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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3862752" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Two-hundred-twenty, “A Show, Dinner and Poker too!“, Sunday, June 18th, 3:00 P.M. For the next hour at the Poker Tournament, Steven’s table turns into a poker duel between Duvall and Hawkes with an occasional win by Masterson while Safford starts to lose hundreds of dollars with every hand.  At Kane’s table that hour becomes golden for Enion who wins seven of nine hands, Morand and Muratz each taking one and Adair taking none.The playing at Van Horne’s table gets boring. Dano and Maverick neither one show any attempt to raise the pots above the minimum ante and the winning hands alternating between the three of them. Maverick starts to tell stories about growing up in east Texas along the Louisiana border and of various types of trouble that he and his brother Bart would get into.  Jake is still willing to hold to his strategy for now, but contemplates when to switch to grinding to drive Alice Ivers out of the game or at least deplete her bankroll so she falls at the next table early. He has the stake to do it, and it should not put him at risk with Maverick. He chuckles to himself inside, it is just boring.At the Town Hall, having seen the beginning of the play twice now Kate was a bit distracted watching it again. Her mind went from Edwin Booth sitting next to her to the tournament, to Mr. Tomlinson and Shannon O'Hara and the temptation to leave her responsibilities behind for a while and go to England.  The mood in the hall was relaxed as many families had chosen this show rather than the evening shows in the saloons. Kate played during the intermissions, then sat back to pay attention to the last two acts which she had managed to miss the rest of the weekend.Fairly boring play continues at the Van Horne table for the next hour. None of the three players appears to be willing to be the first one to change the level of the game. Maverick is doing only marginally better than the other two, but finished up by 4:00 PM with each player within a few hundred dollars of where they had been two hours earlier.   Van Horne finally makes a comment "I would say that all three of you are very well versed in long-haul tournament play and knowing the importance of riding a lull in the middle to conserve both mental energy and finances. However, that strategy is not without its own risk, as players elsewhere in the room seem to be now accumulating rather large stacks of chips. It would be dangerous to allow yourself to fall too far behind." Looking around that appears to be the case. At the Stevens table Safford apparently never heard of long-haul poker as he continued for the entire hour of hemorrhaging large amounts of money with every hand in hope of the big win that never comes. His losses are fairly evenly distributed among the other three with Hawkes doing a little better than Duvall and Masterson. By 4:00 PM Safford is down to his last$ 1,300 with Duvall and Hawkes both now up to over $ 11,000. Masterson is down several hundred from where he began the day but still appears to be having a fun time.   Over at Kane’s table both Moratz and Morand had loosing streaks with Adair taking 60% of the hands to Enion’s 40%. By 4:00 PM Adiar has around $ 11,000, Enion is at around $ 12,000, Morand has dropped to $ 4,000 and Muratz is down to his last $ 700.   Speculation begins to rise in the audience that the evening break will occur well before 8:00 PM if Safford, Morand and Muratz all continue to lose at this pace.Jake has the lead, and determines to hold to his strategy for a bit longer waiting for one of the others to break first.   Maverick is the one who decides to change the momentum, now beginning to raise the stakes. Dano reluctantly goes along, calling but not raising beyond the pace that Maverick is setting.  Jake continues to focus on Dano without giving special advantage to Maverick. For a while he lets Maverick drive the momentum before he sporadically drives the pot up, half the time with his best hands and the other half with empty bluffs. He judges this is a good time to make things unsettled.Jake Cook is dealt three good winning hands in a row before Maverick has a comeback with the next two hands Jake then wins another followed by two more by Maverick then two more by Jake. By 5:00 Cook’s winnings have increased over $ 2,000 during the last hour, with ninety-percent of that having come from Alice Ivers.    Lively play has continued at the Stevens table as well, with Safford continuing to lose and is down to his final $ 300 by 5:00 P.M. Masterson has also played poorly during that hour with Duvall and Hawkes sharing the winnings fairly evenly.  At the Kane table, Victor Murtaz is eliminated from the tournament at 4:15 and Morand continues to lose money, wining only two of ten hands played in the hour starting at 4:00 PM with Adair and Enion each taking four. After Muratz was eliminated from the tournament the size of each pot becomes more conservative. By 5:00 PM Morand has lost around $ 1,000 during that hour which is evenly distributed among the other two.Back at Town Hall, Conrad throws considerable gusto into his performance as Romeo, particularly during his death scene in the final act. At the play's completion Edwin Booth is the first one in the hall on his feet and disobeying doctor's orders removes his arm from the sling and claps loudly. Kate was just behind him, finally swept up in the play. As other applause overtook Edwin's she said, "Edwin, I'll never forgive you if I have to stitch that arm back up. I can applaud for both of us," she smiled. The older man obediently does as instructed. "He was marvelous, wasn't he?" Edwin exclaims.  "Oh yes. A fitting addition to your family, I think. This is what he should be doing, not playing poker."Edwin Booth's acquaintances Berwind and Roosevelt are also present and come forward to join Edwin and Kate. They suggest going out for a nice dinner together at the Promise City Hotel. Edwin wishes to bring his brother along as well so they wait until the actors are done.   They get Conrad's attention and he says he will meet them there. He also asks if Josephine Marcus can come along, as she was hoping to get to spend some time with the famous elder Booth. Edwin says that is fine, they will save them seats.   Kate heads off with the three men, arriving at the restaurant at 5:15 PM. They get a table for six.  She comments, "You know, I don't think I've eaten since breakfast, I didn't realize how hungry I was," she said, taking the seat Edwin Booth held for her. "What did you gentlemen think of the play?"   Roosevelt and Berwind indicate that they both have spent considerable time at the theater in New York City and found the two leads in the play to be excellent. Melissa Smith arrives to take their food order. Edwin Booth says that they will wait until they are joined by their two other companions join them. Berwind asks about a wine list and Mrs. Smith tells her that alcoholic beverages are not served there. Edwin suggests that she bring them glasses of whatever fruit juices they have in stock.Kate says, "Mrs. Smith's cooking is well worth a meal without a bit of wine, believe me. In fact, I think you'd rather not have any of your senses dulled at all for her dinners.   I hope you aren't too disappointed about not being in the tournament any longer," Kate said to Mr. Berwind and Mr. Roosevelt. "Although my impression has been many were willing to pay the $3000 just to find out how far they could get."   Roosevelt replies, "I knew I wouldn't last that long, I just wanted to give it a chance." Berwind says, "I was disappointed, I expected to make it to the final table." "Ah, our Romeo and Juliet" Roosevelt exclaims as Conrad and Josephine arrive. Edwin stands and hold the chair for the lady.   Kate turned and smiled at the actors, but mostly at Conrad who took the seat next to her. "It was more than I had dreamed, you must be so pleased."   "It has been a good day," is Conrad's reply.   She leaned over to him and whispered, "Did you see your brother stand up, clapping for you like a mad-man?"  Conrad nods that he did. Mrs. Smith returns and takes the meal orders for the table. The charismatic Roosevelt initiates most of the dinner conversation, much of it directed towards Miss. Marcus. She is outgoing and talkative.   Kate was happy to let the others carry the burden of the conversation and let herself fade into the background a bit. She felt just a bit intimidated by her company so listened with interest but kept mostly to asking questions and offering opinions when she felt her knowledge strong enough to support them.    Josie continues to dominate the conversation until the subject  shifts to discussing Wyatt Earp's trail the next morning, when she becomes totally quiet.    When the topic turned to Wyatt Earp Kate snuck a glance at Josephine and wondered how she could shift the subject away. She was also aware of Conrad at her side and the fact that Earp might still be a tender subject between them.  "Let us hope the trial is swift and fair," Kate commented. "This town has had enough of trials. I'm more concerned about Mr. Watson's myself."   Conrad is quick to change the subject, asking Edwin what his plans are for the near future. This provides the elder Booth with the opportunity to talk about his Player's Club in front of Roosevelt and Berwind who he will later seek donations from.When the conversation died down about the Player's Club, Kate asked Conrad, "What are your plans for the near future? It seems you've been bitten by the acting bug again."   Conrad says, "Well, there aren't too many opportunities for acting here in Promise City and as long as you are here Mrs. Kale I don't picture myself being anywhere else. I assume that I will still have a job at the Long Branch Saloon once this poker tournament is over with, in which case that is where I will continue to work."  Kate says, "We'll just have to make opportunities here, then. I hope you'll at least go visit the Player's Club again."  She dropped the subject and kept a smile on her face, asking Berwind what he thought of the mining operations in the area.  Berwind talks about how they are interesting and then gives a long-winded discourse on the differences between silver mining and coal mining operations.   'Well, that will teach me to hold my tongue,' Kate thought to herself as Mr. Berwind talked on and on. She kept the interested look on her face even as she allowed her mind to go elsewhere, eventually concentrating on finishing her dinner.   Millissa Smith arrives towards the end of the meal to offer the table a variety of choices of pies and cobblers for dessert.Kate's eyes immediately lit on a piece of cherry cobbler. Who knew how anyone got cherries in Arizona, but she wasn't going to ask, just enjoy.  "The mayoral debate will be starting soon," Kate said once everyone had been served. "I'm not sure that's of much interest to anyone but myself, except perhaps Mr. Roosevelt. Unless you're on a vacation from politics."  Conrad says, "I plan to attend." Edwin says, "I will as well then, I'm curious what the next leader of my brother's town has on his mind. Did the paper say that there are three candidates running? How do their views differ?"Kate says, "The three are quite different, really. One man, Frank Condon, represents the Law and Order party. It was born of a group called the Vigilance Committee. They have had suggestions in the past such as outlawing all gambling and prostitution and passing ordinances that all women have to wear long sleeves and high-necked gowns. I don't think Mr. Condon is that extreme, but the basic idea of that party is that strict laws governing almost every aspect of life will lead to a safe, orderly, and moral community.  At the other end of the spectrum is Hamilton Fisk. He's a lawyer with his fingers in any number of pies. His party is a little harder to define, but the basic idea is we should all just be able to do as we choose. Especially if you're his friend, or making money for him. The other candidate, Emery Shaw, is in the middle. He takes a long-term view for the town. The Unity party's idea is basically to place some limits so we can all live as peacefully together as possible without crushing too many toes. So instead of trying to close all saloons or leave them completely unregulated, the Unity party might suggest that after 11:00 P.M. the neighbors should not be able to hear saloon noise even if they are still open.   I've been trying to get him to tell me some of the specifics he is going to talk about tonight, but I think he wants to surprise everyone. I imagine it would several ideas to help the town prosper now, make it a good place for families as well as gamblers and miners, and to plan for the future after the silver runs out."  Josie Marcus indicates that she has no interest in attending and should probably get to be early anyway if she is going to attend Wyatt Earp's trial in the morning. She asks if somebody could escort her back to the Gay Lady where she is staying. Edwin says, "We all can, we will take the long way to the Town Hall." Edwin Booth’s dinner party escort Miss Marcus back to the Gay Lady where she is staying. Edwin says, "We all can, we will take the long way to the Town Hall."  They arrive at the Gay Lady to see Burton Lumley rushing off to attend the debate. A young lady who Kate is unfamiliar with is singing on stage.   Kate says, "Miss Marcus, do you know who that young lady is? I haven't seen her before. Not that I frequent the other saloons in town much."Josie replies, "Her name is Corrine Treasure, although I think that last name is just a stage name. She was half of an act in Tombstone at a saloon that burned down last month. Her sister starts tomorrow night at the Comique."  Berwind says, "I think I'll stay here and watch her. Enjoy the debate."   Kate says, "I always forget the Comique offers good music, I'll have to stop by another night when I have more time. Enjoy yourself Mr. Berwind. Good night, Miss Marcus." Kate took Conrad's arm and the smaller group of four moved on to the town hall. Kate was quiet, trying to think of how she was going to get out to the ranch and get two horses back into town. The hall was busy with people finding seats and the four of them managed to squeeze into the back before they were all gone.Back at the Lucky Lady, Jake keeps the pressure up on the game, but switches styles again for a while becoming more conservative. He does not want a head to head game with anyone this early, especially Brett Maverick. He intends to keep them guessing about how he will play when it gets near the end. He is happy to watch for opportunities while he lets Alice Ivers struggle along and continue to lose for a while longer.  Conservative play resumes at the Van Horne table, with Ivers continuing to lose but to a much smaller degree, with each pot played again at or near the minimum ante. By 6:00 PM she is down to the $ 3,500 level with Maverick at around $ 10,000 and Cook now over $ 14,000.   Jake continues with the same strategy for the next hour or so, playing conservative and watching for opportunities.Predictibly, Safford is soon eliminated from the Stevens table and Masterson continues to lose as well, Duvall and Hawks continuing to split the winnings. By 6:00 PM Hawkes has over $ 13,000, Duvall over $ 11,000 and Masterson down to $ 6,000.   Job Kane’s table continues at the slower pace with small pots, Enion doing better than her two opponents as Morand's pile of chips decreases to a mere $ 2,650 with Adair at over 11,000 and Enion in excess of $ 13,000. The spectators begin to take side bets as to whether Ivers, Morand or Masterson will be the next one eliminated. While Masterson’s funds are around twice that of the other two low players the table that he is at appears to be the only one at the moment playing higher-stake hands, thus giving him the potential to win or lose at a faster pace.Duvall and Hawkes finally notice and react to the minimal play taking place at the Van Horne table with the Stevens table also now adopting a slower paced game with very few hands raised above the ante. During the next hour both tables become very dull to watch, with all six players each swapping winning hands among each other. At the Van Horne table Maverick comes out slightly ahead for the hour, while Duvall and Masterson each pick up a few hundred from Hawkes.   The table that attracts the audience’s attention is therefore Kane’s as Adair and Enion both start increasing the stakes in order to eliminate Morand. Their strategy works with Morand down $ 1,100 by almost 7:00 PM. Enion looses an equal amount to Adair, but appears unconcerned by that as she had the money to lose while Morand does not.  Shortly before 7:00 PM several audience members head out to watch the mayoral debate.  The motion in the crowd is like a trigger causing Jake to abruptly change style. He plays more agressively, raising pots and putting pressure on the woman but more than happy to take money from Maverick as well. It is time for his planned sprint to the eight o'clock break.  The pace picks up at the Van Horne table, with all three betting much large amounts although each gambler wins an equal number of hands for the first twenty minutes, two apiece, thus keeping the chip piles still similar. Cook then wins the next followed by one by Maverick as the clock reaches 7:30 PM. The Steven’s table has continues on with lackluster play, with Hawkes and Masterson now winning a few hundred each at Duvall’s expense.  At Job Kane’s table the higher stakes game continues with Enion now winning slightly more than Adair up until Morand is eliminated a little after 7:30 PM, thus making enough players out to trigger the break. That occurs when Steven’s table is also between hands, so they stop.  Van Horne has already begun to deal his next hand, so Kane and Steven’s tables both stop and wait as Van Horne’s group plays out what will be the final hand before the meal break.  With the full attention of the room now on them things become very interesting at the table. Jake Cook is dealt a hand that includes the Ten, Jack and King of Clubs. On the first draw he takes two cards, now finding himself in possession of the Queen of Clubs and a Six of Spades.  Ivers and Maverick also appear to have good hands, as they each call and raise $ 400, the pot growing to $ 1,350. There remains one more draw and one more chance to raise the pot. Ivers stays with the five cards in her hand. Maverick takes one card. Van Horne turns to Jake and asks how many cards he would like."One," Jake says without emotion.   Hoping for the Ace of Clubs, Jake is only mildly disappointed to receive the Nine of Clubs instead, leaving him with a straight flush, King high. Ivers raises the pot by $ 300. Maverick calls the $ 300 and raises $ 300 more. They turn to Jake for his bet.  Jake stares at his cards for a long moment. His eyes do not waiver nor do his hands budge even a fraction of an inch. After the appropriate dramatic pause is over he says, "I will see the $600 and raise an equal amount." He lets the words hang in the air for three seconds before he counts out the necessary amount of chips and places them in the pot without any flourish. Both of the others call the bet. With a slight grin on her face, Ivers lays down her cards comprised of four eights and the Queen of Hearts. Maverick smiles and politely comments, “I am sorry Mrs. Ivers, but I am afraid that your four eights do not beat my straight flush.”    Jake says, "Old Caleb White once told me that Hades has no fury like a woman who loses with four of a kind." Jake puts a hand to his cards that are face down on the table. "Since I was called, proper poker etiquette demands I display my hand." He picks the cards up with one hand places them down in a stack face up with the nine of clubs showing. "I too have a straight flush, Mr. Maverick. Who will Hermes smile upon in this hand I wonder?" With one finger he reveals his cards by neatly sliding them apart.  "It appears that Hermes is smiling upon us both," Maverick replies as he places down his own straight flush, King high, with his suit being in diamonds. Van Horne comments "A tie in poker, a very unusual occurrence." He then instructs Boston Harker to be sure to divide the pot in the center of the table evenly between Cook and Maverick.    The clock is now nearing 7:45 PM when Cornelius Van Horne announces, “We will take a thirty-minute meal break. Tables will now be consolidated to two tables of four players each. Silver poker chips will be removed from play, the minimum ante for the next session being a gold poker chip. Silver chips will be available at the bar for $ 1 each. The next session will last until three more players are eliminated, at which point we will take another break and consolidate down to our final table.” Of the remaining eight players Ivers loss in the last hand brings her down to a paltry $ 600. Masterson is next lowest at $ 6,800, an amount far below the next highest player being Duvall at $ 10,500 followed by Maverick next at $ 11,500. Of the current four highest, numbers two through four are separated by only $ 700 with Enion at $ 13,200, Hawkes at $ 13,500, Adair at $ 13,900. Cook is leading now with $ 15,700.</blockquote>

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