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The two glasses clinked with a soft ting, and both men downed their shots. The whiskey burned its familiar path down Caleb's throat, warming his chest like a good memory. Leaning an elbow on the bar, Caleb let a small silence stretch between them before speaking again. "Say, Mr. Douglas. That poker tournament you helped set up a while back… the one that kinda started because of me."
Mr. Douglas raised a brow, reaching for a small tin of chewing tobacco. "Yeah, of course, the poker tournament. Become the talk of the town due to you, Caleb. On our first and second tournament, folks came in with dollar bills in their pockets, hoping to win big or at least leave buzzed after being defeated by you."
Caleb gave a small smirk. "Is it still going on without me?"
Mr. Douglas clicked his tongue and shook his head. "What kind of question is that? Of course not, it stopped right after you disappeared, Caleb. Pinkertons scared folks off their game. Nobody wanted to be seen due to a poker that started cause of you in case they got questioned. But now that they're gone?"
He spat into a spittoon and leaned forward, elbows on the bar. "You plannin' on bringin' it back?"
"I am," Caleb nodded. "I'd like to get one going again, tomorrow night, if possible. I need to start collecting funds. Got a little venture I'm thinking about."
Douglas squinted at him. "Venture?"
Caleb grinned. "Let's just say… something about a fast food. A new kind of business. Affordable, fast meals for folks who work hard but don't have time for stew and waitin', especially the working man like ranchers who wanted to get a hot meal."
Mr. Douglas stared for a moment, then let out a slow, impressed whistle. "Ain't never heard of such a thing, but damn if that don't sound smart. Especially around here, since we are the town of ranchers."
Caleb nodded. "I need seed money to get it going. Buying tools, maybe hiring hands, finding a location, buying that location, and all that."
"Well hell, you came to the right place," Mr. Douglas said. "You got the saloon's blessing. I'll spread the word that the Poker Tournament resumes tomorrow night, 25 dollar buy in, standard house rules. Prize pool all the pit and 250 dollars from you if they win, but that is if they will ever win… after all, you need funds for…" He gave Caleb a sideways look, "your little venture dream."
Caleb gave a grateful chuckle. "Much obliged."
Mr. Douglas smirked and poured himself a refill. "Ambitious. But hell, if anyone could pull it off, it's you. Just don't forget us little folk when your little venture' began to pop up across the state."
Caleb raised his glass. "Don't worry Mr. Douglas, you'll be the first to know. Oh and also, please keep this a secret, even when I have made the venture, don't want no one, especially Cornwall to know and decide to wreak havoc on my business."
"Of course, Caleb. Don't worry, my mouth is sealed." He refilled Caleb's glass. "On the house. So tomorrow night, then. High stakes. I'll spread the word. We'll pack the house."
"Good." Caleb tossed back the rest of his whiskey. "Guess we're gonna have a big show tomorrow."
Mr. Douglas laughed at Caleb's comment, the sound rough and full of approval. "You got it, Caleb. Tight lipped, high stakes, and plenty of beer and whiskey on hand to keep the losers and great if the patrons happy."
Caleb smiled back, tipping his glass one last time before placing it gently on the bar. "Thanks again for the drink. I'll see you tomorrow night, then."
"Bright and sharp, son," Mr. Douglas nodded. "You bring the heat, and I'll bring the crowd."
Caleb turned, his boots creaking on the old wooden floor as he passed through the batwing doors. They slapped shut behind him, muffling the saloon's lively murmur as he stepped out into the cooling Valentine evening.
The sun had begun its slow descent behind the Heartlands, casting long, golden streaks over the town.
Lanterns flickered to life one by one along shopfronts and porches, adding a soft orange hue to the streets. Horses clopped lazily past, and the air smelled faintly of dust, tobacco, and something cooking down the road.
Caleb adjusted his hat and set his eyes on his final stop before heading back to the hotel and his day with a dinner and then rest, the general store.
He crossed the street in long strides, stepping up onto the familiar porch and through the front door. The bell overhead jingled.
From behind the counter, Mr. Worth glanced up from a small book of tallied numbers. When he saw who it was, his eyes lit up. "Is it my eyes need a new glasses or it's truly you… Caleb Thorne. You back from the dead, son?"
Caleb grinned. "Hey, Mr. Worth. I'm back, in the flesh."
From the storeroom, a younger voice shouted, "Wait?! Caleb?!"
Jasper came bursting out of the back, apron still half-tied, and nearly stumbled over a crate. He looked at Caleb with wide, stunned eyes, his face lighting up with surprise and happiness.
"Hey, you're back!"
Caleb laughed, meeting Jasper halfway and clasping forearms with him. "Good to see you too, Jasper."
Mr. Worth chuckled and leaned forward on the counter. "So it's true then. You're really back for good?"
"Yeah," Caleb said, nodding. "And before you ask, yes, it's safe. I already checked with the Sheriff, and Douglas confirmed it. Those so called government. agents called the Pinkertons are gone. Also, Cornwall's men gone to as well. Seems they gave up sniffin' around this part of the state."
Mr. Worth let out a short laugh. "Well damn. I reckon you've heard that same question I wanted to asked about numerous time already today. And now with us askin',how many times it make in total?"
Caleb sighed theatrically. "It's the fifth time today if its combined with the two of you. Can't go five feet in town and goes to meet my friends and acquaintances, where they wonderin' if I'm here to get arrested or shot."
Jasper laughed. "Get used to it. You made an impression around here, Caleb. People will be asking questions for a while."
Caleb reached out and ruffled Jasper's hair like an older brother might. "And you're clearly one of 'em."
"Hey!" Jasper tried to duck away, but it was too late. His hair stuck up awkwardly, and Caleb just chuckled as Jasper smoothed it down with a frown.
Mr. Worth joined in the laughter, shaking his head. "You two doesn't changed one bit."
After the laughter settled, Caleb turned a bit more serious. "Say, Mr. Worth… would it be alright if I borrowed Jasper for a moment? Got something I want to talk to him about."
Mr. Worth raised a brow, then nodded. "Of course. In fact…" he looked at Jasper, then back to Caleb, "why don't you take the rest of the day off, Jasper? Ain't exactly a rush in business right now, and I know you two got some catching up to do."
Jasper blinked. "Really? I could do that?."
Mr. Worth nodded. "You've been workin' hard. Consider it a reward."
Jasper lit up, grinning wide. "Thanks, Mr. Worth!"
Caleb smiled too. "Appreciate it."
With that, the two stepped back out into the dusk lit porch of the general store. The bench near the window was unoccupied, and they both sat down, letting the wood creak beneath their weight.
"So…" Caleb started after a moment, turning to look at the younger boy. "How've things been, Jasper? Since I left?"
Jasper leaned back against the wall, legs swinging a bit over the edge of the porch. "Honestly? They've been great. Better than I expected."
Caleb raised a brow. "Yeah?"
"Yeah," Jasper nodded. "At the morning I work over at Old .Bob's butcher stall. He's been teachin' me how to sharpen blades, how to prep different meats, and he even let me carve it a few times myself."
Caleb smiled. "That's good."
"Then noon to afternoon I'm here with Mr. Worth, like usual helpin' stock shelves and stuff. But he have been teaching me how to do the ledgers. Numbers don't scare me anymore," Jasper added with a small touch of pride.
"And at night? Still at the saloon?"
"Yes I am. Mr. Douglas lets me clean tables and serve the foods, but more importantly, he talks to me. Teaches me how to talk to people. How to stay calm even when drunk folks get loud."
Caleb listened, quietly amazed. Jasper had changed, not just grown in skill, but grown in confidence. His posture was more open, his eyes brighter, and his voice more sure. No longer the terrified, ragged boy Caleb had rescued from that cursed basement in Rhodes. This Jasper had become someone he could be proud of.
"You've really been making something of yourself now without me interfering," Caleb said finally, his voice low and sincere.
Jasper smiled, shy but proud. "I tried like I promised to. Since like I have said before… you gave me a second chance. Wasn't gonna waste it."
Caleb looked away for a moment, trying to push back the swell in his chest. "You earned it yourself, Jasper. I just gave you the first step."
They sat in silence for a few moments, watching the people of Valentine go about their evening business. The lamplighter made his rounds, the blacksmith doused his forge, and the scent of evening stew wafted faintly from one of the homes nearby.
After a pause, Caleb turned toward him. "Say, Jasper. I'm thinking of starting that fast food business I sea I talk and show you about. Remember it?"
Jasper blinked as Caleb mentioned the fast food business, then immediately grinned. "How could I ever forget about that? Especially after helpin' you cook and eat those juicy, fabulous burgers and those crispy sticks you called French fries. I still remember the taste, Caleb. I swear I can taste 'em now."
Caleb chuckled at that, heart warmed by Jasper's genuine enthusiasm. "Good to know you remember. And yeah, I really am gonna start it. Been thinkin' about it for a while. I'm gatherin' up the funds now. That's why I spoke to Mr. Douglas earlier, Poker Tournament's back on tomorrow night."
Jasper let out a low whistle, then broke into a laugh. "Well, I reckon there's gonna be a whole crowd of folks leavin' with empty pockets. I still remember the first and second tournaments. You cleaned 'em out like milking a cow dry. Folks kept playin' and playin' until they were sittin' in their socks. But hell, if folks are dumb enough to think they can outplay you at cards..."
Caleb laughed with him that drew curious glances from passersby, as Caleb remembering the shocked faces and growing frustration from players who thought luck alone could beat someone with a level 3 poker skills that equal to professional players and with a past modern world poker experience that was reinforced with past life memory skill.
"Yup. And just like you said, they're gonna lose again. Except this time, all that money's gonna go into buildin' my venture. I even got the idea of runnin' it in multiple rounds, two or even three. Different players each round, and if someone already played? Tough luck. They don't get back in."
...
Name: Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 7/10
- Agility: 6/10
- Perception: 8/10
- Stamina: 7/10
- Charm: 5/10
- Luck: 6/10
Skills:
- Handgun (Lvl 2)
- Rifle (Lvl 2)
- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl 2)
- Past Life Memory (Lvl MAX)
- Knife (Lvl 1)
- Blunt Weapon (Lvl 1)
- Sneaking (Lvl 2)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl 3)
- Poker (Lvl 3)
- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl 1)
- Eagle Eye (Lvl 1)
- Dead Eye (Lvl 2)
- Bow (Lvl 2)
- Pain Nullifier (Lvl 1)
- Physical Regeneration (Lvl 0)
- Crafting (Lv1)
- Persuasion (Lvl 2)
- Mental Fortitude (Lvl MAX)
- Cooking (Lvl 2)
- Teaching (Lvl 1)
- Germanic Language Proficiency (Lvl MAX)
- Inventory System (Permanent - 5x5x5)
Money: 501 dollars and 96 cents
Inventory: 1436 dollars, 2 gold nuggets, 5 gold bars, 4 silver rings, 1 Double Action, 1 Schofield, a large bag of jewelry, and 3 gold nuggets
Bank: -