Bartender meets a Barkley
Part One:
"Beer and Gin"
Author's Note: This is my second Big Valley fic and first Gunsmoke fic. This is a prequel to my own fic "Forbidden love for a Barkley". Full Disclosure: The Big Valley and Gunsmoke plus their characters belong to their rightful owners. I only own this fic and my other fic "Forbidden love for a Barkley".
Dodge City, Kansas
It was a beautiful starry night out and business as usual for the Long Branch Saloon. Luckily, there was no trouble, this time especially since Festus had been put in charge of keeping law and order while Matt was off on a fishing trip with an old friend of his. After all, the man deserved a break from all of the criminals roaming the town, the bar brawls, rowdy teenagers, the likes. There was always a time where somebody needed to get away from it all whether it was Matt or Miss Kitty or Doc Adams or even Festus on occasion. However, there was one man who could use a break just like anybody else. That man was Sam Noonan, the bartender. Sam was at the bar all day every day 24/7 serving drinks to the patrons, having small talk with patrons or Miss Kitty or Marshall Dillon or even Festus among others, and cleaning the place up when it was time to close the saloon for the night plus playing his treasured fiddle whenever the opportunity presented itself. Otherwise, the man just kept to himself. In fact, not much was known about Sam other than two of his brothers were lost in the Civil War fighting on the opposite sides and that even though he was a gentle soul, he could be rough and tough when the moment called for it. As of late, despite the fact that he enjoyed his job, Kitty noticed that there was something bothering Sam. He wasn't his usual self especially since he wasn't greeting the patrons and just seemed bored with it all. It was almost as if he just needed time off, but who would tend bar while he was gone?
Sam was finishing up cleaning the last beer mug when Kitty walked up to the bar and sat on a stool.
"Sam?" Kitty spoke up.
"Yes, Miss Kitty?" Sam put the beer mug away and took his apron off, before leaning against the counter.
"Is everything alright?" Kitty asked.
"Yes. Everything is...fine." Sam was obviously lying.
"Sam, I know you're not being truthful, because something is bothering you. In fact, for the past few weeks, you haven't been yourself. You barely interacted with Festus the couple times he stopped by and you've been opening the bar later and later. Plus, you seem bored with bartending. Suppose you confide into me on what's eating you? I always confide into you. We all do at times." Kitty had a lot of sympathy for Sam and wanted to get to the root of what could possibly be bothering him.
Sam didn't say anything, only sighing and running a hand through his hair. He was never one to confide into anybody about anything, even any problems or feelings he had. He was just one of those types who kept to themselves and didn't give off any sign of anything; sadness, stress, etc. He never wanted to call attention to himself and even if people detected something, he would quickly cover it up. This time, it had to be really bad if Kitty could spot that he was starting to act as if he was bored with bartending and that his boredom was showing.
"Sam." Kitty was waiting for an answer.
"Miss Kitty, if I tell you, do you promise not to tell everyone else? I really don't want people fussing over me like I'm a child." Sam looked Kitty right in the eye.
"I promise, Sam." Kitty nodded.
"I really don't want anybody's sympathy or people making a big deal over it." Sam shook his head.
"I understand, Sam. However, what's the problem?" Kitty still wanted to know what was going on with Sam.
"How do I say this without sounding like a pansy? Miss Kitty..." Sam sighed again before taking a deep breath, "I'm bored. I'm really feeling bored. I know that's horrible for me to say, but well, you see, Matt is on a fishing trip and everybody else gets to take a break from Dodge City and go elsewhere while I'm still here day after day, month after month, you get the picture. Now, I am not one to complain nor do I intend to sound childish, but...you understand, don't you?"
"Absolutely, Sam." Kitty put her hand on his arm and rubbed it, "Why don't you take off? Just go and enjoy yourself."
"I can't." Sam shook his head.
"Why not?" Kitty asked.
"Who could tend for me while I'm gone and be reliable? Not be a lying thief who steals out of the register plus all of the bottles of whiskey and heaven knows what else. You can't hire just anybody. Plus, before I set off, I have to teach them everything, so it's almost not worth it." Sam pointed out.
"Sam, don't you worry about it. I'll find somebody and teach them. You just go on home and get yourself ready, then tomorrow, I want you on the first train to...wherever you choose to go." Kitty opened the gate and guided Sam out from behind the bar to the saloon's entrance.
"Miss Kitty, I-" Sam was cut off.
"Sam, I will take care of the saloon and make sure the temporary bartender does a good job. You just go on home like I said and don't worry about a thing." Kitty tried to reassure him.
"You really mean that, Miss Kitty?" Sam started to smile a little.
"With every fiber of my being, Sam. Now, you just choose your destination, get your things packed, and get on the train first thing in the morning. I'll go make the arrangements for you." Kitty smiled.
"Gee, Miss Kitty, you're a real friend. Well, I would like to go visit California." Sam told her.
"Great choice. Now, where in California? Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Stockton?" Kitty grabbed a pencil and a piece of paper.
"I'd say Stockton. San Francisco and Los Angeles seem a little too big for a fella like me." Sam chuckled a little.
"There's that chuckle." Kitty wrote down Stockton, "I'll go make the arrangements for Stockton and first thing in the morning, you are to be on your way to peace and quiet. However, don't forget to write or wire us."
"I won't. I promise." Sam went to leave, only to stop and turn around, "Oh and, Miss Kitty?"
"Yes?" Kitty asked.
"Thank you." Sam smiled.
"Anytime, Sam. Anytime." Kitty replied.
*The next morning*
As planned, Kitty made the arrangements and Sam was all packed and ready to go. He was at the train station and everybody was seeing him off. Everyone excluding Matt as he was out of town. While his things were being loaded, Sam took the time to bid everyone a farewell, one by one.
"Take care, Sam. We is sure gon' miss you. Don't forget to send us a telegram when you get to Stockton, Californy. You hear?" Festus told him.
"I won't forget, Festus. However, you and Doc behave yourselves and take a break from your squabbles." Sam chuckled.
"What in thunder would make you think we would spend time arguing?" Doc folded his arms.
"Yeah, this quack quack and I don't argue none." Festus put his hands on his hips.
Sam gave them his "Really?" look, obviously begging to differ with the deputy and doctor, before chuckling, again, shaking his head, and turning to Miss Kitty.
"Everything will be alright here, Sam. You just enjoy yourself in Stockton." Kitty gave him a hug.
"I will, Miss Kitty and thank you again for making the arrangements and everything. You just make sure that Doc and Festus behave themselves." Sam told her, before turning his attention to Newly, "That goes for you too, Newly."
"Don't worry, Sam. I'll keep my eye on them." Newly nodded.
"Keep your eye on us? Oh shaw! What are we? Children?" Doc asked.
"We ain't ornery little youngins. We don't get into no trouble t'all. Well, I sure don't, but I ain't so sure about this old scutter right here." Festus nodded at Doc.
"Again with the old scutter?" Doc turned to Festus.
Pretty soon, their usual overlapping arguing took place. Sam finished saying goodbye and boarded the train for Stockton.
As everyone else watched the train depart, Festus and Doc continued their overlapping argument before, as per usual, one was left bewildered while the other walked away.
Stockton, California
1 day and 13 hours later
Today was a very pretty day. The sky was clear and blue, the weather was just perfect, and people were going about their lives as usual. The train had finally arrived after what seemed like an eternity. Once it came to a full stop, the conductor went from cart to cart, calling for anybody headed for Stockton to depart.
In the second cart, fifth row, Sam was sound asleep. Apparently, the train ride was very relaxing and seeing as it had been a while since the man had a decent sleep, it was understandable that he'd doze off while on his way to Stockton.
"Mr. Noonan? Mr. Nooan?" the conductor gently tapped Sam's shoulder.
"Hmmmm? Oh. Where-Where am I? Why have we stopped?" Sam woke up and stretched.
"Mr. Noonan, we're in Stockton. Is this your destination?" the conductor asked.
"Already? I didn't think we'd get here that fast. Well, yes, this is my destination." Sam stood up, walked to the cargo area, grabbed his things, and departed the train.
"Goodbye, Mr. Noonan." the conductor said, not realizing Sam had already gotten off the train.
Sam walked a few feet away from the train and the train station, got a good look at Stockton, and had a smile form on his face. It may not be Dodge City and he may feel a trifle out of place, but Stockton was gorgeous. The nature, everything. It seemed so perfect. Well, storybook perfect. This was indeed the place he needed to be for a well-deserved vacation. After all, he wanted to get away from it all and now, he was away from it all.
'This place is gorgeous. It may not be Dodge City and I may not have Miss Kitty, Festus, Marshall Dillon, Doc, Louie, or Newly with me, but I'll meet interesting folks here. After all, I wanted to get away from it all and part of getting away from it all is meeting new faces.' Sam thought, before walking over to the saloon. Why not? A man needed to wet his whistle after a long trip, right?
*Inside the saloon*
The second Sam walked in, a lot of people started to stare at him. Obviously, he was an outsider to them and sometimes, not all outsiders were to be trusted. Of course, knowing it was exactly the same way at the Long Branch, the staring didn't phase Sam in the least bit. All things considered, he was expecting. However, he was also hoping that nobody would start any sort of trouble with him. It was his first day in Stockton and on vacation, so there was no need for somebody to start trouble. Hopefully, not yet or ever.
Sam sat at the bar and ordered himself a beer. While Harry was getting him a mug, Sam had to admit to himself that it felt weird being the customer, because usually he was the one doing Harry's job, serving the drinks and either striking small talk with the patrons or being a good listener to those closest to him. It felt a little weird that now he was on the other end of things.
Over at another table, there were four men playing poker. Gin to be exact. It seemed as though, the man sitting in the third chair was winning.
"Ha! I win, again! Pay up." the man laughed.
"Nick, how do you do that?!" one man groaned before slamming his cards down.
"It's just my lucky day, I guess." Nick gathered his winnings, the cards, and poker chips together, put his winnings in his pocket, put the cards in a neat stack, and got the poker chips stacked neatly, "Who's up for another one?"
"Not me! I'm sunk!" the same man who slammed his cards down stood up and left.
"Well, you all wait here. I'll get us some more drinks. On me." Nick stood up and walked over to the bar, "Harry, some more drinks, please."
"You got it, Nick." Harry said before getting the drinks.
"Pardon me, mister, I don't think I've seen you before. Who are you?" Nick sat next to Sam and tried to make some small talk with him.
"Hello, young man. The name's Sam Noonan. I'm here on a vacation." Sam looked up at Nick.
"Nice to meet you, Sam. My name's Nicholas Jonathan Barkley. Everybody calls me Nick." Nick extended his hand for a handshake.
"Likewise, Nick. Well, just to let you know, I don't want any trouble. I'm just here on a vacation." Sam told him.
"I understand perfectly, Sam. I don't want any trouble either, but when there is, I'm not afraid to brawl. However, let's hope that doesn't happen. I wouldn't want your visit to Stockton to get ruined by idiots. That being said, welcome to Stockton. I hope you enjoy your stay." Nick smiled.
"That's my hope, too." Sam nodded, before taking a sip of his beer.
"Well, we're short a hand at our game of gin. We can use a fourth one. Wanna join?" Nick grabbed the drinks and stood up.
"No need to ask." Sam grabbed his beverage and stood up, towering over Nick, "Gin is my favorite game. However, I must warn you that I'm very good at winning."
"Well, Mr. Noonan, we'll just see." Nick said in a lighthearted way.
"You're on, Mr. Barkley." Sam chuckled.
With that, the two men walked over to the table and engaged in a fun game of gin. In fact, it was a game that neither one would forget.
To Be Continued...
Nick: Sam, no cheating.
Sam: The same applies to you, Nick.
Nick: Ohhhhh.
Victoria: What's happening here?
Nick: R&R, people.
