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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: 1956480" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 76, “Hiring on as Carriage Guards”, January 9th, 1882:</strong></p><p></p><p>There are only a few patrons still inside and Tony Lucky has left for the night. A man then enters the saloon. The man wore tan pants, a yellow cotton shirt and brown leather vest, and a brown cowboy hat the same shade as the vest. A double-action revolver hung from his belt. Something about him was familiar; he could swear he’d seen the face before. The man speaks briefly to Tom Whipple and then turns and approaches Jake. </p><p></p><p>As the man got closer Jake looked directly into the man’s eyes for a sense of recognition. One of Jake’s greatest talents was the ability to read a person’s eyes. He could sense emotion and truthfulness just by watching the eye moment. But his talent actually went far deeper than that. Jake had a rare medical circumstance, a specific condition that medical science at some later day would classify as ‘Selective Photographic Memory’. In Jake’s instance the selectivity was limited to the memorization of eyes, specifically each person’s individual retina patterns, which are as unique and distinctive as fingerprints. Jake was not even consciously aware of this talent. Whenever anyone had had spent a half-hour or more at a poker table with Jake he would memorize their eyes and permanently commit the eye pattern to his memory. </p><p></p><p>In the case of the man now standing before him had eyes told Jake that they had never met before now. The man says “Jake Cook? May I speak with you for a few minutes?” "Ruby, would you wait for me?" Jake let's her up from his lap. She says, "Of course I'll wait for you, I'll wait right here."</p><p></p><p>He tries to figure out why this man is familiar without success. He stands and says, "I don't believe I know your name." The man says, “My name is Zackery Morand. My nephew Tempel played at your poker table a few nights back. In addition to the Rocking H Ranch my brother owns the Morand Cartage Company here in town, which I manage for him. I was approached a short while ago this evening by Hamilton Fisk about hauling ore for him and was told I should see you as the business agent for the miners.”</p><p></p><p>Jake answers, Well Zackery, thanks for stopping in. But I think any transportation arrangements are a bit premature. I do appreciated Mr. Fisk’s faith in me to help handle his affairs, but we haven't finalized any legal documents allowing me to make financial commitments for his part of the operation. It just wouldn't be proper." Jake pats the man on the shoulder. "As soon as Mr. Fisk signs the appropriate documents that give that authorization I'd be happy to discuss with you first." Silver Jake Cook gives the man a warm smile. </p><p></p><p>Jake asks, "Ladies, are you ready?" "Sure thing," Ruby says taking his arm. She looks over her shoulder, "Kate, you coming?" Yes, of course," Kate answered. "Good night, Mr. Whipple," she said and then moved over to Maggie. "Good night, Maggie," she said, giving the other woman a quick hug. "We'll meet your family tomorrow, hmm? Get some rest." Katherine began to head over toward Jake but stopped to wait out of earshot as she saw him still talking with a strange man.</p><p></p><p>Morand had stopped Jake from leaving and says, “The problem is that Fisk wants a quote from us by 8:45 A.M. tomorrow morning as to what we’ll charge to haul ore from his mountain to the smelter here in town. We do similar work for Justin Boyer over at the Gila Belle Mine, hauling their ore all the way to Tombstone. The thing is, I can’t actually give Fisk a quote until after I’ve driven the route. So I’d like to drive out there at dawn to check out the road and see how long each trip will take. But I’m not sure exactly where his mountain is situated and am afraid that if I have any trouble finding it then I might not make it back to town for the deadline. I also don’t want to get shot as a trespasser. Would either you or one of your miners be available to drive out there with me?”</p><p></p><p>"Well don't just stand there Zackery, come with us." Jake shakes his head. "I can't leave the ladies standing here all night!" With that Jake leads the four of them out of the Lone Star back to the Cantina. They get back to the Cantina. It is a little before midnight. Things are fairly quiet, but Pedro and a patron at the bar, and Sanoma and Nanuet sitting at one of the tables. "Why don't you stay here Zackery while I go see if I can find the miners."</p><p></p><p>Jake starts to walk out the door and stops, returning to stand next to the man. "Do you trust Fisk?" Morand replies "Hades No, I wouldn't trust Fisk for one minute, but we can use the business. He's told us the mountain is only a few miles away and wants us to quote him a price sight unseen. I won't do that and neither would my brother. As far as lawyers go, we get Mitchell Berg to do any legal work for the Ranch and Cartage Company.” Jake answers, "Fair enough. I'll try and help you then." Jake leaves to go and see the miners at the wagon. </p><p></p><p>He tells them what Zackery Morand told him, including what he said about Fisk. He also shares his concerns about what kinds of tricks Fisk could play making them late or perhaps something even more dangerous. "Just how low do you think Fisk would go? Would he risk any violence?" Seawell says that he would expect violence from Fisk. Elliott says "No, not at this point. We surprised him tonight. The fact that he's trying to get quotes for transportation prior to the discussion just shows that he's starting to think it through and figuring out how to play the angles. Let's go talk to this guy." Jake states "He's waiting in the Cantina." Jake leads them around and introduces them all. He let's Morand and the miners talk.</p><p></p><p>They make arrangements for heading out at dawn. Seawell will go with Morand while Elliott will stay in town with the ore. They express their concern about Fisk maybe resorting to violence. Morand says that the Cartage Company is part of the Promise City Merchants Association, which pays the salaries for the Marshall and Deputy Marshall. He says he will get one of them to come along as well. Jake comments, "Are we all set then, or do you think we need more security beyond the law officer? If you are willing to pay I might be able to find some others to go." Elliott replies "Find them, we'll pay. Better safe than sorry." Morand asks the prospectors a few more questions. </p><p></p><p>Jake then asks, "If Fisk was to resort to foul play, who might he engage?" Morand says, "Any of a dozen, all he'd have to do was go down to Galeyville. That's where the lowlifes hang out these days. He wouldn't go there at night though, so you probably did good just springing this on him like you did." Jake starts to go over to the table where Nanuet and Sanoma are talking but Ruby intercepts him. "Alright, spill it. What are you up to?" </p><p></p><p>Jake gives her a sly smile and just motions for her and Katherine to follow. "Nanuet, sorry to interrupt but these men over here could use to hire some extra security tomorrow morning." He quickly tells the major parts of the story of how he met miners and that he is helping them in their negotiations with the less than honorable Mr. Fisk. "Would you be interested in a ride out and back to Fisk mountain in the morning?" Jake pauses and strokes his beard, "Maybe that Chester fellow could use some extra cash too. I might go along for the ride for that matter."</p><p></p><p>Kate says, "It's good of you to help them, Jake. Sadly, I don't think I'll be of much use to you gentlemen, but I'll be glad to help in the morning before you leave in any way I can. Mr. Martin didn't seem too happy with mine work, I'm sure he'd rather go for a ride in the morning."</p><p></p><p>Nanuet nods "I will go. I need to get out and about and it never hurts to start the day early. I will be here and ready as sure as the sun will rise." He turns to Sonoma. "Here is a chance to get out of town a bit and stretch your legs. Should only be a few miles, what do you think? Want to come along?"</p><p></p><p>“Jake, that sounds dangerous,” Ruby says frowning. “Maybe you’d better think about it. I’d be sitting here worried about you, and I mean all of you, the whole time. This Fisk guy sounds shady.” Jake takes her hand and gives it a little squeeze. </p><p></p><p>He walks over to Morand and Elliot who are still talking. “It looks like we have a couple more people to accompany you tomorrow. You should be all set. See you at dawn gentlemen,” Jake says tipping his hat to Morand and Elliot. He leaves a note with Pedro to give to Chester if he sees him early in the morning. “Ruby, may I walk you upstairs?” She nods to him. They bid Katherine, Nanuet and Sanoma goodnight and head up. </p><p></p><p>"Ruby girl, this boy still has way too much going on at once. But I have to see it to a close. It won't hurt to have rich miners as friends." He laughs a short laugh. "Hopefully a few more days and I can go back to sleepin' in late on a regular basis. I am accustomed to a bit more sleep than I'm getting." As they are walking he reaches up under her hair and lightly touches the back of her neck. He whispers "But it's early still..." </p><p></p><p>Jake feels Ruby shiver at his touch on her neck. She turns and looks up at him with a serious look on her face. “Jake…” she starts but for the second time that day Jake stopped her speaking, this time with a kiss. Ruby smiles as Jake opens his door for her. “After you…” Ruby walks past him into the room, grabs his hat, puts in on her head, grabs Jake and shuts the door.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 1956480, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 76, “Hiring on as Carriage Guards”, January 9th, 1882:[/B] There are only a few patrons still inside and Tony Lucky has left for the night. A man then enters the saloon. The man wore tan pants, a yellow cotton shirt and brown leather vest, and a brown cowboy hat the same shade as the vest. A double-action revolver hung from his belt. Something about him was familiar; he could swear he’d seen the face before. The man speaks briefly to Tom Whipple and then turns and approaches Jake. As the man got closer Jake looked directly into the man’s eyes for a sense of recognition. One of Jake’s greatest talents was the ability to read a person’s eyes. He could sense emotion and truthfulness just by watching the eye moment. But his talent actually went far deeper than that. Jake had a rare medical circumstance, a specific condition that medical science at some later day would classify as ‘Selective Photographic Memory’. In Jake’s instance the selectivity was limited to the memorization of eyes, specifically each person’s individual retina patterns, which are as unique and distinctive as fingerprints. Jake was not even consciously aware of this talent. Whenever anyone had had spent a half-hour or more at a poker table with Jake he would memorize their eyes and permanently commit the eye pattern to his memory. In the case of the man now standing before him had eyes told Jake that they had never met before now. The man says “Jake Cook? May I speak with you for a few minutes?” "Ruby, would you wait for me?" Jake let's her up from his lap. She says, "Of course I'll wait for you, I'll wait right here." He tries to figure out why this man is familiar without success. He stands and says, "I don't believe I know your name." The man says, “My name is Zackery Morand. My nephew Tempel played at your poker table a few nights back. In addition to the Rocking H Ranch my brother owns the Morand Cartage Company here in town, which I manage for him. I was approached a short while ago this evening by Hamilton Fisk about hauling ore for him and was told I should see you as the business agent for the miners.” Jake answers, Well Zackery, thanks for stopping in. But I think any transportation arrangements are a bit premature. I do appreciated Mr. Fisk’s faith in me to help handle his affairs, but we haven't finalized any legal documents allowing me to make financial commitments for his part of the operation. It just wouldn't be proper." Jake pats the man on the shoulder. "As soon as Mr. Fisk signs the appropriate documents that give that authorization I'd be happy to discuss with you first." Silver Jake Cook gives the man a warm smile. Jake asks, "Ladies, are you ready?" "Sure thing," Ruby says taking his arm. She looks over her shoulder, "Kate, you coming?" Yes, of course," Kate answered. "Good night, Mr. Whipple," she said and then moved over to Maggie. "Good night, Maggie," she said, giving the other woman a quick hug. "We'll meet your family tomorrow, hmm? Get some rest." Katherine began to head over toward Jake but stopped to wait out of earshot as she saw him still talking with a strange man. Morand had stopped Jake from leaving and says, “The problem is that Fisk wants a quote from us by 8:45 A.M. tomorrow morning as to what we’ll charge to haul ore from his mountain to the smelter here in town. We do similar work for Justin Boyer over at the Gila Belle Mine, hauling their ore all the way to Tombstone. The thing is, I can’t actually give Fisk a quote until after I’ve driven the route. So I’d like to drive out there at dawn to check out the road and see how long each trip will take. But I’m not sure exactly where his mountain is situated and am afraid that if I have any trouble finding it then I might not make it back to town for the deadline. I also don’t want to get shot as a trespasser. Would either you or one of your miners be available to drive out there with me?” "Well don't just stand there Zackery, come with us." Jake shakes his head. "I can't leave the ladies standing here all night!" With that Jake leads the four of them out of the Lone Star back to the Cantina. They get back to the Cantina. It is a little before midnight. Things are fairly quiet, but Pedro and a patron at the bar, and Sanoma and Nanuet sitting at one of the tables. "Why don't you stay here Zackery while I go see if I can find the miners." Jake starts to walk out the door and stops, returning to stand next to the man. "Do you trust Fisk?" Morand replies "Hades No, I wouldn't trust Fisk for one minute, but we can use the business. He's told us the mountain is only a few miles away and wants us to quote him a price sight unseen. I won't do that and neither would my brother. As far as lawyers go, we get Mitchell Berg to do any legal work for the Ranch and Cartage Company.” Jake answers, "Fair enough. I'll try and help you then." Jake leaves to go and see the miners at the wagon. He tells them what Zackery Morand told him, including what he said about Fisk. He also shares his concerns about what kinds of tricks Fisk could play making them late or perhaps something even more dangerous. "Just how low do you think Fisk would go? Would he risk any violence?" Seawell says that he would expect violence from Fisk. Elliott says "No, not at this point. We surprised him tonight. The fact that he's trying to get quotes for transportation prior to the discussion just shows that he's starting to think it through and figuring out how to play the angles. Let's go talk to this guy." Jake states "He's waiting in the Cantina." Jake leads them around and introduces them all. He let's Morand and the miners talk. They make arrangements for heading out at dawn. Seawell will go with Morand while Elliott will stay in town with the ore. They express their concern about Fisk maybe resorting to violence. Morand says that the Cartage Company is part of the Promise City Merchants Association, which pays the salaries for the Marshall and Deputy Marshall. He says he will get one of them to come along as well. Jake comments, "Are we all set then, or do you think we need more security beyond the law officer? If you are willing to pay I might be able to find some others to go." Elliott replies "Find them, we'll pay. Better safe than sorry." Morand asks the prospectors a few more questions. Jake then asks, "If Fisk was to resort to foul play, who might he engage?" Morand says, "Any of a dozen, all he'd have to do was go down to Galeyville. That's where the lowlifes hang out these days. He wouldn't go there at night though, so you probably did good just springing this on him like you did." Jake starts to go over to the table where Nanuet and Sanoma are talking but Ruby intercepts him. "Alright, spill it. What are you up to?" Jake gives her a sly smile and just motions for her and Katherine to follow. "Nanuet, sorry to interrupt but these men over here could use to hire some extra security tomorrow morning." He quickly tells the major parts of the story of how he met miners and that he is helping them in their negotiations with the less than honorable Mr. Fisk. "Would you be interested in a ride out and back to Fisk mountain in the morning?" Jake pauses and strokes his beard, "Maybe that Chester fellow could use some extra cash too. I might go along for the ride for that matter." Kate says, "It's good of you to help them, Jake. Sadly, I don't think I'll be of much use to you gentlemen, but I'll be glad to help in the morning before you leave in any way I can. Mr. Martin didn't seem too happy with mine work, I'm sure he'd rather go for a ride in the morning." Nanuet nods "I will go. I need to get out and about and it never hurts to start the day early. I will be here and ready as sure as the sun will rise." He turns to Sonoma. "Here is a chance to get out of town a bit and stretch your legs. Should only be a few miles, what do you think? Want to come along?" “Jake, that sounds dangerous,” Ruby says frowning. “Maybe you’d better think about it. I’d be sitting here worried about you, and I mean all of you, the whole time. This Fisk guy sounds shady.” Jake takes her hand and gives it a little squeeze. He walks over to Morand and Elliot who are still talking. “It looks like we have a couple more people to accompany you tomorrow. You should be all set. See you at dawn gentlemen,” Jake says tipping his hat to Morand and Elliot. He leaves a note with Pedro to give to Chester if he sees him early in the morning. “Ruby, may I walk you upstairs?” She nods to him. They bid Katherine, Nanuet and Sanoma goodnight and head up. "Ruby girl, this boy still has way too much going on at once. But I have to see it to a close. It won't hurt to have rich miners as friends." He laughs a short laugh. "Hopefully a few more days and I can go back to sleepin' in late on a regular basis. I am accustomed to a bit more sleep than I'm getting." As they are walking he reaches up under her hair and lightly touches the back of her neck. He whispers "But it's early still..." Jake feels Ruby shiver at his touch on her neck. She turns and looks up at him with a serious look on her face. “Jake…” she starts but for the second time that day Jake stopped her speaking, this time with a kiss. Ruby smiles as Jake opens his door for her. “After you…” Ruby walks past him into the room, grabs his hat, puts in on her head, grabs Jake and shuts the door. [/QUOTE]
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