Time Traveller
"Good afternoon, ma'am," You approach one of the maids. You hope fervently as you say it that it actually is afternoon. You also wish that you had a proper hat to tip towards her.
"Afternoon, sir," she says, peering at you uncertainly, "Can I help you at all?"
"Actually, I was jus' wondering if you could tell me a little about this town I've suddenly found myself in."
If only she knew quite how suddenly.
"Oh, well, I'd be happy to oblige, sir!" She smiles, "It's a quiet town, I will confess, sir, very quiet, we don't get many through here except the stage and the miners." She waves a hand, "Still, sure keeps this place running, anyhow."
"I see. Who's the fellow downstairs lookin' after the ledger?" You ask.
"Oh, that's old Bill Gripes, sir, he's run this place nigh on six years now - I've only been here three myself."
"He seems a friendly sort."
"He is, sir, he is, always happy to help." She frowns then, suddenly, and leans in close. "But sir, they do say strange things about him, sometimes. Things I'd never believe, o'course! Still, I must mind my job and not other people!" She smiles apologetically. "If you'll excuse me, sir?"
You stand uncertainly in the doorway for a few moments, debating whether to ask her more.
"Afternoon, sir," she says, peering at you uncertainly, "Can I help you at all?"
"Actually, I was jus' wondering if you could tell me a little about this town I've suddenly found myself in."
If only she knew quite how suddenly.
"Oh, well, I'd be happy to oblige, sir!" She smiles, "It's a quiet town, I will confess, sir, very quiet, we don't get many through here except the stage and the miners." She waves a hand, "Still, sure keeps this place running, anyhow."
"I see. Who's the fellow downstairs lookin' after the ledger?" You ask.
"Oh, that's old Bill Gripes, sir, he's run this place nigh on six years now - I've only been here three myself."
"He seems a friendly sort."
"He is, sir, he is, always happy to help." She frowns then, suddenly, and leans in close. "But sir, they do say strange things about him, sometimes. Things I'd never believe, o'course! Still, I must mind my job and not other people!" She smiles apologetically. "If you'll excuse me, sir?"
You stand uncertainly in the doorway for a few moments, debating whether to ask her more.