DEAD/ALIVE Chapter Nine
Jane laid her head on the table and looked through blurry eyes at her gun laying next to the letter to Bill's widow and the six bullets standing upright. She stared at them for a long time.
There was nobody left. Joanie, Joshua, Thaddeus and Bill….all gone.
Jane raised her head, picked the gun up and placed it against her head. With her finger on the trigger, she pulled it repeatedly.
Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click.
"Damn you Bill, if I hadn't made that promise I'd be free of this fucking misery." She silently cursed him, immediately regretting her words.
"I'm sorry Bill. I'm fucking sorry. I didn't mean to get cross with you."
She sobbed as a shaky hand reached for another bottle.
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Doc found Jane passed out on the floor. The fire had gone out long ago leaving the cabin damp and cold. Dried vomit was caked on half her face and in her hair.
"Jane?!" Doc tried to pull her up by one hand. She moaned and opened red eyes.
"What the fuck do you want?" She swung her free hand at Doc. "Get your fucking hands off me."
She could see Doc's eyes move over her.
"Leave me the fuck alone! If I want to wallow in my own fucking puke and piss I will."
Doc's eyes wandered to the table taking in the gun, the letter and the bullets.
"Don't worry Doc, if I fucking choose to leave this world I'm taking half of that fucking God forsaken town with me."
"What the fuck do you want?" She asked again as she struggled to a sitting position.
"Well I was going to ask for your fucking help...but being that you ain't.."
He shook his head and turned to leave.
"That I ain't fucking what?!" Jane pushed herself up, standing on unsteady legs.
"That I ain't fucking what?!" She asked again as she stumbled after him.
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The two young boys walked along the railroad tracks. Each held a long stick that they tapped on each of the wooden rails. Their eyes swept left and right looking for anything of value that might have been swept or thrown off the train. Last time Jacob had found a dollar, but he always seemed to be lucky like that. He could find four leaf clovers in a sea of green pastures. William felt like it was his turn. He saw the briefest flutter of paper that had been half buried under dirt and gravel. He quickly ran over and snatched it off the ground, shaking the dirt off it. He was disappointed when he saw it wasn't money and started to throw it aside when Jacob took it from his hand.
"It ain't nothing but paper." William said sadly.
"Well it might be important… Look, it has a name...a sheriff...somebody from Wyoming written on it. Hard to read being torn up and all"
"You know I can't read. So stop showing off." Curiosity was getting the better of William. "Well, what does it say?"
"Just says yes...Wonder what that means?"
The boys looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders, before they threw it aside and continued down the railroad tracks.
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Doc dropped his head and smiled as Jane came barging into the pest tent.
"Damn you...you tell me what you were fucking talking about! Don't you go busting into my place and acting all fucking secretive."
"Hand me that bowl," he said, ignoring her question. She passed him the bowl then stood with her arms crossed, staring at Doc as he brushed past her.
"Go wash up," Doc said over his shoulder, as he turned his attention back to the man lying prone on the makeshift cot. He could feel Jane's eyes boring into his back.
"Well I'll fucking help you on this day...but that will be the fucking extent of my generousity. So don't even fucking ask. When that morning sun comes up, I'm fucking out here. Did you hear me Doc? Don't fucking ask."
Jane stayed until the last smallpox patient walked out of the tent, and the days lengthened with the approach of spring.
SAN FRANCISCO
Joanie stared in awe at the mansions that lined the narrow streets in Nob Hill. As the horses trotted, their shod feet clattered loudly on the brick road. She looked out the carriage, craning her neck not wanting to miss any of the sights. Kid smiled as Joanie squeezed his hand tightly under the carriage blanket. They finally turned up a tree lined lane leading to a spectacular mansion.
An older man burst out the front door as the carriage came to a stop.
"Boys!"
Joshua jumped out of the carriage, but paused to look over his shoulder at Kid.
"Thaddeus…" He turned back to look at Soapy.
Soapy smiled and nodded as he extended his hand out to clasp Heyes'.
"Joshua!"
Kid held his hand out and helped Joanie exit the carriage. Soapy moved quickly to Kid.
"Thaddeus!"
"Soapy." He enthusiastically shook Kid's hand. "I'd like to introduce you to Joanie Stubbs. Joanie...Soapy Saunders"
Soapy released Kid's hand and gently took Joanie's.
"My pleasure," He held her hand as he lightly kissed it.
"Pleased to meet you Mr. Saunders" Joanie said almost shyly.
"Miss Stubbs...It's Soapy...please call me Soapy. No reason for formalities. Let's get you out of this cold. Have you eaten? " He motioned for the coachman to retrieve their bags. "I insist you stay with me. I'd enjoy the company."
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"How serious is Kid? " asked Soapy as he settled into the leather chair. He picked up the brandy, and slowly swirled it around with one hand.
"As serious as I've ever seen him." Heyes' paused to take a sip of his brandy.
"But not serious enough to tell her the truth." Soapy said with a small smile..
Soapy's observation made Heyes pause.
He finally said, "It's his to figure out."
"Miss Stubbs seems quite charming. I could see where a man could easily be smitten with her."
"I wanted to give her a choice...and Kid. I knew we could count on you. You've been a good friend Soapy."
"As are you and Kid…" Soapy laughed, "But my generosity isn't totally altruistic. I have work for you boys...of course, if you are interested. I've been looking at expanding my investments. This city has limitless opportunities. A smart man like yourself...Heyes! Limitless! Before the gold rush in '48, San Francisco had four hundred people...now twenty-five thousand. Twenty-five thousand people looking to give a smart resourceful person money and lots of it."
"If you have work...anything for you, Soapy. Plus our funds are getting a little light. I'll keep that as a possible option for the future, but I promised a friend that I would help her-"
"Her?" A quick smile came to Soapy's lips. "Is there something..."
"Oh no...nothing like that." Heyes quickly corrected him. "If it weren't for her we wouldn't be above ground. We owe her and I made a promise. Don't know if I'll be getting one ticket or two on the trip back. That will be Kid's decision."
"And the amnesty? Dare I ask?"
Heyes smiled, "We made the decision. Kid and me. It was time...past time...so we made the decision for them."
"I'm delighted! You know Heyes, of all people I know a con." He held his brandy up, "Proud of you boys!"
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"I've just purchased another gambling establishment and I haven't had time to...Well, clean house. Heyes, I don't know anyone better at cards than you and I would like you to use your expertise to eradicate any "irregularities". There is nothing that card players hate more than a cheat or dirty games. I want to establish and maintain a respectable reputation of clean and honest games."
"Done" Heyes said with a smile.
"And Kid I would like you to be the persuasive muscle to keep the riff raff out."
"Consider it done Soapy."
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Heyes and Kid milled around the newly acquired Parker House. The decor was high-end and fashionable. But what struck Heyes and Kid the most was the amount of money laying on the tables at any given time. Heyes exchanged looks with Kid.
"Heyes there must be a couple hundred thousands on all those tables," Kid said staring wide-eyed at the pile of money on each table.
"More like a half of million," Heyes whispered. Kid's eyes widened. "You be careful. With that kind of money being won and lost...prone to make losers more than a might proddy and darn right dangerous."
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Heyes met with Soapy after a week of observing the games.
"You know I used to say, 'It's immoral-" Soapy started to say.
"To let a sucker keep his money." Heyes finished the sentence.
Soapy laughed and smiled, "You remembered!"
"Soapy, the cheapest way to stop cheating is to switch out the decks during play. I saw marked cards, juiced decks, even two hustlers trying to pull a Double Duke. I had a "talk" with those dealers and my impression is that they were willing to change their ways to maintain employment with you. I'll admit, Kid had a hand in the persuading." Heyes said with a smile "Also make sure you get good quality decks that won't bend, scratch or dent easily. You keep switching the decks out...clean sealed decks and it will keep cheating to a minimum."
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Trees had been brought in for the holidays. The house smelled of fresh pine and the comforting smell of burning logs from the fireplaces. Joanie insisted on decorating the massive trees with colorful ribbons, cookie bread, gingerbread and imported glass ornaments. Heyes and Kid gave up trying to help when they realized there was more strategy involved in ornament placement than they realized. Joanie only asked their assistance for the taller sections of the tree when standing on her tiptoes, she was still unable to reach the bare sections.
Soapy sat beaming. He laughed when Joanie playfully childed Kid and Heyes for their haphazard ornament placement, until they threw their hands up and surrendered. They both settled into chairs to watch as spectators and gratefully accepted the cigars Soapy passed them.
Soapy excused himself and returned with four colorfully wrapped gifts.
"Joshua", he said as he passed a gift to a surprised Heyes.
"Thaddeus". He handed his gift to him.
"And the last two for Miss Joanie." He said passing her a small oblong wrapped box with a delicate gold bow on top and a larger gift.
"Soapy…" Heyes started to say, his face conveying embarrassment. "We didn't…"
"Of course you did! You gave me the best gift. By you being here...it feels like family. This is the best Christmas ever!"
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Soapy insisted they attend the high profile Christmas social held by some of San Francisco's most elite. Heyes had backed out, content to spend it by the fire in Soapy's extensive library; especially after Soapy gifted him an autographed copy of Mark Twain's new book, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Joanie reached up and adjusted Kid's bowler. She stepped back and gave him an approving nod. He looked handsome in his blue gray suit, the blue highlighting his eyes. Kid smiled a slightly strained smile and lifted his elbow so she could slip her arm in.
"I'm sure you would prefer to be with Joshua…"
"Believe me watching him with his nose buried in a book ain't too exciting."
"Well then I'm thankful you'll be with me tonight." Joanie's hand raised to her neck as she touched the diamond necklace that was around her neck. It complemented her new gown that sparkled under the flickering lamp lights.
"I can't believe Soapy gave me this. I'm almost afraid to wear it. What if something hap-."
Kid quickly cut her off, "Nothing is going to happen." He leaned down and kissed her on her forehead. "You worry too much."
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Soapy took Joanie by the arm and started to guide her away from Kid. He could sense Kid's increasing anxiety. The venue was crowded and noisy making Kid feel trapped and naked. Soapy insisted that he leave his gun behind, but did allow him to take the two pearl handled derringers that were tucked in each vest pocket. It was Soapy's gift to him.
"Joanie I would like to introduce you to some of my friends...If you don't mind Thaddeus."
Kid gave Soapy a nod and a grateful smile.
Crowds made him nervous as his eyes searched for any familiar faces. He knew Soapy wouldn't intentionally endanger him by exposing him to someone that might recognize him but you could never be too cautious. He grabbed a drink and moved to a corner and watched as Soapy and Joanie moved effortlessly through the crowd, pausing at times to allow him to introduce her to someone he deemed important.
Kid threw back his drink and immediately searched for another. He reached a hand to the collar of his starched shirt and irritability pulled at it. It felt like it was choking him.
Perhaps he underrated watching Heyes with his nose buried in a book.
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Soapy moved to Kid's side.
"Seems like Joanie has found a new friend."
Joanie appeared to be in a deep conversation with an attractive older woman. The woman's raven hair was fashionably pulled back, showing off her high cheekbones. Although older, her tight fitting gown accentuated her still shapely figure.
"Miss Dumont...Grand Dame of San Francisco. A very good ally to have."
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"You are back early." Heyes said without looking up from his book.
Kid plopped down in one of the leather chairs in the library. He had taken off his jacket and vest, pulled his shirt free of his pants and unbuttoned his shirt. He leaned back and threw a leg over the arm of the chair.
"Where's Joanie and Soapy?" Heyes asked as he turned another page and continued reading.
"Still there...I had to get out of there. You know how crowds make me edgy. Plus I was getting a might lightheaded. Heyes, I've never seen so much jewelry in one place in my life. I dare say, how much money was hanging from necks, wrists and fingers. I was damn near blinded."
Heyes smiled as he continued to read. Kid grew quiet and stared into the fire. His smile had faded, leaving a sad look on his face. He didn't realize Heyes had stopped reading and was looking at him. Heyes patiently waited for Kid to notice.
When he finally did, he gave Heyes a quick smile and breathed a heavy sigh.
"This isn't going to work...is it? I never thought I would miss the hard ground...not knowing where our next meal was coming from...wide open country. Just riding...and riding. Hell, I wouldn't protest...well not too much...about looking at the ass end of a cow again."
"Have you talked to her?"
"No. You know me, instead of talking I just hope things work themselves out. I do love her, but right now I got nothing to offer her. She will be safe here. Soapy treats her like his own kin."
"Well no matter how much you don't like talking you're going to have too. She needs to tell you what she wants...not what she wants, determined by another man in her life."
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After meeting with Heyes and Kid for lunch for daily updates, Soapy would return home to take Joanie out and show her the sights of the ever growing city of San Francisco.
They had ended by the bay as Soapy pointed out the large ships waiting to unload their cargo.
"Sometimes they have to wait for days and days to unload."
Joanie was staring speechless at the ocean.
"I never imagined it was so... beautiful."
Soapy took on a sad, distant look as he stared out across the vast ocean, watching the waves roll into shore.
"My daughter loved the ocean. I was married once. Out East. Even as a small child she would run fearlessly into the water. I can still hear her laughter when the waves threw her back. Over forty-five years and I can hear it like it was yesterday."
Joanie slipped her hand into Soapy's and squeezed it.
"Is she…?"
"Gone. Yes. Taken by cholera like her mother. Having you here…" Soapy looked at Joanie, "I can't tell you what joy it brings me. With you, Joshua and Thaddeus it feels like family."
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Soapy could hear her sobbing from behind the closed door. He knocked lightly on the door, waited a moment before slowly opening the door. Joanie tried to quickly wipe her tears away. Soapy took a seat beside her on the bed. Joanie's head hung down.
"I can't do this." She said without raising her head. "This isn't who I am."
"And who are you?"
She raised her head and looked at him.
"My dear, you can be whatever and whoever you want to be."
"No I can't...people will find out... eventually they will find out."
Soapy took her hand, "Child, who do you think you met last night? Miss Dumont...ran and still runs some of the biggest whorehouses west of the Mississippi."
Joanie had an astonished look on her face. "And people know?"
"Of course they know. I mean she is a shrewd businesswoman. When men outnumber women seven hundred to one, whorehouses are very profitable businesses here in San Francisco. You find the niche that is needed and you fill it. She has enormous respect in this community. She treats her girls well and is quite generous with her money. New schools...roads and even churches…for all those sinners," he said with a wink. "In fact she was quite enamored with you. Wanted to offer you a job...in her new dress shop" he quickly added.
"Me?"
"I told her you would be perfect for the job. You think about it." Soapy said as he patted her hand and stood up.
"And one day soon, I'll tell you how I ended up with the name Soapy. It certainly wasn't because I had a clean reputation." He said with a laugh.
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Joanie knew he wasn't happy.
"You're awfully quiet tonight." She said as her head rested on Kid's bare chest. Her hand slowly stroked his side.
"Guess I don't have much to say."
"It seems like we should have a lot to say to each other...good...or bad."
She stopped and raised her head to meet his eyes. He looked so sad.
"Spring is coming on...be here in a few months. " She pointed out, "You know we can't put this off forever."
"I can't stay." He blurted out. Joanie didn't think it was possible for him to look sadder.
He tightly closed his eyes. When he reopened them, tears glistened in his eyes.
"I love you so much but…"He studied her face, "...but you know that and judging by your lack of surprise I'm thinking you already figured out I'd be leaving."
"I did," she quietly admitted. "And I'm dreading that day, but I think I've found my home. I think I've found my life...Thanks to you and Joshua. I owe you everything."
"You-" She pressed a finger to his lips, quieting him.
"I...owe...you...everything. Just know I will always love you." She tenderly took his hand and squeezed it.
"Always."
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Unfortunately today marks the tragic death of Pete. I debated whether to post today or wait for Tuesday, in celebration of the 50th anniversary. I decided to post today, to hopefully bring a smile to some fan's faces in remembrance of the talented actor and extraordinary man that we lost.
AS&J first aired on January 5,1971. It is hard to believe it has been FIFTY years. Thanks to all involved in its creation and production. Special thanks and love to Ben, Roger and my beloved Pete for creating something they will endure and be loved well past my natural life.
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