Given his less than enthusiastic response, Constance wasn't sure that the deputy thought much about women owning and running businesses. Well, he wouldn't be alone, most men would feel the same. She did know that her father would be disgusted with such things. She could write him a letter telling about this place she now worked at, just to annoy him. But...........she had no desire to write the man. Maybe include in her next letter to her sisters.
"It's an honour to meet you Miss Straub. I hope you find Kalispell to your liking."
"Nice to meet you also. I like the town well enough thus far, I guess. And most of the people I've met. Your weather though...no, I have nothing good to say about your Montana weather," she answered.
"Speaking of which, what do you people do for fun when it's like this? I know there is a saloon for the cowboys and such. But such places are not for ladies."
I took an oath for this job. The oath says bring him in. That's what I'll do.
"Well, we have church picnics and socials when the weather is warmer. There's also at least one sewing bee on each month at different homes, you will have to get in touch with Ruth Johnson about those as well as anything to do with the ladies' society. Mrs. Johnson is one of the more prominent younger women in town when it comes to social activities. Her husband works at the bank, so she sometimes has lunch with him at the Lick Skillet during the week."
He paused for a moment as he tried to think of what else a respectable lady in town would do. Since he was a single man, he knew about some of the ladies' groups in town but had very little knowledge of what went on in them. Expect for that rare occasion last year when there was that fight at his brother's hotel, most of them kept to themselves and were trouble free.
"Other than that, the only places you can go to at night is the hotel and the local theatre. One day there might be more but that's about it for now."
@ [Wayfarer
It was good to know a local like Charlie, seemed the man was quite appraised of the activities which went on in town. She had asked Clara but the woman wasn't as helpful, declaring she wasn't much for social activities, too busy with the diner and now her baby. She had mentioned there were occasional dances though, in fact she had met her husband at one such event.
Church picnics.....hmm, she'd seen the church. It was not Catholic, of that she was certain. And she was a Catholic. Although not the most devout of ones. And sewing bees once a month. Good lord. Not only did she not sew but she had zero interest in learning how to do it. Her family, being monied, paid a seamstress to do any necessary sewing. She noticed he had not mentioned a library. Too bad, now Constance did read books. She had already borrowed one from Clara.
"Other than that, the only places you can go to at night is the hotel and the local theatre. One day there might be more but that's about it for now."
"A theatre? Interesting. I shall have to find out what sort of performances they put on and when," Constance brightened at that little tidbit.
And now they had arrived at her uncle's residence, nothing impressive but well kept. Certainly a comedown for Constance when compared to her home back in Ohio. But the good thing was her father did not reside here.
"So, Charlie, here we are. I'd invite you in but I'm shivering and really need to get out of these wet clothes. And we wouldn't want any local tongues wagging that an officer of a law entered a private home with some young lady, unescorted," she pointed out with a smile, hoping he did not take this as a snub - for it was nothing of the sort.
She turned to him just before opening the front door, which was unlocked.
"Nice to meet you, Charlie. You are quite the gentleman. And.....well, if you have an interest and I completely understand if you do not, perhaps we can see each other again. At the diner or attend the theatre on a date?"
Alright so that was a little bold but she had been told over and over again how the western frontier was not like the more civilized east, bold folks lived here. And she was going to be living here.
I took an oath for this job. The oath says bring him in. That's what I'll do.
Charlie grinned, "Yes, I have an interest and I would be delighted to take you out dinner and perhaps the theatre."
Even though he knew the owners of both the theatre and the only decent dining establishment where you could take someone out to dinner, it didn't mean he would get any special privileges. Having dinner at the hotel was the only option for several reasons and he didn't think that Constance would want to be treated to a meal at the same place where she worked.
His deputy's wage was all he had to had to pay for things like this. The theatre wasn't that expensive, especially if you didn't get a seat in the front rows. As for the hotel meal, he might be able to get some sort of deal that would allow him to afford a lavish meal for two but that would only happen if Matt was there the night he and Constance were there. If Kurt Albrecht, the assistant manager was in charge for the evening, it would be harder.
As he looked at Constance face, he decided that whatever the cost was going to be it was going to be worth it. "Do you know what your hours will be at the Lick Skillet? I would hate to buy tickets for the theater on a night that you'll be working as Cousin Ben has a no returns policy."
@ [Wayfarer
He sounded very happy with her bringing it up, a possible dining out or theatre attendance. Had she just successfully gotten herself a date with a man, and without chaperone? Well, it was a different world out here on the frontier, she had been told that and read that so many times.
"Do you know what your hours will be at the Lick Skillet? I would hate to buy tickets for the theater on a night that you'll be working as Cousin Ben has a no returns policy," he now asked.
"Not specifically yet. However the diner closes in the late afternoon, it does not serve suppers. So I should be available most any time...wait...so you have a cousin who runs the theatre?" Constance now inquired.
I took an oath for this job. The oath says bring him in. That's what I'll do.
"Yeah I do," Charlie replied, "His name is Ben Simons. He bought what used to be an old boarding house and converted it into a small theatre. There's currently an acting troupe called The Excelsior Theater Company performing there until Spring. They put on some very good plays...I think you will enjoy it."
He grinned sheepishly as he realised he was sounding a bit too enthusiastic about his cousin's theatre. Maybe it was the prospect of treating Miss Straub to a night out that was making him show off his connection to the only entertainment venue in town. It was time to tone it done a little and not risk embarrassing himself.
"Ahhh...well...um...I guess this is where we say goodbye for at least now," he said glancing at the front door, "I have to wait until next month's duty roster has been posted to work out which night I can take you out but until then I'll drop by the Lick Skillet when I can...that is if you don't mind."
@ [Wayfarer
Charlie went on to explain about the theatre and the acting troupe. He made it sound good. Constance would reserve her opinion until she saw a performance as she herself had been to theatres in Cincinnati and Cleveland. Bit bigger towns than this one. Still, she wanted to go. Maybe as much to size up the man as the play. So far he appealed to her.
"I'm sure it will be wonderful," she graced him with a smile and a nod.
"Ahhh...well...um...I guess this is where we say goodbye for at least now," he said glancing at the front door, "I have to wait until next month's duty roster has been posted to work out which night I can take you out but until then I'll drop by the Lick Skillet when I can...that is if you don't mind."
"Yes, and I understand. Duty calls for both of us...in our jobs I mean. And certainly, I don't mind you dropping by at all. Oh and by the way, I do appreciate tips," she grinned.
"Good day, Charlie, it was capital meeting you," she then bid him goodbye.
ooc: You can wrap this one up then and next time we can have these two in a brand new thread. :)