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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3010333" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Sixty-six, “The Seagram’s Goodbye Party”, Thursday, June1st, 1882, 7:30 P.M.Back at the El Parador, The music plays for the next hour, with much dancing and revelry. After a while some of the humans depart, including the Condons, Browns and Caudell families. Kate notices that Phillip is spending most of his time in the company of 17-year-old Shannon O'Hara. Meanwhile, a few others arrive including Flint Greymountain and his Indian friend Naki-Yai. Deputy Marshall Neil Cassidy and Marshall Mitchell Berg say their goodbye, stating that they have to go relive Chester and Eduardo who also wish to attend the party. Kate thanked Mr. Berg and Mr. Cassidy for coming, smiling more brightly than most in the town had ever seen from her. She danced a good deal of that first hour away, going from her father and her brothers to the many friends who claimed a dance, but always landing back with Conrad before too many dances had passed. She nibbled generously from the plates that were passed around but stayed away from the wine. Finally after nearly and hour and a half she sat down with her parents for a few moments to have a real meal. Chester and Clarisse arrive at the El Parador. He comes over to Kate and winks. “Looks like we missed the dancing.” He tips his hat to her parents. “Evening sir, ma'am. Did you enjoy your trip here?” Frederick Seagram gives Chester a firm handshake with his good arm. He says, “Yes sir I did, this is a fine town you have here and I think that you will make an excellent Marshall for it.”   Chester says, “Thank you, sir. That means a lot to me. Have a safe trip.” Mrs. Seagram tells Clarisse “I can see why Katherine enjoys it here, most of the people are so nice and accepting.” Clarisse asks, “Are you leaving us on the 9:00 AM stagecoach?” Kate's mother replies, “Heavens no, that goes to Tombstone. I don't think either of us want to ever see that place again.” Mr. Seagram interjects “We'll let Pickering and his students take that one, we'll board the 10:00 AM stagecoach to Willcox instead. That'll give Phillip a chance to see another western town and still get us to Tucson by the east-board evening train that Pickering will be on as well.”  She says, ”Sounds like a good idea. I've never been to Wilcox.” Jake Cook stands on the porch just out of the light looking into the El Parador Cantina. He nods to himself with some satisfaction that the atmosphere is jovial. Did you expect something else Mr. Cook? Yes. Sadly, he continues thinking to himself, there has been too much turmoil of late. He does a quick glance about the room, noting where the attention is focused before entering. He walks quietly away from that attention in that curious manner of his that was inconspicuous, nonchalant, and innocuous all at the same time. He leans on the bar as if he had been there all night and says to Pedra in his choppy Spanish, “Saludos mi amigo. Usted tiene una bebida para mí, por favor?”   <Translated - Greetings my friend. Do you have a drink for me, please?> Jake smiles when he sees Pedro reach down beneath the bar and bring up a bottle of Kentucky Bourbon. Pedro pours it into an oversized glass and says, “Jake, it has been far too long since you've joined us. I am glad that you are able to join us here this evening.” Taken slightly aback by Pedro's sincere and open comment Jake pauses for only a moment, “Uh, Gracias amigo, gracias.” He sips the bourbon and lets a contented, “Ah,” escape his lips. Jake looks down at the floor apparently searching for something before he looks back at Pedro. He meets the Elf's eyes. “I am glad to be here. Among friends.” He raises his glass in salute to him, sighs and then the pensive look on Jake's face transforms back to his gregarious smile. The party continues for another half hour until Dorita calls for everybody's attention. She gestures to Manuel Gonzales who is standing on the staircase around four steps up. He says, “Pedro, make sure that everybody has something in their hand to toast with.” Pedro is helped by Jose and Carlos Ramirez as well as Grant Keebler to make sure that everybody's glasses are topped off. Gonzales states, “For the past week we have all had the pleasure of the company of Frederick, Amalie, Henry and Phillip Seagram, the family of our dear friend Katherine Kale. She has been a member of the El Parador family from the moment that she arrived in Promise City and all of our lives are richer for having known her and now we've all had the privilege to see where she learned all of these life values and perspectives from. We wish the Seagrams a safe journey back to Boston and hope to see them visit here again at some point in the future.” After the cheer died down Frederick lifted his glass again and said, “Our thanks to our gracious hosts, whose kindness leaves no doubt as to why Katherine chose the El Parador for her home. Also to all of you here in the spirit of friendship, as Katherine calls you friend so do we, and find ourselves far richer for it.” There is a round of applause after Seagram's comment. Dancing then resumes. Phillip and Shannon spend the next half-hour dancing together. Conrad has two dances with Kate followed by a waltz with Mrs. Seagram. Maria Fuente arrives and joins her brother and the Wainwrights with music, playing percussion instruments. Once Conrad left her to dance with her mother Kate began to wend her way through the room, stopping now and then to smile and laugh with one of the guests. She finally arrived at the bar where Jake was standing, enjoying his usual bourbon. “It's not often that one of us isn't sitting at the piano, we shouldn't let that chance pass by. Care to dance stranger?”   Jake sets his glass down on the bar and offers her his hand. With a smirk he asks, “Did your mother forget to warn you about strangers?” You know I can't resist a stranger in need. And you appear in need of a dance.” As they moved smoothly into the dancers it occurred to Kate that this might be the first time they'd danced together when neither of them was at least half-drunk. “I haven't seen much of you lately, my fault I suppose. I've been so busy running here and there and I just haven't stopped.”  “No faults among friends. You have been busy and I have been trying to stay out of trouble.” Jake turns them to avoid some other dancers. “Not that I have succeeded in staying out of trouble, but I thought I would try it. It sounded like a novel idea.” From the smile on his face Katherine can assume he was attempting to be humorous.   She replies, “I get the feeling that you would be bored if you weren't in at least a little bit of trouble. What would you do with yourself? You did look a little lost, perhaps you succeeded in spite of yourself.” Across town, shrugging off her melancholy Priestess Minerva Florencia plasters a smile to her face and picks up the small tapestry bag containing her flute. “Come Nakomo, It is time for a fiesta!” she says brightly and taking his arm, they stroll over to the Seagrams farewell party. As the swinging doors of the saloon part before them, she is pleased to see that the party is in full swing.  She immediately makes her way to the bar smiles at Pedro and orders a glass of tequilla. As the band strikes up a tango, Manuel Gonzales approaches Minerva and asks her for a dance.  Minerva grins broadly and curtsies low before him. She allows Senor Gonzales to lead her onto the dance floor and abandons herself to the most.  At the door the halfling Chumbley enters carrying a stack of newspapers.   He makes his way into the center of the dance floor and yells out “Promise City Mirror, only a nickel”   Chumbley has to make a mad dash off of the dance floor to keep from being trampled.   Kate kept an eye on Chumbley, waiting for him to get close so she could ask him to leave her a paper.    Jake does not hide his amusement at having Chumbley chased off the dance floor. Jake just shrugs in response to Katherine's suggest that he looks a little lost. He felt a little lost. Across the room Clarisse tells Chester, “We'd better sit this one out. With my two left feet I would probably kill you.”  Chester smiles and jokes, “I couldn't think of a better way to go, my dear. But I could use a break. Let me see what Chumbley's got there. I'll be right back.” Chester gets up and strolls over to the halfling. He hands the smaller man a nickel. “What's new there Chumbley?” The halfling replies, “The main story is about the murder in town yesterday, as I lawman I assume that you already know about it. But lots of other interesting news in here, only a nickel” A crowd swarms around Chumbley and he starts selling his pile of papers, with Kate and Chester each getting one. Minerva is astounded at how spry a man of Gonzales's advancing years is on the dance floor and he leads her around like an elf one-third his age.  Sweat glistens from Minerva's brow as the elf twirls and dips her like a much younger man. Hers eyes sparkle as they, oblivious to the others in the room, expertly perform the Spanish dance of lovers. The music ends and with bosom heaving she throws her head back and laughs from the joy of it.   At no point during the dance does Gonzales ever indicate any fatigue, but once the dance ends he breaks out in a sweat and has to lean against the nearest table. He smiles and says, “That was wonderful....but I think I need a break.” She replies, “Si, I have not danced like that since I left Spain. You are a wonderful dancer Senor Gonzales. Now it is time for refreshments. Come I will buy you a drink.” She leads him to the bar and orders two tequilla's. “Gracias Senor, I must admit I was feeling a bit melancholy upon my arrival. Dancing with you has done much to revive my spirit.” she grins and clinks her glass to his. When the dance ended Jake says to Katherine with a genuine smile, “Well, thank you for salvaging me from the depths of complacency.” Jake bows, purchases a paper from Chumbley mumbling, “...next time do yer hollerin' between dances...” and returns to sit near Katherine. For a smart man our Mr. Chumbley doesn't seem to know when the right time for talking is,” Kate laughed as Jake sat down. Henry appeared over her shoulder and looked down curiously at the paper with her. Today’s copy of the Promise City Mirror is twelve-pages long, of which seven-and-a-half pages are advertisements.  The main story on the front page is that the Crazy-8 ranch owner Claude Buckley was found murdered in town on Wednesday. Town Marshall Mitchell Berg is quoted to say that it is still under investigation so he will not comment at this time. Initial speculation was that Buckley had succumbed to wounds received the previous Saturday at the Promise City Shootout of 1881, however that was contradicted by town undertaker Dick Lester who stated that when the body was discovered along the hills immediately south of town with the man’s throat slashed with a knife. The paper states that Buckley had owned the Crazy-8 Cattle Ranch for sixteen months and that he will be buried in a private ceremony on the property. There are two other stories on the front page, both of which continue on interior pages. Once concerns the morning’s solar eclipse and has considerable information derived from Pickering’s lecture. The other story is about the election, detailing what Judge Isby had gone over at the meeting the previous day. The story emphasizes that all voters must be registered by Sunday at 5:00 P.M. at the latest. A story on page two talks about the dedication ceremony for the Niles Hoover Memorial School, planned for noon on Friday. Another story on that same page mentions the production of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ that Josephine Marcus will be directing. It states that anybody interested in being in the production should stop by the Gay Lady Variety Hall and Saloon between 2:00 and 5:00 PM on Friday or the Lucky Lady Dance Hall and Saloon between 1:00 and 4:00 P.M. on Saturday. Clarisse says to Chester, “I should try out for this. I love performing.” Chester replies, “Then do it. You'll do a wonderful job.” A story on page four talks about the new Promise City Volunteer Fire Department. It has quotes from Fire Marshall Jeff Mills and Deputy Fire Marshall Judge Lacey. They talk about how both Drover’s Livery and Wells Fargo have generously offered the use of mounts to pull the Fire Wagon when needed. It lists that those who have signed up to be volunteer firemen thus far to be Rudy Baines, Neil Cassidy, Gem Calhoun, Mathias Danboy, Coolie Fagan, Boston Harker, Sampson Hill, Don Hudson, Peter Lovelace, Burton Lumley, Sam Slade and Josiah Young. ‘Coyote’ Kay Kaufman also signed on as the only volunteer firewoman. A short story on page five discusses the altercation between Frank Condon and Bill Watkins at the previous day’s meeting. A related adjacent story contains the family history that Manuel Escobar had talked to Frank Condon about, with a few additional quotes from Manuel’s wife Rosita. A story on page eight mentions that Deputy Sheriff Colin Hunter is planning to run for Town Marshall. Due to the time that he will need to spend campaigning County Sheriff Johnny Behan has assigned two of his other deputies to Promise City, those being Deputy Sheriffs Dave Nagel and Frank ‘Buckskin’ Leslie.   Chester mutters, “Great. Like foxes guarding the henhouse.” The only political advertisement is a half-page ad by Burton Lumley announcing that he is running for Councilman as an independent candidate. He states that as President of the Promise City Merchant’s Association he has always listened to and supported those with diverse opinions and outlooks and that he will continue to do so in the future. As always, the back page is a full-page ad for the Palace Saloon. It offers a coupon for a free drink on Saturday night and promises a rematch at 10:45 P.M. between the pugilist Finnegan and Boston Harker. It also states that immediately after the boxing match there will be a rally for the Liberty Political Party, which will promote a slate of candidates who support liberty so that Promise City can continue to be free of restrictions and boundaries that the Vigilance Committee wishes to force upon the populace.   Chester says,  ”Hmm. Clarisse, have you heard of this Liberty party? Do you know who's in it?”   Clarisse replies, “No, but if the first meeting is at the Place Saloon on a Saturday night I can guess.” Jake snorts derisively when he reads the part about Colin Hunter. “It takes two deputies to replace him? I find that hard to believe. That is just an excuse for what is left of the Cowboy Gang to have more friendly lawmen in town during the election.” Jake closes the paper with a quiet, “Mierde,” pushes back his chair and retrieves his bourbon. “I believe you were looking for some trouble?” Kate said. “This could be trouble for us. Just yesterday I spent the evening advertising our involvement in the killings of quite a few members of the Cowboy Gang. Frank Leslie could be holding all kinds of grudges.”  “Yes, that could be a problem. I am more worried about the money man behind it all. No matter how many McLaurys, Claibornes and Ringo’s I put bullets in, he can hire more.” Jake takes a rather large drink of his bourbon. “The problem is the money.”  Kate comments, “Fisk. He at least has done some of the sponsoring before. So how do we choke off that flow? How do we even find out where the trail starts?”    “That my dear Mrs. Kale,” Jake says while looking up at the source of the newspaperman's stare, “is exactly what I have been unable to find out since the Cowboy Gang trouble came to my doorstep.”   Kate says, “Conrad might know some about Fisk's investments. He used to deal at the Long Branch I think. It's a place to start.” Jake nods, “Good idea.” He is quiet and strokes his beard for a couple of minutes and finally says, “Did Buckley decide to keep his ranch out of the town?”  Chester says, “Yes. And he was part of that mob Saturday night. I don't think I got to tell you. When I was nursing the men after the fight I checked the wounds of one of the mob. I noticed something odd about his belt buckle so I pulled it off. It was hiding his condition. He was hideously burned. I think he was at that ranch when we burned it, which means Gang members were in that mob.” Across the room Chumbley continues to sell newspapers. He then drops the bundle and stares up at the staircase as he sees an attractive female halfling is now descending from the second floor.   Chester nudges Clarisse, “Well, will you look at that. Chumbley's speechless. Too bad photographs take so long to take. That's a sight worth keeping.” Clarisse playfully slaps Chester's arm. “Stop that. Don't be so mean to him. He's just enthusiastic.” The female halfling descends to the bottom of the staircase. She smiles and Chumbley and walks up to him. She says, “You must be the Hezekiah B. Chumbley who is the Editor of the Promise City Mirror.” He just nods in reply as a bead of sweat emerges from his forehead. Jake glances back to the look on Chumbley's face and mumbles, “Hermes, I hope that does not lead to more of him.” “It will be a year before there'd be any tiny babies with hairy feet,” Kate chuckled.   “My, you're a quiet one,” the female halfling states. Chumbley nods yes. She asks, “And would you like to know who I am?” He nods no. She replies, “I am Susan Colter, my friends call me Sydney Sue.” Chumbley's facial expression changes and he states, “I've heard of you! You lived here in town last year. You and your brother worked for an English Lord who is one of the owners of the Liberty Hill Mine.” She replies, “A Lord who was one of the owners, he's lost his fortune and so I bought out his share of the Liberty Hill. As a mine owner I'm planning to stick around for a while.” Chester chuckles, “Well that didn't last long. He's back to normal. As far as this Liberty party, I just realized that Adair is most likely behind them. Ah well. No need to go to that meeting, then. So tell me about Romeo and Juliet. Sounds familiar.” Clarisse tells him the basic plot and parts she'd like to play. He replies, “It's right up your alley then. Miss Marcus is putting on the show, so there'll be singing.”   Chester wonders if he should tell Jake and Kate about what happened at the Crazy 8 today. The Marshall didn't say anything to Chumbley, so Chester decides to keep a lid on it for now. Josephine Marcus enters the El Parador. She glances around the room until she see Conrad Booth, who she walks over to and starts to chat with.   As she spoke to Jake, Kate noticed Miss Marcus come in and head over to Conrad. An unexpected spark of jealousy flared up before Katherine could crush it. She took a deep breath and focused back on Jake. Jake nods and is quiet again. Finally, “So why was Buckley murdered I wonder. Is Wyatt still around and think he was a Cowboy? Or did he anger the wrong person by refusing to join the town? Maybe neither.” Jake looks back at Katherine, “Did the burned wizard live?”  She says, “I don't remember. They took him away on a cart, I can't even remember if he was alive or dead then.” Kate looked around and dropped her voice even lower. “Wyatt Earp is in the area. He left his horse at the ranch. Gave Flint $100 and told him to keep quiet about it.” She looked over her shoulder at Henry. “It seemed safer not to upset the man by spreading it around.”  Jake says, “I agree, stay away from him. He will just continue to cause deaths directly and indirectly from revenge.” “I'll be at the Lady tomorrow night to help out. I'll ask a couple questions and try to recall Saturday's details better. We can try to hash out this mess tomorrow night. Until then, it's a party,” Kate finished with a smile. “So enjoy it! And I expect at least one more dance before you leave.”  She excused herself and walked over to where Conrad was standing with Josephine Marcus. “My dear,” she said casually as she could as she joined them. “The play?”  Conrad says, “Yes, I'll be playing the part of Romeo opposite Miss. West's Juliet. Miss Marcus is the director. She's asked me to join her tomorrow and Saturday for the tryouts.” Kate quoted:“Oh, Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name, Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn, my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet,” She adds, “At least you'll be spared the tryouts for the main parts. But Promise City does seem to have an unusual number of talented people.”   Conrad replies, “Yes, and you apparently are quite familiar with the play yourself. Are you going to try out for the play, or should I just consider you to be the main understudy for all of the female roles?”“I've never acted, I have no idea if I even could. It might be fun but I think I have quite enough on my plate for now. I've read the play many times, beautiful and sad. I could probably pitch in if you had an emergency.” She squeezed his hand and said, “I could certainly help you study your lines.”  Conrad replies, “Whether we study them together or not you will always be the Juliet to my Romeo.....although I think I'll hope for a happier ending.”   “Better I should be the Viola to your Orsino or the Portia to your Bassanio. Although truthfully I’d rather you didn't borrow money to woo me,” she teased. He smiles and says, “Twelfth Night was always a favorite of mine. And I don't have to borrow money, haven't you heard? I'm a wealthy gambler.”   “I've heard that rumor. I even heard one where you took a young lady for a scandalous overnight stay in New York City.” Kate laughed, trying to keep the mood between them light. Perhaps only she felt the tingle deep in the stomach that wanted to be closer; more private. “We should certainly study your lines together,” she finished, flushed. “You know, there is a scene in Romeo and Juliet where they dance. Might you need the practice?” “What a wonderful suggestion,” Conrad states as he reaches for Kate's hands.  She gave them happily and they moved out onto the floor. Kate was well aware that she was not being circumspect about their relationship but for this night she didn't care. After all, kissing on the dance floor at the festival hadn't been subtle either. “How have you and Henry and Phillip gotten on?”  Conrad replies, “Henry and your parents are about the same as before. They seem to like me but still have concerns about my intentions towards you. After what took place with that Tombstone fire Henry appears to have greater respect for me than when we were in Boston, actually, that's mutual.  Phillip, ah Phillip, he wants to be my next best friend. He's a good kid but he still has a lot of growing up to do. Between San Francisco and here I'm used to twenty-year-olds having a higher level of maturity. All-in-all, his hero worship of me is good for my ego so I guess I shouldn't complain.” She says, “It will take time. I want to prove I can take care of myself, so for now my money stays safely in Boston unless I need it for Ginnie. Imagine what might happen if the men in this town realized that I have money of my own tucked away. In fact, after my family has been here some might assume that.... My point is that they're protective. This visit will go a long way in assuaging their fears. Phillip,” she laughed. “He's always been excitable, curious, and life in Boston just a bit too staid for him. You live a life he finds fascinating. The worship will wear off. He'll go to college this year and do some more growing up. For now he seems to be enchanted with a young Irish girl,” she finished with a smile. Conrad says, “Yes, I've noticed, Mrs. O'Hara's eldest daughter. I wouldn't worry too much about that. She's young but has a higher level of maturity as well, I doubt there will be anything further. Let the boy enjoy his last night in town.”   “Perhaps she'll give him a little something to think about,” Kate smiled. “There's something to be said for not growing up too fast. He'll enjoy the rest of his trip, and after college he'll have a better idea of where he wants to be.”</blockquote>

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