Storyteller / Shared NPC
Mature Content: No
With: Walt Shannon, Wally Oldham, Injun Charlie
Time of Day: Mid-day
They came into town slow and easy, looking the town over as most travelers would do. They rode past the Municipal Building, the Town Marshal was seated at his desk oblivious to the riders. Across the street several businesses and a hotel, but the saloon, the Stardust, and next to it, the Lickskillet Cafe. They pulled up and stepped down at the cafe, tying their horses.
Drinks might be good, but food they didn't have to cook, that took precedence to men who'd been on the trail for sometime, even though they ate cafe food in Rollins, but that was a while ago. There were no words of caution or care to be taken, they knew what they were about. First a meal, then a couple of drinks and some information on mining in the area and then, ride on. The word was, leave the bank alone. Case had been firm on that. So it would be.
They went to the door, opened it and stepped inside, removing their hats as they found a table and took seats to wait on the waitress, or whoever.
Clara was in the kitchen, busy with food preparation but heard the tinkle of the little front door bell signaling customers. It was always a welcome sound for any business. Wiping her hands on a towel, she headed on into the diner front. Yes, three customers. Cowboy sorts and total strangers to her. One was an Indian or maybe at least a half breed. Clara couldn't help herself, she didn't much like Indians. Yes, at times she knew it wasn't fair but it was a scar that may well never go away for her. Indians had killed her mother and nearly killed her. Even the doctor that time had not thought she would survive that arrow in the chest. But she had to get past it now, a customer was a customer.
Approaching the men she offered them a customer service smile as she greeted them.
"Good day gentlemen, can I help you?"
Storyteller / Shared NPC
"Yes Ma'am, you certainly can. We're just passing through and are hungry, so I suppose then, whatever the special might be, well, that would be just fine, and coffee all around if you would, please. Well, unless you've a suggestion." Shannon said politely. "A right nice place you've got here, and the town as well. "
Walt Shannon could be as pleasant as the next man, most times more so, this was one of those occasions. He had an eye for towns, having seen a lot of them in his travels, whether he robbed their banks or not. What he saw he truly liked. The kind of place he might settle down, if he was to ever do that.
"Yes Ma'am, you certainly can. We're just passing through and are hungry, so I suppose then, whatever the special might be, well, that would be just fine, and coffee all around if you would, please. Well, unless you've a suggestion." Shannon said politely. "A right nice place you've got here, and the town as well. "
"Thank you, it is not my place, but Mrs. Emeline Pike but we are quite proud of it," Clara replied.
There was a daily menu up on a chalkboard, most places used those instead of paper menus, easier to make changes. But they did have a special today.
"Today's special is beef meat pies, they are very good if I do say so myself. The owner's private recipe. And of course coffee too."
Storyteller / Shared NPC
"Well now, private recipes. Glad we stopped in. Most places have beef and beans, a meat pie, now that is special. Yes Ma'am believe I'll stick with that." Walt said with a smile, "Boys?"
"Yes Ma'am, them meat pies, had one before an' they were good." Oldham agreed.
"Sounds good, Ma'am." Indian Charlie chimed in. One thing could be said for them, they were polite, now that's not to say they could not be vicious, because they could shut off the charm in a second.
Unlike a lot of outlaws, bullies if you will, these three would fight rather than run. The Indian was a killer, Oldham known as a back shooter, and Walt Shannon was not quite right in the head and probably the the most dangerous of the three.
They were not on the prod this day, no, they were being inconspicuous, seen, but not standing out other than those few moments when they were seen as new in town.
Her suggestion about the beef pies was well received, the trio all agreeing that would be their order.
"Very well, three meat pies it is," Clara nodded, that was so easy no need to write it out on her note pad so she put pencil and paper away.
"Since you mentioned beans, we do always have a big pot of those simmering away...made with molasses. Would you care for a side helping of those on your plates?"
"And I will bring you some coffee too should anyone wish some?"
Storyteller / Shared NPC
"Why thank you Ma'am, that would be most welcome." Shannon said politely. "And I believe the beans sound like a welcome addition to a hearty meal." The other two nodded and murmured in agreement. Good solid food!
"Ma'am, about the local mining in the area, we're new up here in the north and know very little, are there areas showing color?" Using the prospecting term for gold or silver. "Sad state men looking for precious metals need to ask of it's presence to a woman, but such is the case."
Alright, they wanted the helpings of beans and would take coffee too. Clara was happy to oblige. But one of them also wanted to say something else then.
"Ma'am, about the local mining in the area, we're new up here in the north and know very little, are there areas showing color?"
Clara had NOT expected that question. She'd been asked all kinds of questions about Kalispell since her employment here. About the people, the businesses, the church, and school. Sometimes even specific names of folks like where did Mr. Smith or widow Jones live. But mining?
"Well, I am sorry but I know nothing about such things. Some folks have found silver or gold on occasion. But I was not privy to the where and other details. I do believe you could ask the town marshal as he also has another job as some sort of assessor......or something? I really do not know what his actual job title is," she tried her best to be helpful.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
"Well, never hurts to ask, I always say. Waitresses, bartenders tend to hear things time to time about such things. Sorry to have bothered you. We'll try down the street, at the saloon. Perhaps a more appropriate place for such questions, and the Marshal, has a business, that is helpful, thank you miss, thank you." Shannon said. "You've been very kind, Ma'am.
There was a twist, the Marshal also involved in the mining business, this just might be worth looking into, carefully of course. The saloon would likely be their best bet though, and no legal complications. Not that they expected any, but they saw the telegraph wires on their way into town, meaning word could travel fast. But, that shouldn't affect them, they were never seen, not even by the posse.
"Well, never hurts to ask, I always say. Waitresses, bartenders tend to hear things time to time about such things. Sorry to have bothered you. We'll try down the street, at the saloon. Perhaps a more appropriate place for such questions, and the Marshal, has a business, that is helpful, thank you miss, thank you." Shannon said. "You've been very kind, Ma'am"
"Certainly, sorry I could not be of more assistance. Your meal should be coming up quite soon though. In the meantime, let me bring you your coffees," Clara declared then went back into the kitchen to do just that.
Just then the bell tinkled and the front door opened, a young woman in a low cut scarlet dress (and not wearing a hat over that blonde hair of hers contrary to what was expected of women in public) walked on in. Her fingernails were painted, she had make up on too. One could safely assume this was not a minister's wife or maybe anyone's wife.
Clara's voice rang out from within the kitchen, "Be right with you!"
"No hurry!" the young woman called back as she stood there, glancing then over to the trio at the table, she nodded acknowledgement, "Gentlemen."