July 19, 1889 (Tuesday)

Kid was still concerned about the conversation with the men in the bar the previous day. He's spent most of his adult life contending with some degree of notoriety both as an outlaw and as a fast gun and had always thought that would quickly fade into the past when the amnesty came through.

They ordered room service for breakfast, knowing the lobby or conference room was likely beginning to fill with reporters. Heyes looked at the schedule for the day that included a ladies luncheon, an afternoon meeting with the Governor in his office to review the ceremony scheduled for Sunday, an afternoon tea with the Literary Club, and an evening smoker with the Rifle Association. Kid might enjoy the smoker and they might enjoy the Literary Club, Heyes thought, but those were the only two events offering even an inkling of interest. The smoker was scheduled for six so he thought he and Kid might be able to sneak off to the other hotel tonight for some rest and just maybe some poker.

After breakfast they headed downstairs to the conference room for the press conference. Governor Moonlight's aide was present to make the, now usual introductions. Heyes, Kid, and Lom dutifully took their seats and settled in for ninety minutes of relentless questions.

"Were you ever caught, and if yes, how did you escape?"

"How much money did you successfully steal during your outlaw days?"

"How old were you when you became outlaws?"

"Why did you decide to seek amnesty?"

"Did you ever shoot anyone?"

"Did you ever steal from the passengers?"

"What does Devil's Hole look like?"

The questions went on and on. Heyes, having a silver tongue, gave interesting and colorful responses without stepping over the line from embellishment to out and out lying. Kid participated as little as possible and there were no questions directed to Lom. The press conference went over the scheduled time, as they often do the boys were told, and they were informed that the driver was waiting for them out front to chauffeur them to the ladies luncheon.

"Morning, Tim," Kid said when they reached the carriage.

"God morning, Mr. Curry."

"Tim, I thought we went through all that last night, just call me Jed."

"Yes. Sir."

Because no one had accompanied them to the luncheon, the three made only a very brief appearance. They arrived back at the hotel at one-thirty, giving them a full two hours with nothing scheduled.

Kid, I know you don't want to attend the Literary Club and I actually might find that one interesting. It's being held at the Library which is only a couple of blocks from the Hotel. So, why don't I go to the Library and you, Lom, and Tim here can go have that beer you've been talking about. I'll meet you back here at five-thirty and Tim can drive us to the smoker. Then, when we're done there, Tim can drop us off at the livery and we can pick up our horses and head across town."

Kid smiled. That was the first good suggestion of the day.

"How about it, Tim? I won't be telling."

Tim was understandably nervous, but he did want to spend some time with the outlaw who was showing some interest in him. "Alright, I'll do it."

Kid grinned ear to ear. "Heyes, I owe you. You're making this day tolerable."

Each spent their afternoon as planned, attended the smoker and made sure the Governor was aware of their presence, and thanked the Rifle Association for their fine food and company. Tim dropped Lom at the hotel and Heyes promised they would be back by nine the next morning. Then Tim dropped them off at the livery and they saddled their horses and made their way across town.

After three hours in the neighborhood saloon, Kid was feeling much less tense and Heyes was feeling two hundred dollars richer. Kid was not quite drunk, but very close to it and Heyes helped steady him as he climbed the stairs to the type of room they were much more accustomed to.

"Did you enjoy the brunette or the red-head, Kid, or should I say Red?" Heyes asked as they skimmed themselves down to their long johns and Henley.

Kid smiled. "Yep," he replied. "And what are you talking about calling me Red?"

"You don't remember signing the register here as Red Henley."

Due to his state of inebriation, the name Red Henley threw Kid into a bout of uncontrolled giggles. "That was funny, Heyes. You think the clerk noticed?"

Heyes smiled. It was good to see Kid enjoying himself again."I don't know, Kid. Maybe."

Kid plopped down on the edge of the bed and drew his leg up to struggle with his boot. Heyes walked over and pulled it off for him. Kid's response was to immediately raise his other leg to offer Heyes his other boot. When they were both off, Kid leaned back and let his back and head drop back on the mattress.

"So what are we doing tomorrow, Heyes?"

Heyes pulled the itinerary from his pocket and studied it. Then he looked at Kid who still looked very well imbibed. "Photography session at ten," he said, knowing the Kid would not be particularly photogenic in the morning.

"Then what? A visit to a hospital to kiss some babies?" Kid said and again found his own humor very entertaining.

"Tomorrow afternoon is the meeting with the authors."

Kid's eyes widened. "Oh, that's where you get to meet Mark Twain, the author with the alias."

Heyes smiled. "That's right. And tomorrow night is one of them fancy soirees."

Kid groaned."Is this week ever going to be over?"