Bonanza: "His Father's Son."

Chapter Five

The next morning, Joe is standing in front of the mirror with shaving cream all over his face as he dabs the razor into the bowl of water in front of him while humming to a tune. Alice walks into the bedroom carrying his clothes. "I ironed out all of your shirts for you. Where would you like me to put them?" Joe turns his head and responds. "Oh, just set them down right there, honey, thanks." She lays them down on the bed as she tells him. "Your breakfast is ready, Shu Cheng brought it up for you." "Okay, I'll be there in just a few more minutes." He says as he continues shaving. Alice walks around to the bed as she looks down, shyly and tells him. "You know, I sort of miss cooking breakfast for you." Joe gives a soft chuckle. "Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore." He dabs the razor into the bowl of water again and brings the razor back up to his chin as he then tells her. "We can hire somebody to do all of those things for us now." "I know, but I didn't mind it." Alice tells him. "It gave me something to do." "Well, I'm sure you'll find something to do." He grabs a towel and wipes his face. "There's plenty you can do around here in the city." "Well, maybe." She says. "I do miss our house in the country." Joe applies some aftershave as he responds. "Well, I'll build you another house someday. A bigger one, as big and beautiful as the Ponderosa." She gives a small smile and pauses before she then says. "You said you would write to your Pa and you haven't." Joe pauses and then replies. "I..I will, I just haven't had the time." She then asks him. "What time will you be home for supper?" "I'm not sure yet, it all depends on how many clients we take in." Joe tells her. "It could be late." "Oh." She replies in a disappointed tone as she looks down. He turns around and then walks up to her as he says. "Hey." He places his hands on her shoulders. "I know it seems like we haven't spent much time together lately, but.." She interrupts. "Joe..it's okay. I understand, really." "As long as you're happy." Joe says. "I am." Alice responds. "I really am. Now go eat your breakfast before it gets cold." He smiles as he replies, softly. "Yes, ma'am." He gives her a kiss and starts to head out the bedroom door when she spots his green jacket lying on the chair. "Oh..Joe?" He stops and turns around. "Yeah?" She picks up his jacket and tells him. "I found this with your things, I was wondering if you wanted me to wash it for you." He looks down at the jacket and takes it and then throws it onto the bed as he says. "Toss it." She looks to where he threw the jacket in disbelief as she responds. "Why? You love that jacket." "Yeah, but we're in the city now, that's a rancher's jacket, not the assistant manager of a land development company's jacket." Joe tells her. "That part of my life is over now, it's time to move on." She looks at him and doesn't respond and he then says. "Well, I better get going, I don't want to be late." He turns and walks out the bedroom door as Alice turns and walks over to the bed and picks up his green jacket as she looks down at it with sadness in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Adam arrives by stagecoach to Virginia City. He's wearing his tan coat and black hat as he steps down off of the stagecoach. He looks around and then heads over to Sheriff Roy Coffee's office. Adam opens the door to see Clem seated at Roy's desk. Clem looks up and says in disbelief. "Adam?" "Hi, Clem, is Roy here?" Adam asks as he removes his hat and comes up to his desk. "No, he's in Carson City on business." Clem replies. "I'm filling in for him, what can I do for you?" "Well, I need someone I can trust and you and Roy are the only ones I know I can trust with what it is I'm looking for." Adam tells him. "Well, what is it you're looking for?" Clem asks. "I need some information on someone." Adam pulls Phineas' card out of his coat pocket and hands it to Clem as he tells him. "A man by the name of Phineas Jones, he works in Land Development. He's currently doing business in Boston. Joe's been working for him." Clem takes a look at the card as he responds. "Phineas Jones..I don't believe I've ever heard that name before." "You and a lot of other people apparently." Adam remarks. "That's why I need to find out if he really is who he says he is or else Joe is in a lot of trouble." Clem then asks. "What kind of trouble are we talking about here?" "I don't know, that's what I need you to find out." Adam says. "I want you to contact me when you find something." "Alright, I'll see what I can find." Clem tells him. "Do you want me to notify your Pa?" "No, I would prefer if you would just keep this between us for now, at least until I know what we're dealing with here." Adam responds. "Alright, I'll let you know what I find." Clem says. "Thanks, Clem, I'll see you later." Adam puts his hat back on and then turns and leaves the Sheriff's office.