THE SLY GROG STORY

In 1919, Mary Lynch is just 22 years old when she first meets Kate. Mary ran a small pub in the outback, northwest of Sydney. Kate always stopped here for a break before smuggling her goods to Adelaide. Mary's interaction with the guests and her perky manner appealed to Kate. In addition, her pretty appearance added to the charm.

Kate watched Mary for a while until she finally rushed forward, "Why are you staring? If you want a drink, you need to open your mouth."

Kate was surprised by Mary's cocky behavior, but visibly impressed, she began to grin contentedly and replied, "I don't drink."

"You don't drink? But then what are you doing in a pub?" Mary laughed loudly, trying to get the other patrons to laugh along. But there was silence. The faces of the other guests literally froze. For what Mary didn't know, the lady in front of her was Kate Leigh, the infamous Queen of the Underworld of New South Wales.

"I have a business proposition for you," Kate replied, unfazed by Mary's nagging laughter.

"I've eaten here a couple of times and always enjoyed it."

"Yeah, my uncle Crocodile Bill is in the kitchen. He makes by far the best chicken wings and burgers in all of Downunder," Mary interjected. "I bought the lodge next door," Kate continued. "I want to connect with your pub to create a larger dining area. I have a lot of friends and business associates, and I want you to take care of them so they feel more comfortable here in the Outback than anywhere else. I want you to fulfill every desire they have."

"Where do I get off doing that? Why would I do that?" interjected Mary.

"In return, you'll get the finest liquor from me every week. As much as you need. I'll come by in my car every Friday and bring you a delivery," Kate explained.

"Free?" asked Mary skeptically.

"Well, not exactly, my child. There are simply three rules you must follow: first, Tilly Devine, my nemesis, must never enter this store. Second, you never ask questions. And third, you have no business upstairs in the lodge."

Mary looked skeptically at Kate and slowly began to grin. "If that's it, we've got a deal."

And the deal is working out well. The pub and its new dining area is becoming a popular address. From vagabonds to bank executives, there was a colorful potpourri of guests. Everyone felt at home here. However, Mary notices that after closing time, guests flock upstairs to the lodge, where Kate is illegally selling alcohol and gambling in her Sly Grog Bar. When Mary gets curious and sneaks upstairs, she is harassed by a man, but Kate rescues her from the situation and makes it clear that Mary cannot be bought. Mary meekly thanked Kate, knowing that she had broken one of the rules. Kate then took the intimidated Mary by the arm, looked deep into her eyes and whispered in a smoky voice, "The most important rule is what happens in the Lodge stays in the Lodge." Kate slowly begins to grin and Mary also replies with a nod of her head, "Understood."

While Mary hires a new bartender downstairs with Big J, she works as an animator herself and keeps bringing in new clientele to Kate's lodge, which benefits them both financially. The Outback Lodge with the Sly Grog Bar henceforth becomes one of the hottest addresses in all of New South Wales.