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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2588974" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 59, “My Dinner with Isby”, Thursday, March 16th, 1882:The dance ends and Nanuet tells his companion, "Well Miss Minerva that was fun.  Maybe we can try this again sometime and you can show me the right way to dance like that."  Nanuet says, catching his breath.  He then turns to Kate. "Good evening Miss Kate.  You seem to be spending a lot of time with Mr. Booth.  How is everything else going?  You have been very busy lately, running back and forth."The Priestess states, "Hola Senorita, My but You and Senor Booth do make quite the handsome couple out there on the dance floor and that dress is spectacular!  I'm not sure if the Vigilance committee will approve but I think it's quite complementary. Red is definitely your color." This is my first time at the El Parador. It is quite colorful. I do miss the Spanish music.  Will you join us? I am curious if you have had any progress with the school you were contemplating.""Mr. Booth is a good friend," Kate said, smiling warmly at Conrad but glad her blush was covered by the fact she was already rosy red from the dancing.  "And I don't care what the Vigilance Committee thinks about how I dress, and I thank you for the compliment Miss Florencia.   To answer you, Nanuet, I have been busy.  I feel better when I'm busy, there is less time for 'moping.'  Ruby told me this morning that I've been moping about, I suppose she's right."  She stopped and shook her head, "And I am getting distracted.   There's a great deal of interest in a school, but I had no idea I would be able to start so soon!  Mr. Lucky's trial was today, and it turns out Mr. Bauer's wife ran off with Juan Gomez and everything from the store and house.  Both gentlemen were sentenced to a fine and ninety days in the territorial prison.  Mr. Lucky is still in jail as far as I know, but Conrad and I purchased Mr. Bauer's buildings.  We'll sell the store and then I will pay for the house and use it for my school.  So it will be school during the days, ranch work in afternoon, and piano playing at night.  I will be busy indeed."Minerva's eyes light up. "I see the Fates have been busy weaving your destiny. This is wonderful news Senorita Katherine .  If the town is to prosper it is vital that it's children be educated and you are the perfect person to undertake such a task. Unbiased, even-tempered and refined. A splendid role model," she beams. "The goddess Minerva has chosen well in you!" "She sighs deeply, "I pray the gods step in and assist me so readily. A church is also vital to the prosperity of this town and it is unwise to ignore the gods.  But aside from that, a church is also the foundation of a strong community. It encourages people to gather together and reach out to one another as a family. Ah, I apologize, there I go preaching again." Agitated, Minerva's eyes darken. "This Vigilance Committee is going to be quite difficult to circumvent. I have spent most of my life dealing with their sort and I will take no part in an organization that places their desires above those of the people or the gods they profess to serve. I need to find out how much power they have in this town, how much legal sway. And then I need to find allies who will help me to fulfill the gods wishes in spite of them... or we will all be wearing stifling Victorian collars and drinking sparkling cider!  Does anyone at this table know anything about their influence or who I might speak to?"Kate replies, "I'll be glad to help you in whatever way I can, but I feel I should warn you that I am not a religious woman.  The gods and I both go our own way.  But you need have no worries about me, my late husband was devout and we managed to get on with one another."   Minerva thinks to herself "I used to believe that also but the gods use us as they will."   She lays her hand on top of Katherine's  "I am not concerned with your religious affiliation, only your friendship and I do appreciate your offer of help. I am sure that it will be needed if I am to stay in Promise City. In the meantime if there is anything I could do to help with the school please let me know. I love children. Perhaps I could teach them to fence, but I suppose that's not a very useful skill in this part of the world."  Kate comments, "I don't really understand what kind of power the Vigilance Committee has.  I believe they make their decisions, then try to influence the town into accepting them.  What happened at the meeting today?  I'm afraid I missed it in order to secure my school building."The Priestess replies, "It was dreadful! A pack of fools, hiding their prejudices behind their morality.  No good will come of it." she wags her finger. "Those idiots, Doc Eaton and Mr. Watkins  actually had the gall to instruct  me to ignore the "heathen wood elves and focus on the true believers"  I tell you, I won't tolerate such bigotry!"  Minerva is visibly angry.  "And the Committee voted to instill a dress code for the women. They have banned necklines lower than two inches." She glances down at her own generously cut neckline and smirks. "Oh, but they're still arguing on sleeve length "she sneers. "I think I would like a refill please. She hold her glass out to Mr. Booth."Nanuet comments, "Well I can't say I know anything about committees, but I have to think that they are being fools.  From what little I know and understand they don't have any real power other than influencing those that do.  I just don't see how a town where most of the income comes from mining and miners could think that they could close down saloons and make dress codes.  Don't think the miners will go much for that, they like to drink and gamble and do other less than honorable activities.  I know I am not really offering advice, just my thoughts on the topic." Nanuet smiles and then stands up from the table and nods his head to everyone at the table. "Well, I guess it is time to head back to the Lucky Lady for the evening.  I should really get myself on their payroll." he says shaking his head and chuckling.  Minerva replies, "The gods are not adverse to fun Senor! What would life be without laughter and the joy of companionship.  She smiles and holds out her hand in thanks. "Gracias Senor Nanuet, for taking the time to entertain me. It has been some time since I have had so much fun. Two nights in a row! It seems to be becoming a habit!"  Minerva is suddenly struck by an idea. She turns to Kate and Mr. Booth puts her hand over her mouth.She exclaims gleefully, "By the Goddess Minerva!... It is time to celebrate the festival of Dionysus! This is the most important festival of the year. It would be the perfect opportunity bring our community together and to engage the Merchants committee in our causes!  People will come from surrounding towns for the celebration so it will bring more business to the stores, and saloons...and you could garner support for your school! Even those who don't have children will surely recognize it as a worthy cause!  Blessed be Dionysus! He has shown us the way to deal with this Committee. They will know that the gods nor the town are in agreement with their 18th Century dark-age thinking!" Minerva sits up straighter. Her eyes are sparkling and she is excitedly gesturing with her hands. "We could have a barn dance!  And contests would be great!  The gods love contests. Maybe dig up some local talent and put on a Greek play or a musical or we could have a talent show. Oh and a parade!  And games for the children!  Oh and lots of food and drink! The restaurants and the saloons could compete with one another. And the men could show their cattle roping skills and .." She finally notices that her companions are staring at her in astonishment. "Well," she laughs "you get the idea. What do you think? "Kate kept quiet about the idea that a God had sent down the idea, saying instead, "It sounds like a great deal of fun, but you would be setting yourself a very large task to include everything you just said.  But I'll be glad to help, and I think Ruby would be ecstatic to," Kate laughed.  "And you're right, I think it would make the people of this town feel more like a community and less like a collection of strangers." Mr. Eastman had returned and was playing enthusiastically on the piano.  Estaban joined in and Kate's foot began to tap again. Chester yells to Clarisse above the music, "Are you having fun, Miss Townsend? This town draws some pretty good piano players." She states, "Why yes, more fun that I've had in ages.  What brings you to Arizona all the way from Indiana Mr. Martin?" He replies, "I'm glad to hear you're having fun. I served a hitch in the Army for a while in Nebraska. After that I knocked about Dodge City in Kansas. The town started getting boring, so I hopped a train here. Hard to believe I've only been here since January. How do you like living here?"She says, "I didn't like it at first.   The Saloon where my cousin works represented everything that Mrs. Schultz taught me was wrong with the world.  I don't think my father would have approved either.   Julia had no idea what to do with me and neither did her friend Madge.  I can sign but I can't dance, I'm surprise I haven't stomped your feet yet."  He replies, Chester chuckles. "That's 'cause my feet are trying to stomp yours. As far as Mrs. Schultz goes, she can't be right about everything."  She says, "They had me waitressing during the day and staying in my room reading at the hotel at night.   Singing at the Lucky Lady and the Comique is far more fun." He laughs, "And I'm so glad you did. Otherwise I would never have met you. Let's take a break. What would you like to drink?"Kate says, "I'd love to dance some more, but I should probably be following Nanuet's example."  She began to gather herself to leave when she stopped and said, "Conrad, how awful of me, I never asked how your errand went this morning!"  Booth says, "It went fine.   The Judge called Elton Hubbard over to join us and the evidence of Arcade's Gang's innocence was clear-cut.  Hubbard has withdrawn the reward, which both newspapermen will print in the next editions of their papers."   She says, "That's very good news, I'm glad to hear it," Kate said with a surprising not of relief in her voice. While they are talking Kate sees another familiar face walks in, namely the dwarf Flint accompanied by a female Apache who looks to be the human equivalent of mid-thirties.  She is attired in traditional Indian garb while he has on his leather coat over his work clothes, with a revolver on his bent, shotgun strapped to his back and a bulky satchel over his shoulder which knowing Flint may or may not contain dynamite.She says, "Miss Florencia, the dwarven gentleman that just came in is one of the partners in the ranch I own part of.  He's rather gruff, but well worth knowing," Kate said as she waved to the dwarf.  "Forgive him if he talks quite a lot about dynamite, it's his favorite thing." Flint and the Apache woman notice them and head over, finding it difficult to move in the now crowded Cantina, as every wood elf in town seems to have come for the celebration.Kate says, "Good evening, Flint.  It's nice to see you've left the ranch for a night.  I can't stay much longer but please, have a seat," she finished, being sure to smile at his companion. He catches the Indian woman's attention points to Kate and says "Kate".  He points to Conrad and says "Booth".   He looks to Minerva and just shrugs.  He then gestures to the Apache and says "Naki-yai", then adding "It means Two-Moons".Kate says, "Flint, this is Miss Minerva Florencia, the town's new priestess, and a very unique priestess she is.  Miss Florencia, Mr. Flint Graymountain.  Your companion doesn't speak our tongue?  A shame I don't speak hers either.  Would you tell her I'm pleased to meet her?  I'd heard you had a new friend, Flint." He replies, "Yes, I'll try.  I don't speak very much of her language either."  He says a few Apache phrases and she seems to relax.   He then turns to Kate and says "Could you keep an eye on her for me and make sure she stays safe.  I'll be back in a while."  Kate says, "Of course, but what is a while, Flint?  I have to go to the Lucky Lady in a few minutes or I'll be late."  He says, "Hopefully not long, I just need to find somebody." Kate nodded to Flint then motioned to a chair.  The Apache woman sat down and Katherine smiled at her, then looked helplessly at Conrad and Minerva and says, "I suddenly wish I knew a few more languages."Ruby enters the Promise City Hotel and sees Judge Nathan Isby seated at a table in the room.   He stands as she approaches.    Isby is a tall man attired in a dark suit.  He looks to be in his early forties, with dark hair that is starting to gray on his sideburns and long droopy mustache. He has a square-shaped face with a chiseled jaw.    He takes out his pocket watch and checks the time commenting, "Five minutes early.  Punctuality is good.  Thank you for coming."Ruby breathes a sigh of relief. She hadn't actually known what time it was. She extends her hand to him, "It is my pleasure, Judge Isby." She smiles warmly at him and nods her head before sitting. Hotel and restaurant owner Melissa Lee comes over with a bottle, which she hands to the Judge.  He tells Ruby, "I do not drink and they do not serve alcohol here.  This is a sparkling apple cider that I think you will enjoy."  He pours them each a glass.   Melissa says "We have a choice of three different entrees tonight.  We have roast chicken cooked with a honey glaze, fresh cut beef steaks or a rattlesnake stew."    Isby asks for a large cut seared flesh of moocow cooked well done. Ruby sits tall with her shoulders back as she leans forward to take the glass. "Thank you, Judge, it sounds lovely." She looks to Smith. "The chicken sounds wonderful, thank you Ms. Lee." She takes a sip from her glass.  "So, Judge, do you normally go out to dinner with the citizens of the cities you preside over?"He replies, "No Miss West, but I have a serious predicament on my hands that I think you can be of some assistance with.   That, and this is going to be my final meal in Promise City for another three or four weeks and I wanted some company other than Deputy Sheriff Hunter." "Well, I'm glad that you chose to spend your last meal for a while here with me then." Ruby pulls her hair over her shoulder and furrows her brows slightly. "So," she continues curiously, "What kind of serious predicament do you think I can help you with?"He replies, "I need the help of somebody with good eyes and ears.    As you may know, my circuit covers the east side of Cochice and Graham Counties and I hold court here and in the towns of Clifton, Safford and Wilcox.  A problem has been festering in all of those towns that the local lawmen haven't been able to deal with, namely the Cowboy Gang.   The thing is, rumors have it that some of the lawman may be working with them.   Hard to know who I can trust these days.  Unfortunately I don't really stay in each town long enough to investigate myself and, well, my reputation proceeds me so people are hesitant to act.   I figure you being a singer at one of the more popular saloons in town, you might hear or see things, especially if you're looking out for them."Ruby blinks back her surprise. “Your fine reputation does precede you, Judge Isby. You do have a way about you," she smiles. "Yes, the Cowboy Gang is a real problem. I’ve had some trouble with them of my own. I would not be surprised to find out that they had a grip on the law in certain places.”  He states, "I read the newspapers Miss West.   I am aware that you've gone up against the Cowboy Gang before.  And you've lived to tell about it.   But unlike the Earps they don't see you as their enemy so they may not avoid you, or rather, your saloon." Ruby takes another sip of her cider. “I am surprised however, Judge, that you would think of me. I just, well, I didn’t think you would have a high opinion of my reputation after what happened at Mr. Kane’s trial.”   He states, "Surprised myself too, hadn't even thought of it until I saw you steal that newspaper.   What you did after you knew you were caught showed me something about you that I thought could be useful for this task.  Not just how you handled the immediate restitution but coming up to speak to me afterwards.  Showed me that you have some character to you." She says, “I will help you in any way I can. What do you want me to do and what would you like me to look for?”  He replies, "Thank you.  I'm not asking you to put yourself at risk in any way, just keep your eyes and ears open and report to me what you've seen when I return.   As for the lawmen, I trust Wyatt and Virgil but am not so sure about the two younger Earps.   I don't know this new deputy Rodriguez at all.   But the ones I really don't trust are Coaches County Sheriff Johnny Behan and his Deputy Sheriffs.  They seem a little too friendly with folks who later turn out to be with the Cowboy Gang.   Just be careful Miss West, these are tough customers."Ruby considers carefully her next words. “Judge Isby, I want to say something and it might not come out the way I want, so please don’t take it the wrong way.” She looks him right in the eyes. “I will admit, I get something out of this. Helping you with the Cowboy Gang and possibly corrupt lawmen helps me and my friends in the long run. But I would also need to know that I could trust you. Trust that if I do give you incriminating information that when you take action it won’t come from you that I gave it. Otherwise I would be putting my life and the lives of the people I love at risk, I am sure you realize that. I don’t have the right to do that to them.” He says, "I understand and would expect nothing less.   My life is based upon my reputation.  Before becoming a Judge I served ten years as a lawman.  Trust me, I won't reveal that any information came from you."  She smiles and says, “It must be difficult for you to not know who you can or can’t trust. Me? I really don’t trust anyone.” She thinks about that for a moment then smiles, “Well, almost no one.” She shakes her head. “I don’t envy your job, that’s for sure. I will do as you ask, keep my eyes and ears open and let you know what I find. Besides, this is a much nicer way to see you than in the court room.” He smiles and says, "Another reason I chose you for this.  It will look to everybody who notices that I just have a romantic interest in you." She says, “I have some questions though, if you don’t mind me asking. Do you have reason to believe that members of the Cowboy Gang will come to my saloon?"  He states, "I don't, but it's a small town.  You might see them elsewhere.   Honestly, I'm just grasping at straws here but I figure I've got nothing to lose." She says, "And you say you know I’ve had tussles with them, how can you be sure they don’t think of me as an enemy?” He replies, " I don't, but your saloon is now more popular that it was when the Whipples owned it and has a new name so I figure they may give it a try. She pauses. “Something else I’m wondering about, of a more personal nature. Do you know if Deadeye Douglas is part of the Cowboy Gang? I know you know what happened with Jake Cook getting shot in the bank and all, and I, you know, I worry about him.” Isby states, " "I believe that he was but moved on.  His gang was seen up in Wyoming while the Cowboy Gang are still active around here." Ruby gives a small giggle. “I apologize for the barrage of questions. I let my mouth run away with me again, I do that sometimes,” she blushes slightly.  He says, "No problem, and keep up the giggling and laughing, make's this look like a date.  I probably should even smile, although if I did I doubt anybody would recognize me."  She says, “I appreciate your honesty with me with all my silly questions and you can expect my honesty in return.” Ruby smiles at the Judge. “Why your honor, are you that against people liking you that you can’t even smile? I suppose in your line of work it makes it hard to be friendly with people. It must be lonely for you, something I know a lot about until recently.” Ruby unconsciously rubs her lips while she thinks. She leans in closer to him and whispers, “But this isn’t really a date, right? I mean you know I have a boyfriend. I’ve just, uh, had problems with this sort of thing in the past. Miscommunications that is, so I want to make sure we agree.”He says, "Well no, not hardly.  That wouldn't be appropriate, I'm old enough to be your father.   You can tell Mr. Kane that I have no intention of moving in on his lady." "Good," Ruby replies. She reaches across the table and straightens his tie as she continues to whisper, "I hope you'll never use this against me in a court of law, but I am a good actress, no one will know we're not on a real date." She winks at him then sits back in her chair. She flips her hair and says with her voice raised just slightly, "So why will you be gone for so long?"  He replies, "Because I'm responsible for a much larger area than just town.  Wilcox is in the northern part of this county, around forty miles northwest.  Safford is in Graham County, forty miles north of Wilcox, and Clifton is thirty miles northeast of that.  But my circuit region runs another seventy miles north of there, all the way to Springerville.   Then every few months I have to head over to the Capital in Prescott, in the center of the Territory.  Means a lot of traveling.  Good thing I have a reliable horse.""Yes, good thing. I hope you stay safe with all the dangers out there."   He replies, "That doesn't seem to be a problem any more.  In my two-years on this circuit I've been ambushed three different times.   That's where my lawman training comes in.  First two times I was outnumbered two-to-one and each time I dropped the pair of them on the spot.  The third time there were six of them.   I killed a total of the four men right there and brought the other two in for trial where I sentenced them to hang.   Word of that got around, so the bad guys now make sure to stay way clear of me. "   Ruby looks at the Judge with some admiration. "Very impressive. I'll make sure not to get on your bad side," she laughs. Ruby and the Judge continue to have a pleasant dinner. Ruby laughs and flirts and even gets the Judge to crack a smile. At the end of dinner Judge Isby walks Ruby outside and offers to walk her back to the Lucky Lady.  "No thank you, I can walk there myself. Thank you for the lovely dinner." She leans in a gives him a small kiss on the cheek. As she does, "How do I get in touch with you the next time you're in town? If I have some information for you."   He says, "I plan to dine again with you on the evening that I arrive.  I'll let you know I'm back in town.  Be careful now."  He laughs and says "And don't go stealing any more newspapers.  If you do I'll sentence you to spend time with that halfling newspaperman.""Very well, I'll look forward to it." Ruby nods her head then starts off, but stops and looks back over her shoulder. "I'll make sure to take your advice about the newspaper. That sentence would be awfully harsh!" With that she bounces off. After she is out of sight from the Promise City Hotel Ruby lifts her skirts to her knees and starts running down the street towards the Lucky Lady.</blockquote>

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