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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3127330" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Ninety-three, “Future Work“, Wednesday June 7th , 1882, 2:00 P.M. Jake stands and tells Job, "If you decide to go, come back and tell me. If you are fool enough to be like me at least let me tell you what works and what does not when fighting those monsters."  Job tells Jake he will do that. They head back downstairs. As their body language now indicates that the conversation has ended they are approached by Bishop Costas Papandraus. He asks, "Hello gentlemen, might I have a word with the two of you in private?"  Jake glances back at the stairs he had just descended with a sigh and says, "My pleasure." He leads the bishop back up, "You think there is anyone waiting after you that needs to speak to me in private? If there was you could send the up so I do not have to keep going up and down these stairs." Back in the room the he and Job had just vacated, Jake offers the bishop a seat before taking one for himself. "What is on your mind?"  The Bishop explains, "I have been authorized by Hulda Hoover, Burt's mother, to broker the sale of the boy's share of the Lucky Lady. I have already met with Attorney Berg and the other potential buyer has raised their offer to $ 1,800 but the buyer's attorney Elihu Upton hinted that they might be willing to go higher." Jake grimaces and shakes his head. "It is a fine thing to get the most money for the boy. It is what Niles wanted so the boy deserves it. Nothing good can come from this secret buyer nonsense though. What kind of partner needs to keep themselves hidden?" Jakes expression quickly turns more serious. "Either we are being played the fool to up the price to the boy, or someone whose motives are not pure wants a share here."  The Bishop says, "I can assure you sir that the mother's motives are pure. She is away in seminary school now studying to become a Priestess. That is why she is unable to handle the matter directly herself and asked me to broker it for her. I can show you her telegram if you doubt my word."   Jake says, "I was not questioning the sellers motives, nor yours. I am questioning those of the other interested party in purchasing his share." Jake turns to Job Kane, "I am tempted to let it go and make the new partners life miserable, since we can outvote them anyway. Only tempted mind you." Turning back to the Bishop, "I am willing to add $100 to that offer and not inclined to let the share go to a faceless partner. Job and I can figure out how we split that later, I am willing to fund the whole amount if he does not wish to take on a greater share."Job says, "Jake and I can handle that, but I agree, let's not lose this place to some unknown person, although I suspect that I do know who this mystery buyer may be. He failed in his attempt to burn the place down so now he wants to destroy it from within."   Jake says, "I had a similar thought, but no proof behind it so I have not said his name aloud either."  Job interjects "If it was anybody we'd want to work with they'd have approached us directly." Jake turns back to the bishop. "Sorry if I seem perturbed by this matter. Niles Hoover was a fine man, and I am happy to see his nephew get a generous price for his share. I am unhappy that someone less scrupulous is taking the opportunity to attempt to ruin what we, with Niles help, have built here. But that is not your problem, you have our improved offer.""Thank you sir." The Bishop departs. Once he is gone Job breathes a sigh of relief and says, "I was worried for a minute there when he said that he wanted to talk to us in private. Top church man for the territory, I figured it had to be bad news. Never would have figured him for wanting to talk to us about buying a saloon."Jake replies, "I cannot say that I ever received good news from church officials wanting to talk to me in private in the past. Nor have I ever had a bishop make me an offer on a saloon before. It is a might strange, why not delegate it to one of his lackeys? Perhaps I am just too suspicious. Still..." Jake slowly scratches his chin a few times lost in thought before he continues, "Shall we go down and see who wants to speak with me in private next." The gloom has past and Jake once more wears his cocky smile.Much to Jake's delight there are no further people downstairs who are seeking an audience with him. Job heads out on his errand to the Arizona Territorial Offices.  After Job left, Jake handled the newspaper business with Chumbley. He also spent a little time wandering about town to see what was happening for himself. He spent the balance of the afternoon at the Lady Lucky before returning home to dress for the evening. The afternoon passed swiftly for Kate and at the end of the day the children went laughing outdoors back to their homes. As usual the three teachers spent another half- hour cleaning up and discussing the day. Once the other ladies had left Kate decided to go over to the livery thinking she might catch Mrs. Blake there.  She got her handbag and walked over in the late afternoon sunshine.Kate recognizes one of the two young men working in the livery this afternoon as one of the men who helped her save the buggy from the O.K. Corral in Tombstone and assumes that he found employment here after his other employer burned down.   He says that Mrs. Blake is over at the Hotel. She heads around, pondering why they never changed the name of Drover's Hotel to Drover's Restaurant when they expanded the one-story structure into a larger single-room restaurant by taking out the guest rooms.Kate stepped inside the Restaurant and looked for Mrs. Drover. It was only a moment before the lady herself came bustling forward.   "Good afternoon, Mrs. Blake," Kate said pleasantly. "I wonder if you might have a few minutes for some business?"   Vera Blake looks unusually nervous and her cheeks turn red as three men emerge from the back room. One is he husband Austin Blake and beside him are Al Brower and Pierre Jaquet. Austin has what appear to be a set of blueprints in his hands. As they exit the room Austin is saying "...materials become available, should be in..." He then stops abruptly when he notices Kate. Al and Pierre both quickly state, "Good afternoon Mrs. Kale" as they make their exit from the building."Good afternoon, gentlemen," Kate nodded as they passed.  "I've never seen two men who looked more as if I'd caught them with their hands in the cookie jar," Kate said lightly. "The town seems to be growing by leaps and bounds lately, doesn't it?"   "Yes it does," Vera Blake states. "What can I do for you Mrs. Kale?"Kate says, "Two things. Firstly, I'd like to pay for the storage of my little buggy through the end of the month. Eventually I'd like to move it out to the ranch but not until I'm more comfortable with our security. We already lost one in the fire in Tombstone. Secondly, I wanted to talk a little horse business if you're willing. I find myself with an abundance of horses and I have some ideas that might benefit us both."Kate paid for the storage, wishing Mrs. Blake would relax. It was obvious they were expanding in connection with the Comique and were embarrassed since she worked for the competition. And probably worried they had lost their element of surprise. As far as Katherine was concerned there was plenty of room for everyone and there was no reason to look so guilty. "With the fire in Tombstone our population is expanding, and I imagine quite a few people need horses, which I have. But I don't have a system set up to get the animals to the people who need them. Which is why I'm here. I'd far rather provide your livery with horses than be in competition."Vera calls her husband over and Kate repeats her offer. He says, "Well, that would have some advantages. Your ranch is much closer to town than some of the others are. But it is probably premature to have that discussion until after I've gone out there and taken a look at the animals and how they are being fed, raised and trained.""Absolutely," Kate said. "I'd be glad to take you out and give you a tour and show you what we're doing. Some of the horses already had some training so I've just tried to refine that. The mustangs though, have had no other training but mine. My husband ran a livery in Boston and I learned from him. I can take you out any day after school lets out or on Saturdays or Sundays."Austin says, "That sounds fine. How about Sunday after church?"  She says, "That's fine. I'll meet you outside the church after the service then."  Kate turned back to Vera and said, "Mrs. Blake, I heard a rumor that you were running for a council position. I'd be pleased to hear it was true."She exclaims, "A rumor? I put an advertisement in one of last week's papers announcing it. Doesn't anybody read that rag? Don't tell me that I wasted my money! Thanks for your support, I know I can count on the Wells Fargo crew and my regular customers for their votes but need to expand that if I hope to get elected. Helen Barker has offered to manage my 'campaign', just waiting for all of the candidates to be registered before she starts, so I guess word will really be spreading around soon.""In this town, I consider everything to be a rumor until I hear it for myself. A legacy of Mr. Baxter's defunct paper, I suppose," Kate laughed. "I believe you'll do very well and I won't be at all surprised when you win a seat. With so many candidates at one extreme or another it's good to have someone with good sense running. One last bit of business and then I'll let you get back to yours," Kate said, then went on to describe the food tasting they were setting up on a weekly schedule for the children and asked if she would be interested. "This is a little farther away, but we intend to give the children a chance to see what kinds of careers there are in a town like Promise City and how the businesses really work. It probably won't be for several months, but I wonder if you might consider giving some of the older students a tour of your business and talk to them about what's involved in running a restaurant and a livery. Just something to think on; I don't need an answer now."Vera says, "That sounds great, sure I'd be happy to help your school out. I also wouldn't mind having some of your teenagers to help out around here if any of them need after school jobs."  "I'll let the students know. Thank you." Kate shook hands with both of them and said good afternoon. Much as she hated to do just exactly what the Blakes were afraid she was going to do, she would have to warn Job and Jake about their upcoming competition. But it wasn't urgent. She went over to the El Parador and pestered Dorita for a while as she nibbled on whatever was at hand.After school on Wednesday Nakomo makes his way home swinging his school books and humming a quiet tune. He feels that school is going really well and is enjoying the challenges put before him. He has a bounce in his step as he walks through the door. Luna is the only one home to greet him. She is sleeping on her perch, her head tucked under her wing when he enters but comes immediately awake and flies over to land on his shoulder and peck his cheek. He chuckles at the affection and kisses her head in return. "Where is Miss Minerva, eh pretty bird? She still off killing herself with all that priest training? She's so tired when she gets home she doesn't have much energy for either one of us lately." he says and moves toward the kitchen as he chats with the bird. "Not that I'm complaining' or nothing', she has done sooo much for me. I can't ever come close to repaying the debt. It almost feels like a have a real home here, you know.... Making' friends going' to school and working' at the saloon. The gods are finally smiling down at me, Luna. I only hope it will last, but most days I'm too scared to hope." he says as he opens the ice box and makes a snack for himself and Luna, carefully cleaning up after himself before going to the sheriff's office to see what more community service the man has in store for him. Luna accompanies him to the sheriff's office. He calls out as he enters. "anybody home?"Mitchell Berg is on duty have a seat and tell me what your impressions are of the town." Berg pours Nakomo a glass of lemonade while they chat.  Nakomo sits in the offered chair and politely accepts the glass of lemonade. He appears a bit uncomfortable, not having yet learned to trust people in authority. " I've been very busy and Miss Minerva has only recently given me permission to go about town on my own..." he says sipping the lemonade. "but I really like being here. I am washing tables at the saloon for Mr. Cook and helping Miss Minerva at the church and I am in school now" he becomes more animated. "and I got to play in the baseball game. We won. It was great!"  Berg replies, "Yes, I heard about that. Good job young man." That chat for a few minutes more until Tim Gorch comes by with a ladder. He puts it up on the side of the building and the three climb up to the flat wood and tin roof. Gorch says, "A roof like this should have cost around $ 500 right, which is what I heard you paid, but whoever was hired cheated you. The tin sheets are only a fraction as thick as they should be and were made of too many separate sheets that were poorly welded together. See all of those splits and cracks, that's where the dust and dirt is leaking in from. The wood underneath looks okay, but you need new tin sheeting for the whole thing. I can get you the materials for cost, around $ 200, if you can find enough volunteers for the labor." Berg says "I was hoping you could show this young man how to do what needs done. He's strong and willing." Gorch says, "Yeah, I could do that."   Nakomo, scrambles up the ladder after Gorch.  Gorch and Berg spend the next half-hour with him showing the boy how to first sweep off a section while being careful of whoever might be below, then how remove the bad sheet of tin and prep the area for the new sheet. He tells the boy to be careful, wear a hat, work gloves if he has them, and to bring lots of water up with him as the metal reflects the sun so it makes for hot work.While Kate is eating Conrad arrives for his dinner, a little earlier than his usual. He says, "Ah good, I was hoping to find you here. I spoke with Mrs. O'Hara and she says I can start teaching her girls how to use the buggy tomorrow after school. Would Ginnie be available then too? I wouldn't mind you helping out with the first lesson given your superior familiarity with horses."She replies, "Ginnie usually goes to Mary Kelly's after school, but I'm sure something can be arranged. I planned to go out tomorrow afternoon anyway, so that's no problem. We'll want to make sure we get the right horse pulling the buggy. There are a few with the right temperament."Conrad lowers his voice and asks, "Kate....when we were in New York I asked about if Mr. Gonzales could maybe teach me a few things. Have you had a chance to speak to him further about that?"  She says, "Don't the two of you ever talk to one another? I mentioned it to him before we left Boston. He said he could likely give you some basic instruction in just a few simple things. And nothing that would help you with playing cards. We should ask him again, but I don't see why it would have changed.   She adds “He doesn't apprentice men anymore, he says they aren't as much fun to look at as women," she laughed.  "Well, I certainly won't debate him on that point," Conrad laughs.   She replies, "I did, I know any number of very handsome gentlemen."   Dorita brings out some full meals, Spanish rice, refried beans and enchiladas.  Kate looked at the full plate in front of her, a bit dismayed. She had spent the last half-hour snacking in Dorita's kitchen. "I do believe Dorita is trying to make me fat. I may be hungry lately, but I'm not sure I can tackle all this."Conrad replies, "Well, this restaurant is not quite as posh as that one in New York. I don't think it will find mention in the society pages if we share this time."   She states, "Can you imagine Promise City with society pages? As if we weren't all in each other's business enough!" She reached over and squeezed his hand. "I'll be glad to share with you, as long as you know I'll be hungry again in an hour or so and it'll be all your fault," she teased.They continue to have the meal. While they are dining Chumbley comes in with today's version of the Promise City Mirror. It appears to have been a slow news day, with the main story being that a Mr. Porter, previously of Tombstone, is opening a new Apothecary Shop where Peacock's Saloon used to me. The story begins on page one and continues on page six. It includes an interview with Porter, who mentions that Doctor Jim Eaton and Zeb Cook each own a quarter interest in the shop. Opposite it on page seven is an advertisement for the Lucky Lady, announcing Darla Peacock as their new Faro dealer.Kate says, "Oh, it will be good to have an apothecary. I'm sure Doctor Eaton wouldn't agree to further my medical education, but this Mr. Porter might. And it's not so far away from chemistry.  And it looks like Jake found someone to deal Faro and lost a competitor at the same time. Things look good."   Conrad flips through the paper, many of the ads being the usual ones for town merchants with repeats of previous political ads for Burton Lumley, Dennis Winston and the back page ad for the Freedom Party. Conrad stops on page nine and points out a story to Kate about a $ 2,000 load of ore being processed from the Fisk Mountain mine. He says, "Looks like a good day for your Mr. Cook indeed."  Kate says, "My Mr. Cook? He's been rather keeping to himself since Ruby went away." Kate took the paper and looked over the article. "Well, I've never known Jake to not be cheered up by a little cash. Maybe I'll stop by and congratulate him tonight."Conrad replies, "Maybe you'll stop by? You're not working tonight?"  She answers, "It's Wednesday. I only work on Friday and Saturday now. I have so much going on that trying to work at the Lady too is asking for trouble. I can go in any night and help out, but the only nights I'm required to be there are the busy nights." Conrad says, "Well then, can I tempt you into stopping by the Long Branch at some point. Kate Higgins complimented you piano playing last time and I always feel luckier when you are around."Kate answers, "I don't know, my dear. Mrs. Higgins was very vocal about her feelings toward all races voting and considering the school's mission... To be honest I don't remember much about the one night I was there with you. I'd like to go again. I'm just not sure I should."  Conrad replies, "Okay, that's fair. You should know that Kate Higgins made it clear to all of us that her opinions are her own and not those of her employees, in fact, she suggested that we keep our opinions to herself regardless of what they are so as to not alienate any potential customers. However, she felt obligated to vote as she saw fit, which I have to respect her for.Kate says, "I don't want to encourage divisiveness in the town either, and I don't think our relationship is any secret anymore," she smiled. "I know she voted her conscience as I did." She was quiet for a few moments, thinking. "Alright, if I'm welcome there I'll join you. Just tell me what night.  I'm not sure I can duplicate my playing that night. It was... unusual."  Conrad replies, "How about tonight, or tomorrow night, or any night after that."Kate laughed lightly. "So anxious. I think I'll be staying out at the ranch later tomorrow night. I guess it will have to be tonight."  "Then I will look forward to it. I will see you later my dear." Conrad leaves money on the table as he gets up to leave.  Other people begin to come into the tavern now for dinner, including several of the town's wood elves.    After Conrad left, Kate gathered her things together and walked over to the Lucky Lady to talk to Jake.</blockquote>

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