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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3050425" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Seventy-six, “Mama Brain”, Saturday, June 3rd , 1882, 5:30 P.M. The Lucky Lady was already busy with three poker games in full swing and Miss Townsend ready to start singing. Ginnie hurried away to start busing tables and collect the tips, as well as keep the place running smoothly. Kate was about to get into her apron and start serving when she caught sight of Tony Lucky. They had happily ignored each other for months now, but for some reason she didn't want to deal with him today. Instead she went smiling to the piano and played for Clarisse as she sang. After the set Kate sighed and got to serving. It wasn't long before Miss Florencia and her new charge came in. "What can I get you?" she asked pleasantly when she reached the table.  Minerva replies, "We are celebrating this beautiful day and we are starving after that ball practice. Why don't you recommend something for two hearty appetites. Perhaps you will have time to join us this evening?" she says hopefully.Kate says, "It looks to be quite busy tonight, I doubt I'll have time to sit down. With the extra people from Tombstone it may stay busy even after the fights at the Palace start. I'll ask Maria what her favorite is tonight and bring that for you."  Ginnie swings by the table and sets glasses one of water and one of wine before the priestess and Nakomo. "Up for some bussing after your done eating?" she asks the young Indian "I could use some help so I can run some of the other things here."   Nakomo's eyes light up and he stands when he sees Ginny approach. "Oh, yes! Thank you. I will eat quickly."Evidently, Maria's favorite tonight was fried chicken with biscuits and fresh spring vegetables. Kate brought out two plates and smiled at Nakomo's eagerness to help. Ginnie had once asked 'who would want to marry me?' They might all be too young to be thinking that far ahead, but it was obvious Nakomo and Melvin Caudell might end up rivals for Ginnie's affection. Not that Katherine would ever drop a hint of that to Ginnie. Nakomo digs into his meal, cleaning every last crumb off of his plate. "Excuse me Senorita Minerva, I am going to help Miss Ginny." He stands and makes his way over to the young girl leaving Minerva to finish her meal alone.Kate dropped the plates off quickly and hurried away back to the kitchen to nibble at a few bits herself, suddenly remembering she hadn't stopped for dinner.  Some ranchers finish up their dinner and head out, leaving behind a copy of the most recent Promise City Mirror, the second edition this day, sitting on the table next to Kate.   Kate carried the paper away into the kitchen and read as she nibbled. With all the bounties, the Douglas Gang was unlikely to come near Promise City again; a fact for which she was truly thankful. Of more interest to her was the casting of the play. Seeing Ashley King's name was a surprise, especially considering Conrad's suspicions about him. She had a sudden desire to be a fly on the wall at those rehearsals. She sighed and headed back out into the saloon. Nakomo had already finished his dinner, so dropped off the paper at her table. "I thought you might be interested. The cast list for Ruby's play is there."Tony Lucky arrives promptly at 7:30 PM to get the poker game going with his players. Surprisingly Miss. Darla Peacock, a tall and thin brunette of around twenty-five years in age and co-owner of Peacock's Saloon arrives shortly thereafter. She heads over to the far side of the room and removes the cloth covering from the yet unused Faro table that Cole Rixton had made for the Lucky Lady. Job Kane approaches her and she states , "Mr. Cook offered me a position here running the game. I thought I'd give tonight a try here before making a decision either way. The house gets twenty-percent, right?" Job smiles and replies, "Yes Ma'am, welcome to the Lucky Lady."Minerva pats the seat next to her and picks up the paper. "Gracias, come sit down and relax for a while. Oh, I see Senor King is in the play also. I did not know that he could act. How are they managing rehearsals with Ruby away?" She glances up and her eyes narrow when she spots Tony Lucky. "Katherine, What do you know of that man?"She says, "Little, but more than I want to. Mostly what my instincts tell me, which is to stay clear of him. If I could avoid serving his table I would. He's never leered at me like he does at most women; one of the blessings of not being beautiful. He was in jail with Lemuel Bauer when Conrad and I went to buy the school building. He asked me if I was going to bring him things like I did for Job, Jake and Chester when they were in jail and I told him no in no uncertain terms. We argued and he called me a foul name. Conrad went after him but I convinced him Lucky wasn't worth it. I was rather sad he didn't go to prison in the end." Kate fell silent for a moment with her hand resting on the back of the chair where she stood and looking over at Tony Lucky. I wonder if Conrad really would have been outside the prison the day Lucky got out? She shook her head to clear it. "I don't know how they'll manage the rehearsals without Ruby. I'm sure Miss Marcus knows the part, she'll probably stand in."Minerva asks, “Will you have time to sit a spell this evening? It has been a while since we have had a chance to visit."  "I don't think we've ever 'visited'. We've plotted and planned and tried to think ourselves out of difficult places, but we haven't visited," Kate said, genuinely puzzled.  Minerva replies, "No, I supposed we haven't. Perhaps it is time that we do."  Seeing that Miss Florencia was not going to let her leave without resorting to rudeness Kate took a seat. She had no idea what to do with her hands, eventually clasping them and laying them in her lap. Kate had no idea what to say and the silence stretched as she searched. It was her turn to speak, after all. "I, uh, why did you want to know about Mr. Lucky?"Chester comes in and comes over to where Kate and Minerva sit. "Evening, Kate, Minerva. Mind if I sit with you? This Buckley thing is a big mess."  Not wanting to break the confidence of her parishioner, Minerva smiles at Chester instead. "Buenas Nochas, Deputy Martin. Por favor, Have a seat. She lowers her voice "Si, Have you learned anything new about the situation?"  Chester whispers back, "Not much. People are dropping a lot of hints that we should stop looking into it, though. I don't want to, but the boss is the boss." Minerva raises her eyebrows in surprise. "The Marshall is suggesting that you stop looking into it? Why would he do that?"Ginnie drops drinks over at the table wine for the priestess and Ma'am Kate ale for Chester and water glass for everyone so she would have a reason to haunt the table if things looked like they might be getting interesting. It looked like it was going to be a light information kind of evening for the adults and she wanted to make sure that she was in on whatever happened without being obvious. She also wanted to keep an eye on this new Faro dealer. It wasn‘t a game she knew but she wanted to be sure that there was no cheating going on. She made better tips if people knew they were in a safe place to gamble. And if a woman could become and excepted Faro dealer maybe it was something she should learn just in case.Recovered from last nights binge on tequila, Silver Jake Cook arrives looking sharp in his white silk shirt and black linen trousers. The ever present Colt Peacemaker hangs on his side, a natural part of him. His gregarious smile broadens a bit more when he spies that Miss Peacock is in the saloon and at the Faro table. Jake waves at Ginnie as she passes by towards the table where Chester, Katherine, and Minerva are seated. He waves towards them as well before walking directly to the Faro table. Job immediately speaks up, "Hi Jake! Miss Peacock came by to give it a try here before deciding to come on board."  "Excellent," he says with a nod and a touch to his hat, "I am certain you will do well." A quick turn of his head to the right and left before he says in a lower voice, "It is unusual that we have any trouble, and someone with your experience can certainly handle a drunken cowboy but if you need some assistance do not hesitate. Al, Thom or Harry can provide some visible support, or privately tell one of the servers that you need me if there is something more complicated. It is important we keep our reputation as an honest establishment." His smile returns and his voice regains its normal volume, "Enjoy yourself and make some money." Jake stays a few minutes longer pointing out anyone she does not know and then leaves her to the game. He speaks with Harry so he knows to make sure she is having a good night. After that he stops by the table where his friends are chatting away.Nakomo is busy wiping down tables when he spies Mr. Cook entering the saloon. He is impressed as he silently watches the impeccably dressed man confidently saunter across the room. He notices that although he procures an easy smile and a nod to all that he passes, his eyes capture and calculate every detail of his surroundings.  The lanky teen tucks his rag into his waistband and follows Mr. Cook over to the table. He stands looking a bit nervous and awestruck waiting to be noticed. Minerva smiles and to ease his discomfort says "Ah Nakomo, come and take a break. You remember Senor Cook, of course." Nakomo holds out his hand and stands a bit taller. "Good evening Mr. Cook."  Ginnie swings by the table where everyone seems to be gathering and takes a good look at the way Nakomo is fingering the rag tucked into his belt. She smiles at him and nods to Jake with a "Well, ask him already!" look on her face and waits she figures she'll give him exactly three minutes to ask for a permanent job before doing it herself.Jake turns and accepts the boy's handshake. "Hello Nakomo." Jake notices the rag but says nothing about it.  Nakomo toys with the rag while Minerva gives him an encouraging look over Jake's shoulder.  "Ummm, Sir, Senorita Minerva told me that I should speak to you about work.... Do you have any for me? I am a very hard worker and I am an honest man.""A hard worker, eh..." Jake scratches his chin and tries not to grin. "Yes, well, I am sure we can find work for you. Keeping the tables and room clean is a good start. That and be helpful to Maria. We will pay fairly, later on we can talk about the details." Which, much to his chagrin, reminds Jake that he needs a saloon manager.   "Thank you! Thank you!! " the boy enthuses pumping his new employers hand. "I won't let you down Mr. Cook. No sirreee! You can count on me!" He grins foolishly at Ginnie and rushes off to clean more tables. Jake shakes his head a couple of times and says to Ginnie, "Do not let the boy clean the varnish right off the table tops with his enthusiasm." Kate smiled at Ginnie as she dropped off the wine but didn't partake of any. Once Chester arrived she fell silent, grateful to have the Priestess distracted from her. When Jake and Nakomo came over as well Kate began to let her mind wander. Everything was so different than it had been back in January. They were so often working together during trouble that Kate wasn't sure how to relate to her friends when things were quiet.  She tried not to fidget as she sat at the table and just let the conversation flow past her.Ginnie slides behind Kate's chair and whispers "I think I've found a replacement for you as far as serving goes which should keep you off your feet for the end of your um..short term disability. Now if he'll only ask for the bloody job we'll be set. You'll go play music when you feel like it and rest when you need to. Do you think he'll be happy with just tips for pay?""I thought I was supposed to take care of you, not the other way around," she said fondly and reached back for Ginnie's hand. She kept her voice to a whisper as well. "If you give him just tips when both he and Melvin are here they could get competitive over them. Fifty cents or night or so for a salary would guarantee a little something, good night or bad. Just playing sounds like a dream. The sooner the better for that. I'm not physically tired now, but I seem to be having trouble concentrating."Ginnie replies, “Ma'am Kate that's called momma brain. Your spending so much on the baby that your brain stops working, at least that's what my momma used to say. I like the idea of the straight wage so that they get something when ever they work but I think I'll cut it to twenty-five percent and give them a split of the end of the night tips that will be pooled for the evening. That way they have a base but both will give good service. I can have them both doing their best so that they get more money that way. They still need to do a good job but are more likely to help each other on the floor. Thanks Ma'am Hey do we have anyone trying to kill us at the moment or is it just the people watching the ranch that we have to worry about right now?”"Just the people watching the ranch as far as I know. Doc Eaton and that horrible tutor want to "do something" about our school, but I don't think we're in physical danger from them," Kate sighed. "Your momma was a wise woman. I guess I'll just have to start leaving myself notes to remember things. You'll want to keep a close eye on those boys, Ginnie. Even when they have reason to work together at that age they can be competitive just because they are. Sometimes it drives them to doing their best, sometimes not. Either way I'm sure they'll be lots of help."Ginnie replies, “Maybe we should talk to our teacher about protecting the school? The priest may be able to help too and should be willing to um "bless" the school since so many of the children go to his church. If they are going to be up to something I'd like them to stumble on a nasty little surprise if they are out to hurt someone and it's likely that they may be. Some how with their thoughts on the non humans keeping their place I doubt that they would worry if an Indian or Mexican kid got caught in the crossfire of a poorly placed match. I really don't like Doc Eaton or that nasty close-minded tutor either maybe we could challenge them to an actual educational contest sometime something more telling than baseball.”Kate answers, "And it would protect us as well. I admit Ginnie, I've worried about someone setting fire to the building. We may be out a lot, but it's our home and I don't want to wake some night to a house full of smoke. I'm hoping to go in for lessons tomorrow. We can talk to him then. I was thinking of having a School Exhibition after a few months, once everything has settled down and the students have gotten enough lessons under their belts. We could invite them to participate, but we'd better be damn sure our students are better educated. And find someone to ask the questions who won't skew them to the human-centric education being given at the other school."Jake greets the others. "I have a game to run in a minute or two. Everyone is well I assume? What news have you?"   Kate lit the candle on the table and tossed in the powder that would give them privacy with a practiced gesture and mutter. "I'm a bit tired, but fine. We had a baseball practice out at the ranch today. I was informed that my watchers have returned to the ranch at least once. They've also been watching Ned Phillips place. Someone is looking into it for me," she said, looking to Jake and hoping he understood. She wasn't sure just how much Chester knew but he was the law now and it was best not to force him to take action.   Chester raises his eyebrow. "Whoever you got doing it better be careful. There's no telling what those guys are up to. I still say that I can look into that."   Kate answers, "I know, Chester, but I don't want them to get spooked by the law getting involved and do something rash. Believe me, as soon as I have anything more definite you'll know."Kate continues, "Otherwise there's nothing new since this morning from me. I should warn all of you that my ability to remember things seems to be leaving me. Ginnie called it momma brain," she laughed. "I may need a few reminders now and then of little things."   Chester smiles, "I'll keep that in mind.  Minerva pats her hand, "That is certainly understandable. We'll have to chat about 'momma brain' later, when the men leave."   "I think by the time the men leave I will have to get back to work," Kate said, but did not pull her hand back. Who else knew that and is looking into it for her, Jake wonders, I cannot imagine Conrad crawling around the dessert on his belly skulking after outlaws. He listens while she continues to speak but a suspicion comes to him while he does. Earp? That makes no sense.  Jake says, "So far we only know that they were watching three ranches. What do Phillips, Buckley's and your ranch have in common? Phillips and Buckley both declined to join the town. We do not know if Phillips is part of the Cowboy gang. Unless it is simply that Fisk has different reasons for each or just does not like all three of you." Jake chuckles, "With that logic there is somebody watching the Lucky Lady too. Not much to go on yet."Ginnie says, “I'm not sure what I can do about people watching the ranch but I can put some eyes on the Lucky Lady that can be trusted.”   Jake says, "Fine with me. No heroics though. Let me know before someone takes any foolish risks."   Seeing that the privacy spell is up, Chester returns to his normal voice. With a little anger, he answers Minerva’s earlier question about the Buckley killing saying, "I've heard that this is a Cowboy Gang matter and we should stay out of it. And we got a note from Buckley's killer saying that the person who ordered the killing is running for office. Buckley got killed trying to blackmail the guy and lawmen could die if we continue looking into this. I'm not going to stand around while people are killed in the streets, even if it is a Cowboy." She replies, "Mi Doses! (my gods) I should hope not! What would happen to the people of Promise City if those who were sworn to protect them hesitated because they were afraid for their personal safety. I understand that you are bound by the law, but I will aid you in whatever way I can.”   Chester looks partially satisfied. "If you say so. I just can't sit around, though."Minerva replies, "Perhaps, Chester that it would be to your advantage if it were perceived that you were just sitting around. Let us be your eyes and ears for now. No one will perceive a priestess and a school teacher as a threat."   Chester starts to say something, but shuts his mouth. He starts again, "Little do they know, eh? OK. I'll take your advice and stay out of this for the while. And I'm going to stay out of what's going on between the two of you. Clarisse is singing at the Comique, so I'm walking her there. Have a good night, ladies.""Perhaps we can get together later this evening." Minerva says giving Katherine's hand a squeeze before pulling her hand back. "With Nanuet and Ruby both away it has been a bit too quiet of late."  "I am afraid if it's excitement you want I'm not who you're looking for," Kate said quietly.  Minerva holds back her exasperation. "I promised Nanuet that I would not be pushy." "No Katherine, I am not looking for anything more than companionship."Kate stopped herself from blurting out the first thought that came to mind, specifically why she would want straight-laced Katherine's company. "Companionship isn't something that you'll be lacking at the Lady, you know that."  Exasperated by yet another perceived rejection of her offer of friendship, Minerva blurts out. "Have I done something to offend you, Katherine?" "so much for patience." she thinks."No. I just... I can't understand why you," Kate hesitated, unable to find words to express herself. "You made your opinion of me quite clear in Thomaswell."    "You can not understand what!?" Minerva says visibly hurt and trying to control her anger. "Why I continue to offer my hand in friendship time and time again, even though you slap it back each time? I was drugged in Thomaswell, Katherine... and it was a very stress filled time, with Collins stalking Ruby and all the undead walking around. you can hardly condemn my behavior at such a time... although I must admit that I was a bit angry that you had rebuffed me yet again and I apologized for that, but you have harbored resentment toward me since the day I arrived in town and I would like to know why."Kate exclaims, "Because I've had no choice! One day you were just here, and within days you knew everything. Suddenly a stranger knew all my secrets, things that could get me killed and I had no say. Maybe that's why you keep trying to treat me so intimately when I feel like we're strangers. It would be easy to be fooled into thinking we're close when you know all my secrets. And you're always trying to get me to tell you the most personal things... I find with alcohol and laudanum the tongue gets loosened, but they don't create thoughts. You wouldn't have said it clear-headed, but you'd have still thought it."Minerva is stunned by the revelation. "You resent me because you are afraid that I will reveal your secrets? I can certainly understand your unease because of the way the gods have thrown us together, but months have passed since our first meeting. Ample time for you to get beyond what I am and discover who I am. Katherine, You should know by now that I will never break your confidence. It is not in my nature. I am a woman of 'The Gods' and even if I were not, you could still trust me. Or perhaps that is why you distrust me. As for treating you intimately. I am Spanish. We treat everyone that way. I am sorry that you misconstrued my overtures. . This is not Boston Katherine. We do not have time to observe the social niceties in getting to know one another over a cup of tea. Promise City is a dangerous place for a woman alone and time is of the essence. I need to know who I can count on to guard my back. I need to know who I can place my trust in and depend on. When the gods directed our ceremony in the desert I took it as a sign that we were bonded somehow. I have made it quite plain that I value your life and have proven time and again that you can depend on me. I need to know if I can depend on you in return. If I cannot than I must believe that the gods are mistaken. Nanuet advised me to have patience with you, but I do not think that patience is the answer. There is a reason for your coldness toward me that you have yet to reveal and until you do this tension between us will remain. I know that now is not the time but Por favor Katherine let us make the time to settle this."   "Fine," she said shortly. "Better to have it all out, but now I have to get back to work. We can fight when I'm finished."  Kate got back to work, for once preferring to serve drinks rather than sit down. It was a busy, unexceptional night; just the kind most saloon owners like and she almost managed to forget the earlier, unfinished argument.</blockquote>

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