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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 4067518" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Two-hundred-seventy-three, “The Town Council Meeting“, Wednesday, June 21st, 1:30 P.M. In Promise City, Arizona, a table has been set up on stage for the council, with three chairs facing the audience along the back of the table and two more chairs on each end. The council are seated in the rear and left side chairs with the right side chairs for Chester and Shaw. The first order of business is the election of chairman. Manuel Escobar is nominated as he had received the greatest number of votes but he eloquently differs to Burton Lumley, due to the man's experience as the President of the Merchant's Association. Lumley is unanimously elected. Chester leans over to Shaw and whispers, "What does the chairman do?" Chester leans over to Shaw and whispers, "What does the chairman do?" Chester nods and says, "OK. Thanks. I'm kinda new to all this." The next item of business is to discuss income to run the town. Lumley suggests that the Merchant's Association dues be discontinued with the Town Council adopting a similar schedule to replace it, but to also extend the requirement to food and service businesses which were exempt from having to join the Merchant's Association. There is considerable discussion of this, but the conclusion is that as long as this dues schedule remain low then it should work for the ever growing town. Chester thinks, That'll be more fair, spreading out who pays the taxes. Can't imagine Jake will be happy with it, but if the schedule is low enough, it won't hurt too bad. The next agenda item is the town's Fire Department. They invite Fire Marshall Jeff Mills up onto the stage to address the group. He outlines that based upon the previous fire the thing they need most are a second pump and more hoses. Emily was nodding unknowingly with the decision to get firefighting equipment quickly. "," she approached the main table and whispers into her Uncle’s ear "Everybody should have that, Everybody." He voices that sentiment to the table. The town council unanimously votes that they be purchased as soon as possible. The next agenda item is the situation of the saloons being open late and disturbing other townspeople. Doctor Eaton speaks tactfully of how some places have been inconsiderate of others and the need for families with younger children to get the time to sleep. However, with three saloon owners on the council he is unable to get any agreement from them on putting limits on weekend hours, with them only agreeing to close windows and keep people inside after 11:00 PM on weeknights. Emily had noticed some of the noise late at night, but it wasn't any louder than Chicago, so it hadn't particularly bothered her. That was a lot of saloon owners on the council. The next agenda item is the Promise City School. Doctor Eaton stands and makes an impassioned speech about how the human's only school was a mistake and how he is thankful for the Hoover School. He proposes that the Hoover School be town-sponsored rather than having to rely on the altruism of the Committee for Racial Equality. Burton Lumley says that he sees some of the teacher's present and would like their opinion. Chester raises an eyebrow when Dr. Eaton speaks and whispers to Shaw, “ It's a good idea. If the school is for every child, then the town should fund it. He's made a big turn-around in the past couple weeks.” Mollie stood up, trying to think of what to say. "It's right that it's unfair to have five men supporting the education of most of the town's children. We'd be grateful for the support of the entire town, but it should be known that our methods aren't what you see in most schools. Our concern is to give the children a practical education that will prepare them for life out west. And if we're going to be the public school, it won't be long before we need more room. The building could be renovated to serve well, but then Mrs. Kale would need a new place to live." Emery Shaw asks "Where is Mrs. Kale? We would like to hear from her." Emily looked at her Uncle as he inquired about Mrs. Kale and listened to the answer. At least it sounded like they didn't want to change how the school worked. Mollie says, “She was called away on an emergency and had to travel unexpectedly. But I believe she had a conversation about this with Mr. Escobar yesterday." Manuel says, "I believe that she is not opposed to us moving in this direction. I say that between now and the next meeting we look into the economics of either building a new school or purchasing and renovating the current one." Lumley takes that as a motion and it carries unanimously. Emily had been listening to the meeting, and was growing more and more confused. Finally, she leaned over to her Uncle and whispered, "If they will do the arguing about laws and money and such, what is your job?" Emery Shaw replies, "My job is to set the vision and direction for the council, and then to manage the daily operations of the town after that in compliance with the overall vision and scope." She says, "Um... okay. So that means you're in charge of making sure what the council decides, happens?" He replies, "And more importantly, I am responsible for making unilateral decisions when immediate answers are needed to situations and there isn't the time to assemble the council." "Ahh," Emily said with an emphatic nod. "I knew there had to be something more to it. I'm glad they aren't going to change Mrs. Kale's school too much. As far as school goes it's not so bad. Although it won't be so nice with Nakomo going away." When the meeting adjourns, Chester goes up to the Emery Shaw. "Mr. Mayor? Who handles hiring my deputies? The Merchants' Association did that in the past, but it seems like it would change with having a real government. Reason I'm asking is that I want Hank Hill to replace me. I'll need to replace Eduardo Rodriguez, but I haven't started looking." Shaw replies, "You bring the names of people who you are nominating for Deputy positions to the Town Council and if at least three of the five council members agree they are approved for hire. You and I also each have the authority to deputize for the short-term without Council approval in the event of emergencies." Chester says, "That sounds good to me. Thanks. I'll put Hill's name in now to get things started." Chester shakes Shaw's hand. Chester then finds Vera Blake. "Councilor? I want to hire Hank Hill as my deputy. Mayor Shaw says I need three yes votes from the council." Vera says, "I'll support you in any decision you want to make Deputy...I mean Marshal. You should have fairly free reign to run your area as you see fit. I feel we should only intervene if there are problems or complaints." Chester smiles at her misstep. "That's OK. I can barely believe it myself. I appreciate your support. Thanks." He looks at his pocket watch. "I better go. We still have some open cases." Jake is still idly glancing through the old newspaper and nursing a whiskey when broad shouldered Bradford Rhinehardt enters through the front door. Rhinehardt's hands are tucked into the waistband of his black wool trousers. He stops his whistling and nods to Jake with a smile. "Harry," Jake calls out across the room, "this man looks thirsty. How about a beer for him." Jake raises a hand and with a pair of fingers indicates the chair next to his own. Rhinehardt deposits his stout form into the chair and places his hands on the table. "The Lucky Lady is short one dealer." Jake says with a faint smile. "Know anyone who might be interested in filling the position?" "Yah, I believe that I may know somebody who could do that task," the man answers with a smile. He then adds, "Provided that my payment is more than just beer and wurst." "Heh. Since there are no plump young working ladies at the Lucky Lady we will have to make the balance of your compensation in cash." Jake chuckles. "Dealers give twenty percent of their winnings to the house and keep the rest. Up to you to tip the help as you see fit. Our former dealer worked six days with Mondays off. We can negotiate that if you like. The owners get first choice of nights." Jake explains the current schedule. "You have met the staff, they are stand up kind of folks. What do you think?" Mr. Rhinehardt replies, "That sounds fair and reasonable Jake, you have yourself a dealer. I was impressed with the staff, particularly Miss. Peacock, she seemed to keep the tournament running like a well oiled machine. I assume that she manages this place for you." Jake says, "No. Darla wanted some nights off for her and her man, Michael George, who bartends here as well. They used to run a small saloon together. For now she handles the Faro table, and rather well it seems. If she wanted to do more, I would welcome it. The less I have to do the better." Rhinehardt replies, "You should talk to her about it and make it financially worth her while. There's no reason she can't have an assistant manager for the nights she is off as long as she is here for the busier times." "I do have some partners that might care to have a say in it." Jake shrugs. He explains to his old friend Branford the situation, partners and potential new partner. "Once that settles out, I can see how they all feel about it and if they are interested we can approach Darla Peacock.” Jake smiles and says, “Pick yourself an available room here if you care to, or find another place in town to stay. You need to be thinking about how to make yourself comfortable." Rhinehardt replies, "The room I had for the tournament will do quite nicely. So you pretty much have things divided into quarter-ownerships then? Seems pretty simple to me, each of you gives up one-percent of the profits to the manager, which will give her the incentive to make sure that the profits increase. Dang, sorry Jake, don't mean to tell you how to run your business. " "I should have asked you to buy in instead of Harry Rote." Jake says in matter of fact manner with only a hint of sarcasm. Rhinehardt says, "Can't afford it, although you can let Miss Peacock know that I might be interested in that Assistant Manager's position." While they are talking Cornelius Van Horne enters the Lucky Lady and goes to the bar, ordering up three glasses of Kentucky Bourbon. “That," Jake points towards the bar and Van Horne, "is a man that needs assistance. Two drinks could be one for each hand, but three...." Jake smirks and then says slightly louder, "Can we offer you a seat?" "Indeed," the large man replies, handing the other two glasses to each. "Can I take it that you will both we working together going forward?" Jake smiles. "Seems so." Van Horne replies, "Very well. I was thinking Mr. Cook, this particular establishment worked well for the tournament but doesn't really have the atmosphere that I prefer. Might you perhaps be willing to make some sort of trade, my five-percent ownership here for five-percent of the Palace Saloon instead?" Jake stares at Van Horne for half a minute and strokes his chin, pretending to discern the hidden motive in the big Georgian's request. "I can agree to that. Once McCoy finishes refurbishing the place, we will make certain there are plenty of young ladies about for your visual or other pleasures. I expect to have some new talent from out of town as well." Van Horne replies, "Excellent Mr. Cook. I also wanted to let you know that you are $ 2,000 richer as a result of the tournament due to your twenty-percent ownership of the Lucky Lady. I had refunded two of the entry fees, namely for Mr. Adair as he was unable to finish due to circumstances beyond his control and for Mr. Masterson as his elimination was largely due to Mrs. Enion's cheating and I didn't want him to have hard feelings about how things turned out. But for the other twenty-eight participants the entry fees totaled $ 82,250, less the $ 50,000 prize purses and expenses of approximately $ 12,250, for a total profit of $ 20,000 for the venture." Jake says, "So the Lady's profit is ten thousand? Very nice. I know that all the staff involved was paid, and if experience is any indication you paid them well for their part. I would still suggest the Lucky Lady owners contribute a portion of that as a bonus to our employees that participated in the tournament. I would be happy to give ten percent." Van Horne replies, "An excellent suggestion. I've always felt that treating employees right was the way to go." Jake says, "I will speak to Job about it. There is no one else around to make any decisions, so between us is enough." Al Brower enters the Lucky Lady with Madge Duprey on his arm in the company of Pierre Jaquet. "Now there is a sight that I was looking forward to see," Jake says loud enough for Brower to hear him. The trio does not approach after hearing Jake speak, he wonders if they are uncomfortable speaking in front of Van Horne and Rhinehardt. The young gambler excuses himself for a moment from his table companions and goes to greet Brower, Duprey and Jaquet. He receives a warm welcome from the trio. Madge says to Jake, "A mutual friend has indicated that you had a part in my return." "Just a small one, hardly worth mentioning," he smirks, "I trust you will not hold it against me." She replies, "Not at all." Al Brower says, "She's not going back to the Gay Lady though, Madge is now the lead singer at the Comique." "Wonderful. I am very happy for you both. I much prefer your talents being used to steal customers for the Comique over the Gay Lady," Jake chuckles. "I am quite pleased this has all worked out. No more sneaking around for you two." Madge says "No, Albert is all mine. And the trip away wasn't without reward in and of itself, although I did miss Al terribly." Jake presses his lips together to keep from snickering when Madge calls him Albert. "May I ask, what was rewarding about your travel?" She smiles and lowers her voice adding, "It was nice to be in a place where my hidden talents did not need to stay hidden. And Pierre was appreciative of some of the trinkets that I brought back to him." "Ah." Jake nods and says nothing more about that topic. "Good to have you back, Promise City is a brighter place for it. Though it will difficult to deal with Al always wearing that grin." Jake gives him a friendly poke. Pierre catches Jake's attention and gestures him aside. "I had a chance to identify those bullets inside those weapons that you brought me. Of the ones that will fit your peacemaker, six are magical rounds that will improve accuracy by ten-percent and two others will induce sleep. Most of the remaining bullets were non-magical although there were two rifle rounds designed to improve accuracy by twenty-five percent. Jake says, "Would those rifle rounds work in my Spencer carbine? Too bad I never find anything for that Swiss rifle Shaw gave me. Beyond the rounds I can use is there enough left over to compensate you for your trouble?" Pierre replies, "Yes, the rounds were made for a Spencer. Unfortunately you are unlikely to find rounds for your Swiss rifle outside of Switzerland as they rifles are generally not made or sold to civilians." "Yes, makes sense. Thanks. I will stop by your shop tomorrow." Jake buys them a drink and chats with them for a short while. The evening wears on, just another night at the Lucky Lady dance hall and saloon. Jake chooses to drink lightly and retires earlier than usual.</blockquote>

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