Another Day, Another Dollar

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Caroline nodded, "Oh yes, that describes Jake to a tee. He won't be around, my father fired him."

The woman was eager to begin proving herself for her new job, nothing wrong with that. Caroline always approached her work with enthusiasm too.

"Certainly, let me go get you some poker chips and a couple decks, you can use that corner table over there," she pointed, "I will wipe it off in a minute. Feel free to pull up as many chairs as you feel necessary for your players."

The newcomer also offered - when they both had the time - to tell her all about her background. Caroline nodded, a bit surprised at that.

"Sure, not that you owe me any explanations. We all got our pasts, right? You can share it or keep it to yourself. I'm good either way. Just don't expect you're gonna hear anything back from me on that subject. I like to live in the present," Caroline smiled.

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Maddie smiled. "I guess your father can fill you in on my background if he wamts." She goes on over to the indicated table, and spends several minutes fussing getting the chairs and everything just the way she likes it. Once Caroline brings her the chips, and cards she is ready for business.

It isn't long till some of the regulars are sitting, and she is dealing. Making small talk, listening to talk about their work. They were a little rougher areound the edges, then she was used to. But she was her usual charming self. She wasn't sure when the place closed, but was sure Caroline or Ralph would let her know.

One of the regulars walked up to Ralph. 'Quite a combination, you have there. A real lady who knows how to play cards. How did you ever find her. Real improvement over the other one."

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Caroline had set the new employee up at a table and then returned to her own duties, her job kept her moving about and she had plenty to do. Fortunately the evening went smoothly and Maddie had settled into her new position rather smoothly. So far at least, Ralph was happy enough with his spur of the moment decision to hire a female gambler. Ralph prided himself though on his hunches usually coming thru. Later one of the customers, a man who had played a few hands of cards at the woman's table sashayed up to the bar and was full of praise for the newcomer.

"Yep, she's done just fine so far. And I didn't find her, she came to me. Probably heard what a good place this was and what a great owner too," Ralph smiled, "Now...you wanna another drink or what?"

The customer nodded and ordered a shot of whiskey. Yep, another night at the Golden Valley Palace.

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It was turning out to be a pretty good evening. Maddie wasn't sure when things would close down for the evening. She was sure that Ralph or Caroline would let her know. Things were starting to thin out a little. It had gotten down to four real die hard players. Maddie looked at the others. 'I hope you gentlemen don't mind, but I need to take a small break. Round of drinks at the bar on me. I'll cash you out."

After taking care of business, wshe escorted the players to the bar. She got Ralph's attention. 'Could you pour a round of drinks for the gentlemen. It's on me.'

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It was getting late in fact it was now officially early morning. Ralph didn't have any specific hours to close the place, after all he was the owner and boss so he could make up the rules as he went. As long as enough customers were still within and spending money, he let it go. There weren't a lot left though so he was considering closing soon. About that time the poker game broke up and his newest employee brought her players up to the bar, requesting each of them get a drink on her? Strange but he wouldn't question it, she was going to have to pay for the liquor though.

"Sure enough, Maddie. Well gents, whadya have then?" he asked the men who were quick to declare either a beer or whiskey.

Once he took care of them he turned his attention back to the new house gambler, "Probably gonna close up in the next hour just so ya know."

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Maddie looks up at the clock. "Goodheavens is it 2 already. Been having so much fun, lost track of time." She turns to the players. "I think gentlemen. that maybe two or three more hands, and I am going to have to bid you good night." She smiles at them. You know, a lady needs jer beauty sleep. But I will be back tomorrow evening. Some of you need to give me a chance to win my money back." The men kind of chuckle. "And we all know Ralphe here needs all the beauty sleep he can get." She sets some coins on the bar and slides them over to Ralph.

She went back to the table and sat down Pretty soon the sound of chips, and players talking could be heard from the table.True to her word about 45 minutes later, she started closing the table down. The men were joking with her. But got up and got ready to go.

After the patrons left, Maddie sat at the table for a little. She was tired, The evening had been ok for a weeknight. Giving Ralph his percent, she still came out ahead. She pushed the chairs in around the table. She went over to bar where Ralph was. "Not a bad night. 100.00 take. whe hands him share. Even with the drinks and everything, not bad at all. Is Caroline still here. I have something for her too. Oh tomorrow, I may be in a little early. I have another business propostion for you."

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Ralph was cleaning up the last of the glasses as Maddie came up to the bar, her game had finally broken up. She had been nice enough to even put up the chairs of her table, something he had not expected her to do. But then she was proving to be full of surprises. In fact, almost too good to be true. Ralph was a suspicious man. The woman then paid him his share of her night's winnings, she had done well and she'd made him money, he was good with that. She was a big improvement on her predecessor.

"Thank ya. Nice take, yeah," he nodded.

She then mentioned Caroline, if she was still about.

"No, I told her she could go to bed awhile back. I could handle what was left," he answered, "You can see her tomorrow.

She then announced she had another business proposition for him on the morrow. Really?

"Ummm, alright...I guess. But yeah, think it's a good idea to wait for tomorrow. It's late and we can all use the rest."

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Maddie smiled at Ralph. "I'll be here about 4. You have a good night." She gathers up her things, and heads out the door.

the street was quiet. Mostly everyone was asleep. Jake had been watching the saloon, for most of the evening. He knew that the Dutchess was probalby staying at the hotel. He had a lot of unfinished business with her. As Maddie crossed the street, he snuck up behind her. Clampng a hand over her mouth, he drug her into the alley between two of the buildings. They may have ruined the gun, but he still had the knife.

Maddie was suprised when she was grabbed. "You scream or make a fuss," Jake is whispering in her ear, "and you won't be so pretty. Or maybe even dead,' He reaches inside her jacket and takes the gun hidden there. When he lets go, Maddie grabs for his hand with the gun. There is no way he is going to do anything. They struggle over it, and the gun goes off.