Brookstone 1851 (pm to join)

[bjhass]

The sun hung low over the west mountains casting long shadows across the north Texas town of Brookstone. Jeff tethered first his horse then his pack mule to the hitching post in front of the general goods store before utilizing water from the nearby trough to splash dirt and grime off his face. He used his hat to brush dust from his clothes before entering the store with a pile of furs his mule had been carrying. A short while later he emerged with two sacks of feed, a wad of money and a note from the store owner permitting him to withdraw a large amount of money from the store's bank account. He then led his animals down the street to the stables.

"Where can I get a room for the night" Jeff asked the stable boy after paying a generous tip.

"The only place in town with a spare room is the saloon mister, but watch your back if you stay there." The boy answered.

"Why do you say that?"

"'Cuz that lady what runs the saloon is a black widow, or so they say. I heard she shot her husband in the back, then slept with the sheriff so as to stay out of prison."

"You don't say." But what choice did he have? So Jeff headed into the saloon once he was convinced his animals were comfortable. Pushing the doors open, he found a saloon like any other. Card tables scattered around a large room, stools lining the bar. The only difference was the shotgun propped inconspicuously in the corner behind the bar.

 

[DormantEvil]

Lara - Saloon Owner

No more than a few seconds would pass before a door upstairs would open and a woman in her late twenties would step out, throwing orders around as if it was an Army camp and she was the General. Luckily there was no Derringer drawn, as was often the case. Her red hair was untied, and it cascaded down her shoulders to her mid-back. Her face showed its first signs of wrinkles around the eyes, but otherwise was mostly flawless. A pale complexion seemed to give her a rather youthful look, but nothing younger than 25.

The story went that Lara had shot her husband in order to take over the Saloon, but the truth was she had shot him for trying to have his way with one of the new working girls. That girl just happened to be Lara's niece, sent to Brookstone after the girls mother had died.

After the Sheriff had arrested her, she had slept with him in order to avoid jail and judgement. But in truth she had enjoyed the man's strong hands and the way he handled a woman. The sheriff was the sort of man who liked rules, and knew that some had to be followed.

Like her current rules.

"If you girls aren't finished bathing, and getting dressed in half an hour, you're costing me money and work the first job for no commission. And you'll work it as if its a high paying customer!" Slamming the door, she cast a glance at the saloon floor down below and noticed a few stares.

"Not much longer gents, and some sweet smelling, smooth skinned beauties will be in your lap."

Her eyes fell on the newcomer, and she smiled. Her eyes sparkled a bit, and her white neat teeth were an uncommon sight amongst working girls in Texas. But all her girls were well groomed and city quality. It was a small amount of further effort each day for beautiful results, and not much more cost.

"Good day, sir." She greeted, her voice sweet and inviting. Oh yes, she was a spider of sorts.

Sauntering down the stairs, she carried the skirts of her emerald green dress, and her bosom underneath a rather low neckline rose and fell with each step. Reaching the bottom, after taking a slightly longer time to descend the stairs, she walked over to him. Each step her hips swayed from side to side, but not so much as to make it look forced, and the heels of her black boots connected with the ground audibly.

"Could I offer you a drink, first one on the house for weary travelers..."

She smiled again, that same sweet seductive smile. Her painted dark red lips parting way suggestively.

 

[bjhass]

Jeff watched as the mesmerizing woman came down the stairs and approached him. He had envisioned the so called "black widow" being much older and with a few more pounds on her. But by the looks of things she wasn't more than 25, with smooth pale skin and fiery red hair that was accented by a striking green dress. Maybe it was just a trick to try to get the newcomer to pay extra for a bedroom. But he could play along for now.

"Sure thing sugar doll," he said, laying it on thickly. "I'll have a whiskey."

He took a secluded table in the corner and made as if he was watching the shapely green dress move away but he was also scoping out the rest of the patrons. A group of miners had started up a card game on the other side of the room, some farm hands had gathered and were joking and laughing in the middle of the room. Small groups of 2 our 3 were scattered around the room and a few individuals lined the bar. For such a small town this place really attracted a crowd. Whoever the matron was, she sure knew her business.

The ruby red lips, fiery red hair and emerald dress was coming back with his drink so he returned his focus to her. It was easy to do considering how hypnoticly her hips swayed as she walked.

"Tell me something sweety pie" again using his most patronizing voice, "What's an innocent like girl like you doing way out here?"

 

[DormantEvil]

Collecting a full bottle of whiskey from behind the bar, bending forwards to reach it enough to show off smooth hairless legs underneath her dress, she headed back out onto the floor. Moving to the table of miners, she leaned forwards and whispered into the dealers ear. He nodded, and she poured everyone another glass of whiskey, picked up a note from the table top and slipped it into her cleavage.

Then she moved to the next table and did the same, holding out on the newcomer just enough to fill the glasses of her regulars. Approaching the secluded table, she walked around and poured him a glass. He could catch a glimpse of her bosom as she leaned down for him, deliberate of course.

Taking a seat, she leaned forwards after placing the bottle down and rested her chin on closed hands.

"Well, Mister, my husband unfortunately passed away not long back and I took over management. Born to the city, it was a change, but some of the regulars are sweet. And I bring a sense of calm and cleanliness to the establishment. All my girls see the Doctor twice a year, and bathe daily. I even treat them to perfumes and nice dresses. Each is a princess, there for the taking."

Tilting her head to the side, she smiled. Those red lips and white teeth seducing him again.

"What brings you to Brookstone?" she asked, looking upstairs as if to see if any of the girls were ready yet.

I'll tan their hides if they take too long.

 

[bjhass]

Not wanting to give away his business in town, Jeff settled on something that was only partly a lie.

"I'm here looking for a job. So if you know of anyone in need of a pair of strong hands kindly let me know"

Sipping his drink, he allowed his eyes to explore her body again. So this was the black widow he had heard do much about. She didn't seem to upset about the death of her husband. Maybe all those rumors were true.

"I'm sorry for your loss." He added as an afterthought.

Then looking around the room he commented "This looks like it could get to be a rough crowd. You wouldn't be needing a pair of strong hands around here would you?" As his gaze returned to her bosoms.