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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3040844" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 161, “"I knew I forgot to talk to you about something.", Saturday, March 25th, 1882, 7:30 PM Ruby walks near Kate. "Order me something good for dinner." She continues loudly, "I'll be at the Cantina in a bit." Ruby, I..." Kate sighed and continued walking home with Chester, Nanuet, and Miss Florencia, losing Jake along the way as well.  With that Ruby starts walking in the direction of the Trail Dust Saloon.  Ruby arrives at the former Trail Dust Saloon. She notices that the old sign is gone and replaced with one reading "Arizona Territorial Offices". The door is locked.  Ruby knocks loudly. "Judge Isby, Mr. Tomlinson, are you in?"  Jake pulls on his duster and hat, settles his revolvers and says, "I'll be back in a little while," to Harry. He waits until the others are out the door and follows them.   Jake goes down Allen street and turns down South Street towards the El Parador but tarries outside Gilson's watching the Trail Dust for Ruby.   Tomlinson answers the door "Ah, Miss West. I was just preparing to leave. Please come in" He lets her inside. She hears Isby's voice yell out from the back room "Who is it Kevin?"   She states, "You may call me Ruby, Mr. Tomlinson. Especially since you've been so kind to offer me lessons." Ruby steps further into the room. "It's Ruby West, Judge Isby. I would like to speak with you if you have a moment."Isby comes out. He is wearing his dress trouser and a shirt, but this is the first time she has seen him without a suit jacket and tie. The top button on the shirt is also unbuttoned. He says, "Well Hello Miss. West. It is nice to see you again."   She replies, "It's nice to see you too. I just wanted to come by and thank you for dinner the other night." She gives him a smile and a very small glance towards Kevin. I hope he understands what I'm getting at she thinks. Is it ok to speak in front of Kevin?”Isby says, "Kevin, lock the door." Kevin does so, but from the inside. Isby gestures to Ruby to sit down. Before she speaks he says, "I think I know why you're here. I saw the newspaper too. Mr. Rudolph Foote is fighting tonight at the Palace. Based upon talking to others, if the fighters are in the order listed, he probably won't go up against Flannigan until 9:30, take or leave fifteen minutes. What are you thinking?"Ruby smiles. "I should have known you wouldn't need me to tell you this," she smiles. “I wasn’t sure how you wanted to proceed. Would you like to deal with this yourself? Bring him in for questioning? Or should we, me and my friends, try to speak to him ourselves and see what we can find out?”Isby says, "Well, Kevin and I are too conspicuous and I don't think we have enough yet to hold him on, just some name spoken under duress. But I'd say we need to keep an eye on this guy and find out where he goes. Then again, if this Finnigan is as good as they say the only place he may go is to the land of dreams, as in a knockout punch."Ruby giggles. "You have a way with words Judge. Alright, I'll have someone trail him tonight, that is, if he survives the fight. But we shouldn't try to talk to him yet, right?" He replies, "Correct." Ruby pauses, wondering if she should really trust the man sitting before her.  "Um, something else. We have decided to go after Johnny Ringo. He has threatened us one too many times. I just thought you should know. You know, that trust thing and all."   He states, "That sounds like a dangerous proposition and I would advise against it. Behan is already after the Earps for taking the law into their own hands, you don't want his to have Deputies Hunter and Nagle going after you and your friends as well. You're better off just finding out what you can and bringing the information to me, or get it to the Earps and let them handle it."She says, "That does sound like wise advice, Judge Isby. Maybe I can get my friends to agree to that." She rises from her chair. "Thank you for seeing me. I asked Mr. Tomlinson to give me fencing lessons so we can also pass information that way. I thought you would like that," she smiles at him. "I will let you know what I find out." She offers him her hand. "Have a good evening."He takes her arm in his and says, "And you Miss. West." He then escorts her out of the front door and within sight of several passers by says, "Until tomorrow my sweet". He then lifts up her hand and kisses it softly.    She feigns a blush and bats her eyelashes a couple of times before sweeping out the door. She casually strolls from the building, in case someone is watching. She hums to herself as she walks. She sees Jake leaning up against a building as she walks. "Spying on me again are we? Or can you just not bare to have me out of your sight?"  "Both." He walks in step with her. "Looks like he'd get in line at the kissing booth."  She says, "Jealous? It wouldn't be all dirty miners wanting to kiss me."   As he escorts her into the El Parador Jake adds, "Yes, I understand a couple of them take baths."Ruby stops short. "You ARE jealous!" She grabs Jake's arm tightly before he walks away and snuggles up to his ear. "Judge Isby does not want us talking to that Foote fellow. Only follow him and gather information." She keeps her lips only slightly away from his ear. "So just how jealous are you?"  He answers, "Just enough to make you feel wanted but not so much that I have to go to jail."  Nanuet holds Minerva's hand as they walk. She notices him blushing slightly as he starts to speak, the words tumbling out. "Miss Minerva, I wanted to ask you a question. I hope you won't take this the wrong way or anything, but I wanted to know if you'd like to join me tomorrow, to meet Kajika. I mean, after your services. We might be gone for the whole day, maybe even overnight, or two days, I'm never sure. But I sure would like your company, if you're free. I know you are busy with the festival and all."She says, “I would be honored to meet Kajika, and I would feel better if you were not traveling unaccompanied, but I will not be finished with services until noon and then I should try and speak with Mr. Shaw. If you can wait until then, I would be pleased to accompany you. I do not have much planning to do for the festival since I have spent much of today turning the duties over to others.”   Nanuet squeezes the Spanish beauty's delicate hand. "Of course I can wait for you. I have no set time. But I have been trying to go for a few days now. And I must admit, with you accompanying me the company will be greatly improved over my last trips."Minerva smiles up at him. "I am looking forward to it." She is quiet for a while and then asks "How long do you think we will be gone?  Do you think that we will be needed here?I am afraid that the Cowboys may make their move while we are away."   He says, "I don't know. Maybe only a day. But me seeing Kajika is better for all of us. He may have information we can use and also, he teaches me the ways of healing, which I have had to call upon a lot with this bunch. I am grateful of the things he has taught me, for with that and the necklace I have saved the lives of both Mr. Jake and Miss Ruby."   He stops and looks Minerva in the eyes. "If you think you will be needed here then you should stay. It would not do to have you with me and be worried."  "She leans up and kisses him lightly on the lips. "If I do not go with you I will be worried. I shall be ready about 1 o'clock"  He says, "Very well. Do you need me for anything tomorrow earlier in the day?"At the Cantina, the four sat down at a large table. It felt odd not to see Dorita come bustling out of the kitchen. "It's almost like old times, all of us eating here," she said.  Chester replies, "Those were the days. Hard to believe it's just been a few months. How have you been, Kate. I haven't talked to you in a while?"   She replies, "I'm alright Chester. I've been very busy with the children's activities for the festival and setting up my school. It's a little lonely over here by myself sometimes."  He says, "But you have Mr. Booth to keep you company. He seems quite taken with you."She says, "He's not... It's not the same as having all of you around all the time. But I could have lived at the Lucky Lady if I wanted. Things are just a little bit upside down right now.  But how about yourself? You like being a Marshall?"  Chester replies, "It's been good so far. There hasn't been too much trouble in town. I'm not sure how things are going to work out with Mitch and Helen yet. Eduardo's got the most experience being a lawman. I hope I don't have to choose between the law and what Jake has planned. On the bright side, Clarisse is impressed."Minerva can see that Kate is uncomfortable talking about Mr. Booth and so changes the subject. "So Chester do you think that you will be able to help with the Festival? I have so much organizing left to do. I'm going to go and speak to some of the store owners tomorrow about donating goods. Do you think that Clarisse will want to get her quilting circle involved. I am going to speak to Mrs. Fly about it at church tomorrow. Perhaps you would like to come along. She may be more inclined to speak with me if you and Clarisse are present.Chester says, "I just saw them today, as a matter of fact. I think they'd be willing to showcase some of their quilts. I have to warn you. Mrs. Fly and Mrs. Eaton are not keen on honoring Dionysus, but they're looking on the festival as reaching out to unbelievers."    Minerva replies, “Si, I know that they are not pleased. That is why I would appreciate it if you would be available when I speak with them. They will be much more comfortable talking if you are present."  He says, “"It would be my pleasure, Minerva. I guess you want to do it soon, since the festival is coming up soon."  She replies, "If you could escort Senorita Townsend to services. We could speak with Mrs. Fly directly after as she should be in attendance also."  He says, "Yep. That'll work fine. Is there anything I could do for the festival?"Ruby and Jake arrive and he pulls out her chair and smiles.  Ruby sits, noting that Jake deliberately ignored her comment about Isby.   The friend all sit and enjoy a wonderful Italian meal, something they aren't used to.  Minerva says to Chester, “I think that you will have enough to do putting a crew of men together to build the podium for the judging and the dance floor for the ball and making sure that everyone enjoys the festival safely. I am sure that there will be much consuming of wine, since it is traditional to drink wine in honor of Dionysus so will have your hands full."  He replies, "That'll be fun. I wonder what we'll do when the jail is full of drunks."  Minerva laughs. "Bring the party indoors of course! Oh, this is going to be such Fun!"  Kate says, "Brew a lot of coffee, I imagine."  Chester smiles. "That I know how to do. Is anyone here getting a special costume for the ball? I can't think of anything."  "I am!" Ruby says excitedly. "I ordered it already!"    Kate says, "I'm not certain I'll be attending. I'll be taking care of the children's activities, and I may be very tired by the end of the day. A decorative mask should do you quite well. An animal of some kind would be nice."  Chester says, "An animal mask, hmm. Sorry about the questions. I've never been to a costume ball before."Ruby exclaims, "Not attending! Kate, that's not funny. You need to work on your sense of humor."   Kate answers, "It wasn't supposed to be funny. If I'm not too tired, I'll go. If I am, I'll go to bed instead. Seems sensible to me," she finished. There was no point in arguing her other reasons here, especially as they would probably upset Miss Florencia.Ruby answers, "Sensible? There is nothing sensible about it. It's a party! You need to relax and have fun. Besides, I'm sure Conrad will ask you to be his date. How can you say no to a fun night of dancing and drinking and mystery? You never know who is who at a costume ball. It's romantic and exciting.  Romance is all you're thinking of lately, isn't it?" Kate answered, side-stepping Ruby's comments. "Love seems to be all around lately. It's rather fun to watch."There is no more talk of Cowboys or Indians and they all relax as much as they can.  After dinner everyone heads back to the Lucky Lady.    Minerva and Nanuet walk over to the Lucky Lady.  She tells Nanuet, “Between playing nice with Mrs. Fly of the Vigilance Committee and services I shall be quite busy. I shall pack this evening and be ready when you arrive at 1. "  Nanuet tells Minerva. "I am looking forward to all of us getting together, we need to relax. But I think I have to keep my eye on this fellow who will be boxing, so I will have to be gone part of the night. I hope you will be alright?"  She says, "I need to get back and pack and finish my sermon if I am going to relax at the Lucky Lady later. I shall see you there." Nanuet escorts Minerva to the Comstock house and then heads over to the boxing match."On the way back to the Lucky Lady Jake whispers to Ruby. "I still want to get a look at this guy. Should we ask Nanuet to follow him? He won't know who to follow if we don't get a description for him."   She says, "Yes, Nanuet can follow him tonight. Nanuet knows as much as we do. You can go watch the fight if you want. The Judge guesses he'll be on around 9:30. But you'll miss my singing. Unless of course, you'd like me to try my luck at getting into the Palace."  Ruby arrives to see Stanley Barker playing the piano and Helen Barker sitting alongside Al Brower, Pierre Jaquet, Ned Walters and Neil Cassidy at Job Kane's table. Job looks like he is about to begin the game, just waiting for Stanley to finish the current piece of music.   Ruby stops short at the door. "What is she doing here?"   Jake grabs Ruby's arm and takes her back outside. "I knew I forgot to talk to you about something."  Ruby tries to pull her arm away from Jake. "What do you mean, forgot to talk to me?" She narrows her eyes. "It's very simple, go in there and remove her from my saloon."   "It's not very simple, will you listen to me for a minute?" Jake proceeds to tell her about his conversation with Helen Barker. "So she apologized to Job, I guess because that was easy for her. Then she apologized to me, but I told her you and she need to make peace. I also told Job that he needed to talk to you about it." Jake tries to shift her looking at him instead of inside the saloon. "Unfortunately, we, um, took longer at dinner than I thought. Sorry for the unpleasant surprise. Seems like she would apologize to you, but would expect one in return." He continues to block her from going in.Ruby continues slowly, "So what you're saying is not only is she IN my saloon, but EVERYONE else got an apology and knew she was coming?" Ruby eyes start to grow stormy and she tries to pull her arm away from Jake again.    Jake exclaims, "Look.. at.. me. I forgot to tell you that I talked to her, I meant to. I said I was sorry. I got distracted by all the planning. You can holler at me later for being forgetful." "I didn't invite her back, Job did. You have two other partners in this saloon you need to consider besides me. I don't give a rat's tail if she comes back or not. But running in there and causing a scene is not a good business move. If you do that folks will take her side because you look like the unreasonable one." Jake sticks his head in the saloon and says, "Job, we need your assistance out here right now." "So, you can have a fight with Job over this, or you can think about it before you start yelling. There are reasons you might not want to toss her out on her behind even if she deserves it. Maybe even ask somebody for advice if you want. You need to figure out how to handle this if you are going to stay here and be a saloon owner." Jake Whispers, "You are NOT some emptied head saloon dancer," and lets go of her arm.Breathing heavily, Ruby responds, "I'M being unreasonable? So it's ok for me to be insulted and abused and I have to take it because I own this place? And everyone else is fine with that? Having my name on the deed obviously means nothing, Helen Barker is more important to have around here. Because I sure don't hear anyone caring about that. Sure, I understand, I am being completely unreasonable.  You know Jake, you've really hurt my feelings TWICE today. I'm not used to that from you and I don't like it." Ruby turns on her heel, storms past Job and stomps up the stairs.  "That could have gone better." Jake says to no one.  He looks at Job and says, "We ran late coming back from dinner." Jake shrugs apologetically. "I think I need a drink."  From the bar Jake waves to a table of poker players awaiting a dealer. "Be right there." Harry fills him a glass of whiskey and he takes a sip. "You know Harry, some of today went really well. Other parts of today didn't go quite so well. You might say they were cow dung." Harry tries to nod sympathetically without laughing. "I don't have a real comfortable feeling about the rest of the evening either."   Jake does not go upstairs to change but instead hangs his duster over his chair-back and welcomes the men interested in playing poker tonight.Upstairs Ruby changes into her new lilac gown while trying to calm down. “I can’t BELIEVE Jake said that!” Ruby mocks Jake’s voice, “You’re not some empty headed saloon dancer… Miss West you should be better than Helen Barker, we need her money… so let her walk all over you, so what if she insulted you, it wasn’t me, so what do I care? Oh, the rest of us got apologies so that should be good enough for you. So what if the sight of her makes you ill? You own a saloon now. So what if you’ve done everything I ever ask of you, do more.” Ruby sticks her tongue out and rolls her eyes at no one. She looks down at the puppies at her feet, who are happily listening to her tirade. “I’m getting tired of this getting walked over crap, what do you two think?” They wag their tails enthusiastically in response. “Ever since we got to this town I haven’t been acting like myself, doing what Mr. Cook suggested because it’s better for someone, maybe better for him. Perhaps it’s time to find another job. One where I can make more money and have less stress.” She stands up tall. “So,” she smoothes down the front of her dress. “Do I even sing tonight? Because it seems like I’m the only one who cares about the dwindling Saturday night crowd. Everyone else is more worried about Deputy Barker. And since she’s here and I’m not that important…” She stands in front of the mirror, admiring the gown. She is surprised at how well the dress fits, better than any gown has ever fit her before. She adjusts her shoulder straps and bosom, satisfied she is tantalizing alluring. She is pleased with how she looks and she stares at herself in the mirror for a few moments, fluffing her hair, her spirits lifting. “Let’s go downstairs little ones,” she says sweetly, “We have some men to tempt.”</blockquote>

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