Travis eats quickly and seeing he has preceded his friends to the vittles, walks to the Cattleman's association.  Arriving early, he takes a seat in the rear in the corner.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 1):

JEB spends the night at the jailhouse and rises early to take Indian Kate's testimony. He finishes with just enough time to freshen up at his hotel room, have breakfast and make it to the hearing.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 5):

Jake does indeed find Mr. Snoddy in the lobby during the breakfast hour; however the man seems quite busy. Although there is no indication that the proprietor intends to avoid Jake Richardson--Snoddy gives a cordial greeting to Jake as he does to others--he makes no attempt to rekindle the conversation from the night before.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 8):

Travis Sunday finds himself among the first attendees to arrive. The space in the makeshift gallery is limited, but his early arrival guarantees the pick of the seats that are available. He settles into the chair and watches the comings and goings of cattlemen and lawmen and others arriving for the hearings including Senor Rojas, who acknowledges Sunday's presence and gives him a sign that he is available to talk, if the man from the Butterfield Overland is so inclined.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 3):

Cole reaches the jail after his breakfast, but finds that his pards are scarce. Mangy Mansfield sits on the front porch with Chubby Wilson.

"Beauregard is indoors, talkin' to Kate," he says, thumbing toward the door. "I reckon he's almost done. I'm fixin' to head to the Cattleman's Association."

In reply to Mangy Mansfield (msg # 12):

Cole nods.

Much obliged, deputy.

Reckon I'll just wait here till JEB comes out.

Cole steps to one side and waits.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 6):

ENS finishes breakfast alone and goes back up to his room. He retrieves the two knives and the metal shard from his trunk, as well as his evidence kit. He proceeds to examine the items to determine if the shard came from either of the knives.

Take 10 + 7: Investigate, Analyze Clue

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 10):

Jake went about eating his breakfast, then headed back up to his room to retrieve his hat, coat, and carbine.

Then he headed downstairs and over to the Cattlemans' Association. Upon his arrival there he spotted both Travis and Rojas, and nodded a greeting to both men.

"Good mornin' to you, Mr. Earl. I need a shave, hair cut, and a bath." Randy accepts the seat and settles in for the primping.

"Thank ya for asking about the show last night. I say, from my view, it was perfect. The show went without a single hitch and the audience was hootin' in the right places and hollerin' when they was 'sposed to, as well. I can't tell you the last time I had that much fun, I say. It was just a joy.

"It seems some of the folks have taken to callin' me 'Mr. Big'un'. I figgur it's on account of my big and silly self on the stage. But, I tell you Mr. Earl, I kinda like it. They call that a 'stage name'."

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 14):

ENS completes his analysis of the two knives and the metal shard. He checks his watch and finds that he has precious little time to get to the hearings.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 15):

Jake finds himself among the earlier arrivals, but certainly not the first. In addition to Rojas and Sunday, he sees a few men that he doesn't recognize, as well as the hunter named Marino, the man they call Weasel, Mangy Mansfield, and the two hunters that bet on the outcome of Sunday's gunfight.

The place is filling up. If Jake desires, he may take a seat on one of the benches in the gallery.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 16):

The barber listens as Mr. Big'un talks, occasionally tossing in a "do tell," or "ain't that somethin."

When Randy introduces his new stage name, Earl chuckles. "Mr. Big'un. Hehehe. Sure'nuff fits."

In reply to Elijah Earl (msg # 19):

The chair talk continues, as it often does in a barber shop. Surely, another patron or two steps in for their turn and joins the mundane chatter.

Randy moves on, after his shave and cut, for for his bath. The bath is meant to help him feel fresh for the day after the long night.

Now clean, Mr. Big'un heads back to the boarding house for a change into his suit--that is if the rain has subsided and the skies look clear. Otherwise, he'll proceed right over to the Cattleman's Association for the trials, already in progress most likely.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 17):

ENS secures his tools and the knives/shard, grabs his coat and hat and heads for the Association.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 18):

Jake decided to take a seat on a bench that was in the row just in front of the benches along the back wall of the room. He sat just next to the aisle, so that he had plenty of room to angle his legs out.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 21):

ENS arrives at the Cattleman's Association. A quick visual assessment reveals that the ground floor, serving as the courtroom this morning, is nearly full. A few men are standing, most are seated on the few benches. The professor recognizes a number of the attendees, including some of his recent acquaintances and colleagues. He sees a space on a bench he might squeeze into, or he could choose to stand.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 9) and Cole Trayne (msg # 13):

Roughly ten minutes pass before the deputy exits Pickett Jail. Mansfield had already made his way to the Cattleman's Association. Chubby Wllson made small talk with Cole Trayne, but nothing more than what was polite before he settled into the porch chair, content in his own thoughts.

Noting the time, JEB heads back to Planters, with Cole following. The men exchange greetings and news, if any, as they walk, and then JEB goes to his room to freshen up. Cole remains outdoors, expecting that the wait will be brief. Sure enough, the deputy returns promptly and they head to the site of the day's hearings.

Arriving at three minutes before 9 a.m., JEB and Cole find the place full. Mangy Mansfield stands near the stairs, motioning for JEB to join him there. Cole sees no good place to sit, but he finds a place to stand inside the doorway. He figures that anyone coming in after him will have listen in to the hearings from outside.

OOC: The Judge is pausing, briefly, in case any PCs want to post a follow-up that would occur before the hearings proceed (especially JEB and Cole, since Cole explicitly made contact before arriving).

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 23):

ENS sees his new friends in various places around the courtroom, nodding his greetings if he catches their eye. He then finds a seat in the benches.

OOC: ENS will try to get a seat next to any of the group, even asking politely if someone would slide over as long as there's room; otherwise, he'll just take what's available.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 24):

Good morning, Cole. I reckon you'll be called to testify at the hearing.

In reply to James E. Beauregard

Morning JEB. Figured as much.

You all set?

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 27):

I am. How about you?

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 28):

Yup. Let's get this show on the road.

Gesturing down the road, the wrangler continues his thought.

After you...

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 24):

An office door down the hall opens and the small talk amongst the spectators trails off when Deputy Mansfield speaks aloud.

"All rise for Judge W.H. Ledbetter, presidin'."

In reply to Mangy Mansfield (msg # 30):

The men on the benches stand up as the judge exits the office, which serves as his temporary chambers. Ledbetter, a wiry man of average height with a receding hairline and graying goatee, enters the main chamber of the Cattle Association, taking a seat behind a desk that serves as the judge's bench. He is followed by a younger man, who takes a chair at a small writing desk, alongside the judge.

As Judge Ledbetter sits, he motions for those in attendance to resume their seats, as well.

"Let us get this wagon rollin'," states the Judge. He turns to the clerk at the writing desk. "Mr. Smithers, call the first case on the docket."

The clerk does as asked, calling a certain Ned Carter to face the bench. A man of average height, with black hair and a scruffy beard, stands and approaches. He wears a second-hand men's suit jacket, ill-matched to his weathered trousers. Most recognize Ned as one of the street vendors trying to scratch a living in The Flat's winter months; he pushes a cart around town selling foodstuffs, bric-a-brac and various curios. Most of JEB's posse have seen Carter, but none has ever responded to the man as he hawked his good--or attempted to approach him, although a feller might have a recollection of hearing the man's name mentioned duirng their time in town.

Senor Rojas stands by Carter's side, as the clerks reads a charge of petty theft. The judge asks whether the accused understands the charges against him and asks for his intended plea. Carter responds, saying "not guilty, yer honor." The Judge then questions the man about the case, getting quickly to the point. In essence, Carter contends he had no idea that the steel utensil in question was the property of Doc Culver, and that he had returned it and even offered . . . well, he struggles mightily for a word until Rojas interjects with "recompense."

Finally, shaking his head, and touching his quill to a piece of paper in front of him, the Judge issues his ruling, with a didactic dose of caution.

"Mr. Carter, this is the second time you have appeared in front of this bench. In the interest of savin' us all a heap of effort, I am imposing a fine of $10 with the intent to close this case; however, if I see you a third time, I suspect you will find yourself servin' some time in Albany. What say you?"

In reply to Judge Ledbetter (msg # 31):

For those who can see Ned Carter's face, the man's surprise is evident. His jaw drops at the mention of ten dollars. Before he can respond, Rojas whispers to him. Finally, Carter responds, without enthusiasm.

"That sounds right fair enuff, yer honor."