Lincoln’s Main Street remains oddly quiet as Kate carefully makes her way to the Murphy Store. Several businesses remain closed, even with the sun well above the horizon. Scanning the row of buildings, the outlaw only sees activity at Ike Ellis’ place, the Montaño, Murphy, and Tunstall stores, and the Ramsey’s restaurant. All else is dark and still. A lantern burns in the window of the Thornton-Curry, but no horses are on the hitching rail outside.

Jesse Evans is smoking a cigarillo, seated on the porch of the Murphy Store as Kate approaches. A large, broad shouldered man wearing a wool coat and a derby is behind him, slowly pacing the planks of the covered porch. ”Good mornin’,” Evans says, grinning as though he has just heard a clever joke as he notices her.

"Don't look none too good from where I stand hombre."  Kansas Kate replied nonchalantly, but she did not elaborate deliberately.

She was striking a careful balance here, trying to come off like she knew something they didn't without insulting their intelligence.

The large man snorts, seemingly in agreement with Kate’s observation.

”So what do you want to do first? Talk about how you’re gonna make my people better outlaws,” Evans asks, ”Or would you rather go ahead and step inside? Meet Mr. Dolan?”

Evans regards her calmly. ”He’s eager to make your acquaintance. Has something he feels you’re well suited to take care of for him.”

Kansas Kate simply smiled.  "Well as they say south of the border, por que no las dos?"

Evans stands and motions for Kate to follow him. The tall man trails behind the pair.

Evans leads into a building right of the Murphy Store, the same one where the outlaw met with Jim McDaniels the evening prior. The small group moves down a long hallway to a door near the rear of well furnished structure. Stepping inside behind Evans, Kate is immediately reminded of a lawyer’s office. Much of the wall space is taken up with bookshelves which are filled with volumes. An iron stove in one corner of the room provides heat to the room, which is dominated by a large desk with a marble top, upon which are arranged a few ledgers and a neat stack of correspondence. A well dressed, dark haired man is seated behind it, writing what appears to be a letter with a fountain pen. He does not look up.

”Is this her?” he asks.

”Yes, sir. It is,” Evans replies, stepping to one side.

The man sets his pen down, then looks up, regarding Kate silently for a moment. ”Good morning. My name is James Dolan. I represent a party who has...significant interests in Lincoln County. An individual I’m sure you’ve heard of. It’s my understanding that you were helpful to my associates here in ridding our community of a troublemaker. One who was trying to spy on some of our business ventures.”

“I’m also told that you have some considered criticisms of how we go about business here. That Mr. Evans and his partners are rather...amateur in how they approach things. Am I correct?”

"Ah don't like th' word amateur."  She countered.  "An amateur's what somebody that don't go hard enough, they's only tryin' a little bit."

Dolan’s eyes narrow. ”I’ve actually been fairly pleased with their efficiency. What precisely do you propose to improve their quality of service?”

"If'n ah may beg yer indulgence kind sir."  Kansas Kate replied, thrusting her right hip forward and presenting her Toothpick, which she drew presently.  "Yer familiar with th' likes of this right?"

"Ya see Mr. Dolan..."  She took a step back and took the long knife in a reverse grip position, then demonstrated each technique.  "Ya come in like this, ya slide in right there twixt th' ribs.  Plumb likely ta kill a man.  Now yer crew is mighty keen at this, as good as anybody.  On that part we see eye ta eye."

She reset her stance.

"But what good is it ta kill a feller if'n he owes you fifty dollars?  Oh now don't start with me ah know ya gotta make a few examples, cost of doin' bus'ness.  But ya can't make examples of every'un or there's no one left ta pay up.  What ya do is, ya take this here..."  She lifted the large blade again, and then tapped a spot on her neck with her finger using the other hand.  "...an' ya just barely touch 'em right here.  Looks like he's gonna die.  An' if ya shoved it all th' way through, he would, but even if ya just cut 'em a little bit, he won't.  But it'll put th' fear in him.  Then you tell 'em he owes ya seventy five dollars.  An' he thanks ya fer it.  He thanks the Lord almighty for you putting that blade to his neck, do ya understand, Mr. Dolan?"

She got excited.  Animated, fired up.

"The next week, he's only got twenty dollars.  Now he owes you a hundred.  This keeps going, soon he owes you three hundred, and he's paid a hundred and twenty five, and all you wanted was fifty.  Da ya understand, Mr. Dolan?"

She couldn't help but let out a little whoop as she cleaned her nails with the long knife and spoke softly.

"Them boys 'n girls of yers last night did an unnatural thing, an impressive one, one what should've ended yer fight here in Lincoln County.  But ah been pokin' around Mr. Dolan.  Ya got ya a damn Ranger in town.  A Chiney-man at that.  He done whooped the ass of yer little toy single handed last night.  Ah done saw it.  T'were pitiful.  Hell, ah didn't even know what the blue hell yer crew was doin', an' they done started a shootin' at some walkers by.  Won't do Mr. Dolan, they gots to fear, not hate.  Ain't th' same thing.  That whole thing was a sorry joke, all them resources an' nothin' not a damn thing fer it.

"Now, we all got our vocations in this world, our divine callings.  Some are doctors, some raise cattle, the elite of course are men of enterprise such as yerself, naturally.  Now me?  Well now, I'm what ya call an acquisitions specialist.  Do ya want this county Mr. Dolan?"

Before he could answer, Kate was like lightning.  She casually threw the Toothpick, not hard, just a lazy lob so it landed point first in his desk, and from nowhere her Schofield came up, pointed at the man.

"Because Bloody Kansas Kate is how ya get it."  She pulled back, calmly re-holstering her revolver and retrieving her edged weapon.  "We can help each other.  Ah need th' publicity, ya need deniability.  If'n ya wants ta keep th' place, yer gonna have to look legit afterwards ain't ya.  Ah am sure yer capable of doin' th' job yerself, but it ain't an option if ya wants to play this game.  Ya might as well hire th' best.  Question is, are you in?"

Dolan watches Kate steadily as she speaks, his eyes tracking her movements closely. He doesn’t flinch when the knife lands on his desk, nor when the outlaw draws her Schofield, but the ghost of a smile tugs at one corner of his mouth. Leaning back in his chair, he twines the fingers of his hands together.

”I certainly appreciate boldness, Miss Kate, which you seem to possess in spades,” he says, ”though I’m afraid I would have to disagree with your assessment of the events of last evening. While I cannot claim that it was a complete success, it did serve to remove a significant obstacle.”

“Nonetheless, you certainly have the mindset, and the tools, of a predator. You clearly know how to bend those that are less capable to your will. Such abilities are, admittedly, rare.”

He leans forward, placing his elbows on the desk. ”I’m intrigued. Though I’m certain you’ll not find it surprising when I say that I’m also suspicious. Taking care in investing my trust has been a cornerstone of my success, I’m afraid.”

Pointing to Kate’s hip, he asks, ”You seem quite skilled with that blade. Do you make use of it often?”

Kate shrugged.  "As often as ah need ta.  It's part of mah kit, nothin' more nothin' less.  Ah may be better with some tools than others on account 'a more practice, but they's all tools ta me.  Ah use th' right one fer th' job.  Sometimes th' ol' longknife is th' right tool."

”Practical,” Dolan says with an approving nod. He reaches into one of his desk drawers, withdrawing a wide, brown envelope which he places in front of him.

Nodding to Evans, he continues, ”Mr. Evans tells me that you were instrumental in removing a spy from our town’s midst. Someone who was intent on stirring up conflict. I’m grateful. And on that basis, I’m more inclined to extend you trust, along with long term gainful employment. But not just yet.”

“Your reputation proceeds you, ma’am. There’s no question that you’re an accomplished outlaw. But I fear that many of those that share in your chosen profession lack loyalty. They fail to perceive larger opportunities when offered a quick dollar.”

He taps the envelope. ’You spoke of those that need to be made an example of. There is one such person here in Lincoln that fits that description. An individual who is well past the point of seeing reason. Of being open to considering things in a different light.”

“I want them dealt with. Permanently. Not with a firearm, but in a manner that is close. Personal. Where they will have time to know what is coming for them. And I want them left in their place of business, for others to find.”

“Do this, and I assure you that you will have a rich future with our organization.”

Now that was interesting.  Kate had come here thinking she'd have to sell them on an idea, but he already had one.

Well, in for a penny.

"Wellsir, first ya had my curiosity, but now ya have my attention."

If he surrendered the envelope Kate was all too happy to accept it.

”If you do as I’ve asked, the outcry in town will inform me that you’ve succeeded,” Dolan says, surrendering the envelope. ”Do whatever you need to do to avoid detection. Mr. McDaniels will find you when the time is right.”

“Questions?”

"And just how will he find me?"  Kate asked with a sidelong glance.  She smiled knowing she wouldn't get an answer.

”You let Mr. McDaniels concern himself with that,” Dolan says, turning his attention to some correspondence on his desk, ”I look forward to hearing from you soon, ma’am. I trust that you won’t disappoint me.”

Back outside on the covered porch of the “The House”, Jesse Evans says, ”Sounds as though Mr. Dolan wants you to see that business through on your own. Just as well. Me an’ a couple of the others need to take a ride out to the McSween spread. Have a look around.”

“You got any lessons saved up for later, reckon you’ll find me over at Wilson’s this afternoon.” Tipping his hat to her, he and his tall companion step over to the nearby hitching post, where their horses await.

Kansas Kate could only nod.  Bed made.  Lie.

She made some steps before she bothered to read the devil's contract, it was ungainly to seem eager to know the name, but there was no point in waiting excessively either.

Reaching into the envelope, Kate withdraws a tintype. The image is that of a smiling woman with long dark hair, who the outlaw immediately recognizes as Lincoln’s schoolmistress, standing beside an oak tree with a small group of children.

Neatly printed along the lower border of the tintype is the name “VALENTINA PEREZ”.

Kansas Kate spat in disgust.  That was low.  What a sorry ass outfit.  No ladies^*, no children, only two rules and they'd already broken them both.

Her first thought was she needed a hog.  But no... she'd already done that hoodwink once.  Deception had gotten her into this mess but it wouldn't get her through it.  Besides, Kansas Kate was no snake oil seller or gypsy queen, she was a God damned gunfighter.

Deception would have to give way to audacity.  Audacity was her strong suit.

She knew what she had to do.  She felt really bad about it, but she didn't see another way.

Dolan wanted her to use the Toothpick to make an example of the school marm.  Kansas Kate would do exactly that.

But first, a recoineutteur.  A long distant look at the schoolhouse was in order, since it was a wreck.  The question was, how much of a wreck at the moment.

*Kansas Kate was not a lady she was a woman, they are not the same thing!

Moving down the street, Kate is able to get a good look at the schoolhouse. Although only a short time has passed since the children’s rescue, Kate can see that repairs have already been undertaken on the structure.

Gray ash still stains the sides of the building and small collections of it, the leavings of the black vines, are still visible in spots on the adjoining yard. The broken window that some of the children used for escape has been replaced, the glass doubtlessly brought in from somewhere like Roswell. Moving inconspicuously across the street, Kate can see that the schoolhouse’s back door has also been replaced, but is unpainted, still having the appearance of freshly cut lumber.

Kate can see that several pieces of broken planks have been piled beside the steps leading to the rear door, suggesting to her that efforts have been made to begin fixing the hole in the floor, but are still in the early stages. No doubt, the opening in the floor and the tunnel that joins it, remain accessible.

Kate hung around just a bit, mostly watching the place for workmen.  After that, well, school marms usually lived near the school, it was time to figure out which one was Perez's.

In the time Kate devotes to keeping watch, she sees no workers on the property, or inside the schoolhouse itself. The outlaw isn’t surprised. No doubt most of the work on the building is being performed by volunteers, who can give time to the effort in between the hours demanded by their own obligations.

As she prepares to go in search of Perez’ home, Kate recalls hearing that, in the wake of the goings on at the school, the teacher has been residing at the Patron Boarding House, at the insistence of Renata Montaño.

Glancing down the street, the outlaw can see a few schoolchildren emerge from the front door of La Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, having apparently reached a break in their lessons.

If Kate had ever gone to school and she was pretty sure she had at one point as she remembered getting whipped, it was so long ago and so infrequent she didn't tend to remember when schools let out.

But that didn't matter, the schoolteacher didn't leave when the chitlins did.  There was much to do after.

She surveyed the scenes again and mapped it out in her head.  Now, a wild card.  She wondered if the Baxter brat was out there among them, and went lookin' for him.

As she draws several paces closer to the church, Kate spies Lyle Baxter talking with a pair of boys his age. He spots the outlaw approaching and grins, saying something to his companions.

As Kate gets nearer, she is able to hear the conversation.

”...really a bounty hunter?”

”It’s what she told me,” Baxter says in answer to his friend, ”My Pa sure seemed to think it was the truth.”

”She ain’t as purdy as you said.”

”You’s just jealous cuz she never came to talk to you.”

”Yeah, well Sheriff Brady ain’t never come out to your house.”

”Only reason th’ Sheriff came to your house, Kurt, is cuz your daddy and Mr. Acosta wuz arguin’ over who owned that stupid mule.”

By this time, Kate has reached the small knot of youngsters. Lyle looks up at her, clearly still awed by her presence. ”Were you needin’ to speak with Father Narvaez, ma’am?” he asks.

As Kansas Kate got closer, she let out one sharp whistle, and then gestured to Lyle to come hither with a flick of her chin.

Baxter obediently scampers over to the outlaw, looking up at her with eyebrows raised. ”Yes’m?”

Kansas Kate knelt next to the corruptible youth.  "I need a favor kid.  You do this, and I owe you one.  Maybe I get rid of someone you don't like none too much."

”You’ll owe me one?” the boy asks, apparently awed by the idea. ”Course I’ll help. You tryin’ to get rid of Mr. Dolan?”

"Yeah I'll owe ya."  She narrowed her eyes when he mentioned Dolan.  "Kid I don't want to hear you say that name again."

She looked around.  "All right I need you keep this is a secret.  Senorita Perez knows who I am.  I need to tell her something.  But no one can know I told her.  I need you to tell her to meet me tonight in the old schoolhouse.  She's gonna be acting real funny for a while after that.  You just go along with it.

"If anyone asks, all I asked you is when school is out.  Got me?"

”Yes’m. I’ll tell her straight away. And I won’t say nothin’ to no one else. You’ve got my word.”

Baxter leaves at run, headed straight for the church entrance, ignoring the curious frowns of his friends. He disappears inside the iglesia.

"That kid's gonna be governor someday.  If I can disavow him of fool notions."

That left nothing to do but procure the necessaries.  A towel.  Soap.  Buckets.  Water.  A whetstone... no that wasn't necessary, Kate could use her pants as a strop, but maybe if they had scrap leather and compound she'd take it.  A chair.  And slowly move it all into the abandoned and damaged schoolhouse.

Kansas Kate really, really hated what she planned to do, and she'd sure hate anyone who planned to do the same to her, but she didn't see another way.  Perez wasn't a shooter, she couldn't use the same tricks an an outlaw.  Of course the schoolmarm might not follow instructions, so this could get real interesting.

OOC: Double checking - Kate can easily obtain the supplies she needs from any of the three stores in Lincoln. With that done, should I move things ahead to the meeting at the schoolhouse?

I do believe so!

Dusk brings a bruised purple to the horizon, long shadows from the west stretching down the length of Lincoln’s Main Street, cloaking it in a covering of early night. Lanterns slowly flicker to life within the windows of shops and saloons, rectangles of dim, flame colored illumination.

The schoolhouse is already overtaken by the gray haze of evening when Valentina Perez mounts the steps leading to the front door. Opening it, the teacher pauses at the faint, musty odor, like the stale air of a long closed tomb, that continues to linger within the structure. Her eyes travel over the roughly scattered desks and the gaping hole in the floor, her expression becoming sad as she recalls how lively the vacant building once was. Only the freshly cut lumber, stacked against the eastern wall, offers a glimmer of hope.

Stepping inside, the schoolmistress pulls her shawl tight across her shoulders. ”Hello?” she says hesitantly to the gloom.

Kansas Kate had waited and was stropping the large knife when Perez entered.  With the floor of the place nonexistent for the most part, it wasn't practical to wait by the door.  Instead she'd positioned herself with a little bit of enterprise.  Two chairs had been scavenged from the wreckage, driven deliberately into the earth ramp, borrowing a bit of lumber to brace their positions.  A piece of scrap sat nearby with the bucket on it.

She'd had plenty of time to set this all up.

"Get that door closed quicker'n a jackrabbit on a greased up griddle."  She rasped.  "'n get over he'h.  We got lots ta talk about an' th' faster th' better.  Don't be foolish now."

Kate felt sick to her stomach.  She really didn't want to do this, but she saw no other way.  Dolan said it had to be with the Toothpick.

Perez does as Kate instructs, pushing the door closed, the interior of the schoolhouse becoming swallowed in darkness as she does so, only glimmers of moonlight in the windows providing a hint of blue radiance. Oddly, Kate has the fleeting, momentary sense that the stale air within the empty building becomes sharply colder.

Perez eyes the knife with an openly fearful expression. ”What...what is happening? Why have you asked me to come here tonight?”

"Sit down."  Double K commanded.  Assuming compliance for the sake of this not taking all week, she began.

"We do not have a lot of time, so I'm gonna jaw jack real pronto here, you got me?  First, we need to establish something.  From this night on, Ya don't know me.  If anyone asks you about me, you clam up.  If they really press it, ya start bawlin' an' cryin' an' tellin' 'em what a low down dirty bitch ah am and how scairt ya was an' how ya seen th' error of yer ways.  If anyone ever talks about me, ya act real, real scairt.  If'n ya needs to tell anyone the truth, ya can trust th' man Cooper or that there oriental Ranger fella."

Kate made eye contact with her, cleaning the Toothpick off with a clean piece of the strop.

"Now, here's what's happened.  Ya done run yer mouth, an please understand ah am right proud of ya fer it, but ya done run yer mouth about a feller what's got a small pecker 'twixt his legs, so he's gotta send someone else ta do ya dirty.  Now listen real good, ah am a piece of shit, fresh outta th' horse's ass.  Ah understand how people like him think, because ah am people like him and we ain't really people.  But this dude and his sorry ass outfit, they make me smell like a rose by comparison.  People like them give outlaws a bad name."

Kansas Kate did not dwell on that non sequitur.

"Dolan done hired me ta 'take care of ya'.  Bein' a sick turdlicker, he wanted me ta do it wit' this-"  Kate showed the hapless schoolteacher the length of the honed and polished blade. "Said make an example of ya.  Leave ya where ya'd be found an' all that."

Kansas Kate shrugged and retracted the weapon slightly.

"Now here's what's goin' on.  Ah need this hombre, and I do use that term loosely as I figger he ain't actually got no balls, ta think ah can make his life easier.  Truth is, it's a big old okie doke.  These fellers are dumber'n camel snot, and ah figure it's better if ah have 'em break shit and scare people rather than start shootin'.  Ah hate ta say it, but ah'm in cahoots with th' law on this one.  Ah'm tryin' to give these fellers the run around as long as poss'ble, hopefully th' law can figger out what the hell it is they plan ta do exactly, because this won't last forever.  They'll force me into a sitcheeashun where the only cure will be a serving of hot lead sooner 'n later."

She gestured with the long knife.

"Clearly, he meant fer me ta kill ya, real nasty an' brutal like.  Well, that ain't gonna wash so mah first idea was ta jigger somethin' up with a pig an' get some witnesses an' do it theater like... but that's too complicated, takes too long, an' it relies on three or more people keepin' the lie straight.  But then ah thought about it, he didn't actually say kill ya, he said takes care of ya."

She sighed deeply and looked intently into Valentina Perez's eyes.

"Look, one gal to another, ah hates ta do this to ya.  Ah really do, it ain't right, but it's th' only play ah have.  Here's what's gonna happen."  She held the Toothpick up and pointed at the bucket and the soap.  "Yer gettin' a haircut.  Well, a shave really.  Ah know, ah know.   But yer hair will grow back.  What won't grow back is yer guts after Dolan's goons fill it with lead.  An'... well ah'm gonna have to bust yer lip and give ya a shiner too.

"An' yer gonna go to school tomorrow like that.  When the chitlins ask ya what happened, tell 'em ya been a wicked woman an' ya been mean to Mr. Dolan, an' he's a fine outstanding gentleman.  An' then yer gonna have the chitlins get their little pens and their little papers and they're all gonna write letters of appre-shee-ashun to him, asking him ta please forgive ya.  Gets th' real little ones to draw cute little pictures of a man on a horse lookin' real big 'n hero an' ah'll just tell 'em they's pictures o' him, little spitfucks can't draw for shit no how.

"Then yer gonna give me all of them, an' something valuable of yers, an' ah'm gonna take it all back ta him, along with yer purty hair, and convince his sorry ass ta not kill ya.  Look ah know his type, yer mistake is bein' a blasted female, if ya play into his twisted mucked up ideas of what womens is, he'll stop worryin' about ya.  An' yer gonna act like you love this son of a bitch now an' tell every'un in town he's a wonderful an' handsome man.  An' yer gonna hate it, and on th' day of Judgment God will be mad at ya for lyin' so damn good.  But yer gonna do it, an' it won't be forever.  One way or the other, this'll all have to be over sooner'n later.  Because yer reward fer this, besides not dyin', is ya get to see him get his.  When yer standin' there watchin' him drop twenty feet from a twelve foot rope, it'll all be worth it.  Don't worry, ya don't have ta look like a jackass, just blame it on me, it'll be fine.

"But th' fact is, ah can't protect ya an' try to catch this piece of shit at th' same time.  An' you ain't no good fer nothin' gunfighter like me, so ya can't be left ta yer own devices.  So th' hoodwink it is.  Now did ah stutter?"

Perez sits as requested, listening attentively to all that Kate tells her, her expression darkening as she understands all that has transpired. Her mouth settles into a thin line. ”James Dolan is a rat faced pendejo,” she tells the outlaw, ”He intimidates las familias here in the valley. Terrorizes good people. Takes from them without any thought or remorse.”

The last of Perez’ words form wisps of steam in the air, the cold within the schoolhouse having become like the deep of winter. The teacher reflexively wraps her shawl around her, crossing her arms tightly. Kate feels goosebumps form on her arms in response to the suddenly frigid temperature.

”I...I have spoken out against Señor Dalton’s actions because it is the right thing to do. I understand what you are trying to accomplish. To protect me from him. Him and the others of the House. But...part of me doesn’t want to give him the satisfaction of thinking I am afraid.”

“Are you sure? Cierto? You truly believe you and these others can stop him? Bring him to justice?”

OOC: Kate, give me a Notice roll.

Reaction once I know the results of this roll...

10:30, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 3,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Notice.

Outside, behind the school, Kate hears a gentle, metallic clink, the scrape of a spur on the hard earth.

Inside the schoolhouse, the shadows have grown more dense, the growing darkness seemingly absorbing what little moonlight is able to enter the building. Kate finds her gaze drawn to the corner just right of the front entrance to the structure. There, within the dark, Kate can make out a figure, a tall man in a hat and long coat, his features cloaked by the gloom.

The outlaw is no fool. The schoolhouse was empty when she entered it. Aside from Perez, none have entered since she arrived.

Kate stopped herself.

For clarification, is that entrance which appears to be darkening the only entrance?  I've seen pictures of 19th century 1 room schoolhouses with just the one door and I've seen them with two entrances on adjacent walls.

lol I hope I'm not a pain in the butt it just was dramatically effect what Kate would do.

OOC: There is a rear door as well. But, Kate heard movement (the clinking spur) just on the other side of it an instant before she perceived the figure.

Kate stopped talking.  "I need you to leave.  Right now.  I'll find you tomorrow.  Go."

The Schofield seemed to fly up into her hand.  Kate turned to face the other direction, but said nothing until Perez seemed to have left.

Of course it wasn't this simple.  Nothing ever was.  Not for Kansas Kate.

”Yes, go Señorita Perez,” the figure from the shadows agrees, taking a few steps forward, ”One of the men outside will ensure you reach the boarding house safely.”

Perez gives Kate a concerned look, then does as the outlaw instructed, departing through the back door.

With his movement into the moonlight, Kate is able to see the intruder more clearly. He stands perhaps six feet tall, a wool, charcoal gray coat covering most of his broad shouldered frame. In the deep shadows, Kate cannot see his eyes, but is able to make out a horseshoe mustache, sprinkled with gray, framing a mouth curled in a half smile.

”You didn’t mean to harm her. Not in any serious fashion.”  The voice is deep, with a hint of a hoarse rasp.

Kate smiled bitterly.  "Horse shit you will.  Well, ah knew that jig would be up sooner'n later."

She limbered her fingers.  "Yeah, ah weren't goin' ta do nothin' too 'ornery ta her.  Too bad I can't say the same about you and your boss.  What do you want on your tombstone?  Out with it fast.  Ah have to kill you and then go kill whoever you just sent to kill her."

She was impatient her her frame was tight and taut.  "Well come on now, let's dance!  You'll take her over my dead body so fill yer hand, you son of a bitch!"

The visitor takes a pair of steps closer to the outlaw. He regards her drawn weapon with an expression of contempt. ”Those outside will do exactly as they have been told. Which is to make certain that Señorita Perez returns to the Patron House completely unharmed. None of them are foolish enough to defy my orders. I can assure you of that.”

“Señorita Perez was never to be hurt. Were her students to find her here, viciously stabbed to death, this town would erupt. She would be regarded as an innocent martyr and many of those who were once afraid would be spurred into action, their terror replaced with boldness. This was only to see what you would do, Katherine. To test where your loyalties lie.”

The cold has grown sharp, needles of numbness pressing into Kate’s extremities and face. Inexplicably, small patches of hoar frost begin to blossom on the walls of the schoolhouse. The man smiles, clenching and unclenching his gloved hands. ”I’m far better acquainted with death than you are, Katherine. But if you must know, when the day comes, my tombstone will read ’L.G. Murphy’.”

OOC: Kate, if you’re going to start shooting (now or after further conversation), I’m going to need you to make an initiative draw.

lol well crapbaskets

Let's not rule anything out here.  Just in case.

20:07, Today: Kansas Kate drew the single card: 9D using a deck of 54 cards.

Kate contemplated that.  "All right, let's say ah believe that.  Fer now."  But she didn't move.  She did smile a smile of her own though, a sick, twisted smile.

"Ya didn't shoot me down like a dog, and ya left th' school marm out of it.  Out of 'pre-she-ash-un, ah reckon ya ought ta know a couple things.  Fer one, there ain't no Katherine.  There's Kansas Kate, and only Kansas Kate.

"An' ye might know death better'n me, that may very well be true sir.  Him and me, that's strictly a business relationship.  But I'm the pale riders' own number one supplier of quality souls of the damned.  And to him, that's better'n gold, ghost rock or wampum.  An' we both know at the end of the day money's thicker'n water or blood.

"But yer a damn site right about one thing.  Stickin' th' school teacher, yeah, that woulda done exactly what ya said.  But if it ain't her, it's gonna be someone.  The way yer men are goin', it's inev't'ble."  She cocked her chin back.  "Hell, the way yer going, it's inev't'ble."

”You’re correct. A terrible clash, and the accompanying loss of life, is inevitable,” Murphy replies. Despite the icy cold that has overtaken the schoolhouse’s interior, his breath does not steam in the frigid air. ”But it can only happen at the proper time. The hour that she deems appropriate. Until then, the storm builds.”

“You’re reputation proceeds you...Kate. I’ve heard of some of your exploits. So I’m confused about your loyalties here in Lincoln. You aren’t particularly known for...compassion.”

Murphy's question was good, there was a reason, but it was something the infamous Kansas Kate wasn't ready to be honest about, least of all with herself.  But she put that aside.

"Kansas Kate."  She corrected him again.  "And that's good, because ah ain't got any.  If'n yer confused, ah'm inclined ta explain it, though I doubt ya'll give a damn about sech."

The normally verbose Kansas Kate didn't give him a lot here.  But that was on purpose.

Her body was still taut and her hand was frozen in place.  Part of her just wanted to draw and send a .44 slug right through Murphy's noggin.  She'd die, but then it'd all be over.  One piece of garbage like her was a small price to pay for peace.

Except, it wouldn't play out that way.  Dolan would still be around, and she'd never get to him again even if she succeeded here.  Whoever this 'she' is, would still be around.  And yes Kate wanted to know who this was very much, but she wasn't stupid enough to think he was just going to tell her that.  On that note she added.

"But th' short version is, ah has th' uncanny ability ta think more'n five seconds ahead."

I just purposefully ignore it sometimes apparently.

The back door of the schoolhouse opens. Jesse Evans and the female member of his gang enter, each carrying an unholstered firearm. From the front door, Frank Baker, the rifleman, steps inside, his longarm in hand.

”Nicholas saw the girl home,” Evans says.

Murphy regards the outlaw with eyes still shrouded in shadow. ”I would like to hear, and understand more. But first, I think it best you come with us.”

“The question is, are you willing to come quietly? You certainly don’t have to. But whatever you choose, the outcome will be the same.”

Kansas Kate screwed down one eye and raised the opposing eyebrow.

"Now if'n th' outcome is th' same either way, why would it matter?"

”Because I would prefer not to harm you. Or worse,” Murphy replies, ”And because I believe you can still be made to see reason. Someone with your talents, and your disposition, has much to gain by joining with The House.”

“But...the choice remains yours. Whatever suits you.”

OOC To place the rest of the cards on the table...

14:52, Today: L.G. Murphy drew the single card: AS using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

14:53, Today: Jesse Evans drew the single card: 3H using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

14:53, Today: Dolly Graham drew the single card: 8D using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

14:53, Today: Frank Baker drew the single card: 2S using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

"Well that ain't the two bein' th' same now is it."  Kansas Kate replied coolly.  She looked back at him, curious what he'd say next.

”It is for me, Kansas Kate,” Murphy answers, a ghost of a smile playing at the right corner of his mouth. ”I’m not the one who will be doing the suffering.”

Although Kate can feel the tension from Jesse Evans and the members of his gang, none of them have raised the guns in their hands to a firing position.

"True, a forty four slug to the heart is a quick goodbye."  She replied, not even flinching.  "And there's only four of ya'll.  Leaves one spare."

Two, actually.  Kansas Kate would load up the sixth round when she wasn't riding and expected trouble.

"Ya know why the devil's impatient?  Because I learned him!  Come on out with it Murphy, what do ya want!?  What kind of sorry ass duel is this anyhow, ain't there one gunfighter among ya'll!?"

Murphy smiles, seemingly in amusement, giving a barely discernible shake of his head.

And then suddenly, in the blink of an eye, the distance between him and Kansas Kate is closed. With a brief movement of his left arm, he backhands the outlaw.

10:38, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 5,13 using 1d12,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+6+1)13.  Fighting.

10:44, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 7,5 using 1d12+1,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,5.  Damage.

Kate is shaken and receives one wound.

The impact of the blow causes Kate’s vision to go momentarily white, sending her staggering backward into one of the children’s desks. She tastes blood and two of the teeth in the left side of her mouth feel suddenly loose.

The outlaw keeps to her feet, however.

”None can claim you lack courage,” Murphy mutters, his voice low and gravelly.

Evans and the other members of his gang raise their weapons.

Initiative Order

AS - L.G. Murphy
9D - Kansas Kate
8D - Dolly Graham
3H - Jesse Evans
2S -  Frank Baker

Kate, it is your turn. You may, of course, make a soak roll prior to taking any action.

One white chip to soak.

12:06, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 9,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+3)9,1.  Try to Soak.

"Not one gunfighter among ya!?  Then ya die like dirty dogs!"

All right Kansas Kate will, naturally, Fan the Hammer.  Shots 1, 2 and 3 are for Murphy, 4 is for Graham, 5 is for Baker, 6 is for Evans, because that's her style.  The good news is, there's no innocent bystanders!

12:14, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 6,6,-1,-1,6,6,1 using d10-2,d10-2,d10-2,d10-2,d10-2,d10-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 8,8,1,1,8,8,3.  Fan the Hammer!

lol that is a crap roll.  It's going to be hard to do a lot better but one white chip to try.

12:15, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 5,5,4,1,4,5,3 using d10-2,d10-2,d10-2,d10-2,d10-2,d10-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 7,7,6,3,6,7,5.  College Try.

Yeah that's not really any better, both rolls have the same result.

Unfortunately shots 1, 2 and 3 all miss since Kate is rolling against Murphy's Parry. Graham and Baker take a slug each though.

12:20, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 4 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1.  Damage - Shot 5.

12:19, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 3 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 1,1.  Damage - Shot 4.

*facepalms*

Kansas Kate was a completely incompetent gunfighter who had never fired a round in her life and had apparently mistakenly loaded marshmallows instead of bullets in her cartridges.

"Dammit all to hell!  Well let's do this yer way Murphy!  When you get to hell in six pieces carved up like a Christmas Turkey, tell 'em Kansas Kate sent ya!"

The Toothpick was out in a flash.  He wanted up close and personal?  He'd get it.

12:24, Today: Kansas Kate drew the single card: 5S using a deck of 54 cards.
*facepalms again*
lol yeah that's game set and match right there

The sounds of gunfire are deafening within the small schoolhouse. Despite the close discharge of weapons, Lawrence Murphy seems oddly calm, undisturbed by the sudden chaos.

One of Kate’s shot cuts across Dolly Graham’s ribs. The woman cries out in surprise and pain, blood blooming on her right flank. Rather than return fire, she clutches her side, momentarily staggered.

12:43, Today: Dolly Graham rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1.  Spirit.

Graham is shaken. She is unable to recover this round.

Jesse Evans steps to one side of Murphy and squeezes off single shot, his bullet tearing across Kate’s shoulder, sending trickles of blood down her left arm.

12:28, Today: Jesse Evans rolled 4,1 using 1d10,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,1.  Shooting.

12:29, Today: Jesse Evans rolled 7 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4.  Damage.

Evans’ attack will leave Kate shaken.

One of Kate’s bullets tears a hole in Baker’s duster, close to his stomach, but he seems unfazed by the close call. Behind her, the rifleman shoulders his longarm and fires, the deep report echoing off of the walls of the vacant building. His shot finds the middle of Kate’s back.

12:46, Today: Frank Baker rolled 10,5 using 1d10+1,1d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 9,4.  Shooting.

12:47, Today: Frank Baker rolled 19,3 using 2d10,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,(10+3)13,3.  Damage.

Total Damage: 22

Given that Kate is already shaken, Baker’s shot will inflict 5 wounds.

12:49, Today: L.G. Murphy drew the single card: 9S using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

12:50, Today: Jesse Evans drew the single card: JH using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

12:51, Today: Dolly Graham drew the single card: JC using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

12:51, Today: Frank Baker drew the single card: QD using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

Initiative Order

QD - Frank Baker
JH - Jesse Evans
JC - Dolly Graham
9S - L.G. Murphy
5S - Kansas Kate

Kate, before I proceed further, I want to give you the chance to make soak rolls, should you want to, and to declare your intent for your forthcoming action, whether that’s to continue fighting or something else entirely.

Yeah, I think I actually have 3 Whites left, since I used 1 to soak and 1 to reroll and started with 5.

14:56, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 5,4 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4.  Once More.

14:56, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 2,2 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2.  Hilarious Soak Attempt.

So used 2 there, saved the last for Incapacitation rolls if needed.

lol that'll do it

OOC: Kate, based on your rolls, you were able to soak one of your wounds, which leaves you shaken with 4 wounds remaining. That will render the outlaw incapacitated.

I’ll need you to go ahead and make a Vigor roll. Depending on the outcome, you’ll likely need to make a roll on the Injury Table as well.

Feel free to narrate any response from Kate in reaction to what occurs.

lol well here goes

14:48, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 2,-1 using 1d6-3,1d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2.  Vigor.

Mere failure, which is actually a good result.  If there's ever a time to spend chips though this is it.

14:48, Today: Kansas Kate rolled -2,0 using 1d6-3,1d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3.  last cheep.

No Failure it is then, that's an Injury.

14:49, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 16 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+5)11,5.  Injury!

Whoops, that shouldn't Ace, so that's actually 6+5=11

14:50, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4.  Head Injury.

LOL... and Kansas Kate is now officially a completely worthless character.  That is the kiss of death for a gunslinger.

Kate felt it, but only for a second.  Oh, she'd been winged before, but this one had got her real good.  Most people would be extremely upset about getting shot in the eye.  Kansas Kate however was however dying with a bloody grin.  She'd been proven right.

Murphy was a complete and utter chickenshit villain.  He was a joke.  He was pathetic.  She had called him out to a duel and he had not only refused, he had to use magic AND three hooligans to win.

Maybe the world wouldn't remember Kansas Kate, but a hundred years and longer from now the world would still sing ballads of the real gunfighters, and she went down a gunfighter, one denied her rightful death.  Pieces of shit like Murphy would be celebrated by none.  Not gaining the death she deserved was one of her two only regrets, the second being she'd never put a .44 slug in her pa.

She thought about her whore mother, the years of abuse, the life that had got her here.  She knew how the world worked though, and in her heart had never expected anything different.  This was how trash died.

Well fuck you too world.

The Toothpick fell from her grasp, and she managed to extend the middle finger of the hand holding it before she collapsed into the dirt and darkness overtook her.