Disclaimer: I don't own Newsies

David watched as Jack counted out the coins. They had sold 100 paps today so they got 100 pennies. Les had a quarter after winning a bet. David didn't approve of how he won the quarter but he let him keep it. So now David would get 40 coins and Jack would get 60 coins.

That's what David thought at least. Jack carefully divided the money in half then took ten more coins and put it in what David assumed was his (Jack's) pile. What Jack did next astonished David. He gave the larger half to David.

"Jack you said-"

"I said we split it sixty-thirty," he said, "I didn't says which way we splits it"

"Thanks," David said, "But what-"

"What made me give yous the larger part?"

"Well yeah," David asked.

Jack sighed and looked at his friend.

"Dave," he said, "You have a family. You have people who depend on you. You don't have the advantages I have. You're the one that needs to 'be in the right place' and I'm the one that will get there soon enough. Your family needs you and that's more important then my getting to Santa Fee

"I had a family once," he added, "I stole food to protect keep them from starving. My dad, he was laid off just like your pop was. I was put in the clancker and my family, my mom, my dad, my big sister and my little brother starved to death. My sister she was Sarah's age. My little brother he was younger then Les

"You guys don't have the advantages I have now. I ain't saying you're wrong or nothin' but you got needs I don't have the needs you do right now. I don't got a family that depends on me right now though I wishes I had one. I'd done anything to keep my family alive and I'm not gonna letchya lose yours.

"Nevva forget Dave how blessed you are. Always remember not to push yourself beyond what you can do because when that happens you don't have the time to appreciate your family and friends."

"Thanks Jack," David said, "You know you just became my hero"

"I ain't no hero Dave," Jack said, "I'm just a friend"

"You ARE a friend," David said, "and you're my hero"

"I don't see myself as a hero. People like this guy," he showed him a picture, "now he's a hero"

"Stay the night," Dave entreated Jack, "Tell me about this guy"

Jack smiled

"Okay," he said and spent the night

.