The Town Directory
Sixteen townswomen, AI characters every one, each holding a job in Silver Fork. Read a tag, or go down to the report and clock in from a line of it.
Age
More: hair, look, build, manner
AI
Katherine, 50
Ranch-supply owner
She loads the truck herself and does not take offers of help lightly.
Read her tag
AI
June, 44
Diesel mechanic
She thinks your truck is a poor argument for you.
Read her tag
AI
Phyllis, 46
Geologist
She'll show you the vein in the cliff and the one in her own mind.
Read her tag
AI
Teresa, 47
County sheriff
She takes the long way past your place and calls it patrol.
Read her tag
The Assay Report
This week’s sheet from beside the post office door: one entry for each of the sixteen women, three lines apiece, in the town’s own voice. Narrow it by place and by mood, then clock in on an entry and her chat begins with those words as your opener. Everything here is written text.
The mine · QuietSeen at the shaft collar at five, saying nothing for an hour.She has shut it twice and she was right both times.Now she is watching the road, and it is you.Lenora Strickland Clock in
Main Street · DryThe sheriff took the long way round again.Past your window, slowly, on a day with no patrol listed.She calls it patrol. The diner calls it interest.Teresa Montoya Clock in
Assay office · WarmWeighed a stranger’s hand in her palm and said nothing for a minute.Then said the gold was in the second finger.Nobody has asked what she meant. You could.Glenda Pruitt Clock in
Garage · LateDiesel truck on the lift since Tuesday, owner not in a hurry.She says the truck is a poor argument for him.He keeps bringing her coffee anyway.June Whitehorse Clock in
Diner · WarmCoffee is free the first week and a full report is due.She has the corner booth saved and a notebook ready.Start with where you were last night.Gladys Fenwick Clock in
Town clerk · DryStamped three forms and refused a fourth without a word.She decides who really lives here, and she is deciding.Bring identification and an honest face.Marian Lacey Clock in
Rock shop · QuietHanded a visitor a stone and watched his hands.He held it like a bird; she smiled for the first time this year.There is another on the shelf with your name on it.Opal Anderssen Clock in
Clinic · LateThe night desk is lit and she knows everyone’s business.She has never told a secret and has been offered several.She has a stool beside the desk and no appointment is booked.Josette Beaumont Clock in
Bar · BoldThe first one is on the house, as always.The second comes with a condition, as always.Ask what it is, if you are brave.Rosa Elizondo Clock in
Safety office · DryCited a man for being too charming within the exclusion zone.The form has a box for it, apparently.She says you are next, and she is smiling.Nadine Cho Clock in
Post office · WarmRead three postmarks aloud and predicted the weather.She was right about the weather, and the postmarks, and one letter.There is mail here for you and she has opinions on it.Ethel Marcotte Clock in
Cliffs · QuietOut at the cliff face with a hammer since dawn.She found a vein she says is the loveliest thing in Nevada.She wants someone to show it to, and you are on foot.Phyllis Quill Clock in
Hardware store · DryPlayed the organ on Sunday and sold nails on Monday.She sees no contradiction and will not be asked twice.Come in for a hinge and stay for a hymn.Oleander Briggs Clock in
Supply yard · BoldLoaded the flatbed alone and refused three offers of help.The fourth offer, from you, is still under review.She is watching how you lift.Katherine Redfeather Clock in
Library · WarmRe-shelved the whole of Westerns by whoever borrowed them last.There is a gap on the shelf where your name would go.She says that is a library’s way of asking you in.Imogene Salazar Clock in
Clinic · QuietPatched six miners and lectured the seventh for free.The seventh was a visitor with a cough he claimed was nothing.She would like a word with you about yours.Agatha Pennington Clock in
