Empty

The bottle was empty,

Just like Jacob felt inside,

As he got on Lady Imogen,

And started to ride,

Back to BG.

Well, he had to stop a time or two on the way,

As the world began to sway,

And into the underbrush of the desert sand,

His body's purge of the alcohol began.

He made it to the post office,

Unsteady and feeling sick,

He decided to make his business there quick.

The clerk gave him a sigh,

Jacob smelled of whiskey and sweat,

His words slurred a bit.

"I need to send some telegrams sir. To Arizona and New Mexico."

Jake pulled some money from his long coat.

He could feel the bile rising up his throat.

The clerk gazed at him over his wire-framed rims,

"That'll cost you a pretty penny. By the word. Let's begin. 

Name of the towns and the message within."

Jake kept each telegram short, reaching out to Bea

Asking her to wire him back in BG.

He knew the circuit and even with delays,

The company would have reached Yuma or Santa Fe.

It had cost quite a dent to have those messages sent.

And though most of his savings, Jake had already blew,

And rent at the hotel was coming due.

He decided to swing by the forge, hopefully

Petra pounding the iron alright.

Throw himself at her mercy for some work until twilight.

If he didn't show for dinner with Sallie tonight,

It'd cause one hell of a fight.

It seems like Jake was in luck alright,

As the forge was open and packed tight.

With customers waiting out the door.

Some of the men in line flushed and swore.

It looked like Petra could use another pair of hands and quick.

The heat of the flames was likely to make him sick.

But Jake needed the money desperately.

He hitched Lady Imogen beneath the shade of a tree.

Gave her a bucket of water, and he

Would take her to the stables as soon as he was free.

Jacob braced himself against the heat

As he moseyed on through

the door of the forge.

Petra was there in her apron 

pounding out a horseshoe.

But there was another man in an apron too.

The man had dark hair, and spoke with an accent too.

He was skilled in the trade, he was quick with the things he made.

Jake watched this stranger for a bit with a frown on his face.

Had he already been replaced?

Petra's eyes lifted and saw Jake standing there.

"Long time no see! You're only about 3 days late.

No time to waste, Jake.

Grab some gloves and get to it."

Jacob eyed the stranger warily,

"And who might he be?"

"No worries, mate, just helping a damsel in distress.

Let's see if you can keep up.

Although I can smell the whiskey from here.

Don't get too close to the fire,

You may ignite, I fear."

"Jake, have you been drinking again?"

Petra swore a blue streak,

Coloring the man in line's cheek.

"Out! Don't bother clocking in.

Sober up and we'll talk again."

"Don't be so hard on him Petra.

He'll sweat it out, like the flu.

Besides I'd like to take a break

To go and talk to Rue."

"Fine, he can stay. Will you return?"

"Of course, I said I would assist you 

to finish out the day.

And if Jake here stays on his feet,

We'll get these orders out toot sweet.

Although he does look like he's already beginning to sway.

I'll be back straight away."

Jacob's brows furrowed at the stranger's words.

And he wasn't quite sure he'd heard.

"Rue's back in town? And what business do you,

Possibly have with Rue?"

"Business? Oh no one does not meet with Rue about business

When there are far more enjoyable thing to do, for instance,

I will be meeting Rue for our first date.

I figure dinner at the hotel should work out great.

Of course, I have to hope she'll say yes.

Although, it's not really that much of a guess.

I'm one lucky man that Rue set her eyes on me.

I plan on being the perfect choice for Ruechari."