OOC thread post261200.html#p261200

Coarsegold, California, 1880

During the gold rush of 1849 Coarsegold became a thriving mining town. An old hill overlooking a small, murky lake is now full of tunnels and mine karts, although none of them have seen any real use in quite some time. Soon after the gold ran out, the Assay Office was the first of Coarsegold's establishments to shut down. There is really only one street in Coarsegold.....the aptly named "Main Street." The majority of the businesses are all located on this street, with only a few, such as the "ladies house" being located off of the incredibly imaginative "North South Street," which runs directly through the center of town, intersecting with Main Street. Coarsegold's current claim to fame as the "Home of the Annual Moonlight Cow Tipping Festival" has almost brought it fame across the county.

Sheriff Shift has, over the last week, set out on what some might call a crusade to find reasons to shut down the local businesses of Coarsegold. Most of the closings up to this point have been on trumped up charges. The closest U.S. Marshals who have the power to legally do something about the situation are days away in San Francisco, and most residents who have made the trip there have opted to stay, writing back that as a dying town, the government wasn't much interested in the local Sheriff's activities.

Why does the Sheriff seem so hell bent on shutting the whole town down? If things continue this way, Coarsegold will be nothing more than a memory within a week.............

Coarsegold's Current Status

Mine: Abandoned
Assay Office: Closed
Railroad Station: Closed
Hotel: Closed
Post Office: Closed
Blacksmith: Closed
Opera House: Closed
General Store: Open
Saloon: Open
Mom's Restaurant: Open
Pharmacy: Open
"Women's House": Open (at night only)
Bank: Open
Schoolhouse: Open
Barber Shop: Open


Active Characters
Name: Coroy Byrne
Age: 30
Sex: Male
Occupation: Miner
Played by: Irish Wolf

Name: Joseph Kane
Age: 20
Sex: Male
Occupation: Bounty Hunter
Played by: Ozerbone

Name: Ita "Ginny" McGinness
Age: 26
Gender: Female
Nationality: Irish
Profession: Bounty Hunter
Played by: Jadeling Hawkins

Name:John Howard
Age:35
Sex:Male
Occupation:Gold prospector and Mining Company Owner
Played by: summersgod

Name: Cole Garrett
Age: 30
Sex: Male
Occupation: None. Former Texas Ranger
Played by: Mozenrath

Name: Sue Benjaman
Age: 27
Sex: Female
Occupation: Cook/Waitress at Saloon
Played by: Sammie Spitz

Name: Rosalie Holt
Age: 25
Sex: Female
Occupation: Seamstress
Played by: Driney

Name: man with no name . ( Blonde )
Age:31
Sex: male
Occupation: bounty hunter , merc , outlaw .... etc .
Played by: general kane

Inactive Chars
Name: Keith Richter
Age: 21
Sex: Male
Occupation: That weird guy who came into town packing serious firepower
Played by: Indomitus


All (Otherwise known as the 1st DM)

Wednesday morning brings the all too familiar sound over the last week......the sound of Billy, the town handyman, nailing a "Closed" sign to the Dirty Sheets Hotel. Sheriff Shift stands on the porch of the Sheriff's Office, a grin on his face getting bigger with every nail hammered into the newest "closed" sign.

The local doctor, Doc Gillespie, a short balding man with white hair heads into the Saloon to begin his daily ritual even though it's only 9am. Ms. Prim, the school Marm rings the bell to the school house, summoning all of Coarsegold's remaining children off the streets. Father Saul stands at the end of the street, shaking his head. He knew the people of the town better than anyone, and the thought that it might well be coming to and end was almost too much for him to bear.

"Coarsegold......needs a miracle......," he muttered to himself, heading off toward the church.

The sun reflected off the muddy puddle into John's eyes in the dirt road. He had, had a bad day all morning. and it had been about to get worse. He watched the sheriff nail the closed sign to the Dirty Sheets hotel door. John took off his black hat, smoothing his dark hair back with his right hand frustrated at what was happening.He was shutting down his home.

"Where do you have the authority to close down this fine establishment sheriff ?" John shouted sarcastically. "You won't be able to keep on doing this for long sheriff. People are getting frustrated with your vigarous closer of the... entire town it seems. Including me. Now If I wanted I could leave this town right now and go somewhere else. There's always gold to be mined but... I will tell you right now there is gold around here somewhere, it ain't all gone, and when I find it you will not be able to shut anymore establishments down."

Cole Garrett took a good whiff of the fresh air. He closed his eyes briefly, before wiping the sweat from his brow, "Dammit if this state ain't the hottest in the country... and I thought Texas made ya sweat..." he muttered as he kept his horse moving forward along the dusty road. He was just about 50 yards from entering Coarsegold, when he saw the welcoming sign, "Coarsegold, eh? Guess this is good'a place as any to get a little rest." he muttered to himself as his horse took him into town.

"Good God, half the town is closed." he said to himself as he glanced around. Indeed, about half of the establishments were closed. Fortunately for the town, they seemed to still have a Bank, Saloon, and Pharmacy, "Well shit. Hotel's closed." he said as he stopped his horse in front of the saloon and tied it next to the water trough, "Guess we're gonna have ta keep movin', boy." he said, patting the horse's neck before stepping toward the door.

He had actually gotten a fairly good look at the town's sheriff. Didn't look like the kinda man he'd trust, but law enforcement was no longer his job. As a former Ranger, he actually had a good nose for smelling "rats", and had a funny feeling he was sniffing one in this town. Of course, none of these thoughts were voiced outloud. After all, he wasn't a Ranger anymore, so this sort of thing was no longer his business. California wasn't in the jurisdiction of the Rangers anyway.

He was a bit hesitant at first. Seemed there was one man questioning the sheriff's authority over the closing the hotel. Cole knew the law, and according to the law, the sheriff can close any establish should they lose business and no longer earn profit. Cole figured that was the response the sheriff would give, and hung around outside for a bit, just to see if he was right.

It had been a little slow, so Sue'd been spending the time staring out the window. Specifically, at poor Billy nailing the sign to the door. She tsk'd a couple times and shook her head. Nice fella. Not the brightest, but a steady work horse. He'd probably find somewhere to go, but he seemed to like it here so much- minus the sherriff, of course- he'd probably have a hard time working up the nerve to leave.

Seeing her just sitting there, Papa took it as an invitation to join her and perched himself on the window sill beside her. She scratched him between the ears, muttering as he purred. "What'cha thinking, fella?"

The cat continued purring and rubbing against her. She continued, loud enough for the other person in the room to hear her. "Don't know where he expects people to stay if they're dumb enough to visit. Pitch a tent, I suppose."

The bartender, serving the doc when he walked in, answered, "who knows what's in the man's head these days."

Sue chuckled a bit. "We're right across the street, but he hit the hotel. Me thinks the good keeper of the law needs his eyes examined."

"And his nose." The response made Sue almost burst out laughing.

Papa stiffened up suddenly under her hand. Sue glanced back out the window and noticed someone riding by. He looked in the hotel's direction, seemed to say something, then steered his horse to the watering trough outside their establishment.

Papa took his cue and made his ways back into the rafters as Sue went back to trying to look like she was working.

Joseph Kane walked out of the town stables shaking straw off his old coat, he looked at the sign on the hotel and chuckled.
“Glad I got better sleeping arrangements.”
He tossed his coat over his shoulder, brushed his long hair out of his face and put his hat on. His silver pistols were in complete contrast to his worn-out clothes.
Kane had shown up in town two days ago, he had been sleeping in the stables with his horse. As he walked too the saloon he listened some guy yelling at the sheriff, he entered the saloon after the new man in town.
“How do, ma’am?” He said with million-dollar-smile as he walked past the waitress to the bar.

Sue had been wiping down tables when she heard a noise coming from the back of the saloon. She glanced over at one of the tables, where someone was leaning against the wall, sleeping. His belongings were stowed under the table and the morning sun glistened on a bottle on the table. A telltale sign that he'd had a little help getting to sleep last night.

An overnighter, no doubt. Sue glanced over at George, the boss, who just shrugged and shook his head. He was a big softy sometimes, he never had the heart to turn anyone out. He couldn't anymore, not with the hotel gone. Where were they supposed to go now?

Sue noticed George out of the corner of her eye, motioning her to come over. He gave one more look to their guest, then asked, "mind going over to check on him?"

Sue looked over at the guest for a minute. She chuckled and answered, "seeing as I can hear him from here, he's probably fine. But, okay."

Sue wandered over towards his table, hearing the soft pitter-patter above her from Papa, carefully nagivating the rafters to keep track of her. She was a little curious about this one anyway. She didn't recognize him, he probably came in after George let her go upstairs to bed for the night. She picked up the bottle so wipe the table off, for all the good it was going to do with his boots on it. She took a quick, curious peek at the bag, then threw the rag on her shoulder to get a better look at the bottle to see what he'd been drinking all night.

Sue suddenly heard someone greet her. She looked up and noticed someone flashing her a smile and a friendly nod. But, what Sue really noticed was the few left over straws in his clothes that he hadn't quite caught.

She laughed a bit and replied, "Good morning to you. Looks like you found new arrangements fine."

Summersgod & Mozenrath (and anyone else watching/listening to the Sheriff argument)

Sheriff Shift's grin vanishes. The drawl of his almost steroetypical accent matched his wiry frame all too well.

"Tarnation! As Sheriff of this here municy-pality....yew know dern well that mah job requires me to clean up the town don't it? Well that thar HOTEL was attracting just the sort of varmints we don't want around these parts. Just look at all these ruffians passing through here these days."

Sheriff Shift nods his head in the direction of the stranger.

"Yew best be movin' along sonny. Ain't no room in the inn. Har har! Yessir, I did a public service fer sher. Everythin I do is fer the betterment of the town."

Shift spits into a spittoon. "Ptooeey! Well...I gots me some work to do. Got some wanted posters fer some young fool thinkin' he's a gun slinger....Kenny the Kid they says....heard me a rumor mahself from the feller who done brought me the fliers that he might even be headed this direction. That oughta be enough reason fer you to get yerself on to the next town prospector....ain't no more gold here, ain't been fer more'n 10 year I reckon."

Sue's conversation with the new guest was interrupted by a loud thump next to her. She turned back to the overnighter, who was starting to straighten himself out and peered at her with half-open eyes.

"Are you supposed to be in her my wee lassie," he questioned.

'Wee lassie?'

"I doubt your mam would approve you wandering around in a place of drunks and less than honorable lads like meself."

Several years ago, this would have driven her insane. By now, she was so used to it, she thought it was funny. And she was trying not to laugh right now, but the grinning wasn't being held back.

Well, he's an honest drunk, can't fault him for too much.

"Well, seeing as how I've been working here for..." She had to think a bit. She'd started working here about a year after they came, which makes it... "...'bout seven years now, it's a little late for her to be fussing over it."

Kane looked down at his shirt and saw the straw she was looking at and grinned.
“I figure why pay for a room for me and my horse, when one room will work for both of us.”
The man sleeping against the wall woke slowly and said something funny. Kane raised an eyebrow and chuckled.
“I’ll leave ya to your business ma’am.”
He sat down at the bar and ordered a whisky from the bartender, he rolled an old gold coin between his hands while he waited.

Saloon
As you interact, Mr. Pharkas, the pharmacist, storms into the bar and finds Doc Gillespie already drunk at his table.

"Doc! This prescription you wrote for Sadie is for testosterate! Are you sure you want to prescribe that to a woman?"

"Testoster....no...*hic*....I supposh....*hic*.....that would be irres....irresspons.....not a good idea....lemme fix it.....there ya go Freddy boy now you run along now and have fun."

"Honestly Doc.....it's not even noon yet....I'll be in my lab." Fred turns to leave, then calls out to Sue.

"Hey Sue, if any of your friends there need places to stay what with the hotel shutting down, I've got some extra room in my pharmacy they could use on account of the hotel being shut down....least till they figure out what they're going to do. Or if they'd rather there's always the stables." Fred laughed. "Oh, and why don't you try giving the Doc water on his next order, I don't think he'd notice. And you gents are welcome anytime."

With that he nods, and heads out the Saloon's swinging doors.

ooc--guess that should've gone in the last post

The bartender poured a glass of whisky and Kane rolled the gold coin across the bar to him.
“Keep the change and leave the bottle.”
A man stormed into the saloon and started shouting at the drunken doctor, then made a remark about sleeping in the stables and Kane could not contain a laugh. Kane turned his back to the bar and leaned against it, watching Coroy and Sue. Kane heard a noise above and looked up, he spotted a cat in the rafters watching the same scene.

Sue watched the scene in amusement. She had to shake her head at their good doctor, who came in every morning almost like clockwork. If he were nearly as reliable with his medicine, maybe it would be safe to be sick in this town. He wasn't a bad guy, it was just that going in for treatment could be a bit of a crapshoot. Fred's offer about rooms, and his additional comment about the stable, got a laugh out of her. He went out in such a rush, he didn't have time to hear her.

"I think Dolly beat you to the punch on that one." Dolly being one of the local's horses, the queen of the barn of sorts. It was a trick to walk in and out without getting an inspection from Dolly.

Papa, meanwhile, had been put off with Fred's sudden entrance and exit. Barging doors usually meant trouble. He kewpt crouched and ready, but seeing it was Fred again settled him down. He watched him a little more, then kept up his usually sentry duty.

"Well, I've mananged on my own fine so far. I've got a bit of help anyway." Sue could hear him up there as she spoke. She couldn't tell if he was on alert of just generally wandering around, but he was somewhere.

Hearing his request, she turned around and answered, "I'm gonna go get some water, then, whiskey's only gonna make it worse."

She walked back to the bar and told George, "he needs some water. He said that or whiskey, but considering that's what got him that throat..."

George nodded and went to get a glass. As he did, Sue heard a sudden scurrying. Papa found his way down the rafters and darted after something on the floor. He leaped behind some barrels, then stopped, his tail swishing back and forth. She watched him as she backed out of the corner and trotted back to get up to the rafters with his prize.

"Good boy," she murmured as he passed and found a place back up there to eat his breakfast appetizer in peace.

John knew he couldn't do anything. He wanted to but no one in the town would help him take up the fight against the sheriff and anyway he was a terrible shot, he preffered close range weapons; plank of wood, bottle, knife. He noticed his clothes had been dumped on the floor around the side of th hotel so he walked around picked up his clothes and walked angrily away. Suddenly a man ran up to him he was a thin, scruffy but dressed like a gentlemen, Jimmy.

"I jus bin trying to find you. The hotel's been closed down." Jimmy said nervously looking at a bunch of clothes held by John. "And I'm guessing by those garments you already know. You can stay at mine as long as you want John"

John pushed him out of the way. He didn't mind Jimmy he was loyal and would do anything you would ask him but he wasn't a very smart person.

"Just pick up the rest of the clothes at the hotel. Then go find Bob and tell him to get some miners anywhere around these parts even if it's six miles out I do not care and tell Bob to get some men to go to the nearest town and get some guns and gunners. They'll get paid when they come into town tell them."

He continued walking until he saw the saloon. He dumped his clothes outside and walked inside.

Kane finished off his glass of whisky and refilled it anew. He picked up the glass and drank slowly. Kane turned to see another man enter the saloon and a pile of clothes outside the door.
“I recognize you; you’re the one who was yelling at the sheriff, right? It would seem that you were affected by the recent closing of the local hotel?” Kane’s voice was slightly sarcastic.
“At least somebody cares about their town, most everybody I seen around here just stands back and watches.” His voice now respectful, he was still trying to get some of the straw off his clothes.
“You wouldn’t know where a resourceful young man like me could find some good work would ya?”

Hats were pointless contraptions.

This was Ginny's main thought as she trudged, clinging to her horse's reigns to drag him along behind her (having given up on trying to nudge him forward while in the saddle) step by step into the dusty heat. What was the point of a hat if it wasn't even going to protect your head from the sun? For though she was wearing a thick materialed hat that had served her well for many, many years (she had never really had a different one) it felt as though the sun was still banging down on her skull full force. And her shoulders. What was the point in wearing a shirt if it wasn't going to improve the situation, either? Hell, she might as well have been walking around buck naked, with nothing but her torn up boots to protect her weary feet from...but naw, the boots were doing just as little as the hat!

And fuming about the inefficiencies of her clothing to protect her against the miserable heat and the bitter, vindictive ground, Ginny trudged on. Rickshaw, her loyal steed, snorted every once in a while as though he, too, were wondering what the point was in horseshoes if they did nothing for your hooves against the little rocks that Ginny had to pluck out every night. The pair of them were in a generally foul mood as they went on their way.

But both had perked up, as one, when they had seen the outline of the scrawny little town. A few stragglers could be seen walking around on the dirt streets, and standing at windows, which meant the place wasn't vacated. It even looked like they had lawmen of some sort, which meant that there must have been something valuable to protect with some weak laws. And more importantly, liquid! Preferably whiskey, but water would have been nice, too! And some sort of place to sleep where the horse and the bounty wouldn't have to take turns staying up to watch for snakes and robbers and the like! Oh, joy!

Ginny thought at first that she had broken into a run, along with huffing and puffing Rickshaw, at the sight of the town...but when they were approaching it no faster, she realized that all six tired legs were simply too put out to do anything more than trudge a little faster. Well, as long as the town wasn't going anywhere, that was just fine.

After what seemed like forever (about 15 minutes) Ita McGuinness made it into Coursegold. She stopped, breathing deeply to compose herself, and raised one hand to swipe at the sweat that dripped from her fair-skinned Irish brow. Nearly weeping with relief--but of course not really, for that would be far too feminine--Ita trod forward towards the hotel. And then she saw the recently hung up sign.

"AW, DAMMIT ALL TA HAEL!" She hollered, suddenly finding her energy as she attacked the dirt with several furious kicks. Rickshaw merely fumed in silence, but seemed to be glowering as much as any horse could.

Cole shrugged as the Sheriff gave his "reason" for shutting down the hotel. He'd been wrong before, so it didn't bother him. He was about to go on inside the saloon when the Sheriff suggested he move along.

"Beg yer pardon, Sheriff..." he said in his Texan accent, "...but my horse needs water, and so do I. Don't you worry. I'm just passin' through." he said then went on inside. "Just passin' through"... how many times had he said that to people in all the towns he been through? He lost count. It may as well have been his catchphrase.

Judging by Cole's voice, and on account of that he just arrived in town, he was sober as can be. Didn't matter to him, though. He prefered being sober, because it's nearly impossible to defend yourself when you're drunk, "Howdy..." he said, tipping his hat. His speech and mannerisms made it obvious that he was from Texas, "...mighty hot out today. Don't s'pose a good drink is outta the question, is it?" for being in what northerners called "The Wilde West", he was certainly a polite cowboy, "Also... might anyone point me to a well to fill my water flask?"