"Breaking the Barrier"
By: T.H.
*Note from the Author* This story is dedicated to ALL you reviewers of my stories, but especially to Kora and Iris. You guys rock! Keep it up!
************************************************************************
Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows
Doth, with their death, bury their parents' strife.
************************************************************************
Crutchy, Mush, and Snipeshooter walked down the cobblestone streets, a waltz in their step and a blush in their cheeks. Today was not a day that they would purposefully look for trouble with Brooklyn. Today, they would simply enjoy the pleasures of life while they lasted. Selling papers, and getting home early was the only thing on the boy's minds at the moment, but they still had time to taunt their foes. "Hey, what do ya tink would happen if'n I pushed one o' Spot's guys off da Brooklyn Bridge meself?" Snipeshooter asked, laughter echoing in his voice. Mush groaned. "Ah come on! Leave it ta rest! It's between Jack an' Spot! Let's stay out of it Snipe." Mush protested. "Yeah, we don't want no trouble." Crutchy concurred.
"But what if dey was ta attack Jack?" Snipeshooter asked, a leer on his face. "Den we would defend him, but dey ain't done anytin' ta Jack or us in a while." Mush said with a shrug. "Well, dats about ta change. Be on ya guard. It's a couple o'Spot's boys." Crutchy muttered, pointing ahead. Two boys stood in their way up ahead, their eyes glancing their way. "Hey boys, check dis. I'll stick me tongue out an' see if dey notice. 'Course dey won't, bein' as dumb as dey are!" Snipeshooter chuckled, performing the deed, just as one of the boys turned and saw the action.
"Now ya done it. You go an' fight, me an' Crutchy'll back ya up!" Mush muttered as the boys strode towards them. "You stick yer tongue out Snipeshoota?" The taller boy asked, as he glared at the hapless Snipeshooter. "Hey Abe, nice day ain't it?" Mush gulped. Abe shot Mush a nasty look. "Jest keep yer mout' shut Mushy. Da quarrel's between me an' big mout' here." Snipeshooter glared at him. "Well ya take it howeva ya want, but I," Snipeshooter stopped, his eye catching the glint of metal slipping on the boy's hand. "What do I say Mush? He's gonna give me a fist fulla metal!" Snipeshooter whispered frantically in Mush's ear.
Mush looked at a nervous Crutchy, then at Snipeshooter. Then his eye caught a lone figure, who was now running towards them frantically. "It's Kid Blink. Go ahead an' say ya did it." Mush murmured. Snipeshooter turned to Abe with his chest raised high. "Yeah I stuck me tongue out at ya's. What do ya wanna make of it?" Abe yelled and ran towards Snipeshooter, his fist raised, his companion running for Crutchy. Mush yelled and shoved him away from the invalid boy, who was hobbling away slowly. The fist fight ensued for a few more minutes before Kid Blink finally approached, shoving his fist into Abe's eye as he did so, driving him back. "Okay boys! Break it up! Ya don't have any business doin' dis hea! Ya jest don't know what yer doin'!"
"Oh really Blink. I tink dat ya should jest leave 'em alone. Maybe you don't know what YER doin'." A cool voice remarked from the shadows of the alley. The boys looked in that direction and watched as a short figure materialized in the sunlight. His sandy hair gleamed and the sun bounced off his brown skin as he fingered a slingshot. "Spot." Kid Blink murmured. "Whatcha doin'? Threatnin' me boys Kid? Well look at me, 'cause I'll be da last ting ya see before ya die." Spot sneered. Kid Blink clenched his fists together. "Look Spot, I don't want no trouble. Its not between you an' me. I know dat. You know dat Spot." Spot nodded. "I'm not hasslin' yer boys, I'm jest trying ta keep tings peaceful like. Ya know?"
Spot gazed at him, and cocked his head, his gray eyes gleaming evilly. "Whats peace Blink? Ya know dat we don't know what peace is. I hate it. I hate whateva peace means. I hate it as much as I hate hell, an' all you Newsies from Manhattan, but especially you." Spot hissed through clenched teeth. "Well come an' get me Conlon! You want me so bad! Come an' git me!" Blink yelled, letting his anger loose. Spot yelled an unearthly shout and jumped upon him, drawing his slingshot from his belt and taking a few shots at the boys. "You havin' fun Conlon? I hope so, 'cuz I'm gonna take ya down!" Kid Blink yelled as his teeth bit into the firm flesh of the Brooklyn leader's arm. The leader hissed and punched the boy's head, knocking him to the ground.
"Stop this! Stop!" The boys turned around. "It's da bulls! Run!" Snipeshooter shrieked. "Wait! It's Denton too! He'll help us." Kid Blink said, steadying the boy's hand. But Denton did not rush to their side to coddle them. He walked up to the boys, who were straightening themselves and stood in front of them. His brown eyes bored holes in the boy's faces as he stared at them angrily. He grabbed Kid Blink's arm, then hesitantly grabbed Spot's. Spot hissed somewhat, but complied to Denton's firm grasp. Denton dragged the two of them to his carriage and shoved them inside, giving an angry glance towards the remaining boys, whose eyes widened and they scattered in two different directions, one group to Manhattan, the other to Brooklyn.
The boys and man didn't speak all the carriage ride. Spot sat on the opposite side of Denton and Kid Blink, his gray eyes on fire with rage of being caught once more. Kid Blink sat uncomfortably beside Denton, uncomfortable at the Brooklyn boy's rage and staring eyes, and uncomfortable at Denton's silence. When they pulled up to Denton's building, he shoved open the door and pointed them out. The boys shuffled out of the carriage and Denton followed them, shoving them up the stairs and into an office. Spot plopped down angrily into a chair and Kid Blink took the other, while Denton sat down behind his desk, glowering at the two.
"What happened?" Denton's voice rang out, bursting the silence. Blink gulped. "Well, couple of me boys was mindin' dey're own business till one of 'em stuck out dey're tongue at one of Spot's boys. Dat was not right I know. I'll tawk ta him." Blink said, eyeing Spot as he scoffed. "Den, Spot came afta I tried ta break da guys up. An' he jumped us and ganged up on us. Den you came Denton." Kid Blink finished weakly. There was silence for a few moments more as Denton's eyes glared at them."Three times boys. Three times this has happened. Do you think I can keep persuading the police to leave you alone for much longer?" Denton asked, his fury seeping into his voice. Since he had quit the "Sun" and had taken a position for Joseph Pulitzer and had gradually risen up in rank till he was practically running the place for the old man, he had taken it upon himself to see to the Newsies' welfare. This included taking care of the frequent fights between the two groups of boys, Brooklyn and Manhattan.
"I dunno Denton." Kid Blink muttered, turning his face away. "Not long Kid. Not long. I can't keep them back. If this happens again, your lives are going to be finished in the Refuge. Do you want that?" The boys shook their heads. "Then stop! By all things in Heaven, stop! Or next time this happens, I'll make sure that both of you pay the price." Denton hissed. "Oooh we're so scared Denton! What makes ya tink dat we're gonna stop, jest cuz ya says to?" Spot remarked sarcastically. Denton was taken aback by Spot's words, but only temporarily. "Because if you don't I'll turn you boys in myself. I will. Don't think I won't. This is my last warning. You can go." The boys rose stiffly, Spot making his way to the exit, disappearing into the shadows once more. Kid Blink looked down at Denton, whose head was in his hands as he looked down at a piece of paper.
Kid Blink decided not to disturb him and instead walked silently out the door, thankful that the punishment hadn't been so severe. As he stepped outside, he was greeted by Mush, Snipeshooter and Crutchy. "Oh Blink! Tank Gawd ya got out! We was afraid dat Denton was gonna keep ya dere fereva!" Crutchy said thankfully. "Well he didn't. An' he won't eva. Jest got a little warnin' is all." Blink said with a shrug, accepting the offered cigarrette from Mush. "Hey Blink you seen Jack? We cain't find him anywhere an' da guys is gettin' worried." Snipeshooter asked, sounding a bit worried himself. Blink stood still and thought a moment.
"Yeah I saw him. Neah downtown. I tried ta call him, but I guess dat he didn't hea me or sometin', cause he ran off." Blink remarked. "Well, could ya tawk ta him? He ain't been hisself lately an' you know him betta den anyone, 'cept fer Race." Mush asked. Kid Blink nodded. "I'll try. Hey look! Dere he is! Tawk 'bout luck huh? I'll go see whats da matta wid ol' Cowboy." Kid Blink said with a smile as he took his departure. He approached Jack, who glanced at him as he ran up. Jack's eyes twinkled slightly, but not much as he shuffled along the street.
"Hey Cowboy!" Blink called out cheerily. Jack didn't look up. "Hey Blink. What time is it?" Blink's eye blinked in confusion. "Um, 'bout nine." Jack sighed and set his black cowboy hat back upon his head. "Gawd, da hours go fast." Blink walked slowly to keep up with the boy's slow, but long steps. "Kin I ask what yer problem is Cowboy?" Kid Blink asked hesitantly. Jack stopped, and leaned up against the brick of a house. "Ya eva been in love Blink?" Blink stared at Jack in confusion, then his good eye lit up, and the blue hue sparkled mischievously. "Oh yeah Cowboy! What guy in dey're right mind ain't?" He asked, humor lining his words.
Jack smiled slightly, then the smile turned sour. "Yeah well I'm slowly leainin' dat love ain't all it's cut out ta be. In truth, it stinks!" He said with disgust. "Whatcha tawkin' 'bout Jack?" Blink asked, then he stopped short. "Yer in love Cowboy?" He asked, a grin spreaking across his face. Jack groaned and plopped down on the steps. "Yeah, wid a goil dat won't have me, an' even if she would, she won't! She's so stubban." Jack murmured. "Who is da goil who's won da infamous Cowboy's heart? Who is it Jackie boy? Who is it?" Blink teased, even though clearly seeing that Jack was obviously upset by this dream girl. "It's dat one goil. Da goil who buys papes evry Sunday mawnin'." Jack said, his brown eyes pleading with Blink to know the girl so he wouldn't have to go into detail of his love.
Blink's blue eyes lit up. "Ya don't mean Rosie? Dat goil who hasn't been caught by any guy yet? An' probably won't be?" He asked with a smile. Jack groaned. "Yeah. It's awful. I cain't believe dat of all da goils I had to fall in love wit', I hafta fall in love wit' Rosie!" Jack's head lifted as Kid Blink's merry laughter rang out across the square. "It ain't funny Blink." Jack groaned. Kid Blink sobered immediately. "Yer right. It ain't. It ain't even funny, da way yer moonin' and fallin' all ova yerself 'bout dat dumb goil who won't let no boy touch her no how." Blink commented. As Jack's face raised and Kid Blink saw his angry and pained eyes, he quickly recanted. "Don't worry Cowboy. We'll do sometin' fun ta ease yer inna turmoil, so ta speak. I tink dat's how it goes. Hey! Let's break in on Medda's pawty dat she's havin' fer da boys nea Brooklyn! Seein' Spot puff an' stew would make ya feel betta Jacky boy!" Kid Blink said reassuringly. Jack nodded and sighed. "I don't tink I can fergit her, but it's woith a try Blink." He said dismally, placing his black cowboy hat back on his head. "Atta boy!" Blink said encouragingly, smacking his friend on the back.
By: T.H.
*Note from the Author* This story is dedicated to ALL you reviewers of my stories, but especially to Kora and Iris. You guys rock! Keep it up!
************************************************************************
Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows
Doth, with their death, bury their parents' strife.
************************************************************************
Crutchy, Mush, and Snipeshooter walked down the cobblestone streets, a waltz in their step and a blush in their cheeks. Today was not a day that they would purposefully look for trouble with Brooklyn. Today, they would simply enjoy the pleasures of life while they lasted. Selling papers, and getting home early was the only thing on the boy's minds at the moment, but they still had time to taunt their foes. "Hey, what do ya tink would happen if'n I pushed one o' Spot's guys off da Brooklyn Bridge meself?" Snipeshooter asked, laughter echoing in his voice. Mush groaned. "Ah come on! Leave it ta rest! It's between Jack an' Spot! Let's stay out of it Snipe." Mush protested. "Yeah, we don't want no trouble." Crutchy concurred.
"But what if dey was ta attack Jack?" Snipeshooter asked, a leer on his face. "Den we would defend him, but dey ain't done anytin' ta Jack or us in a while." Mush said with a shrug. "Well, dats about ta change. Be on ya guard. It's a couple o'Spot's boys." Crutchy muttered, pointing ahead. Two boys stood in their way up ahead, their eyes glancing their way. "Hey boys, check dis. I'll stick me tongue out an' see if dey notice. 'Course dey won't, bein' as dumb as dey are!" Snipeshooter chuckled, performing the deed, just as one of the boys turned and saw the action.
"Now ya done it. You go an' fight, me an' Crutchy'll back ya up!" Mush muttered as the boys strode towards them. "You stick yer tongue out Snipeshoota?" The taller boy asked, as he glared at the hapless Snipeshooter. "Hey Abe, nice day ain't it?" Mush gulped. Abe shot Mush a nasty look. "Jest keep yer mout' shut Mushy. Da quarrel's between me an' big mout' here." Snipeshooter glared at him. "Well ya take it howeva ya want, but I," Snipeshooter stopped, his eye catching the glint of metal slipping on the boy's hand. "What do I say Mush? He's gonna give me a fist fulla metal!" Snipeshooter whispered frantically in Mush's ear.
Mush looked at a nervous Crutchy, then at Snipeshooter. Then his eye caught a lone figure, who was now running towards them frantically. "It's Kid Blink. Go ahead an' say ya did it." Mush murmured. Snipeshooter turned to Abe with his chest raised high. "Yeah I stuck me tongue out at ya's. What do ya wanna make of it?" Abe yelled and ran towards Snipeshooter, his fist raised, his companion running for Crutchy. Mush yelled and shoved him away from the invalid boy, who was hobbling away slowly. The fist fight ensued for a few more minutes before Kid Blink finally approached, shoving his fist into Abe's eye as he did so, driving him back. "Okay boys! Break it up! Ya don't have any business doin' dis hea! Ya jest don't know what yer doin'!"
"Oh really Blink. I tink dat ya should jest leave 'em alone. Maybe you don't know what YER doin'." A cool voice remarked from the shadows of the alley. The boys looked in that direction and watched as a short figure materialized in the sunlight. His sandy hair gleamed and the sun bounced off his brown skin as he fingered a slingshot. "Spot." Kid Blink murmured. "Whatcha doin'? Threatnin' me boys Kid? Well look at me, 'cause I'll be da last ting ya see before ya die." Spot sneered. Kid Blink clenched his fists together. "Look Spot, I don't want no trouble. Its not between you an' me. I know dat. You know dat Spot." Spot nodded. "I'm not hasslin' yer boys, I'm jest trying ta keep tings peaceful like. Ya know?"
Spot gazed at him, and cocked his head, his gray eyes gleaming evilly. "Whats peace Blink? Ya know dat we don't know what peace is. I hate it. I hate whateva peace means. I hate it as much as I hate hell, an' all you Newsies from Manhattan, but especially you." Spot hissed through clenched teeth. "Well come an' get me Conlon! You want me so bad! Come an' git me!" Blink yelled, letting his anger loose. Spot yelled an unearthly shout and jumped upon him, drawing his slingshot from his belt and taking a few shots at the boys. "You havin' fun Conlon? I hope so, 'cuz I'm gonna take ya down!" Kid Blink yelled as his teeth bit into the firm flesh of the Brooklyn leader's arm. The leader hissed and punched the boy's head, knocking him to the ground.
"Stop this! Stop!" The boys turned around. "It's da bulls! Run!" Snipeshooter shrieked. "Wait! It's Denton too! He'll help us." Kid Blink said, steadying the boy's hand. But Denton did not rush to their side to coddle them. He walked up to the boys, who were straightening themselves and stood in front of them. His brown eyes bored holes in the boy's faces as he stared at them angrily. He grabbed Kid Blink's arm, then hesitantly grabbed Spot's. Spot hissed somewhat, but complied to Denton's firm grasp. Denton dragged the two of them to his carriage and shoved them inside, giving an angry glance towards the remaining boys, whose eyes widened and they scattered in two different directions, one group to Manhattan, the other to Brooklyn.
The boys and man didn't speak all the carriage ride. Spot sat on the opposite side of Denton and Kid Blink, his gray eyes on fire with rage of being caught once more. Kid Blink sat uncomfortably beside Denton, uncomfortable at the Brooklyn boy's rage and staring eyes, and uncomfortable at Denton's silence. When they pulled up to Denton's building, he shoved open the door and pointed them out. The boys shuffled out of the carriage and Denton followed them, shoving them up the stairs and into an office. Spot plopped down angrily into a chair and Kid Blink took the other, while Denton sat down behind his desk, glowering at the two.
"What happened?" Denton's voice rang out, bursting the silence. Blink gulped. "Well, couple of me boys was mindin' dey're own business till one of 'em stuck out dey're tongue at one of Spot's boys. Dat was not right I know. I'll tawk ta him." Blink said, eyeing Spot as he scoffed. "Den, Spot came afta I tried ta break da guys up. An' he jumped us and ganged up on us. Den you came Denton." Kid Blink finished weakly. There was silence for a few moments more as Denton's eyes glared at them."Three times boys. Three times this has happened. Do you think I can keep persuading the police to leave you alone for much longer?" Denton asked, his fury seeping into his voice. Since he had quit the "Sun" and had taken a position for Joseph Pulitzer and had gradually risen up in rank till he was practically running the place for the old man, he had taken it upon himself to see to the Newsies' welfare. This included taking care of the frequent fights between the two groups of boys, Brooklyn and Manhattan.
"I dunno Denton." Kid Blink muttered, turning his face away. "Not long Kid. Not long. I can't keep them back. If this happens again, your lives are going to be finished in the Refuge. Do you want that?" The boys shook their heads. "Then stop! By all things in Heaven, stop! Or next time this happens, I'll make sure that both of you pay the price." Denton hissed. "Oooh we're so scared Denton! What makes ya tink dat we're gonna stop, jest cuz ya says to?" Spot remarked sarcastically. Denton was taken aback by Spot's words, but only temporarily. "Because if you don't I'll turn you boys in myself. I will. Don't think I won't. This is my last warning. You can go." The boys rose stiffly, Spot making his way to the exit, disappearing into the shadows once more. Kid Blink looked down at Denton, whose head was in his hands as he looked down at a piece of paper.
Kid Blink decided not to disturb him and instead walked silently out the door, thankful that the punishment hadn't been so severe. As he stepped outside, he was greeted by Mush, Snipeshooter and Crutchy. "Oh Blink! Tank Gawd ya got out! We was afraid dat Denton was gonna keep ya dere fereva!" Crutchy said thankfully. "Well he didn't. An' he won't eva. Jest got a little warnin' is all." Blink said with a shrug, accepting the offered cigarrette from Mush. "Hey Blink you seen Jack? We cain't find him anywhere an' da guys is gettin' worried." Snipeshooter asked, sounding a bit worried himself. Blink stood still and thought a moment.
"Yeah I saw him. Neah downtown. I tried ta call him, but I guess dat he didn't hea me or sometin', cause he ran off." Blink remarked. "Well, could ya tawk ta him? He ain't been hisself lately an' you know him betta den anyone, 'cept fer Race." Mush asked. Kid Blink nodded. "I'll try. Hey look! Dere he is! Tawk 'bout luck huh? I'll go see whats da matta wid ol' Cowboy." Kid Blink said with a smile as he took his departure. He approached Jack, who glanced at him as he ran up. Jack's eyes twinkled slightly, but not much as he shuffled along the street.
"Hey Cowboy!" Blink called out cheerily. Jack didn't look up. "Hey Blink. What time is it?" Blink's eye blinked in confusion. "Um, 'bout nine." Jack sighed and set his black cowboy hat back upon his head. "Gawd, da hours go fast." Blink walked slowly to keep up with the boy's slow, but long steps. "Kin I ask what yer problem is Cowboy?" Kid Blink asked hesitantly. Jack stopped, and leaned up against the brick of a house. "Ya eva been in love Blink?" Blink stared at Jack in confusion, then his good eye lit up, and the blue hue sparkled mischievously. "Oh yeah Cowboy! What guy in dey're right mind ain't?" He asked, humor lining his words.
Jack smiled slightly, then the smile turned sour. "Yeah well I'm slowly leainin' dat love ain't all it's cut out ta be. In truth, it stinks!" He said with disgust. "Whatcha tawkin' 'bout Jack?" Blink asked, then he stopped short. "Yer in love Cowboy?" He asked, a grin spreaking across his face. Jack groaned and plopped down on the steps. "Yeah, wid a goil dat won't have me, an' even if she would, she won't! She's so stubban." Jack murmured. "Who is da goil who's won da infamous Cowboy's heart? Who is it Jackie boy? Who is it?" Blink teased, even though clearly seeing that Jack was obviously upset by this dream girl. "It's dat one goil. Da goil who buys papes evry Sunday mawnin'." Jack said, his brown eyes pleading with Blink to know the girl so he wouldn't have to go into detail of his love.
Blink's blue eyes lit up. "Ya don't mean Rosie? Dat goil who hasn't been caught by any guy yet? An' probably won't be?" He asked with a smile. Jack groaned. "Yeah. It's awful. I cain't believe dat of all da goils I had to fall in love wit', I hafta fall in love wit' Rosie!" Jack's head lifted as Kid Blink's merry laughter rang out across the square. "It ain't funny Blink." Jack groaned. Kid Blink sobered immediately. "Yer right. It ain't. It ain't even funny, da way yer moonin' and fallin' all ova yerself 'bout dat dumb goil who won't let no boy touch her no how." Blink commented. As Jack's face raised and Kid Blink saw his angry and pained eyes, he quickly recanted. "Don't worry Cowboy. We'll do sometin' fun ta ease yer inna turmoil, so ta speak. I tink dat's how it goes. Hey! Let's break in on Medda's pawty dat she's havin' fer da boys nea Brooklyn! Seein' Spot puff an' stew would make ya feel betta Jacky boy!" Kid Blink said reassuringly. Jack nodded and sighed. "I don't tink I can fergit her, but it's woith a try Blink." He said dismally, placing his black cowboy hat back on his head. "Atta boy!" Blink said encouragingly, smacking his friend on the back.