Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2581430" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 58, “The Offer”, Thursday, March 16th, 1882:After Ruby left Jake paced nervously around the room for a few minutes.  "This is stupid, I can't just stay here," He says out loud. Jake dons his duster and heads over to the jail to speak to Tony Lucky. He arrives at the Marshall's Office.   The door is locked.  He knocks and Eduardo Rodriguez unlocks the door and let's him in.    Jake has apparently interrupted his supper, as Eduardo has a bowl of beef stew, a small loaf of bread and a metal cup with what looks like wine sitting on the table.     Tony is in the cell and yells up to Jake, "Hey Boss, I hope you brought me some food.  This pointy-eared big-shot refuses to feed me anything." Jake turns and faces the Deputy Marshall.  "Buenas noches Senor Rodriguez.  I apologize for interrupting your supper.  Perhaps I should come back later?  That would give you time to enjoy your meal and beat the tar out of Mr. Lucky if you thought that was appropriate."  Jake doesn't turn to look at Tony, but watches him out of the corner of his eye.Eduardo rolls his eyes and says, "Oh yes that's all I need.  Half of Promise City already wants to run me out of town on a rail.  That's all I need, a white man claiming that I assaulted him, no matter what the reason.   No thank you Mr. Cook, I'll just sit here and eat my supper." Back at the El Parador, after a few more circuits around the room Kate said to Conrad, "I'm a little worried about Mr. Lucky.  I will have to work with him, and I don't know if he's the kind who holds a grudge." Booth says, "Why do you have to work with him?  He doesn't own the place, seems to me they have adequate cause to dismiss him.   And even if they don't then you don't have to go back there.   Between the ranch and school you should have enough income and if you need more I'm sure you could find another job as a pianist or waitress.  I'm sure that Dorita would hire you and I could also talk to Kate Higgins about you working at the Long Branch.""They could dismiss him, and I imagine if he doesn't come up with the money for the fine they will.  But Job and Jake both like having a few nights off, and without Mr. Lucky they couldn't do that.  I could help Dorita here without feeling guilty, but to work at another saloon?  One that competes with the Lucky Lady?  I would feel as if I had betrayed my friends.  And especially since they all moved there, evenings there give me the chance to spend time with them.  But there is no use in borrowing trouble, I will just have to wait and see how things fall out."  She smiled a wicked little smile.  "If all else fails, I may get to hit Tony Lucky yet."He smiles back and says, "I can almost guarantee that at least one of us will." Katherine's eyes went dark and serious.  "Conrad, don't go looking for him.  Warren Earp saw how angry you were, if he turns up with black eyes and a broken nose he's going to know where to look.  Or are fist-fights not punishable by law here?"He replies, "Oh, I won't go looking for him here.   I'm hoping that he can't pay the fine and gets shipped off to the Territorial Prison.   But that's one good thing about prison sentences, you know exactly which day they end.  It would require a trip to Prescott but I plan to be standing right there when he gets out.   He'll get two things from me then, a fist for what he said to you and then a train ticket to somewhere other than Arizona.  You won't have to worry about ever seeing him again."Kate says, "That's a great deal of trouble for someone who called me a foul name.  Whether or not I see him again is irrelevant, he just doesn't matter.  I doubt Mr. Lucky cares about the exchange, so we can cheerfully ignore one another every night."  Kate smiled warmly and said, "You don't have to go to all that trouble for me, I'm fine.  Really.  Now if you want to track him down for your own fun and amusement, that's something else entirely.  I'm not the only one he insulted."Booth replies, "Ah, but his only insult to me was just a continuation of the smear to my reputation that I received long ago.    Eventually I hope to have that misunderstanding cleared up.   I'm thick skinned Katherine, but don't take kindly to a lady like you being addressed as he did."Nanuet noticed Minerva come in and then sit down by herself.  He had been enjoying her company so he decided to join her.  "Two whiskeys please!" he said the barman, then made his way over to her table. "Care for a whiskey Miss Minerva, I noticed you come in just a moment before and figured you might not want to be sitting alone.  You didn't happen to see Miss Ruby when you walked in did you?"  He hands her a whiskey and sits next to her as he speaks.Minerva is quite pleased to see her new friend. "Ah, Senor Nanuet, I wanted to thank you for escorting me home last evening. . I'm not sure I could have found my way alone." she says brightly and motions to the chair. "Please join me. I would enjoy your company." She raises her glass in a toast and sips it slowly. "Yes, I did see Senorita Ruby,"Mineva nods towards the door " she seems to be in the middle of a serious conversation with that Eastman gentleman."Nanuet says, "I am not so sure I would call him a gentleman.  Yes, he is civilized and he dresses fancy and speaks well, but he will not leave Miss Ruby alone.  Miss Ruby loves Jake but this man keeps bothering her.  He says he knows her family for many years.  He seems like an OK man, but if Miss Ruby says no then that should be the end of it shouldn't it?  I can't say I know much about love but I am pretty sure pestering someone doesn't make them love you."Minerva sips her drink and shrugs her shoulders, "I know very little of love but I recognize Senor Eastman. He is the wolf in sheep's clothing. Patient and cunning, used to taking what he wants.  Ruby's friends should guard her closely."  Nanuet says, "That sounds like good advice.  I honestly don't think he is a bad man, I think he just believes he has fallen in love with Miss Ruby and is used to getting what he wants and not being told no." Nanuet gets fidgety and begins looking over his shoulder towards the front door.   "Maybe I should go check on them.  See if everything is OK.""Senor, I can see that the possibility of your friend's unhappiness weighs upon you. But now is a time for Ruby to stand alone. She, alone must decide her path and may not welcome the intrusion. Perhaps it would be wise to guard her from a distance." "I think Senorita Ruby is safe enough for the moment."  Minerva stands and holds out her hand. "Perhaps a dance would be a good distraction for you"  "Yes, it does weigh on me.  Having companions is something I am not all that used to.  Most of my life has been spent alone, so these are new and unfamiliar feelings for me.  I believe I will trust your judgement on this for now.  Yes, a dance is a great idea, although I must admit I have no clue what I am doing." Nanuet stands and pulls Minerva's chair out for her and escorts her to the dance floor.She answers, "Although, I have spent little of my life alone, companionship is foreign to me also. I have always been the outcast.  I have only been in Promise City for a few days and yet I have never felt so at ease. It is odd but, I feel like I belong here. You have all accepted me so readily. I am not accustomed to that. I only hope that it will last."   She smiles, "Oh, I do love this lively music. She swirls onto the dance floor pulling Nanuet in with her."Although Nanuet does not know this style of dance he is dexterous enough to fake it for the most part.   "You an outcast?"  He spins Minerva deftly.  "I have a hard time believing that someone with your looks and your charm would be an outcast.  I mean not that I don't believe you, just that I don't understand that." Sadness crosses her face and Minerva stumbles.  "Bigotry should not be understood.   But let us not mar this dance with such serious conversation."  She smiles and twirls Nanuet in return. He says, "Well I will agree to that!" Nanuet smiles as the two spin across the dance floor and comments, "You dance divine!"Chester, Clarisse, and Dorita enter from the side door through the kitchen and take a table at the side of the Cantina's main room. Chester asks, "Miss Townsend. Have you been here before? I used to live here. Dorita and her husband Pedro have been very kind to me. And she is a very good cook. Isn't that right?" She replies, "No, I have never been hear before, nor am I familiar with the cuisine or culture.   We did not have any Mexican restaurants or Mexicans for that matter back in Ohio.""You're from Ohio? Whereabouts? I'm from Indiana originally." "Akron", is her response.   "So, Miss Townsend. What brought you here to Arizona? Was it the lack of winter?" Chester laughs.  She replies, "No, my father died.   I didn't think I was old enough to be living on my own and had no marital prospects.  My only known cousin was here in this town so this is where I came." Chester looks into her eyes. "No prospects? I find that hard to believe that you haven't had any offers."  She answers, "Well, it's not like I had many opportunities.  I spent most of the three years before my father's death attending a private finishing school for young women." He says, "You sing so well. Did you take lessons, or is it a gift from the Muses?"  She says, "No, but my father encouraged it.  My mother had been a professional singer.  He says...said, that I inherited by voice from her.  My cousin is also a singer, she sings over at the Gay Lady."  He replies, "You said your father died. What happened to your mother? Mine died in childbirth, so I never knew her. If you don't want to talk about it, it's OK. We can talk about happier things."She says, "I don't mind talking about it, my story is the same as yours.  She died giving birth to me and I never knew her.   Father met her in Louisiana right after the war had ended during the Union Army occupation.   After she died he returned to Ohio and did the best he could to raise me but when I started to...well.....physically change."  Her face turns red with embarrassment for having just said that.   She continues, "Well, when he felt it best for me he sent me off to the finishing school.   I wish he hadn't, I would have preferred to spend his final years with him instead of Mrs. Beatrice Schultz." He says, "I take it that Mrs. Schultz wasn't the friendly type. Come on, let's dance. The night is young." Chester takes Clarisse's hands and brings her onto the dance floor.Ruby sits for an unknown amount of time when Pedro comes out to the porch and sits down beside her.   He smiles and says, "Love is an interesting thing, No?   Miss Ruby, I not as good at this as Dorita or her Grandfather but they both busy right now.   But I do work as bartender for a few centuries now so have learned to listen and give advice.   From what I see you have two boys who want you.  Both very nice boys.   I not like seeing nice boys fight, but sometimes boys will be boys.   You are upset, do not be.   This their fight, not yours.   All you do is get one or the other angry if you get involved.   Do not sit here and worry, come inside, we having party.   Your friends Kate and Chester inside and I know they willing to help you out too.   So come inside, eat, drink, dance.  You feel better then."Ruby keeps her head on her knees. "Nanuet is in there too, he's been a good friend." Ruby turns her head to face Pedro and smiles sadly at him. "Yes, two boys want me." Ruby pauses in thought. "It is always that way for me. But this time I want one of them in return. I don't want them to fight."   She sighs, "I can't help being upset. I just promised Mr. Eastman if he could get Jake, my boyfriend and the man I love, to give him money to leave me, I would marry him. I don't want to get married. I don't want to leave Jake. I don't want Jake to betray me. I don't want Mr. Eastman to trick Jake into betraying me. I don't want to leave Promise City. How can I not be upset?" She puts her face back down on her knees. "And I have another date, I have to go to it now actually." He states, "Another date?   A third man?  Ah, Ruby, I think that you be overdoing it.   Burning the candle at both ends hard enough, no light candle in middle as well.""Pedro, you may not believe this, but I did not agree to have dinner with Mr. Eastman." Ruby stands. "And my appointment is with Judge Isby, I don't think it's a date, more like having dinner with a friend... even though we not really friends..." Ruby furrows her brow for a moment. "Anyway, I have to go. Thank you for the invitation. Maybe I'll be back later. Please tell my friends that I went to the Promise City Hotel if they need me." She gives Pedro a little kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for trying to help." Ruby walks off and heads to the Promise City Hotel to meet Judge Isby.Katherine danced until she was exhausted.  Although Conrad monopolized her time, she managed to get in a dance with Pedro, and another with Grant as well.  She finally sat down at the table where Minerva and Nanuet had been sitting.  "I can't go another step.  Of course, I haven't had dinner yet, and hunger isn't helping."  She laid her hand over her chest as she took deep breaths, suddenly aware of the low cut of the dress. "You had best eat before you go to your work, Conrad."  With Dorita chaperoning and so many dancers, Kate went into the kitchen herself and pulled a few things Dorita had already cooked together and brought them out. Kate puts the food down on the table where Minerva and Nanuet return to when they finish dancing.   The musicians call for a short break and Pedro makes sure that everyone in the room who wants a drink refill gets one.Over at the Marshall's Office, a knocking on the door interrupts Jake's conversation with the Deputy Marshall.  Jake then hears a familiar voice from the other side saying, "Marshall?  Are you in there?    I'm a relative of the town's photographers, the Barkers, and could use some assistance from you."Jake sighs, leans in next to Rodiguez and says in a whisper, "That man is causing me no end of trouble.  He's trying to steal Ruby from me.  I'm sure he's here to say something foul about me and get you to help him cause me trouble."  Jake sighs again and shrugs with depressed look on his face.  "I hope I'm wrong."  He then sits on the edge of the desk and waits for the Deputy Marshall's response.   Eduardo yells back "What do you want?  I'm busy guarding a prisoner.  Eastman's voice yells back, "I wanted to see if you could accompany me over to the Lucky Lady Dance Hall and Saloon.   I need to speak to a man there but have some concerns that he may resort to violence.   A Deputy present in the room would help to ensure that no gunplay occurs."  Eduardo replies, "Then I'd suggest that you just stay away from that place." Eastman answers, "I can't sir, it is a matter of honor."Jake says, "Thanks Eduardo, that was kind of you.  I suppose I should talk to him.  Do you mind if we let him in?"  Jake laughs.  "I promise I won't shoot him." "One minute sir," Eduardo yells.    He whispers to Jake "Give me your gun, then get over by the cell with your gambler." Jake has a perplexed look on his face.  "Uh, sure."  He puts his Colt on the desk and walks over to the cell.Eduardo goes to the door and opens it, telling Eastman "Come in."  Eastman does, looking startled to see Jake there.   Eduardo gestures towards him and says, "If that is the man from the Lucky Lady who you wanted to see I disarmed him when he came in to visit his jailed employee.   So you can talk to him now with no worry of violence."  Eastman regains his composure and says, "Er yes, thank you Deputy.  Mr. Cook, could I please have a word with you?" "Yes Mr. Eastman, you may."  Jake faces him expressionless.Eastman begins, "Yes, Mr. Cook.   I have a matter to discuss with you of the utmost importance.   I understand that you have some serious concerns about my taking Miss. West away from this town.   Sir, you are probably unaware of her upbringing but she was raised in proper society and it is highly unlikely that the lifestyle available to her here will be satisfactory to her in the long run.   Sir, she needs a husband and a stable environment to live in, not life as a singer in a mining town."Jake replies, "Mr. Eastman, your concern for Miss West is commendable.  However, as you yourself pointed out, she is a grown woman capable of making her own decisions.  You have decided that this lifestyle is unsatisfactory for her."  He remains expressionless.  "I am well aware of her background and what that young woman has been through."Eastman responds, "Sir, I am only thinking of her best interest.  I can provide her with a lifestyle that you cannot.   I have patented a process for photography that will make it affordable to the common man.   I suspect that within a few years my wealth will be considerable.   Sir, If you were to convince Miss West that I can provide a better future for her, and that you prefer her to go with me, then I can make the future quite lucrative for you as well."  "Mr. Eastman, perhaps you could make yourself clearer.  It is unnecessary to disguise it with formal speech and beating around the bush."  Jake maintains his poker face.Eastman states, "Sir, I have a business plan set out and have been soliciting partners.   The Eastman-Strong Corporation will be structured with fourteen equal shareholders and myself as Chairman.    The initial investment will be in the range of $ 200,000.   I am offering you a full share in exchange for your cooperation in urging Miss West to leave this town with me.   Within a year you could sell it for the initial investment price, that would bring you close to $ 15,000.    But over time that investment would be worth considerably more.   You would be able to retire for life at a young age.  Sir, opportunities like this seldom occur more than once in a lifetime, you would be a fool to pass it by.""Thank you for your kind offer Mr. Eastman.  I'll pass however.  Perhaps you have named me correctly sir, Silver Jake Cook the fool.  I don't betray my friends for money, and Ruby West is much more than a friend.  Very much more."  Jake nods.  "Miss West is no prisoner here, she makes her own choices.  I wake up everyday delighted that she has chosen me.  If that's all then I'll bid you goodnight."  Jake starts to turn away but stops with a pained expression on his face briefly. "It must be hard for you sir, even if you feel only a fraction of what I do for her."Eastman states, "Ah, I understand sir.  You question the wisdom of the investment in a company that does not now exist.  Very well, rather than stock in my future company I am prepared to pay you the value now.   I can contact my bank tomorrow and have them transfer the full amount of $ 15,000 to your bank account.   Would that be sufficient?"  Jake begins to grow frustrated with this and replies, "Mr. Eastman, can you possibly understand that this isn't about money?  Perhaps that is a foreign concept to you.  I don't want your money.  I have something far more valuable."  Jake sighs, "Now if you'll forgive me I do have some business to attend to."Eastman responds, "Sir, you drive a hard bargain.   You must be good at what you do for a living.  I have other assets at my disposal that I could make liquid in the immediate future.   I could offer you $ 25,000 now and another $ 25,000 by the middle of April.   Surely Sir that would be more than sufficient for you to find yourself another singer and companion.   Do not pass on that again in expectation of more, that is as high as I can go."Jake whistles a long single note.  "That is a heap of money, Mr. Eastman.  A man should be able to find many interesting diversions to ease his loneliness and assuage his guilt with that much money." After a moment of thought Jake sticks his hand out for a hand shake.  Eastman takes his hand with a confident smile.  Jake says, "I hope I never regret this.  I wish you the best of luck finding those diversions sir."  Jake finally allows himself to smile.  "Thanks, but no thanks.  I hope you won't be too disappointed if Ruby and I don't see you off on the stagecoach when you are finished in Promise City.  We are in the habit of sleeping late."Eastman releases his hand and says, "Sir, I was serious about that being my highest offer.  I admire your self restraint in this matter."  He lowers his voice and whispers "I follow, you want to keep these men from knowing.  Come by the photo studio and we'll arrange this privately."  With that Eastman heads to the door to depart."George Eastman,"  Jake says in a loud voice, "I have had quite enough of you trying to purchase Miss West.  If you don't shut up about it I will be asking the deputy for my gun back."  The gambler Jake Cook crosses the distance to Eastman, a menacing look in his eyes.  He punctuates each of the next words with his index finger on Eastman's chest.  "Ruby West is not for sale, not now, not ever again." Eastman gestures over towards the cell and Marshall and whispers "Good, I'm sure they bought it.  See you later."  He then heads out the door. Once Eastman is gone Tony says to Jake, "Well done boss, what an easy mark.  That guy went from fifteen grand to fifty way too easily, you'll certainly be able to get him higher.  Better do it quick though before the Love Potion that Ruby slipped him wears off." Jake stands dumbfounded for a moment.  He turns towards the jail cell and glares at Tony Lucky. "And you Tony," Jake says with some aggravation in his tone, "we are trying to run a business where people come to us to be entertained.  Instead you are making them angry and afraid of us.  People are going to worry that the next irate husband walks into the Lucky Lady with his gun blazing.  Now I see you are making an enemy of the Deputy Marshall.  We have made it pretty clear that everyone is welcome at our saloon, but one of my dealers is insulting a Deputy Marshall over his race!"  A noise that is close to a low growl escapes from Jake's lips.  "Is there anything else I ought to know about?"Lucky states, "Gee no boss, don't mean to get you angry.   And why are you being so friendly with this guy, isn't he the one who spied on you to have you arrested?  Oh yeah, there is one thing.   That crooked gambler Conrad Booth seems to be trying to convince Katie to talk you into replacing me with him.   That would be bad, you'd best get me sprung soon.  Can't have my players waiting."  "If you have any players waiting.  Damn it Lucky, are you hearing anything I am saying?"  Jake just notices that Bauer is not in jail.  "Senor Rodiguez, what happened to Bauer?" "He paid the fine and was released," is Rodriguez's answer.   Tony interjects "Yeah, I hear you Boss.  No more jealous husbands.  I'll be more careful in the future.   But you shouldn't be blaming me for this one, it was all that Juan Gomez's fault, the stinking Mexican."  Jake says, "You are becoming a big risk Mr. Lucky, you need to stop shooting off your mouth.  If I decide to, how much money do you need loaned to you and how are you going to pay it back?  What percentage from each nights winnings above and beyond the house cut comes back to me?"Lucky replies, "Oh, you can take most of what I make until I get you paid back.   I don't need much to get by.  Just enough to pay my boarding house, go on an occasional date and make a few visits each week over to the Palace for some special company."  "Alright, most it is.  You see me at the end of the each evening and we'll divvy up.  Also I think it would be wise to apologize to Senor Rodriguez for your unfortunate comment, I believe he understands the stress you were under and would accept your sincere apology." Jake turns to Rodriguez, "I'm willing to loan the money to him, and I have enough with me.  Did you hear what happened at the Vigilance Committee meeting in regards to you today?  They don't seem to happy with your appointment."  Jake picks up his gun of the desk.  "I prefer to judge a man on his actions rather than who his parents were.  You can still have my vote in your favor with the merchants association.  Sorry again for interrupting your dinner, and thanks for the your patience in here tonight."  After taking care of the business of getting Lucky out of Jail, Jake Cook walks slowly back to the Lucky Lady seemingly deep in thought.</blockquote>

Verification