There was fun to be had and I intended to have it. This guy here in front of me was just bragging about how he ripped me off right before Sinclaire walked in - how much more fun could this get? To make matters even better Mickey chose that moment to show up as well. I simply handed him the cash purse and told him to take over. I then invited my two new friends out back for a conversation; if I thought they had gone pale before, I was wrong. I got to see a whole new color of pale and they reeked of fear. I pointed to the back door and then gathered up three glasses to follow them.

I sat down in my reluctant rocker and pointed at the chairs on the other side of the small table for them. While they arranged themselves I poured out three measures of my private stock and offered them each a glass.

“I propose a toast to open and honest business dealings now and into the future!” I said as I raised my glass.

Well the guy who was bragging about the deal looked like he was about to have a stroke but his friend seemed to be relaxing a little bit. Sadly his friend didn’t enjoy his drink like we did, loss for him. I decided to jump right in.

“Now gentlemen, I assume you heard how happy Ms. Sinclaire was when she came just moments ago. I also assume that none of us here want to do anything to lessen that happiness.” That got me two instant bobble-heads as Mr. Realtor-wannabe couldn't decide if yes or no was the correct answer.

“I also assume that you’ve heard quite a bit about me since I was down here last. I do want to point out that it’s all probably exaggerated. I’ve not heard the stories but I’m sure they make me out to be some more than I really am.”

Stares. They just stared at me.

“So compensation is now the question and since I’m going to have a large presence down here I’m sure we can help each other. Firstly, I’m looking for a house to use when I visit; I do have a nice home in Rulo but I plan to travel through here frequently so I'd like a nice one here, too. I’m hoping you can recommend something.

“Secondly, Claire’s Café. We're just starting up right now but I’m sure come spring it will be fully operational with a trained staff and, yes, we train our cooks. We will also be offering a private dining room suitable for up to twelve guests should you have business meetings you need to hold.

“It would seem to me that if you were to frequently hold meetings at the café all could be forgotten and water under the bridge. That is, if we can come to an understanding.” That being said I sat back and waited for them to think. I gave them a moment while I walked into the bar and grabbed three beers stopping to have a very quick chat with each employee as I went by. Beers delivered, I sat back down, lit a cigarette and waited to hear what they had to say.

The pause was long and very pregnant - they were still afraid to speak so I kicked it off for them.

“So how about those meetings and lunches?” I asked.

Well that seemed to be the ice breaker and Mr. Realtor-wannabe led the capitulation.

“Mr. Narrator, I’m very sorry about the confusion…” he started.

I cut him off, “You mean shenanigans.”

“Yessir, that is what I meant and I truly apologize.

“We would be most pleased to frequent and direct traffic to the Café. I am sure it will be a wonderful establishment. Sir.” He finished.

“Well gentlemen, I think I can assure you that you will find the food and the service to be far above your expectations. It will take us a few months to get the staff trained but by spring I expect it to be the best restaurant in town, not the fanciest mind you, but the best. I also want you to remember that Claire is not to hear a whisper about our little conversation here.” I reminded them.

There was a lull in the conversation as we shook hands and everyone drank their beer, it was Byrne’s Beer and still very good stuff. I answered some questions about the Beer Garden and in particular about the huge half cask pool. I gave them the full story of course.

“Now, how about a house?” I asked.

“Well Mr. Narrator sir, you do have good timing. It seems our little town here has a good young Doctor who has fallen on financial hard times and is planning to depart back to whence he came as soon as he can find a buyer for his house.

“It’s a grand house, just off Main Street and sitting on three acres of land. It’s all beautifully done if not a bit over the top for St. Charles,” came the follow up.

We went back and forth over the specs for a while and it turned out to be a six bedroom house with full servant’s quarters and carriage house. The was a wood shed and chicken coop of course, along with a small barn. It sounded like exactly what we needed down here.

I arranged for Sinclaire and me to meet with them tomorrow morning to go see the Doctor’s house. After they left I grabbed another beer and sat in my reluctant rocker and contemplated the day’s events. It had turned into a much busier day than I had expected.

I needed to get Sonya down here soon because we needed to insure all of the accounting at these businesses was to the same standard; thankfully taxes in 1822 weren’t very complicated. We’d need a tax guy sooner or later, government and complicated tax rules simply seemed to go together.