Disclaimer: The characters who were featured in "Newsies" are not mine.
Unfortunately, the machine (a wonderful and entertaining machine, but a
machine nonetheless) that is Disney owns them. Jane Eyre, by Charlotte
Bronte, aside from being my favorite novel of all time, is not anything I
can claim ownership of either. However, when the two powers combine to
make "The Governess," I can at least say I wrote it. So, there. I wrote
it, but other than that, it's no more mine than the Brooklyn Bridge. Or
something.
Author's Note: For the purposes of the story, Jack Sullivan Kelly, as he will be known (yes, I realize that is not his name in the film.artistic license, people!), is 38 years of age, and has no newsie past. Other than the fact that he has many of the same mannerisms and basically the same appearance (though a bit older, and better dressed), this is not the same Jack that we know and love in "Newsies." Neither are any of the other characters that you will encounter along the path that is "The Governess." I hope you'll forgive me, and won't think I'm desecrating anything. And I'm not Bronte either, so forgive me my shortcomings and enjoy the story!
The Governess
Chapter 1
"You are so very plain that it makes me sick to look upon you!" Oscar Delancey, a thirteen year old boy with a heart of stone and a head of lies called to his young cousin.
Ten year old Jane Beck looked up at Oscar and narrowed her deep brown eyes. "Perhaps it is not so much my plainness as it is your mother's peach cobbler that is making you ill, cousin."
Oscar breathed in heavily, a deep and angry breath, and for a moment, Jane thought that his head might explode. "You wouldn't know, you weren't allowed to have any. And let me remind you that it was because of who you are- a poor ugly orphan who will never be anything more than just that. Nobody will ever give a rat's tail about you, Jane Beck."
Jane's eyes did not fill up with tears like Oscar anticipated. What appeared in her large eyes was far less satisfying, and more than a little unnerving. The slip of a girl, the unfortunate daughter of his father's penniless dead sister, revealed no sadness in her expression. Hate from her gaze penetrated through Oscar's stiff suit and made him snort uncomfortably.
"I loathe you more than I loathe the devil himself, Oscar Delancey." Jane said steadily, clutching her ragged doll.
"And I'm sure you and the devil are on very close terms, since Mother has told me many times that you are his child." Oscar responded, a smug grin spreading across his perfectly polished face.
Without responding, Jane lept at her cousin, knocking him to the floor. She proceeded to beat upon his wriggling body, despite his ear- splitting squeals.
"Jane Beck! Unhand him this moment!" The shrill voice of Jane's Aunt Constance startled Jane so that she stood up instantly.
Oscar continued to wail from the floor. His fragile cousin had apparently deeply wounded the much sturdier boy. Jane reached for her doll and gave it a nervous squeeze, knowing that Aunt Constance's retribution would be far worse than any of Oscar's taunts.
"I knew Horace had been too generous in taking you in. I told him that you'd be nothing but trouble, but out of the goodness of his soul he said he couldn't refuse his poor sister's child. He was too soft, Jane Beck, far too soft. Heaven knows, it's probably your fault that he passed on when he did!" Aunt Constance had worked herself into such a state, that she started to waver on her feet. "My smelling salts!" She cried, and her attendant was quick to respond. "Well, what do you have to say for yourself, child?" She asked once she was stable enough to continue.
Jane looked at her worn shoes as she responded. "Oscar started it, Ma'am. He called my father the devil and said I was ugly." Her voice was quiet, but unwavering.
"And now you have the nerve to sin with lies, Jane? You are a very rotten child, indeed. Oh, if only Horace could see what a demon you are!"
"I did not lie, Aunt Constance. Oscar really did incite me to-"
"You do not have the right to call me your relation after this stunt, Jane."
"I am sorry, Ma'am, for hurting Oscar, but-"
"I will hear no more of your insolence! This is the last straw! I'm going to send somebody to call on Master Snyder. You do not belong here another day."
Jane was silent. Master Snyder's name was recognized by all of the young unfortunates in Manhattan. He was the headmaster of the School for the Children of God, a strict boarding school for orphans and unwanted children. Jane had heard that it was a very dreary place, full of punishments and gruel. As Aunt Constance exited in a huff, Jane sat down in the window seat, too stunned for tears.
"Now look what you've done, Plain Jane. You're going to rot in school with the other fleas and ticks with nobody to love them." Oscar snarled as he got back to his feet. When Jane didn't respond, he snorted and marched out of the room.
In the hours that it took for Master Snyder to arrive at the Delancey home, Jane had plenty of time to contemplate her new misfortune. Before his arrival was announced, she had come to the brave conclusion that the School for the Children of God might not be such a very bad thing for her. She enjoyed learning immensely, and she despised the Delanceys, even if they were her only kin. Maybe, she thought wishfully, she would learn about faraway places where she could one day escape to.
Master Snyder was a tall man attired in fancy cloth. His thin white hair was covered with the hat that was typical of headmasters of the time. He stood erect in the frame of the door, studying the waif with a steely gaze. Aunt Constance stood at his side, her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed.
"Do not be rude, child, stand up to greet your superior." He barked in a voice that made Jane's stomach churn.
Jane did as was told, and matched her eyes to Master Snyder's.
"Your aunt has told me some dreadful tales of your behavior, Miss Beck." Snyder said coolly.
"Yes, sir." Jane responded.
"Don't you love your aunt, Miss Beck?"
Jane paused, debating her answer. His fierce gaze frightened her. "Yes, sir."
"Then why did you behave so violently against your cousin, her dear son?"
"Because, sir, he called my father the devil and called me ugly." She responded.
"You just lied to me, child." Master Snyder raised his voice.
Jane stared. "Yes, sir."
"So you admit that your tale of Master Delancey's taunting is false?"
A blink. "No, sir, that is quite true."
"But you admit to lying?" His tone frightened Jane, but she was not going to give in.
"Yes, sir."
"Explain yourself, child." Aunt Constance cut in.
Jane didn't meet her aunt's eyes, but said to Master Snyder, "Sir, you asked me if I loved my aunt. I said yes. That was a lie."
Aunt Constance responded by bursting in a fit of sobs, moreso from embarrassment than from sorrow, Jane was sure. Master Snyder turned to the stricken woman.
"You were quite right, this child is in need of the strict hand of our institution. We will send somebody to fetch her in the morning." He bowed and with the sound of expensive fabric rubbing together, left the room.
"You are an evil child, Jane Beck! Lock her in the West Chamber for the evening, and pack her belongings!" Aunt Constance managed to cry between her sobs. "Oh, Heaven, what have I done to deserve such devilry in my home?"
Next chapter, the School for the Children of God.
I hope you enjoyed reading it! Please review and give me feedback!
Author's Note: For the purposes of the story, Jack Sullivan Kelly, as he will be known (yes, I realize that is not his name in the film.artistic license, people!), is 38 years of age, and has no newsie past. Other than the fact that he has many of the same mannerisms and basically the same appearance (though a bit older, and better dressed), this is not the same Jack that we know and love in "Newsies." Neither are any of the other characters that you will encounter along the path that is "The Governess." I hope you'll forgive me, and won't think I'm desecrating anything. And I'm not Bronte either, so forgive me my shortcomings and enjoy the story!
The Governess
Chapter 1
"You are so very plain that it makes me sick to look upon you!" Oscar Delancey, a thirteen year old boy with a heart of stone and a head of lies called to his young cousin.
Ten year old Jane Beck looked up at Oscar and narrowed her deep brown eyes. "Perhaps it is not so much my plainness as it is your mother's peach cobbler that is making you ill, cousin."
Oscar breathed in heavily, a deep and angry breath, and for a moment, Jane thought that his head might explode. "You wouldn't know, you weren't allowed to have any. And let me remind you that it was because of who you are- a poor ugly orphan who will never be anything more than just that. Nobody will ever give a rat's tail about you, Jane Beck."
Jane's eyes did not fill up with tears like Oscar anticipated. What appeared in her large eyes was far less satisfying, and more than a little unnerving. The slip of a girl, the unfortunate daughter of his father's penniless dead sister, revealed no sadness in her expression. Hate from her gaze penetrated through Oscar's stiff suit and made him snort uncomfortably.
"I loathe you more than I loathe the devil himself, Oscar Delancey." Jane said steadily, clutching her ragged doll.
"And I'm sure you and the devil are on very close terms, since Mother has told me many times that you are his child." Oscar responded, a smug grin spreading across his perfectly polished face.
Without responding, Jane lept at her cousin, knocking him to the floor. She proceeded to beat upon his wriggling body, despite his ear- splitting squeals.
"Jane Beck! Unhand him this moment!" The shrill voice of Jane's Aunt Constance startled Jane so that she stood up instantly.
Oscar continued to wail from the floor. His fragile cousin had apparently deeply wounded the much sturdier boy. Jane reached for her doll and gave it a nervous squeeze, knowing that Aunt Constance's retribution would be far worse than any of Oscar's taunts.
"I knew Horace had been too generous in taking you in. I told him that you'd be nothing but trouble, but out of the goodness of his soul he said he couldn't refuse his poor sister's child. He was too soft, Jane Beck, far too soft. Heaven knows, it's probably your fault that he passed on when he did!" Aunt Constance had worked herself into such a state, that she started to waver on her feet. "My smelling salts!" She cried, and her attendant was quick to respond. "Well, what do you have to say for yourself, child?" She asked once she was stable enough to continue.
Jane looked at her worn shoes as she responded. "Oscar started it, Ma'am. He called my father the devil and said I was ugly." Her voice was quiet, but unwavering.
"And now you have the nerve to sin with lies, Jane? You are a very rotten child, indeed. Oh, if only Horace could see what a demon you are!"
"I did not lie, Aunt Constance. Oscar really did incite me to-"
"You do not have the right to call me your relation after this stunt, Jane."
"I am sorry, Ma'am, for hurting Oscar, but-"
"I will hear no more of your insolence! This is the last straw! I'm going to send somebody to call on Master Snyder. You do not belong here another day."
Jane was silent. Master Snyder's name was recognized by all of the young unfortunates in Manhattan. He was the headmaster of the School for the Children of God, a strict boarding school for orphans and unwanted children. Jane had heard that it was a very dreary place, full of punishments and gruel. As Aunt Constance exited in a huff, Jane sat down in the window seat, too stunned for tears.
"Now look what you've done, Plain Jane. You're going to rot in school with the other fleas and ticks with nobody to love them." Oscar snarled as he got back to his feet. When Jane didn't respond, he snorted and marched out of the room.
In the hours that it took for Master Snyder to arrive at the Delancey home, Jane had plenty of time to contemplate her new misfortune. Before his arrival was announced, she had come to the brave conclusion that the School for the Children of God might not be such a very bad thing for her. She enjoyed learning immensely, and she despised the Delanceys, even if they were her only kin. Maybe, she thought wishfully, she would learn about faraway places where she could one day escape to.
Master Snyder was a tall man attired in fancy cloth. His thin white hair was covered with the hat that was typical of headmasters of the time. He stood erect in the frame of the door, studying the waif with a steely gaze. Aunt Constance stood at his side, her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed.
"Do not be rude, child, stand up to greet your superior." He barked in a voice that made Jane's stomach churn.
Jane did as was told, and matched her eyes to Master Snyder's.
"Your aunt has told me some dreadful tales of your behavior, Miss Beck." Snyder said coolly.
"Yes, sir." Jane responded.
"Don't you love your aunt, Miss Beck?"
Jane paused, debating her answer. His fierce gaze frightened her. "Yes, sir."
"Then why did you behave so violently against your cousin, her dear son?"
"Because, sir, he called my father the devil and called me ugly." She responded.
"You just lied to me, child." Master Snyder raised his voice.
Jane stared. "Yes, sir."
"So you admit that your tale of Master Delancey's taunting is false?"
A blink. "No, sir, that is quite true."
"But you admit to lying?" His tone frightened Jane, but she was not going to give in.
"Yes, sir."
"Explain yourself, child." Aunt Constance cut in.
Jane didn't meet her aunt's eyes, but said to Master Snyder, "Sir, you asked me if I loved my aunt. I said yes. That was a lie."
Aunt Constance responded by bursting in a fit of sobs, moreso from embarrassment than from sorrow, Jane was sure. Master Snyder turned to the stricken woman.
"You were quite right, this child is in need of the strict hand of our institution. We will send somebody to fetch her in the morning." He bowed and with the sound of expensive fabric rubbing together, left the room.
"You are an evil child, Jane Beck! Lock her in the West Chamber for the evening, and pack her belongings!" Aunt Constance managed to cry between her sobs. "Oh, Heaven, what have I done to deserve such devilry in my home?"
Next chapter, the School for the Children of God.
I hope you enjoyed reading it! Please review and give me feedback!