The furrier enters the cramped room and settles into an old rocking chair next to a sooty pot belly stove. He pulls a pipe out of his vest pocket and lights it. Large blue clouds of smoke surround his head, obscuring him from view.
"Sit"
Jack and Maggie hear the command and look at each other, then around the room for chairs. They settle for two old powder kegs and pull their seats close to the stove. Maggie clears her throat and begins.
"Thomas, this is Jack. He has a special case that we know you can help us with. Are you able to give assistance?"
Thomas puffs some more on his pipe and in a raspy voice, "These types of matters require delicate handling. Much risk is in demand if you catch my drift. I don't hear much jingling about the risks happening yet!"
Maggie looks at Jack and rubs her finger and thumb together, signaling he wants money. Jack pulls his sack of jingles out and drops 25 jingles onto the small table beside Thomases chair. Thomas inspects the pile and nods his head.
"Tell me your issue Mr Jack."
Jack tells the story of how he came to have Sofia in his possession, the steps taken so far to protect her, and his plan for her future including the important steps of protecting all those involved.
The Fixer nods his head and puffs on his pipe. He mulls over Jack's words for a minute, then asks.
"What makes this one so special? Everyone in town knows the story of Jack from Blue Moutain that failed to protect the other two of his "adoptees."
Jack stares at Thomas and slides his hand to the tomahawk in his belt. He holds his gaze for a moment and speaks with conviction.
"I've made mistakes in the past and the Lord knows I didn't ask for this. But it fell upon me for a reason. I have seen the fire in the eyes of this one. She is a fighter. With proper guidance and the right mentor, she will become a force to be reckoned with."
Thomas listens, showing no emotion. He studies Jack's face, seeking to find the weakness and the waver in his voice or story. He can find none.
He tells Jack and Maggie to come back tomorrow morning at 10. "Now get out of my stable, and don't let anyone see you leaving."
They depart the stable and slink back to the pub using the dimly lit alleys. The night is consuming them, and Jack tells Maggie he is beat and would like a place to lay down for the night.
"Use room #11," Maggie tells him and kisses him on the cheek. Jack climbs the stairs and slides into the room, seeking to rest peacefully till the morning.
Maggie returns to the bar and asks Sarah how it's going. Sarah says,
"Same as every night. Bunch of drunks and the normal rotation of sleezy whores!"
Maggie smiles and laughs. "Wouldn't want it any other way!"
"Where is Jack?"
Maggie replies, "I told him he could stay in room #11."
Sarah smiles inwardly and nods at Maggie.
"Oh, that's so nice of you to take care of him. Um Maggie, would you mind if I took off a bit early this evening?"
Maggie surveys the room and says, "I got this honey. Go take care of whatever it is you need to do."
Sarah hugs her mother and runs into the back room to hang up her apron. She runs a brush through her hair and splashes some lilac water on her underarms, tits, and her thighs, changing into a loose-fitting nighty type garment.
She peaks through the cracked door and when she is sure Maggie is occupied, she quietly sneaks out to the stairwell and climbs the stairs, tiptoeing down the hall to room #11. Taking a deep breath, she tries to calm her quivering body and then enters the room quietly.
Jack can hear a mouse fart at a hundred yards; hearing the rusty door hinges squeak as Sarah enters the room. As soon as she lifts the blanket to slide in beside him, he reacts swifter than a startled cat.