Disclaimer: Michael is my character, but everything else belongs to Disney.

Prologue

(November 12, 1909)

Francis "Jack" Sullivan sat hunched over his notebook scribbling the last details of the story that he was writing for The Sun. There were deadlines to meet, and he knew he was pushing it, as usual. Last Christmas, his wife, Sarah, bought him a new pocket watch, but even that didn't motivate him. In fact, he never looked at it, except every morning as he wound it.

Finally, Francis stuffed the pen and notebook in his pocket and charged towards the office building. By the time he entered the editor's office, he was out of breath.

"There it is, Denton- the story on the new factory union. It's a front-pager for sure." He was grinning from ear to ear as he slapped the notebook down on Bryan Denton's desk. Denton picked it up, flipped it open, and began to read. "So, what do you think?"

"You're right, Jack; it's good. It's also really interesting material, especially for you."

Francis's smile dimmed. "But?"

"But the front page is about the new base that the Navy founded in Pearl Harbor yesterday. Sorry, Jack, but you missed the deadline again."

Jack sat down and stared at the large grandfather clock next to the wall off to the left. "Hey, you're right. I guess you can have 'em type up the story for tomorrow."

Denton forced a smile. "I guess I can, but you know as well as I do that I can't put day-old news on the front page. Listen, Jack, I would really appreciate it if you would get your articles in on time. I've been kind of lenient because we've known each other for so long, but…"

"I know, I know. I'll get 'em in, Denty."

"Thank you."

Jack stood awkwardly and took his notebook from Denton. "I'll be going, then." He ripped out the pages with the story and handed them over to the editor. "Anyway, I'm happy for these union guys."

"So am I."

Sullivan ambled out of the office with his hands crammed in his pockets. He stared around at the activity which perpetually buzzed around the newspaper building. "Hey, Patrick, what're you doin' this evening?"

The young Irish immigrant smiled apologetically. "My mum's been ill, so I've been staying home to take care of her. I'm sure you can have Davie or Les over for dinner, though."

"I'm sure," Jack echoed unenthusiastically. In truth, he wanted a change of company- not that there was anything wrong with his wife's family. The three boys had been Newsies together for several years. Les Jacobs was, in fact, still working for the newspaper, but David had kept his promise to his father and returned to school. He was now serving as an attorney to blue-collar workers all around the city.

With nothing else to do, Jack put on his black bowler hat and began to hunt around the city for some new scoop. Suddenly, everything seemed routine and uninteresting to him. Anything new, such as the new trend of "cubism" art, was ridiculous.

When he returned to his home, defeated, he tossed his hat and the couch and went to find his wife. "Sarah! I'm home!"

She emerged from their bedroom, tying up her long brown hair into a bun. "How was work?" she inquired apprehensively.

"Same as it has been, but it's nothing to get concerned about." He planted a tender kiss on her outstretched cheek. "You know, I've been thinking…"

Sarah quickly turned away and picked up her needlework. "Santa Fe?"

"You don't have to say it like that. I really mean it this time."

"That's what worries me. I think I wouldn't mind coming with you if it was only me that I had to think about. What about Michael? He's only seven, and I don't want to uproot him from his life here without knowing what waits for him there."

"Well, I could go on ahead and get a place set up for us. Then I'll send you train tickets, and you can follow."

Sarah began to embroider with a vengeance. "What do you want us to do in the meantime? I don't have a job anymore; not since you became a reporter."

"Well, Michael could become a Newsie. He'll have Les there to look out for him, after all."

"If this is really what you want."

"It is. I'll tell Denton tomorrow morning."

Sarah jumped up and hugged him tightly. "Then, I'll see you in Santa Fe, Jack."