SAFFRON CISCO

Named for the woman who led the first settlers to the western side of the Island, Saffron Cisco is a booming seaport trading center.  The entirety of the town cannot be shown; this picture shows just the sheriff's office, the bank, and the Golden Nugget Saloon.  Actually, that's all there is, but doesn't this make it sound bigger?  

On the left is the sheriff's office, with two unidentified cowpokes having a discussion, and an unidentified cat stalking around on the roof.  Behind the sheriff's office is the smithy, with blacksmith Ben Steele standing outside.  Next is the bank, with Doc Halfaday's office above.  Linda Hand has just climbed the stairs to see how her father is doing (see further).  I don't know who the owlhoot already on the doc's porch is, but I doubt if he's there for purposes of good.  On the porch of the bank is town busybody Helena Handbasket, who never has anything good to say about anybody, and says it a lot.  Beside her is sheriff John Law, who apparently is interested in something happening inside the bank.  The lady in the red dress is Mrs. Belle Saar Ringing, out on a shopping expedition.  In front of her we see the new Schoolmarm, Dimity Sweet, talking to the padre, Father Thyme.  Behind and to the left of Father Thyme is Chinese laundryman Coo Lee, delivering the wash; that's his cat Mousey Dung riding on top of the basket.  I don't know what Mescan bandito Dez Perado is doing in town (behind Mousey).  To the right of Dez is daring girl reporter Sally Forth, hurrying to her interview with town celebrity Lil Darlin (sometimes known as Molly Brown), currently appearing at the Golden Nugget.  Also on the porch of the saloon is its owner, Asa Hartz, and his sister Nina.  The other citizens are not known to me by name, although I think that might be the Rawhide Kid just riding into town on the white horse.  If it is, I'm sure he'll have something to say to Miss Sweet about wearing that hat with that outfit.  Puh-lease! Experienced Playmobil collectors will recognize the bank as two of the old sheriff's offices (# 3423) stacked together, with some embellishments.

This is the interior of the sheriff's office.  Deputy Barney Yard, just off the farm, is debating whether to load his one bullet or not, to the amusement of a bum currently sleeping it off.   Memo to sheriff: Santa Claus wants his stove back.

Here's the bank.  Banker Avery Richman is refusing a loan to Bat Guano; he has no collateral, and listed "bank robber" as his occupation.  Actually, Bat came in to make an unsupported withdrawal, but the presence of John Law outside the window is discouraging him.  Teller Bill Changer is in the cashier's cage, accepting a deposit from Injun warrior Higher Water.

This is the doctor's office.  Doc Halfaday is dosing professional gambler Pat Hand (Linda's father), who was injured in a recent spirited discussion of a very interesting poker hand.  Pat's girlfriend Ada Hartz (sister of Asa and Nina) is looking on.

Here's a picture taken one night when the Golden Nugget Saloon was at its rip-roaring best.  Serving up the drinks are Bart Ender and Nina Hartz, while Miss Darlin entertains from her makeshift stage.  Pat Hand is in a dice game with Roy L. Flush; you have to take a break from poker sometimes.  Like when some mangy varmint shoots a hole in the ace of spades, and it's the only deck.  There's old Doc Halfaday having one for the road -- and he'll keep having one until they get it built.

A stranger rode into town one day and saw a sign that said "Tables for ladies."  Well, he had a table, so he came in to see if he could make a trade.

No picture is available of the blacksmith shop, at least not yet!  It's hard hammering out horsehoes without an anvil.

And now, let's meet some of the citizens of Saffron Cisco. This isn't all of them, just the ones whose names I know. Oh, and some of the people seen in the photos above are not from Saffron Cisco. Most of them are from Snake River.

• Sheriff John Law.

• Deputy Barney Yard.

• Sally Forth, reporter for the Saffron Cisco Courier. Note: Sally Forth is also the name of a comic strip character. No infringement of that character is intended.

• Father Les Thyme, known as both Father Les or Father Thyme

• Dimity Sweet, the New Schoolmar'm.

• Asa Hartz, owner of the Golden Nugget Saloon, and brother of Ada and Nina Hartz.

• Ada Hartz, sister of Asa and Nina. She's a hostess (not dance hall girl) at the Golden Nugget, and also has a romantic attachment to gambler Pat Hand.

• Nina Hartz, sister of Asa and Ada. She pronounces her name with a long I (NI-na, not NE-na).

• Lil Darlin, Sweetheart of the West. Singer currently appearing at the Golden Nugget. Often mistaken for Molly Brown.

• Bart Ender, slinger of drinks at the Golden Nugget Saloon.

• Pat Hand, professional gambler. Ne'er-do-well father of Linda Hand. Boyfriend of Ada Hartz.

• Linda Hand, courageous and industrious young lady. She is the daughter of Pat Hand but the ward of banker Avery Richman. This causes some interesting complications as Pat tries off some money-making schemes against Avery that are up to him and Linda to forestall.

• Avery Richman, banker of Saffron Cisco. He also has financial interests in Victoria.

• Bill Changer, teller at the First Bank of Saffron Cisco.

• Helena Handbasket, town gossip and trouble-maker. It is very hard to live up to the standards that Helena sets!

• Coo Lee, Chinese laundryman, with his fat lazy cat Mousey Dung.

• Mescan outlaw Dez Perado

• Roy L. Flush, professional gambler, more successful at it than Pat Hand

• Doc Halfaday, the town's medic.

• Belle Saar Ringing, a townswoman who is not to be trifled with. If you're familiar with the song "I Didn't Know the Gun Was Loaded", you know all about Belle. Note: Belle has a sister, Violet Saar Blue, who lives in Victoria. Another note: Belle came to be when I went into the Playmobil® room one day and discovered that my daughter had been playing with the figures. This is what she did, and I was so enchanted that she showed some interest in my collection that I kept the figure. And to think, my daughter is only 19!

• All by himself, here's town blacksmith Ben Steele, reputedly the strongest man in the whole Usa.

Note: the Rawhide Kid is a trademark of Marvel Comics.

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