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Wizards, Whiskey and Wonderful Things - Concluded
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2461688" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 49, “The Ring”, Wednesday, March 15th, 1882</strong></p><p></p><p>Ruby blinks again and looks at the ring in Mr. Eastman's hand. "It is a very beautiful ring, Mr. Eastman." Ruby slides off the railing and stands before him, trying not to look at it. She reaches out her hand and takes him by the arm. "Stand up," she whispers softly, while looking into the saloon, hoping no one had noticed. "Mr. Eastman, I really do appreciate the effort you have gone through and any woman would be lucky to have you as a husband." She looks him straight in the eyes. "But I just can't marry you. I'm sorry."</p><p></p><p>He reaches over and grabs her hands, taking them into his in such a way that the outer tips of her fingers touch the ring. He looks her straight in the eyes and says "Constance, there is no need to be so formal, please call me George. I understand, this was too sudden. But I wanted you to know my intentions. You do not need to give me an answer tonight." He withdraws his hands and then reaches into his pocket, taking out a small jewelry box lined with ruby red velvet. He puts the ring into the box and closes it. He then holds out the box to her and says "Please keep this until you have reached your decision."</p><p></p><p>Ruby looks at the box in her hand for a moment. Then she pushes her hands back out to Eastman, trying to hand him the box. "Mr. Eastman, uh, George, you don't understand. I was trying to be nice and not hurt your feelings." She looks back inside the saloon quickly before turning back to him. "I can't marry you. I can't marry you because I am in love with someone else." "Who?" he asks. "Do you mean that gambler who my cousin plays cards with? Constance, you're wasting your time on him. If he was truly in love with you wouldn't he be here with you right now?"</p><p></p><p>"Yes, he's the gambler your cousin plays cards with. He's a business man too." Ruby glances inside the saloon. She continues quietly while looking at Jake, "I never said he was in love with me." Ruby slowly turns her gaze back to Eastman. "But he is here, he's right inside." "Where?" George asks. "Point him out to me." "He's playing cards..." Ruby stops herself. "George, I'm not sure that is a good idea. Do you really want to cause a scene, over me?"</p><p></p><p>"Over you? Constance, I would do anything for you. Would he?” He looks inside and sees a group of men at the table. "Is he one of those men? He would rather sit there and play cards with those men than pay any attention to you? And don't try telling me that he has to play, I've been here two nights already. That man sitting over at the bar (as he gestures to Job) is also a gambler here, and could be running that table instead. </p><p></p><p>Listen, I understand that you feel a sense of obligation to him. Helen said that he talked you into being the headline act here. But we could find another singer to take your place. That Clairese woman who sang here last night was rather good. She was no Constance Grace West, but then again, who is? Nobody else that I've ever seen."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, he is one of those men. And he pays me plenty of attention when I need it." Ruby smiles knowingly while continuing to watch Jake play cards. "He didn't talk me into being the headliner here. I had this job before I met him. And George, I own part of this place and I like to sing here." "You would really do anything for me? That's very sweet." Ruby reaches out and touches his face. "And you are a very sweet man. And I don't know if Mr. Cook would do anything for me. But I have to follow my heart, and give him a chance to realize what's in his."</p><p></p><p>Eastman says, "You need more time to think. Hang on to the ring. We can discuss this tomorrow over dinner, I'll come by and pick you up at five." He then turns to leave, picks up the flowers and hands them to her. "Goodbye, I truly do love you Constance Grace. And if you give yourself the chance I think that you'll find that you are attracted to me as well." "Crap," Ruby says out loud to no one, after Mr. Eastman had run away. She walks back into the saloon, flowers and ring box in hand, not looking very happy.</p><p></p><p>Kate looked up from the table where she was standing talking with their friends. Ruby was making her way in from outside, flowers in her hands and a disturbed look on her face. "I'll be back." She walked over to her friend. "Ruby, honey, are you okay?" Ruby holds out the flowers and the ring box. "George Eastman won't take no for an answer." She took the box and opened the lid. A large diamond winked in the light, set simply but beautifully. "Impressive," she said softly, then closed the box and handed it back. </p><p></p><p>"He will have to take no eventually. That or set up camp in Promise City and ask you to marry him daily for the rest of his life. You know what I think you should do?" Kate took two of the flowers from the bouquet and stripped the leaves. She tucked one into her hair, and the other into Ruby's. "These flowers were given in love, however misguided. So give them to people you love, and don't let George Eastman put a damper on your night. I know you'd rather have "Silver" than diamonds." Ruby looked again to Jake and sighed. "I would rather have silver than diamonds, in this case anyway." She shakes her head. "He thinks we're going to dinner tomorrow night." </p><p></p><p>"But you're right, we shouldn't let this ruin our night. Let's get drunk." Ruby puts the ring in her pocket and the flowers on the bar. She leans way over and reaches for a bottle, not bothering to look at what it is. She pours herself a large drink, drinks it down and pours another. "Here," she says, handing the glass to Kate. Ruby takes the bottle and wanders over to Jake. She stands over him for a couple of minutes, but he doesn't seem to notice her. Then she nods to Kate and makes her way to the stage. When Kate is ready Ruby takes to the stage again, stopping often to drink from the bottle. Kate looked at the glass Ruby had thrust in her hand and set it down on the bar. "Hopefully someone will want one of, whatever that is," she said to Jeff. </p><p></p><p>With Luc available to act as the bouncer tonight, Chester sits with his friends. He sees Ruby come back inside with flowers and a small dark object. Kate goes over to Ruby, so Chester decides he isn't needed. He listens to the playing of the new preacher, Minerva. If she plays during services, that'll help the time pass more pleasantly. Rev. Haggler just kept droning on and on. Chester's face lights up when Clairese comes in to sing a set of songs. Clairese sits down at one of the smaller tables over near the stage to wait for Ruby to finish singing. Chester looks over at Clairese. He starts to get out of his seat. </p><p></p><p>Jake's table had started a little later than usual and the play had been interesting, consequently they had run a bit long without a respite. "Time for a break gentlemen, tend to yourselves for a few minutes. It will keep your games sharp. We've seen some fine poker tonight so far." Jake smiles and encourages the players. </p><p></p><p>He stretches and walks to the bar. On the way by he says to Nanuet, "Hey Indian, I meant to tell you earlier but got distracted; that was quick thinking at the boarding house." Jake tips his hat to him but continues to the bar and gets some whiskey. "Thanks White Man." Nanuet says and winks at Jake as he tips his hat. Nanuet turned to his friend Chester and started some small talk. "Well Chet, how's things been lately at the mine?"</p><p></p><p>Chester sits back down with a thump. He turns to Nanuet. "Um. Things are going fine there. Haven't had any problems with the Cowboy Gang or claim jumpers. It looks like the mine's a good one. The silver's good quality." He looks back at Clairese. "Could you excuse me for a bit, Nanuet. I have something to take care of." </p><p></p><p>Not waiting for a response, Chester walks over to Clairese's table. "He takes off his hat and says, "Good evening, Miss Townsend. Is this seat taken?" She says, "No, Mr. Martin. Have a seat." He takes the proffered chair. "Thank you. You can Chester, miss, or Chet, if you like. How do you like singing here?" "Mr. Cook and Miss West have been very kind to me. And the crowds are wonderful." "I'm glad to hear that. They are nice people. Would you have dinner with me tomorrow?" She says, "Ummm...err....well.....where were you thinking of to go for dinner? Would we have a chaperone?"</p><p></p><p>Jake stays out of the way and watches Ruby for a bit, noticing that she has a bottle with her at the stage. He then notices that both Ruby and Katherine are sporting a flower in their hair and similar flowers are sitting on the bar. "Hmmm." Although the set isn't over, Jake makes his way to the stage when she finishes the song. He passes Katherine first touching her gently on the shoulder and says, "Stall for half a minute." "Alright." Kate pulled another of the flowers out, stripped the leaves, and snapped the stem off with only about three inches left. She went over to the tables where her friends had been sitting and handed the flower to Conrad. "Your buttonhole is empty again, didn't I tell you something about that the other day?" </p><p></p><p>Jake walks deliberately to Ruby, "I've missed your singing, glad I'm getting to hear you tonight." He puts his left hand on the side of her face and then delicately traces her earring with his finger. "It's every bit you as the other is me. Funny isn't it?" He continues with the slightest smile on his face. "It's going to be a long night, so slow down on the bottle a bit and save some Ruby for me. I wouldn't want you to forget the words to someone's special song. I'd like to hear it towards the end of the night if you're up to it." He brushes his finger across her lips. "You better sing some more, your adoring fans are waiting." Jake stands aside and moves back towards his table nodding and smiling to Clairese on his way by.</p><p></p><p>Jake seemed to have finished whatever he was saying to Ruby. "I have to go play, and keep an eye on Ruby," she smiled and went back over to play, strategically moving the bottle away as Ruby turned to face the audience. Then she sat down to play. Ruby bit her lip and smiled with a twinkle in her eye as Jake walked away. She looked at the bottle and decided to go a little lighter on the drink. She wanted to be able to last as long as she needed to. Ruby saw Kate chatting with Conrad and then she came back to the piano, also a happy smile on her face. Ruby nodded to her and they started their set. Ruby sang her usual passion and enthusiasm and Kate played to match.</p><p></p><p>Later on after her set, Ruby again heads outside to get some air. She takes her spot on the railing of the porch, taking small sips from her bottle, swinging her legs. She waves and smiles at a few people walking by, getting a couple to stop in for drinks. Jake finally gets to the second break from his game and looks for Ruby. He sees her out the door and meanders his way over. Ruby looks up and sees Jake heading her way. She curves her finger and motions for him to come to her. When he gets close she leans way down, giving Jake a good look down her dress, as she grabs the bottom of her skirts and slowly pulls them up to her knees. She grasps his belt, and slowly makes him come to her. She then wraps her legs around him, locking her ankles behind him. </p><p></p><p>“It occurs to me that I did not give you a proper welcome home today Mr. Cook.” Ruby moves her fallen strap back onto her shoulder, before wrapping her arms around Jake’s neck. “I do apologize and plan to make it up to you, if you’ll let me…” Ruby wiggles on the railing just a little closer to Jake. “I’d like you to play the piano for me later, when your game is done. You play almost as well as Kate, I don’t know why you don’t think you do. And you know some songs she doesn’t know.” She lightly runs her fingers up and down the back of Jake’s neck. “You know I’d never forget the words to your song. I’ll sing it in my last set. I told you I would sing it whenever you wanted to hear it.” Ruby pauses and gazes into Jake’s eyes before leaning in close and giving him a long soft kiss. </p><p></p><p>"I especially like it when you make it up to me.... hmmm." They continue to kiss for a minute before they both hear a low growling noise. They pull slowly away from each other and glance around. There is a small black fluffy puppy biting the bottom of Jake’s pant leg, pulling at it. Jake stops and stares down at the black beast trying to shred his trouser. "Get out of here you mutt, I'm busy." He starts to shake it off his leg. "Jake no! Don't hurt it!" "What?" He sees the look in her eyes. "Oh." Recognition of the look. "Ah." </p><p></p><p>He reaches down and picks the animal by the scruff of the neck. Holding it out in front of him and looking it in the face he says, "I'm going to assume that's a dog and not a baby, what was it, dragon? Does it have a name?""No, it's not a baby dragon," Ruby says sarcastically, rolling her eyes. "His name is Mischief. His sister's name is Lucky and I don't know where she is." She reaches out and pets the little rascal. "He was only trying to protect me from you."</p><p></p><p>"Protect you! Who's gonna protect me?" Jake shakes him a bit in the air and puts him back down. "Mischief, huh." He shakes his head. "Why do I feel like you'll grow into that name. I DID say you could have a puppy." He says as he turns back to Ruby. He pushes the dog away with his leg and moves towards Ruby and stops. "Did you just tell me Mischief has a sister?"</p><p></p><p>"He'll protect you too," Ruby says as she bends forward and crouches down to the dog, then scoops him up. She looks the pup in the eyes. "This is Jake," she turns Mischief to him, "And we like him. No, actually we love him." Ruby glances at Jake before looking back to the ball of fur. "So make sure to take very good care of him." The dog tries to lick Jake's face but he dodges out of the way. "Aaawwww," Ruby snuggles him and puts him down. "And yes, Mischief has a sister, smaller than him. The poor things were starving Jake and they found their way to our back door." Ruby gives Jake the big innocent eyes and a sweet smile. "Oh you'll love them both, they're so cute..."</p><p></p><p>Jake laughs, "Mischief and Lucky, huh. I have to get back to the game." He gives her a quick kiss. As he turns he says, "Don't tell me where they sleep yet. I haven't had enough to drink." He goes back into the saloon laughing and shaking his head.</p><p></p><p>Katherine was relieved to see Ruby drinking less than she had been before Jake spoke to her. Clairese had come in just as they were starting this set, and Chester had gone over to speak to her almost immediately. Kate smiled a bit when she looked at them. None of her friends seemed to be able to resist Cupid's arrows. Minerva had joined them with her flute again, and agreed to accompany Clairese when Ruby's set was finished. </p><p>Meanwhile, "Now where have those little puppies gotten too?" Nanuet wondered out loud. "I knew it would be a bad idea to have them wandering around in here during the busy hours." Nanuet begins walking throughout the Lucky Lady looking for the dogs. He sees a white ball of fur curled up in an empty wooden crate behind the bar and makes his way over to it. He kneels down and scratches the dog between the ears. "Hey little pup, where is your partner in crime? Miss Ruby will be awful upset if anything happens to either of you."</p><p></p><p>Between sets Minerva, her face is flushed and smiling broadly, returns to the table. She pours herself a shot from the whiskey bottle, downs it in one quick movement, and plops herself down in the seat beside Nanuet and grins. " I am having such a wonderful time! This place is sooo alive! "Leaning towards him she whispers loudly "Now this is the kind of place the gods really love." She gazes around the room "Looks like one of the gods his having lots of fun tonight.” Yes, Cupid has definitely been quite busy this evening. "You can see his arrows everywhere. "she looks outside and notices Ruby and her man wrapped around each other. </p><p></p><p>"Mr. Booth and Katherine seem quite taken with one another this evening, and now Chester seems to be heating things up at the next table too." Ah, beware the handiwork of the gods..." Nanuet, do you know anything of this card game everyone is playing? I would really like to try my hand at it but everyone seems to be ...involved."</p><p></p><p>Ruby waits for a moment, then follows Jake in. After the next set was over they could play cards and relax, hopefully dance and definitely drink. Ruby makes her way back to the stage again and starts to sing without Kate. Let her talk to Conrad, Ruby thinks, She needs to have some fun too. </p><p></p><p>Kate again made the rounds of the room to fill drink orders before she went and sat down at the table with Conrad. "I feel I've been a poor hostess. I hope you haven't been bored. "He replies, "Not at all, although I do feel that your friends are taking advantage of you. In the few times I've been here only Hoover appeared to make an effort to manage this place, but he isn't even around tonight. If tonight is any example, you do far more than the other three owners do but you aren't included in any of the proceeds. That hardly seems fair."</p><p></p><p>She answers, "I never thought about it. My job here has always been to play and wait tables, and playing the piano isn't work," she finished with a smile. "Job hasn't had a drink all night, despite sitting at the bar. He's been keeping an eye on everything like Mr. Hoover usually does. Jake has been running his table, and Ruby singing her sets. She hasn't shown it tonight, but she knows the name of every person in this room, what drinks they like, what songs they like. I draw my salary, and it's more than fair for what I do. I don't hire or fire people, I don't make liquor orders or run games, or throw out the rowdies. And if I want a night off, it's no trouble. My work isn't harder, just more...visible."</p><p></p><p>Katherine looked down at her hands folded in her lap. "It's sweet of you to be concerned," she said, by way of filling the silence. "But I have taken advantage of my friends in so many ways, the little bit I can do here isn't enough to even begin to repay them. I don't know what I would have done here without them. And I'm talking to much again," she finished with a laugh. "You realize, I don't really know much more about you than you did about me. Tell me about what brought you to Promise City, how long you've been here, what made you stay."</p><p></p><p>Booth replies, "Ah, well you already know much of my life story. I left California temporarily a few years ago, making trips to different cities for gambling tournaments, but I would always go back to check on my mother. </p><p>Around three years back she convinced me that she could get along without me, so I moved out permanently. I tried several places until I found Promise City. I actually hadn't planned to stay, but then Arcade's Gang went and killed Billy the Kid in my house. My name made it into all of the newspaper accounts and turned me into a known gambler. People coming to town wanted to play at my table and hear the story. I know it probably sounds rather morbid to you, but I've kept the second floor preserved as it was that day and will only give tours to people who play at my table."</p><p></p><p>She says, "It is rather morbid, but it's part of how you're making your living. I can understand it, but I imagine someday you'll want your house back, all to yourself. You told me you wanted to make your fortune, but do you expect to make it by gambling, or is there something else you want to do?" He says, "That's a good question, I honestly don't know what I really want to do. Back when I was a teenager I had dreams of joining my father as an actor, but you know how my one meeting with him went. I then tried finding work using my singing voice but that went nowhere. I then found that I had a knack for poker playing."</p><p></p><p>She replies, "I didn't know you sang. I hope I'll get the pleasure of hearing you someday. But I can see how making a living singing would be difficult. Places like these want women on the stage, you would have to become part of a traveling company, I suppose. Or go to a place like New York where they do operas and such things. You should spend some time dreaming, you never know what you might enjoy doing. I never thought I'd be a school teacher, but here I am planning on opening a school."</p><p></p><p>It's now after 10:00 PM and Booth tells Kate "As much as I am enjoying our conversation one of the reasons I didn't run my own table tonight at the Long Branch is that I wanted to get to bed early. So I guess I'd better call it a night. Thank you dear lady for a lovely evening." He leaves money on the table for the two drinks that evening as well as a very generous tip of twice that amount. </p><p></p><p>As Jake's game is finishing up he notices that Katherine is up and saying goodnight to Booth. Once Booth is gone and it appears that he isn't coming back Job Kane decides to leave as well, saying goodnight to Jake and Ruby and letting them know that they are now in charge.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2461688, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 49, “The Ring”, Wednesday, March 15th, 1882[/B] Ruby blinks again and looks at the ring in Mr. Eastman's hand. "It is a very beautiful ring, Mr. Eastman." Ruby slides off the railing and stands before him, trying not to look at it. She reaches out her hand and takes him by the arm. "Stand up," she whispers softly, while looking into the saloon, hoping no one had noticed. "Mr. Eastman, I really do appreciate the effort you have gone through and any woman would be lucky to have you as a husband." She looks him straight in the eyes. "But I just can't marry you. I'm sorry." He reaches over and grabs her hands, taking them into his in such a way that the outer tips of her fingers touch the ring. He looks her straight in the eyes and says "Constance, there is no need to be so formal, please call me George. I understand, this was too sudden. But I wanted you to know my intentions. You do not need to give me an answer tonight." He withdraws his hands and then reaches into his pocket, taking out a small jewelry box lined with ruby red velvet. He puts the ring into the box and closes it. He then holds out the box to her and says "Please keep this until you have reached your decision." Ruby looks at the box in her hand for a moment. Then she pushes her hands back out to Eastman, trying to hand him the box. "Mr. Eastman, uh, George, you don't understand. I was trying to be nice and not hurt your feelings." She looks back inside the saloon quickly before turning back to him. "I can't marry you. I can't marry you because I am in love with someone else." "Who?" he asks. "Do you mean that gambler who my cousin plays cards with? Constance, you're wasting your time on him. If he was truly in love with you wouldn't he be here with you right now?" "Yes, he's the gambler your cousin plays cards with. He's a business man too." Ruby glances inside the saloon. She continues quietly while looking at Jake, "I never said he was in love with me." Ruby slowly turns her gaze back to Eastman. "But he is here, he's right inside." "Where?" George asks. "Point him out to me." "He's playing cards..." Ruby stops herself. "George, I'm not sure that is a good idea. Do you really want to cause a scene, over me?" "Over you? Constance, I would do anything for you. Would he?” He looks inside and sees a group of men at the table. "Is he one of those men? He would rather sit there and play cards with those men than pay any attention to you? And don't try telling me that he has to play, I've been here two nights already. That man sitting over at the bar (as he gestures to Job) is also a gambler here, and could be running that table instead. Listen, I understand that you feel a sense of obligation to him. Helen said that he talked you into being the headline act here. But we could find another singer to take your place. That Clairese woman who sang here last night was rather good. She was no Constance Grace West, but then again, who is? Nobody else that I've ever seen." "Yes, he is one of those men. And he pays me plenty of attention when I need it." Ruby smiles knowingly while continuing to watch Jake play cards. "He didn't talk me into being the headliner here. I had this job before I met him. And George, I own part of this place and I like to sing here." "You would really do anything for me? That's very sweet." Ruby reaches out and touches his face. "And you are a very sweet man. And I don't know if Mr. Cook would do anything for me. But I have to follow my heart, and give him a chance to realize what's in his." Eastman says, "You need more time to think. Hang on to the ring. We can discuss this tomorrow over dinner, I'll come by and pick you up at five." He then turns to leave, picks up the flowers and hands them to her. "Goodbye, I truly do love you Constance Grace. And if you give yourself the chance I think that you'll find that you are attracted to me as well." "Crap," Ruby says out loud to no one, after Mr. Eastman had run away. She walks back into the saloon, flowers and ring box in hand, not looking very happy. Kate looked up from the table where she was standing talking with their friends. Ruby was making her way in from outside, flowers in her hands and a disturbed look on her face. "I'll be back." She walked over to her friend. "Ruby, honey, are you okay?" Ruby holds out the flowers and the ring box. "George Eastman won't take no for an answer." She took the box and opened the lid. A large diamond winked in the light, set simply but beautifully. "Impressive," she said softly, then closed the box and handed it back. "He will have to take no eventually. That or set up camp in Promise City and ask you to marry him daily for the rest of his life. You know what I think you should do?" Kate took two of the flowers from the bouquet and stripped the leaves. She tucked one into her hair, and the other into Ruby's. "These flowers were given in love, however misguided. So give them to people you love, and don't let George Eastman put a damper on your night. I know you'd rather have "Silver" than diamonds." Ruby looked again to Jake and sighed. "I would rather have silver than diamonds, in this case anyway." She shakes her head. "He thinks we're going to dinner tomorrow night." "But you're right, we shouldn't let this ruin our night. Let's get drunk." Ruby puts the ring in her pocket and the flowers on the bar. She leans way over and reaches for a bottle, not bothering to look at what it is. She pours herself a large drink, drinks it down and pours another. "Here," she says, handing the glass to Kate. Ruby takes the bottle and wanders over to Jake. She stands over him for a couple of minutes, but he doesn't seem to notice her. Then she nods to Kate and makes her way to the stage. When Kate is ready Ruby takes to the stage again, stopping often to drink from the bottle. Kate looked at the glass Ruby had thrust in her hand and set it down on the bar. "Hopefully someone will want one of, whatever that is," she said to Jeff. With Luc available to act as the bouncer tonight, Chester sits with his friends. He sees Ruby come back inside with flowers and a small dark object. Kate goes over to Ruby, so Chester decides he isn't needed. He listens to the playing of the new preacher, Minerva. If she plays during services, that'll help the time pass more pleasantly. Rev. Haggler just kept droning on and on. Chester's face lights up when Clairese comes in to sing a set of songs. Clairese sits down at one of the smaller tables over near the stage to wait for Ruby to finish singing. Chester looks over at Clairese. He starts to get out of his seat. Jake's table had started a little later than usual and the play had been interesting, consequently they had run a bit long without a respite. "Time for a break gentlemen, tend to yourselves for a few minutes. It will keep your games sharp. We've seen some fine poker tonight so far." Jake smiles and encourages the players. He stretches and walks to the bar. On the way by he says to Nanuet, "Hey Indian, I meant to tell you earlier but got distracted; that was quick thinking at the boarding house." Jake tips his hat to him but continues to the bar and gets some whiskey. "Thanks White Man." Nanuet says and winks at Jake as he tips his hat. Nanuet turned to his friend Chester and started some small talk. "Well Chet, how's things been lately at the mine?" Chester sits back down with a thump. He turns to Nanuet. "Um. Things are going fine there. Haven't had any problems with the Cowboy Gang or claim jumpers. It looks like the mine's a good one. The silver's good quality." He looks back at Clairese. "Could you excuse me for a bit, Nanuet. I have something to take care of." Not waiting for a response, Chester walks over to Clairese's table. "He takes off his hat and says, "Good evening, Miss Townsend. Is this seat taken?" She says, "No, Mr. Martin. Have a seat." He takes the proffered chair. "Thank you. You can Chester, miss, or Chet, if you like. How do you like singing here?" "Mr. Cook and Miss West have been very kind to me. And the crowds are wonderful." "I'm glad to hear that. They are nice people. Would you have dinner with me tomorrow?" She says, "Ummm...err....well.....where were you thinking of to go for dinner? Would we have a chaperone?" Jake stays out of the way and watches Ruby for a bit, noticing that she has a bottle with her at the stage. He then notices that both Ruby and Katherine are sporting a flower in their hair and similar flowers are sitting on the bar. "Hmmm." Although the set isn't over, Jake makes his way to the stage when she finishes the song. He passes Katherine first touching her gently on the shoulder and says, "Stall for half a minute." "Alright." Kate pulled another of the flowers out, stripped the leaves, and snapped the stem off with only about three inches left. She went over to the tables where her friends had been sitting and handed the flower to Conrad. "Your buttonhole is empty again, didn't I tell you something about that the other day?" Jake walks deliberately to Ruby, "I've missed your singing, glad I'm getting to hear you tonight." He puts his left hand on the side of her face and then delicately traces her earring with his finger. "It's every bit you as the other is me. Funny isn't it?" He continues with the slightest smile on his face. "It's going to be a long night, so slow down on the bottle a bit and save some Ruby for me. I wouldn't want you to forget the words to someone's special song. I'd like to hear it towards the end of the night if you're up to it." He brushes his finger across her lips. "You better sing some more, your adoring fans are waiting." Jake stands aside and moves back towards his table nodding and smiling to Clairese on his way by. Jake seemed to have finished whatever he was saying to Ruby. "I have to go play, and keep an eye on Ruby," she smiled and went back over to play, strategically moving the bottle away as Ruby turned to face the audience. Then she sat down to play. Ruby bit her lip and smiled with a twinkle in her eye as Jake walked away. She looked at the bottle and decided to go a little lighter on the drink. She wanted to be able to last as long as she needed to. Ruby saw Kate chatting with Conrad and then she came back to the piano, also a happy smile on her face. Ruby nodded to her and they started their set. Ruby sang her usual passion and enthusiasm and Kate played to match. Later on after her set, Ruby again heads outside to get some air. She takes her spot on the railing of the porch, taking small sips from her bottle, swinging her legs. She waves and smiles at a few people walking by, getting a couple to stop in for drinks. Jake finally gets to the second break from his game and looks for Ruby. He sees her out the door and meanders his way over. Ruby looks up and sees Jake heading her way. She curves her finger and motions for him to come to her. When he gets close she leans way down, giving Jake a good look down her dress, as she grabs the bottom of her skirts and slowly pulls them up to her knees. She grasps his belt, and slowly makes him come to her. She then wraps her legs around him, locking her ankles behind him. “It occurs to me that I did not give you a proper welcome home today Mr. Cook.” Ruby moves her fallen strap back onto her shoulder, before wrapping her arms around Jake’s neck. “I do apologize and plan to make it up to you, if you’ll let me…” Ruby wiggles on the railing just a little closer to Jake. “I’d like you to play the piano for me later, when your game is done. You play almost as well as Kate, I don’t know why you don’t think you do. And you know some songs she doesn’t know.” She lightly runs her fingers up and down the back of Jake’s neck. “You know I’d never forget the words to your song. I’ll sing it in my last set. I told you I would sing it whenever you wanted to hear it.” Ruby pauses and gazes into Jake’s eyes before leaning in close and giving him a long soft kiss. "I especially like it when you make it up to me.... hmmm." They continue to kiss for a minute before they both hear a low growling noise. They pull slowly away from each other and glance around. There is a small black fluffy puppy biting the bottom of Jake’s pant leg, pulling at it. Jake stops and stares down at the black beast trying to shred his trouser. "Get out of here you mutt, I'm busy." He starts to shake it off his leg. "Jake no! Don't hurt it!" "What?" He sees the look in her eyes. "Oh." Recognition of the look. "Ah." He reaches down and picks the animal by the scruff of the neck. Holding it out in front of him and looking it in the face he says, "I'm going to assume that's a dog and not a baby, what was it, dragon? Does it have a name?""No, it's not a baby dragon," Ruby says sarcastically, rolling her eyes. "His name is Mischief. His sister's name is Lucky and I don't know where she is." She reaches out and pets the little rascal. "He was only trying to protect me from you." "Protect you! Who's gonna protect me?" Jake shakes him a bit in the air and puts him back down. "Mischief, huh." He shakes his head. "Why do I feel like you'll grow into that name. I DID say you could have a puppy." He says as he turns back to Ruby. He pushes the dog away with his leg and moves towards Ruby and stops. "Did you just tell me Mischief has a sister?" "He'll protect you too," Ruby says as she bends forward and crouches down to the dog, then scoops him up. She looks the pup in the eyes. "This is Jake," she turns Mischief to him, "And we like him. No, actually we love him." Ruby glances at Jake before looking back to the ball of fur. "So make sure to take very good care of him." The dog tries to lick Jake's face but he dodges out of the way. "Aaawwww," Ruby snuggles him and puts him down. "And yes, Mischief has a sister, smaller than him. The poor things were starving Jake and they found their way to our back door." Ruby gives Jake the big innocent eyes and a sweet smile. "Oh you'll love them both, they're so cute..." Jake laughs, "Mischief and Lucky, huh. I have to get back to the game." He gives her a quick kiss. As he turns he says, "Don't tell me where they sleep yet. I haven't had enough to drink." He goes back into the saloon laughing and shaking his head. Katherine was relieved to see Ruby drinking less than she had been before Jake spoke to her. Clairese had come in just as they were starting this set, and Chester had gone over to speak to her almost immediately. Kate smiled a bit when she looked at them. None of her friends seemed to be able to resist Cupid's arrows. Minerva had joined them with her flute again, and agreed to accompany Clairese when Ruby's set was finished. Meanwhile, "Now where have those little puppies gotten too?" Nanuet wondered out loud. "I knew it would be a bad idea to have them wandering around in here during the busy hours." Nanuet begins walking throughout the Lucky Lady looking for the dogs. He sees a white ball of fur curled up in an empty wooden crate behind the bar and makes his way over to it. He kneels down and scratches the dog between the ears. "Hey little pup, where is your partner in crime? Miss Ruby will be awful upset if anything happens to either of you." Between sets Minerva, her face is flushed and smiling broadly, returns to the table. She pours herself a shot from the whiskey bottle, downs it in one quick movement, and plops herself down in the seat beside Nanuet and grins. " I am having such a wonderful time! This place is sooo alive! "Leaning towards him she whispers loudly "Now this is the kind of place the gods really love." She gazes around the room "Looks like one of the gods his having lots of fun tonight.” Yes, Cupid has definitely been quite busy this evening. "You can see his arrows everywhere. "she looks outside and notices Ruby and her man wrapped around each other. "Mr. Booth and Katherine seem quite taken with one another this evening, and now Chester seems to be heating things up at the next table too." Ah, beware the handiwork of the gods..." Nanuet, do you know anything of this card game everyone is playing? I would really like to try my hand at it but everyone seems to be ...involved." Ruby waits for a moment, then follows Jake in. After the next set was over they could play cards and relax, hopefully dance and definitely drink. Ruby makes her way back to the stage again and starts to sing without Kate. Let her talk to Conrad, Ruby thinks, She needs to have some fun too. Kate again made the rounds of the room to fill drink orders before she went and sat down at the table with Conrad. "I feel I've been a poor hostess. I hope you haven't been bored. "He replies, "Not at all, although I do feel that your friends are taking advantage of you. In the few times I've been here only Hoover appeared to make an effort to manage this place, but he isn't even around tonight. If tonight is any example, you do far more than the other three owners do but you aren't included in any of the proceeds. That hardly seems fair." She answers, "I never thought about it. My job here has always been to play and wait tables, and playing the piano isn't work," she finished with a smile. "Job hasn't had a drink all night, despite sitting at the bar. He's been keeping an eye on everything like Mr. Hoover usually does. Jake has been running his table, and Ruby singing her sets. She hasn't shown it tonight, but she knows the name of every person in this room, what drinks they like, what songs they like. I draw my salary, and it's more than fair for what I do. I don't hire or fire people, I don't make liquor orders or run games, or throw out the rowdies. And if I want a night off, it's no trouble. My work isn't harder, just more...visible." Katherine looked down at her hands folded in her lap. "It's sweet of you to be concerned," she said, by way of filling the silence. "But I have taken advantage of my friends in so many ways, the little bit I can do here isn't enough to even begin to repay them. I don't know what I would have done here without them. And I'm talking to much again," she finished with a laugh. "You realize, I don't really know much more about you than you did about me. Tell me about what brought you to Promise City, how long you've been here, what made you stay." Booth replies, "Ah, well you already know much of my life story. I left California temporarily a few years ago, making trips to different cities for gambling tournaments, but I would always go back to check on my mother. Around three years back she convinced me that she could get along without me, so I moved out permanently. I tried several places until I found Promise City. I actually hadn't planned to stay, but then Arcade's Gang went and killed Billy the Kid in my house. My name made it into all of the newspaper accounts and turned me into a known gambler. People coming to town wanted to play at my table and hear the story. I know it probably sounds rather morbid to you, but I've kept the second floor preserved as it was that day and will only give tours to people who play at my table." She says, "It is rather morbid, but it's part of how you're making your living. I can understand it, but I imagine someday you'll want your house back, all to yourself. You told me you wanted to make your fortune, but do you expect to make it by gambling, or is there something else you want to do?" He says, "That's a good question, I honestly don't know what I really want to do. Back when I was a teenager I had dreams of joining my father as an actor, but you know how my one meeting with him went. I then tried finding work using my singing voice but that went nowhere. I then found that I had a knack for poker playing." She replies, "I didn't know you sang. I hope I'll get the pleasure of hearing you someday. But I can see how making a living singing would be difficult. Places like these want women on the stage, you would have to become part of a traveling company, I suppose. Or go to a place like New York where they do operas and such things. You should spend some time dreaming, you never know what you might enjoy doing. I never thought I'd be a school teacher, but here I am planning on opening a school." It's now after 10:00 PM and Booth tells Kate "As much as I am enjoying our conversation one of the reasons I didn't run my own table tonight at the Long Branch is that I wanted to get to bed early. So I guess I'd better call it a night. Thank you dear lady for a lovely evening." He leaves money on the table for the two drinks that evening as well as a very generous tip of twice that amount. As Jake's game is finishing up he notices that Katherine is up and saying goodnight to Booth. Once Booth is gone and it appears that he isn't coming back Job Kane decides to leave as well, saying goodnight to Jake and Ruby and letting them know that they are now in charge. [/QUOTE]
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