DISCLAIMER: How can you tell a person is gullible? ACT I:
AIER: I own Newsies!
PERSON: Really?

End of ACT I

-cue applause-

Rat slinked in the room, his toothy grin of yellow teeth flashed roguishly at me as he entered. I returned it with an annoyed glare. The usual greetings we shared… or anyone here did for that matter. Life was hard, and if you weren't, you would be trampled beneath someone's feet. That's what Arson always says, and we carry our tough demeanor all the time. Anyways, Rat and I… don't exactly get along, not that Arson expected or wanted any of us to.

Any friendly relationship will make you weak, and, in this hell of a world, weakness would spell downfall. So he encouraged us to be brutal with each other, regard each other with distrust, as if the other person is only waiting for the perfect opportunity to stab you in the back; just like the outside world. Or so Arson says.

'Who is Arson?' you ask. Well, Arson is the just man, the one guy who is working to ensure a better world for us. The valiant leader without a throne… but soon, oh, hopefully soon, all that will change.

Arson is a strict man, tough, but he is good. This world we live in where incompetent rulers reign is vicious, Arson knows this. By preventing bonds of friendship and trust to cloud our judgment, bring about our downfall, he is instilling in us the best defense of survival in this cut throat world.

I don't know much of it anymore, the world outside of the small area we inhabit… I used to, back before I met Arson, but even then, I experienced hardship… Arson came and took me away, brought me here to New York City, under his protection… Unfortunately, his perfect rule has been hindered by a tyrant, someone who is heartless and cruel, who stole away his right of leadership… It is his inability to rule that that part of the city is now a mess, an "every man for himself" hell hole.

Arson has gathered us together, the poor outcasts who are only victims of incompetent leaders who don't see his way of ruling. He has taken us under his wing, teaching us what we need to survive, and training us so he can take back what is rightfully his.

"Arson is sending you in," Rat's voice wheezes out, all the while he's still smiling, which only puts me on edge.

This assignment… it was one every follower of Arson had pined for. The chance to prove yourself worthy, to help bring about a regime change as Arson said. The mission was easy enough: get in, gather information, but don't get too close, if the maniac who plays the part of a leader catches wind of your true motives, there will be pieces of you scattered throughout the district. The plan is to work fast, and silent, it couldn't fail. Brooklyn wouldn't know what hit it…

But that being said, why was Rat smiling? I, his mortal enemy, was just handed the most sought after task, he should be furious, threatening, anything! There had to be a catch… There was no other explanation for his sickening smile. I gazed back listlessly at him, waiting for him to continue, not wanting to appear too eager.

He licked his teeth, his rancid breath strong and nauseating. "You are to go into Brooklyn, seeking refuge in the Newsboy Lodging House. Gather whatever information you can about his movements and ways to infiltrate Brooklyn."

So far nothing bad, nothing new…

"Your cover," he tossed a wadded bundle of clothes at me, his grin widening.

I glared at him a few more moments before hesitantly looking down at the clothes in my hands. Taking as deep a breath I reckoned I could get by without his noticing, I slowly unwrapped the clothes. My brow furrowed in confusion: a pink shawl? a white blouse? And- and... My head snapped up and I glared at Rat's laughing demeanor. "A skirt! This is girls clothes," I growled, clearly, this was some joke, it had to be some joke… and I was not amused.

No longer able to keep the laughter in, it burst out of Rat's mouth loud and grating, causing my scowl to deepen and my hands to clench into fists. "Right ya are! Your cover: a down on her luck girl who is who is lost in Brooklyn, all alone, with no place to go. Don't worry about your short hair now, you cut it and sold it for a train ticket here, but now you have no where else to go and don't know what to do. Your only skill…" His grin worsened and he licked his lips, relishing in my torment, "is sewing."

My mouth fell open-who told Arson that! Sure, I knew had to sew-mainly patches onto clothes, but if I didn't learn (which was a very painful learning experience, my poor fingers are here to testify), then I would be in nothing but rags with too many holes to be considered decent to wear about… but… a 'down on her luck' girl? There ain't no way I am going to play some damsel in distress! No way!

"Best do what Arson says, dearie," Rat's voice told me, mock gentleman like. "Don't worry… we will still see you so it's not like we will be abandoning you in a foreign neighborhood!"

I didn't let myself be cheered at that thought, though it would be comforting to know I wouldn't be stranded in an unknown part of the city, alone…

"You'll see us every once in a while, every time we need new repairs, little sew-er!" He laughed to himself about his little jab. "That's how you'll pass along the information… Whenever our clothes are in need of your… uh… steadfast hand!"

I wasn't paying attention, my eyes were glued to the clothes I held in my hand… I couldn't believe I was trading in my britches for a mission. I couldn't believe it… Arson was really sending me into Brooklyn as a defenseless seamstress! Anger boiled in my mind and coursed through my veins as Rat's laughter echoed in my ears.

"Oh, and Kelly," Rat whispered in my ear mockingly, I could smell the beer in his breath, "why not keep your real name? It's very… pretty."

As Rat left, I couldn't help wishing I was in his shoes right now. While he left a bloody mess, I, I left in skirts.

AN: Ok, first Newsies fic. And my computer doesn't let me edit/preview, so I don't know how well it turns out on the page. Sorry for the first chapter being short, but it is that way because I need to get some characters before I continue. In other words, CC (please check my profile)

Next chapter will hopefully be longer than this, and soon considering all I have is finals this week. Arson will be explained later, he kind of manipulates his followers' thinking, hence Kelly quoting him all the time.

Please review! It will literally help me get the next chapter up faster. Constructive criticism is ALWAYS welcomed. Flames will be used to melt the ice on the roads on my way to school.