Chapter 5: Taking The Risk

Practically every boy in Walnut Grove dreamed about getting a chance to go into the Silver Coin and experience the saloon for themselves. From what they had heard, it was far nicer than any establishment in the cities and, with the saloon only being a short walk away from the schoolhouse, it was always enticing to them. Of course, every mother in town still hated the saloon and forbade their children from even going near it. It would be a major gamble to sneak in even for a moment.

However, that did not stop some from trying.

In the two years since the Silver Coin first opened its doors and set the town ablaze, a few boys were able to get in and experience what the saloon had to offer. After pulling off the sneak out of a lifetime, they whispered to the other school boys of fancily dressed women, lively music, high stakes poker games and beer flowing through the air.

It was only a matter of time before more felt brave enough, or risky enough to have their own unforgettable experiences in the saloon.

The night was cold, wet and dark. Thunderstorms had pounded down on the town that morning, with the air still thick and roads muddy from the rain. Two boys walked side by side along the pathway leading into town.

"You really think we're gonna get away with this?" Andy asked, glancing over to his friend. Now seventeen years old and nearing the end of his schooling years, Andy was sick of only being known as the good kid in town, all thanks to the discipline and high expectations his parents had for him. This night was a way to prove to himself that he was not an innocent boy anymore, as if spending one night in a saloon would make him a man.

Albert, just shy of sixteen and chasing an old gambling itch, ran through the plan for the night in his head. "Why wouldn't we? It's a perfect night to go frogging. As long as no one in town stops us and assuming Willie doesn't mess anything up, we should be set."

As the boys entered town and walked up to the mercantile, they noticed Willie sitting on the store steps, wrapping his arms around himself to keep warm. Willie stood up in a huff after seeing Albert and Andy. "It's about time."

"Did anyone see you leave?" Albert asked in a low tone, not trusting the nosy ears of Harriet sleeping right above them.

"Of course not." Willie said. He had always been the kid to sneak around and get into trouble. Staring at the saloon from his bedroom window for two years, Willie just wanted one night to know what it was really like inside. "Let's go already."

It was a short walk from the mercantile to the Silver Coin. Every other building in town was dark and locked up. But the saloon had oil lamps in the windows, guiding the boys' way as they approached their destination. None of them would admit that with each step they took closer to the saloon, their hearts raced a bit faster and their nerves started catching up to them.

If any of their parents were to find out that their sons were going into the saloon, all hell would break loose. There was a lot at stake for one night of fun, but it seemed to be a risk Albert, Andy and Willie were willing to take. Not one of the boys dared protest as they walked up the steps of the saloon and entered the forbidden building.

Inside, all three of them were taken back by the grandness of the Silver Coin Saloon. Lots of decorations, bottles and bottles of booze, well built furniture and playful music filled the space. It was even more impressive than the saloon in Winoka and would make even Mr. Standish envious. Only about half a dozen patrons were inside, all fixated on a game of poker being played.

"It sure looks a lot bigger inside than I thought it would." Willie commented as the three of them stuck close to the doorway. Anyone could tell how out of place they were, including the resident bartender.

Pierce, who had noticed them as soon as they stepped foot inside, left his post behind the bar and walked up to the group to figure out what a bunch of boys were doing in his place. "You boys lost?"

"No." Albert responded quickly, trying to mask the shakiness in his voice with confidence.

"I've seen you boys around the schoolhouse before." Pierce groaned in irritation about the presence of children in the saloon. "Why don't you run on home before your folks realize where you are?"

"You would really turn away good paying customers?" Albert countered back. It had been sometime since he last antagonized an adult like that. He had left behind his old tricks and trades of gambling, lying and stealing after he was taken in by the Ingalls. Lucky now those habits of Albert's never really died out.

"Paying customers?" Instead of being more angry, Pierce was becoming somewhat amused by Albert's comment. "We don't sell candy here."

"How 'bout whiskey?" Andy asked.

"Whiskey?" Pierce shook his head in disbelief, but then slowly walked back over to his bar. If they really wanted to play this game, then he would certainly let them try and would enjoy watching them panic once the boys realized the place they stepped into. "Alright."

Andy, Albert and Willie followed him over, with Willie and Albert shooting each other glances after being surprised by Andy's remark. The seasoned bartender grabbed a dark bottle from behind the counter and poured a shot into an awaiting glass. "If you can throw back this varnish, I'll be impressed."

As if he had done it many times before, Andy grabbed the glass and quickly downed the strong whiskey, only to winch slightly at the burn.

Pierce was taken back, along with Albert and Willie. "Well, I have to say it. I'm impressed."

"What'd it taste like?" Naive Willie asked.

"Why don't you find out for yourself?" Pierce cut in before Andy could respond. "It's your turn, boys."

As the bartender poured two more shot glasses of whiskey, Albert and Willie glanced around. Willie had champagne and wine before, but never hard liquor. Albert was even more inexperienced, with the only form of alcohol he ever had was from Doctor Baker's medicines. Then again, was this not the reason why they wanted to go to the Silver Coin in the first place, to have the full experience?

Albert and Willie both reached for the glasses and stared down at the dark caramel colored liquid. As if their arms moved on their own, the two boys brought the drink up to their mouths and tried swallowing the whiskey as if it was water. Albert immediately started coughing and Willie almost spit up.

"Couple of light weights, eh?" Pierce remarked.

Albert shook his head and cleared his throat. "I didn't come to drink anyways."

"We didn't?" Willie took a deep breath.

"I didn't. I came to gamble." Albert looked over his shoulder to the game of poker playing out on the other side of the saloon. As an orphan living on the streets, he had used gambling as a means to survive. Ever since the Silver Coin came to town, Albert had been daydreaming about getting the chance to sit at a real poker table and gamble with real money instead of pennies, even if it went against everything Charles had taught him.

"You kids got balls." Pierce laughed. He should have kicked them out the moment they stepped inside the saloon, but why turn away paying customers? The boys were amusing and he figured he better start their monetary loyalty while they are young. "Aren't you at least bit afraid that your folks will find out you're in here? I know how the womenfolk in this town feel about this place."

"I know I am." Willie answered honestly, thinking back to his mother and her ways of learning about practically everything that went on in Walnut Grove. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea?"

"Forget that. Come on, Willie. Let's go over to the table." Albert motioned over to the poker game.

Willie swallowed, wishing he had a glass of water. "Fine."

Albert and Willie began stepping away from the bar, when Albert noticed Andy was sticking behind. "Andy?"

"You guys go ahead." Andy stood back. "I'm gonna stay here."

The two younger boys went over to the card game, leaving Andy alone at the bar with Pierce. "Well now, kid. What're you having?"

That was a good question. Andy did not know the kind of beer he drank with his pa when his ma was away. "What'd you suggest?"

"You seem like someone who would like the darker brews." Pierce filled a glass stein at the tap and slid the drink down to his customer, who took a seat at the bar.

Andy paced himself drinking, trying to decide if he enjoyed the bitter taste. Sitting at the bar and keeping to himself, he did not notice a woman walk down the steps of the saloon. She was likely a couple years older than him and dressed in a slightly revealing white blouse and form fitting skirt. She eyed up the young boy sitting at the bar as a naive catch and went over to him.

"Hello there." The saloon girl put on her signature interested smile and came up close beside him.

Andy was taken off guard by her sudden appearance. "Hi."

"I don't believe I've seen you here before. Passin' through?"

"N-no, I live in town." He could not help but stutter, thinking he knew exactly what this woman was and not knowing how to respond.

"You do? First time coming into the saloon then?"

Andy nodded his head, trying to play it smooth. "You can say that."

"Sarah." Pierce called over to her. "Can you take these refills over to the game table?"

"Sure thing. Be right back." The girl, Sarah, took a round of beers into her hands and walked over to the poker game. Andy stared over his shoulder as the men each took a glass, also noting Albert and Willie still awkwardly standing off to the side. After giving the men a flirty wave, Sarah walked back over to the bar. "So, what's your name?"

"Andrew." He answered.

"Andrew." Sarah took a seat next to him. "That's a nice name."

"Thank you." He glanced away, thinking he should have gone over to stand with Albert and Willie, but he stayed. "You don't live in town, do you?

"Me? No. I'm living a ways away in another town and coming here to work whenever I get the chance."

Andy nodded his head, having his question answered as to why he had never seen this woman before. "You like working here?"

She laughed at the ridiculous question. "Well, it's a whole lot nicer than a lot of other places I've served in. Never understood why they decided to build a saloon like this in such a small town."

"Apparently a lot of travelers pass through Walnut Grove. Maybe that explains why people seem to come and go so quickly." Andy said.

Across the room, Albert and Willie were quietly watching the poker game unfold. Six players, with two holding a bulk of the pot and the four others desperate to win it back. "Hey, boy!"

Albert jumped on his feet, realizing Willie was standing directly behind him.

"I see you stuffing your hands in your pockets." One of the men with winnings stacked high glared at Albert. "You standing there just to watch us play?"

Albert swallowed hard. This was what he came here to do, so now it was time to buck up. "I came to play."

"Play?" One of the other men scoffed then laughed. "With what?"

"I have money." Albert said. He was desperately trying to be confident, but his skills turned out to be rusty. Still, he did not want to ruin the night. "This wouldn't be the first time I've gambled. But I've never played in a place like this before."

"Well then, take a seat and show us what you've got, kid. What about your friend there?"

Willie shuffled his stance and was barely able to blurt out a response. "I think I'll just watch for now."

One of the players who only had pennies left, gave up his seat and Albert joined the game. He watched carefully as the cards were dealt out. Standard poker game rules. After getting his hand and pulling out the few dollars from his pocket, Albert glanced down at the cards in front of him. Two queens...beginner's luck.

Every other player threw bets in and Albert followed suit. He fought with his hands to keep them from shaking. All eyes seemed to be on him and every minor move he made was judged. One by one players placed more bets and then finally revealed their cards.

"Three of a kind wins it."

Albert lost that round, but he was still in the game. More cards were dealt and money was dropped. The high rollers tried to mess with the kid, but Albert played it safe. Until he finally managed to actually win a round.

"High pair."

Suddenly, a surge of adrenaline shot through his arms and stomach. The winnings were slid towards Albert. This was what it was like to win for real. But it was more than just that. The other players scoffed at his win, but only because they were out played by a kid. The rust was wearing away and Albert was getting back that confidence he had while fending for himself.

"I'm impressed." One of the men with the most cash in his corner confessed. "You're not half bad, kid. Your pa teach you to play?"

Albert almost burst out laughing. "No. I told you this wasn't my first time gambling."

"How 'bout another round, boys?"

The night moved along and Albert played more with the older men, trying the best he could to make sure that he would not leave the saloon with less money than what he brought. Willie watched in astonishment at how Albert was able to win against those men. He himself did not really know how to play cards, unless go-fish counted. At some point, one of the men who lost his stack and quit the game, stood besides Willie to watch.

"You ain't gonna join in, kid?"

Willie looked over and saw the older man with a dark cigar, its smoke wafting in his face. "No. I'm not really one for cards. Never really got the hang of 'em."

"Apparently, I haven't either. Your friend here has got a knack for it."

Willie nodded his head. He always thought he was the trouble kid in town, with all of his pranks and talkbacks that would get him sent to the corner during school. He would have never guessed Albert and Andy were more about the saloon life than he was. Willie then walked himself away from the poker table and back over to the bar, heading straight for Andy who was still talking to Pierce.

"I'll have whatever he's having." Willie cut in.

Pierce looked surprised by the request, but quickly got Willie a drink as he took a seat. "Here ya' are, kid."

Willie took a sip, immediately hating the taste, but pushed it down anyway.

Andy shook his head, then glanced back over to the game table. "Is Albert actually winning over there?"

Willie nodded. "Yeah. He's pretty good at gambling. Probably should have had him teach me how to play before I agreed to come here. How many of these have you had?"

Andy smirked, picking up his glass and swirled it around. "This is my third. You learn to like it."

"I hope so." Willie forced himself to take another sip of what he assumed was beer. "Because right now, this tastes disgusting."

"Don't be disrespecting the drinks I make." Pierce brought himself back into the conversation, since the two boys were the only ones sitting at the bar.

"I'm surprised you let us...a bunch of kids stay here." Willie said.

"Just don't make me regret it."

"Hey guys!" Just then, Albert came over with a big grin on his face. "I just won three dollars. I think it's time I stop before I get in over my head and lose it all."

"Smart thinking." Pierce said. "I heard you were causing quite a stir over there with your wins."

"Yeah." Albert agreed. He hated to admit it felt good to win. Then, Willie's glass on the counter caught his eye and he pointed to it. "Can I try some of that?"

"Be my guest." Willie passed off the drink, happy he would not have to finish the whole thing by himself.

The boys had not even realized that it had gotten very late and they probably should have started home before their parents started to wonder. After tipping Pierce and waving goodbye to the poker players, Albert, Andy and Willie finally left the saloon and started to make their ways home.

"Guys!" Willie stopped Albert and Andy outside of the mercantile before they could rush out of town. "If we ever plan on doing that again, Albert, you're teaching me how to play cards before we go."

"Let's just wait and see if we can get away with tonight first before we start making any more plans." Andy said.

"You mean there's really a chance of us doing this again?" Albert asked with a bit of excitement and enthusiasm in his voice. "I know my pa will never walk into that saloon and catch us."

"My pa wouldn't go in there either." Willie added.

Andy sighed. "Well, mine might."

The boys looked around at each other. No one said a word out loud, but they were all thinking the same thing. An unspoken agreement was made that they were not done with the Silver Coin. This night was only the beginning for them.