Dodge City, Dodge City
Kitty's head jerked up from her half-asleep state at driver's announcement. Blinking her eyes, she glanced out the stage-coach window – nothing but muddy streets and ugly buildings. Dodge City was not a place she'd be staying in one second longer than she had to. The driver threw open the door, letting cold damp air poor in. Kitty pulled her shawl tighter, and leaned forward to hear the driver's words. "Folks," He pulled his cigar from his mouth. "We're gonna feed and water the horses here in Dodge, I suggest you do the same for yourselves. There's a cafe across the way and a choice of saloons down Front Street, for you men who have a hankering for wettin' your whiskers. Don't plan on taking a saloon girl upstairs unless you're quick about it. I'm leaving in exactly 30 minutes. We're right on schedule and I'm keeping it that way."
Gripping her drawstring purse, Kitty picked her way across the street around puddles and piles of mud. Cold, hungry and miserable she pushed through the door of the cafe and took a small table for one, near the door. A waiter appeared as she studied the menu. "What can I get you ma'am?" Kitty looked up with a smile. The waiter blushed. Women this beautiful didn't pass through Dodge City very often. "Oatmeal and coffee please, and if it's not too much trouble, I hope you can bring it quickly. I have to get back on the stage-coach." The waiter nodded, eager to please the lovely lady. "Yes, of course, right way."
Her meal appeared impossibly fast; lumpy oatmeal and steaming coffee that was bitter and strong. Good amounts of cream and sugar, in both, added some needed improvement. She glanced around as she dug in – a few saloon girls, were at a table in the back chatting and munching sweet rolls. Three cowboys sat together eating eggs. An old man with a mustache grumbled to himself himself as he drank coffee and eyed the door. He was probably expecting someone. Kitty wolfed down her oatmeal and drained her cup – this town had nothing to offer. With a shake of her head, she dabbed a napkin on her lips, dropped coins on the table and made her way back over to the stage. Folks were already boarding and the driver was out front talking to an extremely tall, broad shouldered young man, whose back was to her. She could hear their conversation.
"Marshal, the trip has been uneventful and I expect it to stay that way. I'm not carrying anything valuable, and the passengers this ride, sure don't look like they have anything worth stealing. Robbers seem able to sniff those things out." The tall, young marshal laughed. "I'd say that's mostly true. Well, I'd better get to breakfast. Doc's waiting for me."
The marshal turned to walk away, just as Kitty reached the stage-coach. He looked down at her with kind, blue eyes and tipped his hat, "Ma'am." She nodded curtly and hurried along. She didn't have much use for lawmen, and a polite tip of the hat did not impress her. No one was more polite that Cole Yankton, and he left her high and dry. She lifted her skirt, and climbed into the stage eager to be gone from Dodge. Anywhere else was bound to be better.
After a Week of Traveling
"Denver Colorado, Denver. Last stop." The door flew open, sunlight flooded the coach. Clutching her drawstring purse, Kitty eagerly stepped out onto the street, happy to stretch her legs out. She glance around. The place appealed to her. If it truly suited her she'd stay, if not, she'd try San Francisco when she had more money saved. She was down to her last $20, enough to pay to for meals and a room while she looked for a job. Of course that meant saloon work. It's what she knew and where she had experience. But she wouldn't be a saloon girl forever. She'd show whoever her boss was that she was good with numbers, understood the business side of things, and was smart. She'd work her way up fast, save money, in a few years have her own saloon – be a businesswoman, part of the community, maybe even find a man to love. Glowing with thoughts of the future, she waited for the stage-coach driver to retrieve her suitcase from the top of the stage.
"OWW." Pushed from behind she staggered and felt a tug on her wrist. She gasped. A boy had her purse and was running full tilt. He disappeared down an alley. The stage-coach driver hurried over carrying her suitcase. "I saw what happened. Are you all right?" Wide-eyed she slowly nodded. The driver handed over her bag. "Well at least you have this. Forget about that purse. Don't even bother reporting it. Sheriff Lindol doesn't care about stuff like that, says it's not worth his time." Kitty watched the driver climb back up to his seat and drove off, without looking back. She blinked back tears. Her money was gone, all her cash was in that draw-string purse. She took a deep breath to steady herself and lifted her chin. Oh well, she'd just had to find a job quicker than she thought. A careful look down Main Street revealed that the biggest, best looking saloon was the Lucky Lady. The name felt like a good omen. She sauntered in as if she owned the place and went directly to the well-dressed, well-fed man standing by the bar. "Hello, I'm Kitty Russell." She offered a dazzling smile. "I'm looking for the owner, and I'm thinking that's you." The man ran a hand through his greasy hair and assessed every inch of her body and face. "Yep, name's Pentz, Jay Pentz." "Well, Mr. Pentz, I'm looking for a job. I've done saloon work in New Orleans, and know a lot about the business." Jay smiled hungrily. A woman with such beauty didn't come his way too often. She could be a gold mine. "Well, Kitty, it just so happens I am looking to hire, but I'm very selective. This is the best saloon in Denver, so before I hire you, we have to go upstairs so I can examine all your assets." She nodded slowly, this was familiar territory. "Before I do that. I have to know my cut for entertaining customers." Pentz smiled. "You're a smart one I see. The cut is you 20% and the house 80 %." Kitty shook her head. 30% and 70%." Pentz laughed out loud. "Smarter than I thought. All right, that is if you pass my audition. One more thing. When the sheriff comes he doesn't pay. He's no profit to either of us, but that's that cost of keeping the law on your side. Let's go." She followed him upstairs.
After 5 Days
Kitty sat at her vanity staring into the mirror. She didn't feel her best, and knew she didn't look it Thank goodness she had a good supply of make-up in that suitcase of hers. She dipped her finger into a jar of rouge, and expertly gave color to her cheeks. The past 5 days had been tough - waiting for Friday to get paid. With no money to buy meals, she'd survived on the hard boiled eggs, pretzels and occasional ham sandwiches, set out as free bar food. Thank goodness employees got unlimited beer. But every night, she brought customers up to her room, and kept a running tally. Racking up bucks was the point. She wouldn't be a saloon girl all her life – no way, no how. One day she'd be a business owner here or maybe even in San Francisco. She added a flourish of red to her lips, and got to her feet. Today was payday, the start of something big. Filled with happy anticipation, she gracefully descended the stairs to the barroom. Other saloon women, looking tired and grim were already there, waiting for their money. She got in line, and Jay Pentz grinned when she approached. He ran his finger down a list of names and numbers. "Ah, Kitty, the biggest earner of the week, congratulations." He reached into a small metal box and slid two dollars over. Kitty's smile fell off her face. She folded her arms and leaned towards him. "How is this possible? We have a 30/70 deal. Even if we didn't I'm owed more than this."
Pentz frowned. "Oh, did I forget to mention? You get your percentage after the rent for your room is deducted. If you want to live elsewhere, go ahead, but if you work here, you live here. That's my rule. Of course you could try and find work in another saloon, but no one hires my rejects." Pentz closed his metal box and carried it away. Kitty blinked back tears of frustration. She had to get out of this place, but $2 wasn't enough to take a stage coach anywhere. Besides, she desperately needed to use the little money she had to get some decent meals. There'd be nothing left after that. Nothing to save. She clenched her teeth and stamped a foot. Damn it, that man was not going to stop her. She was going to succeed and move up in the world. For now, she just have to take more customers, and find ways to make Pentz appreciate her other abilities like bookkeeping, and pricing. Next week would be better, and the next even better. Filled with renewed determination, Kitty left the saloon to buy herself lunch.
TBC