The story takes place in Gunsmoke year 15

One Friday

Carl had been a stagecoach driver for 15 years, and when he got to the base of the rocky incline just outside Dodge, experience told him to go up full tilt. The coach swayed, bumped and bounced and the sole passenger, Crystal LaReaux, calmly held on to stay in her seat. When they reached level grassland she tucked a stray curl behind her ear and gazed out the window. She was pleased to be alone on the last leg of her journey. With no ogling eyes or forced small talk, she was free to think about the life she planned to create for herself. The first thing she'd need was money, lots of money. She crossed her shapely legs, opened her reticule and pulled out a small black notebook. It was blank except for 7 words scribbled on the first page, Dodge City, Long Branch Saloon, Kitty Russell. She ran a manicured finger across the words. Having been a working girl for three years, since she was sixteen, she understood the value of having an honest boss and decent place to work. She'd heard from a number of saloon girls that Kitty Russell of Dodge City was good to work for. Miss Kitty, as they called her, took a percentage of your upstairs work just like any other boss. What set her apart was that she let you set the boundaries of what your upstairs work entailed and provided protection.

The coach slowed to a stop and sunlight washed in as Carl opened the door. "Dodge City." Crystal graced him with a charming smile and accepted his outstretched hand. He helped her down as if she was made of finely spun sugar – exquisite and delectable. She stepped onto Front Street and waited to be noticed. It didn't take long for heads to turn and eyes to be transfixed. At least 4 men started towards her to offer assistance. Pete Maxwell, a sturdy young farmhand reached her first, but when he stood before her speech failed him. He'd never seen hair that golden, eyes that green or skin that creamy white. Crystal suppressed her amusement at his dumbstruck state and evaluated him. His patched overalls, ruddy cheeks and large calloused hands spoke volumes. He'd do to carry her bag. She batted her eyelashes. "Hello kind sir."

With just 3 words she managed to sound both sweet and seductive. Pete swallowed hard and found his voice, "Welcome to Dodge." I'd be honored to carry your things to where ever you're staying."

She smiled and tilted her head alluringly. "I'd appreciate that kind sir. I have only one bag, but it's so heavy I can't begin to pick it up. I'm looking for the Long Branch Saloon, perhaps you could carry my suitcase and lead me there."

If he was surprised by her destination it didn't show. He was enthralled by her beauty and as he leaned over to pick up her bag, mesmerized by her scent. As they walked the two blocks to the Long Branch he saw heads turn towards the stunning woman he was accompanying and puffed out his chest in pride.

They reached the saloon and Pete shyly looked into her emerald green eyes, "Here we are, the Long Branch."

She looked up at him, "Thank you. Please set my bag down right here outside the door. You've been my savior, perhaps we'll meet again."

He nodded mutely and walked away on cloud nine. She watched him go with a smile on her lips and distain in her eyes. The ridiculous farm boy was lucky she'd let him carry her bag. She turned her mind to the matter at hand and pushed through the batwing doors.

Kitty Russell was at a table in the back going over order forms. The place was empty except for a few men who were nursing beers and eating the free hard-boiled eggs and ham sandwiches set out every day at noon. Dark-haired, vivacious Betty Sue was the only girl who worked the floor at lunchtime. Her best efforts to get the men to buy more drinks usually came to naught. They pinched her plump cheeks and laughed it up, but the men who came for lunch were not the spending kind.

Kitty looked up when she heard the doors swing open, expecting to see another dusty cowpoke looking for free lunch. Instead, a vision of beauty floated in from noonday sun. Kitty watched the stunning blond approach and something akin to jealousy rose up inside her chest. Perhaps it wasn't jealousy but the pang that comes with a sudden reminder of the passage of time. The woman walking towards her was impossibly young and impossibly beautiful. Her figure lovely, her movements graceful, her hair a cascade of golden curls raining down around a finely boned face. As she came closer, Kitty could see that her skin was flawless and her large eyes a brilliant green. Kitty Russell had never underestimated herself. She had always been considered beautiful and knew men were attracted to her, but the beauty of youth was no longer hers. She was in her mid 30's and life had added lines around her eyes and mouth, and pounds around her middle. The woman floating towards her was a stunning example of the beauty of youth.

As soon as Crystal spotted Kitty she knew who she was. The saloon owner's competence and intelligence were palpable to the younger woman. As the same time she was surprised. She had assumed that a woman who owned a successful saloon would be old, coarse and hardened, Kitty Russell appeared to be none of those things.

Kitty set down the lorgnette she'd recently started using when reading small print. "Can I help you? I'm Kitty Russell. This is my saloon."

"Hello Miss Russell, my name is Crystal LaReaux I was hoping to have a word with you."

Kitty indicated a chair. "All right Crystal, what's on your mind?"

Crystal sat and looked Kitty in the eye, "I'll get right to the point. I would like a job in your establishment. I have experience and as you can no doubt see, I'd be good for business."

Kitty studied the young woman. Many beautiful woman didn't realize they were beautiful, and those that did usually wouldn't admit it. Crystal knew how beautiful she was and was open about it.

"What kind of job did you have in mind?"

"Downstairs and upstairs both. I'm great downstairs when it comes to getting men to buy drinks and gamble big. Upstairs I'll do anything that pleases a man. Anything that is but allow him to hit me. No whips, punches or slaps; nothing that leaves marks. Anything else is fine. I don't mind variety just violence."

Kitty nodded, "I protect my girls. My bartenders Sam and Clem do a good job with that and when we're real busy I hire an extra man to walk the halls upstairs."

"That's what I've heard. I've also heard you pay a salary for downstairs work and take 40% of upstairs work, and a room and free coffee comes with the deal."

Kitty raised an eyebrow, "You are well informed."

"I make it a point to be."

"Well Crystal it just so happens that I need another girl right now so let's give it a try. You can start tonight. I'll have someone show you to your room. Do you have luggage? I can send someone to get it."

"My suitcase is outside the door."

Kitty smiled in amusement, "You must have been pretty sure of getting a job here if you left your suitcase right outside."

Crystal smiled back meeting Kitty's eyes, "It never hurts to know what you want and plan on getting it."

Kitty kept her eyes on Crystal's "Well, in this case you were right." She looked across the room, "Betty Sue, this is Crystal. She's working here now. Please show her to room 4. Sam, would you bring her bag up. Apparently, it's right outside."

Kitty watched Crystal and Betty Sue exchange greetings and head up the stairs. She picked up her lorgnette, ran a hand across her middle and thought about the beauty of youth and the passage of time.

TBC