An hour later, they came into Dodge Junction’s main station. It was a large wooden building with glass panes in the roof to let the sun come in for natural light, but the sun was fading and numerous lamps had been lit around the edges of the platform. Braeburn stepped onto the platform and into the lights of the platform, watching the various ponies bustling in and out of the station.
Dr. Caballeron stepped out shortly after Braeburn. “The conductor said he would take care of the two ponies that attacked us,” he said. “He’ll be contacting the local sheriff. We’re good to go.”
Braeburn nodded and followed Dr. Caballeron out into the busy streets of Dodge Junction’s main city center. The wooden buildings never reached more than three stories high, but there were so many of them crammed so close together that Braeburn almost felt claustrophobic. The buildings here were grouped in a sort of small circle with a single street heading out into another wider avenue that Braeburn could not see much of. Despite the darkening sky, the street was brightly lit with multi-colored lights from every single building advertising what lay inside; one appeared to be a dance hall, another appeared to be a restaurant, another appeared to be a bar, still another a hotel, and another one had a rather unsavory appearance to it that Braeburn didn’t like.
Dr. Caballeron stepped across the square and over to the hotel, carving a way through the multitudes of ponies that crammed into just this one section. Braeburn followed closely behind as though afraid he was going to get swallowed up and lose him among the crowds. Some had the appearance of simpler farmer folk, others were rather fancy ranch owners, others might have been in business, still others were normal ponies that came from across Equestria. Another type wore flashy dresses with glitter towards the flanks and large fake feathers around their neck and on their elaborate headdresses, offering a wink or a pout and half-shut eyes and promising things that would rival Celestia in beauty or reverence.
“Here’s the place we’re staying,” Dr. Caballeron soon said; Braeburn had to stop himself almost violently to prevent from running into him. When he had righted himself, Braeburn noticed they were in a wide, two-story building proclaiming “Dodge Junction Inn and Casino”. Braeburn uneasily followed Dr. Caballeron in as the archaeologist continued talking. “I should have more of my men staying here getting ready. Let me make sure there’s a room ready for you and I’ll be back in a minute. Feel free to head into the casino if you wish; I can recoup any losses you might incur.”
Braeburn nodded but sat down on a nearby bench as Dr. Caballeron walked off. The hotel was quieter and calmer than the streets outside and he felt he could actually breathe. From the entry lobby in which Braeburn was sitting were four exits, each labelled with a different sign. Heading off towards the south was the exit back into Dodge Junction. To the east was a sign with “Hotel” in clean gold letters and lead into a nicely carpeted hall that was free of filth. To the north was a sign proclaiming “Restaurant and Bar”, but there was so much smoke coming from inside that Braeburn couldn’t see much more than a few feet. Over to the west was the sign saying “Casino”, boasting a few tables for card and dice games.
The Casino looked clean enough, so Braeburn decided to take a look inside. The Casino was rather neat and orderly, each section containing a specific game type. Nearest to where Braeburn entered were various kinds of poker and blackjack tables, while further down stood roulette tables. A few tables in the back corner intrigued Braeburn, who didn’t recognize the name on the sign above them, and he walked over to where a younger stallion with a dirty blonde mane was dealing cards with a strange palate.
Braeburn watched patiently as the game played out. The dirty-blonde stallion sitting at the table had a small white chip next to him, while the other two ponies sitting down had nothing. The stallion with the dirty blonde mane dealt out three pairs of two cards and slipped them to each pony with the wooden palate, including himself. Each one quietly lifted their cards and looked at them before returning them to their face-down position.
“Bank will start at fifty bits,” the dirty blonde stallion said. “Player to the right of the dealer goes first. That would be you, madam.”
Braeburn turned and saw a pale yellow pony with a red and pink mane and light green eyes – the color scheme reminded him of a rose – stare down at her cards. She seemed to have a constant half-lidded stare and even glanced over to Braeburn with it before returning to the cards. Her back was thrown out so that her flank was on display for all to see, on it containing a cutie mark of a rose. The cutie mark was framed by her dress, a deep red piece with large black stripes on either side.
“Bank,” she said confidently and slightly sultry, and threw a blue chip in the center of the table.
The blonde stallion nodded and turned to the other pony, who shook his head and threw his cards back in.
“Reveal your cards, madam,” the blonde stallion said.
The young mare flipped over her cards without changing the expression on her face. She had two cards, one with a large five, the other a two.
“Red player has five and two, totalling seven,” the blonde stallion said. “Banker shall reveal their cards.” He flipped over a card with a large six, followed by a card with a large K. “Banker has a six and a face card, totaling six. Red player wins.” The banker pulled out another blue tile, placed it on top of the one in the center of the table, and pushed them to the mare.
The blonde stallion turned to face Braeburn. “Would you like to play, sir?”
“I am unaware of how to play,” Braeburn said.
“You add your cards up and find the total,” the stallion said. “The last number of the total is your point value. The player with the highest point value wins.”
Braeburn nodded. “Two hundred and fifty bits worth of tiles, please.”
The stallion counted the money before shoving five blue tiles over to Braeburn, who sat down at the table almost completely opposite the mare, who looked at him with shades of indifference. The other pony at the table realized he had nothing before him and got up and walked away, leaving Braeburn, the rose-maned mare, and the banker as the only ones at the table. Braeburn pulled his tiles closer as the banker started dealing out cards and giving them to the mare, Braeburn, and himself.
Braeburn turned up his cards, not letting the mare or the banker see them. He had a three and a one, or a four. A quick thought went through his head that his was a fairly low total and he didn’t have a chance of winning.
“Bank,” the mare said, tossing in a blue tile.
The banker nodded and turned to Braeburn. “The bank is fifty bits. Would you like to bet the bank or draw another card?”
Braeburn nodded. “The card.”
The stallion nodded and sent another card over to him, this time face up. This one was a four, making Braeburn’s total an eight, which he realized was much better. “Bank,” he said, and pushed a tile of his own towards the center.
The banker looked at his own cards. “Bank stands. Please reveal your cards.”
The rose-maned mare had a seven and a king.
“Red player has a one and a six, totaling seven. Blue player, please reveal your cards.”
Braeburn turned his two cards face-up along with the other card at the table.
“Blue player has a three, a one, and a four, totaling eight. Bank shall now play.”
The banker turned over his cards. “Banker has a four and a three, totaling seven. Bank shall now draw another card.” The banker drew a nine. “Banker has a four, a three, and a nine, totaling sixteen. Point value is of six. Blue player wins.” He pushed the two tiles back over to Braeburn.
The banker dealt another round of cards. This time Braeburn had an ace and a queen.
“Checking,” the rose-maned mare said.
The banker turned to Braeburn.
“Another card,” Braeburn said.
The banker nodded and drew a five and placed it face up. Braeburn knew he at least had a six and couldn’t draw any further. He decided to risk it. “Bank,” he said, and placed a tile in the center.
The rose-maned mare smirked as the banker came back to her. “Bank,” she said, placing her own tile in the center.
“Red player, please reveal your cards.”
The mare flipped over her cards and revealed a nine and a jack.
“Red player has a nine and a face, totaling nine. Blue player, please reveal your cards.”
Braeburn flipped his ace and queen over.
“Blue player has an ace, a face, and a five, totaling six. Bank shall now reveal their cards.” The banker lifted up a king and a five and set them on the table. “Bank has a face and a five, totaling five. Banker must stand. Red player wins with a natural nine.”
The rose-maned mare reached over and pulled the tiles over to her own small stack, still with a smug grin on her face as she looked over towards Braeburn, who was almost glaring at her.
The banker drew another three sets of cards. This time was even worse for Braeburn, being two queens. That totaled zero if he was correct in his observations, which meant he had to draw an extra card. All that was left was to hope he could make another round.
“One hundred bits,” the rose-maned mare said, putting two tiles in.
The banker turned to Braeburn, who was now sweating from the sudden bout of confidence by the mare, who had returned to a stoic gaze, though she occasionally stole a glance down at her cards. “Bank has been raised to one hundred bits,” the banker said. “Would you like to bet the bank or draw another card?”
Braeburn gulped nervously. “Another card.”
The banker pulled out another card and placed it face up on the table. Braeburn almost let out a sigh of relief as he saw the nine of hearts land on the table. He threw in two tiles. “Bank.”
The banker nodded. “Red player, please reveal your cards.”
The rose-maned mare turned over a pair of threes.
“Red player has a pair of threes, totaling six. Blue player, please reveal your cards.”
Braeburn flipped his two queens over and placed them next to his nine.
“Blue player has a face, a face, and a nine, totaling nine. Bank shall now reveal their cards.” The banker lifted up a seven and a jack. “Bank has a seven and a face, totaling seven. Bank must draw another card.” The banker pulled out a four. “Bank has a seven, a face, and a four, totaling eleven. Point value is of one. Blue player wins.”
Braeburn finally let out his sigh, noticing the mare smiling at him with a look of almost respect. Braeburn took the four tiles and pushed them over to himself. “I would like to cash out, please.”
The banker nodded, counted seven tiles, and turned three hundred and fifty bits back over to Braeburn who carefully arranged them in his jacket. With a hundred bits extra and a few minutes wasted, Braeburn left the casino and returned to the lobby to see if Dr. Caballeron was there.
When it was revealed the Doctor wasn’t there, Braeburn went over to the bar; the smoke had cleared out and fewer patrons were inside. Braeburn walked up to the bartender and ordered a small salt lick; it came to him quickly and he paid the appropriate price for it. He noticed it was not much different than what he had been doing in Appleoosa a little over twenty four hours earlier.
It wasn’t long before the rose-maned mare came up and sat next to him at the bar. The bartender came over to her.
“Strawberry sunset,” she said. “Go light on the rum, though.”
The bartender nodded and the mare turned towards Braeburn. “Not bad for what I assume was your first time playing.”
Braeburn nodded and took a lick of his salt block. “I’ve never heard of that game before, but I like it. What was it called?”
“Baccarat,” she said, barely even pronouncing the ‘t’ at all. “It’s popular over in Prance where it originated but doesn’t have much steam here.” The bartender came over with a drink that was yellow at the bottom but progressed to red as it went to the top of the glass. The mare tipped the glass back and had a little sip. “You here from out of town?”
Braeburn nodded. “What about you?”
The mare turned towards her drink and took another sip. “Same. Arrived here about three days ago by train after being recruited for a job out here.” She took another sip. “I saw you walk in here with Dr. Caballeron.”
“You know him?” Braeburn asked incredulously.
“He’s my employer for the time being. He needed a botanist for his recent trip and I was readily available.” She turned back towards Braeburn. “You working with him, too?”
Braeburn nodded. “Said he needed a guide to the area. I arrived just tonight.”
The mare nodded.
“To be truthful, miss…”
“Roseluck.”
Braeburn titled his head. “What?”
“That’s my name. Roseluck. Ought to know each other since we’ll probably be working with each other for the next week or so.”
Braeburn nodded. “Name’s Braeburn. Anyway, to be truthful, I thought you were from here.”
“Oh, really?” Roseluck said with a hint of amusement. “And why is that?”
“Well, you were showin’ yourself off quite a bit at the table. I just thought you might be from around here or know some of the mares at—”
Braeburn didn’t even get a chance to finish his statement. Roseluck grabbed her glass and swiftly spilled it all over Braeburn, now covered in red and yellow liquid and finding himself shocked by sudden cold from being pelted with pieces of ice. His salt lick completely dissolved in the liquid as Roseluck glared at him.
“What in Equestria would make you think that?” she nearly shouted. “What do you think I am, some mare who sells herself out?”
“No, I didn’t mean it that way.”
“Oh, please,” Roseluck growled at him. “You were thinking that way and you know it.”
“Alright, so why were you standin’ like that at the table?”
“Because I was bored,” Roseluck said. “That table was getting stupid. The bankers here are a bore to talk to and the other pony at the table initially was playing strong until he had a drink and sobered up as to his money. We had three good runs when you showed up and I finally started perking up, but you weren’t noticing.”
She was right. She was rather plain now that Braeburn was looking at her more awake and into the conversation, not precisely one to blend into a crowd but not exactly a looker, either. She was of fairly average proportions for a mare and even had a slight bit of a belly though so much that had Braeburn not been paying attention she would have looked normal there, too.
“Please forgive me,” Braeburn said. “It’s not in my nature to assume. I just…” But he trailed off.
Roseluck nodded. “You think everyone here who comes to Dodge Junction is depraved. I bet you thought for a minute after I mentioned Dr. Caballeron that he just wanted me because I was pretty.”
Braeburn bit his lip. “It might have crossed my mind at some point…”
Roseluck scoffed and turned away from Braeburn. “You’re as bad as the rest of them.”
“That says worse about Dr. Caballeron than it does you.”
Roseluck turned his way, seemingly unconvinced. “Oh, really? How so?”
“If he were to indulge in those services when he told me he was against the supposed depravity of Dodge Junction, than he’s no better than anyone else.”
“You’re still counting me as a symbol of that depravity. I see no reason for my opinion of you to elevate any.” She got off the bar and started to walk away, though she turned back around a little while later and faced Braeburn. “Be honest,” she nearly spat out at him, “would you have had a night with me if I offered it?”
“If you were the one to have engaged that conversation,” Braeburn said calmly, “I might have taken it. As it stands…” Braeburn shrugged. “…I wouldn’t even have brought it up.”
For once in the last few minutes, Roseluck’s frown disappeared and was replaced with a neutral expression. “Hmph, perhaps you’re not that bad. At least you seem to recognize a sense of space.” Then she turned around and left, leaving Braeburn alone as he ordered another salt-lick to replace the one he barely touched.
* * *
Braeburn was still in the bar a few minutes later when Dr. Caballeron came by. He ordered a glass of a stiff drink and took a sip of it before even speaking to Braeburn. “So, how do you like your evening so far?”
Braeburn shrugged. “Won a little at one of the tables, came here for a salt lick. Not much else happened.”
Dr. Caballeron nodded as though satisfied, though it seemed clear to Braeburn . “Look, sorry about the dinner plans I was going to make; I need to do some extra convincing to see if the prospective driver wants to come along. In the meantime, the hotel has your room ready – number 214 on the second floor – and I’ve paid for room service to bring you whatever you want. Perhaps tomorrow we can head on the town.”
Braeburn kept still. “Perhaps tomorrow.”
Dr. Caballeron kicked a hoof absentmindedly. “Well, then. If you have any questions, I should be back in two hours, so around eight o’clock or so. I shall be seeing you later.” And he left before Braeburn could respond.
Braeburn headed to the hotel lobby and got the key to his room. An attendant led him up a flight of stairs and into a hallway that was much quieter than the first floor and was lined with a red carpet with yellow borders and covered in yellow diamonds. The attendant led him to a wooden door with a gold number “214” on the side facing the hallway and opened the door for him in addition to giving him a room service menu before leaving.
Braeburn took his time investigating the room. It was plain but comfortable, having a normal full-sized bed for two ponies with clean white sheets and a light, breathable deep-red blanket on a well-carved wooden base. There was a small desk with lamp and a radio in the main room, along with a simple television that showcased a few different channels from across Equestria. The room also contained a bathroom with a cleaned sink and a shower and bathtub. There was also a chain lock on the door, presumably for extra privacy.
Braeburn opened the room service menu and looked through. Once he had decided, he called down to the front desk and ordered a lighter three course meal with soup, salad, and a savory dish of soy chicken with scalloped potatoes. The waiter brought him a nice hot soup, a small salad, and a small dish of a light-brown substance covered in a sweet sauce and potatoes finally chopped and covered with simple spices and cheese. Braeburn ate his fill and decided to go ahead and fall asleep, leaving the plates outside the room for room service when he was done.
Braeburn was woken by the sound of someone running down the hall rather loudly by his door. The hoofsteps pounded quickly across the floor and by Braeburn’s door. He would have gone back to sleep, but the hoofsteps seemed to go back and forth across his door multiple times.
Braeburn looked over to the clock on the stand next to the bed. It was shortly past eight, when Dr. Caballeron said he would be returning. Deciding the Doctor would be able to explain what was going on or help stop it, Braeburn turned on the light as he got up and went to open the door.
Something weird started happening, though. As Braeburn came closer to the door he went from simply hearing trampling hoofsteps but also quick, panting breaths and a sort of feared gasping. When he opened the door he could originally see nothing, but soon someone shot by him only to stop in the middle of the hallway. It was then that Braeburn recognized the pony.
“Roseluck?” Braeburn called. “What are you doin’? Are you the one who’s been runnin’ back and forth?”
Roseluck whirled around and saw Braeburn’s door open. “Braeburn! Look, I’m sorry about earlier, but I really need your help.”
“What’s goin’ on? Are you lookin’ for someone?”
“No. Dr. Caballeron is looking for me. He came back from that meeting and was totally drunk and dehydrated. He came back and started hitting on me like I was… was… a…”
“I get it,” Braeburn said. “You don’t have to explain. Come on in. I’ll hide you.”
Roseluck almost looked astounded, but she ran in and Braeburn closed the door in addition to securing the chain lock on the door.
“He’ll be able to find me if I just stay in here!” Roseluck nearly screamed.
“Get in the shower and close the curtain,” Braeburn said. “It’ll look natural.”
Roseluck nodded and bolted for the inside, quickly throwing the curtain aside and stepping into the tub before throwing it back closed. It wasn’t much longer before there came a heavy knocking on the door.
“Braeburn!” shouted a slurring, gravelly voice from outside. “Braeburn! I wanna talk to you!”
Braeburn looked into the bathroom to make sure Roseluck was hidden. When he could hardly see the shadow quivering in a small ball behind the curtain, he went to the door and opened it slightly, though the chain lock prevented it from going any further.
Dr. Caballeron was outside. His single eye visible through the crack was bloodshot and his clothes were wrinkled even more than they had been before. His breath smelled heavily of alcohol and his eyes just seemed to roam everywhere despite trying to train themselves on Braeburn. “Hey. Did… did I wake you up?”
Braeburn shook his head. “No.”
Dr. Caballeron nodded. Or rather, his entire body just seemed to move up and down with his head moving slightly more so. “Hey. Braeburn. I wanted to ask you something. I wanted to ask you if you met a young mare around here. There’s this young mare around here… around here who is a botanist for the trip. This young mare goes by the name of Roseluck… Roseluck… Roseluck…”
It was almost as though he enjoyed the sound of the name. Braeburn agreed with him, but not to the extent that he would have matched the euphoric look on his face. He simply nodded. “The last I saw her was in the casino when I was playing cards.”
“So… you didn’t see her run by here?”
Braeburn shook his head. “May I ask why you need her?”
“Me and her need to discuss some… personal business.” Dr. Caballeron started displaying an unnaturally toothy smirk. “Heh heh heh… and I wanted her to treat me tonight.”
Braeburn glared at Dr. Caballeron. “You’re not in the mood for discussin’ or bein’ treated. But I’ll let you know if I see her. For now, just go to your room. Where is it?”
“My room? It’s 214.”
“This is room 214. The one you gave to me.”
“Right… I think it’s room 212. Or maybe 208. I don’t know…”
Braeburn nodded irritably. “Right. I’ll just ask the front desk.”
Dr. Caballeron sighed, sending a blast of alcohol breath into Braeburn’s face that made him want to cough violently. “Thank you kindly, Braeburn. If you turn her over, I’ll reward you later. I guess I’ll be seeing you around.”
He tried walking forward, but slammed himself into the door, forcing the door closed and hitting Braeburn in the head. Braeburn recoiled from the hit and collapsed onto the floor as he heard the slow, heavy footsteps of Dr. Caballeron recede into the distance. It wasn’t until the footsteps had gone away completely that Braeburn bothered to touch the spot on his head where the door hit at all.
There was a rustling from the bathroom. Braeburn looked up to see Roseluck stepping out from the shower, looking at him strangely. “Why did you help me?”
Braeburn sat on the floor and rubbed his head. “What?”
“Why did you help me?” Roseluck repeated. “Why did you help me when I tore into you and spat at you down at the bar?”
Braeburn laughed. “I deserved it. It wasn’t like me to give you a comment like that. And once I heard you were running from a drunk Dr. Caballeron, I wasn’t going to just leave you out there like that.”
Roseluck averted her eyes.
“Is your room nearby?”
Roseluck nodded. “Down the hall in room 219. But I don’t want to go out there again, not when Dr. Caballeron might come back sometime soon. I don’t want to be a hassle, but do you mind if I stay here tonight?”
Braeburn nodded. “We’ll have to sleep in the same bed.”
Roseluck looked over at the full bed. “It’ll be kind of snug with that bed.”
“It’s just one night. I can deal with it. We’ll sleep back-to-back, if that makes you more comfortable.”
Roseluck didn’t say anything, but slowly got into the bed and slept with her back to the middle. Braeburn went into his side and got in the same as her, his back to hers. He turned out the lights and settled himself in but found himself unable to sleep. He stared towards the darkness of the room and the small strip of light coming from underneath the room door.
“Braeburn?” Roseluck’s voice called out softly.
“Yeah?” Braeburn responded.
“You’re not as bad as I thought you were. I’m sorry for tearing into you.”
“It’s fine. Just get over it.”
Roseluck sighed. “I might just leave if I wake up before you in the morning.”
Braeburn nodded. “At least Dr. Caballeron will be dealing with a hangover and won’t be chasing after you.”
“True.” Roseluck shifted around a little behind him. “Good night, Braeburn.”
Braeburn didn’t respond. He simply sat there and thought about things, mostly about the offer and about Dr. Caballeron, but some thoughts went through his head about Roseluck. At one point Braeburn tried to ask Roseluck something. But before he could ask, he heard a soft snoring from behind him. Braeburn decided to leave the issue alone until morning and soon fell asleep himself.