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"Revenge, Renewal and the Promise of a New Year" (Boot Hill/D&D)
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 1804809" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p>Thanks, I'll have to check yours out soon. I always like a good WWII story! </p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Chapter Twenty, “Unwelcome Information” , January 6th, 1882:</strong></p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, back in town. Ruby brought her and Jake's horses back to the Cantina's stable where Pedro and Dorita's hired hand Grant Keebler helps her to secure them. She heads inside for a snack. She decides to then go and look for Chumbley, "At the Alhandra I would guess" she thinks. </p><p></p><p>That saloon is on Main Street, between Allen and Fremont. She decides to go there the long way, heading down South Street and past both Freemont and Allen Streets. She stops at the building at the end of Front Street, Condon's Bank. She heads inside to say "Hi" to Jake.</p><p></p><p>Jake's attention is caught by the halo of sunlight around flowing red hair as it passes the windows of the bank. In comes Ruby, more prancing than walking, just a slight flourish of her frilly dress and flashing her pearly white smile at everyone she passes. He thinks to himself “She's always on stage he thinks, but not that I mind.” </p><p></p><p>Jake calls out, "Good afternoon Ruby. What kind of trouble are you causing today?" "Hi Jake" Ruby says with a smile. "Thought I'd check up on you. How's the new job working out? Looks boring around here." He looks around to make sure that no one is close by. "I met an old acquaintance today, one that is sure to cause me trouble." She looks around to make sure no one is looking. "Who did you bump into today? I don't think you need any help getting into trouble" she says with a laugh as she taps his hat. </p><p></p><p>Ruby states, "I am going snooping around town today to try to get some information. Hopefully I'll have some by the end of the day. By the way, I bought you a horse. I think we'll be needing them." </p><p></p><p>Jake puts his hat back in place and says, "I'll tell you about my friend later, this is not a good time." He looks about the room and smiles to the tellers who seem to be looking at Ruby. "A horse huh. Lost my last two in poker games. Where are we going and when? I figured I would look up Baxter when I get out. I think I have a poker game to run tonight and I want to stop in and see Job for a few minutes before then. And sometime between all that I need to see this incompetent fool and find out what kind of trouble he is causing." He smiles some more at the tellers. “Did you tell Nanuet what we are up to? And is Katherine suspicious?" </p><p></p><p>"Kate went with Nanuet to investigate something that old dwarf was talking about. Wasn't really paying attention to that though. She isn't suspicious, at least I don't think she is." </p><p></p><p>"I did tell Nanuet about last night and about Kate's husband. He was quiet about it but he seems like a quiet kind of guy. But he asked me to borrow money to buy a horse so I guess he feels comfortable with me and plans to stick around. Well, maybe not I guess, but it's only money right?" </p><p></p><p>”Maybe I just see the risks in everything, but I wonder if Katherine is in any danger? I hadn’t really thought about that before but she wasn’t riding around the desert before either” Jake scratches the back of his neck and looks Ruby in the eyes, "And now I owe you for a horse I didn't know I needed. I better do well playing poker tonight." </p><p></p><p>"Don't worry about the horse, you don't own me anything. It's not like I asked you if you wanted one. Besides you can owe me a favor if you're that worried about it. Or..." she pauses, " I'll play you in cards for it. I'm not so bad at cards myself." </p><p></p><p>"No, no, I pay my debts. We’ll figure that out I guess.” He replied. “Playing cards huh, I don’t know if I could stand you taking my wallet again.” He finishes with a wry smile. </p><p></p><p>"I'm sure you'll do fine playing poker, Jake. I don't take you as the kind to do poorly too often." She continues, "Oh by the way, Al is back in town. Came right into the Marshall’s office while we were visiting Job. Brave woman, that one. I guess I should be going. I'm going to find that loud mouth Chumbley. Hey, do you think that I should come with you to see Baxter? I know he's afraid of me now but I do have a way of getting’ information, even if people don't really want to share it." </p><p></p><p>“Let me at Baxter first. We’ll try and hook up before I go see him. When I think I have got all I can for now, I’ll give you a signal. I’ll take my hat off. Then you can come in and do whatever you think is best, I’ll follow your lead.” Then Jake stops and frowns. “And who in blue Hades is Al?” </p><p></p><p>"Oh I forgot, you didn't meet Al. Al is... well I guess Al is a gunslinger you would say. Al is actually Job's cousin. Went by the jail today to visit him and Al showed up back in town. I'm sure you'll meet Al soon enough. Later tonight I'll tell you a story about how we all met. I guess you haven't heard that yet, huh? I guess we got a lot of talking to do later. But for now I'll leave you to your job."</p><p></p><p>Ruby arrives at the Alhambra Saloon, where Chumbey is sitting at a table and dining on a large porterhouse steak. He notices her and tips his hat in her direction. Ruby takes a breath and makes her way towards Chumbley. She sits down at his table across from him. “How are you today Chumbley?” Before he can answer she quickly continues. “I know that being the first class journalist you are you might have some information I’m looking for.” </p><p></p><p>Every time Chumbley tries to get a word in Ruby continues. “Back in Tombstone, there was a man named Thomas Kale. He was from Massachusetts. Unfortunately he passed back in October I think. They say it was an illness but I have some reason to believe that it might not have been. I also think that the Earps might have had something to do with whatever happened, or at least Morgan seems to be uncomfortable with the subject. Was there anything strange going on around that time?”</p><p></p><p>Much to Ruby's surprise she only receives a five-word response from the talkative halfing of "Sorry, Can't talk about it." </p><p></p><p>Ruby's reply is even shorter than Chumbley's. "Can't talk about what?" She gets no response. Ruby looks and him and he averts his eyes. </p><p></p><p>Ruby gives him a pout. "Oh come on Chumbley, aren't we friends? I thought we were... Didn't Katherine and I give you the information about Arcades Gang that made the front page of your paper? Wasn't that helpful to you? I'm only asking for a little tiny bit of information... And if you can't help me then I'm going to have to go talk to Morgan Earp himself and he'll probably be mighty mad I'm asking and then I'll really be in trouble and you know I am trying really hard to stay out of trouble..."</p><p></p><p>"Oh no, don't do that!" the halfling exclaims. "My publisher and editor, John P. Clum, investigated the story himself and it was his decision not to publish it. Said that Mr. Kale's dying wish was that his wife not find out the circumstances of his dead. Clum is also the Mayor of Tombstone so Marshall Virgil Earp went along with the decision. They were only thinking of poor Mrs. Kale at the time. She had just arrived in town and it was bad enough that she had to find out that her husband was dead, would have broken her heart to find out more than that. Wouldn't have been a good thing to go and upset such a nice lady. Saying that he was sick and died from that seemed like the best thing to do at the time. That wouldn't be altogether unsurprising to her given that he had talked about how sickly he was back east. So that's why I can't talk about it." </p><p></p><p>Ruby's heart sank lower and lower at Chumbley's confession. She had been so eager to find out what happened she never figured what she would do when her and Jake's suspicions were confirmed. How could she break Kate's husband's dying wish? But maybe that wasn't truth either so Ruby knew she had to find out everything she could. </p><p>"So," she said quietly, "Do you know what really happened?"</p><p></p><p>He replies "Sorry, but as I said before, I can't talk about it." He then lowers his voice and whispers "And I don't think that you'll find anyone else willing to talk either, they're all too afraid of the Earps." He then stops and scratches his chin, and replies "Except maybe James. He might be willing to tell you something about what happened."</p><p></p><p>"James?" asks Ruby quizzically. "James who? And where can I find him?" Chumbley glances around to make sure he is being overheard and then says "James Earp. He's not at all like his brothers. They all have this tough-guy thing going for them. Virgil and Wyatt let this Marshall thing go to their heads, and their brothers Morgan and Warren are just as uppity as their deputies are. James however has played that game before and has already gotten it out of his system. He was a Civil War hero and later was a deputy up in Dodge City. Said he's had enough guns and killing for one lifetime and wants no part of it. These days all James want to do is make money off his investments and deal Faro at the Oriental Saloon in Tombstone. </p><p></p><p>Anyway, James seemed to like Tom Kale and was with him around an hour before his death, so he might tell you something. James also knows that he's safe from retribution from his brothers. "</p><p></p><p>Ruby gives a big sigh as she gets up from the table. She knows what she has to do. She stands next to Chumbley. "Thanks, Chumbley. I really appreciate it. I think you are the nicest Australian I have ever met." With that she gives him a small kiss on the cheek and walks out. She walks back to the Cantina shaking her head wondering how come she can never stay out of trouble.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 1804809, member: 8530"] Thanks, I'll have to check yours out soon. I always like a good WWII story! [B]Chapter Twenty, “Unwelcome Information” , January 6th, 1882:[/B] Meanwhile, back in town. Ruby brought her and Jake's horses back to the Cantina's stable where Pedro and Dorita's hired hand Grant Keebler helps her to secure them. She heads inside for a snack. She decides to then go and look for Chumbley, "At the Alhandra I would guess" she thinks. That saloon is on Main Street, between Allen and Fremont. She decides to go there the long way, heading down South Street and past both Freemont and Allen Streets. She stops at the building at the end of Front Street, Condon's Bank. She heads inside to say "Hi" to Jake. Jake's attention is caught by the halo of sunlight around flowing red hair as it passes the windows of the bank. In comes Ruby, more prancing than walking, just a slight flourish of her frilly dress and flashing her pearly white smile at everyone she passes. He thinks to himself “She's always on stage he thinks, but not that I mind.” Jake calls out, "Good afternoon Ruby. What kind of trouble are you causing today?" "Hi Jake" Ruby says with a smile. "Thought I'd check up on you. How's the new job working out? Looks boring around here." He looks around to make sure that no one is close by. "I met an old acquaintance today, one that is sure to cause me trouble." She looks around to make sure no one is looking. "Who did you bump into today? I don't think you need any help getting into trouble" she says with a laugh as she taps his hat. Ruby states, "I am going snooping around town today to try to get some information. Hopefully I'll have some by the end of the day. By the way, I bought you a horse. I think we'll be needing them." Jake puts his hat back in place and says, "I'll tell you about my friend later, this is not a good time." He looks about the room and smiles to the tellers who seem to be looking at Ruby. "A horse huh. Lost my last two in poker games. Where are we going and when? I figured I would look up Baxter when I get out. I think I have a poker game to run tonight and I want to stop in and see Job for a few minutes before then. And sometime between all that I need to see this incompetent fool and find out what kind of trouble he is causing." He smiles some more at the tellers. “Did you tell Nanuet what we are up to? And is Katherine suspicious?" "Kate went with Nanuet to investigate something that old dwarf was talking about. Wasn't really paying attention to that though. She isn't suspicious, at least I don't think she is." "I did tell Nanuet about last night and about Kate's husband. He was quiet about it but he seems like a quiet kind of guy. But he asked me to borrow money to buy a horse so I guess he feels comfortable with me and plans to stick around. Well, maybe not I guess, but it's only money right?" ”Maybe I just see the risks in everything, but I wonder if Katherine is in any danger? I hadn’t really thought about that before but she wasn’t riding around the desert before either” Jake scratches the back of his neck and looks Ruby in the eyes, "And now I owe you for a horse I didn't know I needed. I better do well playing poker tonight." "Don't worry about the horse, you don't own me anything. It's not like I asked you if you wanted one. Besides you can owe me a favor if you're that worried about it. Or..." she pauses, " I'll play you in cards for it. I'm not so bad at cards myself." "No, no, I pay my debts. We’ll figure that out I guess.” He replied. “Playing cards huh, I don’t know if I could stand you taking my wallet again.” He finishes with a wry smile. "I'm sure you'll do fine playing poker, Jake. I don't take you as the kind to do poorly too often." She continues, "Oh by the way, Al is back in town. Came right into the Marshall’s office while we were visiting Job. Brave woman, that one. I guess I should be going. I'm going to find that loud mouth Chumbley. Hey, do you think that I should come with you to see Baxter? I know he's afraid of me now but I do have a way of getting’ information, even if people don't really want to share it." “Let me at Baxter first. We’ll try and hook up before I go see him. When I think I have got all I can for now, I’ll give you a signal. I’ll take my hat off. Then you can come in and do whatever you think is best, I’ll follow your lead.” Then Jake stops and frowns. “And who in blue Hades is Al?” "Oh I forgot, you didn't meet Al. Al is... well I guess Al is a gunslinger you would say. Al is actually Job's cousin. Went by the jail today to visit him and Al showed up back in town. I'm sure you'll meet Al soon enough. Later tonight I'll tell you a story about how we all met. I guess you haven't heard that yet, huh? I guess we got a lot of talking to do later. But for now I'll leave you to your job." Ruby arrives at the Alhambra Saloon, where Chumbey is sitting at a table and dining on a large porterhouse steak. He notices her and tips his hat in her direction. Ruby takes a breath and makes her way towards Chumbley. She sits down at his table across from him. “How are you today Chumbley?” Before he can answer she quickly continues. “I know that being the first class journalist you are you might have some information I’m looking for.” Every time Chumbley tries to get a word in Ruby continues. “Back in Tombstone, there was a man named Thomas Kale. He was from Massachusetts. Unfortunately he passed back in October I think. They say it was an illness but I have some reason to believe that it might not have been. I also think that the Earps might have had something to do with whatever happened, or at least Morgan seems to be uncomfortable with the subject. Was there anything strange going on around that time?” Much to Ruby's surprise she only receives a five-word response from the talkative halfing of "Sorry, Can't talk about it." Ruby's reply is even shorter than Chumbley's. "Can't talk about what?" She gets no response. Ruby looks and him and he averts his eyes. Ruby gives him a pout. "Oh come on Chumbley, aren't we friends? I thought we were... Didn't Katherine and I give you the information about Arcades Gang that made the front page of your paper? Wasn't that helpful to you? I'm only asking for a little tiny bit of information... And if you can't help me then I'm going to have to go talk to Morgan Earp himself and he'll probably be mighty mad I'm asking and then I'll really be in trouble and you know I am trying really hard to stay out of trouble..." "Oh no, don't do that!" the halfling exclaims. "My publisher and editor, John P. Clum, investigated the story himself and it was his decision not to publish it. Said that Mr. Kale's dying wish was that his wife not find out the circumstances of his dead. Clum is also the Mayor of Tombstone so Marshall Virgil Earp went along with the decision. They were only thinking of poor Mrs. Kale at the time. She had just arrived in town and it was bad enough that she had to find out that her husband was dead, would have broken her heart to find out more than that. Wouldn't have been a good thing to go and upset such a nice lady. Saying that he was sick and died from that seemed like the best thing to do at the time. That wouldn't be altogether unsurprising to her given that he had talked about how sickly he was back east. So that's why I can't talk about it." Ruby's heart sank lower and lower at Chumbley's confession. She had been so eager to find out what happened she never figured what she would do when her and Jake's suspicions were confirmed. How could she break Kate's husband's dying wish? But maybe that wasn't truth either so Ruby knew she had to find out everything she could. "So," she said quietly, "Do you know what really happened?" He replies "Sorry, but as I said before, I can't talk about it." He then lowers his voice and whispers "And I don't think that you'll find anyone else willing to talk either, they're all too afraid of the Earps." He then stops and scratches his chin, and replies "Except maybe James. He might be willing to tell you something about what happened." "James?" asks Ruby quizzically. "James who? And where can I find him?" Chumbley glances around to make sure he is being overheard and then says "James Earp. He's not at all like his brothers. They all have this tough-guy thing going for them. Virgil and Wyatt let this Marshall thing go to their heads, and their brothers Morgan and Warren are just as uppity as their deputies are. James however has played that game before and has already gotten it out of his system. He was a Civil War hero and later was a deputy up in Dodge City. Said he's had enough guns and killing for one lifetime and wants no part of it. These days all James want to do is make money off his investments and deal Faro at the Oriental Saloon in Tombstone. Anyway, James seemed to like Tom Kale and was with him around an hour before his death, so he might tell you something. James also knows that he's safe from retribution from his brothers. " Ruby gives a big sigh as she gets up from the table. She knows what she has to do. She stands next to Chumbley. "Thanks, Chumbley. I really appreciate it. I think you are the nicest Australian I have ever met." With that she gives him a small kiss on the cheek and walks out. She walks back to the Cantina shaking her head wondering how come she can never stay out of trouble. [/QUOTE]
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