Joaquin snickers noticeably at his victory, rubbing it in with the other players because he's an a+&!%&@. Aware they may blow up at any time, though, he pauses between hands to stand up and stretch, allowing his poncho to slide off his shoulders to reveal the two sawed-off shotguns holstered at his sides. If they weren't noted before, they are now, and it's clear what he's saying without saying it: Try something and you'll die.
Plopping his heavy frame back down, he pulls his chair in and bets as high as possible.
Caroline nods attentively, following along with the woman's story.
"Yes, well...money won't be an issue. Information, however..."
She flashes a quick smile.
"But that can wait. Let's see what we can do about your things. It wouldn't do at all for you to lose your family mementos all because of...well."
As if the thought isn't worth completing, she gives a one-shouldered shrug.
"There are a few things that might be helpful for us to know."
She ticks off each of these on her fingers as she lists them.
"Where in the theater can we find these belongings of yours? What can you tell us about the women there? When did this...condition of theirs start, and how long has it been going on? Have they actually hurt anyone yet?"
She pauses, holding up four fingers. With a knowing smile, as if sharing a joke or a confidence known only to the two of them, she leans forward.
"Ah, yes, and...I don't believe I caught your name?"
Trying to keep his attention on the piano player, Mr. Stuthman's eyes keep flicking to the window, the mirror, the shadows - it's just as well he doesn't have to look the man in the eyes.
"A pleasure, Mr. Hall - I hope that your arm is healing quickly and safely. Very wise of you to seek the attention of this Doctor Osgood. Tell me, is he still practicing in this town? A man like that must have some interesting stories..."
As his eyes drift around the room, he catches sight of Joaquin's arrogant display. Trying to catch the man's eye, he shakes his head softly, despairingly.
Joaquin's attempt to intimidate the miners is noticed and they simply glare back, clearly not bothered. The game of Faro burns down quickly enough, and Joaquin starts betting high and aggressively, moving all of his chips into the table (the buy-in is just three dollars, but it may be the difference between eating or not for these poor fools) and raising some eyebrows.
However, as the cards flip luck turns sour for Il Brutto as he places chips down only to see the cards turn over as he bets on losers again and again. By the end of the game the three miners are grinning and the chips are gone.
"You wanna buy back in, five dollars. I like taking your money," sneers the one who was just banker.
---
"Lizzie, Lizzie Pierce ma'am," she says quickly. "I had a bedroom upstairs and was so afeared that I just turned tail and ran. Forgot my locket with my mama's picture and a pocket watch. We all have rooms nad I don't think any girls have set up back there. Dunno if they've gone in or not..."
She twists her hands together as she speaks. "There's about six of the girls there. Belle Sygrove - well she's the madam. Easy to stop, she's the best-kept and has a way to her. She's hard to ignore. The other girls are Abbi, Nancy, Olive, Ellie, and Susanna. I was closest with Olive but they... well, at first they were just robbing people. Happens in most brothels. But they started to get meaner and... strange. Showing teeth and licking their lips. Maybe over the past two weeks - I've only been here three days. I.."
As Caroline has earned her trust, she leans in to whisper. "I think they may have killed a man just before I left. But didn't see no body... he just went upstairs and didn't come down. Didn't even see his name, some miner. Not a regular. They shut me outta the upstairs for a night and he never came back - that's when I left."
---
"Oh yeah, Doc Osgood is still working away. Intense but friendly man - has a great interest in skin conditions, might say its his specialty. May take a look at your friend over there playing cards. He's probably at home but runs his practice across the street on the corner of first and main."
Caroline leans forward in a mirror of Lizzie's movements. She reaches out and touches Lizzie's hand reassuringly.
She seems genuinely frightened. Are the women really so scary that she'd rather send a bunch of strangers in there rather than accompany them herself?
"Well, Lizzie, I'm sorry you had to go through that. Don't worry, we'll do what we can to get your things back. In the meantime, you keep yourself safe."
She settles back in her chair. "If you'll excuse me, I need to inform my associates of the situation."
She rises, somewhat primly pushes her chair back under the table, and looks for both Joaquin and Stuthman. Noting Joaquin's involvement in the game (and not especially liking the look of his fellow players), she strolls over to Stuthman instead.
She gives the piano player a quick smile. "So sorry to interrupt, but could I borrow my associate here for a moment?"
Without waiting for an answer, she gently tugs Stuthman a couple paces away. Leaning in, she summarizes the situation in a low voice.
"I may have a source of info on what's going on around here. She wants help, though. She left some things of hers in the theater where she used to work, but she's afraid of the women there - says they've been acting strange and threatening. She's even afraid they might have done away with a miner."
She casts a quick look around to make sure no one is obviously listening.
"I figure sooner is better than later here. Right now we're essentially blind, and the marshal may not give us as much time as we'd like before things become complicated."
Following Caroline aside, Stuthman nods politely as she outlines the situation before grunting: "Just one problem" he points at the window with a weak chin "Are we sure we should do this inhnnh the dark?"
In spite of his unenthusiastic response, Mr. Stuthman nevertheless makes his way to Il Brutto, and taps the table next to the gambler's elbow "Time to go." before walking for the door.
Following Caroline aside, Stuthman nods politely as she outlines the situation before grunting: "Just one problem" he points at the window with a weak chin "Are we sure we should do this inhnnh the dark?"
Caroline bobs her head in response to the question.
”Not in the slightest!” she replies brightly. ”But the marshal may start making things difficult come tomorrow, and besides, night is the time an...establishment of that sort is likely to be most crowded.”
Enraged, Il Brutto considers casting Confusion on the lot and simply taking their money. Red-faced and naturally assuming they've been cheating, he decides to do exactly that. However, this is when Stuthman touches his arm.
Joaquin growls and stands up roughly, knocking his chair over. "F~+* you, puta," replies to the miner who's spoken to him. He holds each of their gazes. "I'll see you again, muchachos, after I'm done making babies with your wives."
Dragging his hand over the tabletop as he moves, he knocks the stacked chips on the table over and storms out after his companions, muttering like the brutish, sore loser he is.
As the table flips, the two miners who aren't half-dead leap to their feet. "You made a mistake there partner," and they begin advancing! Notably, they have not drawn their weapons. As they stand they get tangled in their chairs, giving the group plenty of time to respond.
Caroline JOKER
Stuthman 10C
Il Brutto 8C
Miners 3D
Caroline (Joker, +2 to trait tests)
Dr. Stuthman
Il Brutto
Miner 1
Miner 2
Il Brutto is a doughy, sweaty slob, utterly surprising everyone when he moves like a mountain cat. His hands are onto his shotguns and out facing the miners before any of them can do much of anything. Killing is easy, and the West an easy place to do it in.
Out of the corner of his eye, though, there are his companions - the ones who will help him kill the creatures out in the hills. Even in his rage and embarrassment, it gives him pause.
Joaquin pushes up the nose of the miner who's spoken with the two-barreled weapon in his right hand, and swings the twin weapon in his left hand towards the rest. His dark eyes are alight, and he grins through his anger.
"No mistake, gringo. Everybody sit, eh? Game's not over after all. Heheheheh..."
The miners stop in their tracks as the shotguns are in Il Brutto's hands before anyone has even blinked. The entire saloon goes quiet and you see the bartender duck behind the bar. A knife one of the miners pulled drops to the ground from a shaking hand.
"I... I think we'll just play our game won't we fellas?"
Eyes on you, they all move back to the table.
End of Combat
Mr. Stuthman, reaching the door, doesn't glance back. Instead, he quietly rasps: "Are we leaving, Joaquin?"
"Si, senor," he replies to Stuthman, putting one shotgun slowly away as he presses the men back to the table. "Just collecting my winnings. Pretty sure I won that last hand, no?"
Joaquin waves for one of the men to hand over the pile of money. Extracting just ten dollars from it, he throws the rest in the previous miner's face and follows Stuthman out, walking backwards.
Grinning in the doorway, he tips his sombrero, sheaths his shotgun and leaves with a familiar sound.
"Heheheheheheheheheh...!"
There's not even ten dollars to be had, they ain't rich. Joaquin does manage to get five though and all in all it's been a good day's work.
”Lovely to meet you, gentlemen,” Caroline calls as she hurries out of the saloon with the others.
Once outside, she glances sidelong at Joaquin. ”Thank you, I suppose, for not actually shooting anyone,” she says with a long-suffering sigh. ”We’ve got a possible lead on some information. We need to go to the theater, which appears to be, ah, a house of ill repute. We need to be careful.”
With that, she fills him in on the broad strokes of what Lizzie told her - the odd behavior of the women, the possible murder, and the need to recover Lizzie’s things.
”Be ready for anything, and for the love of god, don’t let your guard down.”
”Thank you, I suppose, for not actually shooting anyone."
Joaquin spits, all full of nearly unbearable swagger now. "It is nothing." He looks off at the sun with a raised chin as if trying to capture a striking pose against the desert backdrop. He prepares to launch into a diatribe of how they were all dead to rights, but catching their unimpressed gazes, he uncharacteristically falters a little. Brutto doesn't apologize - he can't, really - but offers the next best thing for him.
"We... have things to kill. Dark things. Together." He is somber, ever a wild range of different emotions. "All of us. No puta rock-chipper going to make Il Brutto jeopardize that." He brightens immediately, feeling awkward. "Unless they draw, then BOOM! Heheheheheh... eh, Stuthman? You see Il Brutto stick his gun in that miner's nose? Never seen anyone so quick, eh? Seven men at that table, I think. Maybe eight. I was so suave when I say, 'I take my money now, you cheating bastards', and..."
Joaquin prattles on until Caroline suggests they keep their guards up.
He falls silent and watches the street. The dragon in his head remains silent, watching him.
The sun is down by the time you head back out onto the streets and make your way to the theater. The Colorado foothills are getting mighty cold and even though it's not even that late, the streets are deserted. Your horses aren't too happy either and seem jumpy and restless.
Nonetheless, it's a short walk to the Jewel Theater. The windows are brightly backlit and from inside you can hear greasy music and see silhouettes grinding to the rhythm.
Stepping in you are awash with a scent of cloying perfume. What appears to be the only other thriving business in town has a few women dancing on the stage while others walk around the room, trying to entice the patrons to go upstairs. As you walk in, a darkly beautiful woman in a sparkling sequined dress greets you.
"Howdy folks, I'm Belle. As in Belle of the ball." Her eyes lock onto Joaquin. "Why you look like a big fella who is in need of some relaxation. How 'bout I introduce you to a few of the girls?"
Despite having fallen quieter, Joaquin is still high on his assumed victory in the saloon. He removes his sombrero, smoothing his hair and moustache and grinning his black teeth ear to ear at the beautiful lady. He is completely devoid of charisma despite his best efforts, and utterly oblivious to that fact.
But as he begins to reply with what will surely be a failed attempt at being charming, Joaquin remembers Caroline's warning. He has made a vow and for once in his miserable life he intends to keep it. He falters just a little.
"Certainly, in a moment, senorita," he replies instead, and gently shoves Caroline forward to talk. His eyes tear away to look around the place.
On the walk over, Caroline has been debating what approach to take. In a town this small, she reasons, it’s possible that word of their arrival (and even some of what they said to the marshal or his deputies) may have already made its way to the working girls at the theater.
Play it mostly straight? If all we want is Lizzie’s things, she has no reason to think we’re going to poke around in her other business. But from what Lizzie says, they may be irrational and dangerous. Of course, if that’s true, then it’s hard to predict what might set them off. She chews her lower lip pensively, following along with her eyes focused on the middle distance.
**********************************************
As the madam addresses Joaquin, Caroline tenses subtly, resisting the urge to shoot him a warning look in case the madam should notice. Instead, she adopts a disarming, slightly oblivious smile.
”You’ve got a lovely establishment here,” she tells the madam. ”It’s everything Lizzie said it would be.” She continues to smile blankly while carefully gauging the madam’s reaction to the name.
Mr. Stuthman is silent on the walk from the saloon to the 'theatre', contemplating Joaquin's words: Dark things, indeed. Things that don't belong - that aren't right. Gazing up at the emerging stars, Stuthman sighs deeply, wondering if he can ever make things right again.
**********************************************
As he steps into the theatre, the perfume immediately makes Stuthman's eyes water and throat tighten. He takes a quick sip of water, chokes, and spends the next half minute recovering from a quiet coughing fit.
Remembering Joaquin's words outside, and that there's supposedly something "strange" about the women here, Stuthman turns an eye to those leading men upstairs:
Il Brutto may be a horrible ... everything but he ain't dumb and the first thing he notices is that the liquor is flowing very freely here. One parton seems beyond comprehension and they're just refilling his whiskey without charging.
Stuthman coins onto the same thing - nobody has gone upstairs yet but it's clear they're getting that one fella so drunk he can't walk, and then getting him upstairs where he probably won't be good for much.
Caroline sees an expert liar before her, but she's been in the game long enough to recognize a tell. Lizzie's name does not make her happy, but her smile doesn't falter anyways.
"Aw Lizzie? We miss our little sister. Tell her we love her and she oughta come on back, ain't no other work 'round this town." She nods over to one of the women serving tables, who approaches the lot of you with full shots on a tray.
"Take yer pick and I'll take the last, manner is manners. On the house, come stay a while and enjoy the show." she smiles. "To Lizzie's good health."
Caroline ignores the shots for the moment, maneuvering to insert herself between Belle and the two men. She leans over a bit and lowers her voice to a conspiratorial murmur, as if bringing Belle in on some private confidence.
"Between you and me, she seems fairly miserable at that hole-in-the-wall saloon. She mentioned that she'd accidentally left something here, and I thought I might surprise her by bringing it back to her. She didn't know we were coming, and I thought maybe that might cheer her up and snap her out of whatever silly notions have gotten into her head."
She shoots a quick look over at Joaquin and Stuthman, who have thus far been largely excluded from her little private conversation. She smiles amiably, but her eyes flick very briefly to the shots. The fact that the smile does not quite reach her eyes carries with it an implicit warning.
Eyes still watering from the perfume, Stuthman reaches gratefully for the whiskey but falters, withering under Caroline's warning glance. Twice more he abortively reaches for the shot glass, before resolving to pick it up with a shaking hand. Spilling more of it on the way to his lips, Stuthman suddenly sneezes, scattering even more of the whiskey.
Tipping the few remaining drops into his mouth, Mr. Stuthman places the glass upside-down on the tray before wobbling over to the drunken patron. Leaning slightly into the man as he approaches, Stuthman gasps "And? How are you making out this evening?"
Cautious? Yes, at the moment. Greedy, excitable, defiant, hanger-on to bad habits of a worse past?
Absolutely.
Joaquin denied the offerings of pretty girls because he wisely listened. But this is whiskey, which he'd wanted that since this first got to this god-forsaken town, and so now he does not. Senorita Caldwell, she asks too much.
He downs the first, and then downs Caroline's, slapping the empty shot glasses back onto the tray like Stuthman, but offering Caroline a slight but defiant grin.
The whiskey tastes like bad frontier whiskey and burns on its way down. The Madam downs a shot with Il Brutto, and smiling, gestures for him to take a seat near the stage. On the stage are dancers who are perhaps a touch haggard, but a more pleasant sight than most in this town.
----
Belle licks her lips for a moment before smiling at Eileen. "I think she may have left something upstairs. Your friends seem to be enjoying the entertainment so we can make a quick journey to her old room and they won't miss us for a second."
---
Stuthman settles down beside the man, looking him over critically. "Huh? Heyyyy it's a good time here... cheap booze and pretty girls. What'sh not to like?"
He just seems very, very drunk. Drunk enough that it's amazing he's still upright in his seat. A woman near him leans on him. "Wanna take some time upstairs big boy?"
He nods sloppily and starts to stand but collapses to the floor. She quickly waves over a couple of the other girls who help him to his feet.
Stooping quickly, Stuthman puts the drunk's left arm over his shoulder and heaves him upright
"Let's see about finding you a bed, fellow."
And, so saying, Stuthman will move toward the stairs with the man.
Joaquin hesitates, wanting to take a seat, but he wavers and puts up his hand with a shake of his head. He has realized what Stuthman is doing.
Grabbing the other side of the drunken man, he shoots Caroline a questioning glance and starts up the stairs.
Caroline returns Belle's smile, doing her best to feign complete obliviousness to the possibly danger of the situation.
"I'm sure she'll be delighted to have her keepsake back," she agrees, preparing to follow the woman upstairs. She briefly attempts to meet Stuthman and Joaquin's eyes, indicating with a subtle glance sideways towards Belle to keep an eye out and be ready.
Her smile never faltering, she turns towards the stairs, hyper-alert to her surroundings.
Despite the music and frivolity of the situation it's pretty clear Caroline has tensed up a little. She nonetheless smiles over her shoulder at you and makes her way up. The top floor of the theatre is open looking down onto the stage with several doors. She turns around and moves a few doors down before gesturing to it. "You can deposit that poor man here so he can get some sleep. I'll make sure the girls leave him be. Y'all wait right here and I'll get you that locket."
She makes her way to the end of the hall and disappears down a door. Caroline notices that a couple of the dancers are watching the group a little uneasily.
Whether Stuthman does or not, Joaquin deposits his half of the drunken man squarely into the space - the floor, a chair, whatever. Out of habit and paranoia he checks his pockets to make sure nothing has been taken by an expert thief. He turns his ugly face to Caroline.
"Nobody said 'locket'," he remarks lowly. "Not that Il Brutto heard."
He draws his hands up under his poncho, feeling his cards, and looks down at the dancers with mean eyes.
With Joaquin's help, Stuthman lays the man out on the bed and, after a moment's hesitation, places a penny over each eye in the hopes that some measure of superstitious protection will save the man from whatever is happening here.
Caroline twitches her head in acknowledgement of Joaquin's statement, pursing her lips.
"Mm. That is what we're looking for, along with a pocket watch, but I certainly didn't mention it. Something is clearly off. Keep your eyes open."
As inconspicuously as possible, she checks that her revolver and her backup derringer are in place, hoping fervently that she won't have to use them.
She turns to the nearby dancers, forcing herself to relax. She walks forward until she’s close enough to address them and be heard over the music. She brushes a few loose strands of dark hair back from her face and meets their eyes directly.
In a calm, almost motherly voice, she asks them, ”Is there anything we should know? If there’s something you’re worried about, we can help.”
Stuthman takes a moment, performing a rite normally reserved for the dead and putting his own twist on it in an attempt to protect the man's life. He sincerely hopes it comes to bear.
The dancer leans over to Caroline mid-routine. "Don't you worry sugar, Belle keeps us in good health and well fed."
Stuthman leaves the man, returning to stand by Joaquin as Belle returns, bearing a little handbag. "Please return this to Lizzie with our love. I may have peeked inside and saw a little locket. Feel free to stay for a drink if you like - first one was free but girl's gotta make a living."
She starts to escort you downstairs.
Brutto looks at Stuthman sideways as he checks his own pockets and nods at Caroline's reminder to keep his eyes open.
Slowly reaching out for the handbag, Mr. Stuthman frowns, and in a raspy croak: "Than - thank yo... *ahem* *cof*"
Breaking off to clear his throat, he continues in the exact same rasp: "Thank you, madam. I... uh... I believe we were meant to look nn- in the room... ah? Per-" gestures vaguely in Caroline's direction "-ah, perhaps?"
Caroline leans over as the bag is offered, using the opportunity to peer inside. She makes no particular attempt to hide her inspection. In particular, she’s interested in the presence of the aforementioned locket and pocket watch. If those are present, she removes them to give them a quick once-over and to verify that the locket contains the promised picture.
Caroline produces the locket, and makes a show of opening it. Nobody seems to mind too much. Within is a picture that looks cut out from a larger crowd scene, which Caroline immediately notices as taken with an epitaph camera. It's a middle-aged woman who looks like typical country folk, though with hard, hard eyes. Within is also a pocket watch that appears to be pretty normal.
As you turn the picture to examine it, it shifts and the woman's skin looks leathery, her teeth longer, and her eyes hungry. As quickly as you notice, the picture returns to normal once more.
Belle smiles widely at Stuthman. "Please understand sir, that our rooms contain many... private shows. I'm sure you wouldn't want to disturb anything."
Caroline can't help but let a hint of her disquiet at picture in front of her flicker across her face, but she quickly masters her expression and looks back to Belle with a smile.
"I can see the resemblance."
To Stuthman, she says, "I don't think disturbing the ladies will be necessary. Lizzie will want to have these things back as soon as possible."
She prepares to follow Belle back down the stairs. As she does so, she is careful to observe the women around her, her perception newly informed by what she saw in the picture.
Stuthman checks the bedroom door again to make sure it is securely closed with the miner (hopefully) protected on the other side before following Caroline down the stairs.
Il Brutto eases slightly as they prepare to leave, but remains alert. It hasn't been so bad here, and the women are nice to look at.
"And how much are these 'private shows', Senorita?" Joaquin asks, following it with one of his awful chuckles. He stuffs some chew back into his blackened mouth, his other hand still holding the cards under his poncho.
DON'T GO GETTIN' COCKY, PARD, the dragon says inside his head, speaking for the first time in awhile. AIN'T MUCH RIGHT 'BOUT ANYWHERE IN THIS TOWN, AND THERE'S KILLIN' TO DO.
Joaquin looks away and barely hears Belle's answer.
You feel all eyes on your back as you step out of the bordello and into the crisp Colorado night. Caroline shoots a glance behind her and the open stares from the dancers are a little disconcerting, giving the impression they're eyeing her like a fine ham.
The sun has well set and you're starting to get pretty damn tired - all this is still after a full day of riding.
As her eyes linger on the theater, Caroline murmurs through her smile, "Yes, there's something very wrong there. 'Well fed', indeed."
Without thinking, she rests her hand on the butt of her pistol and scans the street, trying to ignore the uncomfortable itch at the back of her neck that comes from feeling like she's been watched.
She looks over at the others. "I'd like to get these things back to Lizzie as soon as possible, especially now that her former employer has been alerted. It's been a long day, though, so..." Here she looks at Stuthman specifically, letting the sentence trail off in an unspoken question.
Mr. Stuthman frowns at Caroline's implied question and, deliberately suppressing a cough, rasps: "What?! I'mmm, hm, I'm fine. Let's find Lizzie."
Then, shaking his head in annoyance, Stuthman stomps off down the street.
Joaquin doesn't understand Stuthman; he's a strange, sorrowful man, and he's clearly got the Tee-Bee as the Americans call it. Maybe that's why he's always such a drip, Joaquin thinks. That he's a hundred times easier to take than Joaquin himself never crosses his mind.
The big Mexican casts his brown eyes at Caroline, offering her a shrug about Stuthman as he follows her out. He brings up the rear, casting his eyes over the pretty madam one last time before shutting the door and stomping down the steps.
"Where we sleeping, eh?" asks the man with five dollars to his name. "Tired of laying on the ground. One of you buy us rooms. Or are we headed out there?"
Brutto nods his head towards the hills.