Barlowe Station

Varney is about to offer a suggestion, but then he looks at his pocket watch. "Normally I'd suggest the saloon, but it might be a bit stormy out tonight. Unless you're keen on bringing a known murderer to justice. If you stand on the side of law and bringing peace to the area, then I might have a spot of fun in mind for you. How do you feel about lynching?"

Making no progress with Knaggs, Delilah leaves the man in the lockup and exits the Marshal’s office. From the front stoop, she signals to the two men she’s been traveling with, indicating that she needs one of them to stand watch at the jail for a moment. If and when one of them does, the soon-to-be law woman heads for the train, there to retrieve the heavy canvas bag containing her long arms and ammunition. She’s hoping she won’t come close to needing it, but she’d rather have it and not need it than the other way ‘round…

Deputy Parrish is in the Marshall's office. Spending time with him, or near him, DD gets the impression that the man is well read and lacks the temperament to make a good lawman. Instead, he immerses himself in dime novels and probably fantasizes about the exploits of Buffalo Bill and the like.

Kane takes a step back. "You got that right Dirt. No point in takin' chances. You want a plug?" Kane asks as he is getting ready to put his tobacco back in his pocket.

Ruby opens her eyes wide in feigned surprise. "A lynching? You certainly have a way with women, Mr. Varney. I usually prefer first dates that don't end with death. I don't find lynching and law to be very synonymous words, if I'm being honest. The law tends to frown on vigilante justice. I also can't help but notice you said known murderer and not convicted murderer." She strolls to the window and looks up at the sky. "You know, it doesn't look like a storm is coming. Mayhaps the skies were read incorrectly and it would be a better night to take a woman out on the town?" It's always best to veil a threat in sugar.

"Tonight I'm unavailable, madame. If you're still in town tomorrow, I'll treat you to the finest meal this side of the Coyote Federation. But tonight, I've got much to do, as much as it will pain me to be parted from your indelible and sublime ... character."

"That's unfortunate. I came in on the train and just stopped to make sure the body of the station master of Barlowe was safely delivered and I'll be on the next train out again. Did you hear about that? He was killed by some kind of large animals. We found some of their tracks headed this way. Might not be safe out of doors once the sun goes down." If honey didn't work, maybe some vinegar would do the trick.

"Not for me, but thank you!" Dirt says. There was a part of him that wanted to reach out and take some. But it felt like the old him: Chewing on something while putting the screws to some fella who hadn’t paid up on time. Leave a nice big wad of it spat on a fella’s boot as a parting insult.

"You go on now, Marshal!" Dirt says, moving over to give the woman peace of mind. "I’ll keep an eye!"

Varney nods, processing that news. "That's a darn shame is what that is. No animal will enter a town even one as small as this one is."

It's possible Ruby can convince him to follow her suggestions. Care to make an appropriate roll? A success will get you something. A raise will get you a chance at heading this confrontation off.

DD nods and tips her hat respectfully to Dirt before departing to get her guns. "Deputy's inside, nose-deep in some book or other. Much obliged, Mr. Briggs."

On the way to the baggage car, Delilah searches the small train station with her eyes. If there's someone inside, she'll stop to query them a bit, see if they know or saw anything regarding the on-the-loose and evidently on-the-tracks barefoot murderers...

Alright then, there is a success and a raise in there. How does Ruby keep the mayor occupied until, let's say, 1am, and what does the rest of the posse do?