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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2924725" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Forty-nine, “Dinner with the Seagram Family”, Monday, May 29th, 1882, 6:30 P.M.Morgana shifts over so that only Kate can hear her. "Now we need to prove to the town how much power the non-humans actually have on its future.  There are two banks in town, one has a head teller that voted yes the other has an owner that voted no but both bank managers voted no.  I believe that if we hit the banks in the pocketbook by removing any non-human funding.  The negative bank currently will not only show the power that the non-human population can have monetarily on this town but make our point quite nicely, quietly and legally. Morgana then pulls Chumbley aside "I want you to get a hold of all of the non-humans that you can.  Quietly tomorrow morning we are going to begin to pull all non-human based money out of the banks.  After all, if our addled little non-human brains can't understand the possibilities of politics then how ever can we understand the idea of banking!  I'll start first thing in the morning by removing all of the funding not only from my personal account but also from the paper's account from the bank we need to start withdrawals slowly as a trickle so they don't think it's a run.  We will continue removing assets so that they realize how much this town already depends on its non-human inhabitants. This is going to be a busy few days I also need to make sure that non-humans begin to strongly support the merchants that voted in favor of the vote. And let me know who may need assistance if the humans stop frequenting their businesses. We need to do this quietly and hold if we really want access to the vote. Lets see what will happen to these bigots when they can't get their clothing clean or their paper delivered or their meals cooked.”Kate says, "My friends and I all took our money out of that particular bank long ago over another issue.  I wish I could take my money from both banks, but I have to keep it somewhere.  If you can't vote at the ballot box, vote with your money.   I had planned to stay out of the businesses that voted no myself, and I'll make sure my family does the same.  I wish Mr. Booth had more options for employment, but as it is I will just have to stop sitting in on any Sunday night games.  That's neither here nor there.  I'll see how many humans I can get to support you as well."Morgana looks right at Kate "you do have somewhere to keep your money and it's safer than any bank in town. I need to go talk to Dorita and let her know what happened I also am starved anyone want to get some food?"  "Very true," Kate admitted.  "I suppose I have always tried to do for myself as much as I can, so it never occurred to me.   And yes, I'm always hungry these days.  I saw my parents at the back of the hall and they're staying at the El Parador.  I'm sure we could all use something."Over in the Marshall’s Office Chester and Clarisse chat for another half hour until the meeting adjourns, at which time Mitchell Berg returns with his prisoner Evan Adair accompanied by Helen Barker.   Helen says, "Okay Chet, looks we have things under control here.   You and Miss Townsend can go enjoy yourselves."   Berg says, "You too Eddie."   Deputy Rodriguez asks, "What was the decision regarding the various races voting?"   Helen replies, "Split, Merchant's in favor, Vigilance against.  We meet again Wednesday morning to see if there's any change of feeling."Chet replies, "Thanks, Marshall. Have a good night all." Chester and Clarisse leave. He says, "Let's go pick up something from the El Parador. Dorita misses us." They ask Dorita for a meal suitable for a picnic and head out to a place by the stream.They find a nice spot along Pine Creek a few hundred yards from town.  It is quiet and peaceful, a significant contrast from just two nights earlier when the violence erupted.    They eat and watch the sunset together.   Following the meal Clarisse says, "Will you be coming to watch me sing tonight?  I'll be at both the Lucky Lady and the Comique this evening, in fact we should get going soon or I'll be late."He says, "Of course, I am. Too bad you have to sing tonight. It's so nice to spend time with you. Let me gather the things and we'll go. The Comique, first?"   "No, Chet. The Lucky Lady, then the Comique."Outside of Town Hall the Seagrams run into Kate.   Frederick says, "Katherine, I've never been more proud of you.   What you said was marvelous and it appeared to have been heard by enough to vote the way they should have."    "Mrs. Arcadiam suggested arguing from a religious point," Kate said uncomfortably.  "Many others spoke today as well.  There is no way to know if what I said made any difference at all.  Now we can only hope the Vigilance Committee can be brought around."The Seagram family retreat to the El Parador where they sit down for one of Dorita's excellent dinners.   Frederick Seagram says, "That man who spoke up against both the Marshall and non-humans, Adair, isn't he the one who you said you had a problem with before?"    Phillip interjects, "According to the newspaper he'll be tried tomorrow morning for starting Saturday night's riot.""Good, I have no doubt that he had a hand in whipping up that mob.   We did have trouble with him.  Ruby and I went into his saloon once where he offered us work.  I'm sure you can guess what kind.  Ruby slapped him and I threw a drink on him.  He's tried to burn the Lucky Lady down among other things.  It quieted down after Mr. Hoover became an owner.  Apparently Adair thought better of crossing the town’s source of alcohol."Frederick Seagram says "Well, Mr. Morand and I were talking earlier and he seemed to think that Adair was planning to put forward his own slate of candidates with somebody named Fisk for Mayor, a Deputy Sheriff Hunter as their Town Marshall and Adair on the Town Council.   I imagine you know of each of them.  Could that group really get enough support to be elected?"Kate replies, "Not from anyone I know or associate with.  Fisk is well known as a cheat and a snake.  Deputy Hunter could have a chance.  I don't know much about him except that he followed Conrad and I out of town once and has been known to follow others.  They'd get no support from the Vigilance Committee either.   The unknown factor would be all the miners and ranchers who spend time in the Palace and some of the other saloons.  People tend to vote what they know, and they know Adair as someone who gives them a good time. And you reminded me, I need to speak to Mr. Shaw about the Cattleman's Association.”   Frederick says, "He's a good man.  I got to know him Saturday night at the Veteran's meeting before that trouble broke out.   That Cattleman's Association is a good idea.   Morand is somewhat hesitant about joining with Anse King, but says he isn't as extreme in views as his wife.   She apparently has a reputation for being, well, a bit of a shrew."   "Frederick" Amelie exclaims.  He says, "I'm just repeating what was said."   Kate asks, “Tell me, did you notice anything at the meeting that might help get the vote for other races?  I'm afraid my own preconceptions probably colored what I heard.  Votes from other races would help keep Adair out."Henry interjects "It sounds to me like those newspaper people, the little halfling and that woman you were talking to who said she owned the paper, are the ones to watch.  Them making it clear that they were going to print in the paper the names of who voted what was a good idea."   Frederick says, "I liked what that little guy said, calling those who abstain cowards.  That probably prompted a lot of people to vote who wouldn't have otherwise."   Phillip says "Not everybody, I heard one of the guys who abstained say afterwards that he did so only because of what the halfling said, he took it as a challenge."Ginnie pops through the door of the kitchen plate of food in one hand glass of milk in the other and a half eaten cookie tucked in her mouth. "Hi Ma'am Kate. Wow Dorita is really fast. I grabbed a cookie and she smacked my hand before I got it off the plate. She also told me" Ginnie slips in to a remarkable imitation of Dorita "If you think you keep that cookie you have some real food first. No supper, no cookie!" I've been thinking about the boy that came in the Hoover kid. What about setting him up with the Barkers? I know they the room and they are respectable and upstanding even if a little odd. I can't see his mother being upset with him staying with a deputy instead of hanging around alone at the Lucky lady he's just doesn't seem built for that kind of place. At the very least he'd likely get himself into less trouble with Mr. Barker looking after him.Kate leaned over and kissed Ginnie's forehead, regardless of whether it embarrassed her or not.  "I don't know who is responsible for the boy right now, or if he's even staying.  I left the reading of the will rather quickly since I wanted to get back to the school.  Job will probably know.  We can ask him at the Lady tonight if any arrangements have been made.  I'm not sure how Mrs. Barker would feel about it.  I have no doubt she'd be generous enough to do it, but I don't quite see her as motherly.  Of course, her husband is motherly enough for them both." Kate turned back to her family and said, "I'm not comfortable working with Mr. King either, but it seems unwise to turn down the offer.  The cattlemen are planning to try to work with the Vigilance Committee, which doesn't tickle me either but compromises must be made I suppose.  I'll have to talk with Mrs. Arcadiam again.  We've never met before but she was a very interesting woman."Ginnie replies, “I think she's with our teacher. Dorita was muttering in Spanish about redheaded birds and the trouble that they cause. She was filling two plates when I was in the kitchen, that's why I figured I could grab the cookie and not get caught.”Kate says, "I may run up before we leave, just to let him know what went on with the school today.  I don't have anything in particular to say to the lady, but as we share a teacher we should know each other.  I wonder if the trouble has to do with that telegram Ruby sent from Tucson.  Well, if he wants me to know he'll tell me.   How do you think school went today, Ginnie?"She replies, “It worked fairly well I believe, but there are some kids that I don't think are in the right place for some of the lessons but I'm not the teacher.  Having different teachers worked well too. I was afraid that I'd spend the entire time in my age group tutoring instead of having a chance to do some work myself. I need to be careful or find a way to talk to the other teachers or they will think I'm ready to take exit tests, which I could pass if I wanted to but that would cause me some problems in town I think. Do you think you could talk to them for me Ma'am Kate? I don't want anyone thinking I'm either skating or too smart, that would blow my cover in town and could cause me a lot of problems. Heck, the best thing I have going for me when we're dealing with Cowboy gangs or other thugs is that they underestimate me and I want that to continue as long as I can make it happen. I'm still trying to figure out how to balance the schoolwork at the school, the job at the seamstress, my lunch runs and the work with the after school "special" education and bussing tables at night at the Lucky Lady. I also need to really think about stocking the special ‘Kitchen’ I have at the ranch before things go by without being prepped for when they might be needed.”Kate answers, "We'll be rearranging some of the classes tomorrow.  It will probably take a few days to get everyone settled in the right class for them.  I'll talk to Mrs. O'Hara and Mrs. Caudell.  You could pass the exit exams now, and there's no hiding that.  But you shouldn't have to be and adult yet just because you can think like one.  I think I can make the argument that right now its more important for you to be in the environment with children your own age.  There's time for you to take the exams later when you're ready to go to a prep school or college.   We could stay out at the ranch next weekend if you like, so you can get the work done in your "kitchen."  I may have to stop working at the Lucky Lady myself, although I'd still come in to help out.  Or perhaps only work on Fridays and Saturdays.Ginnie says, “You know for people who didn't know what we were going to do in Promise city we've gotten rather busy.  I don't want to give up bussing tables, that's how I find out a lot of what is going on in town and pick up some cash too.  But I think your right school nights need to be for study. I'd like to spend the weekend in the Kitchen there are a lot of useful things coming into bloom that I want to take advantage of and I might be able to start trading some of it for other things we need for...um other things.  We lost a lot of ground when the books and things went up in the fire but I think given some time I can make up for some of it if I just put my mind to the puzzle of what we have versus what we need. It should be fun. Oh and I have a couple of new things I want to show you that I have um...picked up lately.”"The good thing about not knowing what you're going to do is that you could end up doing absolutely anything," Kate laughed.   "We will stay out at the ranch this weekend then and give Sonoma some company beside Flint.  I'm sure I'll be back and forth into town, but that's alright.  It's only a mile.  And I would love to see what you've picked up.  We have to stop being quite so busy and start being a little lazy together." Frederich spoke up and said, "I'm a little confused.  I thought your school was only going to have you for a teacher."   "So did I," Kate said.  "But I had a few surprises this morning."  She went on to describe how Mollie Caudell had come to the school with news, and the morning's events that followed.  "In the end it came out well.  I have two more teachers so I don't have to try to keep everyone busy myself and I don't have to fear getting sick or needing to be away and having no one to cover.  And with the Committee for Racial Equality's sponsorship, I'll actually make a salary instead of having to charge tuition.  I just hope the human parents decide our school is the better place for their children.""I am certain that they will," Henry comments.     The meal continues for another half hour, after which the Seagrams excuse themselves.    Frederick says, "I hope you don't mind if we make ourselves scarce this evening.   Mr. Lacey has invited your mother and I to a scripture reading and prayer service over at his house tonight, he feels that it will be helpful for the conflicts sure to arise the next few days." Phillip interjects, "And Mr. Booth has invited me and Henry to be his guests tonight at the Long Branch."   Henry rolls his eyes and says, "Yes, it is my responsibility to make sure that Phil gets back to our room at a reasonable hour.""Oh.  I... Well, you've already told Mr. Booth you would go, so you should.  But Mrs. Higgens who owns the Long Branch voted against giving the vote to non-humans.  I personally do not intend to spend any time there in the future.  Or at least until after the elections."  She softened her face and smiled at her brothers.  "But I certainly approve of you getting to know Mr. Booth.  So have a good time.  If he should invite you again though, I'd ask you to propose an alternative."   Phillip doesn't have to be told twice as he grabs his brother's arm and pulls him out the door.   Dorita had apparently caught part of that conversation, not surprisingly since she misses nothing, and approaches Kate.  She says, "Mr. Booth eat here earlier while meeting go on.  He say he can find real opinion from people better by asking people what happened and getting first impression which they not tell him if he were there too.""That does make sense," Kate said.  "I just wish he had some other options for employment.  I know he likes how Mrs. Higgens runs the tables, but... I'll have to talk with him tomorrow and see what he found out.  Honestly Dorita, it went better than I'd expected.  I had great hopes, but I hadn't really expected the vote for non-humans to get past even the Merchant's Association."She smiles and says, "Never underestimate good people."   She heads back to the kitchen, calling for Ginnie to assist her.     Kate's parents say that they will be heading over to Lacey's for the service.   Frederick pauses and with a little hesitation in his voice asks, "Would you like to come with us?"  Kate hugged her father tight for a moment, then kissed his cheek.  "You go on, Papa.  I'm...  I should go see my teacher."   Fredrich's sigh was nearly imperceptible, but Kate had been listening for it.  Once her and her mother had left for Judge Lacey's she went up the stairs and into Mr. Gonzales rooms.</blockquote>

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