OOM: Oakville, Texas, 1888. Dinner.

[the_gene_genie]

Even by 70s standards, this place is basic. But it looks brilliant to him, because it's real - proper, authentic Old West chairs, and tables; wooden floor and burning candles, and the smell of the desert right outside the door. It'll do him. Anything else just wouldn't be the same.

They're shown to a table and he makes sure to sit opposite her. All very proper. There doesn't seem to be too many other people here, which is good, because he hasn't yet worked out what counts as inappropriate for her, and it'd be all too easy for him to open his big trap and say the wrong thing. All too easy to mess this up, and get her into trouble.

As soon as a waiter comes near, he says, 'Whiskey. Double, no ice. Two of 'em.'

The food can wait until after.

Comments

(frozen comment)

[ikissdhimbck]

She sits opposite him, all good posture and crossed ankles, her hands folded in her lap. She's doing a good job so far of convincing folk that she's a real lady, but someone like Gene won't be as easily fooled. The ghost of a smirk hangs at her mouth, and that gunmetal shine is still in her eyes.

She waits until they're alone and then leans in conspiratorially.

"Ice is a precious commodity. Y'don't have to ask them to hold it. They might not even bring it if y'wanted it."

She tips her chin down, gaze landing somewhere near the base of their candle.

Right. What does one talk about?

(frozen comment)

[the_gene_genie]

'Oh.'

Hmm. Well. Good job he likes his whiskey straight up then, isn't it?

He glances around at the other diners. Examines the pictures hung crookedly on the walls.

What does one talk about?




'I was speakin' to some of the lads at that card game, before it kicked off. Sounds like this place is a bit short on law.'

He drags on his cigar, leaning back comfortably enough in his chair. Gene doesn't really do awkward, at least if it can be helped.

'Hasn' even got a Sheriff, an' there's a gang of folk stealin' cows, by the sounds of things.'

Well. One lot of cows, anyway. That he knows about.

(frozen comment)

[ikissdhimbck]

Her eyes narrow slightly.

"Oh?"

It has to be said, she's not overly distraught by the news that this town lacks a proper lawman, for obvious reasons. But there's certainly some sort of order afoot, given the rangers she's spied and the clearly functioning courthouse; and without an established head of justice that makes this town something of a loaded gun.

"Good place for it, I suppose. Heavy traffic, folks bringin' in their stock. I hope someone's lookin' into the matter, at the very least."

(frozen comment)

[the_gene_genie]

'Mmm. Well. Don' sound like it.'

The waiter arrives with their drinks. Sans ice, of course.

'One of the blokes were a judge. He says a new Sheriff's comin' in a couple of weeks. That kiddie that helped you off the table,' he's not going to be forgetting that in a hurry, 'he reckons the rangers looked the other way. Or were jus' too busy gettin' pissed to do anythin' about it.'

He does Not Approve.

...not of them getting pissed, of course. But a lawman can drink and still do his job. He's proof of that.

(frozen comment)

[ikissdhimbck]

The corner of her mouth twitches when he brings up the young gentleman who offered her his hand.

"Charmin' boy. How's he been affected by all of that?"

Her eyes cut to the people around the room, taking quiet stock of where they all are.

(frozen comment)

[the_gene_genie]

He looks fainted alarmed. Or faintly pissed off.

'How should I know?'

And why should he care?

'Why're you interested? Fancy him, do ya?'

He'd kidding! And...sort of not, as well. The lad is closer to her age than he is. Probably.

He realises he doesn't actually know how old she is. It's a faintly disturbing thought.

(frozen comment)

[ikissdhimbck]

Her eyes sharply return to his face.

"You just said that you was — that you were talkin' to him about it. I figured..."

She shakes her head, mildly disappointed.

"Do you wanna change the subject?"

(frozen comment)

[the_gene_genie]

'No.'

Why would he want to do that? It's not like he's jealous, or anything.

>_>

'But he didn' say anything about how it affected him personally. Jus' that it happened.'

(frozen comment)

[ikissdhimbck]

"Are they his cattle?"

She wasn't asking you for the skinny on the child's innermost feelings, Gene. She was asking you how the two connect. Which she could likely stand to say, but she settles for a pointed look instead.

(frozen comment)

[the_gene_genie]

'No.'

He ashes his cigar on the floor, and takes a menu off the waiter, which he puts down without looking at it.

'I'll have a steak, cheers. An' chips, if you do them.'

To Kate, he adds;

'They belonged to some other bloke. I forget the name. He jus' heard abou' it.'

(frozen comment)

[ikissdhimbck]

She's going to need another whiskey.

"Business," she informs the waiter, smiling serenely. "Can't get enough cattle."

Living, stolen, cooked...

"I'll have the chicken an' dumplin's, please. Thank you."

She combs an errant curl behind her ear and brings her eyes back to Gene's.

"So, there's a cattle thief about, and nobody's doin' a thing about it. And this is surprisin' to you?"

(frozen comment)

[the_gene_genie]

He has no idea why steak would be a problem. Or maybe it's the chips? Either way, her serene smile is noted, but not commented on.

'Well? Why shouldn' they do somethin' about it? I mean, I know cattle rustlin' is a problem out here, but I didn' know it mostly got ignored.'

You'd think, seeing as cattle are so important out here, that people would show more interest in stopping them.

(frozen comment)

[ikissdhimbck]

"I wouldn't go that far, as a general rule. Y'just look at the place around you, Mr. Hunt. Oakville's a good-sized place; there are a lot of folk comin' and goin'; a lot of merchandise tradin' hands; no steady law."

She sips at her whiskey as a lady would, keeping her voice soft.

"People out here are scrapin' to get by. Folks get taken advantage of. It's the way of the world. Then you got the law hangin' fourteen year olds for swipin' ponies. I ain't sayin' any of it's right."

(frozen comment)

[the_gene_genie]

He looks like he's swallowing a smile.

'All I'm sayin' is, I would've expected folk to show a bit more care, tha's all. If they're scrapin' to get by, then they shouldn' just give up when bastards nick their stuff. An' they should have a Sheriff around to help 'em out.'

He looks around, making a show of checking that there's no one within earshot. Then he leans in with half a grin, and stage-whispers;

'I like you callin' me 'Mr. Hunt'. Gives me the 'orn.'

(frozen comment)

[ikissdhimbck]

She just stares at him.

Or she would, if she wasn't trying so hard to fight back a laugh. Impossible man.

"Try t'contain yourself. It stops the moment we're back in the bar."

Maybe.

"Don't shortchange the people 'round here just yet, either. Wait 'til mornin'; I guarantee you it's not the last you'll hear about the matter. Sometimes a town doesn't need a sheriff."

But there's no hopefulness in her voice signaling a trust in the townsfolk. Just the pure facts: that an angry posse can shed just as much blood as a lawman.

Her lips twitch.

"Mr. Hunt."

(frozen comment)

[the_gene_genie]

'Yeah well, I'm not sayin' they should take the law into their own hands either. They'll only drop it.'

He's openly smirking.

'...an' I'm sure by the time we get back t'the bar, you'll be callin' me somethin' else entirely.'

(frozen comment)

[ikissdhimbck]

"Hope springs eternal?"

Her eyes glint at him, filled with all the playfulness she refuses to allow on her countenance.

"I'll be disappointed if y'don't pick up a few new name for me."

(frozen comment)

[the_gene_genie]

He leans in once more, making no effort to hide the playfulness on his.

'I'm countin' on it, luv.'

He has no doubt he won't be disappointed.

(frozen comment)

[ikissdhimbck]

Well, this won't do. She imagines the tips of her ears are the fiery points they feel like at the moment. She clears her throat gently, and redirects conversation.

"If y'like, we can take a ride past the stockyard tomorrow. Get an eye for things. I reckon we can afford t'spend a few days here before movin' on."

(frozen comment)

[the_gene_genie]

He cackles a quiet laugh, but relents, and leans back in his chair once more. The cigar is dragged on, and he glances up for the waiter, wanting a refill.

'Aye, could do. Be nice to be near a pub for a few days.'

And there's no objection to going to the stockyard, either. He wants to see it all.

(frozen comment)

[ikissdhimbck]

"Well, I wouldn't want you havin' withdrawals."

Plus, after spending a night in a real feather bed she imagines he won't be in much of a state to ride come morning.

"Your drink's the second-most thing I've heard you yawp on about since we set out."

She doesn't need to remind them what the foremost thing has been.

"And I wouldn't mind showin' you around."

(frozen comment)

[the_gene_genie]

No, he doesn't need a reminder of what's foremost in his mind at the moment. And he'd comment on it (again), but the waiter's bringing their food.

'Though' you hadn't been here before.'

This steak looks practically raw. Lovely.

'Ta, mate. Another couple of whiskey's an' all, if you'd be so kind.'

(frozen comment)

[ikissdhimbck]

"I haven't. But I know the lay of the land."

There's a number of differences between Texas and Manchester, even forgetting the eighty-five year time difference; but there's not a lot of change from town to town for Kate.

She has half an eye on the waiter, adding a polite 'thank you' before he leaves. He smiles, and nods, and she thinks he must be used to folks around here needing their privacy, as quiet as he is.

"I'd one day like you t'show me around Manchester, if there's a way for it. I doubt by your time I'd have any family still livin' in the area, or that they'd even know who I was. But, it would still be ... interestin' to find out."

(frozen comment)

[the_gene_genie]

'Yeah, you can come an' see it.'

He's pleased she wants to. Even if it is to see if there's family around, and not just to appreciate how brilliant Manchester is.

'If you want t'find people, you're askin' the right bloke. Mind you, we'd better let Gladys know you're comin' before you leave the bar. I'll only remember the drivin' lesson, so he'd better be aroun' to back up whatever story we come up with for ya.'

The steak is really good. He's not sure why he's surprised, but he is.

(frozen comment)

[ikissdhimbck]

"Why do you call 'im 'Gladys'?"

She smirks, eying him around her first forkful of supper.