Doc Adams ambled across the street with the newspaper in hand. He shook his head as his eyes scanned the news headlines. With a tick he stopped in front of the Long Branch. The doctor pulled his gold pocket watch from his vest and peeked at the time; he was sure that Kitty would still have some coffee on. Doc stepped up onto the boardwalk and entered the saloon.
Kitty was at her table near the back. She looked like she was going over her books, but that didn't stop the doctor as he made his way to the table, "Kitty," he said getting her attention.
"Oh hiya, Doc," the red-headed saloon owner looked up with a smile that quickly faded. "You look a little grumpy today," she then added.
Doc grunted as he took a seat at the table. "You'd be grumpy too if you read the headlines here," he said dropping the paper to the table before he poked at it with this left index finger.
"Well, we're not in control of the news," Kitty shrugged.
"No, but it would be nice to see something good, for a change," Doc argued. "For instance, the way they wrote about the tornado! Not one mention that no one was killed, instead they just wrote about how much it was going to cost to fix everything up," he shook his head.
"You are grumpy," Kitty smiled garnering a narrowed-eyed glance from the doctor. "How about a coffee?" she then asked.
Doc swiped his right hand across this moustache, "Fine," he grumbled.
Kitty motioned to Sam to bring the do bring the doctor a coffee. "So what are you going to do about it?" she had to ask.
Doc twisted his mouth in thought as he watched Sam place the cup of coffee in front of him, "We need something to make good news," he finally said. "Something that will cheer folks up," he was working on an idea.
"Like what?" Kitty questioned with interest, she closed her books and leaned forward on the table.
Doc also leaned forward and rested his left elbow on the table while picking up his coffee and taking a sip, "I know Dodge isn't back to one hundred percent," he paused, "But I'm sure we could come up with something," he said before he drank more of his coffee.
"We?" Kitty asked as he eyebrows lifted.
"Yes," the doctor said setting his cup back down.
"Now look, Doc, I have a business to run here," Kitty started to explain.
"I know that!" Doc stated. "I just need you to help with an idea, that's all," he added.
"Well," Kitty paused, "What about a fair or something like that?"
Doc chewed on the idea for a moment as he drank his coffee. Ideas were forming in his mind, "That's not bad, Kitty!" he smiled. "It would bring others into Dodge and it would certainly boost the economy and morale. Just think of the business you alone would do!" he said clicking his fingers.
"Oh, I don't know, Doc," Kitty tried to slow the doctor's thought process down a tad, "I think you're going to have to bring this up at a town meeting," she stated.
"Of course I will," the doctor smiled. "We'll need a committee and we'll have to come up with events and such," he could almost see it in his mind's eye.
"Well, usually there's baked goods, and preserves. Bests of show, that kind of thing," Kitty offered. Doc nodded in agreement. "Which means you'll have to have prizes and judges," she added.
Doc finished his coffee, "Let me think about this a little more," he smiled.
"That kind of frightens me," Kitty quipped.
"You'll see how it comes together," Doc said as he stood up. "I'll see what Matt thinks," he said with a tick of his head as he left the table.
"He'll probably think you've lost your mind," Kitty chuckled.
"Pshaw!" Doc snorted and left the saloon in search for Matt.
As it would happen, Matt was walking up the street toward the Long Branch, so Doc stood waiting for him. The marshal noticed the doctor in front of the saloon; he could instantly tell there was something on Adam's mind, "What is it, Doc?" Matt asked as he stepped up onto the boardwalk and hook his thumbs over his belt.
"Have you noticed how glum everyone is lately?" Doc asked.
"Well, yes, after all we are still cleaning up after the tornado," Matt half chuckled.
"Well, I think we need to change that. Winter's not far away and I think people need some fun in their lives right now," Doc stated as he looked out onto the street.
Matt wasn't sure where Doc was going with this point, "So what have you in mind?" he asked.
Doc turned quickly to the marshal, "I think we need to hold a fair. To bring folks together," he smiled.
"I see," Matt said only out of courtesy. "What kind of fair?" he then asked.
Doc squared himself with the marshal, "You're typical fair with pies and preserves and such," he stated. By now Matt had his arms folded across his chest. "Have you talked to anyone else about this, Doc?" he questioned the doctor.
Doc's eyes narrowed, "Of course," he grunted.
"Well, maybe bring it up at the next town meeting an see what everyone says," Matt smiled. "It could be a good time," he said patting Doc on the shoulder before he entered the saloon. Doc shrugged, "Well, at least he didn't say no," he mused himself. He then spotted Wilbur Jonas at the general store – a perfect time to run the idea past the store owner and town councillor.
Doc crossed the little alley between the saloon and general store. The doctor paused and waited until Jonas had finished with his customer and bid him farewell. The store owner saw Doc waiting, "Doc?" he asked as he walked slowly over to the doctor.
Doc nodded, "How's your leg today?" he asked.
Jonas shrugged, "Seems to be coming along, thanks for asking."
"How have your customers been?" Doc then asked.
"My customers? Why?" the store owner wondered. "There's no sickness going around, is there?"
Doc shook his head no, "I just wondered what kind of moods they're in," he said scratching his right temple.
"Well, I guess you could say most of them are apathetic, as usual. Then there's those who either want to talk about what happened or don't even want it mentioned," Jonas said as he trust his hands into trouser pocket under his white apron. "Why?"
"In your opinion, do you think folks need cheering up?" Doc asked.
"In my opinion? Well, I for one sure could use some cheering up," Jonas sighed.
Doc smiled, "I was wondering what if Dodge held a fair," he stated watching the store owner.
Jonas pulled his right hand from his pocket and ran it across the back of his neck, while thinking, "Might not be a bad idea, Doc," he half smiled.
"I think it's what the doctor ordered," Doc laughed causing Jonas to chuckle. "I'll bring it up at the next town meeting," the doctor stated.
"I'll vote for it," Jonas smiled.
"Excellent!" Doc exclaimed.