December 24, 1899

Black Diamond. 

This evening I walked into the saloon and smiled at the group dancing to the Christmas music. I greeted everyone and wished them a merry Christmas. I asked Chris for some of his special coffee and talked with the group about Christmas plans. 

“So Bill, I heard a warrant went out on Jack and Sommer for what happened to Thad,” I said to him as I sat at the counter. “Good to see that case was cleared up quickly.” 

“How’s the coffee Trin?” Chris asked as Bill seemed distracted. 

“Mmm it’s perfect, Chris. You’re going to make me have to come in here every day, you know,” I smiled at him and saw him blush. “So Chris... How come you’re in here all alone hmm? I mean I know you and Kate ain’t together anymore but..” 

“I think she’s off tonight.” 

“I mean there ain’t any other suitors lookin out for ya?” I shook my head.

“I hope not! I almost got shot by this one girl’s suitor!” 

“I thought suitor just meant partner….” I chuckled. 

“Well, there are a few young ladies showing a little interest,” he winked at me and I blushed. 

“Oh are there?” 

“I hear rumor that there are about 7 or 8 young ladies wanting me to umm... talk with them,” he grinned and whispered to me. 

“How has everything been going for you Trin?” April asked. 

“Things have been slow, April, to be honest…” I shrugged.

“Christmas time I guess,” April said. 

“Yeah... but it’s been slow for over a month or so now. Just need something else to do with my time when things are quiet... Some other thing to do whilst gaining information about folks. You know... with bartendin’ or something. I’m not willing to become a deputy again, though that would seem to be the easiest solution ’round here... Just not what I want to do though. I don’t want the pressure of having to arrest folks.” 

“If your looking for work talk to Rose and Marry.” 

“Yeah?” 

“Maybe you could work as Diamond’s rose gal. You would be under Katelin.” 

“That wouldn’t entail.... would it?” I looked at her and Chris laughed. 

“Hmm…” Rose walked over and looked me up and down. “This as a Diamond Rose Girl? I’ve seen worse… I can fix her up… I hope.” 

“What kind of work?” I asked, looking at Rose. “What would the job include? Specifically?” 

“Stand up miss, let me see ya,” Rose instructed. 

“Not till you tell me what the job entails,” I shook my head as Cas walked in. 

“Bar tending and dancing. No stripping ever,” she said and I looked at Chris. 

I had been there before and done that life… Did I really want to go back to that life? I looked over at Cas, hoping to get the attention off me being a dancer again. “Cas, are you spinning the turntable tonight?” 

“I am sure gonna try, Miss Trin,” Cas smiled. 

“Remember Trin we are not Annie’s. Just tend bar and entertain by dancing on stage or play guitar or something. No extra service,” April said. 

“However you may dance with a new fella in town… but only dance,” Rose said. 

I looked between them and said, “When I first moved to the West... back in ’69... that’s what I started as... I was a dancer and ran the newspaper.” 

“Oh?” 

“I would rather go back to being a journalist or an editor and run a paper instead of be a dancer again.. I know that Jenna runs the paper for all of Tombstone... But perhaps there should be some editions that focus just on specific towns? I could run a paper just based on Black Diamond…” 

“Well you can talk to Bill about that,” Rose said. 

“Where did Bill go?” I looked around. 

“He is here,” April said. “Doing some work.” 

“I actually brought an old copy of a paper I did back in Colorado... If he wanted to look it over. It would be weekly.. But I would request to be paid a bit for it... as printing the copies gets a bit pricey otherwise,” I said. 

“April, is it true you were shot the other day?” Chris asked then. 

“You were shot?” I blinked at her. I finished my coffee as April seemed distracted and looked at Chris. “So Chris... In spite of these other women... would you think I could get in there fora dance?” 

“I think that can be arranged. I’m not busy yet,” Chris chuckled and led me to the dance floor. 

We spun around on the floor and I winked at him. “See Chris, you still get to see me dance.” 

“Trin, is that a gun or are you just glad to be dancing with me?” he asked as we danced. 

“That’s a gun darlin’,” I chuckled. “But I am glad to be dancing with you,” I said and he winked at me. “So Bill…” I looked over at him. 

“Detective?” Bill looked up. 

“What do you think about a weekly paper in Diamond? To go out on Fridays.” 

“Been wanting that to happen for some time now.” 

“Well you just found the person to do it. I have a copy of an older paper I once did, if you’d like to peruse it,” I said and handed him a copy as I continued dancing with Chris. “Let me know what you think. I’d really love to get back into that job again.” 

“Being Detective and newspaper editor is a good combination,” I winked at Chris. “Could even start with a story about tonight.” 

“You can use your old office above Doll’s,” Bill grinned. “This is good quality work.”

“Thank you, Bill… We put that out weekly in Colorado. Though... By we I guess I mean mostly me. I did have an editor for a while... and a couple writers... but not many. I could start up a staff here though.” 

“Just as long as the Prime Directive is met.” 

“Of course. It will be fun, I promise you that.” 

“For everyone.” 

“Of course. I would involve everyone that could submit articles... Law perspective... doctor article… Saloon article…” 

“You got the job. Stop brown nosing,” Chris whispered and chuckled. 

“You like the idea, Bill?” I smiled. 

“Indeed I do,” Bill nodded. 

He handed me an article about the latest bank robbery and I shook my head. “Geez another one, Bill?” 

“Thank you so much for the dance. I better get back behind the bar. My boss is watching,” Chris grinned. 

“Sure thing,” I said and he walked over to the bar again and I went to join him. 

“Fancy seeing YOU here Miss Trin,” Chris said and I chuckled. 

“Bill, is there a name suggestion for the newspaper perhaps?” I asked him. 

“How about ‘The Diamond Mine’?” Chris asked. 

“‘The Black Diamond Facet’,” Cas suggested. 

“Bill, did you write this piece about the bank hold up by TJ and others?” I asked. 

“Yes Bill wrote that Trin,” April said. 

“This’ll be the first article for the paper then... See, it’s starting to be formed already,” I grinned. “Bill, what should we call the paper?” 

“‘Diamond Dust’,” Rose suggested. 

“Oh I like that… Diamond Dust…” 

Chris made me an Irish coffee and winked, “It’s a party hun. Enjoy.” 

I chuckled at him and took a sip of the coffee. “And we’re celebrating me getting a new job.” 

“Exactly,” he nodded. 

We talked about the stage and Rose warned Chris to keep his eyes on his job and not on me. Cas pointed out that I was a customer so it was still fair, and Rose told him to let her deal with the help and him focus on the music. We continued to enjoy the party and the music as we danced. After a while I said goodnight and headed to bed, looking forward to the new job of running a paper again.