Sally had felt vulnerable and naked with the two worldly and untrustworthy seeming men, the situation had felt vaguely dramatic - but Caroline's unexpected arrival had burst that bubble somewhat.
"First item: How have receipts been? Is busy good or is it lagging? Second item: Has there been any grumbling from the staff? We may need to improve conditions in order to keep them happy .. and productive. And thirdly: Any important news in town that we should be aware of? Anybody trying to be a competitor? Any riff-raff in town? Anybody we should be looking out for?"
Hiram stared at the two ladies, waiting for one to speak up first.
Wide-eyed Sally half put one of her hands up, like she was a school girl answering a question in class of a teacher she was terrified of, wanting to please them, but scared of getting it wrong.
"Er... ah... well Mr Pettigrew said that Mr Reeve told him that Jimmy Miller had heard that Mr Jolly had seen this feller called Colonel Buller in town and that he's what they call a 'big noise' in the Territory and that he might be what he called 'moving in' on the town, whatever that means and that everybody should 'look to their businesses' cause this Colonel Buller is 'bad news'." she finished her report with a knowing nod. Not that she was too sure what she had just told them.
@[Wayfarer]
Franklin arms leaped from where they'd been resting on the table, and Hiram issued a quick, "Judas' Priest!" before bolting down some liquor.
"Seen a ghost, gents?" Caroline smirked.
"Hello Caroline," said her Boss. "Your just in time for a little meeting." He pushed the whiskey bottle toward a vacant spot at the table and invited her to sit.
"Join in," he bade her and then nodded at Priest.
Caroline sat down and poured herself a glass, declaring, "Some for me and then I'm takin' some of what Sally here don't wanna drink." She smiled at the Cutts girl who looked very out of place about now. Nothing bad would happen to her though while Caroline was present, she'd see to that. A meeting, huh, now what?
"I call to order a meeting of the Staff of the Stardust Saloon and Emporium," the old roué announced. "We'll begin with some words from our esteemed leader, Franklin Fortner."
"Oh fer fuck sake, get on with it," Caroline did not think much of the high falutin announcement. She thought even less of Priest. Fortner now began.
"First item: How have receipts been? Is busy good or is it lagging? Second item: Has there been any grumbling from the staff? We may need to improve conditions in order to keep them happy .. and productive. And thirdly: Any important news in town that we should be aware of? Anybody trying to be a competitor? Any riff-raff in town? Anybody we should be looking out for?"
Sally now spoke up before Caroline could so the saloon girl let her talk. When Sally paused, Caroline just blinked. What in tarnation was that all about?
"Don't know nothin' bout that, boss. But the receipts have been steady. Business been good. You got the staff right here 'cept for Ralph and he don't complain about nothin'. Oh, none of the customers has complained about any cheatin' at cards. That's good....course neither of you two were here so..."
She let that go then, they should be able to figure it out.
"Oh yeah, there's been a couple of murders. Some old man and one of the whores. Strangled. Wouldn't you know it, the whore was probably the nicest one in the bunch too. Good die young, huh, right?" Caroline's eyes went straight to the by far the oldest person in the room, Priest.
"Law hasn't arrested no one yet. Not even sure if the two were killed by the same person," she shrugged.
Caroline sat down and poured herself a glass, declaring, "Some for me and then I'm takin' some of what Sally here don't wanna drink." She smiled at the Cutts girl who looked very out of place about now. Nothing bad would happen to her though while Caroline was present, she'd see to that. A meeting, huh, now what?
Sally had felt vulnerable and naked with the two worldly and untrustworthy seeming men, the situation had felt vaguely dramatic - but Caroline's unexpected arrival had burst that bubble somewhat.
"I call to order a meeting of the Staff of the Stardust Saloon and Emporium," the old roué announced. "We'll begin with some words from our esteemed leader, Franklin Fortner."
"Oh fer fuck sake, get on with it," Caroline did not think much of the high falutin announcement. She thought even less of Priest. Fortner now began.
"First item: How have receipts been? Is busy good or is it lagging? Second item: Has there been any grumbling from the staff? We may need to improve conditions in order to keep them happy .. and productive. And thirdly: Any important news in town that we should be aware of? Anybody trying to be a competitor? Any riff-raff in town? Anybody we should be looking out for?"
Wide-eyed Sally half put one of her hands up, like she was a school girl answering a question in class of a teacher she was terrified of, wanting to please them, but scared of getting it wrong.
"Er... ah... well Mr Pettigrew said that Mr Reeve told him that Jimmy Miller had heard that Mr Jolly had seen this feller called Colonel Buller in town and that he's what they call a 'big noise' in the Territory and that he might be what he called 'moving in' on the town, whatever that means and that everybody should 'look to their businesses' cause this Colonel Buller is 'bad news'." she finished her report with a knowing nod. Not that she was too sure what she had just told them.
Caroline interjected.
"Don't know nothin' bout that, boss. But the receipts have been steady. Business been good. You got the staff right here 'cept for Ralph and he don't complain about nothin'. Oh, none of the customers has complained about any cheatin' at cards. That's good....course neither of you two were here so..."
She let that go then, they should be able to figure it out.
Fortner smothered a grin. He was about to say that she served the best cup of coffee in Kalispell, but thought better of it.
Hiram moved his wad of chewing tobacco from one cheek to the other, and muttered, "Buller? Name sounds sort of familiar, Frank," he commented, using his informal way to address his old friend.
Caroline continued.
"Oh yeah, there's been a couple of murders. Some old man and one of the whores. Strangled. Wouldn't you know it, the whore was probably the nicest one in the bunch too. Good die young, huh, right?" Caroline's eyes went straight to the by far the oldest person in the room, Priest.
Hiram Priest looked down his nose at Caroline, from over the top of his glasses.
"Law hasn't arrested no one yet. Not even sure if the two were killed by the same person," she shrugged.
"Looks like everything is about like we left it," Franklin announced. "Everybody keep your doors locked until we find out who the murder .... or murderess is," he shot an amused looked at Caroline.
Priest leaned over and shot a wad of tobacco juice into a spittoon resting on the floor by a table leg.
"Wal as I see it, we can move onto new business." Priest concluded.
Fortner laid his hands on the table and said, "I'm glad you are all here, we'll have to tell Ralph later, but I'm thinking of keeping the Stardust opened all the time, -- 24 hours a day." He waited for a reaction.
"There is a big operation starting at the mine. We've hired a Mining Foreman and Engineer from back East. We've hired some security agents and some other personnel who will be here by the end of he month. The mine will be working 24 hours a day, too. So, as some men get off their shifts, they'll need a place to cool off." He raised his voice. "We're going to turn this town in a Boom Town, and put it on the map."
Fortner laid his hands on the table and said, "I'm glad you are all here, we'll have to tell Ralph later, but I'm thinking of keeping the Stardust opened all the time, -- 24 hours a day." He waited for a reaction.
The reaction from Sally was a little underwhelming: it consisted of her mouth opening slightly and a frown of incomprehension decorating her wide-eyed face. She raised her hand a little, as much as she could without feeling too exposed and asked tremulously "Er... M...Mister Fortner... when would we go to sleep?"
"There is a big operation starting at the mine. We've hired a Mining Foreman and Engineer from back East. We've hired some security agents and some other personnel who will be here by the end of he month. The mine will be working 24 hours a day, too. So, as some men get off their shifts, they'll need a place to cool off." He raised his voice. "We're going to turn this town in a Boom Town, and put it on the map."
The boss sure sounded excited about it all, so Sally gave a sycophantically enthusiastic nod "Sounds great!" she lied. To be honest, it sounded more like the abyss, all work and no play. She glanced at Caroline, who was far braver than she at saying out loud what everybody in a room was thinking but dare not speak aloud!
Priest now declared it was time to move on to new business. Fine with Caroline, get this damn meeting over with.
Fortner laid his hands on the table and said, "I'm glad you are all here, we'll have to tell Ralph later, but I'm thinking of keeping the Stardust opened all the time, -- 24 hours a day."
Caroline went wide eyed but those soon narrowed in anger, "Are you fuckin' crazy?"
The man now attempted to explain the reasoning of what was to the saloon gal a most unreasonable plan.
"There is a big operation starting at the mine. We've hired a Mining Foreman and Engineer from back East. We've hired some security agents and some other personnel who will be here by the end of he month. The mine will be working 24 hours a day, too. So, as some men get off their shifts, they'll need a place to cool off." He raised his voice. "We're going to turn this town in a Boom Town, and put it on the map."
Caroline stood up arms on hips to glare at Fortner.
"No one can work 24 hours a day. For your information, President Lincoln abolished slavery for which he was killed by some damned traitor. It's not even that we won't do this, it's just not possible for us to work without sleep or time off. So lemme guess, you're gonna bring a whole bunch of new staff - bartenders, cooks, clean up, and oh yeah, entertainer and piano player too. I'm tellin' you it was hard enough for me to even get and keep one piano player. They don't grow on trees."
"And seems ta me that is going to really increase yer expenses paying for all these new employees which takes eats away at any profits. How drunk were you two when you came up with this fuckin' nightmare of a scheme?"
Address me as Hon. Hiram Priest, esq.
Fortner laid his hands on the table and said, "I'm glad you are all here, we'll have to tell Ralph later, but I'm thinking of keeping the Stardust opened all the time, -- 24 hours a day." He waited for a reaction.
The reaction from Sally was a little underwhelming: it consisted of her mouth opening slightly and a frown of incomprehension decorating her wide-eyed face. She raised her hand a little, as much as she could without feeling too exposed and asked tremulously "Er... M...Mister Fortner... when would we go to sleep?"
The boss sure sounded excited about it all, so Sally gave a sycophantically enthusiastic nod "Sounds great!" she lied. To be honest, it sounded more like the abyss, all work and no play. She glanced at Caroline, who was far braver than she at saying out loud what everybody in a room was thinking but dare not speak aloud!
The saloon's star performer was not shy.
Caroline went wide eyed but those soon narrowed in anger, "Are you fuckin' crazy?"
The man now attempted to explain the reasoning of what was to the saloon gal a most unreasonable plan.
"There is a big operation starting at the mine. We've hired a Mining Foreman and Engineer from back East. We've hired some security agents and some other personnel who will be here by the end of he month. The mine will be working 24 hours a day, too. So, as some men get off their shifts, they'll need a place to cool off." He raised his voice. "We're going to turn this town in a Boom Town, and put it on the map."
Caroline stood up arms on hips to glare at Fortner.
"No one can work 24 hours a day. For your information, President Lincoln abolished slavery for which he was killed by some damned traitor. It's not even that we won't do this, it's just not possible for us to work without sleep or time off. So lemme guess, you're gonna bring a whole bunch of new staff - bartenders, cooks, clean up, and oh yeah, entertainer and piano player too. I'm tellin' you it was hard enough for me to even get and keep one piano player. They don't grow on trees."
"And seems ta me that is going to really increase yer expenses paying for all these new employees which takes eats away at any profits. How drunk were you two when you came up with this fuckin' nightmare of a scheme?"
"For YOUR information," began Fortner, "I've owned several saloons all the way from St. Louis to Denver. So, I've had some experience at this. So sit down and cool off while I explain."
"I've put out the call to some former employees of mine, some from the Red Letter in Kansas City, some from the Waggin' Tongue in Omaha, and some from The Golden Harpy in Chicago. These are Managers, Barmen, and entertainers --- Belle West, Kate McCall, and Trixie Blake to name a few."
He pointed at Hiram Priest.
"The Judge here has put some numbers together and it all looks profitable. Right Hiram?"
The wily, tobacco chewing, former judge, rubbed his chin as he rolled a wad from one cheek to the other. "It looks promising, Miss Caroline," he asserted. It could mean higher wages all around .. and maybe shorter hours. You'll be taken care of, for sure."
Little Sally Cutts was stuck between a rock and a hard place: on the one hand, she wanted to keep on the good side of her employer and his crony, on the other, she felt a great loyalty toward Caroline.
The latter sentiment won out, and she timidly proffered:
"It... it's not just the money and hours we're worried about, Mr Priest, Sir... I guess this saloon is like a... well, it is our family. This is kinda a shock to us: like if your Pa came home of an evening and told you you were getting four new brothers and sisters and an extra new Mama in the morning." she frowned, and wondered absently if that's what being a Mormon was like?
She couldn't help asking.
"Is... is one of those ladies you mentioned going to be the new pot-girl? Like, the night-time version of me? Will we have to sleep in the same bed?" The thought wasn't appealing, but at least it would be warm when they swapped places.
@[Wayfarer]
Address me as Hon. Hiram Priest, esq.
Caroline was silent at first and, in Franklin's imagination, probably thinking up an acidic rejoinder.
It was little Sally Cuts who spoke up first.
"It... it's not just the money and hours we're worried about, Mr Priest, Sir... I guess this saloon is like a... well, it is our family. This is kinda a shock to us: like if your Pa came home of an evening and told you you were getting four new brothers and sisters and an extra new Mama in the morning." she frowned, and wondered absently if that's what being a Mormon was like?
She couldn't help asking.
Hiram Priest frowned. Womenfolk ought to be cookin' and a'cleanin' and carrying children, not getting involved with business best left to the menfolk. Still, he patiently listening to her.
"Is... is one of those ladies you mentioned going to be the new pot-girl? Like, the night-time version of me? Will we have to sleep in the same bed?" The thought wasn't appealing, but at least it would be warm when they swapped places.
Priest looked at Franklin who nodded back to him.
"Could be you'll be promoted to Manager of Service at the Stardust. That way you are in charge of all the pot-girls, making sure they do their jobs right, and maybe helping out when things get extra busy. And all management staff will have private rooms, and make more money, too."
"Remember," Priest continued. "There's something called E-CO-Nomics. You might not know what that means, but a lot of it has to do with supply and demand. More folks in town create a need for more rooming houses and hotels. We might even get a direct hook-up with the railroad, and get a depot right on the outskirts of town. More money, little Miss. More money and more opportunities for you."
He pointed a long and bony finger at her.
Franklin smiled with satisfaction; Priest was a born politician.
Caroline was seething. Smooth talkers the both of them, snakes in the grass more like it. All these promises. This was a small town and a small saloon, it wasn't New York or Chicago or even Helena.
Fortner had to tell her he owned other saloons like he was some big time operator. Then why the hell was he here in little Kalispell? It didn't make sense. Why couldn't those other saloons make a go of it or did his crooked methods and schemes get him driven out of those towns? She listened of course but there was listening and there was believing.
"I've put out the call to some former employees of mine, some from the Red Letter in Kansas City, some from the Waggin' Tongue in Omaha, and some from The Golden Harpy in Chicago. These are Managers, Barmen, and entertainers --- Belle West, Kate McCall, and Trixie Blake to name a few."
"Kate McCall, I know her...........she's a lyin' bitch," snarled Caroline.
He pointed at Hiram Priest.
"The Judge here has put some numbers together and it all looks profitable. Right Hiram?"
The wily, tobacco chewing, former judge, rubbed his chin as he rolled a wad from one cheek to the other. "It looks promising, Miss Caroline," he asserted. " It could mean higher wages all around .. and maybe shorter hours. You'll be taken care of, for sure."
"I'm supposed to believe HIS numbers. Hell, if he were to tell me it was sunny outside, I'd grab fer my umbrella," smirked Caroline, she truly hated that man.
Now Sally spoke again, making a great point, "It... it's not just the money and hours we're worried about, Mr Priest, Sir... I guess this saloon is like a... well, it is our family. This is kinda a shock to us: like if your Pa came home of an evening and told you you were getting four new brothers and sisters and an extra new Mama in the morning."
None of that would mean a damn thing to the men though, Caroline knew it was a waste of breath by the naive girl.
"Is... is one of those ladies you mentioned going to be the new pot-girl? Like, the night-time version of me? Will we have to sleep in the same bed?"
"Well, Kate McCall is full of shit, that's fer sure," Caroline interjected in dark humor.
"Could be you'll be promoted to Manager of Service at the Stardust. That way you are in charge of all the pot-girls, making sure they do their jobs right, and maybe helping out when things get extra busy. And all management staff will have private rooms, and make more money, too."
Now that outlandish assertion had Caroline laughing, "Manager of Service in charge of pot-girls? Who the hell ever heard of such horseshit? Sally, he's full of it."
"Remember," Priest continued. "There's something called E-CO-Nomics. You might not know what that means, but a lot of it has to do with supply and demand. More folks in town create a need for more rooming houses and hotels. We might even get a direct hook-up with the railroad, and get a depot right on the outskirts of town. More money, little Miss. More money and more opportunities for you."
"Yeah MAYBE....maybe years down the road, but Kalispell right now is barely over a few hundred folks. Listen to yourselves go on like we are making some New York City empire. It's all sweet talk. Promises," Caroline shook her head.
Caroline now downed the rest of her drink and turned the empty glass upside down onto the tabletop as she stood up.
"I can't stop you doin' what you want with this place, yer the owner. But I need to think about whether I want to be a part of all this. I need to talk to Ralph too. I loved this saloon, I was happy here........til you came. With your lies and your cheating an old man out of his property and his wife killin' herself as their lives were ruined. I am so ashamed that I helped you do it too. I keep wonderin' what else yer gonna want from me to see to it you get this crazy dream of yers."
"Yeah MAYBE....maybe years down the road, but Kalispell right now is barely over a few hundred folks. Listen to yourselves go on like we are making some New York City empire. It's all sweet talk. Promises," Caroline shook her head.
Caroline now downed the rest of her drink and turned the empty glass upside down onto the tabletop as she stood up.
Poor Sally, she was caught in the perennial conundrum of not wanting to look like a management creep in front of a fellow employee and wanting to creep to management. When Caroline plonked her glass rim down on the table, Sally took the opportunity to snatch it up and take it over to wash at the sink.
Caroline hadn't finished her diatribe, in fact, she switched her vitriol up a notch, and the lowly pot-girl was glad to step out of being piggy in the middle for a space, with her back turned to the fracas and her heart beating at what was spilling out.
"I can't stop you doin' what you want with this place, yer the owner. But I need to think about whether I want to be a part of all this. I need to talk to Ralph too. I loved this saloon, I was happy here........til you came. With your lies and your cheating an old man out of his property and his wife killin' herself as their lives were ruined. I am so ashamed that I helped you do it too. I keep wonderin' what else yer gonna want from me to see to it you get this crazy dream of yers."
Sally's heart sank, Fortner and Priest really were crooked, then. And if Caroline was putting her foot down about not helping them again in their nefarious activities, it might be her turn to be asked next. She would have gotten goosebumps, if she didn't already have them from wearing a thin nightdress on this somewhat chilly night.
@[Preston]