Disclaimer: I do not own Newsies, Disney obviously does(*tear* Lucky
Rats!), and I don't actually own this story, my talented friend, Kristina,
does(she, too, is a lucky rat!) and I am merely doing her a favor! But, I
actually DO own Tig and Annabelle, others as well, but you have to wait for
the sequal! So, for these reasons, don't sue me!
Summary: Marie 'Target' McCoy is a loveable tomboy who lives and sells with the Manhatten Newsies. She starts to date Spot Conlon, but what happens when her heart starts to belong to another newsie that she's known for years? NOT A MARY SUE!!! Skit/Target, Mush/Tig, Jack/OC
Rating: PG-13
May 29, 1900
It was seven o'clock in the Newsboys' Lodging House e eetad just risen over the city of New York and everyone was still asleep, all except for the only newsgirl in the home, Marie 'Target' McCoy, the only one they've ever known.
Target was seventeen-years-old and a part of the Manhattan Newsies. She had dark brown hair and green eyes. She stood five foot five and was somewhat of a tomboy; she could beat up any newsboy in the home. She lived with about thirty boys and was raised like one. Target considered herself an orphan, the boys were the only family she could remember. The reason they called her Target was because she was a regular sharpshooter; she had a mean slingshot and great aim.
Target had been up for hours, she always woke early so she could get done what she needed, like take a shower with hot water and get dressed without being interrupted by the fellas. She sat by the second story window in a wooden chair and watched the people down below. Target turned and saw Kloppman walking up the stairs.
Kloppman was about sixty-years-old with milky white hair, a walking stick, and a grandfather--like attitude towards the residence in the Lodging House.
Target got out of the chair and walked quickly past the bunks of boys and towards Kloppman.
"Mornin' Kloppman! How'd ya sleep?" she whispered, helping him up the stairs.
"Pretty good, Target! You wanna wake the boys for me this mornin'?" he whispered back, pointing to the lazy bodies draped over the bunks.
"Yeah, sure, why not?" she said, walking over to one of the bunks where a boy named Kid Blink lay sleeping. "Watch," she whispered, turning back to Kloppman. She sat on the edge of the bunk beside the sleeping boy. She leaned in only a few inches away from his cheek as she began to stroke his dirty blond hair. "Blinky-Boy, I'm waitin' for you'se. Come wit me," she buzzed, covering her mouth so she'd stop giggling. Behind her, Kloppman was laughing, too.
"Hmm," he hummed with pleasure. "I'm waitin' for you'se, too." A large smile stretched across his face.
"You'se know what I'se want you'se ta do, don't you?" she whispered, also smiling, revealing her white teeth. "I, want you'se...ta..."
"Yeah?" he lifted his head slightly, not waking.
"Ta sell da papes," she whispered in his ear.
"WHAT?" he said loudly, sitting up straight in his bed and staring at his good friend beside him.
"Good mornin'!" she said, the smile still plastered on her face.
"Ahh, Newsie-Goil, why you'se always gotta wake me up like dat every mornin'? Why can't you'se just wake us up like Kloppman ova dare? He just yells at us. But when you wake us up, it's like torture. How come you'se just can't let us rest?" he questioned.
"Cause dare ain't no rest for da wicked," she said with an evil expression on her face. "Now, time ta get up!" Kid Blink and Target were really close friends and enjoyed teasing each other. "ALRIGHT BOYS! TIME TA GET UP AND SELL DA PAPES!" she yelled, causing a ruckus about the second floor. Everyone jumped. A boy named Boots had fallen out of his bed. Although the boys were unruly and uneducated, they were angels with dirty faces.
Morning was Target's favorite part of the day because, even though she had known the boys all her life, she still enjoyed seeing them without their shirts on.
"COME ON BOYS, CARRYIN' DA BANNA!" she yelled as Kloppman was still smirking behind her.
"Ahh Target, just five more minutes," they all mumbled. The fellas never got mad at Target for acting like this every so often, they figured they deserved it. The boys slowly began waking up and getting dressed.
"Hiya there, Target! How's it goin'?" Crutchy said, kissing her on the cheek like he did every morning. Marie always got a hug or a kiss from the boys in the morning; she was their girl.
Skittery jumped off his top bunk, came up from behind her, and gave her a loving hug around the waist.
"Hiya, Skit," she said, placing a hand on his cheek as he stood behind her. She liked him, a lot, but figured he wouldn't waste his time on a silly girl like herself. So, she had never bothered to tell anyone.
"A'ight, Skit, dat's enough! Let her go," a voice said, pulling his arms off from around Target's waist.
It was their leader, Jack Kelly. Jack was twenty years old. They called him Cowboy because of his long lost dream of going to Santa Fe, New Mexico. He wore a red bandana and a cowboy hat on his head. He was about five foot nine and had dark brown hair that parted down the middle. Jack was like a brother figure toward Target and always kept her out of trouble. But, sometimes he got her into it.
"Ah Jack, he was just sayin' good mornin' like he always does," she said, following him to the washing area where some of the newsboys had been shaving.
"Every mornin' I'se gotta tell him ta back off! Listen Target, I'se don't like all des fellas huggin' you'se 'n such," he said, applying shaving cream to his chin and cheeks. "I'se mean, you'se are da only goil here," he continued, picking up his razor.
"Hey Jackie, come on! We'se all pals here! It ain't like dey're gonna do somethin' ta me, and if dey try anythin' on me, I'se just gonna give 'em one in da nose!" she said, holding up her fist and giving a quick right jab into the air as if she was fighting someone. They both laughed. Jack continued shaving.
"Hey, you'se is pretty good at dat! And, I'se know you'se can take care of yourself, I'se just... I'se don't know, just be careful, you undastand, Marie?" Jack was the only one who was ever aloud to call her Marie, but he only did it when he was really serious with her.
"Yeah, yeah, da whole Marie thin'. I'se know, I'se know!" she sighed, turning around waving her arms in the air as she walked down the stairs. "See ya downstairs boys," she called and raised a hand in the air. They gave an unsteady grumble.
A few minutes later.
"Hey, Jackie-Boy," a voice called a few minutes later. It was Skittery and he didn't look too happy. "Jack, you'se know I'se like Target, so why do ya always pull me away when I'se is wit her?" his eyes were fixed on Jack.
"It's cause I'se know you'se Skit. One a des days, you'se is gonna have her all to yourself, den you're gonna break your little heart, dat's why I'se pull you'se away," Jack said, wiping the remaining shaving cream off his face. "She's like me sista and I'se don't want her heart broken," he turned towards Skittery and threw down the towel on the counter, leaning against the sink. The last thing Skittery ever would to do is hurt Marie.
"It's just dat, I'se might have a chance wit Marie."
The smile on Jack's face suddenly disappeared in an instant, his eyes bursted with rage. Jack pinned Skittery up against the wall.
"Listen, you little scab, nobody calls her Marie but this fella, got dat?!" Jack said, ramming Skit into the wall one more time, just to scare him. At that instant, the whole room stopped what they were doing and turned not to Jack, but to the staircase. Target was standing at the top. She looked like a cross between crying and throwing a fit at Jack. Both Jack and Skittery turned to see what everyone was looking at. Jack's hands were still holding Skit up against the wall. Target ran toward Skit, turning his head every which way to check for any sign of injury.
"What da hell is goin' on here?!" she demanded, turning to Jack for some answers. He said nothing. "WELL?"
"He...he called you Marie," said Jack, a little ashamed. The rest of the boys stood silent. Not a word was spoken. No one had ever seen Jack burst out like that before; he was always a laid back kind of guy, so they were a little shocked.
"Jack, dat ain't no reason to flip out on him like dat! Geeze, what da hell's wrong wit you'se?" she asked, still checking for a wound. She placed her hand on his cheek. "You'se okay?" she questioned.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," he said, staring into her eyes.
"Good, okay," she said to Skit, then turned to Jack. "Come wit me," she ordered, grabbing his bandana tails and dragging him to the other side of the room so they wouldn't be heard. Marie pushed him onto one of the bunks. "Listen Jackie, I'se told you'se, I'se can take care of myself and just cause Skittery called me by me real name, don't mean you'se gotta kill da poor fella," she said, pointing a finger in Skit's direction. Jack picked himself up off the bunk where he had been thrown and stood up, towering over Target. She had no fear and she didn't back down. She stared at him, waiting for words to come out of his mouth.
"I'se is da only one who calls you Marie, and when someone calls you dat, it's like someone callin' me Francis. I just snap!" he whispered to her. Francis was Jack's real name, which no one ever called him. If they did, it would probably be their last day on earth.
"A'ight I get it, but do you'se have ta start dis foist thin' in da mornin'?" she said, easing off a little.
"Sorry," he muttered, lowering his head.
"Dat's all I'se wanted ta hear," she said, ruffling his hair. "DID YA HEAR ME FELLAS? SELL DA PAPES, COME ON!" she yelled, raising a fist in the air. All the boys cheered and hollered as if they had just won a battle. "COME ON BOYS, CARRY DA BANNA!" she screamed. The boys cheered once again and they all ran down the stairs, jumping and sliding down the banister.
"See ya later, Kloppman," they all yelled as they ran out the front door into the dusty streets of New York. The streets of Newspaper Row were filled with horse drawn carriages that went up and down the street, people on their way to a hard day of work, and other Newsies peddling the newspapers of Joseph Pulitzer, William Randolph Hearst, and other giants of the newspaper world.
Every Newsie had a different strategy of how to sell their papes. Jack liked to improve the truth and to make the headlines more appealing. Crutchy had a lame right leg, so he'd get sympathy from his buyers. Target, on the other hand, liked to flirt with her male customers: she'd get on their good side so they'd buy more papers.
The Newsies kicked up dust as they ran, jumped, and flipped down the dirt roads, singing 'Carrying The Banner'. 'Carrying the Banner' was the Newsies' national anthem. They sang it to themselves every morning to get moving faster.
The Newsies walked up the ramp that led to a counter with bars running from the top to the bottom. This was the Circulation Desk, where the Newsies received their papes to sell for the day.
First up was Mush Meyers. He was a well built lad, with curly brown hair and a sweet smile. He got his name because his skin color was like mushy oatmeal and also because he had a way with the ladies.
"Hey Mr. Edwards? You'se awake in dare?" Mush shouted, and banged on the shutters with his fist. Behind him, the rest of the Newsies were crowded around one of the boys, Thomas 'Racetrack' Higgins. The boys and Target watched as he and Boots played a game of marbles.
"Now, now, what's all this commotion out here? You Newsies ready to sell some papes?" asked Mr. Edwards as he pulled out his money book and opened it. "Now, how many young man?" Mr. Edwards questioned.
"Forty papes," said Mush, slapping down his money.
"Why only forty Mushy-Boy? Need a new hat?" asked Kid Blink. Everyone gave a soft murmur.
"Nah. I'm taken Lily out tanight."
Lily was Mush's girl and was about as pretty as they come, but she was also treated with great respect when she walked into a room. She could put a smile on anyone's face; she had a great sense of humor. Lily was usually referred to as Tig and she had light brown, wavy hair that came to her shoulders and hazel eyes. She made her money by working in a seamstress factory.
Lily and Target were best friends since the first day they had met. Target told her everything that was going on with the Newsies and if Mush was staying out of trouble. Target and the boys were always trying to get Tig into becoming a Newsie. They were all such good friends. It seemed, though, the harder they tried, the more she resisted. Target even used the line, 'You'se get ta wake up with da boys every mornin'!' But it was no good.
"Okay kid, you'se got your papes, move it along," said Mr. Edwards, giving a slight wave of his hand. Mush picked up his papers and stepped aside, sitting on the edge of the wooden platform to scroll through the headlines.
"Watch dis," said Target to the rest of the boys in line.
"Target, what are you doing?" said a boy named David Jacobs. He tried to grab the back of her shirt before she got to the counter or into an embrassing situation. She strolled up real close to Mr. Edwards.
"Hiya dare, handsome! Ya know, you're a real good lookin' gentleman. I'se bet you'se got so many goils chasin' afta you'se, you'se don't know what ta do wit all of 'em!" the boys behind Target were laughing at the sight of Mr. Edwards, for his cheeks became rosy red. She turned around to the noisy boys behind her. " 'Ey fellas, keep it down, I'm woikin' here!"
She turned back to Mr. Edwards and gave a smile like no other. "Now Mr. Edwards, if you'se don't mind, could I'se have a hundred papes. It's just...the thing is...I'se got no money! So, could you'se help me out, just dis once?" she questioned, batting her eyelashes.
"Of course, sweet heart! Here you are. Tolin?" he called to his young assistant. "Give the girl a hundred papes," he said as Tolin handed the newspapers to his boss, who in turn, handed them to Target. The boys were in shock as she blew a kiss in Tolin's direction, just to see if she could get any more papes for him, which she did. She turned around and raised a eyebrow at the fellas, then went and sat beside Mush.
"How does she do dat?" they all murmured with wide eyes.
"Next!" called Mr. Edwards. Kid Blink tapped Target on the shoulder. She turned around toward him.
"Tell me what I'm doin' wrong," he said aloud so that the rest the boys could hear him. The boys started laughing again as Blink walked up to the counter as flirtingly as he could. In a woman's voice he said, "My, you're lookin' handsome dis mornin'!" he managed to say without laughing. The rest of the Newsies behind him couldn't help it. Race and Snoddy were on their knees with laughter, Target just sat there, shaking her head back and forth.
"Hey kid, pay up, twenty-five cents," said Mr. Edwards
"What 'bout her? She didn't pay you!" Blink said, pointing to Target.
"Dat little lady right dare is a real sweet talker. As for you, keep practicing," suggested Mr. Edwards.
"Ah here's your quarter. Forget you'se, ya bum!" Blink mumbled, receiving his papes.
The sun was warm that June morning and the sounds of echoing Newsies filled the streets. The wind blew gently as David stepped up to the desk to get his papers. Target sat leaning against Blink, reading the front page.
"It says here dat Morris Dalance escaped from da state prison," said Mush, turning the page. Everyone looked at Mush, remembering who Morris Dalance was. It had been almost a year since the Newsie Strike and that was the last time they had seen Morris and his rat brother, Oscar.
When the group got their papes, they made their way along their normal routes. The wind blew through the trees of Central Park and the sky was free of clouds. The gang of Newsies walked up and down the streets, papers raised high in the air, everyone yelling, "Extree, extree, get your papes here! Read all 'bout it!"
The boys thought this was their best selling day of the week. New headlines, new customers, a new day, it was great! Target stood under a tree, selling papers to the passer by.
"Hey Mister, you're lookin' mighty handsome dis mornin'! Would you'se be willin' ta buy one of me papes?" she said, placing an arm around his back and on his shoulder. She lifted a paper and opened it to the main story.
"Yeah, I could use a good story from The World," the man said, giving Target a penny in exchange for the newspaper. She smiled even wider and handed the paper to him.
"Thank you sir," she said, putting the penny in her pocket. Long moments passed and Target grew lonely. She leaned her back against the tree when a boy named Robert Tunnel, known as Pots, strolled over.
"Oh great, here we go again!" she thought, looking in the opposite direction.
"Hey there, gorgeous!" he greeted, resting his arm on the tree trunk over Target's shoulder.
"Hey yourself, fella," she replied, spotting a customer. "Hello ma'am! How are you'se taday? Would you'se like a story from The World?"
The woman agreed and bought a paper and walked away. Target leaned back against the tree.
"So, I'se was wonderin' if you'se would wanna have dinna sometime?" Pots asked.
"Umm, I'm pretty busy. And, I'se t'ought I'se told you'se, we'se just pals!" she clarified.
"Are you'se sure I'se can't change your mind?" he asked, placing his raw hand on her cheek. He planted a kiss on her lips. It was wonderful, but it wasn't meant to be. She looked to the ground.
"I'm sorry, Robert," she apologized, shutting him down. He walked away a little embarrassed and hurt. He had tried many, many times to win over Marie's affection.
The wind blew again, causing Target to lose her grip on her newspapers. "Oh shit!" she yelled, running after her loose papers. The wind finally stopped and Target began picking up her papers and putting them back together. While picking up one of them, she suddenly saw two feet beneath her face. She lifted her head to see Skittery standing there, holding the rest of her newspapers.
"Rough day?" he asked, handing them to her.
"Yeah, you'se could say dat," she sighed politely. "T'anks," she said, taking the papers from him.
"Well," he said, blushing a little. He looked as if he was going to turn and walk away, so she grabbed his arm. She needed some one to talk to for a few minutes.
"How's business wit you'se, Skit?" she asked, shielding her eyes from the late afternoon sun with a paper.
"Same old, same old," he sighed, taking off his hat off his head, remembering Target was a woman and should be shown respect like any other. "Well.I'll see you'se at Tibby's afta woik, den," he said, putting his hat back on, smiling at her, then walking off.
Target raised an eyebrow and yelled, "Extree, extree! Psycho escapes from local refuge! Get it while it's good!" The day dragged on later into the afternoon, making business slow. Target sat on the ground under the tree in the park and read her last paper. She looked up slowly, meaning to lean her head back on the tree trunk, but seeing her good friend, Lily, strolling the walkway, Target picked herself up off the soft grass, and dusted herself off. "TIG!" she yelled and finished the cigarette she lit. Placing her hat on her head, she ran to where Lily was waiting. "Hey Tig, you wanna help out a friend and buy me last pape?" she asked, lighting another cigarette.
"Yeah, sure," she said, handing a penny to her friend. Lily began to read when she looked at Target trying to light another cigarette. "You know, you should really stop smoking so much," Tig said, disgusted.
"Yeah, why?" Target asked, throwing her match on the ground.
"Because you're a young woman, it's not good for you, and it's not lady-like," Tig said, opening her paper.
"Ah, lady-like me ass!" Target said, taking the cigarette out of her mouth. She blew smoke out of her nose, causing Tig to cough.
"Where did you pick up that dirty habit?" Tig asked, still coughing. Target smiled and started to walk.
"Your boyfriend!" Target said, turning around and smiling at Tig. She put the cigarette back in her mouth. Tig ran to catch up with her.
"Where are we going?" Tig asked after a little while of walking. Target put her hand in her pocket and felt the money jingling. She blew out some more smoke.
"To Tibby's on Mint Street. Woik day's ova. You'se eva been dare?" she questioned, turning to Lily. She didn't answer. "You comin'?" Marie asked, putting the stick back in her mouth.
"Only if you throw that thing out," said Lily, pointing to the cigarette in Target's mouth. With that, Target took one last inhale, threw the stick on the ground, and stepping on it as she walked by. Turning back to Lily, she asked, "Better?"
"Much," said Tig. They both laughed and made their way down to Tibby's restaurant.
Summary: Marie 'Target' McCoy is a loveable tomboy who lives and sells with the Manhatten Newsies. She starts to date Spot Conlon, but what happens when her heart starts to belong to another newsie that she's known for years? NOT A MARY SUE!!! Skit/Target, Mush/Tig, Jack/OC
Rating: PG-13
May 29, 1900
It was seven o'clock in the Newsboys' Lodging House e eetad just risen over the city of New York and everyone was still asleep, all except for the only newsgirl in the home, Marie 'Target' McCoy, the only one they've ever known.
Target was seventeen-years-old and a part of the Manhattan Newsies. She had dark brown hair and green eyes. She stood five foot five and was somewhat of a tomboy; she could beat up any newsboy in the home. She lived with about thirty boys and was raised like one. Target considered herself an orphan, the boys were the only family she could remember. The reason they called her Target was because she was a regular sharpshooter; she had a mean slingshot and great aim.
Target had been up for hours, she always woke early so she could get done what she needed, like take a shower with hot water and get dressed without being interrupted by the fellas. She sat by the second story window in a wooden chair and watched the people down below. Target turned and saw Kloppman walking up the stairs.
Kloppman was about sixty-years-old with milky white hair, a walking stick, and a grandfather--like attitude towards the residence in the Lodging House.
Target got out of the chair and walked quickly past the bunks of boys and towards Kloppman.
"Mornin' Kloppman! How'd ya sleep?" she whispered, helping him up the stairs.
"Pretty good, Target! You wanna wake the boys for me this mornin'?" he whispered back, pointing to the lazy bodies draped over the bunks.
"Yeah, sure, why not?" she said, walking over to one of the bunks where a boy named Kid Blink lay sleeping. "Watch," she whispered, turning back to Kloppman. She sat on the edge of the bunk beside the sleeping boy. She leaned in only a few inches away from his cheek as she began to stroke his dirty blond hair. "Blinky-Boy, I'm waitin' for you'se. Come wit me," she buzzed, covering her mouth so she'd stop giggling. Behind her, Kloppman was laughing, too.
"Hmm," he hummed with pleasure. "I'm waitin' for you'se, too." A large smile stretched across his face.
"You'se know what I'se want you'se ta do, don't you?" she whispered, also smiling, revealing her white teeth. "I, want you'se...ta..."
"Yeah?" he lifted his head slightly, not waking.
"Ta sell da papes," she whispered in his ear.
"WHAT?" he said loudly, sitting up straight in his bed and staring at his good friend beside him.
"Good mornin'!" she said, the smile still plastered on her face.
"Ahh, Newsie-Goil, why you'se always gotta wake me up like dat every mornin'? Why can't you'se just wake us up like Kloppman ova dare? He just yells at us. But when you wake us up, it's like torture. How come you'se just can't let us rest?" he questioned.
"Cause dare ain't no rest for da wicked," she said with an evil expression on her face. "Now, time ta get up!" Kid Blink and Target were really close friends and enjoyed teasing each other. "ALRIGHT BOYS! TIME TA GET UP AND SELL DA PAPES!" she yelled, causing a ruckus about the second floor. Everyone jumped. A boy named Boots had fallen out of his bed. Although the boys were unruly and uneducated, they were angels with dirty faces.
Morning was Target's favorite part of the day because, even though she had known the boys all her life, she still enjoyed seeing them without their shirts on.
"COME ON BOYS, CARRYIN' DA BANNA!" she yelled as Kloppman was still smirking behind her.
"Ahh Target, just five more minutes," they all mumbled. The fellas never got mad at Target for acting like this every so often, they figured they deserved it. The boys slowly began waking up and getting dressed.
"Hiya there, Target! How's it goin'?" Crutchy said, kissing her on the cheek like he did every morning. Marie always got a hug or a kiss from the boys in the morning; she was their girl.
Skittery jumped off his top bunk, came up from behind her, and gave her a loving hug around the waist.
"Hiya, Skit," she said, placing a hand on his cheek as he stood behind her. She liked him, a lot, but figured he wouldn't waste his time on a silly girl like herself. So, she had never bothered to tell anyone.
"A'ight, Skit, dat's enough! Let her go," a voice said, pulling his arms off from around Target's waist.
It was their leader, Jack Kelly. Jack was twenty years old. They called him Cowboy because of his long lost dream of going to Santa Fe, New Mexico. He wore a red bandana and a cowboy hat on his head. He was about five foot nine and had dark brown hair that parted down the middle. Jack was like a brother figure toward Target and always kept her out of trouble. But, sometimes he got her into it.
"Ah Jack, he was just sayin' good mornin' like he always does," she said, following him to the washing area where some of the newsboys had been shaving.
"Every mornin' I'se gotta tell him ta back off! Listen Target, I'se don't like all des fellas huggin' you'se 'n such," he said, applying shaving cream to his chin and cheeks. "I'se mean, you'se are da only goil here," he continued, picking up his razor.
"Hey Jackie, come on! We'se all pals here! It ain't like dey're gonna do somethin' ta me, and if dey try anythin' on me, I'se just gonna give 'em one in da nose!" she said, holding up her fist and giving a quick right jab into the air as if she was fighting someone. They both laughed. Jack continued shaving.
"Hey, you'se is pretty good at dat! And, I'se know you'se can take care of yourself, I'se just... I'se don't know, just be careful, you undastand, Marie?" Jack was the only one who was ever aloud to call her Marie, but he only did it when he was really serious with her.
"Yeah, yeah, da whole Marie thin'. I'se know, I'se know!" she sighed, turning around waving her arms in the air as she walked down the stairs. "See ya downstairs boys," she called and raised a hand in the air. They gave an unsteady grumble.
A few minutes later.
"Hey, Jackie-Boy," a voice called a few minutes later. It was Skittery and he didn't look too happy. "Jack, you'se know I'se like Target, so why do ya always pull me away when I'se is wit her?" his eyes were fixed on Jack.
"It's cause I'se know you'se Skit. One a des days, you'se is gonna have her all to yourself, den you're gonna break your little heart, dat's why I'se pull you'se away," Jack said, wiping the remaining shaving cream off his face. "She's like me sista and I'se don't want her heart broken," he turned towards Skittery and threw down the towel on the counter, leaning against the sink. The last thing Skittery ever would to do is hurt Marie.
"It's just dat, I'se might have a chance wit Marie."
The smile on Jack's face suddenly disappeared in an instant, his eyes bursted with rage. Jack pinned Skittery up against the wall.
"Listen, you little scab, nobody calls her Marie but this fella, got dat?!" Jack said, ramming Skit into the wall one more time, just to scare him. At that instant, the whole room stopped what they were doing and turned not to Jack, but to the staircase. Target was standing at the top. She looked like a cross between crying and throwing a fit at Jack. Both Jack and Skittery turned to see what everyone was looking at. Jack's hands were still holding Skit up against the wall. Target ran toward Skit, turning his head every which way to check for any sign of injury.
"What da hell is goin' on here?!" she demanded, turning to Jack for some answers. He said nothing. "WELL?"
"He...he called you Marie," said Jack, a little ashamed. The rest of the boys stood silent. Not a word was spoken. No one had ever seen Jack burst out like that before; he was always a laid back kind of guy, so they were a little shocked.
"Jack, dat ain't no reason to flip out on him like dat! Geeze, what da hell's wrong wit you'se?" she asked, still checking for a wound. She placed her hand on his cheek. "You'se okay?" she questioned.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," he said, staring into her eyes.
"Good, okay," she said to Skit, then turned to Jack. "Come wit me," she ordered, grabbing his bandana tails and dragging him to the other side of the room so they wouldn't be heard. Marie pushed him onto one of the bunks. "Listen Jackie, I'se told you'se, I'se can take care of myself and just cause Skittery called me by me real name, don't mean you'se gotta kill da poor fella," she said, pointing a finger in Skit's direction. Jack picked himself up off the bunk where he had been thrown and stood up, towering over Target. She had no fear and she didn't back down. She stared at him, waiting for words to come out of his mouth.
"I'se is da only one who calls you Marie, and when someone calls you dat, it's like someone callin' me Francis. I just snap!" he whispered to her. Francis was Jack's real name, which no one ever called him. If they did, it would probably be their last day on earth.
"A'ight I get it, but do you'se have ta start dis foist thin' in da mornin'?" she said, easing off a little.
"Sorry," he muttered, lowering his head.
"Dat's all I'se wanted ta hear," she said, ruffling his hair. "DID YA HEAR ME FELLAS? SELL DA PAPES, COME ON!" she yelled, raising a fist in the air. All the boys cheered and hollered as if they had just won a battle. "COME ON BOYS, CARRY DA BANNA!" she screamed. The boys cheered once again and they all ran down the stairs, jumping and sliding down the banister.
"See ya later, Kloppman," they all yelled as they ran out the front door into the dusty streets of New York. The streets of Newspaper Row were filled with horse drawn carriages that went up and down the street, people on their way to a hard day of work, and other Newsies peddling the newspapers of Joseph Pulitzer, William Randolph Hearst, and other giants of the newspaper world.
Every Newsie had a different strategy of how to sell their papes. Jack liked to improve the truth and to make the headlines more appealing. Crutchy had a lame right leg, so he'd get sympathy from his buyers. Target, on the other hand, liked to flirt with her male customers: she'd get on their good side so they'd buy more papers.
The Newsies kicked up dust as they ran, jumped, and flipped down the dirt roads, singing 'Carrying The Banner'. 'Carrying the Banner' was the Newsies' national anthem. They sang it to themselves every morning to get moving faster.
The Newsies walked up the ramp that led to a counter with bars running from the top to the bottom. This was the Circulation Desk, where the Newsies received their papes to sell for the day.
First up was Mush Meyers. He was a well built lad, with curly brown hair and a sweet smile. He got his name because his skin color was like mushy oatmeal and also because he had a way with the ladies.
"Hey Mr. Edwards? You'se awake in dare?" Mush shouted, and banged on the shutters with his fist. Behind him, the rest of the Newsies were crowded around one of the boys, Thomas 'Racetrack' Higgins. The boys and Target watched as he and Boots played a game of marbles.
"Now, now, what's all this commotion out here? You Newsies ready to sell some papes?" asked Mr. Edwards as he pulled out his money book and opened it. "Now, how many young man?" Mr. Edwards questioned.
"Forty papes," said Mush, slapping down his money.
"Why only forty Mushy-Boy? Need a new hat?" asked Kid Blink. Everyone gave a soft murmur.
"Nah. I'm taken Lily out tanight."
Lily was Mush's girl and was about as pretty as they come, but she was also treated with great respect when she walked into a room. She could put a smile on anyone's face; she had a great sense of humor. Lily was usually referred to as Tig and she had light brown, wavy hair that came to her shoulders and hazel eyes. She made her money by working in a seamstress factory.
Lily and Target were best friends since the first day they had met. Target told her everything that was going on with the Newsies and if Mush was staying out of trouble. Target and the boys were always trying to get Tig into becoming a Newsie. They were all such good friends. It seemed, though, the harder they tried, the more she resisted. Target even used the line, 'You'se get ta wake up with da boys every mornin'!' But it was no good.
"Okay kid, you'se got your papes, move it along," said Mr. Edwards, giving a slight wave of his hand. Mush picked up his papers and stepped aside, sitting on the edge of the wooden platform to scroll through the headlines.
"Watch dis," said Target to the rest of the boys in line.
"Target, what are you doing?" said a boy named David Jacobs. He tried to grab the back of her shirt before she got to the counter or into an embrassing situation. She strolled up real close to Mr. Edwards.
"Hiya dare, handsome! Ya know, you're a real good lookin' gentleman. I'se bet you'se got so many goils chasin' afta you'se, you'se don't know what ta do wit all of 'em!" the boys behind Target were laughing at the sight of Mr. Edwards, for his cheeks became rosy red. She turned around to the noisy boys behind her. " 'Ey fellas, keep it down, I'm woikin' here!"
She turned back to Mr. Edwards and gave a smile like no other. "Now Mr. Edwards, if you'se don't mind, could I'se have a hundred papes. It's just...the thing is...I'se got no money! So, could you'se help me out, just dis once?" she questioned, batting her eyelashes.
"Of course, sweet heart! Here you are. Tolin?" he called to his young assistant. "Give the girl a hundred papes," he said as Tolin handed the newspapers to his boss, who in turn, handed them to Target. The boys were in shock as she blew a kiss in Tolin's direction, just to see if she could get any more papes for him, which she did. She turned around and raised a eyebrow at the fellas, then went and sat beside Mush.
"How does she do dat?" they all murmured with wide eyes.
"Next!" called Mr. Edwards. Kid Blink tapped Target on the shoulder. She turned around toward him.
"Tell me what I'm doin' wrong," he said aloud so that the rest the boys could hear him. The boys started laughing again as Blink walked up to the counter as flirtingly as he could. In a woman's voice he said, "My, you're lookin' handsome dis mornin'!" he managed to say without laughing. The rest of the Newsies behind him couldn't help it. Race and Snoddy were on their knees with laughter, Target just sat there, shaking her head back and forth.
"Hey kid, pay up, twenty-five cents," said Mr. Edwards
"What 'bout her? She didn't pay you!" Blink said, pointing to Target.
"Dat little lady right dare is a real sweet talker. As for you, keep practicing," suggested Mr. Edwards.
"Ah here's your quarter. Forget you'se, ya bum!" Blink mumbled, receiving his papes.
The sun was warm that June morning and the sounds of echoing Newsies filled the streets. The wind blew gently as David stepped up to the desk to get his papers. Target sat leaning against Blink, reading the front page.
"It says here dat Morris Dalance escaped from da state prison," said Mush, turning the page. Everyone looked at Mush, remembering who Morris Dalance was. It had been almost a year since the Newsie Strike and that was the last time they had seen Morris and his rat brother, Oscar.
When the group got their papes, they made their way along their normal routes. The wind blew through the trees of Central Park and the sky was free of clouds. The gang of Newsies walked up and down the streets, papers raised high in the air, everyone yelling, "Extree, extree, get your papes here! Read all 'bout it!"
The boys thought this was their best selling day of the week. New headlines, new customers, a new day, it was great! Target stood under a tree, selling papers to the passer by.
"Hey Mister, you're lookin' mighty handsome dis mornin'! Would you'se be willin' ta buy one of me papes?" she said, placing an arm around his back and on his shoulder. She lifted a paper and opened it to the main story.
"Yeah, I could use a good story from The World," the man said, giving Target a penny in exchange for the newspaper. She smiled even wider and handed the paper to him.
"Thank you sir," she said, putting the penny in her pocket. Long moments passed and Target grew lonely. She leaned her back against the tree when a boy named Robert Tunnel, known as Pots, strolled over.
"Oh great, here we go again!" she thought, looking in the opposite direction.
"Hey there, gorgeous!" he greeted, resting his arm on the tree trunk over Target's shoulder.
"Hey yourself, fella," she replied, spotting a customer. "Hello ma'am! How are you'se taday? Would you'se like a story from The World?"
The woman agreed and bought a paper and walked away. Target leaned back against the tree.
"So, I'se was wonderin' if you'se would wanna have dinna sometime?" Pots asked.
"Umm, I'm pretty busy. And, I'se t'ought I'se told you'se, we'se just pals!" she clarified.
"Are you'se sure I'se can't change your mind?" he asked, placing his raw hand on her cheek. He planted a kiss on her lips. It was wonderful, but it wasn't meant to be. She looked to the ground.
"I'm sorry, Robert," she apologized, shutting him down. He walked away a little embarrassed and hurt. He had tried many, many times to win over Marie's affection.
The wind blew again, causing Target to lose her grip on her newspapers. "Oh shit!" she yelled, running after her loose papers. The wind finally stopped and Target began picking up her papers and putting them back together. While picking up one of them, she suddenly saw two feet beneath her face. She lifted her head to see Skittery standing there, holding the rest of her newspapers.
"Rough day?" he asked, handing them to her.
"Yeah, you'se could say dat," she sighed politely. "T'anks," she said, taking the papers from him.
"Well," he said, blushing a little. He looked as if he was going to turn and walk away, so she grabbed his arm. She needed some one to talk to for a few minutes.
"How's business wit you'se, Skit?" she asked, shielding her eyes from the late afternoon sun with a paper.
"Same old, same old," he sighed, taking off his hat off his head, remembering Target was a woman and should be shown respect like any other. "Well.I'll see you'se at Tibby's afta woik, den," he said, putting his hat back on, smiling at her, then walking off.
Target raised an eyebrow and yelled, "Extree, extree! Psycho escapes from local refuge! Get it while it's good!" The day dragged on later into the afternoon, making business slow. Target sat on the ground under the tree in the park and read her last paper. She looked up slowly, meaning to lean her head back on the tree trunk, but seeing her good friend, Lily, strolling the walkway, Target picked herself up off the soft grass, and dusted herself off. "TIG!" she yelled and finished the cigarette she lit. Placing her hat on her head, she ran to where Lily was waiting. "Hey Tig, you wanna help out a friend and buy me last pape?" she asked, lighting another cigarette.
"Yeah, sure," she said, handing a penny to her friend. Lily began to read when she looked at Target trying to light another cigarette. "You know, you should really stop smoking so much," Tig said, disgusted.
"Yeah, why?" Target asked, throwing her match on the ground.
"Because you're a young woman, it's not good for you, and it's not lady-like," Tig said, opening her paper.
"Ah, lady-like me ass!" Target said, taking the cigarette out of her mouth. She blew smoke out of her nose, causing Tig to cough.
"Where did you pick up that dirty habit?" Tig asked, still coughing. Target smiled and started to walk.
"Your boyfriend!" Target said, turning around and smiling at Tig. She put the cigarette back in her mouth. Tig ran to catch up with her.
"Where are we going?" Tig asked after a little while of walking. Target put her hand in her pocket and felt the money jingling. She blew out some more smoke.
"To Tibby's on Mint Street. Woik day's ova. You'se eva been dare?" she questioned, turning to Lily. She didn't answer. "You comin'?" Marie asked, putting the stick back in her mouth.
"Only if you throw that thing out," said Lily, pointing to the cigarette in Target's mouth. With that, Target took one last inhale, threw the stick on the ground, and stepping on it as she walked by. Turning back to Lily, she asked, "Better?"
"Much," said Tig. They both laughed and made their way down to Tibby's restaurant.