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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2417767" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 126 ,“The City of Angels ”, Saturday, January 14th, 1882:</strong></p><p></p><p>Katherine woke around 9:30 to the sound of rain. She wrapped herself in a soft blue robe, pulled a blanket from her bed, and curled up in a chair by the window to watch it fall. She had never known that you could have too much sunshine. In Massachusetts snow would have fallen long ago. Everything covered in white, but churned and dirty in the streets. She would be warm and cozy inside with a shawl over her shoulders. Writing her letters and playing the piano, maybe preparing for a small dinner party in the evening. And Tom would come home late in the afternoon, stomping snow from his boots and calling out in his light brogue for his "Bonny Katie." She wiped her eyes and watched the rain fall. </p><p></p><p>Nearly an hour later she stirred herself, dressed, and went to Mr. Gonzales' room. She left her hair down again. It was just too much trouble to put it up. Kate spoke the words and went into the rooms where her mentor truly lived. The sound of the rain disappeared. She rather missed it. "Good morning," she called out.</p><p></p><p>"Good Morning Katherine, we were just about to come collect you," Manuel says. He is wearing the same suit and other fancy clothing that Sanoma had seen him in the night before. Also in the room is Simon Bolivar, attired in a fine suit as well. Bolivar says "That is a fine dress you are wearing Mrs. Kale but perhaps you might wish to go change into something a little more formal before we depart. We will be meeting some very special people."</p><p></p><p>Katherine looked from one to the other. "If I go, do you promise to tell me what's going on when I get back?" Mr. Gonzales just smiled wider. Kate shook her head and slipped quietly back out and to her room. She crossed the room and opened her trunk. "Formal, hmm?" She dug down to the bottom and pulled out a midnight blue, beaded dress with black embroidery. It left her shoulders exposed, and had a deep neckline that stopped just short of showing too much. She then pulled a dark lace wrap around her shoulders. To finish she put the jeweled clip in her hair and spoke the command words. Her hair spun and lifted, some of the color changing until it was in the style Mr. Gonzales had imagined for her. She then stepped across the hall and back into her mentor's rooms. "Well gentlemen, will this do?"</p><p></p><p>"You look lovely" Manuel says. "Indeed," Bolivar states. Manuel says "Follow me. He then opens the entranceway to the Mansion and enters, Bolivar and Kate following. They walk into his workshop. Once there he gathers up various components and deposits them in his brazier. He calls the two women close and says "I am going to start and incantation. I want you both to hold hands and when I extend my hands outward each of you take one with your other hand." </p><p></p><p>He begins to cast the spell, which requires considerable hand gestures and elaborate incantations from which Kate discerns words in Latin, Greek and French. He then thrusts out his hands as a pink colored smoke rises up from the brazier and encompasses the three of them. It felt odd to hold a strange man's hand, but Kate forgot all about that in watching Mr. Gonzales perform the incantation. She still had no idea where they were going. It didn't seem long before pink smoke rose up and a hand came toward her through the cloud. Kate grasped it firmly and held on tight.</p><p></p><p>The pink smoke intensified and then dissipated. They were no longer in the workshop. The three were inside of what appeared to be a large hotel room, essentially a two bedroom suite. They were in the center of a living room with leather sofas and chairs. Off from the room were the bedrooms on two sides, each with a large king sized four-corner posted beds with hand-quilted comforters atop each. Oriental style wool carpets covered the floors. The rooms were lit by electric light fixtures. A large picture window was on one wall and the sun was shining through the curtains. Noises that she associated with busy cities could be heard from outside.</p><p></p><p>Katherine released Bolivar's hand, but moved her other hand so she had now taken her teachers arm. This place was elegant and rich. It felt a great deal like home, but far richer. "Where are we, Professeur aimé?" He replies "We are at the Nadeau Hotel, the finest hotel in the city.” "And which city would that be?" he asks. "Los Angeles, California" is his reply. He continues, “ Remi Nadeau is a Canadian of French descent. He arrived here in 1859 where he began his career in the transportation industry, starting with just two mules and a wagon. His Cerro Gordo Freighting Company now has stations in sixty-five towns and cities throughout the southwestern United States and he has branched out into other ventures. Comes, let me show you the building's main attraction" </p><p></p><p>They head out into a hallway where a large metal gated box with a man standing inside it stands. Bolivar says "Mrs. Kale, have you ever seen an elevator before? This is the first one in this region of the country. You can travel vertically from one floor to another without benefit of stairs and it is totally mechanical in nature rather than magical!" She replies, "I have not, sir; a marvelous invention indeed. Especially when one has need to move a great many things from one floor to another. Will we be riding, sir?"</p><p></p><p>"Indeed" he replies. They enter the contraption and the gate is shut. There are four levers before the operator numbered on through four. "Lobby sirs?" the man asks. "Yes" Bolivar replies. The man moves the lowest lever and the square room descends. She watches as three floors pass by with the box stopping in the lobby of the grand hotel. </p><p></p><p>They head outside to the curb where street signs indicate that the four-story hotel is at the corners of First and Spring Streets. Manuel tells Kate "We came to the city last night for dinner along with Antonio. My initial spell had to bring us to a place outside of the city, where we wouldn't be observed arriving by magic. We decided to save the long walk back by renting the hotel room to leave from, especially since we were coming back again today." </p><p></p><p>They wait for a short while as various wagons and carriages ride by. Finally a very fancy carriage pulls up to the curb and the driver steps down and opens the door for the trio. Bolivar offers his hand to assist Kate up and inside. There are two people seated inside upon the bench on one side of the carriage so Kate and her two companions sit on the other. Kate looks up at the two people. One is a heavy-set man with a balding head and white mutton-chops flowing across his face. The other is a female wood elf who Kate instantly recognizes. She appears to be a little bit older than she had been in the photograph found in the rustlers’ cave but is clearly the same young woman. </p><p></p><p>Bolivar gestures to Kate and says, "This is Manuel's apprentice, Katherine Kale. May I introduce you to James R. Toberman, the previous Mayor of this city, and his employee Consuela Hernandez." The woman smiles and says "Mrs. Kale, it is a pleasure to meet you. I hear that you are the one who found me." "The pleasure is mine, Miss Hernandez. Mr. Toberman, how do you do?" Katherine said politely. "I only found some items which belonged to you and asked about them, It is these gentlemen who have the skills required to find you. I hope you'll forgive my surprise. Two days ago I was told there was no hope of returning those items to their owner."</p><p></p><p>Consuela replies "Those items are of a past life and I no longer have need of them, although the return of my family photograph would be appreciated. My life in Bolivia ended over twenty years ago. My family was killed by the Military Dictator, as was a servant girl who was believed to be me. Family friends smuggled me out of the county and to safety here in California. I have been working for Mr. Toberman for most of the years since that time." </p><p></p><p>An awkward silence follows until Toberman decides give them a brief history of the city. He says, "This community last year celebrated its Centennial. This settlement was first established on September 4th, 1781 as the Pueblo of Los Angeles with forty-two settlers from Mexico, mostly wood elves and a few African ogres. The city’s first mayor was a wood elf named Jose Vanegas. The first human visited in 1805, a New England ship captain named John Shaler who set up the first trade with the city. The United States claimed California from Mexico in 1846 and fighting between the two countries took place right here in the city. A census in 1848 showed the city to have 248 humans, 1798 elves, 3 ogres and 3 gnomes. The 1949 gold rush brought tens of thousands to California and the Los Angeles county was formally established in 1850. </p><p></p><p>Most of the next twenty years were filled with tragedies. In 1855 and again in 1857 major earthquakes damaged much of the city and killed many. The city sent 163 troops to fight with the Union Army in the great war, a large number of whom never returned. During the war years the city was ravaged by a smallpox epidemic which killed most of the elvan population. And a steamship blew up in the harbor, killing over two dozen and seriously injuring as many more. </p><p></p><p>But the city recovered from those events and prospered. I served as Mayor for six years, from 1872 to 1874 and again from 1878 until earlier this week. As of last year our population numbered over 11,000. When silver was discovered in your Arizona county in 1877 much of the city’s population left for there seeking to strike it rich. But last year after the railroads connected this city to the East new populations began to swell in and a massive building campaign has been raging ever since. During these last four years I have brought electric lights, mass transit and fiscal integrity to the city. </p><p></p><p>While the Spanish quarter of the city remains one-story adobe houses the downtown area is now growing with multi-story buildings. Plans are on the board for several more grand hotels much like the Nadeau where you are staying. The southern areas are still planted with fields of barley. That too will soon be replaced by homes and businesses. But it is these buildings that we are approaching near Main and First Streets that I wanted to show to you." </p><p></p><p>The carriage stops beside a large brick three-story building that looks to have once been either a hotel or boarding house. The windows are boarded up and iron chains and locks are fixed to the front door. A tall man dressed in a brown suit and top hat is standing near the doorway and takes out a key chain to unlock the locks, unbars the door and then opens it. He enters first carrying a lantern and the others follow. </p><p></p><p>They tour the building. The rooms are in reasonably good shape, with hardwood floors and fireplaces in each room. The staircases appear to be quite sturdy. Each of the upper two stories has twenty individual 12-foot square rooms. The lower floor has six of these rooms and several other larger rooms. Katherine was quiet as they toured the abandoned building. It must have been a grand place once upon a time, but she was confused as to why they were in it. Mr. Toberman's pride in his city was evident, but the flow of information had stopped once they entered the building. </p><p></p><p>They then depart and the man relocks the building. He hands some papers to Toberman and then wishes him a good day. Toberman says, "Shall we?" and gestures to a fair sized restaurant adjacent to the building. "Of course." Kate again linked her arm with her teacher's, but she kept her first few steps small so they fell behind slightly. "You will think I am nothing but questions today," she said quietly. "But what was that all about?"</p><p></p><p>Toberman says "Mrs. Kale. Stories such as yours and Consuela's are not rare. This town has seen hundreds of women who have tragically lost their families and become alone. Unlike the two of you, most women who find themselves in that situation lack the friends and finances to help persevere. That is especially true of those of wood elvan descent. Now that I am no longer Mayor I am looking to establish some philanthropic endeavors to benefit the city. That building would be the first, a place for women who life has mistreated to live together. It will be a place for them to start life anew and learn the skills of new professions." </p><p></p><p>While this conversation is going on they enter the huge adjacent wooden restaurant. Kate notices the exterior coat of white paint is cracked and pealing. The carved woodwork around the windows is weatherbeaten. The large blue and white sign over the door reading "Las Pueblo Restaurante" is also cracked and faded. The restaurant starts with a vast lobby, 20 by 40 feet and lined on all walls with various couches. The cloth or leather on most of the couches is also slit and padding from below can be seen through. A waiter shows the five inside and to a table. </p><p></p><p>The interior consists of one vast room 100 feet wide and 75 feet long. Most of the interior is filled with chairs and tables, although only around 20 tables near the side windows have been set. The single-story building has a high ceiling, twenty feet up, with elaborate candle chandeliers that are currently devoid of candles. Two doors in the rear lead to a large kitchen. The other side of the room has a large stage, fifteen feet out and running most of the 75-foot length of the building. A full-sized grand piano sits atop of it. Curtains are on both sides of the stage, with ropes to draw them. The curtains also show tears and the ends of the rope is frayed. </p><p></p><p>Toberman continues "Consuela began working for me as a maid but in the last four years while I was preoccupied with running the city she has become the manager of my household. I can see that her skills far outshine that of a household servant. I plan to have her be the manager of the women's home." The waiter arrives and Toberman orders for the group and a white wine is served along with soup and salad for each. </p><p>As they sat down to lunch Katherine imagined what this restaurant must have looked like before it fell into disrepair. Her eyes kept moving back to the piano. It looked like a beautiful instrument. Kate listened carefully to the others talking but kept mostly quiet. She was surprised to find that she had eaten most of her soup and salad without thinking. </p><p></p><p>Consuela says "I would welcome the opportunity to run such a place." "As would I, although I don't imagine I have the skills to do so. And for now I have another task," Kate said, glancing over at Mr. Gonzales. They continue the meal. Consuela then gestures to the restaurant and says "When I first came to the city this was the finest establishment one could find. But the elvan owners died in the smallpox epidemic and the owners since then have been unable to maintain it, but enough remains for you to still picture the grandeur that was once here." </p><p></p><p>Toberman then tells Kate "I plan to attach my name to the women's home in order to help attract financial backing for it. But this restaurant will be the main financing. The owners are hopeful to sell and if we can restore it, well, what a place it would be for this rapidly growing city. When this building is fully functioning again it would provide ample employment for all of the women living next door." </p><p></p><p>Manuel then leans over and takes Kate's hand. He looks her directly in the eye and says, "Of course we would first need to make sure everyone in the city knows that the restaurant is under new management. The best way to do that would be for it to have a new name. How does the name "Maggie's" sound to you?"</p><p></p><p>It was as if the sun came up over Katherine's face. She squeezed Mr. Gonzales' hand. "It couldn't be more perfect. She'll be so happy. She told me once how she missed having other women around her, and how she wanted to make a kind of oasis for people at the Lone Star. Here she could do it on a much grander scale." </p><p></p><p>She turned to Mr. Toberman. "This is a wonderful project you're taking on. It is strange to say it, but in many ways I'm fortunate. I got on the stage on the right day, and met people who changed my life. The grief can make one feel very heavy. It makes it hard to see any future. I can't imagine what it must be like for women without my luck."</p><p></p><p>Toberman asks Kate "Could you please tell me about this Maggie Whipple person? Mr. Gonzales seems to think that she would be a good manager for this establishment. I'm thinking that she would retain half ownership and the financial trust fund for the woman's shelter would own the other half. Mr. Gonzales seemed to indicate that she would have $ 2,000 to invest in the venture."</p><p></p><p>Kate replies, "Yes, she and her brother are selling their Saloon in Promise City so he can buy into the family business in Denver. She has changed in the two weeks since I've known her. She was always a kind and generous woman, but lately some of her long held beliefs have been challenged and I've been delighted to see that she has expanded her mind to accept other views. Lately she has been trying to convince her brother that members of all races should be welcome in their establishment. </p><p></p><p>She has been very kind to me, and from talking with her I know that she has a desire to care for others. They even have rooms for all the employees at her establishment, although I have chosen to remain at the El Parador. It was Maggie who hired myself and my friend Ruby to work at the Lone Star, and as far as I can tell it is she who does most of the day to day management. She has two years worth of managing a saloon under her belt, and she grew up in one as well. If I may say so, management skills can be learned. The compassionate and understanding nature required for this kind of endeavor cannot be. Maggie possesses that nature and business sense as well."</p><p></p><p>Toberman replies "Then it sounds like she would do well here." The conversation turns to smalltalk rather then business matters when the main course is served, a fish and rice plate. Toberman waits until all of the restaurant's employees are well out of earshot before continuing the discussion and keeping his voice low. He states "The owners of both buildings are looking to sell. The latest tax assessments have this building valued at $ 12,000 and the hotel next door at $ 9,000. However, considerable back taxes are owed on both and between that and the much-needed renovations there has been little interest from any potential buyers. I believe that if I agree to cover the back taxes I should be able to talk each buyer down to one-third of the assessed value, so your Mrs. Whipple's $ 2,000 would cover her half of the restaurant. </p><p></p><p>Once we have title of ownership, since I still wield considerable influence with the City Council and given the altruistic purpose I am planning for, I should be able to get them to waive the back taxes. Then I will approach the various businessmen in town for donations of materials for the renovations for both buildings." </p><p></p><p>Bolivar speaks up next. "My reputation proceeds me among the wood Elvan people on both continents and I have always been able to influence people to join a good cause. I anticipate being able to solicit enough volunteer labor for all of the renovations. We should be able to get both buildings opened within a few months, possibly sooner."</p><p></p><p>Katherine listened as the others made thier plans, wishing there was something she could offer. "Since it will be several months, when would you want Maggie to arrive?" Manuel says, "Oh, she'd be needed here right away. We should probably talk about the logistics of her getting out here some time after the meal."</p><p>"Shall I bring Maggie over to the El Parador this afternoon, or would you like to come over to the Lone Star?" "We can talk later," he says. </p><p></p><p>The dessert, a strawberry topped cake, is then served. Toberman pays the bill and tells Katherine "A pleasure to meet you." They return to their carriage and Bolivar, Manuel and Katherine are brought back to the Nadeau. They head up to the room and Manuel says "About Maggie, you are going to have to talk to her as soon as possible about this, and here's why. What do you honestly think Mr. William Whipple will say and do if Maggie were to announce that she's coming out here alone with half of the money from the Lone Star that would otherwise go to him?"</p><p></p><p>She replies, "I think he would say he's going to beat some sense into her, and do it. He's a terrible man, Professeur aimé. Last night.... I don't know if Sonoma spoke to you about it. He screamed at me and would have struck her if Jeff and Job hadn't stopped him." </p><p></p><p>Katherine took a deep breath. "I have never seen a temper like that. I never imagined Maggie's fear of disappointing her father might also be fear of physical violence. But I'm not sure I understand why speaking to her sooner makes a difference. I will go to her as soon as we return if you wish, but how does that avoid an altercation with her father?"</p><p></p><p>He says, "She leaves him out of it, or rather, she just leaves. Maggie legally owns half of the Lone Star. The town thinks that she and Tom have been fighting since the accusations at the courthouse on Tuesday and last night he spent the evening at the Comique staring at Flossie McKenna the whole night. Her deciding to 'walk out' on 'husband' Tom would seem just the natural course of things. What you need to do is convince her that what she can have here is a better life and then get her together with the buyers of her half of the saloon today at one of the lawyer's offices. Get that transaction done today. She can sign over her half without Tom or William having to know about it. </p><p></p><p>Another thing that she told Dorita is that William Whipple is a very religious man, never misses church on Sunday. Well, one Sunday a month a Greek/Roman Priest visits Promise City and that day is tomorrow. So from 8:00 AM until around noon William Whipple, Tom Whipple, Teddy Whipple and Alexsis Downy will all tied up in church. Maggie just has to come up with an acceptable excuse to not to go and that will give her an hour to pack before the 9:00 AM stage to Tombstone and a three hour head start on them once they find out that she's gone. She then catches the train from Tombstone to Tucson and I'll meet her there to bring her the rest of the way. Even if Whipple does follow her trail it will go cold in Tucson and she'll be forever free of that awful man."</p><p></p><p>Kate says, "I'll do the best I can. It's a wonderful opportunity for her, but to leave the Lone Star and go to a big city where she doesn't know anyone would be frightening. The work is perfect for her though. I think I can convince her. What I don't like is that this depends on her getting away from her family tomorrow morning. And honestly, on me getting to see Maggie today. If William Whipple decides he doesn't want me to see his daughter, I'm not strong enough to get past him physically." </p><p></p><p>Kate sighed and then smiled as they walked back through the hotel. "Thank you for this morning, gentlemen. What could be better? A wonderful opportunity for my friend, a chance to play dress up for me, and a few hours where I feel myself again. Places like this were my life for a long time, and there are days when I miss it."</p><p></p><p>Bolivar says "And your company was a pleasure to enjoy. One added piece of incentive, I've rented this suite for the next month so this is would be where she will be staying until the women's home is completed. Consuela will use the other bedroom and she won't find a better friend or city guide than her." Manuel sets up the brazier and begins the spell again. Kate and Simon each take one of his hands and they teleport back to his Mansion. Bolivar takes his leave of the other two. Manuel tells Kate "I'll be ready to leave in around two hours to head out to that horse ranch. Good luck."</p><p></p><p>"I'll be ready," Kate said and returned to her room. The rain was still pouring down and the streets would be muddy. She decided against putting on a dress and instead put on the new riding clothes she'd bought at Lacey's store and her stout boots. After removing the hair clip she braided her hair and let it hang down her back and put on a heavy jacket to keep the rain off. At the last moment she dashed off a note for Jake and Ruby in case they weren't downstairs. She dashed down the stairs.</p><p></p><p>Kate reaches the Cantina and sees Jeff Mills sitting with Chester at a table and enjoying a large meal that is in front of him. She approaches the table and he stops eating "Hello Kate. Dorita insisted on treating me to a big lunch as my reward for helping to save Louise last night." Kate then realizes that her next task has just gotten much easier when she hears Maggie's voice from out in the kitchen talking to Dorita. "Is that Maggie I hear?" she asks. Jeff says "Yeah, she insisted on helping Dorita cook this up for me. It's not often I get treated like a king! Plus it's raining today so for the first time in four days I don't have to spend the whole day up on the Lone Star roof laying bricks. It's a welcomed break." Chester adds "And since he didn't want to eat alone I also get treated!"</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2417767, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 126 ,“The City of Angels ”, Saturday, January 14th, 1882:[/B] Katherine woke around 9:30 to the sound of rain. She wrapped herself in a soft blue robe, pulled a blanket from her bed, and curled up in a chair by the window to watch it fall. She had never known that you could have too much sunshine. In Massachusetts snow would have fallen long ago. Everything covered in white, but churned and dirty in the streets. She would be warm and cozy inside with a shawl over her shoulders. Writing her letters and playing the piano, maybe preparing for a small dinner party in the evening. And Tom would come home late in the afternoon, stomping snow from his boots and calling out in his light brogue for his "Bonny Katie." She wiped her eyes and watched the rain fall. Nearly an hour later she stirred herself, dressed, and went to Mr. Gonzales' room. She left her hair down again. It was just too much trouble to put it up. Kate spoke the words and went into the rooms where her mentor truly lived. The sound of the rain disappeared. She rather missed it. "Good morning," she called out. "Good Morning Katherine, we were just about to come collect you," Manuel says. He is wearing the same suit and other fancy clothing that Sanoma had seen him in the night before. Also in the room is Simon Bolivar, attired in a fine suit as well. Bolivar says "That is a fine dress you are wearing Mrs. Kale but perhaps you might wish to go change into something a little more formal before we depart. We will be meeting some very special people." Katherine looked from one to the other. "If I go, do you promise to tell me what's going on when I get back?" Mr. Gonzales just smiled wider. Kate shook her head and slipped quietly back out and to her room. She crossed the room and opened her trunk. "Formal, hmm?" She dug down to the bottom and pulled out a midnight blue, beaded dress with black embroidery. It left her shoulders exposed, and had a deep neckline that stopped just short of showing too much. She then pulled a dark lace wrap around her shoulders. To finish she put the jeweled clip in her hair and spoke the command words. Her hair spun and lifted, some of the color changing until it was in the style Mr. Gonzales had imagined for her. She then stepped across the hall and back into her mentor's rooms. "Well gentlemen, will this do?" "You look lovely" Manuel says. "Indeed," Bolivar states. Manuel says "Follow me. He then opens the entranceway to the Mansion and enters, Bolivar and Kate following. They walk into his workshop. Once there he gathers up various components and deposits them in his brazier. He calls the two women close and says "I am going to start and incantation. I want you both to hold hands and when I extend my hands outward each of you take one with your other hand." He begins to cast the spell, which requires considerable hand gestures and elaborate incantations from which Kate discerns words in Latin, Greek and French. He then thrusts out his hands as a pink colored smoke rises up from the brazier and encompasses the three of them. It felt odd to hold a strange man's hand, but Kate forgot all about that in watching Mr. Gonzales perform the incantation. She still had no idea where they were going. It didn't seem long before pink smoke rose up and a hand came toward her through the cloud. Kate grasped it firmly and held on tight. The pink smoke intensified and then dissipated. They were no longer in the workshop. The three were inside of what appeared to be a large hotel room, essentially a two bedroom suite. They were in the center of a living room with leather sofas and chairs. Off from the room were the bedrooms on two sides, each with a large king sized four-corner posted beds with hand-quilted comforters atop each. Oriental style wool carpets covered the floors. The rooms were lit by electric light fixtures. A large picture window was on one wall and the sun was shining through the curtains. Noises that she associated with busy cities could be heard from outside. Katherine released Bolivar's hand, but moved her other hand so she had now taken her teachers arm. This place was elegant and rich. It felt a great deal like home, but far richer. "Where are we, Professeur aimé?" He replies "We are at the Nadeau Hotel, the finest hotel in the city.” "And which city would that be?" he asks. "Los Angeles, California" is his reply. He continues, “ Remi Nadeau is a Canadian of French descent. He arrived here in 1859 where he began his career in the transportation industry, starting with just two mules and a wagon. His Cerro Gordo Freighting Company now has stations in sixty-five towns and cities throughout the southwestern United States and he has branched out into other ventures. Comes, let me show you the building's main attraction" They head out into a hallway where a large metal gated box with a man standing inside it stands. Bolivar says "Mrs. Kale, have you ever seen an elevator before? This is the first one in this region of the country. You can travel vertically from one floor to another without benefit of stairs and it is totally mechanical in nature rather than magical!" She replies, "I have not, sir; a marvelous invention indeed. Especially when one has need to move a great many things from one floor to another. Will we be riding, sir?" "Indeed" he replies. They enter the contraption and the gate is shut. There are four levers before the operator numbered on through four. "Lobby sirs?" the man asks. "Yes" Bolivar replies. The man moves the lowest lever and the square room descends. She watches as three floors pass by with the box stopping in the lobby of the grand hotel. They head outside to the curb where street signs indicate that the four-story hotel is at the corners of First and Spring Streets. Manuel tells Kate "We came to the city last night for dinner along with Antonio. My initial spell had to bring us to a place outside of the city, where we wouldn't be observed arriving by magic. We decided to save the long walk back by renting the hotel room to leave from, especially since we were coming back again today." They wait for a short while as various wagons and carriages ride by. Finally a very fancy carriage pulls up to the curb and the driver steps down and opens the door for the trio. Bolivar offers his hand to assist Kate up and inside. There are two people seated inside upon the bench on one side of the carriage so Kate and her two companions sit on the other. Kate looks up at the two people. One is a heavy-set man with a balding head and white mutton-chops flowing across his face. The other is a female wood elf who Kate instantly recognizes. She appears to be a little bit older than she had been in the photograph found in the rustlers’ cave but is clearly the same young woman. Bolivar gestures to Kate and says, "This is Manuel's apprentice, Katherine Kale. May I introduce you to James R. Toberman, the previous Mayor of this city, and his employee Consuela Hernandez." The woman smiles and says "Mrs. Kale, it is a pleasure to meet you. I hear that you are the one who found me." "The pleasure is mine, Miss Hernandez. Mr. Toberman, how do you do?" Katherine said politely. "I only found some items which belonged to you and asked about them, It is these gentlemen who have the skills required to find you. I hope you'll forgive my surprise. Two days ago I was told there was no hope of returning those items to their owner." Consuela replies "Those items are of a past life and I no longer have need of them, although the return of my family photograph would be appreciated. My life in Bolivia ended over twenty years ago. My family was killed by the Military Dictator, as was a servant girl who was believed to be me. Family friends smuggled me out of the county and to safety here in California. I have been working for Mr. Toberman for most of the years since that time." An awkward silence follows until Toberman decides give them a brief history of the city. He says, "This community last year celebrated its Centennial. This settlement was first established on September 4th, 1781 as the Pueblo of Los Angeles with forty-two settlers from Mexico, mostly wood elves and a few African ogres. The city’s first mayor was a wood elf named Jose Vanegas. The first human visited in 1805, a New England ship captain named John Shaler who set up the first trade with the city. The United States claimed California from Mexico in 1846 and fighting between the two countries took place right here in the city. A census in 1848 showed the city to have 248 humans, 1798 elves, 3 ogres and 3 gnomes. The 1949 gold rush brought tens of thousands to California and the Los Angeles county was formally established in 1850. Most of the next twenty years were filled with tragedies. In 1855 and again in 1857 major earthquakes damaged much of the city and killed many. The city sent 163 troops to fight with the Union Army in the great war, a large number of whom never returned. During the war years the city was ravaged by a smallpox epidemic which killed most of the elvan population. And a steamship blew up in the harbor, killing over two dozen and seriously injuring as many more. But the city recovered from those events and prospered. I served as Mayor for six years, from 1872 to 1874 and again from 1878 until earlier this week. As of last year our population numbered over 11,000. When silver was discovered in your Arizona county in 1877 much of the city’s population left for there seeking to strike it rich. But last year after the railroads connected this city to the East new populations began to swell in and a massive building campaign has been raging ever since. During these last four years I have brought electric lights, mass transit and fiscal integrity to the city. While the Spanish quarter of the city remains one-story adobe houses the downtown area is now growing with multi-story buildings. Plans are on the board for several more grand hotels much like the Nadeau where you are staying. The southern areas are still planted with fields of barley. That too will soon be replaced by homes and businesses. But it is these buildings that we are approaching near Main and First Streets that I wanted to show to you." The carriage stops beside a large brick three-story building that looks to have once been either a hotel or boarding house. The windows are boarded up and iron chains and locks are fixed to the front door. A tall man dressed in a brown suit and top hat is standing near the doorway and takes out a key chain to unlock the locks, unbars the door and then opens it. He enters first carrying a lantern and the others follow. They tour the building. The rooms are in reasonably good shape, with hardwood floors and fireplaces in each room. The staircases appear to be quite sturdy. Each of the upper two stories has twenty individual 12-foot square rooms. The lower floor has six of these rooms and several other larger rooms. Katherine was quiet as they toured the abandoned building. It must have been a grand place once upon a time, but she was confused as to why they were in it. Mr. Toberman's pride in his city was evident, but the flow of information had stopped once they entered the building. They then depart and the man relocks the building. He hands some papers to Toberman and then wishes him a good day. Toberman says, "Shall we?" and gestures to a fair sized restaurant adjacent to the building. "Of course." Kate again linked her arm with her teacher's, but she kept her first few steps small so they fell behind slightly. "You will think I am nothing but questions today," she said quietly. "But what was that all about?" Toberman says "Mrs. Kale. Stories such as yours and Consuela's are not rare. This town has seen hundreds of women who have tragically lost their families and become alone. Unlike the two of you, most women who find themselves in that situation lack the friends and finances to help persevere. That is especially true of those of wood elvan descent. Now that I am no longer Mayor I am looking to establish some philanthropic endeavors to benefit the city. That building would be the first, a place for women who life has mistreated to live together. It will be a place for them to start life anew and learn the skills of new professions." While this conversation is going on they enter the huge adjacent wooden restaurant. Kate notices the exterior coat of white paint is cracked and pealing. The carved woodwork around the windows is weatherbeaten. The large blue and white sign over the door reading "Las Pueblo Restaurante" is also cracked and faded. The restaurant starts with a vast lobby, 20 by 40 feet and lined on all walls with various couches. The cloth or leather on most of the couches is also slit and padding from below can be seen through. A waiter shows the five inside and to a table. The interior consists of one vast room 100 feet wide and 75 feet long. Most of the interior is filled with chairs and tables, although only around 20 tables near the side windows have been set. The single-story building has a high ceiling, twenty feet up, with elaborate candle chandeliers that are currently devoid of candles. Two doors in the rear lead to a large kitchen. The other side of the room has a large stage, fifteen feet out and running most of the 75-foot length of the building. A full-sized grand piano sits atop of it. Curtains are on both sides of the stage, with ropes to draw them. The curtains also show tears and the ends of the rope is frayed. Toberman continues "Consuela began working for me as a maid but in the last four years while I was preoccupied with running the city she has become the manager of my household. I can see that her skills far outshine that of a household servant. I plan to have her be the manager of the women's home." The waiter arrives and Toberman orders for the group and a white wine is served along with soup and salad for each. As they sat down to lunch Katherine imagined what this restaurant must have looked like before it fell into disrepair. Her eyes kept moving back to the piano. It looked like a beautiful instrument. Kate listened carefully to the others talking but kept mostly quiet. She was surprised to find that she had eaten most of her soup and salad without thinking. Consuela says "I would welcome the opportunity to run such a place." "As would I, although I don't imagine I have the skills to do so. And for now I have another task," Kate said, glancing over at Mr. Gonzales. They continue the meal. Consuela then gestures to the restaurant and says "When I first came to the city this was the finest establishment one could find. But the elvan owners died in the smallpox epidemic and the owners since then have been unable to maintain it, but enough remains for you to still picture the grandeur that was once here." Toberman then tells Kate "I plan to attach my name to the women's home in order to help attract financial backing for it. But this restaurant will be the main financing. The owners are hopeful to sell and if we can restore it, well, what a place it would be for this rapidly growing city. When this building is fully functioning again it would provide ample employment for all of the women living next door." Manuel then leans over and takes Kate's hand. He looks her directly in the eye and says, "Of course we would first need to make sure everyone in the city knows that the restaurant is under new management. The best way to do that would be for it to have a new name. How does the name "Maggie's" sound to you?" It was as if the sun came up over Katherine's face. She squeezed Mr. Gonzales' hand. "It couldn't be more perfect. She'll be so happy. She told me once how she missed having other women around her, and how she wanted to make a kind of oasis for people at the Lone Star. Here she could do it on a much grander scale." She turned to Mr. Toberman. "This is a wonderful project you're taking on. It is strange to say it, but in many ways I'm fortunate. I got on the stage on the right day, and met people who changed my life. The grief can make one feel very heavy. It makes it hard to see any future. I can't imagine what it must be like for women without my luck." Toberman asks Kate "Could you please tell me about this Maggie Whipple person? Mr. Gonzales seems to think that she would be a good manager for this establishment. I'm thinking that she would retain half ownership and the financial trust fund for the woman's shelter would own the other half. Mr. Gonzales seemed to indicate that she would have $ 2,000 to invest in the venture." Kate replies, "Yes, she and her brother are selling their Saloon in Promise City so he can buy into the family business in Denver. She has changed in the two weeks since I've known her. She was always a kind and generous woman, but lately some of her long held beliefs have been challenged and I've been delighted to see that she has expanded her mind to accept other views. Lately she has been trying to convince her brother that members of all races should be welcome in their establishment. She has been very kind to me, and from talking with her I know that she has a desire to care for others. They even have rooms for all the employees at her establishment, although I have chosen to remain at the El Parador. It was Maggie who hired myself and my friend Ruby to work at the Lone Star, and as far as I can tell it is she who does most of the day to day management. She has two years worth of managing a saloon under her belt, and she grew up in one as well. If I may say so, management skills can be learned. The compassionate and understanding nature required for this kind of endeavor cannot be. Maggie possesses that nature and business sense as well." Toberman replies "Then it sounds like she would do well here." The conversation turns to smalltalk rather then business matters when the main course is served, a fish and rice plate. Toberman waits until all of the restaurant's employees are well out of earshot before continuing the discussion and keeping his voice low. He states "The owners of both buildings are looking to sell. The latest tax assessments have this building valued at $ 12,000 and the hotel next door at $ 9,000. However, considerable back taxes are owed on both and between that and the much-needed renovations there has been little interest from any potential buyers. I believe that if I agree to cover the back taxes I should be able to talk each buyer down to one-third of the assessed value, so your Mrs. Whipple's $ 2,000 would cover her half of the restaurant. Once we have title of ownership, since I still wield considerable influence with the City Council and given the altruistic purpose I am planning for, I should be able to get them to waive the back taxes. Then I will approach the various businessmen in town for donations of materials for the renovations for both buildings." Bolivar speaks up next. "My reputation proceeds me among the wood Elvan people on both continents and I have always been able to influence people to join a good cause. I anticipate being able to solicit enough volunteer labor for all of the renovations. We should be able to get both buildings opened within a few months, possibly sooner." Katherine listened as the others made thier plans, wishing there was something she could offer. "Since it will be several months, when would you want Maggie to arrive?" Manuel says, "Oh, she'd be needed here right away. We should probably talk about the logistics of her getting out here some time after the meal." "Shall I bring Maggie over to the El Parador this afternoon, or would you like to come over to the Lone Star?" "We can talk later," he says. The dessert, a strawberry topped cake, is then served. Toberman pays the bill and tells Katherine "A pleasure to meet you." They return to their carriage and Bolivar, Manuel and Katherine are brought back to the Nadeau. They head up to the room and Manuel says "About Maggie, you are going to have to talk to her as soon as possible about this, and here's why. What do you honestly think Mr. William Whipple will say and do if Maggie were to announce that she's coming out here alone with half of the money from the Lone Star that would otherwise go to him?" She replies, "I think he would say he's going to beat some sense into her, and do it. He's a terrible man, Professeur aimé. Last night.... I don't know if Sonoma spoke to you about it. He screamed at me and would have struck her if Jeff and Job hadn't stopped him." Katherine took a deep breath. "I have never seen a temper like that. I never imagined Maggie's fear of disappointing her father might also be fear of physical violence. But I'm not sure I understand why speaking to her sooner makes a difference. I will go to her as soon as we return if you wish, but how does that avoid an altercation with her father?" He says, "She leaves him out of it, or rather, she just leaves. Maggie legally owns half of the Lone Star. The town thinks that she and Tom have been fighting since the accusations at the courthouse on Tuesday and last night he spent the evening at the Comique staring at Flossie McKenna the whole night. Her deciding to 'walk out' on 'husband' Tom would seem just the natural course of things. What you need to do is convince her that what she can have here is a better life and then get her together with the buyers of her half of the saloon today at one of the lawyer's offices. Get that transaction done today. She can sign over her half without Tom or William having to know about it. Another thing that she told Dorita is that William Whipple is a very religious man, never misses church on Sunday. Well, one Sunday a month a Greek/Roman Priest visits Promise City and that day is tomorrow. So from 8:00 AM until around noon William Whipple, Tom Whipple, Teddy Whipple and Alexsis Downy will all tied up in church. Maggie just has to come up with an acceptable excuse to not to go and that will give her an hour to pack before the 9:00 AM stage to Tombstone and a three hour head start on them once they find out that she's gone. She then catches the train from Tombstone to Tucson and I'll meet her there to bring her the rest of the way. Even if Whipple does follow her trail it will go cold in Tucson and she'll be forever free of that awful man." Kate says, "I'll do the best I can. It's a wonderful opportunity for her, but to leave the Lone Star and go to a big city where she doesn't know anyone would be frightening. The work is perfect for her though. I think I can convince her. What I don't like is that this depends on her getting away from her family tomorrow morning. And honestly, on me getting to see Maggie today. If William Whipple decides he doesn't want me to see his daughter, I'm not strong enough to get past him physically." Kate sighed and then smiled as they walked back through the hotel. "Thank you for this morning, gentlemen. What could be better? A wonderful opportunity for my friend, a chance to play dress up for me, and a few hours where I feel myself again. Places like this were my life for a long time, and there are days when I miss it." Bolivar says "And your company was a pleasure to enjoy. One added piece of incentive, I've rented this suite for the next month so this is would be where she will be staying until the women's home is completed. Consuela will use the other bedroom and she won't find a better friend or city guide than her." Manuel sets up the brazier and begins the spell again. Kate and Simon each take one of his hands and they teleport back to his Mansion. Bolivar takes his leave of the other two. Manuel tells Kate "I'll be ready to leave in around two hours to head out to that horse ranch. Good luck." "I'll be ready," Kate said and returned to her room. The rain was still pouring down and the streets would be muddy. She decided against putting on a dress and instead put on the new riding clothes she'd bought at Lacey's store and her stout boots. After removing the hair clip she braided her hair and let it hang down her back and put on a heavy jacket to keep the rain off. At the last moment she dashed off a note for Jake and Ruby in case they weren't downstairs. She dashed down the stairs. Kate reaches the Cantina and sees Jeff Mills sitting with Chester at a table and enjoying a large meal that is in front of him. She approaches the table and he stops eating "Hello Kate. Dorita insisted on treating me to a big lunch as my reward for helping to save Louise last night." Kate then realizes that her next task has just gotten much easier when she hears Maggie's voice from out in the kitchen talking to Dorita. "Is that Maggie I hear?" she asks. Jeff says "Yeah, she insisted on helping Dorita cook this up for me. It's not often I get treated like a king! Plus it's raining today so for the first time in four days I don't have to spend the whole day up on the Lone Star roof laying bricks. It's a welcomed break." Chester adds "And since he didn't want to eat alone I also get treated!" [/QUOTE]
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