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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 4024983" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Two-hundred-sixty-five, “Inauguration Day“, Wednesday, June 21st, 10:45 A.M. Minerva enters the house and finds that Nakomo is up and preparing breakfast. "Miss Minerva! Did you hear? Mister Jake won the tournament!" Minerva grins back. "Oh, That is wonderful, but it is no surprise to me Nakomo. He holds the favor of Hermes." She hesitates, "Speaking about gods, They have given us a new assignment." She describes her night in the desert and tells Nakomo of her dream. "I do not know what they plan for us yet, they will make Their Will known when they are ready, but it is best that we begin making preparations." The shock and distress is clearly evident on Nakomo's face. "But...but I just got here and" he stops in mid-sentence and stands tall. "If you believe that that is what the gods want us to do Miss Minerva then that is what we will do. Besides so long as we're together we will always be home." Minerva smiles "Gracias Nakomo. You are wise beyond your years. It does sadden me to leave , but you are right. We will always have one another." She hugs him tightly "The gods bestowed a great gift upon me when they intersected our paths." He shakes himself loose, a bit embarrassed by the display of affection. “I am going to find Emily and tell her." Minerva sighs. "I will go with you and seek out my friends as well. It would not be right to leave without giving them some warning." Nakomo hold out his arm to Minerva and smiles with more confidence than he feels. We will go together then. Minerva takes his arm and they stroll out in search of their friends. Chester Martin awakens Wednesday morning with an aching head. He didn't mean to drink that much, but heck, he just won an election. Washing his face in the basin on his dresser didn't help, so the Marshall-elect went into the Lucky Lady's kitchen to make some coffee. Chester sees Bradford Rhinehardt, one of the tournament dealers, at a table enjoying his breakfast. Chester gets a cup of coffee from the kitchen. He walks over to Rhinehardt. "Morning, Mr. Rhinehardt. Some tournament, I hear. What with half the people getting thrown out and all. Who won?" He looks up at Chester and says, "Jacob Cook was the winner. Brett Maverick finished second and Brady Hawkes finished third. And Cook won not only the tournament but the deed to the Palace Saloon." Chester coughs on his coffee. "He won the Palace? That must have been some game if Adair put up his place in the pot." Rhinehardt replies, "They each bet their own saloon, whoever was out of the tournament first would lose. Cook was helped by that when the Federal agents hauled off Adair. " "Federal agents dragged him away? What did he do to get that sort of treatment? We could have done that for a lot less, I bet." Chester whistles. "Jake's getting to be a land baron. Next thing we know, he'll have half the town in his pocket." Rhinehardt replies, "I wouldn't be surprised. I'm just hoping to get him to hire me for a job. Word is that one his regular dealers, Tony Lucky, has skipped town. I'm hoping to either take his place or get a job from Mr. Cook at the Palace." "With two places to run, I'm sure he'll be needing people, Mr. Rhinehardt." Chester thinks to himself, Tony left town? I wonder if some husband chased him out. Better that than him getting shot. Rhinehardt says, "That's what I was thinking. And congratulation on your election to Town Marshall. You get sworn in today at noon don't you?" Chester says, "Thank you very much. Yep, in just a couple hours. I'm a little nervous, but I'll get over it." After speaking with Rheinhart, Chester finished his coffee then went over to Gilson's to take a bath. He soaked in the warm water thinking of how far he'd come since arriving in Promise City. Just a year ago, he was scrounging around doing this and that to make ends meet. Now he was the Marshall of a bustling town. And he was in love with a beautiful girl to boot. Funny how life works sometimes. Although, not everything was hunky-dory. Whoever killed Claude Buckley was still out there. Maybe even Chester sees him on the street every day. He brushes back the hair from his eyes. "Time to get going. You don't want to sit in here all day." Chester dries off and dresses. He pays Laurie Gilson on his way out. "Thanks, Mrs. Gilson. That felt good. I'll see you later." She says, "Good bye, Deputy Martin. Come back any time." Chester puts his hat on his head and lights a cigarette as he walks back to the Lucky Lady. The early lunch crowd is abuzz with anticipation over the inaugurations. Clarisse is there waiting for him at a table. He kisses her and sits down. "Whew, I'm starving. I'd better have something before the ceremony. How are you?" Clarisse replies, "I'm doing well. I'm so excited for you. I wonder if it will be like the ones in the capitol? I've read they have bands playing and people making speeches." Chester says, "I don't know about bands, dear, but there will be speeches." Lunch is served and they eat, talking about the latest gossip and news. After eating, Chester changes into his Sunday best. "Are you ready, Clarisse?" Clarisse straightens Chester's tie before they walk to City Hall. "She says, "We wouldn't want you looking sloppy on your first day, dear, now would we?" He says, "Of course, you're right. You look beautiful as always." They reach their destination. Chester takes a deep breath. "Here we go." It looks like half of the town has gathered for the swearing in of the new elected officials. Emery Shaw is wearing what appears to be a newly tailored suit. Vera Blake and Kate Higgins are also both attired in new dresses. Doctor Eaton is standing near the front of the room, with his wife and three children seated in the front row. Helen Barker and Buck Fly both have cameras set up to photograph the ceremony. Chester waves at Helen and Stanley. He shakes hands with the other newly elected people. "Congratulations. Let's take Promise City as far as we can." It is nearly noon when Jake wakes alone in the small room at the Lucky Lady. He wanders down to find some coffee and breakfast. Harry Rote and Timothy Finnegan are the only two around. Harry gets Jake his beverage and says, "Everybody else is over at the Town Hall watching Chet get sworn in as Marshal." Jake "He deserves it. I am not sure why anyone would really want a job like that, damn fool that he is, Chet has earned it." Jake sips his coffee silently for a while, lost in his thoughts. Jake asks, "Do you want to own part of the Lucky Lady Harry?" Harry seems a bit surprised and says, "Yeah Jake, I would. If you're talking about Bert Hoover's share I noticed that Austin Blake and you had words last night. I believe he was going to pay $ 3,000. I only have half of that now, but could probably get a bank loan for the rest. Or, alternately, could sell you or Job a partial share of the liquor business." "I thought the last offer to the Hoover estate was $1900." Jake shrugs. "No matter. Go find out and make your offer. I will loan you the difference or buy a share of your distribution business. Which ever way you want." Jake looks beyond Harry for a minute and then asks, "Do you think you could expand your distribution business beyond Promise City? Beyond Arizona Territory?" Harry says, "Jake, I'm a simple man. I see opportunities in Dos Cabezas given that town's current growth and the fact that Morand Cartage now goes their daily but I haven't given consideration beyond Promise City and its neighboring town." "You are clever and determined. I would never underestimate those qualities. I just wondered if you can considered expanding to Tucson or maybe a little farther a field." Harry gives him a questioning look. Jake responds with, "San Francisco?" Harry says, "I've always believed in future prospects Jake, I wouldn't have invested money with so many prospectors in the area otherwise." Jake smiles broadly, "That is the spirit, Harry Rote. You talk to Mr. Van Horne about breaking into Tucson. Tell him you are ready to supply the meeting house with whatever they need, and then figure out how to do that. Next, start gathering your contacts to supply my saloon in San Francisco. As soon as I buy one..." Jake chuckles, "I do not expect it will take me too long." Maria brings out Jake's breakfast. As he sits down to eat, Minerva and Nakomo enter the saloon. Minerva, grinning broadly, crosses the room. "I hear congratulations are in order, Senor Jake." "Si, Senorita. Gracias." Hey waves, indicating they should sit. "I now have a reputation. Heh, well of course I had a reputation before but now I have earned one for winning the poker tournament." He chuckles and then goes on to relate the events of Job Kane being kidnapped and shot, the Russian pretending to be Job Kane, Evan Adair being taken away by federal agents, and Jake winning the Palace from Adair. "A busy and satisfying several days." Minerva replies, “Ah! Justice has been served then. It is fitting that you should own what once belonged to that scoundrel. I am sure that you will treat those who work at the Palace with considerably more care than he. You are certainly putting down roots in this town." she comments wistfully. "I wish that I could say the same but it seems the gods have other plans for Nakomo and me." "Oh?" Jake responds with some surprise. "The gods? I see." There is a brief interruption of the pleasant expression on his face before it returns. "You have new plans?" She says, "I have no plans at all. But the gods have informed me that I have done what they have asked of me here." she shrugs nonchalantly, unable to meet his eyes as she attempts to mask her the heaviness of her heart. She gently places her hand on his arm and meets his eyes. "I am going to miss you terribly Silver Jake Cook. You have been a sliver lining in the stormy clouds for me and I will always love you for it." Nakomo stands stoically, his chiseled Elven features a little too still. Only his deep blue eyes reveal the turbulent emotions roiling below the surface. Nakomo eventually says, "I will miss you too Mr. Jake." Jake says, "I am sad that we will be parted, but who is to say when we shall meet again, eh?" He pats her hand lightly, "When are you two go going to leave and where will you go?" "I do not really know. Nothing has been made clear to me as yet. I will have to speak to the Bishop about a replacement and then I suppose we will just mount up and let the gods lead the way. Perhaps they will direct us farther west." She brightens up a bit. "I would love to be near the ocean again, and I do not think that Nakomo has ever laid eyes on it before." "The ocean...." Jake strokes his chin beard a few times while looking down at his breakfast. "The time I saw the ocean was in Philadelphia. I too have been hankering, as the local cow pokes might say, to see the ocean. I have some matters to attend, and fortunately they take me to San Francisco some day soon where I will have my first chance to set eyes upon the Pacific Ocean." Jake takes a bite of Maria's prized chorizo con huevos and chews it thoughtfully. "One of the matters that needs my attention is the distribution of some funds in the worship of Hermes. I find myself in need of a priest or priestess that will accept a moderate donation and use it to further the worship of he who guides the shepherds and cowherds, those who prize oration and wit, writers and poets, those who challenge in athletics, the inventors, the merchants, and even those who live by base cunning." Jake smirks and glances into her eyes, "Know anyone you could recommend?" Minerva's eyes twinkle "It would be my duty to accept such a donations, would it not?" She sits and motions for Nakomo to do the same. "That looks delicious. You do not mind if we join you?" Before he can respond she signals to Maria to bring two more plates of what Jake is eating. When do you plan to go to San Francisco? Perhaps, if the gods and you of course, are willing, Nakomo and I could travel with you. It would be safer that way. "Safer for whom?" Jake quips. "I would enjoy the company. I had not selected a date for traveling, but it would be soon. I was going to leave as the mood took me, for until now I had no need to give fellow travelers any warning. Not to worry though, it is not irksome to do so." Jake notices Bonnie and Prosper 'Deacon' McCoy enter the Lucky Lady. They take a seat across the room and order some food and drinks when Harry Rote comes over to chat with then. Harry brings them drinks and Maria brings them out the food. Jake, who has just finished his own breakfast says, "Excuse me a moment. Eat, I will be back." He goes over to the McCoy's table. Nakomo and Minerva sit quietly discussing their options. Nakomo brightens at the thought of traveling with his idol. "Do you really think that we can travel to the ocean with Mr. Jake?" he asks hopefully. She replies, “It is a possibility Nakomo. I do not know what direction the gods intend for us but it is as good a direction as any to start in. I would love to feel the ocean on my face again. It reminds me of my home on the coast of Spain. I hear that San Francisco is Beautiful. All hilly and curvy with cliffs that drop straight down into the sea." He asks, "I have never seen an ocean before. What is it like Miss Minerva?" She replies, "Oh, it is a wondrous sight. As big as the heavens and bluer too. It breaths and moves to a rhythm of it's own, with huge crashing waves of water that rise up and beat against the shore and it is filled with strange creatures and plants... and fish, some bigger than a man!" She says opening her arms wide to demonstrate their size. There are gods that live there also. Perhaps our next task is to serve them in some way." She pats his hand. "I do not have any answers yet Nakomo. I ask you to have patience and faith." He replies, "I will Miss Minerva, but when do you think we will be leaving.?" She chuckles and shakes her head. "First we will have our meal. There is much to be done and you will need your strength. Eat and then we will begin making arrangements." Over at Town Hall, Judge Isby arrives in his long robes and calls the candidates forward. The first one to be sworn in is Emery Shaw. Judge Isby has him place his right hand upon volume containing the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Territory of Arizona and asks him to "Swear that he will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of his office of Mayor to the best of his ability." Shaw swears to it. Chester Martin is called forward next to take his oath. Chester puts his right hand on the book. He raises his left and repeats after the judge, "I, Chester Martin, swear to faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the office of Marshall to the best of my ability." Judge Isby says, "Congratulations, Marshall Martin. I look forward to working with you in the future." Chester shakes the man's hand and says, "I do too, your Honor." He leaves the dais with a big smile on his face. The five members of the Town Council each go next, being sworn in. Once they are done Emery Shaw goes to the podium and says, "Thank you one and all for coming. Following lunch the seven of us will be returning here to hold the first Town Council meeting. The five elected members of the council will be the only ones voting although the Mayor and Marshal will be allowed to participate in the discussions. The meeting will take place here at the Town Hall and the public is welcome to come and observe, as these meetings will all be open to the public. We will resume in one hour." Chester and Clarisse go to the El Parador for lunch. The place is bustling as usual. Chester finds Estaban Fuente. He shakes the elf's hand and says, "I'm sorry you didn't win. You came close, though." Estaban shakes his hand and says, "My own fault, I should have joined your Unity Party when you offered me the chance. Still, I finished sixth among nineteen which isn't a bad showing. And I'm glad that you, Manny, Vera and Emery made it. If you four want me to join your party for the next election I will." Chester says, "Thanks. Hey, just because you didn't get in, doesn't mean that you can't stay involved in the process. Show up at council meetings to give us a piece of your mind. It'll show people that you're willing to work for the good of Promise City. As far as you joining us in the next election, I don't see a problem with that." Estaban says, "I intend to. I got involved with both the Festival and Play to be part of this community. I'll be in front of the Town Council so often that they may regret my not being on it, in some ways a private citizen actually can do more than a council member since I don't have to play the politics." Chester laughs. "Being a gadfly will make you stand out, that's for sure. It's good you're not discouraged by the election. Good luck to you Estaban. Clarisse and I are going to get some lunch now before the first meeting. I'll see you around."</blockquote>

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