Rose nodded along as Johnny introduced himself, giving a polite nod to Charlotte as she chimed in. "If you're Johnny, then I'm Rose," she replied, smiling at him with a quick glance before her eyes returned to the card game being played on her bartop. "Goin' all the way to California, are you? Must be going for the gold, then. Good luck, darlin'."

She propped her chin on her hand, watching the cards fly. "Pity we got no gold left here, or you might stay awhile," she said mildly. Dropping rumors was usually the quickest way to get a man to stick around—and keep buying liquor.