Chapter 1
"Excuse me, I'm looking for Trey Parker." I stopped someone and repeated myself.
The boy shook his head in reply and kept walking, calling out, "Mayor strangles dog!" He paused; someone was talking to him. "Really lady!" he cried out in reply.
I kept walking, stopping more newsboys as I went along. I knew he was here. I thought I heard someone call my name and I turned. I started back around and bumped into a tall cowboy. Or was he a cowboy? No matter, we both fell. "Oh, I'm very sorry!" I cried. He jumped up and held his hand out to me. I took it and pulled myself up with his assistance. I brushed off my light blue dress.
"Nah, I'm sorry," he apologized, "You OK?"
I nodded, looking into his deep brown eyes, searching for a story. "I just…" I remembered what I was searching for in New York. "I'm looking for Trey Parker." My British accent seemed to be slightly more emphasized in this guy's presence.
His eyes got big and he studied me. "Nobody's called him dat since he had just come here," he stated.
"So you do know him?" I gasped. He nodded. "Oh thank you!" I got almost too excited and gave him a quick hug. "I've been looking for him for the longest time!" I exclaimed.
He smiled. "So how do ya knows him?" he asked, starting to walk.
I followed him. "We have a strange bond," I replied, not willing or wanting to tell the whole story yet. I studied his clothes. He did look like a cowboy. He had a red handkerchief tied around his neck to add to it.
He stopped a short boy with black hair and droopy eyes. His clothes were actually quite nice. "Race, have you seen Blink?" he inquired.
The boy stopped, glanced at me, and shook his head. "He didn't buy too many papes this mornin'. He might be at Tibby's."
"Tanks." We both started walking again.
"Blink?" I inquired, confused.
He nodded. "Yeah, his nickname is Kid Blink. Ya know, 'cause'a da eye patch and all."
I nodded but didn't know what he was talking about. So I stopped nodding. "Wait," I started, "what patch?"
"Da patch he's… Oh OK. I'll let him tell ya den?" He walked into a little restaurant. The words "Tibby's Restaurant" were painted across the door of the restaurant. He looked around. He hummed something and started for a booth. After he sat down in it I looked at him. "You wanna sit down?" he inquired.
I shrugged and planted myself across from him. "What now?" I queried.
"Dunno. I guess we can wait for Kid to come."
We sat in silence for a few minutes and then I realized something. "I don't even know your name!" I laughed.
He grinned and played with his fingers on the table. "Kelly, Jack Kelly," he said.
"I'm Evelyn Wood. Please call me Evee though."
He nodded. "Dat's a nice name," he stated, looking at the door.
"Thanks." Then we were quiet again. I wanted to say something to him. I wanted him to start talking about Trey. Silence was something I strongly disliked. "So how do you know Trey, uh, Blink?" I asked him.
"I, uh, met him when he started sellin'…" He stopped as a boy with a striped-blue shirt and gray pants walked in. He took his hat off his head to show brown hair. He walked towards us and I saw his bright, blue eyes. "Hey Dave, Les. Dis is Evee."
Dave sat beside Jack and I realized that a littler kid was standing behind him. The kid had a hat on also, which he kept on. "Hello," Dave smiled.
I smiled back. The younger kid sat beside me, giving me a strange look. "Who are you?" he asked.
"Les, that's not polite," Dave mouthed.
Jack laughed. "She's here ta see Kid Blink."
Les nodded. "Where did you get a name like Evee?" he queried.
I laughed and Dave eyed him. "Oh, it's fine," I stated. "Well," I told Les, "my real name is Evelyn. My mother named me after her best friend." I figured I'd play around with him. "And where did you get the name Les?"
"Well… my mom gave it to me." We all laughed. "Where did you get your accent?" he asked.
I chuckled. "Hm. I believe I was born with it."
"Dat's how dey talk in some otha' parts of da world Les," Jack explained.
Before Les could ask another question, a large man walked towards us. "Can I get you all anything?"
Les piped up, "We're just waitin' for somebody!"
The man nodded crookedly and walked away. "Hey, is dat Blink?" Jack squinted out the window.
"Uh…" Dave squinted also and stood up. "Yeah, that's him."
My heart began to jump. I was seeing him after 6 long, treacherous years. I sort of "shoved" Les out of the booth and ran to the window. It didn't look like him. Trey's eye was covered with a patch, as Jack had begun telling me before, and his hair was longer. His clothes were torn in a few places. I felt awful right from the start. My stomach churned. "Uh, can I…" I tried explaining to Jack but couldn't finish. I ran to the restroom and threw up. I couldn't face him. It was my fault he was like this. Was he happy? No time to think. I looked up at my face in the mirror. I looked the same, I think. My hair was dirty blonde and my eyes were a silvery gray moon-looking type of color. My dress was blue and very in style. But no one around me had been wearing nice things. They were all wearing tattered clothing. And so was Trey. It was my fault.
A woman peeked her head inside of the restroom. "Excuse me," she began, "I believe you are being asked for."
I waved my hands at her. "Thanks, I'll be right out." She left but I wasn't going out. I looked around and saw my only other exit, the window. I took a deep breath and pushed it open. I pulled myself up and out. My dress got dirty from the sides of the window and I was surprised that I hadn't gotten stuck. Now that I was out, what was I supposed to do? I looked around. A group of people was watching me. I gave them a wry---or was it silly? ---smile and they walked away. I suppose it was kind of stupid to leave. But I started walking in the opposite direction.
"Ay! Blink is in here now!" I turned around to see the boy that Jack had first asked about Trey to walking across the street to "Tibby's".
I shook my head. "I can't see him right now!" I replied, but not too loud. I think I showed my sadness because he ran up to me.
"Ay," he said.
"'Ello, uh, Race?" I had thought it was "Race" but wasn't sure and couldn't remember what Jack had called him.
He nodded. "Racetrack Higgins," he smiled.
I half-smiled. "My name is Evee Wood." I knew I sounded glum.
"Sumpin' wrong?" he asked, "I thought you were lookin' for Blink?"
I nodded. "Yes, I found him. But I just can't see him now. Would you please tell him that if you are going into that restaurant again?"
"Sure. But…"
Before he could say anything else, I stated, "I've sort of got a few stomach pains. And the worst headache."
"Oh, OK. Do ya gots somewhere ta stay?"
I had planned on coming, finding Trey, and staying with him. I hadn't brought extra money for a place to plant myself for a few days. I shook my head. "I thought I'd stay with Trey, uh, Blink," I explained.
"Yeah, dat's what I thought," he replied. "Listen," he said, "all of us newsboys is at da lodgin' house, just right ova' der." He pointed across the street to a large building and went on, "How bout you lie down and when we's all go back ova' der you can see Blink. Sound alright?" I truly wanted to see Trey but I wasn't sure whether I wanted to be in a place where many newsboys would be coming. He must have read my thoughts. "Don't worry. Nobody usually goes ova' der till we's all finish eatin', in about an hour or two I think."
I would have quite a while to think. Good. That's what I needed right now. I nodded. "Sure."
"I'll walk ya's ova' der so Kloppman will letcha in."
"Kloppman?" I queried.
He nodded. "Yeah, he's da owner of da place. He ain't a bad guy, just not aimin' ta have somebody just show up. But I'll explain ta him." We walked inside of the lodging house and Race said I could rest on his bed. I explained to him that top bunks weren't the safest place for me since I was always moving around when I slept. "I understand," he said, "Dat's da same reason I sleeps on da bottom too. I'm kinda afraid'a being up high too." He cracked a smile and I laughed. The room was very small and tons of bunk beds were shoved together. I felt even worse and my stomach growled. "Are you hungry?" Race observed.
I shook my head. "Just… more stomach pains I guess," I lied. Or maybe I was having stomach pains, along with the bad thoughts.
"I betta' get back ta 'Tibby's' and tell 'em you're here. I'll say not ta come ova' right away if Blink is aimin' to." He started walking out.
"Thanks a lot. It's my first time here and I'm kind of… lost I guess." I smiled, all teeth.
He turned around. "Sure, I understand," he said, and walked out.
I sat on Racetrack's bed and stretched out. I put my arms under my head and on top of the pillow. I wanted to think before they came but my eyes slowly closed and I fell asleep.
When I woke up it was still silent but very dark. I rubbed my eyes and looked around. There didn't seem to be any sign of people. I got up and searched for the door out. I bumped into some things but eventually got to my destination. I turned the knob and peeked out. "So do ya know who she is Race?" a voice inquired.
"Nah Blink. But she seems like a sweet kid." It was Race.
They must be just coming back from "Tibby's". I felt my stomach gurgle again and I closed the door again. I raced into what seemed to be a closet. Now what? I sat down on the floor and listened. They all came in, very loudly might I add. "Dat was some fist-fightin' ya did der!" someone cried.
"Sh!" I think it was Race again. Everything went quiet fast and then Race exclaimed, "Hey, where did she go?"
Everyone let out little "psss!" "Didja think you saw a girl Race?" someone snickered.
"'Course I saw a girl!" Race replied.
"Yeah, I saw her too before." It was Jack this time.
"Well den where is she?" Someone else.
Nothing. Maybe they shrugged. "Whatever, I'm tired." I heard a few yawns.
"But she wanted to see me right?" That must have been Trey. His voice was quiet but strong sounding. I was so excited and thought I might yelp but decided not to.
"Yeah, she did." It was Jack again. "Maybe she got confused or sumpin."
"Whatever, I'm tired." It was the same person from before.
"I wonder who would wanna see me?" Trey again.
"Again, whatever, I'm tired!" That person was starting to bother me.
"OK!" everyone screamed.
Silence. No one said anything more. I guess this closet isn't anything important. But it's so dark. I need to get out. But, again, where will I go? I better just go to sleep. I leaned my head back. I noticed that there was a deadly smell in this room. I didn't have time to think about it because my eyes closed and I fell asleep again.
Read on!
"Excuse me, I'm looking for Trey Parker." I stopped someone and repeated myself.
The boy shook his head in reply and kept walking, calling out, "Mayor strangles dog!" He paused; someone was talking to him. "Really lady!" he cried out in reply.
I kept walking, stopping more newsboys as I went along. I knew he was here. I thought I heard someone call my name and I turned. I started back around and bumped into a tall cowboy. Or was he a cowboy? No matter, we both fell. "Oh, I'm very sorry!" I cried. He jumped up and held his hand out to me. I took it and pulled myself up with his assistance. I brushed off my light blue dress.
"Nah, I'm sorry," he apologized, "You OK?"
I nodded, looking into his deep brown eyes, searching for a story. "I just…" I remembered what I was searching for in New York. "I'm looking for Trey Parker." My British accent seemed to be slightly more emphasized in this guy's presence.
His eyes got big and he studied me. "Nobody's called him dat since he had just come here," he stated.
"So you do know him?" I gasped. He nodded. "Oh thank you!" I got almost too excited and gave him a quick hug. "I've been looking for him for the longest time!" I exclaimed.
He smiled. "So how do ya knows him?" he asked, starting to walk.
I followed him. "We have a strange bond," I replied, not willing or wanting to tell the whole story yet. I studied his clothes. He did look like a cowboy. He had a red handkerchief tied around his neck to add to it.
He stopped a short boy with black hair and droopy eyes. His clothes were actually quite nice. "Race, have you seen Blink?" he inquired.
The boy stopped, glanced at me, and shook his head. "He didn't buy too many papes this mornin'. He might be at Tibby's."
"Tanks." We both started walking again.
"Blink?" I inquired, confused.
He nodded. "Yeah, his nickname is Kid Blink. Ya know, 'cause'a da eye patch and all."
I nodded but didn't know what he was talking about. So I stopped nodding. "Wait," I started, "what patch?"
"Da patch he's… Oh OK. I'll let him tell ya den?" He walked into a little restaurant. The words "Tibby's Restaurant" were painted across the door of the restaurant. He looked around. He hummed something and started for a booth. After he sat down in it I looked at him. "You wanna sit down?" he inquired.
I shrugged and planted myself across from him. "What now?" I queried.
"Dunno. I guess we can wait for Kid to come."
We sat in silence for a few minutes and then I realized something. "I don't even know your name!" I laughed.
He grinned and played with his fingers on the table. "Kelly, Jack Kelly," he said.
"I'm Evelyn Wood. Please call me Evee though."
He nodded. "Dat's a nice name," he stated, looking at the door.
"Thanks." Then we were quiet again. I wanted to say something to him. I wanted him to start talking about Trey. Silence was something I strongly disliked. "So how do you know Trey, uh, Blink?" I asked him.
"I, uh, met him when he started sellin'…" He stopped as a boy with a striped-blue shirt and gray pants walked in. He took his hat off his head to show brown hair. He walked towards us and I saw his bright, blue eyes. "Hey Dave, Les. Dis is Evee."
Dave sat beside Jack and I realized that a littler kid was standing behind him. The kid had a hat on also, which he kept on. "Hello," Dave smiled.
I smiled back. The younger kid sat beside me, giving me a strange look. "Who are you?" he asked.
"Les, that's not polite," Dave mouthed.
Jack laughed. "She's here ta see Kid Blink."
Les nodded. "Where did you get a name like Evee?" he queried.
I laughed and Dave eyed him. "Oh, it's fine," I stated. "Well," I told Les, "my real name is Evelyn. My mother named me after her best friend." I figured I'd play around with him. "And where did you get the name Les?"
"Well… my mom gave it to me." We all laughed. "Where did you get your accent?" he asked.
I chuckled. "Hm. I believe I was born with it."
"Dat's how dey talk in some otha' parts of da world Les," Jack explained.
Before Les could ask another question, a large man walked towards us. "Can I get you all anything?"
Les piped up, "We're just waitin' for somebody!"
The man nodded crookedly and walked away. "Hey, is dat Blink?" Jack squinted out the window.
"Uh…" Dave squinted also and stood up. "Yeah, that's him."
My heart began to jump. I was seeing him after 6 long, treacherous years. I sort of "shoved" Les out of the booth and ran to the window. It didn't look like him. Trey's eye was covered with a patch, as Jack had begun telling me before, and his hair was longer. His clothes were torn in a few places. I felt awful right from the start. My stomach churned. "Uh, can I…" I tried explaining to Jack but couldn't finish. I ran to the restroom and threw up. I couldn't face him. It was my fault he was like this. Was he happy? No time to think. I looked up at my face in the mirror. I looked the same, I think. My hair was dirty blonde and my eyes were a silvery gray moon-looking type of color. My dress was blue and very in style. But no one around me had been wearing nice things. They were all wearing tattered clothing. And so was Trey. It was my fault.
A woman peeked her head inside of the restroom. "Excuse me," she began, "I believe you are being asked for."
I waved my hands at her. "Thanks, I'll be right out." She left but I wasn't going out. I looked around and saw my only other exit, the window. I took a deep breath and pushed it open. I pulled myself up and out. My dress got dirty from the sides of the window and I was surprised that I hadn't gotten stuck. Now that I was out, what was I supposed to do? I looked around. A group of people was watching me. I gave them a wry---or was it silly? ---smile and they walked away. I suppose it was kind of stupid to leave. But I started walking in the opposite direction.
"Ay! Blink is in here now!" I turned around to see the boy that Jack had first asked about Trey to walking across the street to "Tibby's".
I shook my head. "I can't see him right now!" I replied, but not too loud. I think I showed my sadness because he ran up to me.
"Ay," he said.
"'Ello, uh, Race?" I had thought it was "Race" but wasn't sure and couldn't remember what Jack had called him.
He nodded. "Racetrack Higgins," he smiled.
I half-smiled. "My name is Evee Wood." I knew I sounded glum.
"Sumpin' wrong?" he asked, "I thought you were lookin' for Blink?"
I nodded. "Yes, I found him. But I just can't see him now. Would you please tell him that if you are going into that restaurant again?"
"Sure. But…"
Before he could say anything else, I stated, "I've sort of got a few stomach pains. And the worst headache."
"Oh, OK. Do ya gots somewhere ta stay?"
I had planned on coming, finding Trey, and staying with him. I hadn't brought extra money for a place to plant myself for a few days. I shook my head. "I thought I'd stay with Trey, uh, Blink," I explained.
"Yeah, dat's what I thought," he replied. "Listen," he said, "all of us newsboys is at da lodgin' house, just right ova' der." He pointed across the street to a large building and went on, "How bout you lie down and when we's all go back ova' der you can see Blink. Sound alright?" I truly wanted to see Trey but I wasn't sure whether I wanted to be in a place where many newsboys would be coming. He must have read my thoughts. "Don't worry. Nobody usually goes ova' der till we's all finish eatin', in about an hour or two I think."
I would have quite a while to think. Good. That's what I needed right now. I nodded. "Sure."
"I'll walk ya's ova' der so Kloppman will letcha in."
"Kloppman?" I queried.
He nodded. "Yeah, he's da owner of da place. He ain't a bad guy, just not aimin' ta have somebody just show up. But I'll explain ta him." We walked inside of the lodging house and Race said I could rest on his bed. I explained to him that top bunks weren't the safest place for me since I was always moving around when I slept. "I understand," he said, "Dat's da same reason I sleeps on da bottom too. I'm kinda afraid'a being up high too." He cracked a smile and I laughed. The room was very small and tons of bunk beds were shoved together. I felt even worse and my stomach growled. "Are you hungry?" Race observed.
I shook my head. "Just… more stomach pains I guess," I lied. Or maybe I was having stomach pains, along with the bad thoughts.
"I betta' get back ta 'Tibby's' and tell 'em you're here. I'll say not ta come ova' right away if Blink is aimin' to." He started walking out.
"Thanks a lot. It's my first time here and I'm kind of… lost I guess." I smiled, all teeth.
He turned around. "Sure, I understand," he said, and walked out.
I sat on Racetrack's bed and stretched out. I put my arms under my head and on top of the pillow. I wanted to think before they came but my eyes slowly closed and I fell asleep.
When I woke up it was still silent but very dark. I rubbed my eyes and looked around. There didn't seem to be any sign of people. I got up and searched for the door out. I bumped into some things but eventually got to my destination. I turned the knob and peeked out. "So do ya know who she is Race?" a voice inquired.
"Nah Blink. But she seems like a sweet kid." It was Race.
They must be just coming back from "Tibby's". I felt my stomach gurgle again and I closed the door again. I raced into what seemed to be a closet. Now what? I sat down on the floor and listened. They all came in, very loudly might I add. "Dat was some fist-fightin' ya did der!" someone cried.
"Sh!" I think it was Race again. Everything went quiet fast and then Race exclaimed, "Hey, where did she go?"
Everyone let out little "psss!" "Didja think you saw a girl Race?" someone snickered.
"'Course I saw a girl!" Race replied.
"Yeah, I saw her too before." It was Jack this time.
"Well den where is she?" Someone else.
Nothing. Maybe they shrugged. "Whatever, I'm tired." I heard a few yawns.
"But she wanted to see me right?" That must have been Trey. His voice was quiet but strong sounding. I was so excited and thought I might yelp but decided not to.
"Yeah, she did." It was Jack again. "Maybe she got confused or sumpin."
"Whatever, I'm tired." It was the same person from before.
"I wonder who would wanna see me?" Trey again.
"Again, whatever, I'm tired!" That person was starting to bother me.
"OK!" everyone screamed.
Silence. No one said anything more. I guess this closet isn't anything important. But it's so dark. I need to get out. But, again, where will I go? I better just go to sleep. I leaned my head back. I noticed that there was a deadly smell in this room. I didn't have time to think about it because my eyes closed and I fell asleep again.
Read on!
