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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2646854" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 146, "Back at the Watering Hole Saloon", Wednesday, January 18th </strong> </p><p></p><p>Jake and Red sleep well into the morning. After they awaken they head out into the main saloon and Red cooks them up a fine breakfast of bacon and eggs. He says "Jacob me boy. How do you feel about being Mr. Allistar again today? We have some more banking to see about as well as revisiting Beck's jewelry." "I'm game." Jake replies between mouthfuls of food. "I'll be glad to get the business over." </p><p></p><p>They go through the routine of the change and heading out about town. Red explains his philosophy to Jake of never keeping his money all in the same place. He tells Jake that Tucson has six banks and he makes use of all of them, depositing a total of one-fifth of what he makes locally. </p><p></p><p>He says that each of his six guards has access to an account in a different one of each of the six banks, so that they can draw their weekly salary whether he is around or not. Everytime he comes back he awards them with a substantial bonus, which is incentive enough to keep any from considering emptying the account. He says that each banker, but not the guards, knows that he has instructions to pay each man the balance of each account if word should ever get back to Tucson that he has been killed, that thereby serving as their severance check. </p><p></p><p>The two larger and better connected banks, the ones visited the day before, are where Van Horne keeps accounts. One-fifth of his earnings are wired from each of those to banks in San Francisco and New York. </p><p></p><p>The remaining forty-percent of his earnings are sent ten-percent each by Mr. Allister, who maintains accounts in the four smaller banks. He explains how while he does trust each bank owner he still wants the confirmation telegrams for each long-distance deposit. They visit in quick succession the Commerce Bank of Arizona, Harris Trust Bank, MacGillicutty's Bank and National Bank of Arizona where on Monday he wired $ 4,000 from each to banks in Baltimore, Charleston, Chicago and Sacremento. </p><p></p><p>Since Jake is playing the part of Allister they hand him the receipt telegrams. After leaving the bank Jake attempts to hand them to Red but he replies "Keep them. You may have need of those bank names and account numbers. I think that Adair won't try to harm you and your lady in the short-run, but I could be wrong. I'm going to let you bring the Allister chain back with you to Promise City. I don't want you to use it unless you need it to make a quick escape. </p><p></p><p>If that happens you may not have time to get to your own resources and may need access to funds. The best bet would be for you to come back here to my safehouse but that may not be possible. But whatever direction you run to could bring you to one of those four cities, where you'll find enough to live off of for quite some time." "Red that's too generous, and won't they miss Mr. Allister here? Don't you need him?" Jake asks earnestly.</p><p></p><p>Red says, "I'm not giving you anything, simply a loan me boy. When I see you again you can return it. As I said, I don't want you to use it, only for an emergency. As for the money in the six other cities plus this one, only half of that is in Allister's name, the rest I will still have access to as Van Horne. And if you do have to run away and use some of that money Van Horne is listed on Allister's accounts as well, so I would be able to check if any money has been withdrawn and know which city to look for you in. And they won't miss Allister here since he wouldn't be here anyway with Van Horne off to either Benson or Bisbee."</p><p></p><p>"All right, I'll hold them for now. Thanks again. Why don't we go visit Mr. Beck and see how my luck holds up?" At the jewelry store Mr. Allister has a nice friendly conversation with Mr. Beck. When it appears Mr. Beck is tiring of the small talk he says, "I see much fine work here, do you enjoy working in silver? The reason I ask is I need some gifts made for some friends. Something unique and made for them. It is a playing card theme. I need a set of heart shaped earrings with the queen design and some spade cuff links with the jack design. Is that something you would be interested in? If not could you recommend somebody?" </p><p></p><p>Lastly Jake brings up the jewelry for sale. "I have enjoyed admiring you work once again Mr. Beck. Have you decided whether or not the jewelry I showed you yesterday is of interest to you?" Beck writes down what Jake is looking for and says that he will see what he can find. He replies "As for the jewelry you showed me yesterday, the offer that I made you of $ 1,000 is as much as I can afford to pay for them."</p><p></p><p>"Mr. Beck I will accept your offer." Mr. Allister and Mr. Beck work out the details arranging for the money to be transferred to a convenient bank for the two of them. "I'll stop by in a couple of days and see what you think about the silver items." and with that bids Mr. Beck a good day. </p><p></p><p>As Mr. Allister, Jake spends a few hours shopping, picking up some odd items. He tries several upscale shops inquiring if there is any interest in the gold box, but not finding any. There appears to be a glut of both silver and gold made items in the area due to the presence of so many mines. </p><p></p><p>Later in the day Jake says to O'Brien. "What do you have in mind for this evening. It's been so long since I've seen you I'd be perfectly happy just getting some food, enjoying drinks and chatting." Even in his Allister disguise, Red is struck that in some ways Jake hasn't changed a bit when he says in his dead pan voice, "Of course, you know I'd be up for a little bit more."</p><p></p><p>Red decides that he and Jake should visit the various saloons in town where poker is taking place, but not with Mr. Van Horne. So Red uses the Mr. Allister chain and Jake goes as himself with the name of Mr. Jacob. They take in seven different saloons by the time last call rolls around. In each they spend most of the time sitting at either the bar or a table by themselves and observing and evaluating each poker table, bouncing ideas and observations off of each other and sticking around long enough to determine if their predictions were correct. </p><p></p><p>It is only in the final two places that they actually join into any games. Even at those locations they don't play to win, rather, to meet pre-determined goals while competing against each other. At the Tucson Belle Saloon Red sets a target that the winner of the friendly competition between the two of them is whoever can finish closer to $ 10 ahead without going over after forty-five minutes of play. Red wins, hitting it exactly on the nose whereas Jake winds up $ 8 ahead. </p><p></p><p>They do the same in the next saloon, The Oxen Ford Inn and Saloon, the target this time being $ 7 below where they start without being under that, this time based upon the number of hands played rather than a timed factor. Jake wins that one with $ 7 under while Red blows it on the last hand and goes under, finishing $ 10 below the starting point. </p><p></p><p>They head back to the Watering Hole where Red first asks Jake for a detailed critique of both of them from the two saloons. He then supplies some of his own observations. He concludes by saying "Jacob me boy, you've done well. You are a far better poker player now than you were in Missouri." The two turn in for the night and sleep well into Thursday morning.</p><p></p><p>During their late Thursday breakfast Jake asks O'Brien about some pointers with his gun. "I'm still carrying the same Colt, and I practice religiously with it. I've yet to come across a better gun." He unconsciously touches it in his holster. "I could use some expert advice though to get better. Another set of eyes to help me improve, see what I don't." They talk some more and make arrangements over the next two days to have some shooting lessons, transfer the money from the jewelry sale to one of Jake's accounts in Promise City, and check in at the California bank about those foreign notes.</p><p></p><p>Red agrees and during Thursday and Friday they make arrangements to do some target shooting at a sandpit over near the railroad stockyards. The money is sent to the First National Bank of Promise City to Jake's Account from Mr. Allister's. The Californian bank indicates that most of the foreign notes are no longer honored, having been issued by governments that are no longer in power, however a handful of notes can still be redeemed, valued at a total of $ 138.45 after currency exchange fees are taken out. </p><p></p><p>Mr. Allister and Mr. Jacob continue to watch and play poker at the various saloons in town. On Friday they are joined by Roy Carterson, one of the six hired guards from the Water Hole Saloon who Allister had been teaching how to play poker. The three of them continue Red's challenge game of picking a win/lose spot after either a certain time frame or number of hands. After playing this at nine different saloons in town they finish up with Red having won five, Jake two, Roy one, and Jake and Roy tying at the other. </p><p></p><p>Red appears to be more genuinely happy than Jake ever recalls him being. This short respite in Tucson also brings a sense of relaxation to Jake, enjoying finally having a spell where nobody is shooting at him. Friday night ends with Red still keeping tight lipped about Abilene.</p><p></p><p>During breakfast Saturday Jake discusses his travel plans. "...so if I leave on the train tomorrow I'll should make Promise City by Monday night. I don't want to leave my three new investments too long." "Three?" Red remarks. "The mine and the saloon but what else Jacob?" Jake grins and raises his eyebrows. "Ah, you truly are married me boy." Red says chuckling. </p><p></p><p>"I'm just having a good time and you are jealous, Patrick O'Brien." As Jake's laughter trails off he continues. "I hope I can see you again soon. At least sooner than last time. I'm sure you'll let me know some way. I don't mind travelling to Tucson once in a while. But how long is Mr. Van Horne going to operate out of Tucson? Seems to me your poker playing is more hard driving business than fun. Driving is a good word for it. You are driven like I'd not seen before. And it is not just to avoid the noose in Missouri is it, you old drunken Irishman?"</p><p></p><p>"I hope that you can visit me in Tucson from time to time, but I'm not here that often. We'll have to work out a way for me to signal you when I'm coming back. As for my driving myself, in the last few years I had way too close a pass with death, and more than just that time in Missouri. I'll tell you more about that tomorrow before you go. It taught me that I don't want to be doing this for the rest of my life. I figure another year as Van Horne and I'll have enough of a nest egg to retire for life. </p><p></p><p>As for fun in town, that happens tonight. The Watering Hole is basically a front, but a front that never has any customers becomes obvious to anyone watching that it's more than it appears. So every Saturday night we have a high stakes poker game here that draws a small crowd. I have a professional dealer and his assistant come in on the train from Tempe to run the game. He and I each put in $ 1,000 to start him out and any profits are split evenly. </p><p></p><p>He's the main dealer but if I'm around I run a back-up table for folks waiting for a space to open up at his main table. If I'm not here he has his assistant run the back-up table. For the last several months there have actually been enough people showing up for a second back-up table. My dealer sometimes brings a second assistant, but that's not always possible. That's why I've started to teach Roy Carterson how to play the game better. I figure he'll need another three or four lessons from me and he'll be ready to deal. </p><p></p><p>Anyway, the doors here stay locked until 5:00 PM, which is around an hour after my dealer's train comes in. It's first come first serve for his table, and the back-up table is usually filled by 5:30 these days. The game usually runs until 2:00 AM, or until my dealer loses the $ 2,000 on the rare occasion that he has a really bad night. So we should take it easy today, we'll probably have a long night ahead of us.</p><p></p><p>Jake comments, "Sounds interesting. How much money do your high stakes customers need to get in? And what do you need me to do for you?" His eyes get that poker twinkle as he says it. "Just how good are these guys?" Red replies "They need a minimum of $ 100 to sit at the table. Each hand starts with everyone putting $ 25 into the kitty. If you don't have enough money to at least call for the first four hands then why bother. The back-up table is only $ 10 a hand minimum, so some people have started out and continued to play there until the have enough for the main table. </p><p></p><p>As for how good they are, that varies widely. The ambiance of the Watering Hole Saloon keeps away all of the Evan Adair types, who wouldn't want to be seen in such a run down establishment. So we get a lot of miners, drifters and others who don't believe in holding onto their money. But the high stakes nature also draws in some serious gamblers too. And none of them are using any magic to win either, my dealer wears a ring that detects any of that. I wouldn't tolerate any of that kind of dishonesty in my place. </p><p></p><p>Personally, I love the chance to just play cards. The pressure is on the main table, not the back-up table. That's just to keep them in the place until a chair opens up. I don't even try to win there most of the time, just going with the flow. I figure this is my one chance to just enjoy the game. I know it sounds crazy, a professional gambler playing cards to relax, but it's amazing how much fun a game of cards can be when you don't give a damn about the outcome."</p><p></p><p>Jake replies, "It doesn't sound crazy to me. Some nights I just want to play and take it easy, take my mind off of the world. Other nights, it's for the money. Still others, is to see how good I am against the best at the table." Jake runs a hand through his hair. "I don't have so much money in my bank account where I can afford to play at the high stakes table and not care if I win or lose." He laughs, "For this youngster when I'm thinking that way, I head for the dollar table most of the time. I like the sound of that ring though, I got to figure out how to get tapped into all this magic flying around. I seem to be missing the boat."</p><p></p><p>Red replies, "Jacob me boy, magic is a rate thing indeed. It appears to be plentiful in this area but that's due to a combination of three different factors namely the proximity to Mexico, the lawmen's' preoccupation with Indians and outlaws, and a fair amount of people with money to spend due to the mining riches. If any of those three factors were different this place would be as barren of magic as most other parts of the United States. </p><p></p><p>And magic can also be a curse. The man who I obtained my trinkets from was so dependent on them that he let his other useful skills deteriorate. That's what put him into the grave." </p><p></p><p>Red then changes the conversation. They spend the rest of the morning and afternoon relaxing. At 3:45 Richard indicates that he's going to head over to the train station to meet their dealer's train. Red instructs him that while he is at the station to purchase a ticket for Sunday's 2:00 PM train to Tombstone, that Mr. Jacob will be leaving them the next day.</p><p></p><p>"Do you think Mr. Beck is open today? I'd like to find out what he thinks about my special request before it gets busy here. Or at least give him a way to contact me." Jake asks Red in earnest. "One that doesn't make the link to you too easy." He adds. Red says "Sure, head on over. I'll stay for my dealer friend and let him know I'll be running the first back-up table tonight. Do you want the second or should be leave that for his assistant?"</p><p></p><p>Jake answers, "Sure, I'll run the other backup table if one is needed. I have almost $200 on me to get started, and if I blow it big time we'll let his assistant step in." Jake gets that twinkle in his eye. "If I clean up, maybe I'll blow the winnings at the big table if there is any room towards the end." </p><p></p><p>As Mr. Allister, Jake visits Mr. Beck, has a nice friendly chat with him while asking about some of the pieces he has on display. After a time he asks, "Have you had time to consider the crafting of my special request ?" Beck says that he knows someone who might do a good job with that and gets some more detail from Jake about exactly what he wants. Beck says that it will be a few weeks until they are ready.</p><p></p><p>Mr. Allister inquiries to the cost and down payment. "I assume you will be adding something for your trouble and be my advocate to insure the work meets your high quality standard." "We can settle that when the item is in." Beck says. Jake realizes that he is now back in the man's good graces. He thanks Mr. Beck and asks him to send a note over to Mr. Allister business in Tucson when the items are ready or he needs to contact him. </p><p></p><p>Jake heads back to O'Brien's place. He leaves instructions to send a letter to Mr. Cook in Promise City when he Mr. Allister gets a note from Mr. Beck. He also tells the staff that Mr. Cook should be notified if any of the business partners were in trouble and needed assistance, knowing full well that O'Brien may not approve and not caring a wit. He relaxes with Red until game time.</p><p></p><p>Red introduces him to his dealer, Isaac V. Stevens and Steven's assistant and sister Marybeth Osborn. She has no problem with Mr. Allister and Mr. Van Horne handling the two back-up tables instead of her. They get things set up and open the doors promptly at 5:00. By 5:15 all three tables are filled and Marybeth begins to get a third back-up table going. </p><p></p><p>As the night progresses they hear stories of a mine nearer to Bisbee having an exceptionally good haul lately, which is where several of this crowd are from, this being the first weekend off they've had this month. The games don't break up until 2:00 AM. After the customers have left the four dealers sit down to count their winnings. Stevens has a total of $ 1,850 and his sister has earned $ 340. They give Red his cut. Van Horne assigns two of his guards to accompany the pair off to their hotel at one of the better parts of town. They other four guards also leave, the two night guards taking up their positions outside. </p><p></p><p>Red says "Not bad, almost $ 1,100 bucks from their tables. I actually didn't win any myself, even seem to have lost a little, but no big deal, as the guard Roy played at Van Horne's table tonight and picked up the equivalent of three or four lessons from him. </p><p></p><p>"How did you do Jacob me boy?" Red asks. Jake says that he has picked up $ 420 and asks Red if he wants half. Red replies, "Keep it, you earned it me boy. We should think about turning in, you need to be on a train in another twelve hours, and I plan to sleep at least nine or ten before then." Jake bids Red goodnight after a last bourbon toast to "Rare friends."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2646854, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 146, "Back at the Watering Hole Saloon", Wednesday, January 18th [/B] Jake and Red sleep well into the morning. After they awaken they head out into the main saloon and Red cooks them up a fine breakfast of bacon and eggs. He says "Jacob me boy. How do you feel about being Mr. Allistar again today? We have some more banking to see about as well as revisiting Beck's jewelry." "I'm game." Jake replies between mouthfuls of food. "I'll be glad to get the business over." They go through the routine of the change and heading out about town. Red explains his philosophy to Jake of never keeping his money all in the same place. He tells Jake that Tucson has six banks and he makes use of all of them, depositing a total of one-fifth of what he makes locally. He says that each of his six guards has access to an account in a different one of each of the six banks, so that they can draw their weekly salary whether he is around or not. Everytime he comes back he awards them with a substantial bonus, which is incentive enough to keep any from considering emptying the account. He says that each banker, but not the guards, knows that he has instructions to pay each man the balance of each account if word should ever get back to Tucson that he has been killed, that thereby serving as their severance check. The two larger and better connected banks, the ones visited the day before, are where Van Horne keeps accounts. One-fifth of his earnings are wired from each of those to banks in San Francisco and New York. The remaining forty-percent of his earnings are sent ten-percent each by Mr. Allister, who maintains accounts in the four smaller banks. He explains how while he does trust each bank owner he still wants the confirmation telegrams for each long-distance deposit. They visit in quick succession the Commerce Bank of Arizona, Harris Trust Bank, MacGillicutty's Bank and National Bank of Arizona where on Monday he wired $ 4,000 from each to banks in Baltimore, Charleston, Chicago and Sacremento. Since Jake is playing the part of Allister they hand him the receipt telegrams. After leaving the bank Jake attempts to hand them to Red but he replies "Keep them. You may have need of those bank names and account numbers. I think that Adair won't try to harm you and your lady in the short-run, but I could be wrong. I'm going to let you bring the Allister chain back with you to Promise City. I don't want you to use it unless you need it to make a quick escape. If that happens you may not have time to get to your own resources and may need access to funds. The best bet would be for you to come back here to my safehouse but that may not be possible. But whatever direction you run to could bring you to one of those four cities, where you'll find enough to live off of for quite some time." "Red that's too generous, and won't they miss Mr. Allister here? Don't you need him?" Jake asks earnestly. Red says, "I'm not giving you anything, simply a loan me boy. When I see you again you can return it. As I said, I don't want you to use it, only for an emergency. As for the money in the six other cities plus this one, only half of that is in Allister's name, the rest I will still have access to as Van Horne. And if you do have to run away and use some of that money Van Horne is listed on Allister's accounts as well, so I would be able to check if any money has been withdrawn and know which city to look for you in. And they won't miss Allister here since he wouldn't be here anyway with Van Horne off to either Benson or Bisbee." "All right, I'll hold them for now. Thanks again. Why don't we go visit Mr. Beck and see how my luck holds up?" At the jewelry store Mr. Allister has a nice friendly conversation with Mr. Beck. When it appears Mr. Beck is tiring of the small talk he says, "I see much fine work here, do you enjoy working in silver? The reason I ask is I need some gifts made for some friends. Something unique and made for them. It is a playing card theme. I need a set of heart shaped earrings with the queen design and some spade cuff links with the jack design. Is that something you would be interested in? If not could you recommend somebody?" Lastly Jake brings up the jewelry for sale. "I have enjoyed admiring you work once again Mr. Beck. Have you decided whether or not the jewelry I showed you yesterday is of interest to you?" Beck writes down what Jake is looking for and says that he will see what he can find. He replies "As for the jewelry you showed me yesterday, the offer that I made you of $ 1,000 is as much as I can afford to pay for them." "Mr. Beck I will accept your offer." Mr. Allister and Mr. Beck work out the details arranging for the money to be transferred to a convenient bank for the two of them. "I'll stop by in a couple of days and see what you think about the silver items." and with that bids Mr. Beck a good day. As Mr. Allister, Jake spends a few hours shopping, picking up some odd items. He tries several upscale shops inquiring if there is any interest in the gold box, but not finding any. There appears to be a glut of both silver and gold made items in the area due to the presence of so many mines. Later in the day Jake says to O'Brien. "What do you have in mind for this evening. It's been so long since I've seen you I'd be perfectly happy just getting some food, enjoying drinks and chatting." Even in his Allister disguise, Red is struck that in some ways Jake hasn't changed a bit when he says in his dead pan voice, "Of course, you know I'd be up for a little bit more." Red decides that he and Jake should visit the various saloons in town where poker is taking place, but not with Mr. Van Horne. So Red uses the Mr. Allister chain and Jake goes as himself with the name of Mr. Jacob. They take in seven different saloons by the time last call rolls around. In each they spend most of the time sitting at either the bar or a table by themselves and observing and evaluating each poker table, bouncing ideas and observations off of each other and sticking around long enough to determine if their predictions were correct. It is only in the final two places that they actually join into any games. Even at those locations they don't play to win, rather, to meet pre-determined goals while competing against each other. At the Tucson Belle Saloon Red sets a target that the winner of the friendly competition between the two of them is whoever can finish closer to $ 10 ahead without going over after forty-five minutes of play. Red wins, hitting it exactly on the nose whereas Jake winds up $ 8 ahead. They do the same in the next saloon, The Oxen Ford Inn and Saloon, the target this time being $ 7 below where they start without being under that, this time based upon the number of hands played rather than a timed factor. Jake wins that one with $ 7 under while Red blows it on the last hand and goes under, finishing $ 10 below the starting point. They head back to the Watering Hole where Red first asks Jake for a detailed critique of both of them from the two saloons. He then supplies some of his own observations. He concludes by saying "Jacob me boy, you've done well. You are a far better poker player now than you were in Missouri." The two turn in for the night and sleep well into Thursday morning. During their late Thursday breakfast Jake asks O'Brien about some pointers with his gun. "I'm still carrying the same Colt, and I practice religiously with it. I've yet to come across a better gun." He unconsciously touches it in his holster. "I could use some expert advice though to get better. Another set of eyes to help me improve, see what I don't." They talk some more and make arrangements over the next two days to have some shooting lessons, transfer the money from the jewelry sale to one of Jake's accounts in Promise City, and check in at the California bank about those foreign notes. Red agrees and during Thursday and Friday they make arrangements to do some target shooting at a sandpit over near the railroad stockyards. The money is sent to the First National Bank of Promise City to Jake's Account from Mr. Allister's. The Californian bank indicates that most of the foreign notes are no longer honored, having been issued by governments that are no longer in power, however a handful of notes can still be redeemed, valued at a total of $ 138.45 after currency exchange fees are taken out. Mr. Allister and Mr. Jacob continue to watch and play poker at the various saloons in town. On Friday they are joined by Roy Carterson, one of the six hired guards from the Water Hole Saloon who Allister had been teaching how to play poker. The three of them continue Red's challenge game of picking a win/lose spot after either a certain time frame or number of hands. After playing this at nine different saloons in town they finish up with Red having won five, Jake two, Roy one, and Jake and Roy tying at the other. Red appears to be more genuinely happy than Jake ever recalls him being. This short respite in Tucson also brings a sense of relaxation to Jake, enjoying finally having a spell where nobody is shooting at him. Friday night ends with Red still keeping tight lipped about Abilene. During breakfast Saturday Jake discusses his travel plans. "...so if I leave on the train tomorrow I'll should make Promise City by Monday night. I don't want to leave my three new investments too long." "Three?" Red remarks. "The mine and the saloon but what else Jacob?" Jake grins and raises his eyebrows. "Ah, you truly are married me boy." Red says chuckling. "I'm just having a good time and you are jealous, Patrick O'Brien." As Jake's laughter trails off he continues. "I hope I can see you again soon. At least sooner than last time. I'm sure you'll let me know some way. I don't mind travelling to Tucson once in a while. But how long is Mr. Van Horne going to operate out of Tucson? Seems to me your poker playing is more hard driving business than fun. Driving is a good word for it. You are driven like I'd not seen before. And it is not just to avoid the noose in Missouri is it, you old drunken Irishman?" "I hope that you can visit me in Tucson from time to time, but I'm not here that often. We'll have to work out a way for me to signal you when I'm coming back. As for my driving myself, in the last few years I had way too close a pass with death, and more than just that time in Missouri. I'll tell you more about that tomorrow before you go. It taught me that I don't want to be doing this for the rest of my life. I figure another year as Van Horne and I'll have enough of a nest egg to retire for life. As for fun in town, that happens tonight. The Watering Hole is basically a front, but a front that never has any customers becomes obvious to anyone watching that it's more than it appears. So every Saturday night we have a high stakes poker game here that draws a small crowd. I have a professional dealer and his assistant come in on the train from Tempe to run the game. He and I each put in $ 1,000 to start him out and any profits are split evenly. He's the main dealer but if I'm around I run a back-up table for folks waiting for a space to open up at his main table. If I'm not here he has his assistant run the back-up table. For the last several months there have actually been enough people showing up for a second back-up table. My dealer sometimes brings a second assistant, but that's not always possible. That's why I've started to teach Roy Carterson how to play the game better. I figure he'll need another three or four lessons from me and he'll be ready to deal. Anyway, the doors here stay locked until 5:00 PM, which is around an hour after my dealer's train comes in. It's first come first serve for his table, and the back-up table is usually filled by 5:30 these days. The game usually runs until 2:00 AM, or until my dealer loses the $ 2,000 on the rare occasion that he has a really bad night. So we should take it easy today, we'll probably have a long night ahead of us. Jake comments, "Sounds interesting. How much money do your high stakes customers need to get in? And what do you need me to do for you?" His eyes get that poker twinkle as he says it. "Just how good are these guys?" Red replies "They need a minimum of $ 100 to sit at the table. Each hand starts with everyone putting $ 25 into the kitty. If you don't have enough money to at least call for the first four hands then why bother. The back-up table is only $ 10 a hand minimum, so some people have started out and continued to play there until the have enough for the main table. As for how good they are, that varies widely. The ambiance of the Watering Hole Saloon keeps away all of the Evan Adair types, who wouldn't want to be seen in such a run down establishment. So we get a lot of miners, drifters and others who don't believe in holding onto their money. But the high stakes nature also draws in some serious gamblers too. And none of them are using any magic to win either, my dealer wears a ring that detects any of that. I wouldn't tolerate any of that kind of dishonesty in my place. Personally, I love the chance to just play cards. The pressure is on the main table, not the back-up table. That's just to keep them in the place until a chair opens up. I don't even try to win there most of the time, just going with the flow. I figure this is my one chance to just enjoy the game. I know it sounds crazy, a professional gambler playing cards to relax, but it's amazing how much fun a game of cards can be when you don't give a damn about the outcome." Jake replies, "It doesn't sound crazy to me. Some nights I just want to play and take it easy, take my mind off of the world. Other nights, it's for the money. Still others, is to see how good I am against the best at the table." Jake runs a hand through his hair. "I don't have so much money in my bank account where I can afford to play at the high stakes table and not care if I win or lose." He laughs, "For this youngster when I'm thinking that way, I head for the dollar table most of the time. I like the sound of that ring though, I got to figure out how to get tapped into all this magic flying around. I seem to be missing the boat." Red replies, "Jacob me boy, magic is a rate thing indeed. It appears to be plentiful in this area but that's due to a combination of three different factors namely the proximity to Mexico, the lawmen's' preoccupation with Indians and outlaws, and a fair amount of people with money to spend due to the mining riches. If any of those three factors were different this place would be as barren of magic as most other parts of the United States. And magic can also be a curse. The man who I obtained my trinkets from was so dependent on them that he let his other useful skills deteriorate. That's what put him into the grave." Red then changes the conversation. They spend the rest of the morning and afternoon relaxing. At 3:45 Richard indicates that he's going to head over to the train station to meet their dealer's train. Red instructs him that while he is at the station to purchase a ticket for Sunday's 2:00 PM train to Tombstone, that Mr. Jacob will be leaving them the next day. "Do you think Mr. Beck is open today? I'd like to find out what he thinks about my special request before it gets busy here. Or at least give him a way to contact me." Jake asks Red in earnest. "One that doesn't make the link to you too easy." He adds. Red says "Sure, head on over. I'll stay for my dealer friend and let him know I'll be running the first back-up table tonight. Do you want the second or should be leave that for his assistant?" Jake answers, "Sure, I'll run the other backup table if one is needed. I have almost $200 on me to get started, and if I blow it big time we'll let his assistant step in." Jake gets that twinkle in his eye. "If I clean up, maybe I'll blow the winnings at the big table if there is any room towards the end." As Mr. Allister, Jake visits Mr. Beck, has a nice friendly chat with him while asking about some of the pieces he has on display. After a time he asks, "Have you had time to consider the crafting of my special request ?" Beck says that he knows someone who might do a good job with that and gets some more detail from Jake about exactly what he wants. Beck says that it will be a few weeks until they are ready. Mr. Allister inquiries to the cost and down payment. "I assume you will be adding something for your trouble and be my advocate to insure the work meets your high quality standard." "We can settle that when the item is in." Beck says. Jake realizes that he is now back in the man's good graces. He thanks Mr. Beck and asks him to send a note over to Mr. Allister business in Tucson when the items are ready or he needs to contact him. Jake heads back to O'Brien's place. He leaves instructions to send a letter to Mr. Cook in Promise City when he Mr. Allister gets a note from Mr. Beck. He also tells the staff that Mr. Cook should be notified if any of the business partners were in trouble and needed assistance, knowing full well that O'Brien may not approve and not caring a wit. He relaxes with Red until game time. Red introduces him to his dealer, Isaac V. Stevens and Steven's assistant and sister Marybeth Osborn. She has no problem with Mr. Allister and Mr. Van Horne handling the two back-up tables instead of her. They get things set up and open the doors promptly at 5:00. By 5:15 all three tables are filled and Marybeth begins to get a third back-up table going. As the night progresses they hear stories of a mine nearer to Bisbee having an exceptionally good haul lately, which is where several of this crowd are from, this being the first weekend off they've had this month. The games don't break up until 2:00 AM. After the customers have left the four dealers sit down to count their winnings. Stevens has a total of $ 1,850 and his sister has earned $ 340. They give Red his cut. Van Horne assigns two of his guards to accompany the pair off to their hotel at one of the better parts of town. They other four guards also leave, the two night guards taking up their positions outside. Red says "Not bad, almost $ 1,100 bucks from their tables. I actually didn't win any myself, even seem to have lost a little, but no big deal, as the guard Roy played at Van Horne's table tonight and picked up the equivalent of three or four lessons from him. "How did you do Jacob me boy?" Red asks. Jake says that he has picked up $ 420 and asks Red if he wants half. Red replies, "Keep it, you earned it me boy. We should think about turning in, you need to be on a train in another twelve hours, and I plan to sleep at least nine or ten before then." Jake bids Red goodnight after a last bourbon toast to "Rare friends." [/QUOTE]
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