The congealed breakfast that was set before him was a far cry from the last breakfast he had eaten. As was the hard, lumpy mattress he had spent the night on. Ben decided that the bone jarring stagecoach seat was in fact more comfortable. The one thing that he had to be happy for and had to look forward to was that hopefully, barring delays he would be in his on bed within the week. His own bed, his own hearth and in the bosom of his family. He felt if he hadn’t had these luxuries in the back of his mind to sustain him, he would indeed go insane.

Thinking of luxury, the splendid offices of Turner, Larson and Rawston returned to Ben Cartwright’s mind. Barney Fuller had suggested that Ben accompany him to the officies of the Construction Company. The Company that had offered him more than a tidy sum for his business. They spent no time at all in the building and Barney had left no more wiser than when he went in. He had met with a Mr Amos Turner who dismissively informed him that the Company had an agenda of expansion and Mr Fuller’s business appeared to the Company to be worthy of consideration. From there, as they were in the same neighboroughhood and again at Barney’s suggestion they went straight to Western Rail & Road Inc. in the hope to expedite the signing of the contracts. Their wait at Western Rail for an audience with the powers that be was considerably longer than that at T.L & R. Ben and Barney had not previously made any appointment therefore they had no other option than to wait.

The waiting being made easier by the attentions of the extremely attractive receptionist who offered them coffee and snippets of conversation. On the wall was displayed a large map of the Company’s Rail system spanning East to West. This map showed completed sections of track, sections proposed and under construction. The proposed sections interested both men. As did the the table layout. Complete with miniature track, trains and bridges. With raised eyebrows, Ben and Barney eyed each other in quizzical appreciation as they noted the extent of the newly proposed routes and the amount of on going construction.

The young lady joined them at the table. She as more than impressed when Barney, a little to Ben’s chagrin pointed out the Ponderosa, which was already clearly marked on the layout and advised that it was Mr Cartwright’s property.

Before long they were called into the Managing Directors Office. Another opulent room, reeking of leather, polished wood and ink. Miss Parry, as that was the young lady’s name was requested to bring coffee. Which neither Ben or Barney required. It was as Barney had conjectured another Company had tendered an offer. To Ben’s question as to honouring on going contracts he was advised as the amount of the newly proposed work exceeded and in fact doubled the original estimation in the contracts. The Company had every right and entitlement to put out for new tenders. Of course, the man added the Cartwright and Fuller contracts were honoured and safe. But the Company had to look to themselves. To Barney’s question as to why Fuller and Cartwright hadn’t been given first offer on the new proposals. He was told as the new contracts were awaiting signature, Western Rail would be happy to discuss the new proposals with Fuller and Cartwright. The Company had no complaints or concerns with Fuller and Cartwright. Over the past two years the contracts had been fulfilled to the Company’s satisfaction. It was Barney who inquired regarding the new bidder. His face, as did Ben’s remained completely expressionless when they were informed that the new bidder was Turner, Lawson and Rawston. When Ben mooted the point that T.L & R were a construction Company and not a Lumber and Timber supplier. The Director replied that wasn’t his concern. It was his assumption that the T.L.& R had that matter in hand. It was decided that Barney and Ben would consider the new proposals and return to the office before the 30th to renew their existing contract and if they were able to tender an offer on the new contracts.

On their return to the outer office, Miss Parry as bending over the lay out table, displaying a much tender offer.

“Miss Parry,” at the Directors voice, she straightened up and spun around. “please see Mr Cartwright and Mr Fuller out.” After shaking hands with the two men the Director returned to his office. Miss Parry appeared to be in some thought. The small train she had clasped in her hand she brought to her chin, then placed it back onto the table. In silence the two men followed her to the main door of the building. She held open the door. Ben and Barney tipped their hats, she smiled coyly batting her eyelashes at the smaller man.

“Oh Mr Cartwright?” Ben halted in his stride. Barney being slightly behind him also came to a stop. They both turned their heads to the direction of the voice. “I just ran one of them little trains all the way across your Ponderosa …it is so big, isn’t it?” the sudden urge to cough prompted Ben to raise a palm to his mouth. A gesture that was more than beneficial, as he found himself completely at a loss for words. Barney too, one of his large paws found its way to his mouth to hide the amusement he found in the girls words. Even more so in the flummoxed look of amazement on the face of Ben Cartwright. To save the situation he grabbed the coughing Cartwright’s arm and hurried him to a line of horse drawn cabs. Climbing into one Barney took his seat and stretched out a hand. Which Ben gratefully took. He was then hauled into the carriage. Before seating himself comfortable Ben took a sideways glance at the building. Miss Parry was still standing at the open door. He sat back and collected his thoughts. Barney was taking great and unnecessary interest in the view of the opposite side of the road. Ben removed his soft, velour hat and dusted the brim. Before he spoke he passed a hand over his sliver head of hair.

“That young lady needs a serious talking too.” with a flick of his fingers to the crown of the dark, grey hat, Ben replaced it on his head. Barney’s bull like roar of hilarity prompted the cabbie to lift the roof flap and ask if the gentlemen were OK. Nodding to the man Ben turned his furious, brown eyes on to his companion. Barney Fuller though was a big man and as like Hoss Cartwright, once in full guffaw it was impossible not to keep a straight face. “the problem l fear could be that Miss Parry would take more pleasure than remorse from the experience.” this announcement from Ben sent Barney into apoplexy. Playfully punching at Ben’s shoulder as he tried to compose himself. Which only afforded the Ponderosa owner to painfully jar his opposite shoulder on the woodwork of the carriage.

“You’re a good man Cartwright.” Barney managed to splutter between continuing bursts of laughter. Finally gaining some semblance of control Barney settled back in the seat. “well Cartwright what do you say to that?” Taking Barney’s question in completely the wrong way Ben replied as truthfully as possible.

“My honest opinion is that ‘young lady’ was about young enough for Little Joe to escort.” this set Barney off on another bout of chuckles.

“Little Joe Cartwright though would make sure that ‘young lady’ got much more than a serious talking too”. These words straightened Ben’s back and hardened his glare. Barney raised his hands in mock surrender. “No disrespect Ben, the boys been out of the playground a number of years now, and his affair with a certain lady was no secret”.

Ben didn’t like to dwell too much on his youngest sons relationship with a woman almost twice his age. In fact he didn’t like to dwell on any of his three sons personal experiences. He was aware that both Adam and Joseph were visitors at a certain establishment on a certain street. He was only thankful it was one of the more select houses. He knew that Adam would be discrete and careful in any relationship. He assumed it was Adam who had directed his younger brother away from the less seedier of those ‘houses’. He didn’t condone this behaviour, but his boys were grown men and capable of making their own decisions. It was true Joseph still set Ben’s alarm bell ringing. He consoled himself with the fact that at least Hoss was not a traveler to that doorstep.

“l said Ben, my question in fact did not refer to the gal”. Ben suddenly realised Barney was talking. He took his mind back to the present. The rattling and shaking of the carriage. The boring open prairie. He had seen enough of open prairie’s. He couldn’t wait to be surrounded by the verdant ground and the pines on the Ponderosa…and of course his beloved sons.