Boot Hill: Pima County

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'Ty. Boys.' announces Cisco as he joins the burgeoning group. 'What have you there?' he asks, reaching for one of the posters. The attorney studies it a moment. 'Jethro Beauregard Jackson. Looks like a tough character.' He hands back the poster, addresses the boss. 'Seems the deceased worked for this Big Jim for some years, perhaps doing more nefarious deeds than driving a chuckwagon. Big Jim's reputation is none too good with the other outfits 'round these parts - we should be careful how close we get to him.' Cisco motions at the poster once more. 'What do we know of Mr Jackson? What outfit did he work for? And what was the nature of his grudge with Cookie McCall?'
 
"Big J boys say Jackson killed the cookie as revenge on account o' he was put out I'm work by Big Jim."

The he drops his voice, and speaks directly to his boss, but anyone paying careful attention might be able to make out his words. " I hear tell he was seen ridin' from the scene, but I ain't heard anybody saw him do the killin'. Somethin' don't seem right. I like a good bounty as much as any man with a gun an' a grumblin' gut, but I wonder if Jackson's the one we oughta be gunnin' for. I think he needs to be found. If he's guilty, he should hang. But if he ain't..."

Eugene lets his words trail off...
 
"The way I hear it, the man was dry-gulched betwixt here and the Big J Ranch last night," Pete answers as he wipes the inside of a shot glass with his dirty apron. He lowers his voice and adds, "I guess that's a laughing matter to some folks. What's your poison?"
Quinn looks away from Pete to address the young lady.
Pete the barkeep exaggerates a cough to get your attention. "I asked what's your poison? You hear to drink or to gawk at purty wimmen?" He wipes the inside of another shotglass with his dirty apron and adds, "If you're looking for a grubstake, I hear there's plenty o' work at the ranches and even Cougar Rydell seems busy as a beaver lately. Maybe he struck silver in them mountains yonder." He shakes his head in wonder and says, "Too much work if you ask me. Better to be slow and steady like me. Nobody calls Pete Benson a fool, do they? No, they do not!"
 
I pull this small gathering of mourners (pc party that's heading out to J bar) in a small huddle as with we were having a impromptu prayer at the passing of a close friend. In a hushed voice that can only be heard in the group Tybalt says
"Gentlemen, may I suggest that we pay a visit to the decease's employer to pay our respects. I will sit with Mister Big J and share a tale of time I shared bread and beer with the late Cookie and reminsce of other times I have had bread and beer. Perhaps you kind sirs may take a looksee if this tale holds water. If it turns out Jackson is the one to have laid the dolorous blow to the Late Cookie then I see no problem in bringing him to justice and from us profitting from said justice ($1000 split evenly amongst I have no idea who is in the huddle Like this if your in the huddle). But if their is something neferarious afoot then might we see if in some small way we might turn the plot back to the upright path".
Tybalt eyes each person in the huddle to see if they agree.
 
Eugene says, "Me. Crenshaw, sir, I like that idea, but if I might suggest somethin', we may want something a bit more distractin' than fond 'membrances. If'n we aim to snoop around the place, a pretty gal might keep this feller's mind off of who else is there, an' why. I saw a beautiful filly in The Yellow Rose I ain't seen before. Could be she's new ta town and in need of a few dollars. Maybe she could be persuaded to accompany us and make small talk with Big Jim. If his story isn't on the up and up, he's bound ta be a mite suspicious. Perhaps the presence of a pretty young gal'd slow his senses, sure as a glass o' whiskey."
 
Tybalt is mildly surprised at Eugene's plan "I suppose it is possible that someone might not be totally hrrmm enthrall with my stories of bread and beer perhaps a we should hmm broadening our band of mourners, yes Eugene this was a good plan. But where would we find a social butterfly of lady sort would be just the thing to offkilter him enough to see if his story floats" Tybalt nods approval at the new plan. He eyes the inside of the saloon looking for someone who fits the bill.

ooc this is Tybalt looking for mary also if anyone wants to hop on to this posse nows a good time
 
Eugene, sensing that he has accidentally hurt the feelings of Tybalt Crenshaw, a man he respects, likes and even admires, decides not to point out to his employer that he was, in fact, hinting about Mary...
 
I believe everyone is outside except for Quinn and Mary. Correct me if I'm wrong.

As you converse outside, you get a whiff of a mouth-watering aroma, a blend of son-of-a-gun stew, corned beef hash, and sourdough pancakes wafting across Main Street from the Cactus Flower restaurant. The bat-wing doors of the Yellow Rose swing outward and a group of cowpunchers proceeds to mount the horses branded with the Lazy K. Their leader calls out, "Awright, boys, you bent your elbows, now let's go get that herd in apple-pie order!" Their horses raise a cloud of dust as they gallop off south down Main Street. The smell of dust pervades the air, obliterating the pleasant scent of Mrs. Sommer's cooking.
 
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Lars nods, though he's feeling a little disappointed that he won't get to be in a posse right away and maybe not at all. This is what happens when sensible people start talking - everything exciting starts disappearing into the distance!

"They were looking for a new cook, too," he offers. "Do you think one of us could ask for the job? That would give him a chance to hang around for a few days and maybe overhear something."
 
Eugene claps the big Swede on the back. "That's usin' yer head for more'n a hatrack, Lars. Great Idea. But, can ya cook?"
 
Lars shrugs sheepishly.

"I don't know. I never tried. But it can't be that hard, right? You just put some stuff in a hot pan and then keep it there until it's turned into food..."
 
Lars shrugs sheepishly.

"I don't know. I never tried. But it can't be that hard, right? You just put some stuff in a hot pan and then keep it there until it's turned into food..."

"I reckon there can't be much more to it than that, Lars", Eugene chuckles.
 
Mary has heard the rumors and she realizes that Tybalt and his posse offer a truly great opportunity to make some riches and eventually escape the drudgery of the saloon life.

As she told Tybalt herself "Count me in!"
 
Corbin nods at Eugene and Crenshaw's plans

"Sounds good to me friends. You find the young lady you need, I'll be back quite shortly"

He heads over to the Cactus Flower restaurant and asks the first person he sees.

"Pardon mon ami, what where those gentlemen in such a hurry for? I heard them mention herding, always good to know where there might be work"
 
Mary has heard the rumors and she realizes that Tybalt and his posse offer a truly great opportunity to make some riches and eventually escape the drudgery of the saloon life.

As she told Tybalt herself "Count me in!"

I think at this point we should assume Quinn and Mary both ended up joining in Tybalt's plan.
 
Corbin nods at Eugene and Crenshaw's plans

"Sounds good to me friends. You find the young lady you need, I'll be back quite shortly"

He heads over to the Cactus Flower restaurant and asks the first person he sees.

"Pardon mon ami, what where those gentlemen in such a hurry for? I heard them mention herding, always good to know where there might be work"
An older man about to enter the restaurant scowls at you and answers brusquely, "Thirty thousand acres. Three thousand head of cattle. A dozen hands. You bet they're hiring." With that, he lets the door to the Cactus Flower slam behind him.

"Don't you be scaring away paying customers, Pa!" you hear a prim, dark-haired matron say to him.

"Bah! I'll have no truck with Gentiles!" he answers.
 
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Cisco smiles slightly and tilts his head a mite at Crenshaw's initial plan to pose as a friend of McCall's. The suggestion by the Negro hand, Eugene, of a dove to catch a fox is slightly more appealing, earning a pursed lip nod. 'Let us assume for the moment,' Cisco offers, 'that Big Jim was not raised a fool. Strangers posing as mourners for a man Big Jim's known for years seems an unlikely ruse. May I suggest that we appear as we are, a volunteer posse determined to bring his hand and friend's killer to swift and final justice? For then, we need not chance an incriminating falsehood to betray our reservations.'

The Texan motions to Jesús' poster. '¿Me prestas esto?' - Can I borrow this? He looks at the café. 'That feisty gentlemen seems to know the local ranches like the back of his apron, and I've a taste for a cup of coffee. Would anyone care to join me?'
 
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Juan has joined the forming posse, but wasn't talking too much.
"That Jethro Beauregard Jackson...they said he's a borajido - highwayman. But they also said he's worked for Big Jim. I'd guess they didn't know of his...habits and past? Well, I bet they didn't. But it's not like Big Jim has a much better reputation."

He shrugs.
"What I'm sayin' is, Jackson might be guilty as hell, or he might have been the deceased's best friend. I would join the posse, but we'd better find a way to get his story before we shoot, if necessary. Of course, he's going to be on edge, whether guilty or assaulted, but then una belleza could find a way to talk to him that would be unavailable to us. But I guess we shouldn't tell that part of the plan to Big Jim when we go to the ranch..."
 
Cisco smiles slightly and tilts his head a mite at Crenshaw's initial plan to pose as a friend of McCall's. The suggestion by the Negro hand, Eugene, of a dove to catch a fox is slightly more appealing, earning a pursed lip nod. 'Let us assume for the moment,' Cisco offers, 'that Big Jim was not raised a fool. Strangers posing as mourners for a man Big Jim's known for years seems an unlikely ruse. May I suggest that we appear as we are, a volunteer posse determined to bring his hand and friend's killer to swift and final justice? For then, we need not chance an incriminating falsehood to betray our reservations.'

The Texan motions to Jesús' poster. '¿Me prestas esto?' - Can I borrow this? He looks at the café. 'That feisty gentlemen seems to know the local ranches like the back of his apron, and I've a taste for a cup of coffee. Would anyone care to join me?'

Eugene hears Cisco's suggestion, and says, "That's a good idea. But afore I do," he says, turning to address Juan as well as Chico, "I want ta see what kind of deal Mr. Crenshaw makes with our pretty new partner..."
 
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I'm following the proceedings but waiting to see what you decide to do before I post anything: for instance, is anyone going into the Cactus Flower with Cisco? I want to give everyone a chance to post. It's okay if you split up as well, as long as we're not off in nine different directions.
 
An older man about to enter the restaurant scowls at you and answers brusquely, "Ten thousand acres. Three thousand head of cattle. A dozen hands. You bet they're hiring." With that, he lets the door to the Cactus Flower slam behind him.

"Don't you be scaring away paying customers, Pa!" you hear a cherubic blonde matron say to him.

"Bah! I'll have no truck with Gentiles!" he answers.
Corbin calls into the restaurant.

"Who you have truck with is your business of course Sir, but I thank ye kindly for the news anyhow"

He heads back to the others, he decides to let the planning continue. Plenty of time to tell them about the herding job on the ride East.

The Texan motions to Jesús' poster. '¿Me prestas esto?' - Can I borrow this? He looks at the café. 'That feisty gentlemen seems to know the local ranches like the back of his apron, and I've a taste for a cup of coffee. Would anyone care to join me?'
"Well seeing as how I'm already acquainted with him, no harm me coming with you"
 
Eugene hears Cisco's suggestion, and says, "That's a good idea. But afore I do," he says, turning to address Juan as well as Chico, "I want ta see what kind of deal Mr. Crenshaw makes with our pretty new partner..."
"Well seeing as how I'm already acquainted with him, no harm me coming with you"
'Come along when you're ready, Eugene,' answers Cisco, 'and your coffee's on me.' He turns to Corbin. 'Shall we?'

Cisco walks into the Cactus Flower and sniffs deeply. 'So many heavenly scents!' he announces with a wide smile as he takes in the room with his eyes..
 
Cisco and Corbin notice five horses tied to the hitching rail outside the restaurant. Their brands are unfamiliar--Rafter C--and all are fine Arabian sabinos. Two of the horses are obviously packhorses and another two have elaborately worked leather saddles with doeskin seats, silver stitching, silver conchas, and solid silver saddle horns. The fifth horse is equally good but bears an ordinary saddle by comparison. A young Mexican wearing a large sombrero leans against the exterior wall of the Cactus Flower, watching over the horses with a rifle in one hand.

As you enter the restaurant, the door causes a bell to ring. The Cactus Flower is a simple restaurant with about a dozen tables spread around the premises. The dining area makes up about three-quarters of the interior, and a doorway with no door separates it from the kitchen. There are hooks on the walls for hanging hats and coats. The most distinctive features are the exposed rafters and a hand-painted sign over the kitchen doorway stating in big letters "NO ALCOHOL OR COFFEE SERVED HERE."

Being midmorning, most townsfolk are at their jobs and the cowpunchers have drifted back to their respective ranches. The dining room is nearly empty but for a pair of charros in fancy brown suede jackets and trousers and finely woven cotton scarves who are speaking Spanish in muted tones and slurping the proprietor's approximation of puchero de tres carnes, and Corbin's recent acquaintance, an elderly man sitting at a table by himself on the far side of the room, his posture rigid, intently studying The Book of Mormon. The latter is the man Corbin heard addressed as "Pa" by Mrs. Sommer, the restaurateur. The charros look up as you enter, their eyes sweeping over you to study your armament, and then resume their meal and discussion. Pa Sommer studiously ignores you.

A beautiful young blonde girl with huge blue eyes, summoned by the bell, hastens out of the kitchen and greets you: "Welcome to the Cactus Flower. You can sit anywhere you like. What'll you have? Or would you like a menu?"
 
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The most distinctive features are the exposed rafters and a hand-painted sign over the kitchen doorway stating in big letters "NO ALCOHOL OR COFFEE SERVED HERE."
OOC: Latter-day ain'ts.

The dining room is nearly empty but for a pair of charros in fancy brown suede jackets and trousers and finely woven cotton scarves who are speaking Spanish in muted tones and slurping the proprietor's approximation of puchero de tres carnes . . .
OOC: Cisco grew up on the border - are they dressed in rurales' uniforms?

A beautiful young blonde girl with huge blue eyes, summoned by the bell, hastens out of the kitchen and greets you: "Welcome to the Cactus Flower. You can sit anywhere you like. What'll you have? Or would you like a menu?"
Cisco reads the sign, carefully masks his disappointment. 'Would you happen to have a cool glass of buttermilk on your menu, my dear?' he drawls cheerfully, then tips his hat to the Mexicans. 'Señores.'
 
OOC: Latter-day ain'ts.
Yes.
OOC: Cisco grew up on the border - are they dressed in rurales' uniforms?
No, they look to be wealthy Mexican landowners dandified to display their status over the peones.
Cisco reads the sign, carefully masks his disappointment. 'Would you happen to have a cool glass of buttermilk on your menu, my dear?' he drawls cheerfully, then tips his hat to the Mexicans. 'Señores.'
"But of course! Will your friend have the same? Nothing to eat?"
 
"But of course! Will your friend have the same? Nothing to eat?"
Corbin looks over at the charros and licks his lips slightly at the delicious looking puchero de tres carnes .

He removes his hat from his head and holds it to one side.

"We're in a hurry Mademoiselle, planning on heading East. Or at least that's what my head is saying, the belly says otherwise of course. What can a very hungry gentleman get around here? Or well to tell the truth, how much might that stew there set me back?"
 
Corbin looks over at the charros and licks his lips slightly at the delicious looking puchero de tres carnes .

He removes his hat from his head and holds it to one side.

"We're in a hurry Mademoiselle, planning on heading East. Or at least that's what my head is saying, the belly says otherwise of course. What can a very hungry gentleman get around here? Or well to tell the truth, how much might that stew there set me back?"
"We call that our ten-cent stew, can you guess why?" the girl answers with a flirty laugh.

"Don't be getting over-friendly with them Gentile boys, Betsy!" Pa growls from his table.
 
"Well then Betsy I'll have the ten-cent stew" he says with a courteous nod.

He then leans into Cisco.

"I'm starving. Also this way we give the old man some business then perhaps he'll be somewhat open to speaking to us"

He takes a seat giving a polite smile to the charros at the other table.
 
"Well then Betsy I'll have the ten-cent stew" he says with a courteous nod.

He then leans into Cisco.

"I'm starving. Also this way we give the old man some business then perhaps he'll be somewhat open to speaking to us"
Cisco nods and smiles, genuinely this time. 'That stew smells delicious, miss,' says Cisco regretfully, 'but a meal followed by a long ride doesn't suit my disposition. Could you be a dear and fry an egg over easy and serve it on a slice of toast?' He lowers his voice and grins conspiratorially. 'Don't break my heart and tell me you didn't bake a fresh loaf, now.'
 
"Well then Betsy I'll have the ten-cent stew" he says with a courteous nod.

He then leans into Cisco.

"I'm starving. Also this way we give the old man some business then perhaps he'll be somewhat open to speaking to us"

He takes a seat giving a polite smile to the charros at the other table.
The Mexican gentlemen nod and smile back, then return to their quiet discussion in Spanish.
Cisco nods and smiles, genuinely this time. 'That stew smells delicious, miss,' says Cisco regretfully, 'but a meal followed by a long ride doesn't suit my disposition. Could you be a dear and fry an egg over easy and serve it on a slice of toast?' He lowers his voice and grins conspiratorially. 'Don't break my heart and tell me you didn't bake a fresh loaf, now.'
"We didn't, but we get it fresh from the Chacón panadería right back of us," Betsy replies. "Ten-cent stew, fried egg on toast, and a glass of buttermilk in two shakes of a lamb's tail, so don't you go nowhere." She scurries back to the kitchen to fulfill your orders.

Meanwhile, you notice that the Mexican gentlemen looked up quizzically at the mention of the name Chacón. The older charro addresses you, "¡Buenos días, señores! ¿Perdoname, conoces el camino al rancho Big J?"

The younger man says, "Pardon my uncle, he speaks no English. He means to say we are strangers from Hermosillo and seek directions to the Big J Ranch. Do you know of it?"
 
She scurries back to the kitchen to fulfill your orders.
After the waitress disappears, Cisco leans closer to Corbin, says softly. 'And now we have a few extra minutes while she makes my order.'

Meanwhile, you notice that the Mexican gentlemen looked up quizzically at the mention of the name Chacón. The older charro addresses you, "¡Buenos días, señores! ¿Perdoname, conoces el camino al rancho Big J?"

The younger man says, "Pardon my uncle, he speaks no English. He means to say we are strangers from Hermosillo and seek directions to the Big J Ranch. Do you know of it?"
'¡Mucho gusto!' replies Cisco with a courteous nod. 'Me llamo Francisco Kidd Alvarado, y mi compadre es Corbin. Somos nuevos en la ciudad, pero estamos montando en el rancho también. ¿Tienes negocios con el señor Wayne?' He turns slightly to Corbin. 'I asked if they have business with Big Jim,' he explains.
 
Lars is waiting along with Eugene to see if Tybalt needs him for anything, if anyone's wondering.
 
Juan has joined Eugene and Cisco as well. He missed the opportunity to order a ten-cent stew, trying to remember whether he knows the men, but then his stomach rumbled.
"Miss? Add another ten-cent stew!", he called after her. Then he turned towards the older gentleman.
"Excuse me, I don't know the teachings of your book, and wouldn't want to offend...but is a poleo or hierba buena considered the same as coffee? I'd like a cup of one of those, if you offer them,. of course."
 
Eugene is waiting on Mr. Crenshaw to exit the saloon after talking to the saloon gal... he didn't want to run off without explanation
 
Eugene turns to Lars and says, "You know, those Big J men ain't got far. Maybe you can catch up to 'em, and say you heard they're hirin' a new cookie..."
 
Eugene turns to Lars and says, "You know, those Big J men ain't got far. Maybe you can catch up to 'em, and say you heard they're hirin' a new cookie..."

Lars considers trying to explain that he wasn't suggesting that he should be the one to do anything, and that indeed he's got a firm personal anti-doing-stuff policy, but that seems to be a bad thing to admit in front of your boss, also known as the guy paying you to do stuff. And anyway, how bad can it be? At least if he gets access to a whole kitchen he'll be able to help himself to some free grub, and Lars' pro-free-grub policy is as ironclad as his anti-doing-stuff policy.

"Er, yeah," he says. "I reckon I should do that, then. If they ask, Mister Crenshaw let me go on account of he's got too many cowpokes and not enough cows to poke, right?"

He heads off to get his horse and follow the Big J men.
 
'¡Mucho gusto!' replies Cisco with a courteous nod. 'Me llamo Francisco Kidd Alvarado, y mi compadre es Corbin. Somos nuevos en la ciudad, pero estamos montando en el rancho también. ¿Tienes negocios con el señor Wayne?' He turns slightly to Corbin. 'I asked if they have business with Big Jim,' he explains.
The younger charro responds, "Tal vez sí, tal vez no. ¿Quién sabe? That depends very much on what we find, but it is not our primary purpose. Es principalmente una cosa familiar. I am Álvaro Álvarez de Chacón and this is my uncle Lázaro Chacón de Muñoz. We are inquiring after his sister. Perhaps horses as well, but it is doubtful anything worthwhile would be found."
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Álvaro Álvarez de Chacón
20190316_220638.jpg
Lázaro Chacón de Muñoz
Juan has joined Eugene and Cisco as well. He missed the opportunity to order a ten-cent stew, trying to remember whether he knows the men, but then his stomach rumbled.
"Miss? Add another ten-cent stew!", he called after her.
A second blonde girl, the spitting image of Betsy, comes out of the kitchen to acknowledge Juan's order.
Then he turned towards the older gentleman.
"Excuse me, I don't know the teachings of your book, and wouldn't want to offend...but is a poleo or hierba buena considered the same as coffee? I'd like a cup of one of those, if you offer them,. of course."
Pa Sommer replies, "Señor, our religion teaches that 'strong drinks are not for the belly' and 'hot drinks are not for the body or belly.' We can offer you milk or buttermilk like your friend asked for." He looks back to his book.
 
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He heads off to get his horse and follow the Big J men.
As he rides through town, Lars has to ride at a gallop and eat a lot of dust from the clouds left behind by the recent passage of his quarry. As the last buildings of town fade into the scenery behind him, Lars passes a couple of clapboard shacks and tents set up in the scanty shade of a copse of velvet mesquite, desert ironwood, and catclaw acacia trees before hitting the dirt trail the locals grandiosely call a road. He soon espies the J-Bar brand on the left thighs of the Big J horses as they canter north before him. The rhythmic pounding of hoofbeats makes it impossible to hear anything at all, and the cloud of dust behind the Big J men makes everything look sepia-tinted. Lars can see some of the riders looking back at him curiously before, at a hand signal from their leader, they suddenly split off three to the left and three to the right before coming to an abrupt halt at their leader's call of "Whoa! Hold up! Whoa!"

If Lars stops, the six mounted men will circle around him waiting to find out why he is following them, their hands hovering near their guns. If Lars keeps riding north without stopping, they're apt to follow to see if he is heading to the Big J Ranch or turning off on another trail.
 
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ooc I finish my conversation with the Mary and offer her a lift on my horse to the J bar ranch.
Lars and Eugene and everyone in this group are in transit.

Update I am following the lead in this transit encounter of whichever pc acts first
 
The younger charro responds, "Tal vez sí, tal vez no. ¿Quién sabe? That depends very much on what we find, but it is not our primary purpose. Es principalmente una cosa familiar. I am Álvaro Álvarez de Chacón and this is my uncle Lázaro Chacón de Muñoz. We are inquiring after his sister. Perhaps horses as well, but it is doubtful anything worthwhile would be found."

A second blonde girl, the spitting image of Betsy, comes out of the kitchen to acknowledge Juan's order.

Pa Sommer replies, "Señor, our religion teaches that 'strong drinks are not for the belly' and 'hot drinks are not for the body or belly.' We can offer you milk or buttermilk like your friend asked for." He looks back to his book.
"Tendré lo mismo que mi amigo, entonces!", Juan nodded agreeably, and smiled at the second girl. "One ten-cent stew, and buttermilk, miss!"
He also hopes none of his friends would see him sipping buttermilk. They'd never let him forget it.
 
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