Elliots Scheme

[Shane Lawson]

1:45 PM

Now that Kate had been safely out of his hair atleast for a little while, Elliot could embark on his agenda for the day. He'd lounged around the bar for a time taking care of some matters that Hooper had brought to his attetion, but when a little twelve old boy ran into the bar and up to Masters, he knew it was time to act. Sometimes Masters would pay some of the local kids to do odd jobs for him, run errands, messages or in this case? Spy on Cornelius Barton! With confirmation that he was well away from the Five Graces, Elliot left the Ambrosia Club behind and walked the short distance between the two establishments. As usual Elliot was dressed in his black pants, white shirt and black frock coat and hat, though this time he'd taken care to make sure everything was in perfect order. Who could resist a sharp dressed man? Hopefully not Rose. Removing his hat he let himself in through the front doors of the Five Graces hotel, stepping inside he quickly realized that he'd forgotten just how lovely this hotel was.

The last time he'd stepped foot in this place was under the original owner, shortly after it'd been completed. At the time the Ambrosia Club wasn't even a thought, the block it sat on was mostly made up of tents and the Five Graces had just been finished out for the most part, even then Masters had tried to purchase it, unsuccessfully of course. But now he'd returned with more money and a new plan, and with this plan he hoped that the way to owning this hotel was through its owners heart. Though the last time he'd attempted this course of action, the owner had fled and at the time he was unable to get the Mayor or Judge to help him just take it over. Hopefully this time the girl wouldn't run away. "G'day?" he called out, his words echoing off the walls of the lobby as he waited for someone to help him.

[Shane Lawson]

"No no, those should go there." Rose told Macy, setting her own flowers down by the window. Macy placed her boque on the counter next to the sign. Nodding Rose touched Macy's hand. "You did wonderful. You leave for New York soon isn't that right?" Macy smiled. "Me and Jenny leave in two months on the train. We'll be sorry to leave ya." Rose shook her head. "Don't be silly. It's what you've worked so hard for here, you sent that letter out like I told you?" "Yes'ma that friend a yours the actress' friend, she'll be happy to help us find work and she's already got a place lined up. It won't be no where near as fancy as here Ms. Rose..." Macy grinned and saw a shadow at the door. "Guest." She said, before slipping out into the parlor to let Rose handle the person. Rose turned seeing a shadow pass over her door.

As soon as she came into view Masters greeted her with a broad smile. "Good Afternoon Miss Hollandale, How are we today?" he asked trying to appear friendly and genuinely interested. This was the first time that he'd seen her in awhile, atleast she was somewhat attractive in his eyes which made this easier for him.

Rose at first couldn't place who was standing in her lobby. For two reasons, one there was a throbbing pain in her eyes from the sunlight, which glazed him out, and two his voice didn't sound familiar. She raised a hand to her eyes and shaded them. He came into focus. Rose smiled pleasantly at him. "Good Afternoon" she paused waiting for a name then slowly it came to her. "Mr. Masters isn't it?" She moved herself closer to the desk. "What can I do for you today sir?" For all the pennies in a jar she couldn't think what might bring Mr. Masters, owner of the Ambrosia club if she wasn't mistaken, to her hotel. Of course she'd seen him at church, now that she thought about it. But they'd never really spoken before.

In some regard he was more then a little bit surprised that she recognized him. Nevertheless he kept up his friendly front and nodded deeply. "Yes Ma'am." he beamed. "I thought I'd ask you a question.." he trailed off, keeping his senses open to gauge her reactions.

Rose inwordly flinched a little and one hand reached up to her temple before she could stop herself. For a moment it felt as if her eyes were on fire. She closed them tightly, and opened them again forcing a small smile at the man. "A question? Well certainly, though I'm not sure I will know the answer." Rose laughed softly, unless it had to do with her hotel, she could almost bet she didn't know the answer.

The twitch registered with Masters, though he was unsure of what the signal could mean. Idly he fidgeted with his hat in hand. "I was curious if you might accompany me to the Harkness Theater Friday night." Again he put up his best manners and tone of voice in an attempt to win her over on this first battle.

Feeling a bit light headed, Rose swayed for a moment before steading herself on the counter. "The theatre you say?" It was hard to concentrate on what he was saying. Turning her body so that he couldn't see her face, Rose blinked her eyes several times and made a pained face, then turned back to him. "I'm not sure that would be proper Mr. Masters." She replyed after a moment of thought.

There was something that just didn't seem right, something he couldn't put his finger on, "Proper" he raised a brow, feigning a slightly hurt tone of voice. "I'm not sure what you mean." Perhaps she knew of his reputation, perhaps this wouldn't be as easy as he thought it'd be.

Clearing her throat, Rose thought of the best way to decline. His hurt tone wasn't missed, but still Alex and some of the Ladies at Chruch had spoken about his happits when it came to women, and women of the evening. There was no real delicate way to say why she was declinging. Swallowing thickly she tried to see past the haze of pain. "I just mean that it might be talked about if I accepted your invitation." Her words were spoken slowly and hesitant. Whether the pain in her head or her words.

Lightly did Masters chuckle. "Only if we give them somethign to talk about." With one step forward he gazed into her eyes, trying to protray himself as honest as possible. "Where is the sin in a gentlemen taking a lady out for an evening?" He asked allowing his words to hang in the air for a moment before something else finally clicked. "IS there something wrong?"

Rose frowned deeply at his little 'joke' about giving them something to talk about. He took a step closer to her, and when she looked into his eyes it was through a layer of pain in her temples and eyes. She did notice, that he was in fact, quiet handsome, and if the rumors were true most women would be hard pressed to deny this man anything. But Rose wasn't so easily swayed from her 'spinster' title. "I suppose the sin is in the false pretenses and hope. No, no I'm fine just-" Her words halted as her balance was lost, the ground tilted up under her sending her lurching to the side.


"Are yo..." Before he could say anymore the woman fell to one side, but his quick reaction kept her from hitting the ground as he lurched for her and caught her in his arms, dropping his had on the floor in the process. "Miss Hollandale!"

"No, no it's fine...I'm alright." Pushing against him she slowly eased herself back standing and supported on her own two feet. "Just a little headache that's all." She offered him a tight smile. "Really." But her eyes and body contradicted her words there was a tightness around her brow.

It was a strange situation in that Masters actually found himself feeling some concern for the woman which really stood in contrasts to his goals. "Perhaps I should take you to Doctor Franklin?" he asked while keeping his eyes trained on her for any other signs of discomfort. IF anything this could score him useable points as well

"No no no, I don't think that would be necessary" Rose waved her hand at him, trying to ease the worry that she saw in his face. "I wouldn't want to bother him. i'm sure it's just a headache."

Masters turned his head slightly giving her a sideglance. ".. If you're sure Miss Hollandale." At this point he wasn't sure how to continue, or whether or not it was in his best interest to broach the original subject again.

[Rose and Alex]

"I am." Rose again smiled at him and took a few steps back.

"I'm afraid I'll have to decline your offer Mr. Masters, perhaps another time?" She said moving behind the desk so that there was an even greater distance between them. Lifting her hands she idly rearranged the flowers that were there on the desk. "I am sorry." Again she smiled at him, but it was a rather cool smile, lacking in it's earlier warmth. Her head wasn't pounding so greatly now and she had work to be done.

"If that's all, there are things that I must do. If you'll excuse me?" Rose asked.