<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/>Main floor of the saloon<br/><strong>Time of day:</strong><br/>Evening<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong><br/>Tom, Ashley, Rose, Desmond<br/><br/><hr/><br/>The atmosphere in the barroom after she declared the next round as being on her always made Lola smile.  It didn't seem to matter what the mood was like before her entrance, once everyone had a drink in their hand, their spirits were high. And so was the noise level.<em>A happy bar is a noisy bar</em>Lola thought to herself as she worked the room.  This was most definitely her favourite time of the day, and she made sure that anyone who wanted a little of her attention got it.  Everyone was considered equal, as was their silver.<br/><br/>Out of habit, Lola's dark eyes flicked over to the furthest table in the back.  As expected, Tom was there, his hat ensuring the seat next to him remained empty, and his feet fulfilling the same purpose opposite him.  Usually, the forthright brunette would politely ask a patron to not put his boots all over the furniture, but Lola had a soft spot for Tom, and couldn't bring herself to chastise him.  He had been in every day without fail for close to a year, an air of melancholy surrounding him like an autumn mist.  Lola had spent many an hour chatting with the ruggedly handsome man, and although the conversation had, on occassion, turned more serious, she was still not completely sure of his past.  However, he'd become almost part of the furniture, and Lola had to admit that it did warm her heart to see him at his usual table. Her smile broadened when she noticed his pleasure at Ashley's attention.  The stunning blonde may be just what he needed to lift his spirits.<em>That could be a successful pairing</em>, Lola thought to herself.  Although unsure if Ashley was looking for a man, she knew the woman's time at the saloon was finite, and that once she had saved enough for a modest home, she would move on to more socially acceptable employment.<em>That will be a sad day</em>, Lola thought.  Ashley was particularly talented at getting the men to spend more money at the bar than they intended - a skill that Lola very much appreciated.<br/><br/>Lola worked her way around the room, as was her habit.  A soft smile here, a gentle touch there, a line or two of small talk - it all added up to customers who returned night after night.  To Lola's pleasure, Rose emulated her manner, and was almost as much in demand as Lola herself.  The older woman loved Rose as if she was her own flesh and blood, and it made her immensely proud to see the empathy the young Indian woman had for the numerous lonely men who frequented her establishment.  Rose's attention was usually the highlight of their day, and their pleasure at her company was clearly visible in their eyes, which often followed the maiden as she made her rounds.<br/><br/>"Lola, my darling!"  Lola suddenly found herself being twirled on the spot.  "When are you going to let me take you away from all this, huh?"<br/><br/>"Good evening, Mr Peters."  Lola's voice was firm as she extracted herself from the embrace of her slightly built suitor.  At five foot eight inches, Ron Peters did not cut an imposing figure when he entered a room, although as he owned the only drugstore in town, everyone in the saloon knew him.  Or, at the very least, of him.  He had been trying to 'save' Lola almost since she opened.  He seemed to think that the quiet life of a well-to-do lady would suit her, and showed very few signs of taking no for an answer.  He was one of the few customers whom Lola chose not to be on a first name basis with.  There was something about him that made her skin prickle ever so slightly.<br/><br/>"Are you being well taken care of?"<br/><br/>"Your ladies are doing a stupendous job, as always," he responded, his mustache twitching as his top lip curled into a smile.  "However, they're not you, dear lady!"<br/><br/>Lola smiled in what she hoped was a friendly way as she left him standing in the middle of the floor.  It was an almost nightly routine that the woman found tiresome, however she would never let Mr Peters know her feelings.  He had silver to spend, and he chose to spend it in<em>Lola's</em>.  And customers were more important than her feelings about them!<br/><br/>Suddenly, Lola found herself face to chest with what appeared to be a very expensively tailored waistcoat.  She looked up at the giant of a man who hindered her progress.  His eyes narrowed as he looked down at her, obviously sizing her up.<br/><br/>"You must be Lola. And this is your place. What a fine place it is. You seem to have a flock of regulars, buying drinks, trying to buy the hearts of your girls, and throwing away their money on cards every single night. I bet you make quite the profit. But I have to wonder...what kind of money would it take to get into your bed, Miss Lola? Hm? How much would one night cost me?"<br/><br/>Lola's right arm twitched as she fought the urge to slap his bearded face.  It was hardly the first time she had been propositioned, but in all her time running the saloon no man had ever made her feel like a whore when he requested her attention. This one, though, made her feel dirty just being in his presence.<br/><br/>"More silver than you have, I'd wager," she responded, unable to keep her voice friendly.  Lola lifted her chin haughtily as she took a small step away from the imposing figure. She was sure he had never darkened her doorstep before tonight. It took all her self control, but Lola somehow managed to make her voice polite again.<br/><br/>"You have me at a disadvantage, sir.  With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"<br/><br/>