In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #31):

I wonder if she really recognized me.  I'll bet she's invited a bunch of men to the Frontier,  Randy thinks.  Still, she did ask me to come by and she might even talk to me.  Wow, if only.

"Where's a livery?" Randy asks a person in line.

If I get a hustle on, I can be back before the show starts.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg #43):

"Beer and other spirits, too," says another man on the porch, with a drawl that is decidedly not Texan. He appears ready to enter the saloon, adding, "Ask for an Orange Effervescing Draught."

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #44):

The boy shifts his feet. "Well, that's up to Mr. Haverty. I'm just askin', is all." He glances between Travis and the Cheyenne.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg #45):

A soldier in line speaks up. "Fourth street." He points down the road that Randy has just turned onto--Parsons.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #47):

As if on cue, a man exits the barn. Also black-haired, but apparently not related to the boy, he has the grizzled look of a veteran. A face older than his years. He puts on a cowboy hat as he approaches.

"I'll take it from here, Benny. Get back to work."

He reaches the fence and puts out his hand. "Pete Haverty. Fine mounts you have there, although they have the look of needing some rest."

In reply to Pete Haverty (msg #49):

Yes they do.  We're looking for feeding and grooming for our horses while we visit your fair town.

Travis takes his hand and shakes it firmly.

I understand you're the man to see about that. 

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #46):

Sounds interesting! But perhaps later, I'd better get some lunch before partaking. Any suggestions for a good eatery around here?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:39, Thu 17 Nov 2011.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #50):

The man nods. "You understand correctly. Do you care to put them up for the night? Fifty cents each for boarding, feed and grooming."

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg #51):

The men on the porch shrug, or chuckle, or both. One of them offers a kindness to the greenhorn, who's obviously out of his element.

"Hatfield's place ain't bad. Same with Planters. But they won't open till 'round sundown, I reckon. If you need to fill your gut right now, I'd suggest trying the bakery. Or iffin you can find Ned Carter, he might have something. Or up to the corner of First and Parson, you might find some folks selling preserves."

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #53):

Thank you gentlemen, I'm sure I'll see you soon!

ENS turns down the street to look for the bakery. Just need some bread to soak up the beer. He'll also look over the other places along the way.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:39, Thu 17 Nov 2011.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg #54):

On his way north along Griffin Avenue, the Professor takes note of the establishments. It seems as if half of them are saloons--smaller and less inviting than Shannsey's. Looks like they are just now opening.

Passing a few soldiers, ENS sees that two buildings on each side of the street break the iterations of ramshackle saloons. On the left is a solid structure with barred windows bearing a sign that reads "Sheriff." An unkempt man sits on the porch, eyeing the Professor but saying nothing. Next to the sheriff's ENS spies a blacksmith's shop, with a large, lonely pecan tree between the smithy and a run-down two-story house. Just across the street is another house, in much better repair. And attached to the house, just before the intersection, is a one-story abode with a remarkably clean front porch.

Catching a whiff of soap, ENS takes a second look at the porch. Several large potted plants rest on the wood floor, while other smaller plants hang from the roof, the porch posts and the storefront wall. Most remarkably, two small, stylized lion statues—one male with a ball beneath his paw and one female with a cub huddled under her forepaw—flank the entrance.

Although the Professor might be inclined to investigate further, his nostrils lose the odor of detergent and pick up the smell of fresh-baked sundries wafting from the west. Ah, Woolform's Bakery.

Cole tosses a piece of jerky to his dog. Firmly patting Bess on the side of her neck, Cole glances sidelong at his friend JEB...

What's the first stop? Livery? Sheriff? Or Saloon? I'm right sure you can guess where I'd like to go.

Cole then proceeds to enter the town, guiding his horse towards the first main thoroughfare he sees.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg #56):

JEB rides confidently in the saddle as they enter the main thoroughfare of the town. He considers Cole's question for a moment before responding: "We should stay together until we get our bearings. I usually pay my respects to the local law first chance, but since you're a wanted man I think we'll wait awhile. I'll follow your lead."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:45, Fri 18 Nov 2011.

In reply to Pete Haverty (msg #52):

I reckon so.  Might be for more than a night.  Travis fishes in his pocket for a half eagle which he flips to Pete.

This ought to do for both horses for now.

He and Ayasha pull their personal gear.  Travis throws his saddlebags and extra pistols over his shoulder.  Carrying his carbine in his left hand he asks Pete,

Where's a good spot for a bath and a room?

Waiting for an answer, Travis speaks to Horse in Chinese.  Translated:  Yes Daddy loves you.  You stay here.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg #57):

Cole Trayne and the sheriff from Missouri find themselves passing through a section of shacks and lean-tos not far from the river. Folks seem busy with their evening chores. Ahead, the men see a large split-rail-enclosed property on the west side of the road. There's no one in the yard, only a wagon and a cart parked inside the fence. A long swinging gate at the edge of the street is closed.

Meanwhile, across the street sits a two-story red building. It calls out to the two riders now reaching the first notable intersection in town. Well, to be more precise, some women on a balcony call out.

"Welcome to town. You fellers look like you could do with puttin' your feet up for a spell," says a thin, young woman wearing a coat cut too narrow for a winter's night.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #58):

Pete Haverty puts the coin in his pocket. He watches as Travis handles his gear.

"Turn around." he answers.

Doing so, Travis sees that directly across the street is a place called Planters Hotel. He can tell by the sign--bearing the image of a bed, next to big bold, black letters spelling out the name--attached to the second floor balcony. The hotel is a long two-story building with an equally long front porch. Alongside the hotel appears to be a well-fortified bunker, until Mr. Sunday spies an unobtrusive and simply engraved wooden sign resting on top of the roof. “F.B. York’s Bank.”

Haverty continues. "There's also the Occidental Hotel over on Griffin. And you can get a bath and a shave over at Earl's. Parson and Third."

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #55):

Interesting, chinese guardian lions... I'll definately have to see what that is about. But first, some nice bread! I hope they have a rye.

After one more glance at the lion statues ENS crosses over to the bakery and enters.

Approaching the bakery, ENS finds himself among a small group of townsfolk loitering near the front porch. It seems that their noses may have the same idea as his stomach.

The professor stops for a moment, suddenly aware that no one is entering just yet. Rather, they seem to be waiting for something. Although he shows no sign of this deterring his intended course of action, the pause gives ENS a moment to observe an interesting feature.

Bolted to the porch post nearest the front door is a unique wooden sign, about 3’ x 3’, with a hinge separating two halves. The lower half folds up onto the top half, meeting at a hasp that closes them together. In addition, a large iron triangle hangs close to the same pole. Curious.

A dumpy fellow with a black handlebar mustache steps out onto the porch, holding a large metal utensil. He begins to clang the triangle like he's warning folks about an approaching Blue Norther. ENS takes a few steps back, reflexively, to ease the burden on his ears. When the dumpy fellow finishes ringing the triangle he releases the hasp and flips down the hinged sign, which reads “Fresh Bread Now” in fancy whitewash letters.

The townsfolk press toward the porch. ENS now finds himself at the front of the group advancing to the bakery's entrance.

http://www.doghouserules.net/d...in/StreetScene02.tif

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #48):

"I'm thankful," says Randy.

He hustles down to the livery--riding Fanny and Johnny in tow.  The boxer knows his time is limited to get in to the show.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg #63):

Randy Oldman reaches the livery without delay. Stopping in front of a small corral, the big man sees a cowpoke sitting on a rail, whittling by the lamp light.

The man wears a weathered cowboy hat, with graying braids spilling out from beneath. He looks up, taking notice of Randy but saying nothing.

In reply to Pete Haverty (msg #60):

Travis looks at the hotel, then Ayasha.  He shrugs his shoulders as if to ask her thoughts on the subject.

So how do the clientele for the Occidental and Planters differ?

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #65):

Unable to contain himself, the boy named Benny appears at the barn entrance.

"Not sure how they differ, but neither hotel boards horses. Just people." he calls out, confidently.

Haverty, who had paused to consider Mr. Sunday's question, laughs and turns to Benny.

"I told you to get back to work, son. This is no time for trying out new jokes."

After the boy sulks back into the barn, the stable owner speaks in lower tones. "He's a funny kid. Ain't much difference between the two. Planters has baths and an eatery; the Occidental doesn't. That's why I mentioned Earl's."

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #64):

"Excuse me mister," Randy says as he dismounts.  "I'm in a hurry to stash these animals for the night.  The mule's got all my gear on it."

Walking toward the man, Randy asks, "How much to stable them for the night along with my stuff?"

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg #68):

The man with the braids looks up. "One dollar a night for both, including grooming. Your gear is okay."