The Kid woke the next morning with his head aching, and his mouth dry, it'd been a while, even before his month on the work farm, that he'd felt safe enough to drink as much as he had last night. Heyes was already awake, and puttering round their small shelter. The Kid taking advantage of not being observed by his cousin, eyed him closely, noting the changes that eighteen months had wrought in him. Physically he was broader in the shoulder, his hair was definitely longer, and his face less rounded, but the biggest change was in how he held himself. Heyes had of course never lacked confidence, but now he just seemed to be totally comfortable in his own skin. Outlawing obviously suited him.
Feeling himself being watched, Heyes turned with a smile. "Well, you look like hell, Kid. We gotta get ya used to hard liquor before we get to Devil's Hole, you'll want to fit in!"
The Kid stung, tried to sit up, but then when his head complained, he instead lay back down with a grunt. "I told you its been a rough month! I can handle my liquor as good as anyone."
Heyes looked at him for a long moment, until Kid felt almost uncomfortable under the intensity of look, then he shrugged and said. "Whatever ya say, Kid! Coffee?"
The Kid half raised himself, this time ignoring his protesting head, and took a long gulp of the steaming mug Heyes handed him, then nearly choked, coughing as it slid down his throat. After finally managing to swallow the sludge, spluttering in shock at just how awful it was, and with his eyes watering, gasped. "Where the hell did you learn to murder coffee like this?"
Heyes glared, put his hands on his hips, as he said dismissively, "Can't handle ya coffee neither eh? I've got some work to do I can see. I'll have you know my coffee is in demand at Devil's Hole. You just ain't adult enough to 'preciate it properly, that's all."
The Kid nearly threw the cup at his cousin, already tired of the needling, but instead he slammed it heavily down on the rock beneath him. He swallowed hard, pushing down the disappointed uneasy feeling rising in him, at the way that only their second real conversation since meeting back up was going. But pushing through it, he said roughly. "Maybe this ain't gonna work, Heyes, and we should part ways now. We can meet up for Christmas or somethin'." He didn't like the idea of separating again, but for him, staying together, if it meant falling out, would be even worse than being apart, but still friends.
As he spoke, the Kid thought he saw something like panic flash across Heyes' face, but the expression was so fleeting he couldn't be sure, but when his cousin replied, his tone was less abrasive than it had been. "That's probably not the right way to go, Kid, all we gotta do is just get used to each other again. While I was waiting for you to wake up, I got to thinking, that we should telegram Soapy, tell him we'll be delayed, then head to Reno . I was caught between Virginia City and Reno, but I flipped a coin, came up heads, so Reno it is." He paused then with a warm smile, that made the Kid smile back at him added gently. "I'm guessing you ain't had much fun the last few months... and now I'm even more sure its the best thing for us, we can kick back, and get comfortable with each other again."
The Kid taking another far more ginger sip of the mud that Heyes was calling coffee, this time actually appreciating how it was waking his sluggish brain up, and said ruefully. "I ain't got the money for that, Heyes..."
Heyes looked at him, his expression puzzled, "Since when does that matter Kid? Besides I ain't forgotten its your birthday soon."
The Kid was doubtful, still feeling a little stung by his cousin's comments. He'd been counting down to this for so long, the reality somehow felt a bit of a let down. "I dunno, Heyes...maybe..."
Heyes walked over, and sat down next to him, leaning into knock his shoulder affectionately, as he rested his hand on his knee, and said. "C'mon, Kid, give us a chance, if after Reno, you still don't figure we can make it work, we'll talk again. We're both plenty tired, with you being sick and all, so we ain't at our best."
The Kid took in his warm gaze, seeing the worry lurking underneath, and as he did, recalled many a conversation between them, and was somewhat embarrassed, that he had somehow forgotten in their time apart, that Heyes had always had a sharp tongue. So he shrugged, definitely not relishing a return to the loneliness of the last few months, and was suddenly more than happy to give them travelling together, a decent go. He nodded, though still feeling he needed his cousin to know he was grown now, said carefully. "All right Heyes, but I warn ya, if you get too annoyin' I'll just flatten ya. I'm as big as you are now, and no more cracks 'bout my age, you know as well as me, you ain't more than two years older than me."
Heyes nodded once, and to the Kid's relief, the tension between them quickly eased, as Heyes said with his dimples showing, and his tone teasing. "I can move pretty quick, but I promise I'll try." He then added more seriously, his expression sincere and his eyes warm. "You know most times, I don't mean nothing by my comments."
The Kid gave him a smile, the irritation gone as he said. "I'd just forgotten how ornery you are, is all...but damn your coffee is bad. That gang of yours must have no sense of taste...or they just ain't never tasted proper coffee."
The Kid moved to his feet, careful of his still slightly thudding head as Heyes did the same, while he said grumpily. "I still say my coffee is fine, but you make the next lot, while I start on breakfast."
The Kid grinned then. "You got yourself a deal, Heyes."
They worked together in comfortable silence, then Heyes humphed, turned to him and said. "I'm ornery?"
The Kid just grinned at him, because now he was less grumpy, and more alert, he knew nothing had changed between them really, and only said. "Coffees' up, and that breakfast sure smells better than your coffee tasted."
ASJ
"See this is the place I'm talkin' about." Heyes handed the Kid a fancy looking flyer that proclaimed.
The Sunshine Club
Virginia Street, Reno
All Gentleman of discernment welcome
Our exclusive establishment caters to all the pleasures a gentleman requires.
The Kid frowned as he read, then shook his head. "Won't this place need some kinda invite? Don't figure with that kinda advertising they'll take just anyone."
Heyes gave him a grin. "I think by discernment they just mean rich. But if we run into trouble I'll just mention our dear friend Joseph Mason Vauxhall The Third, Esq. Real nice fella, stinking rich, family made their money in cattle."
The Kid laughed, remembering the alias as one that Jim Guffy used, and said. "Well all right, Heyes, but I ain't guessing they'd take real kindly to an outlaw and a gunnie in their midst."
"Well Kid, that's where Charlton Merryweather The Third comes in and his cousin, and bodyguard Henry Johnson."
Kid catching on to what his friend was meaning folded his arms, about to complain about how come he got to be the bodyguard, then realised that there was no way he would pull of being rich the same way Heyes could, and sighed, nodding. "What's Henry gonna be doing while Charlton plays poker?"
"Well, like the flyer says Kid, they cater to all a gentleman's needs."
He winked and the Kid's face broke into a broad smile. "Well I kinda like the sound of that, Merryweather.
ASJ
Standing in their hotel room, a short walk from the club, the Kid sighed and caught Heyes' gaze on him in the mirror and muttered. "I ain't sure about this, Heyes."
"Well I am, and remember its Charlton Merryweather The Third, Kid."
The Kid repeated the name to himself, as Heyes looked at him amused, as he added. "Ya know, Kid, maybe Henry better be the strong silent type."
"Well Charlton, I don't know who this Kid is you're talkin' 'bout, but Henry sure hopes the club serves food."
Heyes brushed down the Kid's suit jacket, before straightening his own and after one final glance in the mirror turned back to his cousin with a small grin. "Oh I'm sure they do, Henry, all served in fancy porcelain even. Just don't embarrass us by using your fingers."
The Kid shot him a look, but said nothing, his hand twitching towards his gun, that he'd insisted on wearing, despite Heyes' concern it gave the wrong message, only saying as he'd tied it on. "What kinda bodyguard don't wear a gun?"
ASJ
The Kid hovered a little uncomfortably in the club's reception area, taking in the plush surroundings, trying not to shuffle, as Heyes already happily immersed in his guise, beckoned the desk man over imperiously, as he said. "I understand one can purchase an evening's membership here. My name is Carlton Merryweather The Third, and one or two of my connections suggested this may be my sort of establishment."
The Kid was impressed, and a little envious at how easily Heyes could slip into the persona of a man, born rich and intending to stay that way, when it was so far beyond their own experience.
."Indeed Sir, for the most reasonable sum of $30 that is indeed possible." The man slinked over to them, as he spoke. The Kid swallowing hard at the almost eye watering amount he'd named as reasonable, hid the mild disgust that had risen at the man's weaselly and insipid manner, irritatingly paired with the slightly overbearing, superior attitude, that was common in men who served the rich.
Heyes didn't even flinch at the sum though, and simply plucked out $60, ensuring the man got a good view of the quality of his wallet, and the large amount of cash still remaining in it. The man hesitated before taking the money from Heyes, a slightly simpering smile on his face, before his gaze slipped over to the Kid, and he gave a disapproving sniff, as he said. "While you are more than welcome here. Perhaps your companion will be more comfortable in one of the saloons down the road, Sir."
The Kid his hackles already up, found himself even more annoyed at the disparaging look, and insulting manner. He and Heyes had faced both too many times, since their folks had been murdered and they'd been thrust out into the world alone. But he wasn't the same boy, he'd been in Kansas City, or Denver even. He was a man now, and wouldn't let himself be dismissed. So he met them both, with a steady gaze, that he knew held just the hint of menace, refusing to be intimidated.
Heyes gave the Kid a warning glance and a gentle kick on his ankle, before turning to the man. "This is Henry, good friend, cousin and my personal bodyguard of some years, so I want him to stay right here." Heyes put a snap into his tone, that brooked no argument and the man seemed to fold back into himself, as Kid hid a smile, as he thought, Yeah, you tell him Heyes.
"I do not believe you will be in need of a bodyguard here, we are a most respectable establishment." Albert replied sniffily, but just the right side of polite, so that it was hard to call him out on it.
Heyes sighed, then pulled at his cuffs, as he gave a disparaging sniff. "My good friend Mr Mason Vauxhall said as much, which is why I decided to spend my night in Nevada here, rather than in Virginia City, and the Washoe club, I would not wish to regret my choice. He paused then added firmly. "I expect that you will treat my friend with the same respect that you do me, or I shall have to inform your employer of your discourtesy." Heyes peered at the name badge pinned to the man's uniform, and finished. "Do we understand each other, Albert?" Heyes stopped then, and after a quick, not quite approving glance round him added. " And while this does appear to be an adequate establishment, the less said about the streets nearby, the better. We were nearly accosted on our walk here by two rather nasty looking ruffians, but for Henry's presence it could have gone very different."
The Kid hid a grin at the uncomfortable expression that crossed the silly little man's face, beginning to enjoy himself, especially when Albert waved over to a scantily clad woman, who had just exited one of the rooms behind the desk. She walked over to them with a smile, as Albert said. "Maisie, while Mr Merryweather is engaged at the tables, I'm sure you can amuse his companion, and later, there are always some smaller stakes games in the side rooms."
What remained unsaid was for the 'poor folk.' but before the Kid could get annoyed, Maisie came over to him, her arm sliding round his back as she said."Be my pleasure Albert, I'm sure."
The Kid feeling on far more familiar ground gave the girl a smile, and said honestly. "The pleasure will be mine I'm certain, Miss."
Heyes rolled his eyes, and with an airy wave turned back to Albert with a smile. "The real action is upstairs?"
Albert nodded. "Indeed Mr Merryweather, allow me to show you the way."
Heyes turned to the Kid with a grin, and said. "Have fun, Henry, I expect, it'll be a long night." Then with an airy wave he was following Albert towards the expensively carpeted stairs, and was gone.
ASJ
The Kid half dozing, felt his bed companion stir and waken. With a smile, he turned to look at Maisie, who returned his expression, before her face fell, and she said sounding worried. "We're not meant to fall asleep with the customers."
The Kid leant into give Maisie a lingering kiss, tasting his own essence on her lips, and as he pulled away said. "No one will hear that you did from me, Miss." Before returning to kiss her lips. She relaxed, returning the kiss with enthusiasm.
The Kid reflected that though it had been difficult after his enforced month long abstinence, that first time, to pull back from his need, and make sure the woman was satisfied too, he had managed, and counted it a success, when her noises of passion had most definitely not been feigned. By the third time, his thirst was effectively quenched, and he'd taken her falling asleep against him as evidence of a job well done.
He pulled out of the kiss with a sigh, and rolled to sit on the edge of the bed reluctantly. Heyes would tease him no end if he didn't at least play a few games of poker. Conscious of her watching him as he gathered his clothes and began to dress, he deliberately did so slowly, enjoying the attention. When he was finally decent, he gave her another kiss and dug out some of the money Heyes had given him from his pocket.
She shook her head. "Oh no, we get paid by the club...they like to keep our services exclusive."
He grinned at her. "Well Miss, I think you deserve a bonus..."
Then before the come hither look in her eyes could tempt him further, he grabbed his hat, winked at her and left, closing the door behind him.
Albert was nowhere to be seen when he re-entered the plush hallway, and while he was in no great rush to see the man again, directions first, to where the food was served, then second to the 'poor folk games' would be useful. So he supposed he'd better find him.
Hearing voices from one of the rooms at the end of the corridor, he went in that direction. Slowing and frowning as he got close enough to hear the conversation. "As I understand it, two men called Saunders and O'Sullivan have got the con game in San Francisco all tied up, Tony I don't see how there is any room for us, unless we want to fight for it, and that will get real messy." The Kid was surprised to hear the firm tone to Albert's voice, and realised that it wasn't just him and Heyes playing a part.
"Now, Albie, you know me, so have some faith, I got me a real good plan to get them tucked up in prison good and tight... so them being gone will open a whole new set of possibilities for our organisation. Be a step up from working for this place I can tell you."
