Address me as Hon. Hiram Priest, esq.
Posted December 31, 2021 | Hiram Priest
Priest rolled a wad of tobacco from one cheek to the other. "Well, how do you do, Mr. Simons?" He asked cordially. "In town for long?"
"Long enough," Ben said with a smile. He decided to do some fishing and find out if Priest was really interested in running or it was just an off the cuff remark, "From what your friend, Mr. Fortner said you've been both a judge and a mayor. This town is pretty covered where judges are concerned with Judge Robertson looking after any civil matters and circuit Judge Bryant looking after the criminal ones, so that leaves mayor."
Horace nodded and pulled at his chin in the classic gathering-thoughts gesture.
"Both good men from what I've heard, Mr. Simons.," Priest began. "Being a Judge in these parts can be a special challenge. You get everything from disorderly conduct cases to cattle rustling to claim jumping. Of course, sprinkle in some shootings and you have a full docket." He eyed Simons, head to foot. "I was Mayor of Bottleneck for two terms back before the War, then things went to Hell. Then in 1866 I ran for Mayor of Valley City, and won. Then was Mayor of Walhalla until a couple of years ago." He chuckled. "Ah! Walhalla. The damn fool who founded it was near illiterate. He meant to register it as Valhalla, but mixed up his "V" with a "W". "
Then, as if already in the office, Priest continued to espouse the need for rule of law, fair elections, and the importance of rallying the citizens in common cause.
After taking a sip of his whiskey, that had been left on the bar by Ralph, he continued, "What I mean to say, is that you're probably already aware that we have a mayoral election happening soon. So, if you're planning to try your luck here, you best get a move on. Nominations close at five o'clock today."
"I'll be go-to-hell", the older man exclaimed.
Fortner slapped Priest on the shoulder. "Looks like Mr. Simons came in at the right time. Best high-tail over to City Hall and put your name in the hat. I can tell you that I'll do everything I can to rally support for you at the Star Dust."
Priest nodded in agreement. "I expect you're right." And at that, he left through the swinging doors.
"He's a good man, Ben." he said to Simons. "Hell! He had my back yesterday when I was confronted with a drunk cowhand." He cleared his throat as if to wipe a slate clean and moved on to another subject. "What's your game? Poker?"
"Everybody can feather their nest, but it's not just anybody that can lay an egg!"
Posted December 31, 2021 | Arabella Mudd
As her attempts to impress Mr. Simons as to her theatrical assets had fallen on fallow ground, Arabella had taken a friend's advice to 'play hard to get' and virtually ignored the fancy dressed gambler who had come into the saloon. She had big ears, though, and heard everything as she sat and played the piano.
"He's a good man, Ben." he said to Simons. "Hell! He had my back yesterday when I was confronted with a drunk cowhand."
Arabella deliberately played a few wrong notes at this point. Just a little reminder that not everybody was completely happy at the death of the admittedly no-good Mr. Grimes. Even to the point that she had deliberately tried to intervene to stop the shooting of one of the Stardust's regulars by an outsider.
"He cleared his throat as if to wipe a slate clean and moved on to another subject. "What's your game? Poker?"
The girl played on, half listening to the men talking, half wondering about the old man Priest. She was sure that there was some sinister connection between the would be Mayor and the new owner of the Saloon.
"Work is fine for killin' time, but it's a shaky way to make a living."
Posted January 4, 2022 | Ben Simons
"I'll be go-to-hell", the older man exclaimed.
Fortner slapped Priest on the shoulder. "Looks like Mr. Simons came in at the right time. Best high-tail over to City Hall and put your name in the hat. I can tell you that I'll do everything I can to rally support for you at the Star Dust."
Priest nodded in agreement. "I expect you're right." And at that, he left through the swinging doors.
Ben watched Priest high tail it out of the saloon. Well, that at least answered one of his questions. He would have to inform Cousin Matt about his new rival and his associate. This led him to another lot of questions. From what he just saw, Fortner had some influence over Priest, how much he wasn't quite sure of.
"He's a good man, Ben." he said to Simons. "Hell! He had my back yesterday when I was confronted with a drunk cowhand." He cleared his throat as if to wipe a slate clean and moved on to another subject. "What's your game? Poker?"
"Mostly," Ben answered as he turned to look at Fortner, "it depends on what's going on. Blackjack or Faro will do just as well."
Pausing, he took another sip of his whiskey, before continuing, "Kalispell isn't exactly the gambling capital of the west, so I've been dabbling in few other things as well. I found the town lacked entertainment, so I'm converting an old boarding house into a small theatre."
He grinned, "Don't worry, I'm not looking at competing against the Star Dust. I'm aiming for the more respectable and well-healed part of town. I think both of our ventures will do handsomely here if we, mind the pun, play our cards right."
Posted January 4, 2022 | Franklin Fortner
"He's a good man, Ben." he said to Simons. "Hell! He had my back yesterday when I was confronted with a drunk cowhand." He cleared his throat as if to wipe a slate clean and moved on to another subject. "What's your game? Poker?"
"Mostly," Ben answered as he turned to look at Fortner, "it depends on what's going on. Blackjack or Faro will do just as well."
Franklin nodded. "I figure we can accommodate most games of chance. Of course,..and I know it's important to a gentleman like you, ..we will insist on everything being above boards. We'll run an honest house. He turned to his barkeep, "Ain't that right Ralph?"
Franklin Fortner gave Ben Simons a sidelong glance. He appeared to be a careful man. Simons, Simons, Franklin repeated in his mind. The name seemed familiar, but he couldn't remember if the familiarity involved fame or infamy. He figured only time would tell.
The object of his interest spoke up.
"Kalispell isn't exactly the gambling capital of the west, so I've been dabbling in few other things as well. I found the town lacked entertainment, so I'm converting an old boarding house into a small theatre."
"Is that a fact!?" Fortner expounded.
He grinned, "Don't worry, I'm not looking at competing against the Star Dust. I'm aiming for the more respectable and well-healed part of town. I think both of our ventures will do handsomely here if we, mind the pun, play our cards right."
Fortner threw his head back and followed a gusty chuckle with, "Nothing wrong with healthy competition for the hard-earned money floating around Kalispell. Is there? I don't think it'll hurt either of us. Hey ... but you're not lure away some of our talent? Are you? We've got it in spades. There's little Miss Arabella, our piano player, and then there's Miss Caroline, the Montana Nightingale.
(Already, Fortner had been thinking of ways to promote the Star Dust. One of them was to promote and advertise the lovely Caroline. He'd settled on "The Montana Nightingale", and was planning on having a likeness of her on posters with that moniker printed above it. Maybe The Montana Queen would do?)
He may have appeared jovial, but Fortner was not looking to lose his moneymaking attractions.
[As this was going on, Hiram Priest was at City Hall, putting down his $20 to have his name put on the ballot for Mayor. He was an old hand at his paperwork.]
Posted January 4, 2022 | Caroline Mundee
Franklin nodded. "I figure we can accommodate most games of chance. Of course,..and I know it's important to a gentleman like you, ..we will insist on everything being above boards. We'll run an honest house. He turned to his barkeep, "Ain't that right Ralph?"
"Always has been, boss," Ralph nodded, not that gambling was his department. He served drinks and saw to it troublemakers were dealt with.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Caroline had been silent so far, just listening to the two men converse. That was until Ben Simons went and said.........
"Don't worry, I'm not looking at competing against the Star Dust. I'm aiming for the more respectable and well-healed part of town. I think both of our ventures will do handsomely here if we, mind the pun, play our cards right."
Caroline frowned and interjected, "Wait a minute. Are you sayin' we aren't respectable? I take offense to that. Especially coming from of all people - a card sharp."
Fortner was far more affable about the whole thing though.
Fortner threw his head back and followed a gusty chuckle with, "Nothing wrong with healthy competition for the hard-earned money floating around Kalispell. Is there? I don't think it'll hurt either of us. Hey ... but you're not lure away some of our talent? Are you? We've got it in spades. There's little Miss Arabella, our piano player, and then there's Miss Caroline, the Montana Nightingale."
"Don't worry, boss, I like it here, I ain't goin' anywhere. Besides seems I ain't respectable enough," Caroline answered.
"Work is fine for killin' time, but it's a shaky way to make a living."
Posted January 6, 2022 | Ben Simons
Ben nodded, "I have to admit that are some so-called respectable people that I wouldn't be caught dead with but when it comes to money, I'm willing to overlook their faults."
Turning to Caroline, he smiled charmingly, "However, you Miss Mundee are much more than respectable, you are remarkable. The way you easily adapt to the situation and the clientele that come in here every night takes a lot of grit. You have more mettle in your little finger than a lot of women will ever have in a lifetime."
Picking up his whiskey, he continued, "If you ever tire of working here, I will be more than glad to welcome you over at The White Rose Theatre."
A grin appeared on his face as he looked over to the new owner of the Star Dust, "Don't worry Fortner, I have no plans on stealing her...unless she wants me to. So, with that in mind, I propose a toast to the delightful Miss Caroline Mundee, may she always grace Kalispell with her lovely presence wherever she goes."
"Everybody can feather their nest, but it's not just anybody that can lay an egg!"
Posted January 6, 2022 | Arabella Mudd
Well, that was it. Arabella's attempt at playing 'hard to get' had lasted two minutes and... counting... 43, 44, 45 seconds exactly! She finished playing Mr. Fortner's requested tune with a crash of discordant notes and slammed down the piano lid with an enormous bang.
"Well that's nice ain't it!!" she hollered, loud enough for even the aging and deaf Sally Adams to hear loud and clear without her tin ear horn in place. Arabella was standing in front of Ben Simons now with a look of complete outrage on her little face and the tears squirting from her eyes. "I give you my best Lady MacBeth and you just thowed it in the dirt an'... an' she's just stood standin' there an you offer her a part in your plays, well... you can just... you can just go get lost, Mr. Simons...." she twisted on the spot and in her rage and and broken hearted upset shouted "You can all get lost! I'm goin' to work fer Mr. Jolly, least them dead folks treat me with some respect!!"
And with that she marched out of the swing doors with a slam.
Then she marched back in again.
"Forgot mah hat!"
She marched through to the back kitchen to get her bonnet and shawl, wiping away a driblet of snot with the back of her hand as she did so. The sound of the back door slamming made the whole saloon shake.
Old Miss Adams looked quite delighted with the scene. "Oh, those Southern Belles! Always so full of vivacity and fire!" she cooed, before removing her reading glasses and waddling up to Simons.
"So Sir, you are the scoundrel who has upset our dear little Arabella! It is outrageous, outrageous I say! You insult one of us, you insult all of us!" she reasoned incoherently "However, maybe you could buy me a drink, and I might forgive you."
"Work is fine for killin' time, but it's a shaky way to make a living."
Posted January 8, 2022 | Ben Simons
As he watched Arabella's dramatic exit, Ben was mildly amused but didn't show it. Arabella was on the verge of becoming a diva with her antics and he didn't want her on his payroll if that was the case. Maybe his aunt could knock some sense into her and polish her up a bit. If Rebecca could do that, then he would seriously think about hiring her.
He didn't have much time to dwell on it as Arabella stampeded back in to get her hat and before he knew it Sally Adams came up to him. Since he was a lot taller than Miss Adams, when he looked down to address her, her couldn't fail to see her considerable assets. A feeling of nervousness overcame as he remembered the few times Sally had approached him and how he managed to get away each time. Now that Grimes was gone, she would be looking for a new benefactor.
It wasn't that he didn't like women, it was just that he preferred his be sober and a bit less forthcoming. A woman who had secrets to discover was far more alluring to him, then somebody like Sally Adams who had nothing to hide and who was willing to give it all away for any price. Besides, Sally scared him for some reason and that was more than enough. Smiling graciously, he took a step back and looked over to Ralph, "A drink for the lady."
Hoping that would placate her, Ben turned to Fortner, "Before we were rudely interrupted, we were about to toast Miss Mundee, shall we proceed or we will save it for another time?"
Posted January 8, 2022 | Franklin Fortner
Fortner was enjoying the banter with Ben Simons, Ralph and Caroline about a future competition for the loose money in Kalispell, and whether he was going to poach the saloon's talent for his new theater project. Sadly, it turned into a bit of a fracas.
Suddenly Arabella, who'd been dutifully playing with the ivories, slammed the piano's cover down. The percussion caused the morning patrons to jump --- all heads turned as she flounced over to the bar.
"Well that's nice ain't it!!" she hollered, loud enough for even the aging and deaf Sally Adams to hear loud and clear without her tin ear horn in place. Arabella was standing in front of Ben Simons now with a look of complete outrage on her little face and the tears squirting from her eyes. "I give you my best Lady Macbeth and you just thowed it in the dirt an'... an' she's just stood standin' there an you offer her a part in your plays, well... you can just... you can just go get lost, Mr. Simons...." she twisted on the spot and in her rage and and brokenhearted upset shouted "You can all get lost! I'm goin' to work fer Mr. Jolly, least them dead folks treat me with some respect!!"
Frank went, "Whoa .. whoa," and, when he caught her eye, he slowly shook his head at her. It was one thing to be extravagant and say cute, outlandish things, but it was another thing to insult patrons. She'd even unwittingly enlisted the help of Sally Adams who finally shut up after Ben offered her a drink. That was always the best way to control a drunk.
That wasn't the way to do business. The new proprietor crossed his lips with his index finger and said, "Now come on, Arabella. Get off your high horse and calm down. I show you respect, now don't I?"
There were raw feelings everywhere, it seemed.
Before all this had transpired, the center of attention was Caroline Mundee. She was the prized bauble on the Christmas tree, and it pleased Frank that she said she would stick around.
Hoping that would placate her, Ben turned to Fortner, "Before we were rudely interrupted, we were about to toast Miss Mundee, shall we proceed or we will save it for another time?"
"Yes," agreed Fortner, who picked up his glass and raised it. "Attention!" he called out.
A couple of cowpokes turned to see what else was transpiring that morning.
"Ben Simons and I are about to make a toast. Please join us if you wish." He paused while mugs and glasses shot upwards, then continued. "Here is to the charming, the talented and the lovely Caroline Mundee: The Montana Nightingale!"
There was clapping and cheering.
"Arabella," Frank said through the tumult. "Can you play something in honor of our Miss Caroline, like She's a Jolly Good Fellow, something like that?"
Posted January 8, 2022 | Caroline Mundee
"However, you Miss Mundee are much more than respectable, you are remarkable. The way you easily adapt to the situation and the clientele that come in here every night takes a lot of grit. You have more mettle in your little finger than a lot of women will ever have in a lifetime."
Caroline smiled, basking in the compliments. Actually he was laying it on a bit thick. She had not been seeking such adulation, she simply wanted to be 'respectable'
"Awww, thanks, Ben. Sorry for callin' you a card sharp then," she returned the niceties. Even if he was most likely a card sharp, she thought.
Ben doubled down then, "If you ever tire of working here, I will be more than glad to welcome you over at The White Rose Theatre."
That offer set off Arabella. It was Arabella's ardent dream to become an actress, not Caroline who was quite content with the life she already had.
"I give you my best Lady Macbeth and you just throwed it in the dirt an'... an' she's just stood standin' there an you offer her a part in your plays, well... you can just... you can just go get lost, Mr. Simons...." she twisted on the spot and in her rage and and brokenhearted upset shouted "You can all get lost! I'm goin' to work fer Mr. Jolly, least them dead folks treat me with some respect!!"
"Oh come on, hon! He was just tryin' to be nice but you know I ain't interested in no theatre job," Caroline hoped to stop her but she only came back for her hat and then tromped out on out.
Fortner spoke up too but it was too late, she was gone.
Ben now wanted to toast her with a drink and Fortner picked up on the cue and before you know it they all were raising the glass to her. A nice gesture but again a bit of overkill, she didn't really want all that, not with Ara so hurt.
"Thanks boys! Yer all sweet. I do appreciate it but I will be back in just a bit," she announced to them all but looked straight at her employer with the last part.
"I gotta go talk with her, she didn't mean no offense to anybody, she's just upset. Lemme handle it," Caroline requested but didn't wait around for an answer instead following right out the way Ara had gone.