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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3029974" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Seventy, “Saloon Management”, Friday, June 2nd , 1882, 8:00 P.M. Jake arrives and sees Carl Berman and Al Brower seated at his usual table. Most of Jake's other regulars are already playing over at Job Kane's table although he notes that Ned Walters isn't there yet. Walters is a prospector who stays at the Lucky Lady on weekends and between liquor and gambling usually spends anywhere between $ 200 and $ 700 at the establishment during each weekend visit.  Jake treats Carl and Al to a drink and comments about Ned being missing.Al says, "He's over at the Territorial Office building squaring things away with Judge Isby. He decided to join the town but wasn't around for the meeting Wednesday morning so wanted to get that all taken care of now before he started drinking. He should be along soon."  While they are talking Alfredo Garcia arrive. Alfredo is a wood elf who works at Johnson's Barber and Baths and is another of Jake's regular players.Jake inquires around the room if anyone would like to join in but holds a spot for Ned. He starts up the game without waiting for Ned. When Katherine wanders by Jake mentions that he needs to speak to her at his break.  Walters arrives around fifteen minutes later. He is in the company of two men who Jake doesn't know. One has an unkempt beard and is wearing dirty patched clothing similar to that of Walters. Jake thinks he may have seen the man at the meeting on Wednesday morning. The other is dressed more neatly in a well worn but clean two-piece suit with a patterned vest. The man looks to have recently been bathed and shaved and has on a bowler hat.Jake waves them over.  Walters asks, "Got enough room for all three of us Jake?"  "If these fine gentlemen do not mind limiting the draw to two," Jake looks around the those at the table and smiles in a way that does not invite dissent, "then we can handle all of us. At least until you win out someone's stake Ned." Jake finishes with a good natured grin.  The men all are seated and Ned Walters introduces them. The scruffy looking man is Dudley Jobin and the neater one is Paul Messier. They are both prospectors with a claim near Ned's. Messier says in a French accent, "Oui, the Beatrice Mine, named for my first love."  Jake smiles in a disarming way and raises his glass in a toast, "To love then, gentlemen. One should always be in love. That is the reason one should never marry." Jake clicks his glass around and drinks. He keeps the play light and friendly, letting them chat if they like but without being too distracting.Another hour passes at the Lucky Lady until the musicians decide to call a break. As they started their break, Kate made her way over. "That was wonderful," she smiled. "I haven't heard anything quite like it before."   Sandra and Don Wainwright thank her. Edith carefully packs away her different percussion instruments. She then removes an instrument case from her satchel and takes out a clarinet. Tony Lucky's table seems to be surprisingly lively this evening while Job's concentration appears a bit off and he calls for a break.  Ginnie brings Job a glass and asks "OK what's wrong?  You’re off tonight."    He replies, "Well, I'm doing double duty, trying to manage this place and also run my game." She gets the impression that is part but not all of what is troubling him.  She interjects “And …”   He replies, "Err...well...trouble with a woman. You'll find out about things like that when you're older."   She answers, “All right I can't do anything about the woman but as far as running this place…” Ginnie then goes through an analysis of each table and the patrons that are at it she lists the level of drinks who is paying what they are paying with be it gold, dust or currency.  She also lists which bottles behind the bar are due to be refilled which are low on being watered to stretch them and how many are left in the case for the upper shelve stock.Job looks at Ginnie and replies, "I'm not sure what we're paying you but it isn't enough."  She answers, “Tips and supper that's it... I could use a raise.”   Job replies, "You'll get one. Okay kid, you're in charge of the Lucky Lady for tonight. Feel free to instruct the staff as you see fit and if any of them ask just say that the instruction is from me. I've got a poker game to run."  She answers, “Fine and the pay well discuss later go make some money.”Chester and Clarisse stop in the Lucky Lady for dinner. They wave to Kate as they sit down.  Travis Calhoun, one of Jake's Monday night players arrives along with Deputy Marshall Neil Cassidy and make their way up to the bar.   Jake calls a fifteen minute break and when his table disperses makes his way to the bar. "Welcome gentlemen," he says to Travis and Neil, "how fare you?"  Neil says "Pretty good Jake, nothing but water for me, I'm on duty tonight." Travis says, "I like what you're doing with this place."Jake replies, "Thanks. If all goes well we will have a faro dealer soon and we are in the market for someone to manage the place. Then we will start renting some of those lovely rooms that are empty above us."  Cassidy says, "Well, that Von Zeppelin guy just booked every available room at the Promise City Hotel for the dozen or so workers that arrived in town today and he says he has a lot more coming tomorrow and Sunday. He'll probably take whatever you have available now."Jake says, "Thanks, Neil. I will be sure to let him know we have rooms." Neil and Travis excuse themselves and go to sit with Katherine Kale and the others from the school. Jake mumbles to himself, "Terrific, now I just need someone to run my full hotel." The two O'Hara women start to get up to leave and are stopped by Neil Cassidy. He says, "Before you head off Mrs. O'Hara Travis and I would like to speak to all three of you teachers." Neil and Travis both grab unoccupied chairs from the next table and pull them over to the table with the Caudell and O'Haras. Kate is gestured to come over and join them. Both Ginnie and Melvin also gravitate that direction to find out what is going on.Kate took her seat, looking a bit concerned. "What is it, gentlemen?" she asked as she smoothed her apron and took a seat.  Travis says, "We were approached by Ashley King with an interesting proposition. It seems that he's now on the faculty of that other school." "The job that I turned down?" Nate interjects. "Apparently," Travis replies. Neil continues "The other two faculty, Shackelton and Eaton, were talking to him about 'what to do about the Hoover school'. King didn't like their tone of voice or where the conversation was going, so it redirected it towards having a friendly competition between the schools." Travis says, "So he approached us and Roger about it. On any afternoon next week they have challenged our faculty and students to play their faculty and students in a game of baseball."Kate was quiet for a minute, obviously displeased. "Why can't they leave us in peace? And there is no way to refuse that they won't be able to turn around and make us look bad. But the children will enjoy it and that's the important part.  I hope you gentlemen count as faculty. I don't know the first thing about baseball."Neil replies, "Actually they were rather clear to Roger that faculty meant teachers not sponsors. I'm sure they are counting on their three robust male teachers to out play you three women."  Nate Caudell smiles and says, "Then they've made a foolish assumption. My Mollie here has been playing the game with myself and our sons for a decade. She pitched for my school's team in the County League and is probably the best pitcher North Carolina has ever seen. Half of her games are no-hitters, meaning that the opposing team never gets even one runner on base." Mollie says, "Stop Nate, it's been a few years since I've pitched, I'm totally out of practice."  "I'm certain it will come back to you, and Melvin would probably enjoy having you out playing ball with him.  Well, at least one of us has some experience. I'm afraid I might be dangerous holding a bat," Kate said.Meghan says, "My son Patrick enjoyed playing the game and my athlete daughters Colleen and Kathleen. I have an idea, why don't we have our three families get together tomorrow to practice?"  Nate says, "Good idea, I have to work from 8:00 AM until noon but have the afternoon off. We should probably not play on the field just north of town, no point in letting our opponents in on our secret weapon," as he gestures towards his wife."I planned to be out at the ranch tomorrow afternoon anyway, we can practice there if you like. It's only about a mile out of town."  Kate kept her worry to herself as the others didn't seem to share it. She would far prefer just to keep away from Mr. Shackelton and Dr. Eaton. Ashley King was a mystery she couldn't puzzle out.Nate says, "Great, let's plan on a picnic lunch and then baseball." Meghan O'Hara says, "I'll talk to Dorita about putting together the lunch. I've been wanting to see your ranch for quite some time." Travis Calhoun says, "Okay, I will tell Mr. King that we accept. Which afternoon next week should we plan the game for?"   Kate replies, "Thursday? That gives us some time to prepare. Could we add in the caveat that they must be faculty as of today? I wouldn't put it past them to try and bring in a ringer at the last moment."Kate let the classical music soothe her disturbed mood as she went back to her work. She would have liked to join the musicians, but the piano was already occupied and she had no other musical talent.   The O'Hara and Caudell families depart for their respective homes.Jake sees that Katherine will be a while, so he heads back to his game intending to see her at the next break.   Harry Rote gestures for Jake to come over to him. Harry says, "You may not know it but those guys at your table own the Beatrice Mine. That's one of the mines that Niles put up half the stake for, so that share is now part of the Hoover Mining Trust."  Jake says, "Huh, I did not make the connection. I wonder if they know who is part of the trust?"   Harry says, "Possibly, I'm not sure. Paul was in town for Monday night's meeting and Dudley came to Wednesday mornings. I'm not sure if they spoke to Mitch Berg about it or not."  Jake says, "I will let someone else break the news to them."   Jake heads back to the table for another set of poker while the trio of musicians changes from lively tunes to classical, starting with a Bach piece.   Kate kept an eye on Jake's game and waited for the next break.   Minerva spends the evening sipping her tequila and listening to the musicians. Various people stop by her table and make polite small talk. Later in the evening when the music picks up she approaches the musicians and asks if she could play them for a while.  Nakomo sits silently, his big brown eyes taking in all the activity around him. He notices that Ginny is very busy and spends much of the evening trying to get up the gumption to ask if she could use some help. When Minerva leaves him to play her flute, he finally stands and nervously makes his way over to Ginnie.   "Ummm, excuse me. Is there anything that I can do to help? You look very busy and well, I umm, I wouldn't mind keeping busy." He says looking at her nervously.Ginnie looks at him and tosses him the damp rag she has tucked in the waist of her apron. "Clear and wipe down the tables as they begin to empty if you want. I'm not sure if they can pay but you can keep one-quarter of the tips there's a split with the saloon, and Maria, I'll figure it out at the end of the night if anyone asks you what your doing tell them that Job thought I could use some help. and keep an eye on table three they are thinking of ducking out without covering their bill.”  He catches the rag and with a nod of gratitude and a quiet smile, turns away and begins enthusiastically scrubbing down tables, while keeping an unobtrusive eye on table three.Jake runs his game for another hour or so and at the next break takes Katherine aside to speak with her.  During the hour Al Brower plays poorly as he has for the last week and eventually drops out of the game. Dudley Jobin also loses all of his money in quick order and Ned Walters looses a solid $ 300 without blinking but stays in the game. Carl Berman and Alfredo Garcia are each slightly ahead of where they started. The big winners for the night are Paul Messier and Jake Cook, each now with around $ 200 more than when the night began."Wyatt Earp sends his thanks for watching his horse. Oddly he seemed sincere about that. He asked me to warn you," Jake shifts and looks about to make sure no one is listening in, "to warn you that a couple of Thayer's men were watching your ranch from the hill to the southwest of it. Fisk happens to own that hill. If Wyatt can be believed, and I do not see why he would lie about this, Fisk is now working with Thayer and his men. Here is the interesting part, the Crazy-8 gang is part of another faction of the Cowboy gang that seems to be at odds with Fisk and Thayer." Jake locks eyes with Katherine. "I asked him outright about Buckley. He said he did not murder him, though he readily admitted to shooting the two out at the Crazy-8 to save Berg and Martin. He claims he did not go there to do that. He also seems still convinced that Madge ratted him out to Behan and consequently caused the death of his brother and friends. I tried to tell him that Madge would not have had the backbone to do such a thing, but I do not think he was swayed." Jake hooks his thumbs through his belt, "Lastly, he says he is leaving when Josie does and likely never coming back. I thought I would save the best for last."Kate replies, "It's good that he'll be leaving, but Miss Marcus won't be leaving until after the play is finished so it will be several weeks at least. I can't say I knew anything about him shooting anyone lately, or much about whatever is going on with Miss Duprey. I'll just be glad she seems to have left town.  Why would they watch our ranch? I know I made a bit of a spectacle of myself arguing for all races to vote, but that's past now. I don't expect to have much influence the rest of the way through these elections. Would it just be because I've been known to stand up to the Cowboy Gang? And if that's the case they'd do better watching you."Jake says, "I have no idea why they would watch your ranch. Better that you know and be careful why we figure that out."   She replies, "I was just there with Conrad this afternoon, to think someone might have been waiting us," Kate stopped and shivered. "Isn't there anywhere that's private anymore?  I'll be careful and keep my eyes open. And make sure Ginnie doesn't go off alone out there. Thank you for the warning.  If you don't mind, I think I'd like to head home. It's been a long week and I could use the rest. Everything will be alright here?"  He says, "Sure, of course it will be. Oh, before I forget... know anyone who would be a good hotel manager?"  Kate says, "I did, but he got two jobs today. Otherwise I don't know anyone that you don't." The musicians finish their classical set and Edith Berman packs her clarinet away. She then takes from her satchel a small harp which she cups with one arm, holding it against her side. Don Wainwright switches from violin to fiddle music and Sandra begins to pound out fast-paced dance tunes and Edith plucks away on the harp.Ginnie pops up behind Kate "I'll be a little late home tonight Ma'am Kate. I'm managing the Lucky Lady for the evening and it looks like I should be able to make the place pull a tidy profit"   Jake looks slightly surprised. "Profit is good."  Kate says, "I take it you volunteered for the managing? Just make sure you get someone to walk home with you, someone not Thom. Jake just told me that men from Thayer's ranch have been watching ours and until we know we should be cautious. We're also having guests tomorrow afternoon, but I'm sure you heard all about that."Ginnie says, “Actually Job seemed far too distracted to run both his table and the lucky lady so since there are few gamblers that would be willing to play with a homely twelve-year-old girl I figured I'd do the part that would actually work.”    She then turns to Jake, "table three is going to try to short the bill they have also been trying to clear drinks from other tables, We are going to have to restock both the upper shelve gin and whisky within the next two weeks sooner if the workmen that are coming in are being paid nearly as well as I have overheard, Job is doing well at his table as are you The new musical act is going over very well with the patrons and they have an excellent variety in their repertoire and Maria is going to need to restock before the end on the week on staples which have gone up about 30% since the last time she stocked because of shortages in town.”Jake says, "What am I going to do with you? You really want to give up your school and run a saloon and hotel? I will take all the help I can get because I do not want to be bothered running the place day in and out."  She says, “I don't think I'd need to give up school but I may need to cut back some of my hours at the dressmakers and maybe hand off the lunch run we'll talk.”  Jake laughs and shakes his head as Ginnie runs off.Kate says, "Ginnie knows her business."  Kate turned in her apron and sat down for a little while to listen to the music. She was more tired than she knew and before long found herself struggling to keep her eyes open. It was still fairly early when she gave in and left for home. It was less than fifteen minutes from the time she left until she was asleep in her own comfortable bed.A middle-aged human woman with graying hair, wearing a red and blue calico dress and straw hat has spent most of the evening sitting alone at one of the tables near the piano and listening to the musicians. She had a bowl of Maria's Beef Chili earlier that evening that evening and was still drinking her first glass of wine. She finishes her wine and then attempts to catch Ginnie's attention.Chester watches Ginnie running around. He says to Clarisse, "If Jake and the others aren't careful, she'll own this place in no time."  Now that Clarisse has finished her sets this evening at the Comique she is free to sing for the remainder of the evening at the Lucky Lady. She and Chester arrive in time for the two of them to dance the final dance of the night by the trio of musicians. The Wainwrights and Bermans prepare to leave, with Carl Berman leaving Jake's table at the end of this hand, Jake estimating that the man has finished up around $ 25 for the night. Ned Walters finally drops out, having lost nearly $ 400 for the night.  "The table is getting lonely, I think we are going to call it a night unless we find some new money," Jake says.  Alfredo Garcia says, "Si, I think I will call it a night."</blockquote>

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