In reply to Ruby Easterling (msg # 901):

Double shot of whiskey, neat, and a beer, ma'am.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg #905) and E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 907):

Bennington pulls the cards for another turn. ENS is the only winner this time around.

"Professor Ringgenberg, I have heard you come from a university back east . . ." says the dealer.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 908):

"Coming up," answers Ruby. She pours a healthy dose of whiskey into a short glass and then draws a beer. She lingers for a moment, glancing around the bar at the other patrons, during a slight lull in activity.

As Mr. Big'un applies the red cheek makeup, he sees some of his cast mates walking to him. He's pretty sure he knows what's up, so he knew to expect questions about his friends.

In reply to Elias Bennington (msg # 909):

ENS collects his winnings then places a 50-cent check on another card then looks up to Bennington.

Why yes Mr. Bennington! Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Buffalo New York specifically; I'm doing field work during my travels.

14:08, Today: E.N.S. Ringgenberg rolled 19 using 1d20. gamble check #5.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:08, Tue 04 Feb 2014.

In reply to Elias Bennington (msg # 909):

Jake placed another 50-cent check and waited for Bennington to pull another card.

OOC: 18:12, Today: Jake Richardson rolled 4 using 1d20+2. Gamble Check #5.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg #912) and Jake Richardson (msg # 913):

"That sounds impressive, Professor. Although I must admit that I know little of Buffalo, New York. What sort of field work?"

Bennington pulls another turn of cards. Once again, ENS wins, as does another player. Jake's bet is lost yet again.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 911):

"Have you seen the paper, Mr. Big'un?" asked Uncle Billy. With him is a smiling Lars, who is making faces behind Billy's back, and nearby is Muriel Hervey. "Bravo. It is sure to mean a full house again tonight," says the Frontier House proprietor.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 914):


If Jake was disgruntled at his luck seemingly taking a turn for the worse, his expression did not show it. He continued his conservative betting, placing a 50-cent check on a card.

OOC: 20:42, Today: Jake Richardson rolled 3 using 1d20+2. Gamble Check #6. D'oh! :)

Randy has got me paying attention to malapropisms. As I was typing the above IC post for Jake, I first typed that his luck had taken a(n) "urn for the worse" (which puts me in mind of cremation). Purely a typo, but the spellchecker would have missed it (since "urn" is a properly-spelled word). Luckily, I spotted it before I posted. :)

In reply to Uncle Billy (msg # 915):

"It's one thing to read the paper--it's a whole nuther to know what it'll mean for the show. I figgur the town is due a right proper entertainment tonight. Anybody who makes it out will get my bestest effort for sure."

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 917):

"You are a good egg, Mr. Big'un," says Billy. "Would you be interested in doing us another favor? I have been giving thought to arranging a pugilistic performance . . . "

Lars nods affirmatively, still standing behind Uncle Billy, putting up his fists as if toeing the line. Muriel Hervey moves closer.

In reply to Uncle Billy (msg # 918):

The pugilist spins on his stool faster than a jackalope chasing a snipe. "Uncle Billy, please don't be pullin' my leg."

The 'fistilier' stands gratefully. "Mister, if you're thinkin' to ask me to fight, you don't gotta... I'm in afore you take another breath."

The giant man looks giddy as a five-year-old boy on Christmas morn.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 914):

ENS speaks as he collects his winnings and places a 50-cent check on another card as he speaks.

Anthropology and archeology, mostly examining indian cultures. Though I have heard discussions of dinosaur fossil finds north of here, around Wyoming, that I'd like to examine.

14:01, Today: E.N.S. Ringgenberg rolled 11 using 1d20. gamble check #6.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 920) and Jake Richardson (msg #916):

A number of the patrons around the Faro table laugh out loud at the Professor's words. ENS and Jake hear one man quip "If than ain't a bluestocking in trousers, I must be the ace-high fool."

The comment prompts another round of laughter.

Bennington doesn't laugh; he ignores the other players and draws the cards. All the player's lose, including Jake and ENS.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 920):

"You are probably a few years late for studying Indians in these parts," says Bennington, waiting for another turn of betting.

"Unless you want to study the Tonkawa . . . or if those rumors about the Comanche are true."

At the mention of the Comanche, the laughter dies down and the patrons within earshot murmur amongst one another.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 919):

Uncle Billy laughs and slaps Randy on the back. "I'm like to pull your leg over more than a thing or two, but not on this account. Shall I proceed with your blessing, then, Mr. Big'un?"

Lars pulls at his trousered middle leg, mimicking his boss' words in mime.

Muriel Hervey rolls her eyes.

Randy sees that Soledad Sanches approaches during the conversation.

In reply to Elias Bennington (msg # 922):

Jake glanced at Bennington with a serious expression on his face. "What're you hearin' 'bout the Comanches?" he asked.

As he spoke, the rifleman coppered his next bet -- another 50-cent check.

Turning to ENS, Jake added, "Don't know if'n you've studied up on the Comanche, Perfesser, but they purely raised hell in a goodly part of Texas a number of years back. Could be downright troublesome if'n they was to git their selves stirred up agin."

OOC: 14:02, Today: Jake Richardson rolled 16 using 1d20+2. Gamble Check #7. </orange>

Edits: Eliminated extraneous color reference and corrected spelling error.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:16, Fri 07 Feb 2014.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 924):

ENS pauses his reply until Jake finishes.

Well, I've studied the Comanche language and a little of their culture, but only a very little of their troublesome history, apart from what appeared in the newspapers back East.

He turns back to Mr. Bennington.

The Tonkawa seem interesting... I'd never heard of them before. But in truth Mr. Bennington, the main reason I am here in the Flat is that I didn't believe myself experienced enough to travel alone in winter through the Wilderness.

ENS places another 50-cent check.

21:29, Today: E.N.S. Ringgenberg rolled 11 using 1d20. Gamble check #7.

Edit: forgot to gamble!
This message was last edited by the player at 04:31, Sat 08 Feb 2014.

In reply to Uncle Billy (msg # 923):

"Yep. That's fer sure." Randy reaches out and grabs the promoter's hand. He shakes it enthusiastically.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 926):

"Good, good," says Uncle Billy, accepting Randy's hand. "Much to do, then, much to do," he continues, his voice growing louder to remind everyone of the impending performance even as he seems to mean much to do in arranging the fighting performance.

Lars and the two women linger for a moment, but Randy's new friend departs to continue prep for the show when given a look from Soledad. Now, the half-painted Mr. Big'un faces the two leading women at the Frontier House. Randy gets a sense that each of them have something to say, but both of them are waiting for the other to speak, or perhaps depart.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 924) and E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 925):

Other patrons are also talking about the Comanche. Some of the older hunters recollect first-hand events while other Texans grew up with the stories, from Fort Parker, to Elk Creek and Adobe Walls. Opinions differ as to whether any Comanche may still be on the plains. One seasoned man voices the idea that if any hostiles are on the plain, it's more likely to be a mix of Kiowa, Apache and Comanche rather than just a band of the latter. That comment does nothing to change the fact that everyone would seem to agree with: if there is indeed a hostile and organized band then it is a serious matter.

Bennington draws the cards as the men finish speaking. Two men win their bets, Jake and the man who seems to know something about the Indians. The professor's bet is a push--he can choose to leave it or change it for the next draw, as he pleases.

A few new patrons have arrived since JEB stepped to the bar. The place is becoming busier as the evening passes. Travis remains upstairs.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 928):

Jake listened to the other men's stories and opinions as he placed his next bet -- another 50-cent check. Of particular interest to him was the fellow's thought that if there was an active war-band out there, it would most likely be a mix of warriors from several different tribes.

"I find that int'restin', sir," Jake remarked to the man who had voiced the opinion. "I'd heard tell that in par-ticular, the Apaches an' Comanches hated each other. Don't know much about the Kiowa. Reckon they all hate us worse'n they hate each other, if'n your theory is co-rect."

OOC: 11:44, Today: Jake Richardson rolled 22 using 1d20+2. Gamble Check #8.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 929):

The seasoned hunter nods. Like Jake, his drawl is Texan through-and-through."The tribes warred with each other reg'lar enough. They raided our towns, they raided each other's camps. I s'pect yer right to say that the Apache and Comanche were never pards. We fought Kiowa, Comanche, Cheyenne and Arapaho at the Red River. All I am sayin' is a band of Indians bold enough to roam our Texas plains today is like to be an alliance of renegades."

EDIT: typo in Texan
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:59, Mon 10 Feb 2014.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 930):

ENS listens closely to the opinions expressed. He lets the check ride.

10:06, Today: E.N.S. Ringgenberg rolled 17 using 1d20. Gamble check #8.

"Lars, I 'spect you got nothing much to do about now. I'ma go ahead and ask you to do nothing somewheres else." Randy chuckles, thinking himself quite funny. "Besides, you're blockin' my view of these here beautiful ladies. And I'd sure like to tell 'em 'thanks' for all the help they's been to me of late."

Randy pauses, shyly, for the feller to vamoose.