Irene made a circuit of the floor, sitting on a few laps as a good luck token until the person lost a hand and then she was booted with a laugh and sometimes a coin.  She was aware of the lawman in the corner as she was aware of most of the patrons.  But, before she could get too close, she made sure to turn away always to pour a drink or share a bawdy joke.  She came to a table of newcomers and was asked to join them.  The tone made it more of a command and they weren't looking particularly friendly.  So, she poured whisky into their glasses and sat.<br/><br/>"What say we play a hand?  You lose, we get you for free for the night..."<br/><br/>Irene smiled, sipping her drink before answering.  "It doesn't work like that, gentlemen.  You play cards with your money, not with Miss Starr's money."<br/><br/>The man's lips thinned into a snarl and he reached over and grabbed Irene's hair, yanking her head back.  Some in the bar looked their way, but most kept playing cards.  Generally, there was a point at which the girls would respond and the regulars knew Irene's limit.<br/><br/>"What say we play a hand and win or lose we take you upstairs, whore, and teach you a lesson?"<br/><br/>Irene grit her teeth and with her right hand she grabbed the whisky bottle and swung a backhand at the man's head.  The bottle smacked him in the head and he loosened his grip on her hair.  She stood up and backed away.  "I think we've had a little misunderstanding, boys.  And, in order to avoid any more, I think it might be time you moved on."<br/><br/>The comforting sound of holsters being emptied gave Irene courage to stand facing the men.  She looked at each one.  And, then she noticed the knife strapped to the man's thigh.  The scabbard looked remarkably like her husband's.<br/><br/>She stared at him, memorizing his face.<br/>