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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3221691" data-attributes="member: 8530">Yeah, I was tempted to do more with John Carter, given that "Princess of Mars" begins right around where Promise City is, but thought that might be a little too over-the-top. Chapter 203, “Jake’s Audition“,  Thursday, March 30th, 1882, 3:30 PM Chester has gone to visit wounded Deputy Eduardo Rodriguez and asks him how he is doing.  Eduardo replies, "Chet, I could be up and about now. Both Valdez and Jimenez know a lot of healing magic. I'm as good as new, a few scars, but otherwise okay. I could have been back to work yesterday, but Jimenez wouldn't let me go. Now Dorita's holding me here, and I know better than to cross her. But please tell Marshall Berg that I'll be back on duty in time for the festival, you guys are going to need me then."Chester pats Eduardo's shoulder. "I know what you mean there about Dorita. She means business. Anyway, I'm glad to see you're doing well. We got really worried when we heard the news. I'll tell the Marshall you'll be fit for duty soon. Get some rest. Dorita won't be happy unless you do, OK?" Chester stops in the Marshall's Office. Berg is there doing paperwork. "Hey, Mitch. I just saw Eduardo. He'll be fit for duty in time for the festival. He's itching to get back to work." Berg says, "Good, good. We'll be very busy, I imagine. Are you helping build the stage for the festival?"  Chester replies, "Yep. I was just heading over there now. See you later."Back at the Lucky Lady, while sitting around bored waiting for more 'entertainers' to arrive Jake speaks chats a while with Niles. They talk about erecting the secure storage building on the property for his liquor business. "We need to get that stuff out of the saloon so we don't have another repeat of the dynamite attack". They agree readily on this.   Jake also asks Niles to tell him immediately on his next order of the Orendian Tequila. "I'm betting that is a warning sign for where the Cowboy gang is going to be meeting next."Stanley Barker stops by the Lucky Lady. He hands Ruby a small cardboard box and says "You've tried my molasses and toll house recipes before. Today it's gingerbread cookies and sugar cookies. I would be willing to help with the entertainment at the festival if you need me. Also, I heard that there would be a pie baking contest. I was wondering if you could you please check to see if they might be willing to have a cookie baking contest too?""Mind if I try one now?" Ruby samples a cookie. He smiles and replies, "Help yourself, the whole box is for you. The gingerbread cookies just came out of the oven so should still be warm."  "It would be a crime to not have a cookie baking contest Mr. Barker. "And I'd be grateful to have you play for a bit on the main stage.  Ruby gets Stanley a lemonade. "How are things working out with your wife's new profession?"   He makes a distasteful face and softly says, "I would greatly prefer that she shoot people with her camera than her Colt."Ruby tries a gingerbread cookie. "These are so good Mr. Barker. I wonder, might you be interested in making some of these for the saloon? Think about it." "As for your wife, I know what it's like to have someone you love in the line of fire." They chat for a while then Ruby bids him good day.Jake has been watching the rather skimpy showing of entertainers come for try outs and starts to feel bad for Ruby.  When Stanley leaves, Jake approaches Ruby. "Excuse me Miss West, I read a sign somewhere that you were looking for entertainers? I could play a little piano in the early evening for some dancing if that was helpful. Would you like to hear me play? I know you need to audition me first because there is so much competition for the available time slots." "Oh, and sign me up for some children’s entertainment. I can do some kid acceptable fun for about fifteen minutes worth that even the vigilance committee couldn't have a problem with. I'll have to practice up a bit over the next couple of days, but I should be fine."  She replies, "You want to contribute? Well, I suppose if I get a private audition I'll consider it," she teases. "Of course that includes hearing you play.""You are cruel hard Missy West." Jake says feigning his feelings are hurt. He wanders over to the piano and sits down. He starts playing softly, an old drinking song but jazzed up a bit. "There are loads of homeless teenaged boys hanging round saloons looking for some work. And the pay?" Jake snorts a laugh. "Cash if they can get it, just room and board if they are lucky, more likely some leftover food and a bit of whiskey, and in some case just a chance to see a pretty lady." He raises his eyebrows at Ruby. "There's fierce competition for what little work there is. I had no interest in shoveling manure out of the barn, and boys who can clean and sweep are two bits a dozen. But a lad who can clean and sweep, says polite words to the customers and can play a little piano when the regular guy takes a break gets a leg up." He stops playing, turns around and leans his elbows irreverently on the piano with a 'bring'. "I know some songs but not very many. My folks tried to have me learn the piano for real as a kid, but I just wasted their money. I had a few players show me some but mostly I watched and listened to some of the old timers who just had a knack. I learned some riffs, chords and tricks to apply to any song. Since I didn't do too many songs early on in the evening folks hardly noticed my songs often sounded similar. By the time it was late, well, folks hardly notice anything then anyway." A cheerful laugh emerges from him and the twinkle is in his eye. "It wasn't often that I accompanied the singer, mostly I just made up stuff around a song that I mostly knew. So it made me different than the other boys, and handy to have around the saloon. Sometimes I'd get tips and drinks from the customers. Besides the ladies seemed to like the piano playing kid better than the one with the manure under his finger nails."  Jake turns back to the piano and plays another lively drinking song.Ruby sits next to him on the piano bench while he plays. "You are better then you think you are." She hums and sings along to parts and where he improvises she improvises too.  Finally she asks, "Do you ever regret the ways things went for you as a kid?"Jakes doesn't stop playing but instead changes to another tune, that sounds vaguely like a ballad Ruby knows but can't put her finger on. He plays quietly and says, "Regret? I never thought of it that way. Angry at times, sure." He plays a few more bars. "Regret." He says like he is thinking. "I guess I don't spend much time worrying that I did the wrong thing, whether I did or didn't. So not much regret. I suppose you could say I spend my time in today making it better." "So," He turns to look at her and says cheerfully . "Do I get a spot?   I was serious about the children’s entertainment too. I promise, there will be no whorehouse jokes." Jake laughs out loud long and hard. "At least not at the children’s entertainment."Ruby cocks her head, flipping her hair in the process. She leans towards Jake and gives him a small kiss. "Not only do you get a spot in the show, you get a spot in my heart.  As for the children's entertainment, I bet you'd be really good at it. I have to work on a schedule but consider yourself hired. Maybe you can show me some of your tricks later," Ruby smiles. Ruby looks hesitant to continue but does, although slowly. "I... I don't know what to do. I don't want to worry about any of this or really, I shouldn't be worrying about any of this." She looks Jake in the eyes, "Jane that is. I can't figure what she's up to, if anything. I can't figure if I should go along. I'm confused.""You're not getting suspicious now are you?" Jake puts his arm around her. "Treat her like anyone else that has not earned your trust. She believes she represents the goddess, but she isn't the goddess. She is just like you or me." Jake laughs then. "Well, that is improbable.  If she isn't earning your trust them let her take the risk of whatever she is doing."Ruby replies, "The thing is, I want to help with a ceremony for the goddess. But Jane won't tell me anything about it, she keeps saying later or gives no answer answers, like someone else I know," she says giving Jake a little poke in the side. "So I don't know if I should go along or not." "You said something that made me think. If I let them entertain and they do something crazy, then I was the one in charge, right? I'll get blamed and I know you don't want to bring the Vigilance Committee down on us, or anyone else for that matter."  "Mostly us," He says with a smirk. "Better not to give the Vigilance Committee any leverage like town outrage." Ruby pouts. "It's much easier to just sing and take your clothes off then plan all this crap!" "Sometimes it is best to stick to your talents." He scratches the side of his face and says, "I didn't exactly mean that the way it sounded. This kind of thing is not exactly my expertise either. I don't mind jumping in and solving a problem here or there to help things along but it won't help matters to trade Ruby not knowing what to do to Jake not knowing what to do." He plays a little flourish on the piano. "At least if you can't figure it out you can give them a dazzling smile and ask for help.""You're right. I shouldn't have gotten involved in any of this."  Ruby walks over to the bar, exchanging her lemonade for a whiskey and a gingersnap. She shrugs as she returns to Jake, "Too late now. But if I'm going to be involved I might as well go all the way. We'll see what happens." Ruby tries to banish any more thoughts of worry from her mind.After four o'clock Jake and Ruby take a walk to Elihu Upton's office.  "I used to keep Mitchell Berg on retainer for legal work in front of Judge Isby. It can be tough to own a saloon in this town. Would you be interested?"  "Why yes, I would," he replies.  Jake asks him. Ruby adds with a sweet smile, "And tell us a little about yourself and why we should want you as our lawyer over Mr. Fisk."   He replies, "Well, I do not know much about Mr. Fisk's background but I can tell you about mine. I'm a third generation lawyer, graduated seventh in my class from Yale Law School and spent three years as a junior partner with the well-known New York City law firm of Maurice, Lawrence and Kurley. I am also bonded as a Insurance Agent with the insurance department of my former law firm and have applied to the Territorial Governor to begin selling policies within Arizona. And unlike Fisk, I do not work alone, having recently hired Hatcher Meeks as a clerk and accountant to work with me."Ruby asks, "So you're planning on staying in town long then? How did you end up here in Promise City?"   He states, "Mathematical analysis. Both the New Mexico and Arizona Territories appeared on paper to be underserved by attorneys and insurance agents. I cross-referenced the populations, number of crimes, wealth, present number of lawyers and growth projections for twenty different communities and Promise City came up with the highest ratio for success. It appears that I have chosen right, given the Mr. Berg has ended most of his business."She says, "Very interesting. I don't know much about math but we certainly need some lawyers around this place.   Mr. Cook and I would like to put you on retainer, in the unlikely event of needing your services." Jake coughs in the background. "Ok, it might not be so unlikely," she shrugs.   Jake approaches him with a $100 bill in his hand. "This should cover Miss West and myself," as he hands the bill to him.Elihu Upton calls in his clerk, Mr. Meeks, from the back room. The scrawny looking man quickly arrives and asks what he can do for them. Upton hands him the $ 100 bill and says, "Please make out a receipt for Mr. Cook and Miss. West. Then run that bill over to Condon's Bank and deposit it into the firm's account."   "You don't waste any time, do you?  I know that you're fairly new to town. I hope you'll stop by the Lucky Lady and see our saloon firsthand. I've heard there is a wonderfully talented singer there," she giggles.  He smiles and says, "I'll try to do that some time.""I hope you'll do more than try Mr. Upton. We have the best customers and can introduce you to many fine citizens of our little city. We take the very best care of our customers and we'd do the same for you." Ruby realizes she is flirting, flashing her dazzling smile and playing with her hair. She clasps her hands behind her back and just stands there smiling, trying to stop the unconscious behavior.Jake holds his snickering in rather well over the Ruby’s on and off flirting.  They bid Upton good day and head back to the Lucky Lady.   Ruby takes Jake's hand as they walk. "Minerva must be busy I haven't seen her around in a couple of days. I hope she stops by soon I need to speak to her. And Niles, we should go see him about the new construction. I hope that little kissing incident doesn't adversely affect the price of our lumber." Ruby glances sideways at Jake, "Although it seems kind of funny talking about building more when what we have is in such danger of getting blown up. I keep feeling like I shouldn't be making any plans for the future."   "Keeping making the plans we'll get through it. I won't say I'm not worried, but just sure we'll manage." Jake then says quickly in a low voice. "That reminds me; the invisible dynamite, is it still invisible? Can we figure out how they do that?""You really don't worry about much, do you? Ah.." she sighs, "I used to be like that when I was young and innocent." Then she laughs.   "Yes, it's still invisible," she whispers back. "I don't know if we can figure out how to do that, is there something you want to tell me?" she smirks but keeps the innocent look on her face.  "The possibilities are endless if we figure that out. No I don't have anything particular in mind." As they continue to walk Jake laughs abruptly, "I wonder if I was ever innocent.""I'm sure at some point you were. Not sure what happened to you at a young age to change it though." She shrugs. "Me, I got the bad girl traits passed down from my parents.  As for the other thing, I guess I could take it out of town and try to figure it out. I don't know how receptive Mr. Gonzales will be to teaching me that spell. He might realize it will be used to cause trouble."  Jake says, "Heh, just don't mention my name with the idea and you'll be fine.""As much as he may not like you, he knows you look out for me." She grips Jake's hand tighter in hers. "But I have also told him some of my past, he knows more than anyone else here in Promise City besides you." Ruby shrugs, "No one asks, I guess they don't want to know. Better that way anyway cause there isn't much to tell that would be acceptable by most of our friends standards." "Anyway, I'll try to see him later and find out if he has time. I still need to talk to Minerva and Jane is coming back at some point so I'm pretty busy. But I always have time to get out of here for a bit to relax.  Now let's go see Neil."   "Sure, but I need to stop by Lacey's first before I forget. It will be quick."  At Lacey's Jake purchases a number of colored neckerchiefs, four children’s balls and a cheap cloth bag to keep them in.  "I'm set. Let us see Mr. Cassidy now."   They find Cassidy in the middle of Main Street, directing the workers at the stage. "Good afternoon, well, evening, Mr. Cassidy. Jake and I are here to speak about the lumber for the Saloon." Ruby starts giving him a general idea about what they will need. "No need to get specific Ruby. Jeff stopped by and told me what you would be needing." "Oh that's wonderful!" Ruby replies. "Yes, and I have a proposition for you." He gestures to the stage they are building. "We're going to need to do something with this lumber after the festival is over. I could give this to you, for an excellent price, to get your construction started. You can use it for the floorboards. Otherwise it's going to take a few weeks for another batch of lumber to be ready."  Ruby looks to Jake, "What do you think? I don't want to wait to get started with the construction."Nanuet, who had volunteered to help build the stage stopped his work and tried to listen in on the conversation eager to hear what Ruby and Mr. Cassidy were discussing. He had enjoyed the construction work and felt he was learning quite a bit. He was excited to have the work to keep him busy also, although helping Minerva with the festival work had filled that void the past several days.  He interjects, "Sounds like a good deal to me Miss Ruby. Of course the decision is yours but no reason to waste time when this lumber will still be very useful."Jake says, "Sounds fine to me, but you should be asking your construction foreman. What in Hades do I know about this stuff?" Grinning he says, "I've never built anything that stood before."  Ruby says, "I wasn't asking your opinion on the wood, just whether we should consider the used lumber or not. But next time I'll remember not to ask your opinion," Ruby huffs. She turns to the Indian and says, "Thank you Nanuet, an opinion I can use." When Ruby turns to speak to Nanuet he puts a hand on his hips, scrunches up his face and mouths the words silently back to her while wagging his finger. The others look at Jake but he has his hands in his pockets when she looks back.Ruby turns to Neil. "Yes, we'll take it. Work out the details for the delivery with Nanuet please. And Jeff will let you know how much else we need after this. Of course, we know you'll take good care of us," Ruby winks at him. She bids Cassidy good evening and walks off to the side. "Thank you Nanuet for the help. I'm glad you stepped in since now you are next in charge, after Jeff Mills. This, of course, means you'll have to receive a salary. Is that acceptable to you?" Ruby asks with a grin.Nanuet exclaims, "Me? Next in charge? A salary? I... well I don't know what to say Miss Ruby. I don't mind working for room and board but... well I guess if I am to court Miss Minerva properly then some extra money would be handy. I accept!" he says holding out his hand. Before she can shake it, he pulls it back and wipes it off before offering it again.She looks at his still dirty hand and hesitates, but then puts her soft hand in his gently. "I know you'll do a good job for us Nanuet," she says and shakes his hand. "We can work out a fair salary later. Are you coming for dinner?" She narrows her eyes at Jake briefly. "Humph," she says with an exaggerated shoulder in the air before spinning on her heel and swinging her hips as she walks away."Wouldn't miss Maria's supper if I could help it. Whatever you think is fair Miss Ruby. Best be getting back to work. If you see Minerva tell her I was thinking of her."   Ruby replies, "I will. I have been waiting to see her actually, we need to talk about this festival. At any rate, we'll see you for dinner."  Nanuet heads back to work doing his best to work with those who seem to know what they are doing and assisting them more than just doing menial labor.</blockquote>

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