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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3079266" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Eighty-four, “Conrad’s Reputation”, Sunday June 4th , 1882, 8:30 P.M. Ginnie spends most of the early evening at the Lady bussing drinks and clearing glasses snatching cookies as she goes. During the evening she shoos Maria out of the kitchen to dance with Thom and beginnings a cooking spree of her own enjoying the time to herself in the kitchen. She spends her kitchen time keeping the tables full of dishes that are just slightly over salted or purposly salty knowing that people who eat salty foods drink more and the bar will make up for any costs from the kitchen.Morgana surprises many people in town by going from venue to venue and performing vocally and on the piano fitting into every style seamlessly she ends her tour at the El Paridor sitting down at her piano and playing the night awayConrad and Kate arrive at the Comique Variety Hall and Saloon. Before they even reach the building they can hear the festive county dance music coming from inside.  Like the last two saloons, the tables have been placed along the wall by the door to clear space in the single-story stone-and-brick 25-by-30 foot building in order to make room for dancing. Saloon co-owner Warren is at the piano while Don Wainwright is on the adjacent stage playing his fiddle and Don's wife Sandra is beside him next to a small table holding a variety of instruments, including cowbells, saws, tambourines and wind instruments of varying size. Presently she has a banjo in hand and is strumming away.  Kate tells Conrad, "I'm going to have to ask Sandra to teach me some of those other instruments, I would love to be able to play more. If I had the time I could spend all day making music." They went further inside and Kate watched the dancers for a few minutes. "I don't know this kind of dancing, do you?"  Conrad says, "Actually no, but I'm willing to give it a try if you are."  Her face colored. "Actually, I wouldn't mind a chance to sit down and nibble at a bit of that food. I'm hungry again."   "Very well," Conrad states.  Kate notices Al Brower just sitting by himself on a barstool at the far end of the bar, a sad expression on his face.She and Conrad had a seat with her odd collection of nibbles and listened to the music as she ate again. Even as they talking pleasantly, her eye kept falling on Mr. Brower across the room. When she emptied her plate she excused herself for a moment and approached the downcast man. "It's very generous of you to offer your saloon for the celebration," she began. "It would be nice to see you enjoying it a bit more."Brower gives a half-hearted smile in reply and says, "I'm sorry, but weddings tend to make me thing of romance and my lady friend walked out on me just last week. I thought I had gotten over her but today has brought back those feelings. And on the subject of romance, let me know if Warren Watson says anything to your boyfriend. He normally doesn't allow him in the Comique but this is a private function and I don't want anybody spoiling your fun."Kate replies, "I'm sorry. Sadness can sneak up on us at any time, even after we think we put it behind us. You will be well as long as you don't fight the smiles; I can say that from experience. As for Conrad, I don't imagine we'll stay very long. Neither of us knows these dances but I promised Sandra I would stop in and hear her. If I may ask, why is it that Mr. Watson won't admit him? I know the public reason, of course, but I don't believe it."Brower says, "The reason is most likely exactly what you heard. Watson is an Illinois Republican. He knew Abe Lincoln personally. There was a while there that he wouldn't even allow any Southerners into the Comique. It took some time for Pierre and I to convince him that wasn't economically viable for the saloon.  Anyway, Watson was on Booth's case from the moment that the gambler said he was related to Lincoln's assassin. I can't say for a fact that he was cheating that night, but he did has a suspitiously good game that evening at the table. But Warren says that he saw Booth cheating and I really have to stand beside my business partner."Kate replies, "I can understand that, but let me tell you something about Conrad and good games. He's been an actor his entire life, he grew up in the theater. You'll see those skills when the play is presented.  Acting is a great deal about observation, watching, and understanding what you're seeing. I've heard Jake say poker is about the same thing; he once made the mistake of trying to teach me about it," she laughed. "I know from experience that Conrad is keenly observant, and rarely have I known his conclusions to be wrong. He has no need of cheating to win at poker. I don't expect you to change your policy or your partner's mind. I guess I'm just a busybody. This rumor has hurt someone I care about and I can't help but try to clear it up just a little. He's a good man but the rumor about cheating has blinded many an eye to that."Al says, "I can understand you taking that position but you need to understand mine. It doesn't matter what you think, or what I think, it's what the other customers think. A saloon is only as good as its reputation and Pierre and I insist on keeping things honest here."   He lowers his voice and adds, "And on the subject of Pierre. I know that you are aware of Pierre's....other talents. That information alone could drastically hurt this saloon's reputation if it is ever confirmed, enough people already suspect just because he is a Frenchman. That means we have to be twice as careful as any other saloon in town. So if a gambler has a reputation for cheating, be it true or false, they can't play here. End of story."She states, "I told you Mr. Brower, I do not expect you to change your policy or your partner's mind. I'm not here trying to beg you to allow him to play. He's doing just fine over at the Long Branch and not looking to move. The hurt I refer to is personal, my only aim here was to make sure I knew the truth and perhaps soften your personal opinion. I understand business is business," she said mildly. "I did not know about Mr. Jaquet's talents, I only knew that he had some special items for sale in his store. But my mother is French and I understand that automatic suspicion that comes with that and the measures you need to take. I will keep my silence of course; such things do not offend me."Al smiles and says, "Yes, I.....know. I was standing near you a week ago during the gunfight." He then says, "Don't worry about my knowing of your secrets little lady..." as he glances around the room to make sure nobody is looking at them right this very moment, especially Conrad. He then says, "Ecrire le verre de surprise à ma main maintenant" as he wiggles the fingers of his right hand. His glass of wine on the bar eighteen inches away rises slightly above the bar and quickly floats over to his hand as he grasps it.Kate just smiled and shook her head. "I'm going to have to be more careful. Thank heavens yours was a friendly eye. It seems everywhere I turn there is another talented person hiding. Truth be told, it's a relief to have another person who knows. I take such joy in it and there are few I can share that with. It's almost like a secret organization, isn't it?"He replies, "It is a secret organization and I'm a novice member myself. Pierre taught me a few simple things to protect myself and also identify those who may chose to use arcane magic to cheat at cards. My.....lady friend taught me a few more things, including what I just showed you. Beyond that my abilities are nearly non-existent. I would have never dared to do what you did last week." He takes a drink of his wine and says, "But that is the real reason that neither Pierre or I will play poker in our own saloon, or go anywhere near the tables while games are in session. Too risky. And if you choose to share this information with Mr. Cook you can assure him that I would never use any special talents at his table."She replies, "I wouldn't share any information about a fellow without his express permission and I have no personal concerns about you using any talents to cheat. I think you play for enjoyment, and what enjoyment is there in a game with no risk?  I'm barely more than a novice myself, but I'm continuing to learn. I've mostly used my skills to defend my friends during the troubles with the Cowboy Gang. You understand now why I was with the posse that went after Ringo. Beside my little bit of medical skill."He smiles and pats her hand. "Go and enjoy yourself Katherine, you deserve it. I may have mixed feelings about your boyfriends but from what I've seen up until now you have been a good judge of character in choosing friends so perhaps I have underestimated the man."  "Boyfriends? I've had more than one?" she laughed. Then she bent down and kissed his cheek. "You enjoy yourself too, just a little bit." She went back over to Conrad, picking a little more from the tables on the way. "I have heard more sad tales of love than happy ones today. Aphrodite certainly caused a great deal of chaos here."  Conrad replies, "It is far better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. You give that Goddess too much credit, from what I've observed people can be quite careless about love just as much on their own." He says, "We've now spent time at these three saloon, shall we now retire to the one where both of us will always be welcome and spend the rest of the night with our extended family? They know the true meaning of the word love and no deity will dare to interfere with that if they have any common sense at all in their heads."    She states, "Oh yes, let's go home. I'm ready to give over my campaign to win over the town for the night." She got up on her toes and kissed him lightly, then laughed. "It's time to concentrate on winning you over."As they exit the door Conrad laughs out loud "Concentrate on winning me over? And I always thought you looked for a challenge. What's the point of a contest that you've already won!"  "I like winning," she grinned. "And I like hearing you laugh. And dancing with you, driving with you, kissing you. Why give up such a pleasant campaign?" They both hurried toward the El Parador where music was floating out into the street and the lights from the windows were warm and welcoming. "This is more like it," Kate said as they stepped inside.   The building is packed, with all but two tables having been taken outside to make room. Estaban Fuente is leading a group of nine musicians, six from the wedding band as well as Juan and Maria Tolucca and also Cole Rixton playing along at the piano. The dance floor is packed with around fifty people dancing to fast paced Mexican music.The newly arrived couple slipped into the crowd and joined the dance. Kate was still learning these dances, but she managed to stay off Conrad's toes and keep up with the fast pace. "I am going to play that piano at some point tonight," she warned Conrad. "I'd love to hear you sing, too."With a total of nine musicians individual members have been able to take breaks while the others continue so the band never stops. To Kate it seems like they were only at the El Parador for about half-an hour, forty-five minutes at the most, when she notices people arriving who were at the other saloons, indicating that they have closed. She looks at the clock on the far wall and sees that nearly three hours have now passed by since they entered the Cantina. Estaban finally reaches a point where he calls for the band to take a break and they all take a bow to a wild round of applause from the patrons. Dorita grabs the working girls from the El Parador and they disappear into the kitchen to prepare more food for the now empty tables near the door."Three hours!" Kate said as Conrad found her a chair. Her heart was pounding hard and she noticed how tired her legs were as she stopped actually using them. She had a very odd feeling in her chest as well, but it wasn't physical. A kind of wildness that invaded her spirit every now and then.  "This music just does something to you, doesn't it?"  He replies, "Yes it does my dear. Did you say that you made alternate arrangements for your school tomorrow morning? I would say that you will probably need them.""Ginnie's idea was a good one, and it will let me sleep a bit later. There are two other teachers as well and they both probably have better sense then I and will have gotten a decent nights sleep. Right now I doubt whether I'll go to sleep tonight at all!"Manuel Gonzales arrives through the front door. He comes up behind Kate and Conrad and interjects "Hello, I figured you two may have wandered over this way. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."  "Of course not, Grandpere," Kate said delightedly and hugged the elderly elf. "What a lovely night we've had. What have you been up to, coming from someplace else?"Gonzales replies, "Immediately after the wedding ceremony ended I went out to the ranch making sure things were safe there. Enrico Escobar and some of his friends arrived a while later but I didn't want to just leave them there until after Flint and gotten used to their presence. I just got back. It looks like things are going fine here."She replies, "Yes, I talked to Mr. Shaw about the rustling last night and Mr. Escobar was there. Apparently he felt there were quite a few jilted gentlemen who might prefer to not celebrate the bride's marriage and took them to look after the ranch instead. They're going to help us get the animals branded tomorrow as well.  Everything is going wonderfully here. My dear Conrad has had me all to himself for three hours, but I think you owe me a dance Grandpere."  "I wholeheartedly agree," he states as he takes her by both hands and pulls her out to the dance floor.Kate laughed and squeezed Conrad's hand as her teacher pulled her away. "I feel absolutely wonderful tonight. Almost as if I were drunk, but I haven't touch a drop since your wine at dinner."  Gonzales asks, "Do you need me to teach your class in the morning? I could teach the children how to pull a rabbit out of a hat!"   "I don't think pulling rabbits out of hats is in the course curriculum," she laughed. "But I might need someone to fill in for me in the morning. Ginnie suggested I leave an assignment on the blackboard and come down a bit later, but a teacher to fill in for me would be better."Gonzales replies, "Well, I think that I may have learned something in my eight-hundred or so years here to share with them that wouldn't involve arcane magic. And I'm not sure that any of you three regular teachers will be in any shape to teach tomorrow. I stopped by the Lucky Lady first on my way over here, thinking you would be there. Both of your fellow teachers were still dancing the night away with their respective gentlemen and didn't look like they were planning to stop any time soon.""Respective gentlemen? Does Meghan have a gentleman friend? Here I thought those two had more sense than I. Conrad and I started the evening at the Lucky Lady, but we wanted to end the night here. He was afraid if I stayed there too long they'd put me to work and he wasn't having any of that. We'd all appreciate it if you would fill in for us then, we'll have to think of a way to let them know.  So, who was Meghan dancing with?"He replies, "She was with Shamus O'Hara, her late husband's brother, but if I'm any judge of body language and facial expressions their feels for each other go beyond just that.  "Really? I wonder if that has something to do with why she chose to come here. She wouldn't be the first woman to marry into the same family after she lost her husband. Good for her.  Oh, you should know Mollie Caudell knows about the baby. I needed some advice, and I knew what Dorita's advice would be."Gonzales raises his eyebrow and says, "Good for you! I do recall not that long ago that you had serious reservations about the Caudells due to his service in the war. It is good to see you putting aside those prejudices."  She replies, "I just needed a chance to see the people, not the war. And considering it was Mollie's warning that told me what the Vigilance Committee was up to with the school she earned my trust. I'm afraid it's going to be a long time before I don't need a bit of time when I meet someone who served the Confederacy. I couldn't tell her about the ring, so she intends to pull me out of the baseball game after the first inning. Since I don't really want to play I'm not arguing about that. I just needed to know that my new, ah.... desires were normal. Dorita would have just told me that Conrad would be glad to help me with that," she laughed.  Gonzales says in a stern voice, "She would have indeed but I would not. I'm still not sure about that man and I would advise you to not let him think that a physical relationship will soon follow."  Kate turned more serious. "You're not? Believe me, as much as my body is telling me otherwise, I know I'm not ready for any such relationship. But what bothers you?"Gonzales replies, "I don't know, I guess I've just never really cared for him. Not all that different than my feelings towards Mr. Cook. I guess their lifestyles are too dissimilar to mine for me to really understand them."  She says, "You don't know him well. Gambling isn't really what he loves. Watch him the next few weeks as his works on the play. Promise City hasn't been kind to him and he's become defensive. He's a good man.   He still wants to marry me and.... I think when I'm ready I will likely accept."Gonzales replies, "Then I would advise you to not be ready for a very long time. I still do not trust that man and find him to be too much of an opportunist.  I am also disgusted by how much he has capitalized upon the deaths of Billy the Kid and those James Gang folks who was with him. Maybe it's the old soldier in me but I feel that people should show some respect the dead. A good man died on that day and nothing has been done to memorialize him, if Mr. Booth is truly the man you think he is then why hasn't he done so?"She was quiet. "I can't answer that Grandpere. Do you really think I've chosen so poorly? I've been so happy, I..." She laid her head against his shoulder for a moment. "Why must everything be complicated?"    He wraps his arm around her shoulder and says, "Oh dear, look at what I've done. You've been having a great evening and I've gone and ruined it for you! Katherine, when it comes to relationships don't pay too much attention to the prattles of an old man. If I had to count the number of failed relationships in my life the number would probably exceed the number of months that you've been alive, so what would I know about it?  What I do know is that he has saved your life on more than one occasion, and for that I will always be grateful to him. So go dance with your young man. I'll keep my mouth shut, and I'll let your two other teachers know that they can take the morning off."She states, "No, I trust your opinion and when I get carried away I need you to tell me. I might wish your opinion was different but it is not. When I first met him my opinion was the same as yours, but he is changing, becoming someone far more generous and kind. And he needs someone to believe in him."  She hugged her teacher tight. "I love you. Thank you for helping. I will go back and dance with my young man again."Conrad is busy chatting in Spanish with Pedro. Kate returns and Conrad gives her an odd look. "Everything alright out at the ranch? You look like you're upset."  Kate found a smile. "Everything's fine. Please don't let me interrupt, I might just get a bit to eat and then perhaps we could dance again?"She laid her hand reassuringly on his arm then left him to talk with Pedro. Just as she said, she filled a plate with the fresh food Dorita had brought out and let her talk with her teacher take its proper place in her mind. Kate had been trusting her own instincts as far as Conrad was concerned for weeks now and whatever was to come tonight was still to be enjoyed.  With a full stomach and a few minutes to herself she found a genuine smile and went back to lead her escort out to dance again.</blockquote>

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