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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2814869" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Two, “Finding Lodgings”, Wednesday, May 24th, 1882, 9:15 A.M. Ruby takes Kate's arm and steps out the door. "Let's go find your friends a house." They walk the whole one block over to the Lucky Lady. Once inside Ruby finds Niles and Austin. "Good morning gentleman. I heard I've been summoned?" Lucky Lady Manager and co-owner Niles Hoover is sitting at one of the tables drinking a mug of coffee with Austin Blake, owner of Drover’s Livery and Drover’s Hotel. Blake states “Good Morning Miss West. I would like to talk to you about a business proposition. Mr. Hoover says I should secure a tentative agreement from each of the owners before we continue negotiations." Niles nods. Blake continues, “Well, my wife Vera about how the town is becoming frightfully short of hotel rooms, with the Promise City Hotel and El Parador both often finding themselves at full capacity. Vera and I have decided that we would like to add two more floors onto our restaurant to turn it back into a hotel and restaurant.” Ruby smiles easily at Austin. "I don't think we actually decided yet what we are doing with the renovation Mr. Blake and one of our options was opening as a hotel. We agree with you, this town is very short on hotel rooms. But we are always interested to hear business opportunities. What did you have in mind?" Ruby slides into a chair at the table and indicates for Kate to do the same if she'd like. Kate took the offered chair and listened with interest. General Pleasant's friend would be needing work when he arrived, and a building boom would provide that at least for his first few weeks. Blake says, “You and I both sell food and drink but our other services differ. Our place doesn’t offer gambling or entertainment while up until now your place hasn't offer lodgings and ours hasn't since our first few months of operation. What we do have that you don't have are a barn, corral or stable. I would also be able to a place for you and your patrons to board horses and house carriages. Vera has always says that she wouldn’t want gambling on our premises although she is not opposed to our partnering with a gambling establishment. She is, however, adamantly opposed to prostitution, which eliminates our ever partnering with the Long Branch, Palace or Gay Lady. I personally find the Peacock’s all to be small and unappealing so that means either the Lucky Lady or the Comique. I figured I’d start the conversation here since I already have an arrangement buying my liquor from Niles." Ruby taps her lip. "Do you have experience running a hotel Mr. Blake? And what would you like from us in return?" He replies, "The reason our place is called Drover's Hotel in the first place is that we started out renting rooms. But the restaurant business was more profitable so we knocked out some walls and expanded that room instead. We've been talking about getting back into the hotel business for a while now. We're just looking to rent reasonably priced rooms to the common folk and Niles here seemed to think you were planning to go for a more upscale clientele here, so we wouldn't necessarily be direct competitors. Honestly though, what we really need is your Mr. Mills. I'd like to hire him for a month or two to manage the construction. I’ve watched how efficiently he's supervised the construction of your top floor and your new addition so I would want him to perform work in a similar capacity at my establishment.” A look of surprise crosses Ruby's face. "No Mr. Mills? That would be a very difficult thing not having him, he does so much for us here. And I don't know how comfortable he would be with that, we would have to ask him." Ruby again ponders, "I am sure we can find a way to help each other out. We should run all this by Jake and see what he thinks. He's very good at getting the maximum benefits for all involved in every situation. So are you suggesting some sort of swap of services? Any ideas about how we would arrange it?" He replies, "Well no, that's why I started talking to Niles about it. He said I'd have to talk to all of you. I know that Mills lives here. If he's busy working for Vera and me instead for a couple of months then I'd be willing to pay you for his room and board. I can stop by this evening when Mr. Cook and Mr. Kane are around to discuss this further if you'd like." She says, "That's a good idea, why don't you stop by later. I will inform Mr. Cook of your ideas and this will give him time to think it over. Maybe we should ask Jeff if he'd even be interested. So, we'll see you later then?" Ruby turns to Niles. "Kate was wondering if you'd heard of any other houses available for purchase. She has some friends coming to town who need a place to live." Kate turned to Mr. Blake and said, "If you're going to build on, he'll be needing work as well. I'm not sure he's ever done construction, but perhaps I could introduce you Friday or Saturday?" Austin Blake says he'll be back later and leaves. Niles thinks for a minute and says, "Let's see, there's that place on South between Hamilton Fisk's house and the cemetery. Used to belong to Elton Hubbard but he sold it to Fisk not that long ago. I don't believe that Fisk has been using it for anything. Also on South is the old Indian Head Saloon. It's been empty ever since Hubbard evicted Porter Norris from it for housing those criminals who robbed the gun shop. What else, let me see...Burton Lumley owns a vacant lot on Front where O'Reilly's Cafe used to be. That burned down last December, accidentally lit on fire by one of his patrons, that drunk who published the Promise City Herald. I think I heard about something being available over on East as well, part of the building where those elvan twins live in." Kate says, "Thank you, Mr. Hoover, you're very helpful. I think we'll avoid the one Mr. Fisk owns. I wouldn't want Mr. Caudell to get fleeced his first day here. I'll speak with Mr. Hubbard about the old saloon, and I have to go back to the El Parador for lunch today, so I can talk to whichever twin happens to be around then. As long as I have your ear, which boarding house would you recommend for a single gentleman?" He replies, "No question about that, the Double Eagle. That's where Harry and I lived before Ruby twisted our arms about moving in here. Hannah Milford is a great cook, one of the best in town. They provide breakfast and lunch as part of the boarding. They've rented out my old room but still have Harry's available, plus the one that Danby Jones used to rent too." She says, “Thank you again, Mr. Hoover. Ruby honey, I'm going to run and finish making my arrangements. I'll be at the El Parador for lunch if you're hungry, otherwise I'll see you for work tonight." Kate kissed her friend's cheek, then floated out of the Lady. Ruby interjects, "Kate... you're not going to..." Ruby shakes her head, her friend had already left. What has gotten into that girl? Ruby thinks to herself, “She just told me this morning she wasn't going to give them any business“. Ruby asks Niles, "So what did you think of his proposal? Having somewhere to put people's horses would be beneficial, but I can't see how we can be without Jeff for a month or two.” He says, "It's not just the horses but a place for the carriages too. If you're really looking to make the Lucky Lady the draw for the rich and famous that's how many of them will get here. As for Jeff, well that addition is just about done, he says it will be finished by early next week. As for the other work around here, that new guy Thom has helped out a lot, but even with him things were difficult last week when both Jeff and Nanuet were away. It made for a lot of extra work around here for Harry Rote and me to do. As luck would have it, we might be able to spare Jeff for a while. My nephew will be coming soon, he'll be spending the summer with me. He's only seven, too young to travel alone, so a family friend named George Kilgore is accompanying him. George is currently between jobs at the moment and I trust him, he could help fill in for Jeff for a while.” She asks, “And how we can make this work to our advantage." He replies, "I say we leave that aspect of it to our two gambler partners, they make their living by working advantages." She states, "Niles, it sounds like you've thought it out already. I'm not against this, it sounds like it could work out for everyone. I just didn't want to get the short end of the stick, if you know what I mean. But you're right, Jake and Job will be better to make those decisions." "I will head home and tell Jake about it. We'll see you later." She bids him good-bye and heads back home. "Nanuet?" she calls out, "Are you still here?" "Still here!" he hollered out from the room he was still busy painting. "Just touching up and then I figure I will clean up a bit. You'll have to let me know what other rooms you'll want painted next." "Nanuet, I need every room down here painted! Thanks for offering," she giggles. "Upstairs was already done so you're off the hook for that." Ruby walks back in and picks up the paintbrush again. "So, Mr. Blake of the livery wants to steal Jeff away from us for the summer. You believe that?" she says with a smile. He replies, "Really? What does he want with Jeff? Are you going to let Jeff work somewhere else? He does a lot of stuff for you guys." "Well, they want to build a hotel so they need Jeff's expertise. Our renovations are almost complete so in that way we won't be needing him. I don't know what we would do without Jeff. Unless of course someone else wanted to take over his job while he was away..." Ruby glances at Nanuet with a smile. "I don't even know if Jeff wants to do it." Nanuet says, "What? Why are you looking at me like that. I'm not as smart as Jeff Ruby, I just do the little stuff. I mean if you need me you know I'll do whatever you want but, well I just figure I'm not up to snuff." Nanuet says, "Oh I know that, not too many people are as good at the building stuff as Jeff. But having someone with brains at the door... you know that is important. Niles says he has someone who also can help so it wouldn't be all on you. Just an idea for you to get some more money is all." Ruby turns back to the wall. "Wow this is coming out great. Your part is anyway," she laughs. "How will I make it up to you? Having your help that is?" He replies, "Make it up to me? What are you talking about? You don't have to do anything. Did you forget that I work for you? I don't mind doing work, need to have something to keep myself busy. Let me talk it over with Minerva, but it sounds like a good idea and I am honored." "Make up to you helping with the house silly. What? Did you think we're paying you for this?" Ruby laughs. She says, “Well if you insist then I'll have to think about it. I'm sure I can come up with something if I put my mind to it. For the meantime, let's finish what we started here." He states, "Good idea, let's finish." Kate walked down to the Double Eagle. She went inside and peeked in the dining room looking for either of the Milford's. Hannah Milford is busy in the kitchen. She notices Kate and stops what she is doing. "Hello Mrs. Kale," she states. "Is there something I can help you with? Will you be needing anything for the school?" Kate replies, "Oh, nothing for the school, but thank you for asking. I came on behalf of a friend, General Henry Pleasants. The Seawell's have hired him to help manage their mining operations, and he'll be arriving on Friday. He asked me if I might look around for a room for him before he arrived. I asked Mr. Hoover where he'd recommend, and he said yours was the best place, hands down. I wonder if you might have a room available?" Hannah Milford tells Kate, "Oh, we have two. We did have three just a few weeks ago but I rented the largest one out to Mr. Laughton, the new teller at Condon's Bank. I believe I've heard of this Mr. Pleasants before, a war hero wasn't he? Come on upstairs, I'll show you the rooms." They go upstairs in the three-story brick building. One room is ten-foot square and on the second floor in the northwest corner of the building. The other is slightly larger, ten-by-twelve feet, and on the center of the eastern side of the building. Both rooms are furnished with twin-sized beds, a dresser, corner table, sitting table, coat rack and upholstered chair. She says, "I showed this room to Colonel Michael Seawell. He liked that the windows look down upon the Morand complex. He was eventually persuaded to board at Fly's Boarding House instead, as it was right next door to their offices." Kate states, "It's a lovely room, and it is a nice view of the complex." As they had mounted the stairs, Kate remembered what Ruby had said about this place, although she herself hadn't heard anything against Mrs. Milford. Ruby must have meant the Great Western. They held committee meetings there. "Yes, Mr. Pleasants was an Union army engineer, which is the capacity in which he's been hired by the Seawells. I don't want to speak for him, but I can certainly recommend the room. Since you have two rooms available there's no rush. I hope you'll let me know if that changes before Friday?" Hannah says, "Oh I will. And please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you with the school. If you'll be needing lunches for yourself and the other teachers you could get them here, maybe send a student over to pick them up for you. I have a similar arrangements with Condon's Bank and Johnson's Barber and Bath shop." Kate replies, "Thank you. I don't find ready support everywhere, I appreciate the offer very much. As far as lunches go, all I have to do is walk though a door and I'm in my kitchen," she laughed. "But I must also admit I'm a miserable cook and there may be days when I'd far rather eat someone else's cooking. I'll consider the idea." Kate said goodbye to Mrs. Milford. She made her way over to Fly's Boarding House, again going inside and looking for one of the proprietors. Janet Fly is around, "Hello neighbor," she calls out to Kate, "Roger's out back in the photo studio if you're looking to schedule a picture." Kate replies, "Hello! I hadn't thought of having my picture taken, but my family will be arriving for a visit on Friday night. We just might want a picture taken while they're here. I actually came about the boarding house." Kate finally reached the other woman and explained again about Mr. Pleasants. "I'm just looking ahead for him to see where rooms are available and which he might like. You're not full up, are you?" She says, "Pleasants? That name sounds familiar. We still have one open room. He might like it here, what with Colonel Seagram staying here too. The Colonel liked the fact that his office is right next-door and he can watch it from his room window. Some people avoid our places as two of our tenants are not fully human, but if he can accept living under the roof with a half-elf or half-orc he's welcome to stay here. Our other tenants are very nice as well, you should come by for dinner some time, all four men are single and have good jobs doing honest work. We have staying here Neman Sanders, Roy Ryder and Luis Hodges who all work for Neil Cassidy. Plus Wells Fargo clerk Coolie Fagen. Walter O'Reilly recently came back to town and mentioned being interested in taking the remaining room here but Roger isn't so sure about him." "Why Janet Fly, are you matchmaking? I doubt any of those gentleman would be interested in me, and I'm really not looking," she said with good humor. "Who's Walter O'Reilly?" Janet Fly replies, "He's a sweet young man who used to own a cafe and restaurant on Front Street. But his place burned down last December and he moved to Tucson. That didn't work out so now he's back, working as a waiter and cook for Alice and Haywood Smith over at the Silver Dollar Restaurant. I like Walter, but Roger isn't sure about having somebody living here who was associated with a fire, even though it really wasn't Walter's fault." Kate says, "Well, I imagine especially with the photo studio attached fire is something he would be nervous about. It 'really wasn't his fault'? I take it he was implicated in it somehow?" Janet Fly says, "He had left the cafe to go run an errand and asked one of his customers to keep an eye on things. But the customer was that newspaperman, that awful drunkard Parker Baxter, and he was in the worst possible combination, both drunk and hungry. He went to cook himself up something and set the whole place on fire. Poor Walter was heartbroken about loosing everything he owned. Baxter only gave him $ 50 as compensation for the loss. Walter sold the building lot to Burton Lumley and left town." Kate replies, "The poor man. Although I have to wonder why he would leave Baxter in charge of anything. Still, it's good he feels he can come back. It's hard to live in a place where you experienced a loss." Some of the glow faded from Kate's face for a moment before the moment passed. "Well, could I see the room you have so I can tell the General about it?" Janet leads up upstairs, which has a narrow central corridor running east to west with three rooms off on each side. The available room is on the southeast corner. It is ten-by-ten feet in size with a bed, side table with gas lantern, dresser and clothing rack. From the south window is an excellent view of Jake and Ruby's new house 30 feet away. The east window over looks the single-story 15-foot square photo studio and then to Kate's house set another 15 feet further back from the studio. "This is a cozy room. And considering the view is of my house and Jake and Ruby's new house, I think I'd like to know that a friend lives in this room," she laughed. Janet Fly makes a very distasteful facial expression at the mention of Jake and Ruby but refrains from any verbal comment. The two women started back down the stairs. "I hope the children won't bother you too much on school days. One thing I'm missing is a schoolyard. During their lunch and recess I'm sure there'll be a lot of running and shouting." Janet says, "Children are wonderful. Roger and I haven't been blessed yet, but we are hoping to have a family some day ourselves. And now that you have found yourself an honest and respectable job you will no longer be forced to play piano at that awful saloon. I do hope that you come by for supper some time, the men here are of a much better moral standard that those who you've been forced to associate with until now. I'm sure that when you are ready to be courted at least one of them will show an interest." A faint look of regret crossed Kate's face and she thought to herself, “Another person who will no longer be a friend once Diana's gift is apparent.” She says, "I haven't associated with anyone I don't wish to, Mrs. Fly," Kate said gently. "Well, that's not quite true, I could do without seeing Tony Lucky again. But I enjoy playing piano, and as I don't have one working at the Lucky Lady gives me the opportunity. I'm sure your boarders are perfect gentlemen and will be excellent neighbors. Perhaps someday soon Ginnie and I will both come for dinner. Thank you for your help. I'll come by next week perhaps about a picture after I talk to my father." Kate left Fly's with a bit less spring in her step, although anyone who saw her would still only see a much happier woman than they were used to. She returned to her own house and continued unpacking some of the boxes that had arrived from Boston, making the kitchen a much more inviting room with the pretty fabrics for her table and cabinets. Once lunchtime approached Kate left again and returned to the El Parador.</blockquote>

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