Just Like Old Times

Uncle Levi

This chapter is rated M for mature content.

Lilly and Hosea rode into town on Doc and Silver Dollar. They went to the smaller saloon to meet up with Dutch. As they got up the steps with her wolves, though, Lilly heard an Austrian man.

"Ah, that must be Strauss," Hosea said.

"Oh, yeah...um...I remember him."

Lilly, Hosea, Brian and James strolled on in and Dutch waved at them. "Ah, Lilly! Hosea! Come! Have a drink!"

Lilly sat by Dutch with her pups and Hosea sat by Strauss. "How are you feeling, Miss O'Callaghan?" Strauss asked.

"Viel besser, Danke," [Much better, thanks] Lilly said. She blinked. "Oh. Do I speak German?"

Hosea and Dutch gaped at her while Strauss laughed. "And Polish."

Lilly smiled. "Well I'll be damned. Mówię też tym językiem?" [I also speak this language?] Lilly put a hand to her mouth. "Ha! Isn't that something?"

"How do you know those?" Hosea asked curiously.

Lilly shrugged. "Hell if I know."

"You know any more?"

"Again, hell if I know."

The four drank and talked and laughed as time went on. While the three men were getting drunk, Lilly was still pretty sober. Leave it to the Irish to hold their liquor well. Dutch ordered another bottle of whiskey and poured more shots for everyone. Eventually, they started talking about things of a philisophical nature. Which brought about Strauss' change of heart with which clients he chose.

"I have been trying to find less desperate people to give loans to, but I'm afraid it has been rather difficult looking for different clients. However, the way you handled the last batch, Lilly, I think we could come to an agreement."

Lilly quirked a brow. "...The last batch? Oooohh, I remember now. I collected debts for you in Arthur's stead. Yes, but...that last fellow, I...I couldn't help it, Herr Strauss. I paid his debt. He had nothing...except a watch. A watch of sentimental value and, well..."

"I figured as much, Lilly, but don't worry. As long as the debt is paid, I won't worry about how it was done. That was the job Arthur was given, and ultimately, the job you were assigned with."

"Tell me Strauss, which perspective do you hold true? Relativism or absolutism?" Lilly asked. She was finding the conversation quite stimulating.

"I believe I have more of a relative perspective, Lilly."

"Do you feel like the ends justify the means for everything?"

Strauss chuckled. "Not everything. But, in the end, I don't believe in absolutes. Only shades of gray. Compromises."

"Compromising?" Dutch interjected.

Lilly looked up as Arthur and John approached. "Gentlemen," Strauss said.

"Dutch, Leopold, Hosea, Lilly," greeted Arthur.

"Where have you been?" Dutch asked accusingly.

"Workin'. Marston's thing."