how much more can i take? [open]

[scapula.]

If I wasn't bored to pieces, I'd never have stopped in this barroom.

Jeb stood just inside the door, surveying the troublemakers within. Eight-thirty was the time he closed up shop, and tonight, instead of heading straight up to his room, he had decided to stop for some sustenance. Normally, instead of stopping in the bar and ordering, he would take dinner in his room. Tonight though, he felt the need for some company. Even if it was of the loudest, most annoying kind.

A man eyed him from the bar. Said man had been harassing the bartender, now it was Jeb's turn. Being the gentleman that he was, Jeb hardly said a word to those who made his life a living hell. " 'ey Smithy, ain't chu's got some work to bes doin'? Y'all bes' get out there an' work fo' yer money. It don't come free, son," he called, and the room laughed. Narrowed eyes shot a filthy glare at the drunk as he shouldered past the guffawing morons to a deserted table in the corner of the room. It was as far away as he could manage, but even through the raised voices Jeb could still hear the man's taunts. The man cursed him up and down, from his German and Lakota heritage to the scruff on his jaws. The blacksmith said nothing, keeping his eyes to the table. Tracing the lines in the wood with his eyes, he sighed outwardly. Why had he even bothered with this rowdy bunch?

All I want is my dinner, he thought bitterly. The worst part about the drunken man's taunts was that not even two hours ago, Jeb had shod his horse for less than the given price since his family wasn't well off. It killed him to see that the man was wasting his money on liquor and not providing for his family. A lesser man might have vengefully taken back the horseshoes, but Jeb couldn't put the animal's soft hooves through the pain of gravel. He had always had a tender spot for animals and that would never change. Revenge wasn't always the ticket to wellness.

Seeing a waitress walk past, he touched her arm with a soft "Excuse me miss". She must not have heard him because she disappeared into the back. Jeb was seriously considering taking his food upstairs, as always. The man had not let up since the moment he walked in the door and the laughter was starting to get to him, not to mention the rank smell of alcohol and body odor. He half-wondered if he should check on Iye just for a reason to get out of the bar, but he knew that after the paint was bedded down and fed, he was fine and needed nothing further. Groaning, Jeb rested his head on his hand and waited. Perhaps not as patiently as he could have, but he was still waiting, as a gentleman should.

[Sephiramy]

Knock..knock..

The sudden sound of one's fist banging on her door woke Marty right up. At first she began to wonder if she was hearing things as she rubbed her eyes and stretched up high, but then it came again. Two knock and a quiet low voice. "Ma'am.. are you awake?" Marty had no idea who this person was or why they were knocking on her door, however in her sleepy state she stood up, slipped on her thin robe and walked across the bare floor without so much as a single concern.

"Maybe I help you?" she asked after opening her door just a crack. It was then that she saw her intruder. It was a short man, round in the middle and rather scruffy looking too. The corners of his mouth were turned down and his eyes looked worried.

I'm sorry ma'am ta be botherin' ya but we are short handed and need 'nother servin' girly. Yer just a visitor I know but we'll pay ya a full days wage." After the man said what was on his mind he stood there with pleading eyes. Marty couldn't help but give him a small smile and a slight nod.

"I can be ready in six minutes," she told the man. He then thanked her and soon disappeared down the hallway.

As quickly as she could Marty spun around her heels and began pulling out clean clothes to change into. She also dressed the blistered wounds on her hands making sure to carefully wrap a clean cloth on each one. Then in no time at all she was ready with her hair pinned up loosely but neatly of course. Marty decided to take one last look in the tiny mirror before heading downstairs. She was decent enough but her skin was still slightly pink from the sun. There was nothing she could do about that so out the door she went until she found the same older man who had knocked on her door earlier.

They had a quick conversation about what was needed to be done and how to do it. It seemed simple enough to Marty as she gave him another nod.

Turning around Marty looked at the room which was filled with all sorts of men. She had never really been in a situation like this but she was sure to make it out alive. So with her shoulders back Marty walked to one of the tables in the far corner where one man was sitting along.

"Good morning," she said not quite realizing it was dinnertime due to her long journey finally coming to an end yesterday. Why the poor woman had been sleeping on past twelve hours before she was woken up. "May I get you anything?"

[scapula.]

"Are ye even listenin', scruffy?" the man hooted, slapping his hand on his knee as he succumbed to hilarity. One of the men sitting next to him put an arm around his shoulders, walking him out the front doors. At least someone saw that it was high time he stopped drinking, Jeb thought with a snort. The noise level in the bar had dropped significantly since the man had been escorted out and could now be considered bearable.

A soft "Good morning" called for his attention, and he turned his gentle hazel gaze onto a serving girl. Her hair was pulled up (as any lady's would be) but something about her was out of the ordinary. He realized this as he processed what she had said, his gaze falling briefly over her bandaged hands. "May I get you anything?" Those were probably the kindest words he had heard all day and he willingly took the little bit of attention paid to him.

"Hello miss. I'm afraid you've mistaken the time of day; it's nearly nine-thirty in the evening," he said, almost apologetically. Jeb wasn't one to willingly correct others unless it was needed, and he was sure that knowing the time of day was useful knowledge. "I'd just like a glass of cold water and some sort of a sandwich. Whatever's easiest for you to make." His tone was laced with Lakota pronounciation, so much that it overruled the German completely. It wasn't an odd-sounding match, just different.

Taking a look at her face, he could tell that there was something wrong. At least one thing, that was for sure. Underneath her calm demeanor, she seemed a little nervous. He reasoned that it could well have something to do with the wounds on her hands, but it wasn't as if Jeb would ever ask. He'd make his own assumptions and keep them to himself. If she wanted to come back and talk, well, that was right fine by him. Company was something he didn't get too often.

[Sephiramy]

As mentioned before Marty wasn't use to be around so many men at one time and especially in a saloon. For she had never worked in town before but instead along side her father and brothers in the fields. It was a bit of an uncomfortable situation but at least she didn't have to dress in a costume that showed off way more skin then normal. Marty would have down right refused the short day job if it had been required. The money was much needed though so Marty decided she'd have to push past her comfort zone and just deal with it.

While waiting for the man to reply Marty looked him over real fast. It was a bit dark in the corner of the room so it was harder to really catch a glimpse of what he truly looked like. Was he a traveler like herself? Or perhaps one of the town's people? Which ever it was Marty hoped to find out just so she could learn a bit more about this town before moving on to the next.

Soon enough the man looked up at her and gave a quick hello. He then went on to say that she was mistaken and that it was really nine-thirty. This little bit of news shocked Marty for she had never slept in so late in her entire life. The shock must have shown on her face too as she looked out the dirty old window nearby. Sure enough it was dark outside and normally men didn't start drinking until at least early afternoon. So the man had to be correct.

"Oh, I'm.. I'm sorry," she said fumbling over her words from sheer embarrassment, "I didn't realize that.. well.. how about a good evening then?" Marty then waited once more for his order hoping that the thought of food would make him forget her little mistake. Thankfully not long after he decided on a water and a sandwich.

"Sounds good," she stated with a nod, "I will have that out as soon as possible." With that said Marty turned around and soon disappeared into the back where the food was prepared. It didn't take long until Marty had a fresh glass of water from the pump and a sliced turkey sandwich with cheese. Hopefully it would be to the man's liking.

As Marty was carrying out the man's dinner a few other men waved her over in their direction. She sent a quick little nod their way before continuing to the back corner where the lonely man sat.

"Here you are Sir," she announced while setting the plate down in front of him along with his glass of water. "If you need anything else please call me over. My name is Marty." Right after the quick introduction Marty walked towards another table where a different customer was waiting. This was pretty much how the next thirty minutes went by as she walked around the room taking orders and then serving them their meals. Every now and then however Marty always glanced up to see if the stranger in the corner was still there. He seemed more calm and less crude then any other man here at the moment so she really wanted to get his opinion on the town.

She really hoped he wouldn't be leaving any time soon.

[scapula.]

The girl's face turned a bright red and out of respect, Jeb lowered his eyes. He (although unintentionally) had embarrassed her. His teeth pulled at his bottom lip until she answered, bouncing back quickly from her blunder. The smithy had ordered at just the right time though; she walked off to get his food, probably in the hopes that he would forget his first impression of her. As she left, his eyes followed her but he wasn't watching her. His gaze had turned inward as he thought. What was his first impression of her? Sweet, willing to please, a bit jumpy. Nonetheless, she seemed like a good pick for someone who had to be aquainted with people all day long.

It wasn't much later that he saw her come back into the room with his meal. As she set it on the table, he lifted the top slice of bread to see what she had chosen. Turkey and cheese. Not like it would have mattered -- Jeb would eat just about anything. He nodded his head to her. "Thank you, miss." She gave her name, and he corrected himself. "I mean, Miss Marty." He flashed his twisted half-smile at her and when she left to serve others, he began eating. It was good. Food here was always good, just like the service.

It took Jeb much longer than usual to eat, but he was taking his time. He wasn't delaying anything but sleep, and he wasn't privy to sleep until at least ten-thirty, eleven o'clock. The new waitress intrigued him as well. She hadn't worked here long, he knew, or he would have known her name at the least. Time passed and he watched an older couple bicker at a table near him. They meant nothing by it, but they were doing it for everyone's amusement; Grandmam picking on Grandpap for being so forgetful, Grandpap just sitting and smiling for the audience of drunks.

The smithy wasn't unaware of Marty's glances toward him but he played it like he hadn't seen her. She clearly wanted to talk to him about something and he was itching to talk. Finally, after stalling for a half an hour or so, he finished his sandwich, downing the rest of his water. The bar was visibly less crowded, not many people left except for the regular drinkers that had to be kicked out at the end of the night just so that they would leave.

He thought he spotted Marty nearby and he seized his chance for conversation. "Miss Marty? I'm not much in need of anything except my bill. And some company, if you're willing to give it." He smiled, hoping to invite her over. Most women didn't give a guy they didn't know a second glance but maybe she'd be different. Jeb wasn't the type to try and seduce a girl to his room. He was perfectly happy for a good lady-friend. Perhaps this encounter would end up this way.