(IC)
  The train pulls up at the end of the line, the railway station in Mad Mesa is on the north side of the track and on the south side of the track is a corral full of cattle that are already being prepared to be loaded into the cattle cars.
  As Jonas steps off the train he over hears several of the cowboys loading the cattle, talking about a gun fight the night before.  Apparently the Russell's and the Kane's were involved in another shoot out around the station and corral leaving one man dead and two other badly wounded.

For a moment, Jonas considered getting back on the train and going someplace where casual gunfights didn't break out in the street. Then he remembered that he probably didn't have enough funds for a ticket. Anyway, the train was already getting ready to pull out just as soon as the cattle were loaded. The engineer probably didn't fancy a gunfight either!

He settled his hat more firmly on his head, took a breath, and stepped out of the station, wondering who the Russels and the Kanes were when not slinging lead around. Enough woolgathering! First things first, find some work.

"Howdy. New in town. Know where a feller might find work around here?"

(IC)
  "Well after last night, the Russell's got a few vacancies."  One of the cowboys replies with a grin, which elicits gales of laughter from his co-workers.

Jonas returned the grin.

"I'm no gunfighter. I can cook, fix a lock, play piano... oh, and handle explosives. Think anyone might need any of those skills."

He has a quiet, gentle voice, despite being quite a powerful big fellow (and with a gun on his hip).

(IC)
  "No idea."  The cowboy replies.  "If you can't handle horses, cows, guns or rope then I ain't interested stranger."  The cowboys go back to their job of getting the cattle loaded onto the rail cars as quickly as possible so they can get to the saloon.

(OOC)
  There is a map of the town in the Main Game Map page.

"Fair enough, thank you," said Jonas.

"You do eat, though. When you get tired of beans and bacon over an open fire, look me up. The name's Jonas, Jonas Cord."

He gave the stockmen a cheerful wave and wandered off, heading away from the tracks and looking around curiously. Most obvious was a saloon and a Well's Fargo office. He started off down Main Street to see what else was there...

(IC)
  Mad Mesa is much like any other frontier town, at least on the surface.  Jonas will have to engage the locals to learn much more.  There are a few locals on the streets but in the heat of the day, most stay indoors unless their work involves being out doors.

(OOC)
  You will have to tell me where you are are going or what buildings you are heading into to learn more.

The saloon looked like a starting point. He wasn't thirsty, but a good barkeep knew what was going on in a town.

Jonas went over to Babe's Saloon, wondering a little at the name, and pushed his way through the swinging door. He walked up to the bar.

"G'day," he said to the bar tender.

"Just arrived in town and wondered if you know of any work going. And a glass of sarsparilla if you have it. A bit early for the hard stuff."

(IC)
  Babe's Saloon is a two story building with the saloon on the ground floor and bedrooms above.  there are half a dozen tables with chairs and a player piano with a coin slot.  Four women and two men are in the saloon along with the barman.
  When Jonas asks about work, the barman glances over the two men, one wearing buckskins, the other in a black broadcloth suit with a black derby and string tie.
  "I wouldn't know about that."  He answers Jonas question and puts a glass of sarsaparilla on the bar in front of Jonas.  "That'll be 5 cents."

Jonas put the coins on the counter.

"Thank you. If you hear of anyone needing a cook... or who wants a live piano player instead of a contraption, let me know."

He'd better make that glass last. Until he found work, that was.

(IC)
  When Jonas finishes his sarsaparilla the bar tender looks at him with a raised eyebrow.

Jonas smiled, a lazy smile.

"Well, if you have no openings nor know of any, I'll have to search elsewhere. Thanks for the sarsparilla."

He picked his hat up and walked out of the saloon. Hopefully someone in this settlement would be a little more helpful. So far they seemed to be a bunch of jerks, not in the slightest bit neighbourly.

He wandered furthe along Main Street, noting various establishments. He'd try the hotel next. Maybe they'd need some help in the kitchen. Heading that way, he went in and asked for the owner or manager.

(IC)
  The Lazy A Hotel  is one of the few three story buildings in town, it's getting late in the day and the lights are on in the lobby and gas lights are on either side of the door.  Stepping into the lobby, the restaurant is on Jonas' right, the main stairway is straight ahead and the lobby desk is on the left.
  "I'm Fred Jackson, the night clerk.  How can I help you?"  The man behind the lobby desk asks Jonas.

Jonas removed his hat and smiled.

"Hello, Mr Jackson. I'm Jonas Cord. Not to beat about the bush, I am seeking work. Is the owner available?"

(IC)
  "Sorry Mister Cord, there's no work here and the owner ain't available."  Jackson replies.

It was beginning to get difficult to maintain a smile. This was a very unhelpful place. Or at least the people there tended that way.

"Thank you anyway."

Jonas put his hat back on and turned to go.

He left the hotel and looked around. Maybe there was another saloon. Or someplace where people gathered. The rest of Main Street appeared to be the chapel and the schoolhouse.

Didn't anyone in this forsaken township want to eat?

He headed south, a blacksmith's shop and beyond that another saloon. He glanded into the forge to see if the smith was about.

(IC)
  Standing on Dodge Street outside the Blacksmith's Shop, Jonas could see a light on and hear a rhythmic clanging sound from within.  The inside of the blacksmith's Shop is light by several oil lamps and a glowing forge.  A young man is pumping the bellows that work the forge and an older man wearing a leather apron is pounding out a horseshoe using a hammer and anvil.
  "Hey there mister!"  Jonas hears the voice of a young boy behind him, turning around he sees a boy holding a handful of broadsheets.  "Wanna buy a copy of the Mad Mesa Gazette?"  The boys asks.  "Five cents!"  The boy holds out his hand before offering a paper.

(OOC)
  Not sure what Jonas is expecting in a frontier town, the first group of cowboys he spoke to did tell him about an employment opportunity and you have only been to two other established businesses that already have the employees they need to run their business otherwise they would not be operating.  Most role-playing games are not about characters taking on mundane jobs, we can do that in real life :)

Jonas smiled at the youngster.

"Does it have want-ads? I'm looking for work right now."

Still, gotta speculate to accumulate, and there might be useful information. He handed over the necessary coins and took a paper.

(IC)
  The paper boy eyes Jonas up and down as he hands over the newspaper and collects his 5 cents.  Business is slow so the paper boy decides to give the stranger 5 minutes of gossip and a verbal tour of the the town.  Joey Black can name every building in town and also informs Jonas the big ticket news item in Mad Mesa is the cattle war between the Russell's and the Kane's.  There was a shootout in the coral the night before Jonas' train came in, between hired guns from both sides.

Jonas listened to the paper boy solemny as he talked.

"Fascinating. The Russell's and the Kane's you say? What is their dispute? Mere rivalry, a tussle over territory? Or do they make claims against each other, of outrageous offence given and taken?"

(IC)
  "Well I reckin' if'n theys call it a cattle war it's got something to do with cows!"  The paperboy declares.  "Oh and if you're looking for work, meybe try Larsens Livery Stable, end of Main Street, on the right.  You can't miss it.  They's looking after lotsa horses lately.  Meybe might need some help?"  Joey suggests.

Jonas grinned.

"Thanks. I just about know one end of a horse from t'other."

He headed off in that direction anyway. Who knows... what was that Chinese saying he'd heard once? Sometimes by chance a look or a glance your fortune may advance.