don't mind getting the door, I hate putting that hideous thing over my head."</p><p></p><p>Jake nods and brings Thom into to sign his saloon away, letting Ruby explain it to him. He lets the others know everything seems fine. While Ruby is explaining Jake counts money.</p><p></p><p>"Now before we leave Thom, we need you to sign these papers for Mr. Whittaker. This is going to be your money and when we get to Promise City we will put it in the bank for you, so you have money to buy things you want." Ruby smiles reassuringly at him. "You need to sign here," she points to the spots for him to sign.</p><p></p><p>Whittaker seems quite happy with the transaction and possibly even more glad to know the stage is in town and they would all be leaving on it. "Well, that's that. Anything else I can do for you? If not, I hope you manage to find that man with the cut on his hand before you leave," he says with a sly wink.</p><p></p><p>"Nothing but collecting the $40 for our deposit." Jake grins. "I know you will enjoy your new sheriff."</p><p></p><p>"Oh, of course. Here, you go $40. I hope you made the most of your stay in our little town."</p><p></p><p>"Jake, you'd better hold onto all of that," Ruby comments with a laugh. "We don't want Thom to lose it. Mr. Whittaker, I don't think we'll be meeting again. So let's just say it's been... interesting. Enjoy your new saloon."</p><p></p><p>The dumbfounded look on Thom's face is quite amusing and brings a smile to Ruby's face at least for the moment. The ox of a man just smiles and puts his "X" where Ruby instructs and watches her take care of the money before heading back outside. "Bye bye Mr. Whittaker, take good care of Mr. Greely's saloon, make sure you sweep the floors every day!"</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2819622, member: 12815"] Chester finds Weeks. "Sheriff. We got Greely. He was one of those monsters and might even have been their boss. It looks like he turned Edwards into a vampire last night or so. He's gone too, now. Rest his soul. One last thing we're going to check up on is Whitaker. I followed him and Romo out of town the other night. They're running guns from the looks of it, but for who, I don't know. Since the trouble began when he came to town, we're going to see if he's a vampire also. OK?" Weeks seemed a bit overwhelmed by all the information Chester was giving him and all he could do was nod. "Do you really think he is one of those monsters too? Edwards was definitely changed into something, I don't know what happened. I hope this is all over soon, my nerves can't take too much more. You go ahead and do what ever you gotta do, you've got a badge, use it." Chester pats the man on the back. "I know it's a lot to swallow, Sheriff. This whole territory seems to be a magnet for strange happenings. Sheriff Wilson had some idea of what was going on, otherwise he wouldn't have asked Mr. Edwards to come. Hopefully with Greely and Turner gone, your monster problem is taken care of. We'll try to fix what we came out here to do, though. If Whitaker is part of this, we'll find out soon enough." Chester raises his voice so the crowd can hear him. "Folks. The hotel is going to be closed for a while. There's nothing to be worried about. The sheriff has everything under control. Just go on home." Most of the distraught crowd is pleased to have someone telling them what to do and even more pleased to know that they didn't have to return to the hotel immediately. Victor Bishop raises a stink for a moment about Chester effectively closing down his business but it doesn't take much to put him in his place. Chester says, "Now Mr. Bishop. It's just going to be for the rest of the day. I doubt many people would have an appetite with a dead body in the lobby, right? We'll get this mess straightened out and tomorrow will be another day, OK? This gives the people a chance to forget that there was a monster here." The sheriff excuses himself stating that he has several things to attend to "First and foremost moving this body over to the docs for now." "Sure thing, sheriff." Chester heads back to the rented house. He slumps into a chair in the kitchen. "Man, do I need a drink." After a while, he rummages around the cupboard and finds a bottle of whiskey. He quickly downs a shot. Katherine walked past Edwards, carefully looking away from his ruined body as she made her way to the back where the other guests had been escaping. She made her way over to the harried Sheriff. "Sheriff Weeks?" she asked quietly. "I hate to interrupt you, especially with something like this. Mr. Jacobs suggests that you gather a few men to exhume those who have died since the trouble started, to make sure their rest is peaceful." "Not sure what I would do without you folks, you've been a tremendous help. I for one will be sad to see you go. I'll do what I can to make sure that gets done today while the sun is still up. Thanks again ma'am." "To be honest, I think anyone still buried in the ground is resting peacefully. It's a precaution. But it's a good idea just the same." She reached out and shook his hand. "We're glad to have helped. Good luck to you." Kate wrapped Chester's jacket tight around her and walked tiredly back to the rented house and up to her room. It was the first time she got a chance to see the blood soaked into the high collar of her blouse. She stripped it off, as well as her skirt and climbed back into bed. She knew she should eat, but she didn't think anything was going to stay down just now. Thom does not appear to know what to do with himself. Currently he is sweeping the floor, but he appears to be quite intoxicated from a bottle of whiskey that lies on the floor nearby. He sings to himself off tune. "Thom what did you do?" Ruby admonishes him. "You never put the bottle on the floor! And you need to save some for me!" Ruby winks at him and picks up the bottle. She wipes it on her dress then finishes it off. "I want to speak to you now. Would you talk with me?" "What dyd I do? What did I dooo?" he sings out loud. "We can talk now if you want, I don't know why I am sweeping, it just makes me feel better sometimes. What did you want to talk about?" Ruby begins to regret her decision. [i]What am I thinking, I'm no babysitter...[/i] "Thom, what will you do now that Greely is gone?" "I don't know Pretty Constance. I think I will be happy for now and worry about it later. Maybe I can find a pretty girlfriend and get married or maybe I can work on a farm? I am pretty strong, they like strong people on the farm to do the hard works." "A girlfriend huh?" Ruby softens and smiles. He was still a man after all. "Well I was thinking. Ja-uh, Mr. Jacobs and I have a Saloon back in Promise City. We are doing some renovations and it's going to be a really big Saloon with a another door on the side street. So we're going to need someone to watch the door. Also our friends Mrs. Kale and Nanuet have a farm and they could probably use the help too. What do you say, do you think you'd like to come back to Promise City with us? You could live in the Saloon and in return work for us." "Me, work in a saloon some more? I would really love to! Mr. Ja-Jacobs said it was OK? Is Promise City nice? I promise I'll be nice! Oh wow, this is going to be fun!" Thom runs to Ruby and gives her a big kiss on the cheek followed by a hug Ruby almost regrets allowing to happen. "Thom!" Ruby hollers out until he releases her a bit. "I think we need to work on being more gentle," she laughs. "Yes, Promise City is a big city and you'll love it there. Right now you need to figure out what you should take with you. It has to be able to fit on the stage. Do you have a lot of things to bring? Where do you stay now?" "I'm sorry, just nobody never been so nice to Thom." He scratches his head at the question. "I stay here, on the cot under the trapdoor, you saw my room this morning. I don't have nothing much to bring, just some clothes I guess." "You don't have any money or anything?" Ruby pulls her hair off her face. "It's ok, we'll figure out something. You don't need any anyway. Now here is what I want you to do. Please get all the bottles of liquor out here on the bar. I would appreciate that. Wait!" She looks at Thom closely. "Maybe you ought to pack your clothes first. Maybe not a good idea to pick up liquor bottles right now. Ok, so you go pack your bags, ok?" "OK, I can do that. Do you have another name? Pretty Constance is long and it sometimes sounds funny." Thom leaves Ruby to go pack his clothes, that should take about 5 minutes. "Yes actually, you can call me Ruby. And my husband, it's easier if you call him Jake." "Ruby and Jake, Ruby and Jake. OK, let me get my clothes now, then I can get the bottles and put them on the bar." Thom squeezes down the trap door behind the bar and gets to work on his packing. Ruby smiles as Thom leaves. "Yes," she says out loud to herself, "Jake and Ruby." She heads back upstairs and continues searching the rooms. After that is done she returns to the bottom floor to search around the spots they did not search earlier in the morning. Ruby searches but finds little of interest. "Dammit," she swears to herself. "Oh well, we will never know the secret of the door." She stands in front of the bar and looks over the bottles of liquor. She pulls out anything of interest or expensive looking. "Thom sweetie, are you ready to go?" "OK, sure! Promises City, here I come!" Thom follows Ruby like a lost puppy wherever she leads him. "Let's gather these bottles and then we'll be off. We have a bit more business to do before we leave today, but believe me, we will be leaving on today's stage." Almost on cue, as Ruby and Thom gather up the bottles and exit the saloon she can hear a buzz among the few people on the streets and everybody seems to be heading eastward. She thinks she hears someone mention that that stage has arrived. Jake has seen and copied many a last will and testament when he worked in the family business. His father would be outraged to learn that Jake also managed to learn how to forge signatures in the hours stuck at the work desk. Jake examines Greely's papers closely, examines the style carefully. He also looks them over for anything else of value. He practices Greely's handwriting on the backs of the Mayors letters before attempting the document. Finally, when he thinks he is ready, Jake makes a will that looks like Greely's style. In return for the work that Thom has been doing for him, Greely leaves him ownership of the saloon if Thom should survive him. Jake then practices the Mayors signature as well, and when he is ready, attaches it as witness. After all the ink is dry, Jake uses some tricks of the trade to make the document look older, and gives it creases similar to the other papers in Greely's stash. Jake looks at his work. It would pass to an untrained eye, but given what he had to work with it was not the best job he had done. Whether or not it would stand up, Jake had a decision to make. He burns up the Mayor's letters that he practiced on, shakes his head at the marginal quality work but has no more time to improve it. He leaves the house in search of the Sheriff. Sheriff Weeks is hard at work organizing some men to dig up and examine the bodies of the recently deceased. He is trying to explain the reason to the men as Jake approaches "They might be able to come back from the dead. Check the coffins for scratch marks, see if anything happens when they are in the sun, and stop at least a half hour before sundown. Come right to the office if you find anything." "Seems like you have things well in hand there Sheriff." Jake says to him and hands him the paper from the stack he is carrying. "Look what I found. Seems that big Thom now owns himself a saloon." The sheriff has everybody leave when Jake starts the conversation with him. He unfolds the paper and looks at it for a few moments. "Have to give me a break, I never did learn my letters too good." he says with a shy smile. "Greely always did like old Thommy. Took pretty good care of him from what I understand," he says as he re-folds the paperwork, "but we'll need a judge or a lawyer at least I reckon to get this set right. Nearest one is over in Wingo, about 4 hours on horseback from here." "I did not quite finish my law degree, Sheriff, but I am a notary. I have seen enough of these to know that this at least has the basic points to be legal. Too bad after we leave Thom will not have an advocate. Whittaker will just find some way to have this invalidated and buy the placed at auction and poor Thom will get nothing." Jake sighs. "I am quite a negotiator, I bet I could sell it to Whittaker on Thom's behalf and then the money could go in a bank with someone as a guardian for Thom." "Well, with all that fancy talk I bet you could sell a anything to just about anybody. I know you're leaving on the stage today. Tell you what, you get that saloon sold before you leave and I won't say a word. Nice thing you'd be doing for Thom, poor guy ain't got nothing I reckon." Jake nods. "I will do what I can." He then head off to find the others. Once back at the house Jake finds Minerva and Chester. "Nanuet still sleeping? I am heading over to the saloon to find Ruby and then off to see Whittaker. You both coming?" "Yep," Chester says. "Whitaker is the last bit of business we need to see to here. Damn shame about Edwards, becoming what he spent his life hunting. I guess this town really is cursed." Minerva checks on Nanuet. Although he is still rather pasty and cold, his breathing is even and he seems to be resting comfortably so she leaves with Jake. The three of them go to the saloon and find Ruby and Thom just finishing collecting up the bottles. "Look at all that liquor! Anything good for my birthday celebration? We will have to make sure we find room for the best on the stage." Minerva looks to him. "You have a birthday coming up Senor Jake? When, may I ask, were you born?" "Much to the dismay of my father I was thrust upon this world Wednesday the 15th of May, 1861." "Too bad for your father, isn't it?" Ruby laughs. "All the better for me. Just think Jake, if either of us didn't leave home we would never have met." Ruby walks closer to him and takes his hand. "Just the way it was meant to be." "Hermes!" Minerva says. and quickly hides her surprise. "I have a birthday in May also. Perhaps we could have a double fiesta." "Oh no," Ruby protests, "we can't do that. You each deserve your own parties and Jake hasn't had one in a long time..." "Ruby, If you insist we can have a two day fiesta!" Minerva laughs. "Two day fiesta is good Minerva. Don't think anything of it, I just want Jake's birthday to be very special this year. I am sure you're not offended. Besides, the more parties the merrier! My birthday is coming also and I've never had a real celebration." "Perhaps the building of the Church and my house will be complete when we return! I am so looking forward to entertaining in my own home! oh and of course thanking the gods in a proper place of worship also," Minerva adds. Chester adds, "What's going on here? You're not buying another saloon, are you?" "Yes darling, there are some good bottles here. I guess Greely was saving them for us. Wasn't that nice of him?" Ruby hears the noise. "What is that? We'd better check it out, if it is the stage we dont' want it leaving without us." She finishes packing the bottles carefully in boxes from behind the bar. "Not buying a Saloon, Chester. Did you show the Sheriff that paperwork honey?" Jake says, "The Sheriff seems willing to let me help Thom on that matter. Have Thom bring stuff to the stage. We can walk and talk on the way there. I am sure I can have him wait for us." Thom, eager to please scoops up the box with ease and begins heading towards the east end of town. "Si, We must be on the stage. Nanuet needs help that cannot be found here. We must find a priest to restore him." "How is he doing Minerva?" Ruby asks as they walk to the stage. "He has been sleeping since I brought him back to the house. And he is so cold. I am quite worried about him. I would not want to spend another day in this town. When we are finished here, I will go and wake him, but I will need help getting him and our belongings to the stage. " Ruby nods, "I am worried also. And Kate is injured too, we have to watch out for her. She is too stubborn to admit to how bad she is." Ruby pauses, "Wait a minute... Jake how are you feeling? You almost got your leg gnawed off." Chester smiles. "We all are. We'll have the priest take a look at all of us. Who knows what Greely can do." "I am fine," Jake says, "the healers did their job and it was not as bad as it looked." The thought of home was pleasing to Ruby... but she had a lingering doubt in her mind. It was something she had been trying to squash, trying to make it not a big deal but she hadn't really dealt with it and it was a worry in her mind. "Yes... home..." Ruby says distractedly before snapping out of it. "Minerva, we haven't been gone all that long you know. What has it been, 4 nights? Was the church close to being completed?" "Has it really only been four days? Four days since we have been here, perhaps but it was several days on the train to get here and I'm afraid that it will be several more days to get back as well." Minerva sighs. "It feels like an eternity..... I do not know how close to completion that the church is. They have banned me from the building until it is complete. I am not sure if they are trying to surprise me, or have just wearied of my meddling." She laughs as she shrugs her shoulders. "Yes, it does feel like an eternity. I can't wait to get home. And maybe you will be surprised and the church will be done! I hope the construction on the Lucky Lady has begun. It feels like that takes forever." Ruby sighs, "I just want some peace and quiet, and to sing in my Saloon like I'm supposed to. And," she glances at the telegraph office, looking at Jake through the window, "Work out any other issues that may have arisen along the way." The stage has indeed pulled into the eastern end of town. Several business owners and their workers are busy unloading supplies from the otherwise empty stage. The driver climbs down from his perch and heads to the telegraph office. Jake follows the man into the telegraph office. "I am glad to see you. How long will you be in town? We have a full load for you, so I do not want you to leave without us. I trust my extra tip was good for that." "Hey, there you are. You're tip is still good in my book! I thought I wasn't going to be able to earn it. Came into town late a couple nights back but somebody said you folks weren't ready to leave yet. Spoke all formal like about unfinished business and other malarkey. Glad to see you're here. I can wait, as far as I know you're my only passengers. I'll just head over to Greely's and get a beer if you don't mind, this jerky needs something to wash it down." "Hold it! What did he look like?" The driver scratched his head. "Didn't take too much notice of him. Dressed kinda nice, blue eyes, I remember that, something about those eyes. Anyways, I waited a little while for you, but figured he was right and I knew I would be back soon. Why? Some sort of problem?" "No, no problem at all." Jake starts to leave then turns and says, "The beer at Greely's is on the house, but you have to serve yourself." Back outside Jake gathers the others and tells them what the stage driver told him while he reloads his revolver. "Let us go speak with Whittaker now." Ruby's face drops. "Wait a minute, what are you saying? What night was that?" The panic begins to reappear in Ruby's eyes as she tries to keep her breathing steady. "He said a couple of nights ago. I do not know how reliable that is. Strange is it not?" Jake points towards Whitakers house and starts walking. "I aim to finish this." Chester checks his sixguns as well. "Right wit' you, Jake. I hope it's just gun-running. I can leave that with Sheriff Weeks. He needs some time to digest all this supernatural stuff." "Wait a minute!" Ruby yells out, gripping Jake's arm tightly and stopping him, "Are you saying that Colin is still alive?" she says in panicked tones, "Is that what you are saying??" "Either it was the night before he was killed or he is not dead. If he is not dead, where is he? Come on." Ruby shivers as Jake starts walking off without her. All the panic and fear comes back to the surface and her hands start shaking as she tries to push it all back down. She hand brushes her skirt where she keeps her little silver flask. She drags behind the others, losing the fight not to take just a small sip... Whittaker’s house is completely on the other side of town and then some. As the group walks through the town they can see the good that they have done. Yes, it will take some time for the town to recover, if it ever really does, but everyone's spirits seem to be lifted, even despite the recent episode in the hotel. Now it is the monster's who are the one's dying rather than the townsfolk. They arrive at Whittaker's house and it is closed up tight as a drum. Jake pounds on the door. "Open up, official business!" He looks at Chet, "Be ready for anything pardner." They wait but there is no response from inside the house. Chester draws his gun, "I hear you. I'll check the back." Chester quietly walks to the back door. The back door is also locked as well as all the 1st story windows. Jake looks at his companions and asks, "Any ideas before I do something more dramatic?" Chester comes back. "The other door is locked, too. I'm all for busting down the door, but if you have a less violent way." Ruby hangs near the back, looking at the ground, kicking at the dirt with the toe of her boot. "I've been inside, there is only the windows." "What do you mean, 'only the windows'?" "Less violent?" Jake laughs darkly. He pounds on the door again and says, "Open up or we will knock this door down." Ruby says, "He says he can't be in the light. He stays upstairs, he won't be down. Break a window. Or Thom can break down the door." A voice can be heard from inside, "What do you want? I was sleeping! No need for talk of breaking down the door."" "Mr. Whittaker?" Ruby's wavering voice calls out, "It's Mrs. Jacobs, I need to speak to you urgently." "Give me a minute, I told you I can't bear the sunlight." About 2 tense minutes goes by and then the sounds of locks being opened can be heard from the other side of the front door. The door swings open and there is a man, or rather a humanoid shape, covered in clothes and wearing a large hood covering his face entirely. "Well, I see we have a whole crew here, what is so urgent?" Chester holsters his gun, but keeps his hand on the butt. "Senor Whittaker," Minerva says stepping forward and placing her hand on his arm, surreptitiously casting cure minor wounds. We have come to see if you are alright. Terrible things have happened in town." "What? Who are you? Unhand me! I don't know what you are talking about!" Whittaker bellows. Other than being agitated he does not seem to react to Minerva's prayers. Jake watches Minerva carefully, not knowing what she is up to. He drops his bag and pulls the flap back on his duster. "I apologize for startling you," she says stepping back. "I am the Priestess Minerva Garcia Florencia." "Mr. Whittaker, I am sorry for the intrusion," Ruby says while stepping forward, pushing down her fear. "And forgive the rudeness of my friends. We are all anxious to get home. Which is why we are here. May I come in? My husband and I have a business offer to make you." Jake says plainly, "This is an official investigation sir, there have been more deaths. I need to see your hand sir." "Look, you all have some explaining to do. Two men looking like they are getting ready to draw on me as I wake from my sleep, women grabbing at me. Thom, what are you doing here? Mrs. Jacobs, start explaining please, I wouldn't have even come down if I didn't hear it was you. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs can come in, if he leaves his gun outside. I don't know you well enough. I suppose you'll use your badge to bring it in anyways, but you'll earn more trust if you don't." "See my hands? What for? My skin doesn't tolerate sunlight, you can see them inside if you insist." Whittaker takes a step back and lets Jake and Ruby in, but is not agreeable to letting anyone else in the house. Chester stands on the porch, a grim look on his face. "I'll wait here with Thom and Minerva." "Before we do that, I need to set the deputy's mind at ease," Jake says. "The man we are looking for cut his left hand. If we could just see your left hand, and see that it has no cut on it he could be on his way." Jake slides the small mirror out of his pocket in his own left hand surreptitiously. "Well, this is a most unusual way of doing business. Oh, and hear are my hands for you to see deputy, just as you asked," he says holding out his hands and allowing Jake to see backside and palm of both hands, both free of cuts. Jake quickly holds his hand underneath Whittaker’s and sees that there is a reflection in the mirror of that hand. Ruby looks at Jake, confusion obvious but she keeps quiet about that. "Where is Romo?" Ruby asks. "He left on business, as if it is any concern of yours. Now what is this you were talking about? Selling me a saloon? What is going on, I've been sleeping all day." Ruby steps into the house. "I'm here to find out of you'd like to own more property in town, a saloon to be precise. And to let you know we'll be leaving today. Which after this exchange you will be glad of that no doubt. Thom is with us now." Once Jake and Ruby are inside and the door is closed Whittaker lowers the head to reveal his mussed hair and sleepy eyes. Ruby sighs and says, "Well, there were some unfortunate circumstances... Mr. Greely is no longer among the living. And it turns out that Thom is the recipiant of the Saloon. So now he has two saloons. And..." Ruby pauses to let Jake continue. Jake relaxes and lets out the breath he had been holding. "As the Missus says, big Thom would be willing to sell a saloon. Since you are the only one in town with sufficient cash, I thought you might be interested. Probably a good idea to have a legitimate business so all that money does not look suspicious." Jake takes off his badge and puts it in his pocket. "If you know what I mean. Now, I figure that saloon is worth about thirty-five hundred, but needs a little repair. You interested?" "Well, since this whole thing seems a little fishy, Thom coming into it so sudden and all, without the proper authorities in town to see to the will, how about $2,000? Ruby uses some diplomacy on Mr. Whittaker as she butts in. "Oh, come on now Mr. Whittaker. You would be the owner of the ONLY saloon in town, the only thing people around here do for fun. And poor Thom, this is all he has in the whole world, what he has to live his life off of..." Jake says, "I figure it will take around five hundred to fix it up. I have a will and deed right here, and the Sheriff has already said it looks legitimate to him. Let us say, two thousand five hundred and we happily leave on the stage and I never say a word to anyone about gun running? Your town will be growing back pretty fast now that the blood monsters are dead. I mean, after all you could rename it could you not?" "I still like the way you do business Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs. I suppose we will need Thom to sign the deed over to me. Let me get the money in order and we'll get this done. $2500, done deal," he says extending his hand to both in turn. Ruby gracefully extends her hand to Whittaker. The thrill of the scam was coursing though her, pushing her fear way deep down inside her. "It's our pleasure," she smiles. The smile lessens slightly, "Uh, you don't happen to have any guests staying here, do you?" "Guests? No, I have no guests here at the moment. Let me go get the money so you can be on your way. There's whiskey and bourbon on the desk there, glasses too, help yourselves." With that Whittaker heads up the stairs to the second story of his house leaving the two alone for the moment. Ruby releases her breath, unaware she was holing it in. Her hands still shaking slightly she heads right for the bourbon. "Might as well, right?" She takes a long drink from her full glass before turning back to Jake. "Now what about Colin?" Jake still appears slightly nervous, with his hands going to and coming off his guns. "I will be glad to be leaving here." "Me too," she says, eyeing his twitching. "And I hope not to get shot before I do." Jake shrugs. "Talk to the driver and we can figure out if he saw that man before or after that morning." "And if we think it was him..." Moments later Whittaker returns, three bundles of cash in hand. "Here you are, $2500 cash. We can bring Thom in and let him sign this over to me and then go our merry ways. If you don't mind getting the door, I hate putting that hideous thing over my head." Jake nods and brings Thom into to sign his saloon away, letting Ruby explain it to him. He lets the others know everything seems fine. While Ruby is explaining Jake counts money. "Now before we leave Thom, we need you to sign these papers for Mr. Whittaker. This is going to be your money and when we get to Promise City we will put it in the bank for you, so you have money to buy things you want." Ruby smiles reassuringly at him. "You need to sign here," she points to the spots for him to sign. Whittaker seems quite happy with the transaction and possibly even more glad to know the stage is in town and they would all be leaving on it. "Well, that's that. Anything else I can do for you? If not, I hope you manage to find that man with the cut on his hand before you leave," he says with a sly wink. "Nothing but collecting the $40 for our deposit." Jake grins. "I know you will enjoy your new sheriff." "Oh, of course. Here, you go $40. I hope you made the most of your stay in our little town." "Jake, you'd better hold onto all of that," Ruby comments with a laugh. "We don't want Thom to lose it. Mr. Whittaker, I don't think we'll be meeting again. So let's just say it's been... interesting. Enjoy your new saloon." The dumbfounded look on Thom's face is quite amusing and brings a smile to Ruby's face at least for the moment. The ox of a man just smiles and puts his "X" where Ruby instructs and watches her take care of the money before heading back outside. "Bye bye Mr. Whittaker, take good care of Mr. Greely's saloon, make sure you sweep the floors every day!" [/QUOTE]
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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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