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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2476835" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 131 ,“Another Saturday Night”, Saturday, January 14th, 1882:</strong></p><p></p><p>Kate and Chester reach the front doors of the Lone Star and are more than a little surprised by the wooden sign nailed to the wall beside the door reading "Humans Only". They enter and see Jeff Mills standing by the front door. There are around twenty people are inside, all human. Most of the people are at Job and Tony's poker tables which are both full with games having already started. Kate only recognizes around half of the players as regulars from their games. </p><p></p><p>Teddy Whipple is at the keyboards making his usual attempt to destroy the poor machine with his incessant pounding. Alexsis is up on the stage singing a light and lively tune. William Whipple is standing behind the bar playing bartender. Maggie is in one of her best dresses and circulating around the room playing hostess to those not engaged in poker. There are noises coming from the kitchen which Kate assumes is Dorita, as she wasn't over at the El Parador earlier.</p><p></p><p>"Hi Jeff, how are you tonight?" Jake goes over to the bouncer. "I guess your new job is screening guests? Want to check my ears and make sure I'm ok?" Jake takes off his hat and give Jeff a grin. Jeff gives Jake a stern look and says "Oh shut up! It wasn't my idea, go talk to the man behind the bar about these stupid rules! I'll be glad when that old windbag is gone." Jake gives him a friendly pat on the arm. "I know." </p><p></p><p>Jake then helps Ruby with her rain soaked coat, she mechanically let's him remove it. Her eye's on narrowing and becoming that tell tale cloudy look as she takes in the room from William Whipple, to the piano and finally to the stage. "You will try not to cause too much trouble won't you?" Ruby smiles and says, "Yes of course." but her eyes tell a different story. She struts over to the bar and says "Good evening Mr. Whipple." Jake smiles over at Maggie and nods his head before finding a spot to have a drink and finally look at Baxter's paper.</p><p></p><p>The front page of the paper is a story of the bank robbery, with considerable less detail than the Tombstone paper as it has nothing in it about Dudley Yeats escape from jail. The only additional facts in this paper than the other are a follow-up on Pinto Joe Weem's medical condition and how he is expected to survive. Page two consists of a half-page ad for the Palace Saloon, a quarter-page ad for Frye's Harness Shop and Bootmaker and a quarter page ad for Reston's Pawn Shop. </p><p></p><p>Page three has a short story about how Rebecca King, the wife of rancher Anse King, is looking to raise money to build a Greek/Roman church in town. There is a long story about how Duncan Frye first learned about the bootmaking trade and finally a story stating how the Lone Star Dance Hall and Saloon no longer welcomed humans, with lengthy interviews with the three miners who had been injured in the previous night’s brawl.</p><p></p><p>Page four has a half-page ad for the Gay Lady Variety Hall and Saloon, a story without many facts or any names about land in the Dos Cabezas mountains being bought up by speculators, and a profile of Doctor James Eaton. It tells how his father had been a surgeon during the Mexican-American War which inspired James to enter both the field of medicine and the military. He had been a career naval officer until five years earlier. It also talks about his wife Beth and his three children, 9-year old Rebecca, 7-year old Philby and 3-year old Tad.</p><p></p><p>Kate gave Jeff a resigned smile as Chester helped her with her coat. "I think we can all agree with that sentiment. May I add that I think the piano will be relieved when Teddy is gone as well? It's going to cost a pretty penny to have that piano tuned after he leaves." She went inside and picked up her apron from behind the bar without speaking to William Whipple. She picked up a tray and went over to the piano. "Just let me know when you need a break," she said simply.</p><p></p><p>Ruby goes to the bar and says, "I'd like a whiskey please, Mr. Whipple." While she waits she continues to stare at Mr. Whipple. "So," she asks casually, "I thought we were letting dwarves in tonight. I've been practicing my dwarven songs even. That was what Maggie said she wanted..." William Whipple says, "There's been a change in plans. Apparently the Alhambra, Comique, Indian Head, Silver Dollar and El Parador are all overrun with dwarves so we've decided to take in the humans who would normally be at those places on Saturday nights. It's a better business strategy, focus on folks who might become regular customers instead of people just here for the one night. You just do your usual set."</p><p></p><p>Kate walked over to Maggie. "How are you holding up?" she asked quietly. Maggie replies "Fine, they don't suspect anything. Father threw a fit earlier today over that story in the Herald but seems to have relaxed since then. I think he's always happiest when he can tend bar." Kate asks, "I haven't seen the Herald. What story was it?"</p><p></p><p>Maggie replies "On page three, under the headline "Humans no longer welcome at local saloon". It was about last night's confrontation. Baxter interviewed the three miners who Mr. Wyman and Mr. Miller had the altercation with. The men claimed that they were minding their own business and that Wyman started it. They then claim that management here backed the half-elf and made an anti-human comment along with our refusal to call the Marshall. </p><p></p><p>The only other quote is from Adair, pointing out that humans are always welcome at the Palace Saloon since it is now too dangerous for them to come here. On the page opposite that was a half-page ad for the Palace reiterating that they have a human's only policy along with two coupons for free drinks." She then says "Adair's always been a racist, but that policy of his will only hurt him tonight given all of the dwarves in town tonight to spend all their money. Dorita and her assistant are all set to cook up lots of top dwarven recipes."</p><p></p><p>Kate rubbed her forehead. "I'm a little confused. Dorita and her assistant, she has an assistant? They are ready to cook for the dwarves? But there is a sign outside by the door that says humans only." "WHAT!" Maggie exclaims and marches to the front door with Kate following. They head outside with Jeff Mills coming up behind them. "Jeff, what is the meaning of this!" Maggie exclaims. He replies, "Tom's father had me put that up when you were out in the kitchen." "Take it down!" she yells. </p><p></p><p>He answers, "Sorry Ma'am, can't do that. Tom had a firm talking to me earlier today and made it clear that I'm to do as his father says or else I'm fired. If I were to lose this job I doubt anybody else around here would be willing to hire me. If he attempts to hit another female employee I'll jump in and stop him, even if it costs me my job, but short of that I'm doing as he says. And he says that sign stays up, even if you try to take it down."</p><p></p><p>Jake hears the commotion at the door and goes over. He's heard part of it, but when he asks Jeff tells him what happened. "Maggie, it's up to you if you want to fight with your father or not. But if Jeff is not following your orders, fire him." Jeff looks startled and shocked. "Of course I've been looking for a man just like Jeff. Between my silver mine and the new business I'm buying into I need him, and would start him tonight at the same wage he earned here." Jake motions to Chester, "Hey, Chester come here." </p><p></p><p>Chester makes his way through the crowd. "What do you want, Mr. Cook?" Jake tells Maggie, “If you needed a bouncer for the night, we'll I bet ol' Chester here would fit the bill." Jake motions to the sign. "And he'd do what you asked him about the sign." Chester says, "Sure thing, Mrs. Whipple. Your father doesn't treat you good. If you don't mind my saying. If you want dwarves to be welcome here, then so be it. You're supposed to be in charge tonight, not your father."</p><p></p><p>Jeff smiles, clasps Jake's hand and gives it a firm handshake. Then, without needing the use of any tools the large muscular man pulls the sign off the wall with both hands and tosses it into the nearest mud puddle. He then gives Maggie a big grin and says "No need for you to fire me, I'll let your father do it after I go make and put up a 'Dwarves Welcome' sign, assuming that's what you want Mrs. Whipple." "Go right ahead," she replies. </p><p></p><p>Patrick Seawell walks up to the doorway and says to Jake, "So are we going in or just standing out here in the rain?" Seawell is in the company of the human Ralph Elliott and the dwarf Torvald MacNaulty. Jake says, "Good evening Patrick. I believe the owners have just welcomed you and your company." Jake goes back in and takes his seat. They join Jake at his table. William Whipple is distracted by Ruby and does not notice the dwarf until after Kate has served Jake and his three table companions their first round of drinks. </p><p></p><p>Whipple looks around for Jeff but can't see him. Jeff then comes out from the kitchen with a piece of wood, hammer and nails and heads towards the front door. Whipple heads out from behind the bar and starts to head towards the door but Maggie manages to intercept him with some questions. By the time he finishes with her Jeff is finished outside and has come back in. Whipple comes up to Mills and points out the dwarf and yells "Where the Hades did you go? You're supposed to be keeping them out." Mills says "Sorry sir, if you'll come with me we can take care of this." </p><p></p><p>They approach the table, Whipple having a self-satisfied look on his face. Mills clears his throat to get the attention of everyone at the table. He then says "Excuse me gentlemen, I have been designated the official greeter of the Lone Star for this evening. I was preoccupied with changing the sign by the front door and neglected to see your entry into our establishment. I apologize for the oversight and beg your forgiveness. Please accept the first round of drinks as compliments of the establishment and we hope you enjoy your evening here." </p><p></p><p>Whipple's jaw drops, but before he can speak in response Jeff has turned and marches off into the kitchen. Whipple hurries over to the front door and sees what is now written on the sign. He attempts to pull it off but Jeff has tightly secured it with multiple nails. William Whipple marches through the Saloon and into the kitchen. Jake has a smug look on his face and offers a toast, "To your holiday Torvald and to your health." </p><p></p><p>Expecting to hear loud yells from the kitchen at any moment Jake continues, "So tell me how is the mining business?" "Not too good," Elliott states. Torvald says "So close and yet so far. It's all right there but getting to it will be a real bear. So far all we've worked on is pickup up the rubble that we blasted down. We'll get it smelted down but the silver content probably isn't even a fifth of that first load." </p><p></p><p>Seawell says, "Yeah, I went out there yesterday. They got in the first load of lumber to begin building the ramps and supports but are going to be needing a lot more wood and beams as well as somebody who has a clue as to how to build it." It suddenly occurs to Jake that he may have just made an even better hiring decision than he had initially realized. Jeff Mills has been doing an excellent job as the construction foreman for the team of carpenters and bricklayers who have started building the Lone Star's third floor this week.</p><p></p><p>Jake says, "Turns out I just made a job offer to someone who may be just the right man. He may be accepting that offer any minute now. If he does and you want him, I'll let you hire him for that work and he can work for me as time allows." Jake takes a sip of his whiskey and looks over at Ruby who is impatiently waiting for Alexis to get off the stage. Even from here Jake can see she still isn't too pleased, but seems to be containing herself. He catches her eyes, smiles and mouths 'everything will be fine'. "I hope." he says under his breath.</p><p></p><p>Katherine worked hard to keep herself from laughing as Jeff and Jake ran all over William Whipple's plans. Just because Maggie would leave tomorrow was no reason to let than man run roughshod over them all night. Kate was refreshing drinks at Job's table when William Whipple stalked back in from the rain and followed Jeff into the kitchen. Dorita and her assistant were back there, and she suddenly remembered what Maggie had told her about the men at the El Parador. They might not be quite as protective of Dorita, but she imagined if anything were to happen to her it would not be pretty. She finished serving, took a deep breath, and went into the kitchen.</p><p></p><p>Kate enters the kitchen. Maria Fuente, one of the working girls at the El Parador, is assisting Dorita. Maria's brother Estaban is also in the room holding a shotgun and near the back door. It occurs to Kate that Manuel was not able to put the magical protections on the Lone Star this evening, so she must have brought Estaban along as a guard. That made since as the dwarves that filled up the El Parador would not have been interested in hearing his Mexican music. </p><p></p><p>As she opens the door Whipple is in the process of yelling at Jeff, the first words she catches being "....hard of hearing? Listen you big dumb lummox, my son did you a big favor in hiring you! And this is how you repay him....with insubordination!" Mills just stands there without responding. Whipple continues "I don't care if Maggie told you to change the sign. This is Tom's Saloon, not hers, despite what she may think. You go back out there right now and put the 'Humans Only' sign back on the door." Jeff doesn't move. Whipple says "I'm not putting up with this, you're fired you stupid ox! You'd better go see if Sherod Hunter and John Magruder need you again because you're finished in this town!" </p><p></p><p>Dorita listens the tirade that Whipple is spouting and waits. She shuffles the food she is cooking until she has an empty pan in her hand available to her then looks the men in the eye. "Here I am cooking! You go fight somewhere else! Out of my kitchen both of you! Hungry the dwarven men on holiday be and you in the way! Go out of my kitchen now! Fight somewhere else!” With that she makes a shooing motion with her apron trying to herd the men to the doorway that Kate is standing in. William Whipple turns to Dorita and says "You be quiet, we hired you to cook not talk. Just do your job or you're fired too!" He then mutters under his breath "uppity freaking** elves". </p><p></p><p>**family friendly word substituted here</p><p></p><p>In Spanish Dorita turns to Maria, "go tell Maggie pack we are leaving!" To Estaban she says, "Watch him" With that she begins to pull all of the food and foodstuffs into a large basket, packing up the kitchen. She tells Whipple, “You no hire me, Maggie ask my help for her. I come for her, not you. She own saloon and run it way she wants! You no let her because you are bad man! I leave now! You run this place without help" Dorita then looks up and says, "Kate, time to go. You tell Ruby we go now" With the rifle packing Estaban at her back Dorita stomps out of the kitchen food and all. "Ruby we leave now!" she yells as she stomps across the floor, the wood elvan woman a force to be reckoned with. </p><p></p><p>Jake sees the little platoon storming out of the kitchen led by Dorita. "Crap. Excuse me for a moment gentlemen." Jake bolts to cut her off at the door. "Senora, senora, por favor..." he speaks to her using his best mangled Spanish, Jake tries to stop her. He realizes that the entire place is watching them. "Quietly now, what is wrong?" Dorita rapidly spews the problem at him, "Slower, senora, slower, I don't understand." Dorita yells “Maggie pack, she come home! Bad man uses bad words, to ME! I no stay. Ruby no stay. Kate no stay. Maggie no stay! You no stay, stay, you decide. Time to go! All birds go now! Bad man, bad place for good people! They no stay!”</p><p></p><p>Jake pleads, "Will you give me one chance to fix things with Maggie?" In response Dorita storms out the front door, food in hand, followed by Estaban and Maria. Torvald MacNaulty had eyed and smelled the fine dwarven cuisine and decides that he wants to be where it is. He and his three companions quickly finish their complimentary round of drinks and follow. </p><p></p><p>Jeff tells Jake "Whipple fired me, so I guess I'm gone too." He then gestures to Kate and Ruby and says "They'll have to decide if they want to go against Dorita's wishes, but they should take into account that there are dozens of dwarves back at Dorita's Inn right now who would appreciate their rooms. I don't know Dorita well enough to know if she'd evict these girls but who can tell in the mood she's in right now." Jeff then leaves.</p><p></p><p>"Seems like there is going to be one heck of a party at the El Parador." Jake says to Ruby who is still standing at the bar. She finally seems to be enjoying herself. "Katherine!" Jake calls out and motions to her to come away from Maggie's father. "Maybe Dorita's right. Maggie could spend the night in your room? Then you two could take care of business in the morning? I'm OK with abandoning the Lone Star for the evening. Why don't you talk to her, and let me know." Kate replies, "I'd be delighted to have Maggie with me for the night. I never liked the idea of her trying to get away on her own anyway. We might need help getting past Mr. Whipple, so don't go anywhere." </p><p></p><p>Kate met Maggie as the other woman was hurrying toward the door to see what was going on. "Maggie, Mr. Whipple just fired Jeff and tried to fire Dorita. And said some ugly words about elves. She told him exactly who she worked for, but she won't stay where she's been insulted. She wants us all to leave and let him try to run this place alone. She said you should pack and come home," Kate said with a soft smile. "Will you? You can stay with me tonight." She hugged her friend and whispered, "Spend your last night here where the people love and respect you, and make good memories to take along."</p><p></p><p>Maggie is surprisingly calm. She whispers "I'll get away if I can but need to stay here until we can at least find Tom and get him back here. And please get Jake or Chester to take down that new sign, if Jeff isn't here dwarves would definitely not be welcomed by Tom and Father." Kate says, "I know just where to look for Tom. I'll have him back here in a few minutes unless I'm very much mistaken. Then I'll help you get ready and make sure you can get out," she whispered back. Then she handed Maggie her apron and walked over to the door. </p><p></p><p>"Maggie will come after we get Tom here," Kate said quietly to Jake. "I'll ask Mr. Martin to walk me over to the Comique. I'm sure that's where he is. I'm not sure what you and Ruby want to do. You could just go now, or wait until I get back with Tom. But Maggie would like you to take down the new sign. Tom and their Father won't agree with the sentiment." </p><p></p><p>"Mr. Martin, could you get me my coat, please." Chester helps Kate into her jacket. "Thank you. Would you be so kind as to walk me to the Comique?" He says, "OK, Mrs. Kale. What's over there?" She replies, </p><p>"Katherine, or Kate will do just fine, Mr. Martin. I imagine once you've been shot at together formalities become less important. He says, "You're right about that. Please, call me Chester. But some call me Chet, if that's more to your liking." </p><p></p><p>She says, "To answer your question, I need to find Tom Whipple so Maggie can leave the Lone Star. Actually we're all leaving. Their father has insulted too many people tonight." "Wait a minute. Their father? I thought they were married. Unless…" She says, "Yes, they aren't really married, they're siblings. It's a long story for which we don't have time now." </p><p></p><p>A few minutes later they walked in the front door of the Comique where Flossie McKenna was standing on stage singing. Katherine hoped she knew what kind of family she was marrying into. She searched the room for Tom. Kate is able to pinpoint Tom right away, as he is the only non-dwarven person in the place who isn't an employee. Flossie apparently knew a full array of Norse opera that had the fifty or so dwarves all spellbound. Tom also appeared to be entranced by the singer. Chester stays near the door and Kate is able to make her way through the dwarves to get to Tom's chair.</p><p></p><p>Kate says, "Tom, I'm sorry to disturb you. You need to go back to the Lone Star right away. It seems you're running short on employees. Quite a few of them have taken offense to the treatment they've received in the last few days." She leaned down and whispered in his ear. "You'll have the rest of your life to stare at Flossie. But if you want Job to have enough money to set you free, you'd better get back."</p><p></p><p>Tom Whipple hurries back to the Lone Star Dance Hall and Saloon. Jake, Chester and Ruby are standing over near the door. Both card games are going on. Alexsis is on stage and Teddy is at the piano. William has moved back behind the bar and Maggie is over by the bar talking to her. Tom turns to Jake and says "What's the emergency? Everything looks fine here."</p><p></p><p>"Deceptive, isn't it?" Kate said sweetly. "Maggie wanted you here, I got you. Excuse me while I go talk to your wife." Jake tells Tom, "I don't know the whole story, but it appears your father had some words with the kitchen staff and they all left. A bunch of customers followed them because the food smelled good. He's also fired Jeff, and I think that Katherine and Ruby are about to leave." Jake shrugs his shoulders. "So if you don't include having no kitchen staff, bouncer, server or main entertainment... everything seems fine." He looks out the door. "Seems like the rain is slowing down business too. How are things with you?"</p><p></p><p>Tom just stares at Jake with a dumbfounded look. "Jeff quit? You must have that wrong. He can't quit! He would never quit. Father won't let me leave unless there's a plan to finish the third floor and that plan is dependent upon Jeff. He must just be on break or something." Ruby throws her hair back over her shoulder. "You're right he didn't quit. Your father fired him. There's been lots of trouble since your father got here. I guess neither you or your father really wanted Maggie to succeed, huh?" Ruby glances across the room to Kate and then back to Jake. "We'd better hurry up so we don't make Dorita more angry than she already is." </p><p></p><p>Katherine had walked over to Maggie. "Excuse us, please," she said perfunctorily to William Whipple and guided Maggie away. She kept her voice low. "Tom is here, although he doesn't really understand what the problem is. Let's go pack your bags. We can spend the night over at the El Parador and it will make the morning that much easier." Kate stopped for a moment. "Are you going to be okay with this?"</p><p></p><p>Maggie says "No, I just can't walk out like this. After tonight I'm totally committed to leaving tomorrow but I need to stay here for a while longer tonight until things stabilize. At a minimum, Tom needs to hear my version of what happened rather than just Father's. I'll be along as soon as I can."</p><p></p><p>Kate replies, "I don't like to leave you here. I would just come back for you, but I'm afraid your male relatives won’t welcome me. I think I might sit down, have a drink, and wait for you. Tom's right over by the door, why don't you come along with me over there?" The two women walked over to the door. As they arrive Tom is telling Jake, "I'll talk to Father. Jeff still has a job here, I'll make sure of that. Whatever Jeff did to anger Father I'll fix." And with that Tom marches over towards the bar to speak to his father. </p><p></p><p>Kate says, "Ruby, would you tell Dorita that Maggie and I are coming? She wants to have a few words with some people first, and I'm going to stay to make sure that she comes home with all possible speed." Ruby replies, "Kate, I don't feel comfortable leaving you here, not with what you told me last night. I'll wait for you and Maggie to finish what you have to." Kate reached out and squeezed Ruby's hand. "Well, someone should let Dorita know we're coming. Jake, could you? Between Ruby and I, I think we can take care of ourselves. You can always come back for us, but I don't want Dorita any more upset than she already is."</p><p></p><p>A looming figure fills the doorway and Ruby glances over to see Cornelius Van Horne standing there. He has on an Inverness-style raincoat and wide brimmed hat. He glances in the direction of her and Jake and then turns his head looking over towards the stage. "Excuse me sir, you're blocking the door," Chester exclaims, trying to get back inside. Van Horne turns towards Chester and replies, "After you my good man, I was just looking for somebody who doesn't appear to be here. I'll be on my way." He turns and heads west down Main, crossing Allen street.</p><p></p><p>Ruby smiles. "So let's get our business done quickly and get out of here, shall we? Besides I think it'll be exciting over at the El Parador tonight and we can maybe help Dorita out over there instead, to help pay her back for her kindness to us. And," she pauses, "Just maybe steal some drinks from the bar," she adds with a wink.</p><p></p><p>Maggie continues to wait the tables while wandering near enough to catch some of the conversation between her father and brother. She comes back over and tells Kate "I should be able to get away soon if you guys leave. From what I just heard Tom and Father wants to know if you're still interested in buying the place. Tom going to come ask you about it. If you leave now then I should be able to get away to go ask you about it. Chester could stay to keep an eye on me." Kate nodded. "Alright Maggie. As long as someone can stay with you and fetch us if we're needed." She leaned forward and kissed her friend's cheek. "We'll see you in a little while." </p><p></p><p>Kate struggled into her jacket, got good hold of her skirts to keep them out of the mud, and looked to Ruby and Jake. "Let's go so we have to be found." Ruby gives Jake a smile then grabs Kate's hand. "Let's go." They quickly make their way back trying not to get too wet.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2476835, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 131 ,“Another Saturday Night”, Saturday, January 14th, 1882:[/B] Kate and Chester reach the front doors of the Lone Star and are more than a little surprised by the wooden sign nailed to the wall beside the door reading "Humans Only". They enter and see Jeff Mills standing by the front door. There are around twenty people are inside, all human. Most of the people are at Job and Tony's poker tables which are both full with games having already started. Kate only recognizes around half of the players as regulars from their games. Teddy Whipple is at the keyboards making his usual attempt to destroy the poor machine with his incessant pounding. Alexsis is up on the stage singing a light and lively tune. William Whipple is standing behind the bar playing bartender. Maggie is in one of her best dresses and circulating around the room playing hostess to those not engaged in poker. There are noises coming from the kitchen which Kate assumes is Dorita, as she wasn't over at the El Parador earlier. "Hi Jeff, how are you tonight?" Jake goes over to the bouncer. "I guess your new job is screening guests? Want to check my ears and make sure I'm ok?" Jake takes off his hat and give Jeff a grin. Jeff gives Jake a stern look and says "Oh shut up! It wasn't my idea, go talk to the man behind the bar about these stupid rules! I'll be glad when that old windbag is gone." Jake gives him a friendly pat on the arm. "I know." Jake then helps Ruby with her rain soaked coat, she mechanically let's him remove it. Her eye's on narrowing and becoming that tell tale cloudy look as she takes in the room from William Whipple, to the piano and finally to the stage. "You will try not to cause too much trouble won't you?" Ruby smiles and says, "Yes of course." but her eyes tell a different story. She struts over to the bar and says "Good evening Mr. Whipple." Jake smiles over at Maggie and nods his head before finding a spot to have a drink and finally look at Baxter's paper. The front page of the paper is a story of the bank robbery, with considerable less detail than the Tombstone paper as it has nothing in it about Dudley Yeats escape from jail. The only additional facts in this paper than the other are a follow-up on Pinto Joe Weem's medical condition and how he is expected to survive. Page two consists of a half-page ad for the Palace Saloon, a quarter-page ad for Frye's Harness Shop and Bootmaker and a quarter page ad for Reston's Pawn Shop. Page three has a short story about how Rebecca King, the wife of rancher Anse King, is looking to raise money to build a Greek/Roman church in town. There is a long story about how Duncan Frye first learned about the bootmaking trade and finally a story stating how the Lone Star Dance Hall and Saloon no longer welcomed humans, with lengthy interviews with the three miners who had been injured in the previous night’s brawl. Page four has a half-page ad for the Gay Lady Variety Hall and Saloon, a story without many facts or any names about land in the Dos Cabezas mountains being bought up by speculators, and a profile of Doctor James Eaton. It tells how his father had been a surgeon during the Mexican-American War which inspired James to enter both the field of medicine and the military. He had been a career naval officer until five years earlier. It also talks about his wife Beth and his three children, 9-year old Rebecca, 7-year old Philby and 3-year old Tad. Kate gave Jeff a resigned smile as Chester helped her with her coat. "I think we can all agree with that sentiment. May I add that I think the piano will be relieved when Teddy is gone as well? It's going to cost a pretty penny to have that piano tuned after he leaves." She went inside and picked up her apron from behind the bar without speaking to William Whipple. She picked up a tray and went over to the piano. "Just let me know when you need a break," she said simply. Ruby goes to the bar and says, "I'd like a whiskey please, Mr. Whipple." While she waits she continues to stare at Mr. Whipple. "So," she asks casually, "I thought we were letting dwarves in tonight. I've been practicing my dwarven songs even. That was what Maggie said she wanted..." William Whipple says, "There's been a change in plans. Apparently the Alhambra, Comique, Indian Head, Silver Dollar and El Parador are all overrun with dwarves so we've decided to take in the humans who would normally be at those places on Saturday nights. It's a better business strategy, focus on folks who might become regular customers instead of people just here for the one night. You just do your usual set." Kate walked over to Maggie. "How are you holding up?" she asked quietly. Maggie replies "Fine, they don't suspect anything. Father threw a fit earlier today over that story in the Herald but seems to have relaxed since then. I think he's always happiest when he can tend bar." Kate asks, "I haven't seen the Herald. What story was it?" Maggie replies "On page three, under the headline "Humans no longer welcome at local saloon". It was about last night's confrontation. Baxter interviewed the three miners who Mr. Wyman and Mr. Miller had the altercation with. The men claimed that they were minding their own business and that Wyman started it. They then claim that management here backed the half-elf and made an anti-human comment along with our refusal to call the Marshall. The only other quote is from Adair, pointing out that humans are always welcome at the Palace Saloon since it is now too dangerous for them to come here. On the page opposite that was a half-page ad for the Palace reiterating that they have a human's only policy along with two coupons for free drinks." She then says "Adair's always been a racist, but that policy of his will only hurt him tonight given all of the dwarves in town tonight to spend all their money. Dorita and her assistant are all set to cook up lots of top dwarven recipes." Kate rubbed her forehead. "I'm a little confused. Dorita and her assistant, she has an assistant? They are ready to cook for the dwarves? But there is a sign outside by the door that says humans only." "WHAT!" Maggie exclaims and marches to the front door with Kate following. They head outside with Jeff Mills coming up behind them. "Jeff, what is the meaning of this!" Maggie exclaims. He replies, "Tom's father had me put that up when you were out in the kitchen." "Take it down!" she yells. He answers, "Sorry Ma'am, can't do that. Tom had a firm talking to me earlier today and made it clear that I'm to do as his father says or else I'm fired. If I were to lose this job I doubt anybody else around here would be willing to hire me. If he attempts to hit another female employee I'll jump in and stop him, even if it costs me my job, but short of that I'm doing as he says. And he says that sign stays up, even if you try to take it down." Jake hears the commotion at the door and goes over. He's heard part of it, but when he asks Jeff tells him what happened. "Maggie, it's up to you if you want to fight with your father or not. But if Jeff is not following your orders, fire him." Jeff looks startled and shocked. "Of course I've been looking for a man just like Jeff. Between my silver mine and the new business I'm buying into I need him, and would start him tonight at the same wage he earned here." Jake motions to Chester, "Hey, Chester come here." Chester makes his way through the crowd. "What do you want, Mr. Cook?" Jake tells Maggie, “If you needed a bouncer for the night, we'll I bet ol' Chester here would fit the bill." Jake motions to the sign. "And he'd do what you asked him about the sign." Chester says, "Sure thing, Mrs. Whipple. Your father doesn't treat you good. If you don't mind my saying. If you want dwarves to be welcome here, then so be it. You're supposed to be in charge tonight, not your father." Jeff smiles, clasps Jake's hand and gives it a firm handshake. Then, without needing the use of any tools the large muscular man pulls the sign off the wall with both hands and tosses it into the nearest mud puddle. He then gives Maggie a big grin and says "No need for you to fire me, I'll let your father do it after I go make and put up a 'Dwarves Welcome' sign, assuming that's what you want Mrs. Whipple." "Go right ahead," she replies. Patrick Seawell walks up to the doorway and says to Jake, "So are we going in or just standing out here in the rain?" Seawell is in the company of the human Ralph Elliott and the dwarf Torvald MacNaulty. Jake says, "Good evening Patrick. I believe the owners have just welcomed you and your company." Jake goes back in and takes his seat. They join Jake at his table. William Whipple is distracted by Ruby and does not notice the dwarf until after Kate has served Jake and his three table companions their first round of drinks. Whipple looks around for Jeff but can't see him. Jeff then comes out from the kitchen with a piece of wood, hammer and nails and heads towards the front door. Whipple heads out from behind the bar and starts to head towards the door but Maggie manages to intercept him with some questions. By the time he finishes with her Jeff is finished outside and has come back in. Whipple comes up to Mills and points out the dwarf and yells "Where the Hades did you go? You're supposed to be keeping them out." Mills says "Sorry sir, if you'll come with me we can take care of this." They approach the table, Whipple having a self-satisfied look on his face. Mills clears his throat to get the attention of everyone at the table. He then says "Excuse me gentlemen, I have been designated the official greeter of the Lone Star for this evening. I was preoccupied with changing the sign by the front door and neglected to see your entry into our establishment. I apologize for the oversight and beg your forgiveness. Please accept the first round of drinks as compliments of the establishment and we hope you enjoy your evening here." Whipple's jaw drops, but before he can speak in response Jeff has turned and marches off into the kitchen. Whipple hurries over to the front door and sees what is now written on the sign. He attempts to pull it off but Jeff has tightly secured it with multiple nails. William Whipple marches through the Saloon and into the kitchen. Jake has a smug look on his face and offers a toast, "To your holiday Torvald and to your health." Expecting to hear loud yells from the kitchen at any moment Jake continues, "So tell me how is the mining business?" "Not too good," Elliott states. Torvald says "So close and yet so far. It's all right there but getting to it will be a real bear. So far all we've worked on is pickup up the rubble that we blasted down. We'll get it smelted down but the silver content probably isn't even a fifth of that first load." Seawell says, "Yeah, I went out there yesterday. They got in the first load of lumber to begin building the ramps and supports but are going to be needing a lot more wood and beams as well as somebody who has a clue as to how to build it." It suddenly occurs to Jake that he may have just made an even better hiring decision than he had initially realized. Jeff Mills has been doing an excellent job as the construction foreman for the team of carpenters and bricklayers who have started building the Lone Star's third floor this week. Jake says, "Turns out I just made a job offer to someone who may be just the right man. He may be accepting that offer any minute now. If he does and you want him, I'll let you hire him for that work and he can work for me as time allows." Jake takes a sip of his whiskey and looks over at Ruby who is impatiently waiting for Alexis to get off the stage. Even from here Jake can see she still isn't too pleased, but seems to be containing herself. He catches her eyes, smiles and mouths 'everything will be fine'. "I hope." he says under his breath. Katherine worked hard to keep herself from laughing as Jeff and Jake ran all over William Whipple's plans. Just because Maggie would leave tomorrow was no reason to let than man run roughshod over them all night. Kate was refreshing drinks at Job's table when William Whipple stalked back in from the rain and followed Jeff into the kitchen. Dorita and her assistant were back there, and she suddenly remembered what Maggie had told her about the men at the El Parador. They might not be quite as protective of Dorita, but she imagined if anything were to happen to her it would not be pretty. She finished serving, took a deep breath, and went into the kitchen. Kate enters the kitchen. Maria Fuente, one of the working girls at the El Parador, is assisting Dorita. Maria's brother Estaban is also in the room holding a shotgun and near the back door. It occurs to Kate that Manuel was not able to put the magical protections on the Lone Star this evening, so she must have brought Estaban along as a guard. That made since as the dwarves that filled up the El Parador would not have been interested in hearing his Mexican music. As she opens the door Whipple is in the process of yelling at Jeff, the first words she catches being "....hard of hearing? Listen you big dumb lummox, my son did you a big favor in hiring you! And this is how you repay him....with insubordination!" Mills just stands there without responding. Whipple continues "I don't care if Maggie told you to change the sign. This is Tom's Saloon, not hers, despite what she may think. You go back out there right now and put the 'Humans Only' sign back on the door." Jeff doesn't move. Whipple says "I'm not putting up with this, you're fired you stupid ox! You'd better go see if Sherod Hunter and John Magruder need you again because you're finished in this town!" Dorita listens the tirade that Whipple is spouting and waits. She shuffles the food she is cooking until she has an empty pan in her hand available to her then looks the men in the eye. "Here I am cooking! You go fight somewhere else! Out of my kitchen both of you! Hungry the dwarven men on holiday be and you in the way! Go out of my kitchen now! Fight somewhere else!” With that she makes a shooing motion with her apron trying to herd the men to the doorway that Kate is standing in. William Whipple turns to Dorita and says "You be quiet, we hired you to cook not talk. Just do your job or you're fired too!" He then mutters under his breath "uppity freaking** elves". **family friendly word substituted here In Spanish Dorita turns to Maria, "go tell Maggie pack we are leaving!" To Estaban she says, "Watch him" With that she begins to pull all of the food and foodstuffs into a large basket, packing up the kitchen. She tells Whipple, “You no hire me, Maggie ask my help for her. I come for her, not you. She own saloon and run it way she wants! You no let her because you are bad man! I leave now! You run this place without help" Dorita then looks up and says, "Kate, time to go. You tell Ruby we go now" With the rifle packing Estaban at her back Dorita stomps out of the kitchen food and all. "Ruby we leave now!" she yells as she stomps across the floor, the wood elvan woman a force to be reckoned with. Jake sees the little platoon storming out of the kitchen led by Dorita. "Crap. Excuse me for a moment gentlemen." Jake bolts to cut her off at the door. "Senora, senora, por favor..." he speaks to her using his best mangled Spanish, Jake tries to stop her. He realizes that the entire place is watching them. "Quietly now, what is wrong?" Dorita rapidly spews the problem at him, "Slower, senora, slower, I don't understand." Dorita yells “Maggie pack, she come home! Bad man uses bad words, to ME! I no stay. Ruby no stay. Kate no stay. Maggie no stay! You no stay, stay, you decide. Time to go! All birds go now! Bad man, bad place for good people! They no stay!” Jake pleads, "Will you give me one chance to fix things with Maggie?" In response Dorita storms out the front door, food in hand, followed by Estaban and Maria. Torvald MacNaulty had eyed and smelled the fine dwarven cuisine and decides that he wants to be where it is. He and his three companions quickly finish their complimentary round of drinks and follow. Jeff tells Jake "Whipple fired me, so I guess I'm gone too." He then gestures to Kate and Ruby and says "They'll have to decide if they want to go against Dorita's wishes, but they should take into account that there are dozens of dwarves back at Dorita's Inn right now who would appreciate their rooms. I don't know Dorita well enough to know if she'd evict these girls but who can tell in the mood she's in right now." Jeff then leaves. "Seems like there is going to be one heck of a party at the El Parador." Jake says to Ruby who is still standing at the bar. She finally seems to be enjoying herself. "Katherine!" Jake calls out and motions to her to come away from Maggie's father. "Maybe Dorita's right. Maggie could spend the night in your room? Then you two could take care of business in the morning? I'm OK with abandoning the Lone Star for the evening. Why don't you talk to her, and let me know." Kate replies, "I'd be delighted to have Maggie with me for the night. I never liked the idea of her trying to get away on her own anyway. We might need help getting past Mr. Whipple, so don't go anywhere." Kate met Maggie as the other woman was hurrying toward the door to see what was going on. "Maggie, Mr. Whipple just fired Jeff and tried to fire Dorita. And said some ugly words about elves. She told him exactly who she worked for, but she won't stay where she's been insulted. She wants us all to leave and let him try to run this place alone. She said you should pack and come home," Kate said with a soft smile. "Will you? You can stay with me tonight." She hugged her friend and whispered, "Spend your last night here where the people love and respect you, and make good memories to take along." Maggie is surprisingly calm. She whispers "I'll get away if I can but need to stay here until we can at least find Tom and get him back here. And please get Jake or Chester to take down that new sign, if Jeff isn't here dwarves would definitely not be welcomed by Tom and Father." Kate says, "I know just where to look for Tom. I'll have him back here in a few minutes unless I'm very much mistaken. Then I'll help you get ready and make sure you can get out," she whispered back. Then she handed Maggie her apron and walked over to the door. "Maggie will come after we get Tom here," Kate said quietly to Jake. "I'll ask Mr. Martin to walk me over to the Comique. I'm sure that's where he is. I'm not sure what you and Ruby want to do. You could just go now, or wait until I get back with Tom. But Maggie would like you to take down the new sign. Tom and their Father won't agree with the sentiment." "Mr. Martin, could you get me my coat, please." Chester helps Kate into her jacket. "Thank you. Would you be so kind as to walk me to the Comique?" He says, "OK, Mrs. Kale. What's over there?" She replies, "Katherine, or Kate will do just fine, Mr. Martin. I imagine once you've been shot at together formalities become less important. He says, "You're right about that. Please, call me Chester. But some call me Chet, if that's more to your liking." She says, "To answer your question, I need to find Tom Whipple so Maggie can leave the Lone Star. Actually we're all leaving. Their father has insulted too many people tonight." "Wait a minute. Their father? I thought they were married. Unless…" She says, "Yes, they aren't really married, they're siblings. It's a long story for which we don't have time now." A few minutes later they walked in the front door of the Comique where Flossie McKenna was standing on stage singing. Katherine hoped she knew what kind of family she was marrying into. She searched the room for Tom. Kate is able to pinpoint Tom right away, as he is the only non-dwarven person in the place who isn't an employee. Flossie apparently knew a full array of Norse opera that had the fifty or so dwarves all spellbound. Tom also appeared to be entranced by the singer. Chester stays near the door and Kate is able to make her way through the dwarves to get to Tom's chair. Kate says, "Tom, I'm sorry to disturb you. You need to go back to the Lone Star right away. It seems you're running short on employees. Quite a few of them have taken offense to the treatment they've received in the last few days." She leaned down and whispered in his ear. "You'll have the rest of your life to stare at Flossie. But if you want Job to have enough money to set you free, you'd better get back." Tom Whipple hurries back to the Lone Star Dance Hall and Saloon. Jake, Chester and Ruby are standing over near the door. Both card games are going on. Alexsis is on stage and Teddy is at the piano. William has moved back behind the bar and Maggie is over by the bar talking to her. Tom turns to Jake and says "What's the emergency? Everything looks fine here." "Deceptive, isn't it?" Kate said sweetly. "Maggie wanted you here, I got you. Excuse me while I go talk to your wife." Jake tells Tom, "I don't know the whole story, but it appears your father had some words with the kitchen staff and they all left. A bunch of customers followed them because the food smelled good. He's also fired Jeff, and I think that Katherine and Ruby are about to leave." Jake shrugs his shoulders. "So if you don't include having no kitchen staff, bouncer, server or main entertainment... everything seems fine." He looks out the door. "Seems like the rain is slowing down business too. How are things with you?" Tom just stares at Jake with a dumbfounded look. "Jeff quit? You must have that wrong. He can't quit! He would never quit. Father won't let me leave unless there's a plan to finish the third floor and that plan is dependent upon Jeff. He must just be on break or something." Ruby throws her hair back over her shoulder. "You're right he didn't quit. Your father fired him. There's been lots of trouble since your father got here. I guess neither you or your father really wanted Maggie to succeed, huh?" Ruby glances across the room to Kate and then back to Jake. "We'd better hurry up so we don't make Dorita more angry than she already is." Katherine had walked over to Maggie. "Excuse us, please," she said perfunctorily to William Whipple and guided Maggie away. She kept her voice low. "Tom is here, although he doesn't really understand what the problem is. Let's go pack your bags. We can spend the night over at the El Parador and it will make the morning that much easier." Kate stopped for a moment. "Are you going to be okay with this?" Maggie says "No, I just can't walk out like this. After tonight I'm totally committed to leaving tomorrow but I need to stay here for a while longer tonight until things stabilize. At a minimum, Tom needs to hear my version of what happened rather than just Father's. I'll be along as soon as I can." Kate replies, "I don't like to leave you here. I would just come back for you, but I'm afraid your male relatives won’t welcome me. I think I might sit down, have a drink, and wait for you. Tom's right over by the door, why don't you come along with me over there?" The two women walked over to the door. As they arrive Tom is telling Jake, "I'll talk to Father. Jeff still has a job here, I'll make sure of that. Whatever Jeff did to anger Father I'll fix." And with that Tom marches over towards the bar to speak to his father. Kate says, "Ruby, would you tell Dorita that Maggie and I are coming? She wants to have a few words with some people first, and I'm going to stay to make sure that she comes home with all possible speed." Ruby replies, "Kate, I don't feel comfortable leaving you here, not with what you told me last night. I'll wait for you and Maggie to finish what you have to." Kate reached out and squeezed Ruby's hand. "Well, someone should let Dorita know we're coming. Jake, could you? Between Ruby and I, I think we can take care of ourselves. You can always come back for us, but I don't want Dorita any more upset than she already is." A looming figure fills the doorway and Ruby glances over to see Cornelius Van Horne standing there. He has on an Inverness-style raincoat and wide brimmed hat. He glances in the direction of her and Jake and then turns his head looking over towards the stage. "Excuse me sir, you're blocking the door," Chester exclaims, trying to get back inside. Van Horne turns towards Chester and replies, "After you my good man, I was just looking for somebody who doesn't appear to be here. I'll be on my way." He turns and heads west down Main, crossing Allen street. Ruby smiles. "So let's get our business done quickly and get out of here, shall we? Besides I think it'll be exciting over at the El Parador tonight and we can maybe help Dorita out over there instead, to help pay her back for her kindness to us. And," she pauses, "Just maybe steal some drinks from the bar," she adds with a wink. Maggie continues to wait the tables while wandering near enough to catch some of the conversation between her father and brother. She comes back over and tells Kate "I should be able to get away soon if you guys leave. From what I just heard Tom and Father wants to know if you're still interested in buying the place. Tom going to come ask you about it. If you leave now then I should be able to get away to go ask you about it. Chester could stay to keep an eye on me." Kate nodded. "Alright Maggie. As long as someone can stay with you and fetch us if we're needed." She leaned forward and kissed her friend's cheek. "We'll see you in a little while." Kate struggled into her jacket, got good hold of her skirts to keep them out of the mud, and looked to Ruby and Jake. "Let's go so we have to be found." Ruby gives Jake a smile then grabs Kate's hand. "Let's go." They quickly make their way back trying not to get too wet. [/QUOTE]
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