D+D @ The older gentleman says, [b]"Well, it seems as these two fellers are looking for me. Hmmm, well, if you are looking to build a new building, I can probably help you get a loan, so as long as your papers are in order." He then looks at Darvin and says, [b]"What pray tell can I help you with?"
Erik @ "Well, the next coach in either direction will come in a week's time. You could try Denver."
Niko @ The sherriff looks you up and down and says, "If you are looking to buy a new horse, the best deal would be at the stock pen but you would have to break a wild mustang there or you could try the Grafton stable. I am sorry but I cannot provide you with a paper. I cannot put my reputation on the line for you on the finger. Might could blow up in my face."
Charlie and Lucas, around the time you two are greeting each other out in the street, you see the man and woman you saw at the hotel stop and talk to different people in the street. You can vaguely hear the man ask a question to the woman but you cannot discern what it means. You see the woman is carrying a baby.
They come up to you
Gm Rolls
The woman says pointing at Charlie, "Him!!! That's him."
The man immediately, brandishes a shotgun and points it at the Charlie and yells, "You low-down
deceiver, you best freeze!" the townspeople are aghast.
Charlie raises an eyebrow in surprise, but drops his weapon and raises his hands. "Here now, what's this? I've never seen that woman before in my life!"
"That's fair, I understand. A man lives on his reputation, after all." Niko nods and tips his hat, and heads back out onto the street.
Niko gazes around as he returns to the sunny street, and catches sight of the confrontation happening down the way. He doesn't call attention to himself, but he begins stepping forward, moving slowly toward the man with the shotgun. The whole while one hand is on his gun, although he hasn't drawn yet. He could probably argue the legality enough in terms of defending another man's life, but precedents weren't always clear... and he'd have a watertight case if he drew after the other man turned on him, if it came to it.
Lucas jumps back, suprised What's the problem here? He doesn't reach for his gun, but keeps his hand close, just in case.
The man says, "This baby is yours and I'in bring' youse to the justice to get you n my sister hitched and legitimirize this n here baby."
"I'll come with you to the justice, but only to see this straightened out."
"Denver you say. And the next coach isn't for a week? Hmm, what am I going to do till then? Sitting in the saloon gambling for a week will probably leave me broke," Erik says with a chuckle. "Thanks for the information. If you here of anything different or of anyone looking for a hired hand for short-term work, let me know," he says tipping his hat to Jack and heading out the door. On the way out, he glances again at the mining equipment to see what it costs.
He stops just outside the door when he sees the commotion in the street and carefully observes what is going on.
I'm thinking maybe a map of the area? I'm not too interested in setting up with a loan to put up a whole building when I don't know the amount of need I may have. So maybe a traveling doc would be a better option for now. Devon looks around the office, do you have some of your older publications? I'll buy a few to read and catch up on the local news.
D+D, The newspaper man says, "Sure, feel free they are half off."
Charlie and Lucas follow the shotgun toting man and his sister to the justice of the peace. You are led to the Justice of the Peace. There Jerry, the man with the shotgun, orders the judge to Marry you to Margaret, his sister with the baby.
"Your honor, I must protest. I have never laid eyes upon this woman before today."
Lucas mulls over his options. I barely know him... But I might count as a witness? Lucas comes to a decision. I hope you manage to get this straightened out, Charles. The judge probably needs me as a witness or somethin, I'll come.
Darvin rubs his chin. "Well now, I got papers, but I need to know 'bout how much it would cost to put up a buildin'. Be honest, I'd assumed you'd have a few for sale. There's other towns in riding distance, might have some."
I'm trying to hold tight to my funds, would you have need of any help around for the right to read some of those back issues?
Seeing the "wedding party" head to see the judge, Erik makes his way over to the sheriff's office. "I think you may be needed over at the judge's place to calm down a situation," he says pointing back over his shoulder.
The judge looks the Charles up and down and says, "Who is your witness that can vouch for your statement?"
D+D, the banker says, "Well you would have to come with me to the bank so I can get you the figures."
The proprietor of the gazette says, "You are looking for some work.???? Would you have any examples of your ability to write?"
ERik, the sherriff looks at you and says, "What seems to be the problem?"
Stymied, Charlie looks around helplessly. "Well, I'm new in town and I don't really know anyone, so I can't rightly say that I have one."
Sorry for interrupting, your honor. But I can truthfully say that this man only came here yesterday. I was staying in the inn for a few days and he only strode into town last night. So unless the two met each other before, he's innocent.
The judge says, "Well, obviously they would have had to have met before considering the baby. So, you have only met the gentleman as of yesterday."
The man with shotgun says, "You honor, this man knocked my sister up back in Nebraska and I had to track him down through many states and then into the territory."
The baby cries a little.
With little idea of anywhere else to go, Niko decides to stroll through town in search of the stables or stock pen. He wouldn't consider himself a great rider by most standards, but he may be able to break a stallion with enough effort and sheer willpower to back it up. Course, I may also be able to break my back in the attempt. But it's a poor bounty hunter who has to chase his quarry by foot.
"Well, I came out of the trading post to see a man with a shotgun stopping two men in the street. I didn't hear what they were talking about, but the one with the shotgun was with a woman who had a baby. Then they all headed towards the courthouse," Erik says, trying to give as much detail as he could.
The sheriff says, "Well a shotgun weddin' ya don't see that evry day. Let's go check it out." as he goes toward the court house.
@Niko, you make your way to the pens where the broncos are and you see one that you think you want to break in.
Niko glances over the horses and settles on one that looks like a fine specimen. That in mind, he walks around and looks for anyone who seems to be working at the pens, so he can ask about the whole "breaking in your own horse" deal. Might be a good cheap way to get a ride. Hopefully this time it doesn't get shot.
Doc saw the procession out the window, and turns to the newsman, looks like news. Shall we?
Erik follows the sheriff over to the court house. "How do you plan on handling the situation? I can't imagine that holding people at gunpoint is tolerated," he asks on the way over.
You all have made it over to the justice of the peace's establishment and well.
The sheriff says, "This is not so uncommon. A lot of men try to evade their fatherly obligations, knock up some nice gal and then take off to the territories to escape and durn it, a family member, either the father or a brother tries to protect their relatives honor."
The sheriff looks at the girl and says, "Is this man the father of your baby?"
She meekly says, "Yes."
He says to Charles, "Son, are you trying to refute this as not your child?"
Devon takes his hat off and scratches his head, he'd heard the whispers on the way over, and looking at the three it seemed to be a right uncomfortable setting. I may not be a family man myself, but then what? She's going to settle down here with, uhhm Devon looks at Charles, what's your name?
Wait, don't answer. Devon turns to the young mom, What's his name?
The woman says to Charlie, "Honey, who are these people and why are they interfering in our beautiful ceremony?"
"Answer the man's question, 'darling'. What is my name?"
Asking for his name, now that's a clever move! Lucas stays silent and waits to see what happens.
Erik smiles wryly at the Doc's question and watches the girl closely for her response.
Having found no help for the time being by the horses, Niko wandered around town a little ways before coming over hearing the commotion. Now he stands in the back, watching how things are playing out with the apparently forced shotgun wedding. Good thinking so far. Of course, if it's true, I'll make sure it all goes through, but let's not step in 'til we see how it's playing out.
GM Rolls
The woman pipes up and says, "Lucas, we met back in Nebraska and we are schooltime sweethearts."
Lucas chuckles inwardly. Now, that's my name. Looks like she's lyin'.
"No, my name isn't Lucas and until today, I have never laid eyes on you." Charlie says adamantly.
The sheriff says, "My honey, you are coming with me."
Her brother still toting his shotgun says, "Sister, you lied to me. Why?" and then he turns to Charlie and says, "Sorry partner, my family was in a state and she told me her man was coming here to Dead Mule. I am just a cow poke who done visited my family for Easter and I found out about this. I wish you fellers luck."
The sheriff says to the man, "Son, you, I am gonna be heving to give a fine, so come with me back to my office."
Charlie nods his acceptance of the apology and turns to the gathered crowd. "Nothing to see here, folks."
Erik relaxes when the sheriff takes the man and women and laughs at Charlie's statement. "Well, that was certainly a close one. Your quick thinking saved him, Doc," he says turning to Devin.
Not the first time I saw something like this, especially right after the war.
Doc, pulls lightly on the brim of his hat, I think a drink be in order.
Lucas thinks about mentioning that his name is Lucas. But then he thinks that they'll blame him and he won't be smart enough to get out of it. He struggles with this dilemma for a few seconds in his head, then the situation is resolved. Well, I wouldn't have thought of that. I'll buy you a drink, ya deserve it.
Before he heads to buy a drink,he goes to the man that made him come out in the first place, Nikomedes. Say... Niko? I hope I ain't intruding but... I heard that you was hunting for a bounty or whatnot? Need a guide, by any chance?
"Bounty hunting, you say? I must say that's something I've never tried muh hand at. I'm a fair tracker muhself, if I don't mind sayin'."
Niko grins as shotgun ceremony is broken up by the truth, and he turns to nod and smile at the others. "That's right. Justice is my trade, one way or the other." He seems to muse for a moment, rubbing his jaw, and nods. "But come to think of it, I'm thinking I could use a good guide and tracker with me. Man I'm hunting is dangerous, last seen some distance from here. You boys want to lend a hand, I'd be happy to split the reward. Say, forty-thirty-thirty?"
Fine with me. More exciting than anything else here.
Lucas holds out his hand to shake.
"Done." Charlie replies. "Name's Charlie Smallfoot."
Devon watches the young mother and her brother as they leave, shaking his head slightly at the desperation of the situation.
Never had dealings with bounty hunters. Sounds about as dangerous as being a scout.
Devon slides the brim of his hat back, I've also just arrived. I'm considering settling down. There's no local sawbones here and having one around should be quite handy.
Niko smiles and shakes hands with the other men in greeting. "Nikomedos Xanthapolous. But most folks call me Niko. Glad to meet you." The Greek name rolls as easily off the man's tongue as his otherwise regular accent. "Settling down is good if you're the type for it. If you're planning on playing doctor, though, I hope you understand my saying I hope not to be seeing you often, at least on a professional basis." The man winks and grins at his own joke.
"Well, my first plan was to get a horse, so I don't have to take the bootleather express the whole way I'm looking for my man. I'd been looking at breaking a mustang down at the corral, but if you fellas have a better idea for getting some rides, I'd be much obliged to hear it."
As you leave the Justice of the peace's building you see that a stage coach has arrived in the town. You see an frail looking older man, who appears to be about 60 years old. He has a very puritanical look about him as he is wearing dark clothing and a broad brimmed hat. He has grey hair and a full salt and pepper beard and accompanied by a younger pretty woman arrive in town on the stage. They are let off in Dead Mule, you will notice the man arguing with the driver about something. After a heated exchange, the man walks away cursing under his breath and makes his way to the hotel.