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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2970522" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Fifty-seven, “Quiet Night“, Tuesday, May 30th, 1882:Al Caine sleeps solidly for almost twenty-four hours and wakes up feeling sick as a dog. It's dark, and her head's groggy and swimming. She sits up dizzily, then bolts to the window and gets it open just in time to throw up out of it. Afterwards she pours herself a glass of water from the pitcher by her bed, washes her mouth out with half of it, and drinks the rest. A little while later, feeling slightly better but still unsteady, she staggers down to the bar of the Lucky Lady.Al Caine is welcomed by her Cousin Job. He calls her over to a table and has Maria bring her out some food, a steak and steak fries. He asks her what she wants to drink and then asks what she has been up to.  Al thinks for a minute and then asks for a pitcher of water. "Truth be told," she says to Job, digging into the fries, "I've been asleep all day. It's night-time again, right?" She looks up at him, somewhat sheepishly. "Ain't a bit like me."  Job says "Well, we've all had days like that before. So Al, what are you plans for the future?"Al sits back in her chair and considers for a moment or two, chewing slowly as she thinks. "If I can find a place for myself," she says slowly, "I figure on staying in town a while. Maybe a long while." She looks at Job, trying to work out how much she can trust him with. "I'm tired of moving on twice a month. I lost a..." She pauses. "I had a good thing going in Texas, but it, uh, it didn't work out."  She looks away from Job and cuts into her steak.Job replies, "Well, as I may have told you last night, I don't just gamble here anymore. I'm an owner. And we're currently short staffed. So if you don't mind working for your cousin you can have a job here. And you can stay in that room upstairs as long as you'd like."  Al grins at Job. "That sounds great," she says. "Thanks. When do I start?"Job says, "Whenever you want...err, well....what would you like to do? At this point we could use another bartender, another bouncer, a Faro dealer, a piano player, a singer and a waitress. Do any of those sound like something you that would work for you?"  "Sure," says Al. "I'll be a bouncer if you need it. I've done that before."“Good, come with me I'll introduce you to some of the others. He brings her over to the door where big Thom is currently acting as bouncer. The tall and simple man smiles at her. He shows her the gun cabinet, where they store all weapons being brought in by guests. He tells her "We don't allow weapons inside here unless you're on staff or a law enforcement officer. I'll introduce you to the Marshals as they arrive so you know who they are. One of you needs to stay near the door here at all times and if you do have to step away here is where the key to the gun cabinet is to lock it up." He then brings her over to the bar and introduces her to Harry Rote, saying "Harry is a jack-of-all-trades around here, bartender, piano player, bouncer, waiter. But he also just inherited the town's liquor distribution business so that'll now occupy quite a bit of his time." He then brings her out into the kitchen and introduces her to Maria Fuente, an attractive wood elf who is the human equivalent of late teens. He tells her that Maria is their cook and occasional waitress. He then adds, "Maria's brother is an excellent musician, a guitar player and singer, who we've been trying to get to come over here, but we already stole our cook from the El Parador and they may not take kindly to our stealing their musician as well."Al listens carefully and takes everything in. "I can tend bar too, if I'm ever short of work running the door," she says with a smile. "Tomorrow soon enough for me to start?"   He replies, "Sure, weeknights aren't all that busy. It's Friday and Saturday nights when we'll really need you." Job and Al continue to chat. When Deputy Marshall Neil Cassidy arrives Job introduces her. A bit later on Chester and Clarisse arrive. Job says, "I'd like to introduce you two to my cousin Al. She'll be staying here for a while and taking over Nanuet's job as bouncer while he's away. Chester here is another Deputy Marshall and occasional bouncer here. He has a room upstairs. Clarisse is one of our singers here."  Al smiles and shakes hands with Chester and Clarisse. "Pleased to meet you both."  Chester tips his hat. "Nice to meet you too. I see Job has roped you into helping out. We don't have much trouble here, but you never know."When Jake Cook arrives Job introduces him to his cousin Al and explains that Jake is another owner of the Lucky Lady Dance Hall and Saloon. He tells Jake that Al will be starting on Wednesday night as a new bouncer.  Al makes a real effort to be nice and friendly to everyone she meets. Although once she's on the door folks might see a different side to her...Across the room the billiard hall owner Rufus Davis has just asked the Priestess if she will marry him.   Minerva's mouth opens and closes several times before she is able to respond. "Marry you?!"   He replies, "Yes, my fiancé Anita and I would like for you to perform the ceremony, this Sunday if at all possible."   "Congratulations!" Minerva says with much relief. "Sunday. That is short notice but I believe that would be fine. I would like you and your fiancé to come to the house to discuss the details. Will you and Anita be available tomorrow?"  He says, "Yes...but, Anita does not belong to our faith. She wants Father Valdez to perform the service. I was hoping that it could be a joint ceremony of some sort, with both you and Valdez officiating. Would that even be possible?"  She replies, “I have met Padre Valdez. He is quite open minded and has helped me in the past. I do not think that he would have an objection to performing the ceremony jointly. If you would like, we shall invite him to the meeting also and we can work out the details. Sunday... huh.. That is not a lot of time.” She smiles at him "but if it is the gods will, we shall make it happen." she pauses. " Is there a reason that it must be this Sunday?"He answers, "Well...er....um....we have discovered that Anita is with child so we would like to be married as soon as possible."   "I see." She turns to Nakomo. "Could you go to the bar and purchase me a glass of lemonade?" after the boy leaves she says to Mr. Davis. "Senor, I do not wish to offend you but I must speak plainly Do you love this woman or are you marrying her solely because she is bearing your child?"After speaking with Chet and Clarisse Jake then greets Neil, who is now alone at his table.  Cassidy looks up at Jake and says, "Hi Jake, no cards tonight okay, I'm just not in the mood. Neither is Al if I read his body language right."   "It is not our regular night anyway." Jake sits down. "Perhaps we will feel better tomorrow." Probably not he thinks. "Is something wrong Neil? Besides the obvious."He replies, "I blew it. My strategy today was to convince both Zeb Cook and Frank Condon to change their Vigilance Committee votes. I may have succeeded with Cook but not Condon. I figured a threat to close my bank account would do the trick, you know what, he anticipated it. When I walked in and suggested it he already had all of my money ready and all of the papers to sign. He then told me to get out of his bank and to never return. So because of my stupidity today the non-humans of this town won't get a chance to join the Democratic process.""Whoa, there Neil. It is not you who is denying them the vote. You think Condon was going to change his vote if you did nothing?"   Neil replies, "Probably not, but I've now solidified that position. Jake, you didn't see that mob last weekend. If this vote comes down to humans only I fear that Fisk and his cronies will be swept into office and this whole town will go to Hades in no time flat.""No, I would not wish to see Fisk in office either." Jake scratches at his chin and thinks a moment. "What does Eaton think about Fisk? And you for that matter? Perhaps it is time to build bridges rather than burn them."    Cassidy replies, "Far as I know Eaton hates Fisk. Hate's Adair too although they are in total agreement on this humans only issue. For that matter, Eaton hates just about everybody in this town. The only way he'll ever get elected is on a straight-party ticket, and he'd be the drag on that ticket."Jake runs out of ideas with Neil, "Try to get some sleep. Maybe things will look better in the morning." He makes the rounds saying goodnight, reminds Al Brower to come on by tomorrow late, tells Al Caine he would like to talk to her before his game starts, bids the priestess and Nanuet's cousin good night.   Minerva and Nakomo finish their meal and return home. Luna flies through the open window and Minerva can feel the sadness emanating from her. "Si, I know that Maska and Nanuet have gone on a journey. Do not be sad. They will return. Nanuet told me that he would not be gone overly long. Now come and meet his cousin, Nakomo." Luna flies over, perches on Nakomo's shoulder and gently begins pecking at his ear. A large grin spread across the boys face. "She is very beautiful. I have not seen an owl like her... so small and white." he exclaims as he strokes her feathers. "I brought her with me from Spain" Minerva explains and tells him the story of their meeting. He looks at her in awe. "She was a gift to you from the gods? You must be very holy to have been given such a gift." Minerva guffaws and nearly spits out the wine she is sipping. "Holy? There are many in this town who would disagree with that description. No, not holy. Favored certainly but not holy." The three of them spend a quiet evening getting to know one another better as they chat in front of the fire.Chester and Clarisse stay in the Lucky Lady until 10:30. He drops her off at the Double Eagle. He then goes to the office to relieve Berg and Helen Barker. "Good luck with the vote tomorrow. Let's hope for the best. Goodnight." Eduardo comes in. "Hey Eduardo." The elf replies, "Evening Chester, Marshall, Helen."  Chester finds that, as Berg predicted, it is a quiet night. He patrols around town every few hours and takes catnaps on the cot back at the Office in between. Jake finally drags himself out of there and heads home wondering what he will find.  Ruby hears the door to their house open and shut and the puppies moving around excitedly. She pulls herself up and with bed head and sleepy eyes she makes her way downstairs to find Jake. She walks right up to him and wraps her arms around his waist.   "Hi baby," she says, stifling a yawn with her shoulder, "I missed you today. How was your day?" she asks resting her head on Jake.Jake replies, "Well enough. On the good side I heard Adair was convicted by Isby. Though I'll be happy when all this town incorporation nonsense is over. There is another meeting in the morning that I need to get to."   "Me too." Ruby is quiet for a moment. She lifts her head and looks up at Jake with big eyes. "Come and lay with me, I want to talk to you."   Jake nods and follows.When they are comfortably settled in bed Ruby begins. “I had a busy day today too. This morning, after you left, I got a telegram and a box. I’m not sure yet what’s in the box, I think it’s supposed to be for Friday.” She shrugs, “It doesn’t say who or where it’s from but it looks beat up. Maybe it’s from George, I don’t know, I don’t know of anyone else who would send me something. I didn’t open it.” Ruby pulls herself a little closer to Jake. She can smell him, his scent is strong and it comforts her. She is quiet for a long while before she speaks again. “I miss Niles too. It’s not fair what happened to him. I hate feeling so out of control.” She briefly looks into his eyes then away. “But you already knew that.” Again she is quiet. “Saturday night was really special for me Jake. I felt so… alive and powerful and I felt us like I never have before. But that was all me and you. I mean, I felt that way because of you.” Ruby places the palm of her hand gently on Jake’s cheek. “You and I, when we’re together, we create something. Something special and true, the only pure thing and good thing I’ve ever really done in my life. It’s something that I never thought I would have. And I guess somewhere along the way I figured that I couldn’t do it or didn’t deserve it or couldn’t make it happen on my own.” “I think I’ve been giving the goddess too much credit for something that is mostly because of us.” Ruby’s voice gets a slight edge to it. “I asked her for a sign before dancing the ceremony and she didn’t give me one. Kate says sometimes the gods send one and it’s not apparent right away.” She shrugs. “Maybe that is true and maybe it isn’t. I already know how you feel about all this. And I think I’m starting to feel the same.” Ruby removes her hand from Jake’s cheek and rests it on his chest. “So what I am saying is that anything we create is something really important to me, the most important thing and I would do anything for it.” She is quiet again. “Do you agree? What did you think of Saturday night? It had to be really special for you too, no?”He replies, "I am not sure what you are really trying to tell me. Of course Saturday night was special."    Ruby blinks a couple of times at Jake’s answer and furrows her brows in that confused look she gets. “I am trying to tell you that I love you. What do you think I'm trying to tell you?” He says, "You know that I love you as well. If I thought I knew what you were telling me I would not have asked."Ruby stares at Jake for a moment then a small, nervous laugh escapes her lips. “Sorry baby, you’re right. I’m just a little air headed right now, I have so many thoughts racing through my mind.” She turns on her side, leans in and kisses him gently before resting her head on the pillow, keeping her hazel eyes set on Jake. She begins rambling, “Janie sent me the telegram. She wants me to come back to Tucson. She apologized but wants me to come back so she can really apologize because she feels horrible about how she treated me. And she says there is something else important too, probably has to do with Red, I don’t know. I thought since all this craziness was going on around here with the incorporation and I’ve been so…,” She pauses, tugging at her hair, “…Out of sorts… that it might be good for me to go. I haven’t really been feeling very well, I've been really tired and nauseous and have nervous butterfly feelings in my stomach all the time from all the stress with Ringo and the Cowboys and then Turner and now Niles, even though I've been trying not to show it much or I've been trying to hide it by drinking or, um, other things. So I could go and just rest and relax. Our short stay there wasn't enough. And I could spend time with Jane, it seems like she really does need me and I could use more time with her too, to talk about things that I don’t have anyone else to really talk about with, well besides you. And while I am there I want to get some things done. I will talk to her about the ceremony and the goddess and see what she says. Maybe do some shopping. Get my head back on straight.” Ruby is quiet again as she looks over Jake and out the window into the night sky. “Get over Niles, if I can. At least accept what happened. I still feel like he is going to walk through the door and tease me, saying,” Ruby begins an imitation of Niles deep voice, “Ruby, you are breathtaking, if it wasn’t for Jake…” A sad smile comes to her face as her voice trails off. She bites on her lip and finally looks into Jake’s eyes again. “If you are opposed or even if you just think it's a bad idea then I won't go. But I think it’s for the best, for all of us.” She rest her hand back on Jake’s chest. “What do you think baby?”"Go visit Jane. There is no reason not too. It will make the two of you feel better. It really is not very far off." Jake places his hand on hers. "I will get the Lady back in order. I really have been neglecting the saloon." Then he laughs, "When I say in order I mean hire enough folks to run it."Ruby nods, then laughs too. "You're good at delegating baby. And I know you'll do a good job finding the very best people for the job. That way we don't have to worry about it. That reminds me...," She moves a little closer and throws her leg over Jake, resting her thigh on him. "Kate is going to speak to the Irish family, the O’Hara’s, and see if any of the older kids want to help out. I thought they could clean the rooms and help Maria cook and shop, maybe even cook when Maria has off. We're going to need to have breakfast now too with the addition of the hotel rooms. I'm sure they could use the money. So they will probably be coming by at some point. We really need someone to be doing all this, like Niles would have." The smile slowly fades from Ruby's face as she gets quiet.Jake fills the silence. "I will certainly talk to Katherine about it. Those hard working honest types are the best kinds of workers."  Ruby slowly nods her head up and down in silent agreement. She lightly pokes at something unseen on Jake's chest as she keeps her eyes off his. "You'll figure all that out, you're the smart one around here." She pauses. "Let's not talk anymore business tonight. We're going to be apart for a while and it's going to be really hard. Promise me you'll take me to the stage tomorrow after your meeting." She lets her eyes wander by to meet his. "And let's forget sleeping tonight and spend the time loving each other so we don't forget."  He replies, "I cannot imagine forgetting, but why pass on the opportunity?"    They head off to bed. After almost a day fast asleep, Al hasn't slept all night. She's been in her room for a while: unpacking, cleaning her weapons, and thinking. She's been for a long walk around town. Not really knowing, or caring much, what the town meeting's about, she's left that well alone.  After her spell exploring, she's back in the Lucky Lady by early morning. She nods to Harry Rote and heads straight upstairs. She's not tired in the slightest. She's come to a decision. She reaches into her backpack and pulls out a small leather pouch.Minerva awakens at dawn to discover that she has spent the entire night in her own bed and not in the grove with Nanuet. She sighs, rolls over and places her feet on the cold floor, her mind already focused on the day ahead. She lights her candles and recounts her blessings: her friends, her home, the love of Nanuet and the boy Nakomo... And asks for the strength and wisdom to get through the dayEduardo returns at 6:15 A.M. bringing with him a box with one of Dorita's excellent breakfasts. Eddie says, "Here you go Chet, eat up, Mitch is going to want you over at the town hall soon."  "Thanks, Eduardo." He rushes through breakfast. "If you see Dorita before me, tell her it was as good as always." He heads for Town Hall and looks for Marshall Berg. He finds him talking with Burton Lumley. Stifling a yawn, he says, "Morning, Marshall, Mr. Lumley."Kate woke even earlier than she needed to, nerves about the upcoming vote fluttering in her stomach. She took advantage of the extra time to get everything ready for school so that she didn't have to worry about it later. Meghan and Mollie both knew she had the meeting this morning, so they would be here in plenty of time. She dressed herself neatly and primly before she had a cold breakfast and waited for the small clock to click to 6:45 before she left for the meeting at the town hall.</blockquote>

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