It was first thing on the Tuesday morning when Wilbur Jonas unlocked the front doors of this newly renovated store. A small yet growing crowd was waiting to purchase the merchandise they wait three weeks for. Many of the people were Jonas' regulars with just a few new faces in the crowd. Jonas figured that the other mercantile owner's sent them over to have a look at the new store.

None the less, Jonas was thankful to be back in business. With the door open, Jonas quickly pulled off his suit coat and picked up his white apron and wrapped the ties around his waist. He positioned himself at the end of the counter and watched as the people stepped through the door. At first, most of them looked around the room to admire, or not, the work that went into the renovation after the fire.

Several were just as happy to get what they came for, pay and leave. Jonas felt it was going to be a busy day and he was more than happy with the turnout so early in the morning.

Ed Foster and Walter Bower stood on the boardwalk across the street. The two men had arrived in Dodge the night before and instantly lost every cent they owned during the card games at the Bull's Head Saloon.

"Looks like that fellow has a run of luck going for him," Foster said as he leaned on the post next to him.

"Humph," Bower grunted. "I still say those games were fixed," he said as he watched people entering and leaving the general store.

"I just bet that fellow is going to have quite the haul by the time he closes," Foster nudge Bower. Bower thought for a moment. "You know Foster. Some times you are a genius!"

Foster looked at Bower like he had kittens crawling out his ears. And then it dawned on him as he continued to watch the general store," Yeah," he smiled.

Doc closed the door to his office and noticed the throng of people moving back and forth in the alley. He stood at the top of the staircase and watched for a moment before he decided to make an appearance at Jonas' grand reopening. The doctor slowly walked down the stairs and reached the boardwalk. There was hardly standing room and he was grateful that there were no medical emergencies he had to attend to quickly.

Doc wove his way through the crowd and watched from the doorway. He was glad he wasn't Jonas right at the moment. The store owner had four women asking for about fifteen different things each. Jonas looked frantic as he tried to keep up with the orders.

Doc chuckled and decided to make tracks before Jonas spotted him and put him to work. Doc walked back to the Long Branch and was thankful for the solitude inside the saloon. Kitty looked up from her books she had on the end of the bar and smiled at the doctor, "Well hiya, Doc," she chirped.

Doc was still chuckling as he walked to the bar and nested next to Kitty.

"Well you either have swallowed the canary or you have a joke to share. Which is it?" Kitty said with a wink.

Doc looked at Kitty, "I am sure glad I'm not Jonas right now. His place is being mobbed by just about every old bitty in town," Doc snorted which garnered him a playful cuff from Kitty, "Be nice," she jokingly scolded her dear friend.

"Well it's true," Doc said in self defence.

"I'm sure Jonas knows how to handle all the "bitties" in town. He's done it for years," Kitty stated.

"Maybe so, but not all at once," Doc almost sounded sorry for the store owner. Kitty just smiled and then poured Doc a coffee.

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It was late in the day and Jonas stood looking around his store at the empty shelves and tables. He walked over to a chair and plunked himself down with a heavy satisfied sigh. For some reason he couldn't take his eyes off the one broom that remained in the barrel - he wondered why it didn't sell. He twisted his mouth in thought just as Doc stopped by the store on his way up to his office.

"Jonas, are you all right?" the physician said from the doorway.

Jonas looked up, "Yes," he smiled. "It's been quite the day," he said as he stood and walked to the doorway.

Doc nodded, "Seems your grand reopening was a success," he said with a slight smile on his face.

"Oh, it was indeed!" Jonas smiled broadly. He was almost giddy with satisfaction. "Looks like I might have not brought enough stock in, however," he said as he looked back into the store.

"Well, I guess everyone needed something with you being out of business for several weeks and with winter coming on," Doc stated.

Jonas thought and nodded, "I never thought of it that way. Perhaps you're right, Doc," he said as he looked back at the doctor.

"Listen, I'm going to and drop off my medical bag in my office and then got to the Long Branch for a drink. Why don't you join me in a bit," Doc offered.

The offer caught Jonas by surprise, "Well," he hedged.

"In honour of your new store," Doc added.

"Well. Alright then. I'll just straighten things up here and join you in a bit," Jonas smiled as he removed his apron and placed it on the empty table near the door.

"Good. I'll see you in a bit," Doc smiled and left.

Jonas chuckled. Life was pretty good to him in the last few weeks, and he was finally feeling that he had a few friends that he could really rely on. He knew deep down that part of this alienation from most people in Dodge was due to himself and he was trying hard to change, but it was difficult journey having been set in his ways for so long. He just hoped that people understood.

Jonas had his back to the door and was busy with some fabric he was folding when he heard the footsteps down into his store. He did a quick look over his shoulder and saw two men and returned to his work, "I'll be with you gentlemen in just a moment," he hurried to fold the cloth.

What Jonas didn't see was one of the men closing the door to the store. The next thing Jonas knew he had something over his head and a rope around his chest. The store owner yelped in surprise and was about to yell for help when he felt someone fixing a gag over his mouth. Jonas struggled and then found that his hands, legs and feet were being tied together. The sensation of being moved came over him as he wondered what was going on. He tried to talk but the gag only allowed him to grunt.

Foster pushed the store owner down behind the counter while Bower pulled the cash from the drawer. Both men were giddy and quickly left the store through the back entrance.

With the door closed, any new costumers wouldn't know that Jonas was still inside while desperately trying to free himself. Under his restrained breath Jonas was cursing up a blue streak.