<div class="floatleft">(http://www.readthesmiths.com/articles/Images/Entertainment/Idol/Katharine.jpg)</div><br/><strong>Character:</strong><br/>Lola<br/><strong>Location:</strong><br/>At the bar<br/><strong>Time of day:</strong><br/>Evening<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong><br/>Robert, Rose, Tallulah<br/><br/><hr/><br/>A slight disturbance in the bar drew Lola's attention.  It's unlikely any of the patrons would have noticed, possibly none of her staff, either.  But Lola was acutely attuned to the atmosphere in her saloon, and even the slightest change did not escape her notice. The young Indian man who was apparently in the employ of Desmond King was talking to Bill, with whom Mr King had been playing cards.  Lola watched the pair closely.  If there was even a sniff of trouble, they would both be thrown out and told never to return.<br/><br/>"Excuse me, Tom,"  Lola smiled softly at the cowboy across from her.  "It seems my attention is required elsewhere.  We can continue this later, if that's alright?"<br/><br/>Lola rose from the small table in the corner, and began drifting in the direction of the two men, who appeared to be deep in conversation.  The Indian had hold of Bill's wrist, and from the look on the older man's face, it was a tight grip indeed.  Their voices were being kept low, and although Lola couldn't hear what was being said, she was sure Bill was being threatened in some way.  Lola wasn't having any of that.  How dare Desmond King and his henchman waltz in here and intimidate her customers!  Just who the hell did these people think they were?<br/><br/>Before Lola could get across the floor to the men, however, they returned to the card table.  Lola paused at the bar, assessing the ongoing interaction between the pair.  Whatever problem there had been seemed to have been resolved.  Bill re-joined the game, and the Indian went back to his table, albeit with some of Bill's silver.  Lola's brow furrowed slightly.  Something odd had obviously occurred, but she decided to leave it be for now, and talk to Bill at a later time.  The Indian seemed happy enough to let the matter rest, and Mr King was being well entertained upstairs, so perhaps sleeping dogs should be left to lie. For now.<br/><br/>The arrival of Rose and a bowl of hot stew at the Indian's table appeared to put the matter entirely to rest.  The look on his face as he gazed up at the beautiful maiden told Lola she would need to keep an eye on that one.  She wouldn't have someone who was in the employ of a snake like Desmond King break the heart of her dearest friend.<em>No siree</em>, she thought to herself.  Another thought crossed her mind, however....but she dismissed it immediately.  Perhaps things would come to that eventually, but it would be an absolute last resort.  She would never willingly put Rose in danger.<br/><br/>"Hank," she called for her barman.  "Have you got the time?  Tallulah must be just about to do her second set."  Lola loved watching the French woman work.  She was a seasoned professional, and a big part of the reason Lola's was so popular. None of the other saloons in town could boast entertainment even half as good as Tallulah.  "And I'll have a glass of sweet tea, please."<br/><br/>Despite the predicament she found herself in, and not having had the opportunity to talk it through properly with Tom, Lola put on her best happy face.  There was no point in worrying anyone else at this point.  And as always, the 'show' must go on.