Henrietta High-Stakes

The wife of Harry High-Stakes (the Deadwood Saloon owner), you have not always (and still do not) have a solid marriage. Your marriage troubles started over six years ago when Harry left you to seek out fortune in the Black Hills. When Harry originally left, you expected him to be gone for a few months, but he didn’t return for nearly five years! When Harry returned a little less than a year ago, he seemed genuine about seeking your forgiveness and wanting to start a new life with you. Because of Harry’s apparent devotion to starting over, you found it in your heart to forgive him and attempted to gain back your happy marital status. Your decision to stay with Harry was in part due to the fact that in Harry’s time away, he had accumulated some gold. With Harry’s newfound wealth, Harry established the Deadwood Saloon, promising you that his investment was all with the intention of providing a better life for you. Despite Harry’s good intentions, your marriage continues to struggle. Even after promising you a better life financially, you have witnessed Harry wasting saloon profits at the gambling tables.

You are worried about the saloon’s financial situation and you have heard rumors that the saloon may soon be reclaimed by the bank if Harry does not pay up. After expressing concern over the saloon’s finances, Harry turned the books over to Billy-The-Bartender (the bartender of the saloon). Even though you are not pleased with your husband, you do not want to lose the saloon. As a woman in the West, you know that if you divorce Harry, you would receive nothing, but if your husband were to end up dead (or in jail), his property would be yours. For that reason, you want Harry to keep the saloon. Because of your weakened relationship with your husband, you have recently found comfort in the arms of Sheriff Sam (the sheriff ).

At first your rendezvous with Sam were a weekly occurrence but lately your meetings have become more of a nightly ritual while Harry is off tending to the saloon. Coincidentally, you have found yourself in love with Sam and have asked Sam about the prospect of marriage. Sam replied by giving you a nice necklace which you took as a promise for more later. Because you desire a man to take care of you at all times, you have decided that you will not leave Harry until Sam is fully committed to you. Harry has inquired about your growing absence at the saloon and you claim it is because you don’t particularly care for some of the regulars—Banker Bonnie, in particular. A prominent woman in the Deadwood community, you feel that Banker Bonnie lords herself and the bank’s wealth over everyone. In recent weeks, you have noticed the saloon girl’s profits dwindling. Because of this, you mandated that your saloon girls only dance with the highest-paying customers until the saloon is debt-free. Sally Starr (a devoted employee) was very saddened by this, since she fancies Clay Coldwell (a low-paying customer), but you have every reason to believe that Sally will abide by your wishes.

As the Deadwood Saloon Poker Tournament Party approaches, you are looking forward to attending. Since the saloon is in desperate need of money, you are hoping for a great turnout! At the party, you plan to be the perfect hostess while also being provided an opportunity to see Sheriff Sam (your beau) and find out Sam’s real intentions in your relationship.

Acting and Dressing Your Part:

As the wife of the organizer of this grand event, you relish being what you consider the center of this extravaganza. To the grand event, you will want to wear a fancy dress with a ruffled skirt, accompanied by the beautiful necklace that Sheriff Sam gave you. At the party, you must let Sam know that you care for him although you cannot let it be shown in public.