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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3503270" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter One-hundred-fifty-nine, “Meanwhile....on a New York City Train”, Thursday June 15th, 1882, 10:30 A.M. The train was just pulling out of Manhattan’s Grand Central Station. Sitting together inside one of the Pullman passenger cars are well dressed trio comprised of a man in his late twenties and two women each around a decade younger. The leader of the group is a Priestess of Aphrodite by the name of Jane Boag. She is a senior partner of the Three-Gods Meeting House in Tucson Arizona. Beside her is a junior partner of the same establishment, Richard Broughton, whose personal expertise is security. He has been serving the role of bodyguard for Jane and her companion. The final member of the group is Jane’s dear friend Constance Grace West otherwise known as Ruby, a singer and co-owner at Promise City, Arizona’s Lucky Lady Dance Hall and Saloon. Half-a-month has now gone by since Ruby West left Promise City. What had been intended as a short visit to Tucson had expanded into a journey back east when at a party celebrating Ruby’s birthday she opened a mysterious package sent by her grandmother from New York. The trio set off for a visit to the woman, arriving at the Tarrytown, New York home on the fifth of June. They spent a few days there where Ruby had an excellent visit before heading down to Manhattan. The last week has been spend on a fun-and-exciting shopping spree at all of the finest stores in the city. The shopping was now over, with over $ 20,000 of Jane’s money having been spent and the multitude of packages now on westbound trains heading back to Tucson. The trio, however, was going in a different direction, as Ruby had insisted that they pay a final visit again to her Grandmother before returning to the west. Ruby casually reclines back into the plush seat, pulling her feet up underneath herself. The corner of her full lips curl upwards as she faces her friend. "So Janie, did you enjoy yourself in the City as much as I did?" The petite priestess smiles in return and says, "Oh Ruby Darling, you ask the silliest questions. I've gone on shopping sprees in cities before but never with so much money to spend and that variety of places to spend it at. And shopping alone is never as much fun as with a good friend." "That's me, silly Ruby!" she giggles before turning her face to the man sitting next to them. "And you, Richard, did you enjoy your trip to the City with two silly girls? Or are you counting the seconds until we get you back to civilization?" Richard gives Ruby a rare smile and says, "I found the trip very useful. I was able to obtain a number of things that will help with the Three Gods back in Tucson that would not have been available back in Arizona. And I was able to keep our senior partner safe, that has its own reward." Ruby replies, "Oh? What sort of things did you find that you think will be helpful?" Richard replies, "Oh, just a few trinkets that I picked up down in the French and Portugese quarters of the city. Things that will help with security." She states, "You are very sneaky sir, not wanting to give away your secrets. I'm sure you'll keep the temple very safe, just like you've done for us." Ruby turns her face to the window and watches the sights of the city begin to pass them by. She says quietly, "I hope I'll still be able to visit the Three Gods, you know, when we get back." Jane smiles and says, "Visit? Oh no Ruby Darling, I plan to you to live with us there. Promise City, now that's a place to visit. For you the Three Gods will be home." Ruby takes the petite woman's hand in hers and rests her head on her shoulder. It was such a nice feeling... warm and comforting. Ruby felt a small tinge though, she missed someone back in Promise City, someone who she hadn't realized she relied on so much for those warm and comforting feelings. Some time passes before Ruby speaks again. "Are you two sure you're okay with extending our trip just a little more? I know you want to get back." Jane says, "Ruby, your Grandmother and her husband were such gratious hosts before and I'm sure they will be again. I can certainly understand your wanting to say goodbye, it might be years until you make it back east again and there is no guarantee she will still be with us then." Richard interjects, "I have my reservations. They promised not to notify your parents Ruby, but so long as we remain in New York State there is the risk of them finding out you are here. Normally I wouldn't be so concerned about an attempted kidnapping, but in this case it would be more difficult for me to prevent it....assuming of course that you don't want me to actually shoot your father in the process." Ruby teases, "Richard, are you offering?" She laughs a little. "No... I would not want that. I may not like my parents but I would not want them to be hurt. After all, I wouldn't be here without them." She pauses and thinks on the implication, but only briefly. "Very well, we'll make our trip brief. I don't want to end up in the clutches of my parents and keep you from your lives. But I very much appreciate you accompanying me this trip. It's meant a lot to me and I really needed it. And by the way Jane, the women in my family are very long lived. I'm sure Nana has many wonderful years ahead of her. WE have many years ahead of us, together." Jane says, "I certainly hope so, she is a lovely woman and I see a lot of her in you." Ruby's smile widens considerably. "I hope we are similar. My whole life I've imagined her to be a certain way, doing the things I dreamed of doing and living the life I wish I could. And it certainly sounds like she has done all that and more. I'm entirely jealous." Ruby adjusts her head on her friends shoulder. "Although she is now a bit more settled down than I ever thought I would want to be. Right now though, I don't have any illusions about that. I am just going to concentrate on getting now fixed so later will be better." "What about you, Janie?" Ruby gives a quick glance towards Richard but her gaze doesn't linger. "What about you and Red?" Richard appears uncomfortable being present for the direction of the conversation and gets up and walks around. Jane tells Ruby, "It is far too soon to tell. Red....well, I don't know. He appears to love me deeply but also didn't hesitate when I suggested taking this trip. If he truly loved me why would he be anxious for me to go?" "I can't answer that for you Janie. I thought the same thing about Jake." Ruby squeezes her hand for a moment. "Maybe he was anxious as much as giving you your space. I'm sure Red loves you. What would you like to have happen?" Jane replies, "That is not for me to say. The Goddess Aphrodite will make that decision for me. I will do whatever she wishes." Ruby answers, "I wish she'd tell me what to do! Some things are not clear. How does she tell you?" Jane replies, "Ruby, I am one of her Priestesses, as was my mother. I've been able to communicate with the Goddess all of my life and have learned how to interpret her desires. You are a novice, I would not expect you to be able to communicate with Aphrodite, or to be able to interpret her desires correctly if you have. But Ruby, I can work with you. We can do this together and try to determine what she wants from you." Ruby replies, "Maybe we can do that. Maybe we should do that. I just don't want to make a mistake but after all our talks, it seems clear what I should do." Ruby closes her eyes and is quiet as she thinks over all they have discussed the past two weeks. It doesn't take long, probably due to the early hour, that Ruby falls asleep. The train continued northward along the western end of Manhattan overlooking the Hudson River, the New Jersey Palisades on the opposite shore. While at a train stop in the Bronx, Richard takes a short walk out on the train platform and purchases a newspaper. When the train lurches to a stop Ruby's eyes pop open. She watches Richard walk outside and taps on the window to get his attention. She motions for him to get her a paper too but then decides the air will do her good. She stands and stretches, then excuses herself. She walks outside to Richard. "Ahhh, fresh air. The city air feels so oppressive sometimes. So," she points to the paper, "Anything interesting?" He replies, "Local politics...continued progress on the Brooklyn Bridge, said to be the eighth wonder of the world. Oh this is interesting. Ruby, do you remember a guy named Pinto Joe Weams, a member of the New Douglas Gang?" Ruby shudders as the memory of Jake near death hits her. "Yes, I remember him," she says dully. "How could I forget? Why is he in the news here?" Ruby strains to see the paper over Richard's arm. Richard replies, "The Douglas Gang Bank Robbery is big news worldwide, haven't you been following it?" Ruby's eyes widen a bit. "No... actually I've been sorta... busy... and distracted. What happened?" Richard replies, “Around two weeks ago the New Douglas Gang hit the Tabor Bank in Leadville, Colorado. They stole approximately $ 1.6 million dollars, making it the biggest bank robbery in world history. They also killed around a dozen guards and soldiers making their getaway. It look like they managed to escape at first, but apparently they split up into pairs, a male and female gang member in each grouping. Four of his gang members have been caught since then, but Deadeye Douglas and his gal Mae Clarke are still on the loose as well as most of the stolen money." "1.6 million dollars?? Holy..." Ruby shakes her head. "I hope they catch Deadeye too. He's the one who shot Jake. And that girl of his is a world class bi..." Ruby stops midsentence. "I wonder where they are. So what's with Pinto Joe? He's in jail then?" Richard says, "Not any more according to this story. It indicates that on Tuesday he apparently got stupid. When a guard was bringing Weams his lunch the outlaw decided to make a grab for the man's gun. There was a short struggle which ended with the guard emptying the revolver into Weam's torso. Pinto Joe is now in the prison cemetery." "Good. One more enemy in the ground... if you know what I mean." Ruby looks him in the eyes, "I'll be glad to get back to a day when I don't constantly have to watch my back for someone trying to kill me." She sighs, "We should probably get back on the train. Is there anything else good in the paper?" Richard says, "I'll look it over, probably mostly local news. If you and Jane are going to nap I'll sit further over and pretend to read the newspaper while I keep an eye on things. I'll be another hour until we reach Tarrytown as the train has a half-dozen more stops in between." "Well, I've had a bit of a nap already. While I almost never turn down the chance to cat nap I can keep you company too. You've been so wonderful to me this trip... And besides, I like you," Ruby says with a teasing smile on her face. "You're like the cute brother I never had or wanted." She stops and looks up, "Hmmm... that didn't come our right, did it? Anyway," she hooks her arm through his and leads him back inside the train, "I'll leave it up to you. Beautiful chatty girls or peace and quiet." The trip from Grand Central Station to Tarrytown Station is only thirty-two miles, but with three stops in Manhattan, three in the Bronx, two in Yonkers another in the town of Dobbs Ferry followed by one in Irvington it takes them until noontime to finally reach the destination. During that time Richard and Ruby have a long but superficial chat, with him expressing all sorts of opinions about the various people of Tucson, the climate and weather, the advantages and disadvantages of it compared to New York and even his opinions of the women's recent purchases in the city. At no point however, despite any of Ruby's attempts, does he state any anything about his own family, background or his opinions about Jane or Red. "You're very secretive Richard. I suppose that's a good idea, you don't really know me that well. For that matter neither does Red so maybe he told you to keep an extra eye on me. I mean, I am with Jake, right?" She smiles at him disarmingly, "So I guess not to be trusted." Richard says, "Miss West....Ruby...it is not you who I do not trust but myself. My past has some unresolved issues which for the time being I prefer to keep that way. Sharing them would just make that preference more difficult." Ruby laughs and teases, "Well, don't worry, I'll protect you when your wife shows up looking for you!" She stops laughing but keeps smiling, "I do understand about the past and how it can affect you. I've come to the conclusion for myself that I need to be more honest. I've done some things I'm not too proud of but they're done and I do not ever plan on going back." She stands and stretches, "Enough about me, if you ever feel like talking I'd love to listen. And I am actually good at keeping secrets. Plus I owe you for keeping such good care of these weeks."" It is shortly after noon when the train arrives at Tarrytown Station. Richard helps carry the luggage out to the platform and tells the two of them to wait while he goes to hail a carriage to bring them to their destination. Once he is out of earshot Jane says to Ruby "I saw you chatting with Richard. What were you two talking about?" "I was asking him about his life. He was secretive and close lipped about it though." Ruby glances in the direction he disappeared to. "He's very handsome and intelligent. I wonder why he is alone. Do you know anything about him?" Jane replies, "Only that he and Red have known each other for a long time and that Red wholeheartedly trusts him. That's good enough for me." Ruby nods her head but decides to try to get more information from Richard... in time. "You know, I only really know Red through Jake and the small amount of time we've spent together. And I'm not normally very trusting... But Richard's been great this trip and there is no reason not to trust him. I like him." Ruby smiles as she again looks off in his direction. When she sees him approaching again she says, "Alright, let's get on our way. I'm hungry and the more time I get to spend with Nana the better!" Richard hails a Hansom cab. Patented in 1834 by the English architect Joseph Hansom, this type of vehicle quickly gained acceptance as a public cab. Hansom's original was redesigned a number of times. Putting the driver high up behind the cab was probably the most significant modification. The trio climb onboard while the driver puts the luggage in the storage compartment. Richard tells the driver the destination and they are off. He says to the ladies, "This should be pleasant visit, your grandmother and her husband were wonderful hosts during our visit at the beginning of last week." "They were, weren't they?" Ruby smiles. She watches the sights go by out the window as they start their drive. Ruby says, "I don't know about the two of you... I mean, Janie, I know about your Mom... but otherwise I don't know... I've never really had family I could count on, no one who was nice to me or cared about me growing up. It feels really good to have that in her. I mean, friends, boyfriends, husbands, they could all leave you. But your family should be the ones to stick around, right? I really hope she can be that for me, I hope she can learn to love me." "I had such an amazing time last visit, I am sure they will be good hosts again. It was very sweet of them to ask us to return before we left. I didn't want to leave at all. And again, I am really lucky I have friends like you who don't mind extending our visit. I feel a little bad you will miss the poker tournament." Jane replies, "Don't, I honestly do not care for the game. I primarily just wanted to get back to see Red, but my being there would probably be a distraction to him so it is better that I am here with you." "Even so, I appreciate it." Ruby goes back to looking out the window, enjoying the ride and anxiously awaiting her grandmother's neighborhood. I wonder if she'll really be excited to see me... The carriage arrives at the house. In most communities the building would be considered elaborate given the ten-room size occupying approximately three-thousand square feet of living space. However, Tarrytown had more than its share of mansions owned by New York City's wealthiest, so compared to most of them it was below-average, lacking a separate building for servants or a carriage house. Ruby excitedly jumps out of the carriage. She smoothes down her dress and hair and looks to Jane and Richard. "How do I look? Do I look alright? I mean, you know, do I look acceptable?" They both just look her over and laugh. She resists sticking her tongue out at them, instead heading up the walkway to the house. She stands before the door for a moment, just staring at it. Finally she takes a deep breath in and knocks.</blockquote>

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