(1942-09-12) Cat Whiskers?!
Cat Whiskers?!
Summary: Jesse returns the suit that he borrowed from Kathleen, and asks for some help. Once again, Miss Wright hires a Walker.
Date: 1942-09-12
Related: None.
Players:
jesse..kathleen..

Wright Residence, Higsi
Tue Sep 12, 1942


Built by the late Basil Wright, this beautiful Craftsman-style house overlooks the intersection of Cooper and Butler. A huge porch, flanked by two shade trees, is the first to greet visitors. It is set up seasonally with quite a few comfortable chairs and a large wooden table that looks rather archaic.

The immaculate interior presents a large kitchen with pantry, open dining room, den, full bathroom and two multi-purpose spare rooms. Closet-space is ample, appointed in nooks and crannies throughout the house and never given to clutter. A sturdy stairwell, with hand-carved designs set into the railing, ascends into a large second storey. There, one shall find a master bedroom, another occupied bedroom, a small bathroom and a large sitting room from which one can observe the street below through two large windows.

Departing the house and following a walkway around toward a fenced-in back yard, an addition from the late 1920s is accessible. There, two functional and comfortable rooms are located for usage as rooms-to-let to passing visitors. A large shed serves as a workspace for the home's owner.

Weather:
It is summer. The weather is warm and overcast.


It's been a while since he's borrowed the suit, but finally, Jesse's remembered that he needs to return it! It's hung up in the bag it was given to him in and he's careful as he walks it down from where it was hanging in their homestead towards the Wright residence. There's another reason for him going there as well, but he's still not entirely sure that he'll follow through. That said, he makes it to the porch and to the front door, ringing a bell or knocking, depending on what he finds there.

Call Kathleen Wright what you may — drunk, vulgar, lacking morals — … but it can't be denied that the woman maintains a gorgeous house. It looks upon the road, set back in an equally perfect yard, almost.. haughtily. There is a line of fence that the young Walker's hand may pass over and touch, to guide him along; perhaps the familiar scents of the shade trees in the homestead's front yard, cultivated and poised like sentinels. Whatever it is that Jesse uses to guide himself, he shall find little trouble making his way up to the front door — no locked gates or the like — so that he may knock. And wait.

Truth-be-told Kitty figured the suit wasn't coming back, not due to thinking it to be stolen but simply because she expected Jesse to keep it, if he so desired. When the door pulls open to answer the young man's knock it is not Kitty, alas, who stands there. It is the younger Wright, home from school since a couple of hours and pretty as dawn. Madeline blinks once, dumbly, then realizes with a blush who it is. "Oh! Mister Walker!" The girl chimes politely, as she is educated in doing so. Hear that? Mister Walker. She is polite but earnest in her greeting as she blushes, looking him over. "What brings you here?" The girl asks prettily, not quite realizing whose suit it is that Jesse holds. She was too young to ever remember her father wearing it.

It takes him a moment to recognize the voice, but Jesse gives a smile, "Why, hey there, Ms. Wright. I dunno if your sister's here, but she let me borrow this suit a while back for Ms. Styne's knittin' party and I wanted to return it. I know it's kinda late and I'm sorry for that. I think I kept it pretty clean…" he tried really hard not to get anything on it! "Do you have a place I can set it?"

The girl forms a moue of disappointment, even though Jesse cannot exactly see the expression. "Aw, and I thought you were coming to visit me." Madeline jests in her gentle way, still sounding every bit the child but there in her tone… a nuance of the young lady she will become. Kathleen is in for a wild ride. But it's all in good fun, as the girl wants to help the young Walker feel welcome. It may not be the usual treatment that the mountain family receives from Higsi proper, but the Wrights have long since been pro-Walker. It shows, and the girl steps aside somewhat to permit Jesse entry. "Kitty is just upstairs getting dressed. I don't think she'll give you the gears for being late…" She squints at the suit. "Oh, that is a nice suit.. I bet you looked some handsome in it." She compliments easily, earnestly.

Kathleen is doomed. Doomed.

To enter the house is to catch a plethora of warm, home-y scents… something roasting in the oven, likely poultry; cleanliness; the healthy girl beside him. "There's a bench here for folks to sit on when they come calling, to take off their shoes. Here," Maddie reaches out, giving Jesse's arm a light nudge. "I can take it and set it down. Would you like to come in and sit for a spell?" She offers, every bit the polite young host.

"Well now, I wouldn't want to get you in trouble with your big sis," Jesse smiles, teasingly playing along with her little play of disappointment. "I guess it was your Pa's suit?" As far as looking like anything in it, he shrugs, "Wouldn't really know. But it fit ok." Right. Uhm. He takes a step forward, staying in the doorway still, his nostrils flaring at the scents of yet another fine house. When his arm is nudged, he'll move in the direction of the bench until he senses that it's close enough to reach out for. "I'd offer to take off my shoes for you, but…" well, he's not wearing any.

"Actually…" He gives a little sigh as this isn't terribly easy for him. But she can help…and she probably won't go telling Clifton or Clyde. "Do you have a Sears Catalogue?"

"She just lets on that she's all mean and cranky," Maddie remarks of Kitty and getting in 'trouble'. "I know how to talk to her to get her purring like a kitty cat. Don't you worry none." She offers, before she considers as the older suit is laid out. "I do believe it was. I don't remember much about my Daddy.. never seen him in this suit. Kitty did though. He was darker than you in the hair and eyes though, and I can tell right now that the color of the suit would look better on you." Again, perhaps beyond Jesse for Reasons, but Maddie means well. Water, heard running upstairs, ceased. A door swings, and Kathleen Wright's husky albeit surprisingly pleasant voice bawls downstairs. "Who ya talkin' to down there, Madeline? If it's that foolish Harvey back trying to sell insurance, ya tell him to get right the hell off—-"

"It's Jesse Walker, Kitty!" Madeline sings back up in her silvery fluting way, and Kitty ceases her tirade. A shy grin back to the young Walker as he asks of her a favor. "Sears…? Huh… oh!" Madeline's eyes round with delight. "We do! I was looking at it just the other day, at winter coats… let me fetch it. First, let's get you settled in. Do you.." Blush, should she offer to guide by his elbow? What does she do to help blind folks who may not like being patronized. "Do you want me to guide you?"

"I don't think she's mean or cranky. She's never been that to me," Jesse offers with a shrug. At the mention of his coloring looking nice in the suit, he shrugs again, "Thanks. Guess I don't much take after my cousins too much…" which he knew with Clyde and Ethel at least. The sound of the water (running water!) turning off and a familiar voice calling down he tilts his head. He's about to answer when Madeline does it for him.

"Are you -sure- you won't be gettin' in trouble?" is asked again before she mentions that they -do-, in fact, have the catalogue! "Oh, I don't need to be settled in or nothin'. I can sit here on the bench and be just fine…I don't want to be interruptin' anything. I can come back another time…"

"You kinda have the same hair-color as me, in fact." Maddie observes… partly true. Jesse has that sandy blonde color whereas Madeline is more true blonde; very nearly white-blonde, paired with… "And blue eyes. You may not look much like your cousins but you sure look a lot like we do!" She exclaims, trying to be reassuring.. that's a compliment, right? A giggle, and the girl gives the young man's elbow a nudge. "At least come into the kitchen.. you sit on that bench and you'll be planting your butt right on the suit! IT's not a bother at all.. don't worry about Kitty. She's mad at being pestered by other people, not you."

"Coffee's brewed," Kathleen hollers down again. God, is this woman ever gentle? She is in her bedroom by now, voice a bit muffled but heard easily. "Food's aways yet. Get the boy a cup of coffee Maddie." She barks again, then silence. Madeline snickers softly and offers to guide Jesse if allowed to. "Come sit, what are you needing a catalogue for anyway?"

"Have I?" Jesse asks with a little smile. He's going to have to take the girl's word for that. "Do I? My Ma had the light hair and blue eyes." As his elbow is nudged he gives in and lets the younger girl guide him towards the kitchen, "Could almost make my way there followin' the smell of the coffee," is offered only after Kathleen insists that he be offered a cup. "I don't need food, thanks, but I might take that cup of coffee if it's not any trouble." He also doesn't want to sit on the suit that he tried to keep so nicely hung up!

As the talk goes back to the catalogue, he chews on his lip, "I wanted to see what somethin' would cost. I need a new string for my fiddle and…I wanted to see what a new one would cost to get mailed out here."

"You sure do! Kitty's blonde too.. darker than mine but we look pretty similar.. sometimes." Madeline expands on the whole comparison, sounding as earnest as ever. "You got such blue, blue eyes.. it's really so sad that they can't see. I really am sorry." The girl remarks with the level of frankness that is yet available to her as a preteen.. very soon she will be of that age where saying things so outright would be considered terribly rude. But her tone is just dripping with sympathy, not pity. As they enter the spacious kitchen, which leads off into a grand dining room, Madeline elects to show Jesse into a chair at the pretty round table in said kitchen. It hasn't been too long since Clifton visited, but one of the four upright chairs may or may not still bear some semblance of the New York Walker's scent. Depends on how acute Jesse's senses are.. and if it works that way!

Either way, Jesse may hear a chair being pulled out for him and should he sit, there's the chair waiting faithfully for him. "Ain't no trouble—-" Maddie pauses, blushes. "I mean it.. isn't any trouble, at all. Kitty makes the best coffee. Says it grows hair on the chest, but I wouldn't want that!" She chimes, and the sounds of her industriously pouring the coffee and getting the fixings shall reach young Walker's ears. Bit by bit everything is placed before him, so that he may dress his own cup of the strong, dark brew.

"I'll get the catalogue… oh! Maybe you'll find what you need, then! I can help, or Kitty… I don't think Sears has Braille in their catalogues. Isn't that just foolish..?" Madeline observes with all the conviction of being twelve-years-old.

"It is what it is," Jesse offers, "If I wanted to be upset over it, I'd be so caught up in it that life'd pass me by. So I ain't gonna worry about it." Much. Sometimes he does get upset over it, but he's not going to let anyone know, if he can help it! He'll take the chair when it's offered and at the sound and scent of milk and sugar being brought over, well…he may just have to help himself to some! It's rare that he gets such options to add to their coffee at home!

"What, you don't want to look like a Sasquatch?" is teased as he orients himself with the coffee cup, the creamer, and sugar bowl before adding some of both to the coffee. He's not going to pass up on those luxuries just because he's used to it one way!

Jesse lets the coffee cool for a moment before taking a sip, "It's real good," because it is…and maybe Kathleen -does- make the best coffee in town. "I think it'd be real big if they tried doin' that. Braille books are bigger than regular books, especially since they can't be the dime novels. And the catalogue's so huge anyhow…it'd near be the size of your table!" Maybe not, but it wouldn't make much sense.

This is a chance to appear more.. uh, 'mature'. Jesse sets to work dressing up his drink and Madeline, bless her romantic little heart, gets herself a small mug of the coffee and moves to sit across from him. This gives the girl a chance to watch and observe outright, feeling herself to be more of a peer in this moment and not one who is a degree younger; a kid. Nevermind she just bleedin' said she doesn't drink coffee!

"Ugh, no..! I'm not tall enough and I don't want no hair growing out from between my toes..!" Madeline scoffs over the Sasquatch idea, blue eyes watching Jesse's hands as he adds cream and sugar. The things people take for granted, even during a war. Deftly she moves to sugar her own mug, copying for the sake of copying and enjoying it immensely. It's cute in a way.

"Really!" The girl exclaims, having listened devoutly. "How can you read by touching bumps..? How did you learn?" She asks on, feeling gutsy and trying to take a sip of her coffee. Madeline makes a face, puckering and wincing.. this is when Kathleen pads in quietly and spies her, grinning snarkily.

"When'd ya start drinkin' coffee, kid? Put the mug down, ya look like ya got a jammed fart." The elder Wright pokes fun. Madeline jolts upright, blushes redly, and squeals at the taller blonde. "Kitty! You're beastly! Don't be talking about such gross things in front of Jesse!"

Jesse can hear Madeline fixing herself a cup of the coffee ad he can hear her movements as she puts sugar and milk in her's as well. Does he get the copying part of it? It's hard go say, although he does offer, "Bet if you put more milk in it, you'll get less hairs between your toes."

As Kitty walks in he turns towards her with a smirk, "Oh, don't be so hard on her. She's been real nice and helpful. Maybe she wanted to try it again or maybe she eventually wants to grow into a Sasquatch?" Oh dear, what has been started?

He'll try and backtrack to answer the question although it may not matter now. "There's a school for Blind folks in Nashville and they sent a teacher out here for a while to help me learn stuff about it. The Preacher brought him out and he taught me to read. It's kinda slow…not like readin' with your eyes."

"I made this for you, Kathleen." Madeline quips suddenly, trying to save face as she refuses to take another sip. Ugh. "I'm just testing it, to see if it's perfect. And it is, in fact~" She adds haughtily. "No Sasquatch toes for me! And ladies don't fart, Kitty, so get that out of your head too." She harumphs, but there's no venom to be found there. Madeline usually counters Kitty's jabs with some jousting of her own.

Amused, Kathleen doesn't fill her own mug and pads over to the table, accepting that which Maddie passes to her. Golden eyes, fringed by dark lashes, glance down at the table and then at Jesse as he describes how he came to learn an entirely different language. Madeline watches him raptly, coffee and Kitty forgotten, and she exhales slowly with a little mewled 'wooow'.. Kathleen looks at her next, and considers… before giving the awestruck girl a gentle nudge. "Weren't ya gettin' Jesse the catalogue? I heard, ya know… ya know where it's at. I haven't touched it."

THe girl gasps, horrorstruck, "Ah! That's right! Please pardon me..!" She exclaims and she can hastily be heard leaping from the chair, all airs of grace forgotten.

Jesse just nurses his own mug of coffee as the siblings bicker. It's actually kind of nice hearing that again; he used to tease his own. After Madeline jumps away to get teh catalogue, he lowers the mug back to the table top, "I didn't mean to intrude, Ms. Wright. I was returnin' that suit you lent me and your sister seemed so nice and helpful…don't tell Clifton I came askin' for anythin', please."

Thump thump thump, the girl can be heard running off briefly. Up the stairs she flies to dig out the catalogue from the bower of her bedroom. This leaves Jesse for a moment or two with Kathleen, and it is a mercy that he cannot see her. Ok.. may it is, may it isn't. Higsi is rife with gentle birds that dress becomingly.. here stands a 5'6" strip of woman, as lean and wary as a cat, in tattered work denims and a camisole that reveals the barest glimpse of her flat belly. She may not be physically strong but there, in said abdomen… the slightest notches of defined, lean muscle. Scent, perhaps more Jesse's style here, is equally pleasant: clean, healthy female who cares little for perfume but at least buys deodorant. c.c

Tilting her head some toward young Walker, her hair a damp leonine mess above her head and hanging messily past the stalk of her neck, Kathleen considers his words. "Ain't a bother t' have ya here. Ya could've kept the suit however long.. I won't say a word either. This ain't my business…. an' if I said anything to Clif that could've overstepped some bounds, it's because I was worried for ya. Ya weren't in a good way last time I saw ya in the square."

A slow sip of coffee. "What ya needin' from that stuffy ol' catalogue, anyway? Somethin' for yer fiddle, thought I caught?"

Jesse is just wearing his usual faded t-shirt and jeans, no shoes. His clothes rarely ever change unless something wears out so thoroughly that he needs to get a different hand-me-down or it's cold enough for him to wear a coat. "No real call for the suit in the hills…and I didn't want it to get all dirty and dusty. Thanks for lendin' it to me though. It probably helped," especially with the stubborn old ladies.

As for the catalogue, he has some of the coffee again before admitting, "I need a new string for my fiddle and I don't want…I want to get it myself." He can make the money, he just needs to know how much is needed. "Well, maybe with someone else to fill out the order."

"Sure th' suit helped. But I understand… it'll be here if yer needing it, just ask okay?" Kathleen offers, her soft look — it's rarely seen by most — lost on Jesse but perhaps discerned in her tone. She drums the counter with deft fingers as she listens, and her grin is slow and thoughtful. "Glad it helped with the do… get any ol' ladies pinching yer bum? They sure like a young buck in a suit." She adds… okay, true Kitty fashion. Say something sweet, follow it up with piggery. What a girl.

"Anyway.. huh, okay. Can at least help ya there… it can't be too expensive. Ya busk what ya need for cash, we can help ya order it and receive it." Since no mail truck is set to go up into whatever craziness is afoot in the hills. Imagine THAT return address: J. Walker, DEATH MOUNTAIN … postal code: … nil.

Kathleen is serious though, as Madeline can be heard shutting her bedroom door upstairs. She comes downstairs, and the catalogue is set down in front of Jesse. "I'm so sorry for the wait!" The child huffs.

Jesse nearly chokes on the coffee, "No, no one pinchin' me." But he did hear a few whispers. After all, he's still a 'dirty Walker'. He manages to calm down and scowl some towards the coffee cup; 'not-expensive' for one may be 'expensive' for another. "That's sort of what I was thinkin'. Once I knew what it would cost to buy and send here, then I could work on gettin' the money. I was just gonna have it held at the Post Office, but this works too, thanks."

Madeline gets a grin as he offers, "Took no time at all. No need to worry about any waitin'."

The young fellow choking on the mouthful of coffee causes the elder Wright's features to break into a grin of amusement, only to fade once Jesse scowls into his coffee. "All that matters is that ya went in there and did what ya had to do, and done well. Bum pinchers or none." She says soberly as Madeline seats herself again. Kathleen moves to stand alongside Jesse and she reaches forth to turn the catalogue right-side up and settle it in front of him as if he could see it. "Well.. anyway, let's find out what th' damage is gonna be." Kitty suggests, and starts looking for an index at the back of the catalogue. A curse as she doesn't find what she's looking for fast enough; a great clump of pages being tossed back the other way as she peruses the front.

Clearly Kathleen is no connoisseur of shopping. But judging by her 'a hah!' she finds something, and Madeline pipes up to solidify the fact.

Flip flip flip.. the smell of 'new' printed paper and ink. "I'm seeing something…"

Peering at the choices, Kathleen begins to name off brands and prices.. her player, a complete derp when it comes to this stuff, shall simply gloss it all over~

Jesse takes in the scent of the printed paper and ink but lets Kathleen and Madeline fuss over the catalogue as he tries very hard not to blush…maybe at the attention but also at the fact that he had to seek out help for this. He knows that his family would have done it, but he's cost them so much already and he still has a little of -his- money saved up.

As Kathleen begins to read the options and costs, that blush turns into a frown of frustration. His fears have been realized; they're not inexpensive. "I guess," he says after a moment, "It's better to get the set of all four strings in case another one breaks." Which will happen, eventually.

"Didn't Daddy have a friend who played a fiddle?" Madeline asks suddenly, having to root deeply for those elusive memories. Her cornflower blue eyes flit to her golden-eyed sister in question as Kathleen pauses over a certain page, and the elder looks up. "Surprised ya remember that," Kitty remarks with a crooked smile. "Ol' Samuel.. he'd come by here sometimes to have a time in our kitchen. Ya were about three… he'd have ya bawlin', tellin' ya fiddle strings were made of cat whiskers."

The sisters' mirth, fluting and warbling, dies down as Kitty once again watches Jesse's expressions. "How is yer buskin' going, Jesse? Ya needin' more work?" Kathleen asks huskily, studying the young man's face in a way that would be uncomfortable, if he could see her.

Still caught up in the price of the strings, Jesse is only half-paying attention until he hears the name. "Wait, what?" He backtracks for a moment before offering, "That…My Pa's name was Samuel and that sounds like something he'd say. Never to us because we'd just call him on it, but I can see him tryin' to tell that to Madeline here." So they knew his Pa as well?

"The bow strings -are- made of horse-tail hairs though." Although not Kitten whiskers or catgut. Not anymore.

The sisters have returned to the companionable silence to be found in pursuing a task, though perhaps the blushing Madeline is peering ponderously at her toes. Kathleen does not push the matter of work, not yet, but simply looks at the initial choice that Jesse ruminated. It is then that Walker puts together the pieces and his words cause the carpenter to blink hard and turn to him again. "Yer serious! Well, holy shit!" She exclaims, a hint of laughter in her tone. "Small world.. but it is Higsi. I ain't surprised, but it's still pretty neat." A lithe but strong hand sets down briefly upon Jesse's shoulder and gives a quick squeeze. Samuel hasn't been seen in many, many moons… Kitty can only assume what has happened.

"Yer Pa used to drive Maddie nuts. Somethin' bout making a little blonde girl squawk and holler at him really seemed to amuse him. He'd give a jig with his fiddle when Da would tip for the moonshine. But sometimes when the mood caught him he'd do it for free. Yer Pa was alright.. but full of stories." She shrugs then, looking for a piece of scrap paper and a pen. She can be heard bustling as she does so. "I miss seein' him around."

"Bet he loved drivin' Maddie nuts…since my sister wouldn't take none of his crap. Oh…sorry…his…uh…" well, Madeline -does- live with Katherine, and he could have said worse. "Yeah, he always had good stories…" it's where Jesse learned them as well as the fiddle. "He died in the same explosion…" that took his sight. Well, the same incident. "I miss him too."

There's a long bit of silence before Jesse backtracks again, "Buskin's been ok actually…it's why I wanted to see what it'd cost to get new strings. Can't really be doin' much more work at the Mansion no more…but why, you lookin' for help?"

"Oh he'd have her nose outta joint.. Maddie, yer lucky you can't remember much of it. But he was always kind to ya, too. He never meant ill." Kitty assuages the younger girl as she looks up from beneath gilt lashes, cheekbones dusted with a blush. Madeline smiles despite herself, remembering a few tid bits here and there.. but her memories from those times are murky. "He was darker… like Clifton, maybe." The younger Wright offers, looking up at Jesse finally. "So you must look a lot like your Momma to get eyes like that—" The girl is cut off, as both sisters hear about the explosion. Madeline's face falls sadly, and Kathleen winces.

"I'm sorry about that.. about yer Pa, and the rest of yer family. Can't imagine.. I wouldn't have come back the way you've done." Kitty admits, a little hitch to her tone before she breathes it away, clearing her throat. She then listens to Jesse's answer to her previous question and she nods once, letting loose a brief hint of Ivory soap scent. "Ya know I ain't gonna insult ya by offerin' a single red penny for nothin'. I hired Clif for a day t'help pay for that sewin' machine that went up into yer mountain. I'm willin' to put ya to work for a day if yer wanting some extra coin. I need to lay some flooring and replace molding in one homestead, and get a fence built at another. Ya think ya can help me for a day? I'll pay ya cash." She says simply. Rest assured Jesse: no heartbreak to be found in that fence.

"I dunno what Clifton looks like, but he was darker like Clyde. Had that crazy, curly hair that they got," Jesse offers. "But yeah, my Ma was lighter and had blue eyes. My sister got the light hair, but her's was curly too…" that he remembers. There's another shrug at the apologies for the explosion, "What was I gonna do? Give up?" Couldn't happen. Not with so few of them left.

At the mention of the jobs, Jesse listens thoughtfully, "If the floorin' don't need to be decorative, I can do it. Not sure about the moldin'…unless it's easy to make it straight by touch. I can do fences though…"

"Ain't knowin' much about yer Clyde, but I've seen him. Too cranky lookin' for my tastes." Kathleen says outright, not meaning ill by it.. but it's truth! No interest at all! She ponders then.. "Looks like he could spit nails.. yer Daddy was friendlier. Had the devil in him, however." Said fondly with amusement. before she pulls out a chair and actually seats herself close to the younger Walker. "Wonder what that there curly hair does when it dries.. bet it puffs right out like a hay bale." She observes as she narrows her eyes at the book.

"I think a fence will be helpful.. th' yard is larger, and it'd help me most to get a hand in on the whole job, start to finish. I reckon with the two of us, if I have the material ready, we can get it done in a day.. at least the set-up. That could be an eight-hour day, Jesse.. perhaps longer if yer willin'." She watches him, drumming a fingertip atop the table. "I will pay ya fair and square.. I have a lady here who could help paint it, I ain't wantin' to take work from her either.. but ya would sure do me good to get the thing built."

Her intentions stated, Kathleen waits before adding. "Could pay ya roundabouts fourteen bucks for th' eight hours, or maybe a bit more if we go over. I want ya to get those strings."

"Between him and my Ma…" well, there's a good reason why Jesse was a scamp when he was younger. "Can't brush that hair, that's for sure. I remember my sister breakin' a comb tryin' to do it." There's a little smile at that memory before he goes back to listening to the description of what's needed for the fence. "As long as the path is laid out so that I'm followin' it straight, I can do it, sure." And eight hours? That's nothing! His eyes widen, however, at the figure she quotes him, "Ain't that a little much?" They were only getting a few dollars a day on the McComb Mansion!

"I got my finger on the pulse of what they're payin' apprentices in some of the bigger cities. I was a newbie once upon a time myself." Kitty replies, looking across the table at a blushing Madeline. The girl has mostly been silent, watching and listening to the two converse and talk shop. Big blue eyes are riveted to the catalogue, making sure there's no signs of cat whiskers in the grainy black and white photographs. Kathleen takes a moment, and continues. "I will have it set up for ya.. ain't hard t'mark a path. You'll know it by touch and everythin' will be prepared. I already got the pieces started in my shed. With both of us workin' it'll be dealt with in a day." She says again. "I'm settlin' on the middle ground of what I could be givin' ya, because I ain't a fatcat with a big purse. But I can pay well when I got good help."

She waits again, leaning back and folding one long leg over the other, sunlight dashing across the skin of her belly. Tiger eyes glitter in the sunlight as she waits. There is softness to Kitty when she is extending a hand to help. "I'm pretty drawn out from gettin' Miss Bouvier's pretty bakery ready for business. Help would be a Godsend."

"But this ain't a big city," Jesse starts to argue. He thinks a moment before turning to Madeline, "What do -you- think?" Although he's pretty certain he's going to accept. At the mention of the bakery he nods, "She's havin' me taste-test some of her stuff…I ain't complainin' because it's al so good! So you were buildin' the shop up?"

"It ain't a big city, it's Higsi. Ya want me to pay ya with a kick to the arse instead?" Kathleen asks, but the humor is obvious in her tone. "Yer family helped mine in certain ways.. be it yer Daddy being on time to give Pa his shine and brightenin' the rooms with his music, because we did need that cheer… or yer cousin saving my life a couple of times. My home." She bobs her foot once, twice; Kathleen has surprisingly pretty feet. "I see it as a fond nod to yer Daddy to pay ya well, but mostly I think yer deservin' of it, marching yer ass out to the square rain or shine to play, or squeezing yerself into an itchy old suit to play for old ladies. So take the money Jesse, and work hard for me." She concurs, watching him again.

She is about to carry on until Madeline, asked for her opinion, pipes up in her lovely little voice, "I think you should! I can make you both lunch! What do you like to eat, Jesse?" She asks with a bit too much enthusiasm. Kathleen quirks a brow at that.

"A'yup. She came into the Gallows and hired me on the spot. Fine woman, Miss Quinn. I need t'check back in soon to see if she's needing anythin' else. She's been feeding me pastries and it's any wonder I ain't a prize hog. It's actually been one of my favorite jobs." Kathleen admits.

"Naah, I get kicked there plenty by this town, thanks." At least he seems to be in somewhat better spirits than the last time they spoke in the Square. Jesse grins as Madeline pipes up and he offers, "I'll eat near anything, Miss Walker." He tilts his head back to Kathleen, "On the spot, huh? Yeah, she asked me to be tastin' her food…still not sure if it's not sort of charity thing…" but it was presented in a way that he can't really call her out on it. Sort like what Kathleen just did.

The elder Wright leans back in her chair, bawling a spat of laughter to the room. "Well ya just stick with me then, we'll get the tongues flappin' to see us workin' on crusty ol' Mr. Robinson's fence. It's my work that saves me… otherwise people think I'm a heathen—-"

"You're no heathen! You just have to calm down a bit! You curse too much, Kitty!" Madeline chimes, not trying to nag… just… uh, advise. She turns next to Jesse, "Do you like spaghetti?!" She sits up straight, canting her chin atop her neck, looking for all intents and purposes to be a little lady.. even if she cannot be seen. Oh Lord above. Kathleen watches her again with amusement, just dying to call her on how she's behaving.. but thinks otherwise. No need to drum up histrionics… for now, it's just cute. She decides to simply egg Maddie on. "A'yup.. Mads here loves to cook. Smell that bird in the oven? She started that too, picked the spices… ya could do well to let her feed ya. But Jesse here looks as if he could eat a horse and chase the driver… think ya could feed him for 8 hours, miss?" She teases.

"I sure can! Just you see if I don't!" Madeline huffs.

Cackling, Kathleen turns back to Jesse. "Looks like we got a deal then. We can get started on the Friday this week or Monday, if yer of a mind. What works for you?" She asks, before digressing a bit. "I ain't calling that charity.. she don't seem the sort of woman to do such a thing out of pity, Jesse. I'd say yer pretty lucky there."

"Mr. Robinson? Lord, that'll be interestin'." Apparently the two have a past. "I'll try to be good, I promise, but if he starts in…" well, just better make sure Jesse isn't holding any tools. He then cants his head at Madeline's outburst but looks confused at the question, "Do I like…what's that?" Seems he's never had such a dish before.

"I dunno about eatin' for eight hours, but I ain't never turned down a meal," that's for certain. His nostrils flare again, "It does smell good there, Miss Wright," is offered to Madeline. "You're gonna make someone real happy one day knowin' how to do that."

"The very same. God above he's cranky as fuc—"

"Kitty!" Madeline quips.

"Cranky, cranky man. What ya mean by interesting? Ya got history with that crotchety old fart living—"

"KI - TTY."

"With that crotchety old man who could serve to have a stiff drink or a tumble in the shee—-"

"DON'T."

The sisters' rapidfire report is over quickly, and Kathleen huffs. She leans in a bit closer to Jesse, conspiratorially. "See if yer Clyde can spare an extra jar of that shine. We'll get the old bastard softened up with it and we can work easily, without much trouble. Is there anythin' I need to be known about you and Mr. Robinson before I'm taking you onto his property? Give me the goods now, so I'm not seeing him coming out with a gun." Kathleen pushes Jesse, her tone now outright tickled. She's trying not to laugh. Madeline meanwhile flusters.. blushes… flusters more. "Y-you haven't had spaghetti!? It's delicious..! Pasta with meat sauce! And cheap to make too! I can make a great big pot of it and it can feed you all day…!" THe girl cries out, passionately. Regarding the 'making someone happy on day' remark, Kathleen hisses. "Don't give her ideas."

"Used to steal from his garden…" Jesse shrugs. "Nothin' too much, but I'll see if I can get some 'shine to butter him up…" it's not a bad idea, really. "And maybe he can't see good enough no more to recognize me?" Doubtful though. But back to Madeline he still looks a little confused, "What's 'pasta'?" Seems he's not familiar with the term.

Here is where both Wright sisters are struck dumb.. mind you the very thought of Italian-American food is still a novelty, at least here in Higsi. But being alone together, with time to burn along with money — for Kathleen and Madeline Wright are 'comfortable' — … there's time for experimentation. Ie. pasta. Madeline is the first to lurch forth, her slight body arcing over the table as she stares right at Jesse. "It's the best thing! It's Italian food!" She exclaims. This can be taken a great many ways, usually in a far more deplorable light in big cities, but that's all beyond Madeline, And, perhaps, Jesse of the hills. "It's so good… big long spindly noodles in tomato'ish sauce and beef! Kitty ate half a pot of it last time we tried it. And it's filling…! Just you see if you don't like it!" The girl concurs. Who could argue with or deny such a sweet, insistent voice?

Kitty, meanwhile, tries to preserve her dignity. "Hey now, Miss Priss, I had a plate.. maybe two," Cough. "Ya had the sauce all up the front of yer dress 'cause ya slurped it. Don't ya be throwin' me under the bus. I may have eaten more but ya got yerself all mess with sauce!"

Jab jab, poke poke. They banter but they sure sound sweet and loving, even then.

"It's settled! Jesse! You're eating spaghetti!" Madeline cries, passionately.

Run, Jesse, run.

This seems to be the right time for Jesse to make his exit. He places his hands on the table so that he can stand easily, "Ain't never had any Eye-talian food…never even heard of it but I take it on your word that it's just fine." He didn't have French Pastries until recently! Higsy isn't the most cosmopolitan of towns.

"I'll work on gettin' that money together for that order, Ms. Wright…and if the weather's good on Friday, I can start in on the fence then. I'll try to get that jar of 'shine though…" he might be able to make his way back to the door if it's a fairly direct path.

Blink! Kathleen is actually the first to shove her chair back, with intention to help Jesse along. "Friday it is. Meet me here on Friday, early morning… roundabouts' 8am." Surely one of his kin will get him up and about, unless Jesse is an early riser. "I'll drive us out. Seriously.. get that shine." She insists.. she knows Mr. Robinson well. "Guarantee Miss Maddie here will be planning the menu pretty devoutly from hereon out… what with how she's blushing. Look at her carrying on."

"Kitty!" Madeline cries, exasperated. She pushes her chair out and huffs her way over to the oven. A purr-like chuckle from Kitty and she stands. "If ya poke yer head out Friday morn' an feel rain on yer face, it's safe t'say we will do it Monday. Til' then. Consider it a done deal." Kitty says, her tone something that one could place the entirety of their faith upon.

She reaches out a hand to shake on it, perhaps nudging the young Walker's wrist briefly to instigate the gesture and if he notes her fingers, perhaps he will note her intent. Assuming such, Kitty will help him to his feet and to show him out if he wishes.

"Sure, that should be fine…" the Walkers are early risers as they have chores to get done before going to their jobs. "And I'll do my best to get the 'shine." He feels the touch on his wrist and holds out his hand for the shake. It's a done deal. "I look forward to whatever you're lookin' to make for lunch, Miss Wright," is then offered to Madeline before he lets Kitty help him back outside.

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