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Wizards, Whiskey and Wonderful Things - Concluded
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2568783" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 57, “Party at the El Parador”, Thursday, March 16th , 1882:</strong></p><p></p><p>Nanuet spends the rest of the day helping Sonoma and Flint around the ranch. He is pleased to see that things are going so well and he makes a promise to the two of them that he will be seen there more often. He then calls for Maska and spends some time with her before heading back to town for his evening meal. Nanuet made his way back into town . He ponders that Kate seemed to be in a rush and preoccupied with a few things. He headed to his room at the Lucky Lady, washed up and changed clothes after his day of chores and headed downstairs to see if anything needed to be done to get ready for the evening.</p><p></p><p>After getting his hair cut and a shave, Chester stops by the bank to withdraw $10. He jingles the coins in his pocket as he goes to the bathhouse to wash up before his date with Clarisse. Chester has a cleansing bath at Gilson's. After that he realizes he should get flowers. Not knowing where he could buy some, he hurries to the outskirts of the town to pick some. Around 5 PM, Chester gets ready for his date with Clarisse. He changes into his new suit. At least some good came out of being arrested, he thinks wryly. He straps on his gunbelt and takes the flowers to the Promise City Hotel. He waits in the lobby for her to come down. </p><p></p><p>Clarisse comes down to join him. She then looks around and says, "Mr. Martin, where is the chaperone?" Chester stands up to greet Clarisse. "Good evening Miss Townsend. I thought you had a chaperone in mind. I'll have to go find one. Stay right here." Chester hurries to the Lucky Lady. he sees Jeff Mills there. "Jeff. Do you anyone who can chaperone Clarisse on our date? I forgot."</p><p></p><p>Jeff exclaims, "Chaperone! What the hell does she need a chaperone for! She's a grown woman." Niles Hoover comes over and says, "In certain circles a young woman in her teens would not be seen with a man unless a chaperone is present. I'd suggest you find an older female woman for that role." Chester replies, "Damnation. Where am I going to find someone who fits the bill at the last minute? Do you know anyone, Mr. Hoover?" "Nope, good luck son," he says. Jeff looks at Chester and says "What about your friend Dorita?" He shakes his head. "I completely forgot about her. It's not like I know a whole lot of women here. Thanks a bunch, Jeff."</p><p></p><p>Upstairs, Ruby has just completed her long speech to Jake and sits up and then sits forward in his chair. When she finishes he moves over to the bed and sits on it and pulls her towards him, his arms around her. He just holds her for a while and doesn't say anything. </p><p></p><p>"I am not giving up on you Ruby West. What I tried to say is I would never hold you against your will. That doesn't mean I don't desperately want you to want to be here." He reaches down and wipes some tears away. "Those things you called yourself; those are things you did not who you are. I don't understand what circumstances you got the name Ruby, but it could not be more perfect. Something rare and precious, one of the hardest and most durable things, beautiful to look at and a window into the fire in your soul. You've been to hell and back, and it's you trying to teach me about love." </p><p></p><p>Back upstairs at the Lucky Lady Jake doesn't look down and doesn't let her loose. "Ruby you are my lover, my partner and my friend. I don't take any of those lightly. You think I don't want to love you? Nothing you have told me makes me care for you any less." Still holding her tightly he strokes her hair, "I've not been through a quarter of what you have. I'm just a selfish saloon rat who wonders if he is good for you and is trying his best. I just don't know if my best is good enough. Jake's wandered the country one place after another, one job after another, making acquaintances and then leaving them. Except for Red, the first friends I've made are here. By the gods, what would make me believe that I am capable of promising you a life time of anything. Jake is full of good intentions, can he keep them? He finally meets a woman he wants to tell the truth to, but what can he say?" </p><p></p><p>"So if you look me in the eye and tell me there is something better for you than Promise City and Jake Cook, some place that makes you happier and safe, I won't stop you." He stops stroking her hair and grabs her with both hands by her upper arms and looks at her in the face. "Everything I've given you or done for you has been bestowed freely. You owe me nothing. I'm not the altruistic type like that poor doctor who saved you. I have always wanted something for it, always had a motive. You…I want you and I need you." He lets go of her arms, seeming to just become aware he may have been holding her firmly. "When I look into your eyes I need to see that you are happy here, that you want to be here. Nothing else will do."</p><p></p><p>Ruby finally looks Jake in the eyes. Her eyes are wet, puffy and red. “Do I look happy?” She finally gives Jake a small smile and she cocks her head to the side. “There may be something better than Promise City, I’m not sure. But,” she wipes a few more tears away then puts her hands on his face, “There is nothing better for me than you, wherever it is that you go, I want to go too. You do make me happy. I believe in you, the things you do, the choices you make. You always take care of me and watch out for me. You make me very happy in bed and other assorted places,” Ruby smiles knowingly. “You give me everything I want. You gave me a home and someone to count on. As selfish as you think you are you do those things for me. Those are all things that money can’t buy. And maybe one day you’ll realize you do love me too. I don’t need you to say it to feel it’s true.” She leans forward and kisses Jake softly, then hugs him tightly. Without letting go she turns her head and whispers in his ear. “You have me Mr. Cook. You have everything that I can give.”</p><p></p><p>Ruby finally pulls herself away from Jake. "I'm going to see Mr. Eastman, hopefully for the last time. Then I have to see Judge Isby. I wish I didn't have to do it but I already said I would." Ruby sighs and she walks to the mirror. Looking herself over, she fixes her hair. "Maybe he'll be scared away from how I look." She laughs and turns back to Jake. "We can talk more later, ok?" She kisses him again then walks downstairs. She sees Nanuet. "I'm going to the El Parador, want to come along?"</p><p></p><p>"Sure, I can come along, not much going on here anyway, and I miss Dorita's cooking." Nanuet walks with Ruby out the door into the street. He says, "Miss Ruby, I hate to pry but you look like you might have been crying. Is everything OK?" Ruby takes Nanuet's arm as they walk. "Everything is ok now," she smiles. "I'm am going to the El Parador to tell Mr. Eastman that I won't marry him." </p><p></p><p>Katherine stood in her room at the El Parador. Ginnie was downstairs, likely pestering Dorita in the kitchen. Just this morning she and Ruby had been in this room talking about how she needed to stand on her own. That resolution had not lasted long. Or maybe it had. Tomorrow she would be on her own with Mr. Seawell. She would get the best price for the store she could, and be able to pay Conrad back the rest of his $1000. In the end it would be her doing. She had enlisted Conrad's help, she would sell the store building, she would pay for the house and she would set up and run the school. And if it came to it, she would tell Mrs. King where to stick her opinions. </p><p></p><p>The smile she had been resisting broke across her face. She put that prim blue away and put on the beautiful garnet dress she'd had made for the Lucky Lady's grand opening. She styled her hair to hang loose down her back and went humming out her door. Noise floated up from downstairs. It wasn't unusual of course, but rather than a busy night in the Cantina, it sounded like a party. </p><p></p><p>Kate hurried down the stairs to see what was different tonight. She arrives in the Cantina to see that a party does appear to be in full swing. A trio of musicians are playing a lively Spanish song, Estaban on the guitar, Pepita Alverez on the maraccas and a male wood elf whose name she doesn't remember playing the fiddle. Pedro is in the center of a trio of men swaying arm-in-arm and loudly singing the Spanish lyrics in deep rich singing voices that harmonize well. The one to Pedro's right is gambler Carlos Ramirez while the man to his right is George Eastman. </p><p></p><p>Two pairs of dancers are dancing wildly to the music. One pair is comprised of Dorita and handiman Grant Keebler. The other pair is comprised of Angelica Huesca and Alfredo Garcia. The other fifteen patrons of the Cantina are all clapping and singing along to the song. Kate laughed and took a seat at a table, glad Dorita was having a good time. Perhaps she would be less angry that Kate had missed her cooking lesson that afternoon. With everything that had happened, it had just slipped her mind. The music was infectious and soon Kate's toe was tapping along with the rhythm.</p><p></p><p>Chester approaches the El Parador. The sounds of a party can be heard within. He pushes open the doors and walks in. He sees Dorita dancing with Keebler, so he waits for them to finish before going over to her. "Dorita? Could you chaperone Miss Townsend on my date with her, por favor? I didn't plan for that, so I'm sorry for asking you at the last minute."</p><p></p><p>She replies, "One momento Mr. Martin." Dorita turns back to her dance partner and says, "Grant, Kate sitting alone and likes sound of music. Go dance with her." She turns back to Chester and says, "Ah, Maria tell me about you liking new singer. I be happy to chaperone. We go get her and bring her here to have fun."</p><p></p><p>Chester looks relieved. "Thank you so much, Dorita. I really like her and wanted this to go smoothly, but I forgot about the chaperone issue. I was planning on taking her to the Alhambra, but here is fine too. Let's go." As Chester pulls Dorita away Keebler heads over to Kate, holds out his hand and says, "Dorita says we should dance." "Well, I guess she's not angry at me for missing my lesson this afternoon then. Let us not defy Dorita, we both know how dangerous that is," she said with a laugh and accepted the hand. Grant Keebler turned out to be a rather good dancer, and as they moved she managed to ask, "So why the party?" "Does Dorita need a reason?" He says. </p><p></p><p>Ruby and Nanuet head into to the El Parador and hear the lively song coming from inside. They walk in the door and Ruby is shocked to see George Eastman standing up singing his heart out. She goes to the bar and gets herself a whiskey. She leans against the bar watching the revelry. Nanuet joins Ruby at the bar and tries to enjoy the music. He begins tapping his feet to the music but somehow manages stamping out a rhythm all his own. </p><p></p><p>He comments, "Mr. Eastman wanted you to marry him? But didn't he know about Mr. Jake? I will never understand white people and their courting rituals." Ruby turns to Nanuet. "Oh he knows about Jake. He just doesn't care." Ruby smiles at Nanuet. "Don't worry I'll never understand white people courting rituals either." She shakes her head. "Let's hope he's in a good enough mood now to accept a no."</p><p></p><p>The song no sooner ends when the musicians begin another, this one even faster and livelier than the one before. Conrad Booth enters the Cantina and walks directly up to Grant Keebler and asks "Mind if I cut in?" Grant steps aside and Kate quickly discovers that her friend is an excellent dancer. He also sings along to the lyrics in fluent Spanish. She and Conrad moved gracefully even in this lively dance. "You know, this is the third day in a row I've danced. I haven't danced this much in years," she said smiling. "And your voice is excellent, but I didn't realize you spoke Spanish."</p><p></p><p>He replies, "I'm a quick study and am always trying to learn new things. You saw that with Mother Jiminez teaching me about plants. Last year, after I decided to stay her, I had another wood elf teach me his language." Conrad leans his head to gesture in Pedro's direction. Actually, he taught me both of his languages. The elves spoke their own tongue long before those from Spain arrived." Kate says, "Yes, I thought I was a quick learner, but I see you are far beyond me. The native language must be beautiful indeed. You've made a great study of your new home, haven't you? I would not have guessed it about you."</p><p></p><p>"Well Katherine, you never know where newfound knowledge will lead you. Learning the languages spoken here helped me to fit in since I take all of my meals here." She replies, "Yes, knowledge can take you places you never thought you'd go. I know I never expected to be here dancing with you in a wood elven Cantina. But it is a pleasant surprise."</p><p></p><p>George Eastman breaks away from Pedro and heads towards the bar with a smile on his face. He reaches the bar and places his hand on it beside Ruby and says, "Constance...no wait, Dorita say you now prefer to use your stage name. Ruby, let's enjoy this music, I'll teach you this dance if you don't already know it!" "George, I really don't feel like dancing, if you don't mind. I need to talk to you." She says softly. Realizing he doesn't hear her over the noise she says louder, "I need to talk to you!"</p><p></p><p>He replies, "Absolutely," he says, "You were right. Thank you." She raises her voice again and leans closer to him, "I was right about what?" He replies, "A great many things. You asked if I was interested in your friends and the things that you care about, and you said that the owners of this Cantina were your friends. Ruby, these are wonderful people. We had a great conversation and I feel at home here. It reminds me of the year that I spent in Santo Domingo, they even know all of the same songs. Music has always been a passion of mine." </p><p></p><p>He grins and hands her a glass of wine adding "And you had also said that I would enjoy it here. You were so right." He then gestures towards Nanuet and says, "And is this another of your friends? Please introduce me." Ruby was emotionally spent. She wasn't sure why she decided to come at this point, but she was here. She takes the wine and drinks from it slowly. "Yes, this place is wonderful, they make you feel like family from the minute you meet them. This is my friend Nanuet. He also works with me at The Lucky Lady. Nanuet, this is George Eastman. The man who wants to bring photography to the masses."</p><p></p><p>Nanuet says, "Photo what? Is that the box that steals your soul and puts it on paper?" "Yes and no. Yes, it's like a painting but you take it with a camera on paper. It doesn't steal your soul," she laughs. "This is the part where you shake the man's hand." Nanuet offers his hand to George but continues to talk to Ruby. "I know what you speak of and my people believe that it captures your soul and puts the image on the paper." He finally turns to Mr. Eastman. "Hello, my name is Nanuet. Glad to meet you."</p><p></p><p>He states, "And I am glad to meet you. Nanuet, I would be very happy to show you my cousin's studio and give you a demonstration on how the process works. Basically, it uses a process of a dry plate and gelatin to transfer the image. The camera works like an eye, it takes a look and records it. But instead of recording it to memory of the mind it records it on paper for all to see. Actually, paper is an imperfect method. I've invented a new way, that makes a gelatin film to hold the image with is then transferred by light. Trust me, the only soul stealing involved is to people like me who become engulfed and fascinated in the process. So Nanuet, what do you do around town?"</p><p></p><p>"That is a lot of fast talking there Mr. Eastman. I mean no offense by it, but I just didn't understand a thing you said really." Nanuet scratches his head for a moment. "What do I do around town? Well I own part of a ranch and other than that I do odd jobs, and try to keep my friends out of too much trouble. And what brings you here to this little town Mr. Eastman?"</p><p></p><p>Eastman replies to Nanuet, "Two things. First, to upgrade my cousin's studio with the latest equipment. She and her husband Stanley should have far more success going forward. I also wanted to see your friend Const..I mean Ruby, her family and mine have known one another for a very long time." Nanuet answers, "Well it was nice to meet you Mr. Eastman. Here is Miss Ruby, I think she had something she wanted to talk to you about." </p><p>Nanuet shuffles Ruby towards Mr. Eastman, then walks to the far end of the bar, orders a whiskey and keeps an eye and an ear on the two.</p><p></p><p>Ruby was now uncomfortably close to Mr. Eastman. But she took advantage of the closeness to get near his ear. "We do need to talk but I don't want to take you away from your fun." "My fun? I am just getting to know your friends like you asked. But I understand your wanting some privacy for this moment. Let's step outside." He smiles and gestures towards the door.</p><p></p><p>Ruby makes her way outside first. Once George follows her out she turns back to face him. "George, I don't know what you want from me. I'm glad you're having fun in there." She starts playing with her hair. "What were you trying to say earlier at the Lucky Lady?"</p><p></p><p>He replies, "I'm trying to say that for the last five years I have not been able to get you out of my mind. Ruby, I know that if you give me a chance I will make you a wonderful husband. My business is already a success and I have barely scratched the surface of the potential for it. With my patents I will be able to hold a monopoly on the photography industry. We will be wealthy, possibly even millionaires. I will be able to give you everything that you've ever wanted and we can grow old together. And Ruby, these friends of yours, they are wonderful. They could come with us if you would like, I can provide for them too."</p><p></p><p>She responds softly, "I am so happy that you and your company are successful. And I told you, you will make a great husband for someone, someday. But that person is not me. I like it here, and my friends like it here, they won't want to leave their lives. You want to give me what I want?" She pauses briefly. "I want Jake." The words slip out of her mouth before she even realizes it. She sighs, "I'm sorry George."</p><p></p><p>He stares directly at her, pauses, and then asks "What did he do after I left? Did he give you that half-hour to think to yourself like I had requested or did he spend that time talking to you instead?" Just lie, just lie... Ruby thinks. "I talked to him. I needed to know how he felt. What difference does that make? You had a chance to sit down to dinner with him and you turned it down, proving to me that while you said you would do anything for me, you didn't really mean it. I asked you for that, not him." So much for lying, what is wrong with you girl? He replies, "Ruby, he forced himself onto our dinner uninvited. I was not going to propose to you again in front of a man who is clearly doing everything he can to manipulate you to serve his own ends." </p><p></p><p>Chester and Dorita walked back to the Hotel. "Miss Townsend, this is Mrs. Figueres. She's one of the owners of the El Parador. She's agreed to chaperone us on our date. Are you ready?" "Yes Mr. Martin she says." The three of them head east down South Street. Chester spots Minerva coming out of the Comstock House and waves to her. </p><p></p><p>Clarisse acts very impressed and asks, "Do you know our new preacher?" He answers, "Yes, she's been over to the Lucky Lady a couple times. A very interesting woman. I haven't heard her preach yet. have you?" She says, "Oh yes, her sermon was wonderful. The town is so lucky to have gotten her. I will be sorry to see her leave." "She's leaving? Why so soon after she got here." Clairese says, "She was only hired as an interim minister. A new priest will be along shortly."</p><p></p><p>Minerva waves and strolls over. "Bunos Tardes, Senor Chester, Where are you going on this lovely evening." </p><p>She turns to Clarisse and smiles, "and you Senorita, did I not see you earlier today?" Chester tips his hat. "Good evening, Miss Florencia. We are going over to the El Parador. Mrs. Figureres has kindly agreed to be Miss Townsend's chaperone for tonight. Where are you off to?" Minerva chats with Chester and Clarisse for a few minutes. " I heard music coming from the east and was just on my way over to see where it was coming from. Perhaps you would like to join me." </p><p></p><p>Chester comments, ""Umm. Miss Townsend and me are on a date now. Maybe some other time? Sorry. So Priestess, you're just here as an interim minister?" Eyeing Clarisse, Minerva responds, "I assure you Senor, I am not going anywhere." Chester fidgets uncomfortably. Uh-oh. This is not good. What can I say? He says, "That's good that you'll stay in town. I've enjoyed talking to you." She says, "Thank you. And there is no need to apologize. Enjoy your date Senor Chester, Senorita Clarisse. I bid you both a good evening. "Minerva walks over to the El Parador. As Minerva approaches the El Parador she passes Ruby and Mr. Eastman deep in discussion. Ruby apears to be quite distraught. She catches Ruby's eye points inside and motions I'll be inside if you need me </p><p></p><p>The tension that had developed between them during the day melted away as they danced. Kate was suddenly glad she had left the prim Kate upstairs with the blue dress and brought downstairs the Kate who remembered what it felt like to twirl around a dance floor in a pretty dress on the arm of a handsome man. "I know I already said it, but thank you for standing up for me with Tony. I should have kept my opinions to myself, but that man has always made me uncomfortable."</p><p></p><p>Booth says, "There's nothing wrong with being opinionated. Especially against those who don't recognize right from wrong. I don't want to come off like those who held the meeting today in the Town Hall, but marriage is one of those barriers that needs to be recognized." She says, "That's just it. Really, I don't have a problem with people who are not married acting as they please. I couldn't be friends with Jake and Ruby if I did," she laughed. "But once someone makes the decision to be married, they are giving that up. And people outside the marriage should respect that. She shook her head and laughed. "I sound awfully prim now, don't I?"</p><p></p><p>He laughs "Prim? Dancing quickly to these lively tunes in a multi-racial environment! Fear not good lady, nobody in this town will accidentally mistake you for being Rebecca King. He then chuckles again and says, "I have a hunch that Mrs. King will be busy with a new target instead. Isn't that the new preacher? Looks like she's come her to have fun too." As Minerva enters the room and is delighted to hear Spanish music. She notices Kate being led about the floor by Mr. Booth, waves and sits at a table. Kate replies, "Yes, it is. She had a very good time at the Lucky Lady last night. We had our after hours party, and she played cards and drank whiskey as well as any of the others," she laughed and waved back at Minerva. "If I had known such a priestess, I might not have entirely given up church." </p><p></p><p>Back on the porch Eastman says, "Ruby, he apparently won't give you an opportunity to decide this for yourself. I can protect you. I can get him away from you and make it so that he will not be able to hurt you ever again."</p><p>Ruby was starting to actually panic. Just stay calm... The words came out slowly, "And how can you 'get him away'? How can you protect me?" She was simmering underneath but knew she had to stay calm or she, well, they would be at a disadvantage. Is he going to try to hurt Jake? Ruby breathed in and out slowly, waiting for his answer.</p><p></p><p>Eastman replies, "How? Ruby, he's just after money. If I offer him enough he'll be satisfied. Or we could just get away, I can hire people to help protect you from him. I can make you safe." "You can offer him all the money you want, he won't take it." Ruby snaps. "I think our conversation is over." She starts walking back inside, but stops and turns back to Eastman. "As a matter of fact, I will prove to you how wrong you are about him. If you can get Jake to take money, any amount of money, with the clear understanding that it is for him to break up with me and leave me, then I will marry you." Ruby stands stubbornly with a look of confidence on her face. "If he doesn't take it you accept that you are wrong about him and that I am staying with him." </p><p></p><p>Eastman says, "I accept that challenge. You stay here while I will go and talk to him." "Right now, as in this minute right now?" Ruby asks, biting her lip. He says, "Yes right now, unless you'd rather go back inside the Cantina and join me for dinner instead. I was perfectly content to do that when you arrived. You're the one that insisted that we talk about Cook instead. I would much rather relax, have fun and enjoy each others company, but if you insist that this rivalry must be dealt with first then I will go take care of it now and we can then get on with our lives."</p><p></p><p>"I don't insist on it right now. I have full confidence that you will be proven wrong, now or later. But I don't see much point in talking about our life together unless it is actually going to happen." Ruby puts her nose up in the air. "There is something else, I have an appointment at 6:30 P.M. that I cannot miss. Do you have the time?" "An appointment? Ah yes, Mr. Cook commented earlier about his having made plans for the two of you this evening. Trust me, after I speak to him he will cancel those arrangements and we will have the whole evening to ourselves." </p><p></p><p>"Alright, George. Go and talk to Jake." Ruby had no intention of missing dinner with the Judge. And to top it off, she was starving. Ruby continued biting her lip. Eastman is so sure of himself. How arrogant! Jake said he didn't know what to do to get rid of Eastman and now, in the end, the answer lies with him and my whole future relies on him. Foolish, Ruby thinks. Maybe not the most foolish thing I've done, but pretty close. Ruby sits slowly on the bench outside the El Parador, and pulls her knees to her chest.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2568783, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 57, “Party at the El Parador”, Thursday, March 16th , 1882:[/B] Nanuet spends the rest of the day helping Sonoma and Flint around the ranch. He is pleased to see that things are going so well and he makes a promise to the two of them that he will be seen there more often. He then calls for Maska and spends some time with her before heading back to town for his evening meal. Nanuet made his way back into town . He ponders that Kate seemed to be in a rush and preoccupied with a few things. He headed to his room at the Lucky Lady, washed up and changed clothes after his day of chores and headed downstairs to see if anything needed to be done to get ready for the evening. After getting his hair cut and a shave, Chester stops by the bank to withdraw $10. He jingles the coins in his pocket as he goes to the bathhouse to wash up before his date with Clarisse. Chester has a cleansing bath at Gilson's. After that he realizes he should get flowers. Not knowing where he could buy some, he hurries to the outskirts of the town to pick some. Around 5 PM, Chester gets ready for his date with Clarisse. He changes into his new suit. At least some good came out of being arrested, he thinks wryly. He straps on his gunbelt and takes the flowers to the Promise City Hotel. He waits in the lobby for her to come down. Clarisse comes down to join him. She then looks around and says, "Mr. Martin, where is the chaperone?" Chester stands up to greet Clarisse. "Good evening Miss Townsend. I thought you had a chaperone in mind. I'll have to go find one. Stay right here." Chester hurries to the Lucky Lady. he sees Jeff Mills there. "Jeff. Do you anyone who can chaperone Clarisse on our date? I forgot." Jeff exclaims, "Chaperone! What the hell does she need a chaperone for! She's a grown woman." Niles Hoover comes over and says, "In certain circles a young woman in her teens would not be seen with a man unless a chaperone is present. I'd suggest you find an older female woman for that role." Chester replies, "Damnation. Where am I going to find someone who fits the bill at the last minute? Do you know anyone, Mr. Hoover?" "Nope, good luck son," he says. Jeff looks at Chester and says "What about your friend Dorita?" He shakes his head. "I completely forgot about her. It's not like I know a whole lot of women here. Thanks a bunch, Jeff." Upstairs, Ruby has just completed her long speech to Jake and sits up and then sits forward in his chair. When she finishes he moves over to the bed and sits on it and pulls her towards him, his arms around her. He just holds her for a while and doesn't say anything. "I am not giving up on you Ruby West. What I tried to say is I would never hold you against your will. That doesn't mean I don't desperately want you to want to be here." He reaches down and wipes some tears away. "Those things you called yourself; those are things you did not who you are. I don't understand what circumstances you got the name Ruby, but it could not be more perfect. Something rare and precious, one of the hardest and most durable things, beautiful to look at and a window into the fire in your soul. You've been to hell and back, and it's you trying to teach me about love." Back upstairs at the Lucky Lady Jake doesn't look down and doesn't let her loose. "Ruby you are my lover, my partner and my friend. I don't take any of those lightly. You think I don't want to love you? Nothing you have told me makes me care for you any less." Still holding her tightly he strokes her hair, "I've not been through a quarter of what you have. I'm just a selfish saloon rat who wonders if he is good for you and is trying his best. I just don't know if my best is good enough. Jake's wandered the country one place after another, one job after another, making acquaintances and then leaving them. Except for Red, the first friends I've made are here. By the gods, what would make me believe that I am capable of promising you a life time of anything. Jake is full of good intentions, can he keep them? He finally meets a woman he wants to tell the truth to, but what can he say?" "So if you look me in the eye and tell me there is something better for you than Promise City and Jake Cook, some place that makes you happier and safe, I won't stop you." He stops stroking her hair and grabs her with both hands by her upper arms and looks at her in the face. "Everything I've given you or done for you has been bestowed freely. You owe me nothing. I'm not the altruistic type like that poor doctor who saved you. I have always wanted something for it, always had a motive. You…I want you and I need you." He lets go of her arms, seeming to just become aware he may have been holding her firmly. "When I look into your eyes I need to see that you are happy here, that you want to be here. Nothing else will do." Ruby finally looks Jake in the eyes. Her eyes are wet, puffy and red. “Do I look happy?” She finally gives Jake a small smile and she cocks her head to the side. “There may be something better than Promise City, I’m not sure. But,” she wipes a few more tears away then puts her hands on his face, “There is nothing better for me than you, wherever it is that you go, I want to go too. You do make me happy. I believe in you, the things you do, the choices you make. You always take care of me and watch out for me. You make me very happy in bed and other assorted places,” Ruby smiles knowingly. “You give me everything I want. You gave me a home and someone to count on. As selfish as you think you are you do those things for me. Those are all things that money can’t buy. And maybe one day you’ll realize you do love me too. I don’t need you to say it to feel it’s true.” She leans forward and kisses Jake softly, then hugs him tightly. Without letting go she turns her head and whispers in his ear. “You have me Mr. Cook. You have everything that I can give.” Ruby finally pulls herself away from Jake. "I'm going to see Mr. Eastman, hopefully for the last time. Then I have to see Judge Isby. I wish I didn't have to do it but I already said I would." Ruby sighs and she walks to the mirror. Looking herself over, she fixes her hair. "Maybe he'll be scared away from how I look." She laughs and turns back to Jake. "We can talk more later, ok?" She kisses him again then walks downstairs. She sees Nanuet. "I'm going to the El Parador, want to come along?" "Sure, I can come along, not much going on here anyway, and I miss Dorita's cooking." Nanuet walks with Ruby out the door into the street. He says, "Miss Ruby, I hate to pry but you look like you might have been crying. Is everything OK?" Ruby takes Nanuet's arm as they walk. "Everything is ok now," she smiles. "I'm am going to the El Parador to tell Mr. Eastman that I won't marry him." Katherine stood in her room at the El Parador. Ginnie was downstairs, likely pestering Dorita in the kitchen. Just this morning she and Ruby had been in this room talking about how she needed to stand on her own. That resolution had not lasted long. Or maybe it had. Tomorrow she would be on her own with Mr. Seawell. She would get the best price for the store she could, and be able to pay Conrad back the rest of his $1000. In the end it would be her doing. She had enlisted Conrad's help, she would sell the store building, she would pay for the house and she would set up and run the school. And if it came to it, she would tell Mrs. King where to stick her opinions. The smile she had been resisting broke across her face. She put that prim blue away and put on the beautiful garnet dress she'd had made for the Lucky Lady's grand opening. She styled her hair to hang loose down her back and went humming out her door. Noise floated up from downstairs. It wasn't unusual of course, but rather than a busy night in the Cantina, it sounded like a party. Kate hurried down the stairs to see what was different tonight. She arrives in the Cantina to see that a party does appear to be in full swing. A trio of musicians are playing a lively Spanish song, Estaban on the guitar, Pepita Alverez on the maraccas and a male wood elf whose name she doesn't remember playing the fiddle. Pedro is in the center of a trio of men swaying arm-in-arm and loudly singing the Spanish lyrics in deep rich singing voices that harmonize well. The one to Pedro's right is gambler Carlos Ramirez while the man to his right is George Eastman. Two pairs of dancers are dancing wildly to the music. One pair is comprised of Dorita and handiman Grant Keebler. The other pair is comprised of Angelica Huesca and Alfredo Garcia. The other fifteen patrons of the Cantina are all clapping and singing along to the song. Kate laughed and took a seat at a table, glad Dorita was having a good time. Perhaps she would be less angry that Kate had missed her cooking lesson that afternoon. With everything that had happened, it had just slipped her mind. The music was infectious and soon Kate's toe was tapping along with the rhythm. Chester approaches the El Parador. The sounds of a party can be heard within. He pushes open the doors and walks in. He sees Dorita dancing with Keebler, so he waits for them to finish before going over to her. "Dorita? Could you chaperone Miss Townsend on my date with her, por favor? I didn't plan for that, so I'm sorry for asking you at the last minute." She replies, "One momento Mr. Martin." Dorita turns back to her dance partner and says, "Grant, Kate sitting alone and likes sound of music. Go dance with her." She turns back to Chester and says, "Ah, Maria tell me about you liking new singer. I be happy to chaperone. We go get her and bring her here to have fun." Chester looks relieved. "Thank you so much, Dorita. I really like her and wanted this to go smoothly, but I forgot about the chaperone issue. I was planning on taking her to the Alhambra, but here is fine too. Let's go." As Chester pulls Dorita away Keebler heads over to Kate, holds out his hand and says, "Dorita says we should dance." "Well, I guess she's not angry at me for missing my lesson this afternoon then. Let us not defy Dorita, we both know how dangerous that is," she said with a laugh and accepted the hand. Grant Keebler turned out to be a rather good dancer, and as they moved she managed to ask, "So why the party?" "Does Dorita need a reason?" He says. Ruby and Nanuet head into to the El Parador and hear the lively song coming from inside. They walk in the door and Ruby is shocked to see George Eastman standing up singing his heart out. She goes to the bar and gets herself a whiskey. She leans against the bar watching the revelry. Nanuet joins Ruby at the bar and tries to enjoy the music. He begins tapping his feet to the music but somehow manages stamping out a rhythm all his own. He comments, "Mr. Eastman wanted you to marry him? But didn't he know about Mr. Jake? I will never understand white people and their courting rituals." Ruby turns to Nanuet. "Oh he knows about Jake. He just doesn't care." Ruby smiles at Nanuet. "Don't worry I'll never understand white people courting rituals either." She shakes her head. "Let's hope he's in a good enough mood now to accept a no." The song no sooner ends when the musicians begin another, this one even faster and livelier than the one before. Conrad Booth enters the Cantina and walks directly up to Grant Keebler and asks "Mind if I cut in?" Grant steps aside and Kate quickly discovers that her friend is an excellent dancer. He also sings along to the lyrics in fluent Spanish. She and Conrad moved gracefully even in this lively dance. "You know, this is the third day in a row I've danced. I haven't danced this much in years," she said smiling. "And your voice is excellent, but I didn't realize you spoke Spanish." He replies, "I'm a quick study and am always trying to learn new things. You saw that with Mother Jiminez teaching me about plants. Last year, after I decided to stay her, I had another wood elf teach me his language." Conrad leans his head to gesture in Pedro's direction. Actually, he taught me both of his languages. The elves spoke their own tongue long before those from Spain arrived." Kate says, "Yes, I thought I was a quick learner, but I see you are far beyond me. The native language must be beautiful indeed. You've made a great study of your new home, haven't you? I would not have guessed it about you." "Well Katherine, you never know where newfound knowledge will lead you. Learning the languages spoken here helped me to fit in since I take all of my meals here." She replies, "Yes, knowledge can take you places you never thought you'd go. I know I never expected to be here dancing with you in a wood elven Cantina. But it is a pleasant surprise." George Eastman breaks away from Pedro and heads towards the bar with a smile on his face. He reaches the bar and places his hand on it beside Ruby and says, "Constance...no wait, Dorita say you now prefer to use your stage name. Ruby, let's enjoy this music, I'll teach you this dance if you don't already know it!" "George, I really don't feel like dancing, if you don't mind. I need to talk to you." She says softly. Realizing he doesn't hear her over the noise she says louder, "I need to talk to you!" He replies, "Absolutely," he says, "You were right. Thank you." She raises her voice again and leans closer to him, "I was right about what?" He replies, "A great many things. You asked if I was interested in your friends and the things that you care about, and you said that the owners of this Cantina were your friends. Ruby, these are wonderful people. We had a great conversation and I feel at home here. It reminds me of the year that I spent in Santo Domingo, they even know all of the same songs. Music has always been a passion of mine." He grins and hands her a glass of wine adding "And you had also said that I would enjoy it here. You were so right." He then gestures towards Nanuet and says, "And is this another of your friends? Please introduce me." Ruby was emotionally spent. She wasn't sure why she decided to come at this point, but she was here. She takes the wine and drinks from it slowly. "Yes, this place is wonderful, they make you feel like family from the minute you meet them. This is my friend Nanuet. He also works with me at The Lucky Lady. Nanuet, this is George Eastman. The man who wants to bring photography to the masses." Nanuet says, "Photo what? Is that the box that steals your soul and puts it on paper?" "Yes and no. Yes, it's like a painting but you take it with a camera on paper. It doesn't steal your soul," she laughs. "This is the part where you shake the man's hand." Nanuet offers his hand to George but continues to talk to Ruby. "I know what you speak of and my people believe that it captures your soul and puts the image on the paper." He finally turns to Mr. Eastman. "Hello, my name is Nanuet. Glad to meet you." He states, "And I am glad to meet you. Nanuet, I would be very happy to show you my cousin's studio and give you a demonstration on how the process works. Basically, it uses a process of a dry plate and gelatin to transfer the image. The camera works like an eye, it takes a look and records it. But instead of recording it to memory of the mind it records it on paper for all to see. Actually, paper is an imperfect method. I've invented a new way, that makes a gelatin film to hold the image with is then transferred by light. Trust me, the only soul stealing involved is to people like me who become engulfed and fascinated in the process. So Nanuet, what do you do around town?" "That is a lot of fast talking there Mr. Eastman. I mean no offense by it, but I just didn't understand a thing you said really." Nanuet scratches his head for a moment. "What do I do around town? Well I own part of a ranch and other than that I do odd jobs, and try to keep my friends out of too much trouble. And what brings you here to this little town Mr. Eastman?" Eastman replies to Nanuet, "Two things. First, to upgrade my cousin's studio with the latest equipment. She and her husband Stanley should have far more success going forward. I also wanted to see your friend Const..I mean Ruby, her family and mine have known one another for a very long time." Nanuet answers, "Well it was nice to meet you Mr. Eastman. Here is Miss Ruby, I think she had something she wanted to talk to you about." Nanuet shuffles Ruby towards Mr. Eastman, then walks to the far end of the bar, orders a whiskey and keeps an eye and an ear on the two. Ruby was now uncomfortably close to Mr. Eastman. But she took advantage of the closeness to get near his ear. "We do need to talk but I don't want to take you away from your fun." "My fun? I am just getting to know your friends like you asked. But I understand your wanting some privacy for this moment. Let's step outside." He smiles and gestures towards the door. Ruby makes her way outside first. Once George follows her out she turns back to face him. "George, I don't know what you want from me. I'm glad you're having fun in there." She starts playing with her hair. "What were you trying to say earlier at the Lucky Lady?" He replies, "I'm trying to say that for the last five years I have not been able to get you out of my mind. Ruby, I know that if you give me a chance I will make you a wonderful husband. My business is already a success and I have barely scratched the surface of the potential for it. With my patents I will be able to hold a monopoly on the photography industry. We will be wealthy, possibly even millionaires. I will be able to give you everything that you've ever wanted and we can grow old together. And Ruby, these friends of yours, they are wonderful. They could come with us if you would like, I can provide for them too." She responds softly, "I am so happy that you and your company are successful. And I told you, you will make a great husband for someone, someday. But that person is not me. I like it here, and my friends like it here, they won't want to leave their lives. You want to give me what I want?" She pauses briefly. "I want Jake." The words slip out of her mouth before she even realizes it. She sighs, "I'm sorry George." He stares directly at her, pauses, and then asks "What did he do after I left? Did he give you that half-hour to think to yourself like I had requested or did he spend that time talking to you instead?" Just lie, just lie... Ruby thinks. "I talked to him. I needed to know how he felt. What difference does that make? You had a chance to sit down to dinner with him and you turned it down, proving to me that while you said you would do anything for me, you didn't really mean it. I asked you for that, not him." So much for lying, what is wrong with you girl? He replies, "Ruby, he forced himself onto our dinner uninvited. I was not going to propose to you again in front of a man who is clearly doing everything he can to manipulate you to serve his own ends." Chester and Dorita walked back to the Hotel. "Miss Townsend, this is Mrs. Figueres. She's one of the owners of the El Parador. She's agreed to chaperone us on our date. Are you ready?" "Yes Mr. Martin she says." The three of them head east down South Street. Chester spots Minerva coming out of the Comstock House and waves to her. Clarisse acts very impressed and asks, "Do you know our new preacher?" He answers, "Yes, she's been over to the Lucky Lady a couple times. A very interesting woman. I haven't heard her preach yet. have you?" She says, "Oh yes, her sermon was wonderful. The town is so lucky to have gotten her. I will be sorry to see her leave." "She's leaving? Why so soon after she got here." Clairese says, "She was only hired as an interim minister. A new priest will be along shortly." Minerva waves and strolls over. "Bunos Tardes, Senor Chester, Where are you going on this lovely evening." She turns to Clarisse and smiles, "and you Senorita, did I not see you earlier today?" Chester tips his hat. "Good evening, Miss Florencia. We are going over to the El Parador. Mrs. Figureres has kindly agreed to be Miss Townsend's chaperone for tonight. Where are you off to?" Minerva chats with Chester and Clarisse for a few minutes. " I heard music coming from the east and was just on my way over to see where it was coming from. Perhaps you would like to join me." Chester comments, ""Umm. Miss Townsend and me are on a date now. Maybe some other time? Sorry. So Priestess, you're just here as an interim minister?" Eyeing Clarisse, Minerva responds, "I assure you Senor, I am not going anywhere." Chester fidgets uncomfortably. Uh-oh. This is not good. What can I say? He says, "That's good that you'll stay in town. I've enjoyed talking to you." She says, "Thank you. And there is no need to apologize. Enjoy your date Senor Chester, Senorita Clarisse. I bid you both a good evening. "Minerva walks over to the El Parador. As Minerva approaches the El Parador she passes Ruby and Mr. Eastman deep in discussion. Ruby apears to be quite distraught. She catches Ruby's eye points inside and motions I'll be inside if you need me The tension that had developed between them during the day melted away as they danced. Kate was suddenly glad she had left the prim Kate upstairs with the blue dress and brought downstairs the Kate who remembered what it felt like to twirl around a dance floor in a pretty dress on the arm of a handsome man. "I know I already said it, but thank you for standing up for me with Tony. I should have kept my opinions to myself, but that man has always made me uncomfortable." Booth says, "There's nothing wrong with being opinionated. Especially against those who don't recognize right from wrong. I don't want to come off like those who held the meeting today in the Town Hall, but marriage is one of those barriers that needs to be recognized." She says, "That's just it. Really, I don't have a problem with people who are not married acting as they please. I couldn't be friends with Jake and Ruby if I did," she laughed. "But once someone makes the decision to be married, they are giving that up. And people outside the marriage should respect that. She shook her head and laughed. "I sound awfully prim now, don't I?" He laughs "Prim? Dancing quickly to these lively tunes in a multi-racial environment! Fear not good lady, nobody in this town will accidentally mistake you for being Rebecca King. He then chuckles again and says, "I have a hunch that Mrs. King will be busy with a new target instead. Isn't that the new preacher? Looks like she's come her to have fun too." As Minerva enters the room and is delighted to hear Spanish music. She notices Kate being led about the floor by Mr. Booth, waves and sits at a table. Kate replies, "Yes, it is. She had a very good time at the Lucky Lady last night. We had our after hours party, and she played cards and drank whiskey as well as any of the others," she laughed and waved back at Minerva. "If I had known such a priestess, I might not have entirely given up church." Back on the porch Eastman says, "Ruby, he apparently won't give you an opportunity to decide this for yourself. I can protect you. I can get him away from you and make it so that he will not be able to hurt you ever again." Ruby was starting to actually panic. Just stay calm... The words came out slowly, "And how can you 'get him away'? How can you protect me?" She was simmering underneath but knew she had to stay calm or she, well, they would be at a disadvantage. Is he going to try to hurt Jake? Ruby breathed in and out slowly, waiting for his answer. Eastman replies, "How? Ruby, he's just after money. If I offer him enough he'll be satisfied. Or we could just get away, I can hire people to help protect you from him. I can make you safe." "You can offer him all the money you want, he won't take it." Ruby snaps. "I think our conversation is over." She starts walking back inside, but stops and turns back to Eastman. "As a matter of fact, I will prove to you how wrong you are about him. If you can get Jake to take money, any amount of money, with the clear understanding that it is for him to break up with me and leave me, then I will marry you." Ruby stands stubbornly with a look of confidence on her face. "If he doesn't take it you accept that you are wrong about him and that I am staying with him." Eastman says, "I accept that challenge. You stay here while I will go and talk to him." "Right now, as in this minute right now?" Ruby asks, biting her lip. He says, "Yes right now, unless you'd rather go back inside the Cantina and join me for dinner instead. I was perfectly content to do that when you arrived. You're the one that insisted that we talk about Cook instead. I would much rather relax, have fun and enjoy each others company, but if you insist that this rivalry must be dealt with first then I will go take care of it now and we can then get on with our lives." "I don't insist on it right now. I have full confidence that you will be proven wrong, now or later. But I don't see much point in talking about our life together unless it is actually going to happen." Ruby puts her nose up in the air. "There is something else, I have an appointment at 6:30 P.M. that I cannot miss. Do you have the time?" "An appointment? Ah yes, Mr. Cook commented earlier about his having made plans for the two of you this evening. Trust me, after I speak to him he will cancel those arrangements and we will have the whole evening to ourselves." "Alright, George. Go and talk to Jake." Ruby had no intention of missing dinner with the Judge. And to top it off, she was starving. Ruby continued biting her lip. Eastman is so sure of himself. How arrogant! Jake said he didn't know what to do to get rid of Eastman and now, in the end, the answer lies with him and my whole future relies on him. Foolish, Ruby thinks. Maybe not the most foolish thing I've done, but pretty close. Ruby sits slowly on the bench outside the El Parador, and pulls her knees to her chest. [/QUOTE]
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