Deadwood Dead Men by Bill Markley

Author:Bill Markley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Amphorae Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 2014-12-16T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Thursday Afternoon, August 24, 1876—Stopping in front of the Deadwood Theater, Jack looked at his pocket watch. The time was half-past noon. He had a dilemma, either find something to eat and possibly miss some of the court proceedings, or eat later. He decided to eat later and joined the throng pushing to get inside.

Men were rapidly filling up the benches. Langrishe had ingeniously built a large seating capacity by driving rows of wooden posts into the ground then nailing wooden planks across the tops of the posts to create benches for theatergoers to sit upon. Instead of boards, the floor was made of graded placer mine tailings covered with sawdust. The stage at the far end of the building was built of wood and raised off the floor to create a better view for the audience. Curtains were suspended at the front of the stage for scene changes and back curtains hid props and dressing rooms. The theater’s walls were frame, but the roof was canvas which had been partially rolled back to let in more light for the court proceedings. Jack looked for an empty place to sit.

“Ah, Captain Jones,” a voice behind him said. Jack turned and there stood John Langrishe.

“Welcome to our humble theater, Captain,” Langrishe said.

“Thank you, sir,” Jack responded. “This is quite the theater you have here.”

“Thank you. We have tried to create at least one establishment where folks can enjoy good clean wholesome entertainment in Deadwood Gulch.”

“That is quite admirable, sir.”

“I now have enough funds to construct a proper roof for the building before cold weather sets in. I’m just waiting for a builder to roof it over for me. There are several building projects ahead of mine it seems. After the roof, I’ll have a floor and then it will be just like any theater in Cheyenne or St. Louis. Once people enter and the show begins, they can transport themselves anywhere we create the illusion to take them.”

“Very good, sir, but if I might ask, how is Miss Lil today?”

“She is well. Lil and the other actors have left for the afternoon to practice elsewhere for tonight’s performance so the business at hand can be attended to. She is excited you will be here tonight to witness her acting. If you are unaware, she is playing the part of Lucy in The Streets of New York, a modern adaptation of the classic The Poor of New York. Have you seen the play, Captain Jones?”

“Yes I have, but it was a long time ago. It does have a good moral to it.”

“Yes, even though for a time greed appears to triumph over virtue, good will always trump evil!”

“I wish it was that way in real life,”

“Oh it is, Captain, it is. It may not come about for years or even in this lifetime, but good always trumps evil!” Langrishe said and then changed subjects. “I spy Mr. Merrick sitting in the crowd. He is now standing and beckoning you to join him at his bench, and I have to go on stage and start this real-life performance.

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