In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 879):

The young woman smiles when Travis Sunday compliments her. He can't tell if it is a well-rehearsed visage, or a genuine reaction to his words.

Molly reads the note, discreetly, and keeps it. "Won't be more than a few minutes, I expect," she answers. Curtsying after Travis tips his hat, she moves to climb the stairs.

As Travis moves back to the bar, he catches the eye of his pards at the Faro table--well, most everyone at the Faro table is likely to be more accurate. Reaching the bar, he sees Molly speaking to the tall man. Sunday has barely had a chance to unfold his newspaper when Molly descends and makes eye contact. She gestures to the stairs and then returns to her work on the ground floor.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 878) and E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg #881):

The saloon proprietor and dealer laughs, his eyes swiveling between the two men during the conversation.

"Well-played gentlemen," he says, continuing to chuckle as he ensures all bets are placed. There is a momentary pause as Travis Sunday passes on his way back to the bar. Bennington pulls the cards for this turn.

The cards reveal a few winners. The professor manages to win back his lost check, and Jake also collects when his coppered card--which would have been a loser--now pays off. Two other men won in this turn as well, making for a merry mood around the table.

Ruby Easterling delivers the coffee and whiskey, and takes a few orders from other players and nearby patrons.

"So what prompts your interest in racing Ghost here in The Flat?" asks Bennington, during the pause for the drinks.

In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 882):

JEB puts the newspaper aside and looks intently at Cruger while remaining seated, "Are you really going to measure dicks based on something as petty as the manner in which a telegram is retrieved? I think you mistake the nature of our relationship, William Cruger. I agreed as a professional courtesy between peers to help you investigate a murder while you attended to more important business than the security of your citizens. I capably and successfully executed that duty. Just because you deputized me for transactional convenience does not put me in the same class as that stinking and half-witted lot following you around. You have it wrong. You have disrespected me. I believe our professional association is hereby terminated."

JEB stands and places the badge on the coffee table, "you may leave payment for services rendered at the front desk."

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 885):

Sheriff Cruger nods. His face shows no particular reaction to JEB's words except, perhaps, one of expectance.

"Your resignation is accepted, Beauregard." He steps to retrieve the badge, and turns to depart.

In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 886):

JEB walks to the Beehive.

In reply to Elias Bennington (msg # 884):

Jake nodded to Ruby when she brought him his coffee and whiskey, then proceeded to pour the whiskey into the coffee and stir it. "'Preciate the generosity, Perfesser," he said in response to the easterner's paying for his drink.

"Reckon 'twas Mister Haverty who put the bug in my ear 'bout maybe racin' Ghost," the ex-Wells, Fargo man replied to Mister Bennington's inquiry.

"He seemed to think that Ghost'll heal up pretty quick after he got hurt in that dust-up with Kirbee an' Weasel."

Jake glanced over at ENS. "'Course, I'd want to hear yer o-pin-yon on whether it's safe to run him afore I try an' race him, Perfesser."

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 883):

Travis ascends the stairs.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 889):

Travis reaches the top of the stairs. He sees only the tall man, a few tables that are empty at the moment, the big open space overlooking the first floor, and several doors on each side of opening--some open, some closed.

The tall man speaks, in a baritone that doesn't carry. Travis can hear him, sure, but a conversation with this man is likely confidential no matter where it takes place. "Cold enough fur ye?"

OOC: There is a map of the 2nd floor in the sticky forum. And in case anyone forgot, there is also a map to the first floor, which has been there for a long long time.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:41, Fri 31 Jan 2014.

In reply to Junior Burns (msg # 890):

Small talk it is.

Travis stops and volleys the pleasantry

It is.  I miss the hot Texas summers.  How's business?

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 891):

"You can see fur yerself," says the tall man with the boyish face and the dulcet tones, looking down at the drinkers and gamblers.

In reply to Junior Burns (msg # 892):

Yup.

Travis leans against the wall.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 893):

JEB enters the Beehive and immediately looks around for Travis Sunday. Upon seeing him leaning against the wall upstairs, he walks directly to join him there.

"I'll just get right to it. I'm a civilian again, so we need to make other plans."

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 888):

ENS accepts the check and the beverages, paying for them as promised. When Jake pours in the whiskey he follows suit. After Jake speaks about Ghost, ENS answers with a wink.

You know you'll have it Jake!

He cautiously sips the spiked coffee, then breaks into another characteristic grin.

Interesting Jake!

Having noticed Travis make his way upstairs, he's a bit surprised when JEB shows up and makes a beeline for him upstairs. ENS catches Jake's eye and nods towards them with a more serious look.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 894):

Travis winces and slowly rubs his temple.

I agree.  I have some business to attend to here  I'll be down in a few.  In the mean time we need to keep eyes on the jail 24 hours a day.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 895):

Jake followed ENS's line of sight when the Easterner nodded towards JEB making his way up the stairs to join Travis, where the two men began speaking to one another.

"Hunh," was the rifleman's only comment. Maybe something was going on, or maybe it wasn't. One thing the Texan had learned in the army was that sometimes all a man should do was wait until something that affected him directly came along.

"Gettin' worked up afore it's necessary can play hell with a man's well-bein', Perfesser," he added after a moment. "Leads to irritated bowels an' all manner of fol-derol, in my experience."

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 896):

JEB nods and heads to the bar to order a whiskey.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 897):

ENS nods and grins as usual (but still keeps a subtle eye on Travis and JEB)...

He places another 50-cent piece on a card.

01:12, Today: E.N.S. Ringgenberg rolled 5 using 1d20. gamble check #3.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 899):

Bennington and other patrons around the Faro table take notice of JEB's entry, as well as the exchange between Jake and ENS.

Nonetheless, when the dealer nods at the bets in place and pulls cards from the shoe the players are intent on the draw. Both cards come up with the same number. A collective groan arises from the players at the table. Bennington collect half of every player's bet.

"The only advantage the house gets in this game," explains the saloon owner, to anyone unfamiliar with the rules. He awaits further betting.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 898):

JEB feels the eyes of a few patrons on him as he descends the stairs. He finds an empty space at the bar. No stool, but plenty of room to stand and put a foot on the bar rail.

"What can I get for you, deputy?" asks Ruby Easterling as she delivers drinks to men at the bar.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 896):

A few moments after JEB departs, a door in the corner opens. A shapely red-headed woman steps out, glancing between Travis Sunday and the tall man.

The latter, who stood by as JEB and Travis spoke, looks to the gunslinger. "I reckon it is yer turn," he says, before returning his attention to the activities on the first floor.

In reply to Junior Burns (msg # 902):

Thank you.  Travis heads to the corner door.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 903):

Travis walks around the upper floor to the far corner, to the room where he saw the woman retreat.

The door is open. Through the doorway Sunday spies the woman, who stands near the bed. A relatively tall woman--about the height of the average man--she regards Travis as he stands at the doorway. Her red hair falls loose around the lace neckline.

"Come on in, Mister," she says.

In reply to Elias Bennington (msg # 900):

Jake resolved to continue to play conservatively. He suspected that some of the men at the table had more experience and skill at gambling in general and at faro in particular than he did, and he was enough of a realist to know that the difference in skill level would eventually begin to make itself known, over time -- barring Lady Luck just coming over and sitting in his lap for the entire evening, of course.

So he kept his betting low, risking only a 50-cent check, while watching how the other men at the table played their cards, hoping to learn a little something that he could put to use the next time that he played . . .

OOC: 16:13, Today: Jake Richardson rolled 4 using 1d20+2. Gamble Check #4.

In reply to Anna Leigh (msg # 904):

Travis closes the door behind him.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 905):

ENS returns attention to the game for the new round and places another 50-cent check with the 25-cents on another card.

20:14, Today: E.N.S. Ringgenberg rolled 19 using 1d20. gamble check #4.