A velvety black sky held the world in it's silent palm, stilling it until daybreak. The stars gave no light and even their reflections were swallowed up by the black frigid depths of the East River. The stark outline of the Brooklyn Bridge stood out in the night. It's jagged angles were a sharp contrast to the softness of the breeze caressing across it. Two forms moved together across the monstrosity, their voices almost being swallowed by the tremendous silence of the night.
"Heya Jacky-boy"
"Hey Spot." The boys spit shook and started walking towards Brooklyn.
"So what's up, Spot. Why'd ya drag me out heah at dis time a night?"
"I's got a little problem and I need ya help"
"Da famous Spot Conlon needs me help I's honahed"
"Don't get too excited, it ain't dat biga deal." Spot paused for a second, "I's got a new newsie from Queens but deres been some problems and da kid can't stay heah no more."
"So ya sayin' ya wants me ta take da guy offa ya hands?"
"Yeah."
"Dis ain't like ya Spot. Yous would usually jist soak any trouble makahs den kick da bummahs out. What's goin' on?"
"Well foist off da kid ain't startin' it and secondly ya know I can't soak goils."
* * *
The two boys walked into the Brooklyn Lodging House and went up to the bunk room. Everyone paused for a moment when the door slammed open then went back to what they had been doing. There was a loud poker game going in one corner that was about to become a loud fight. A few boys were drunk and trying to sing, badly, and a few more were attempting to talk over the horrible caterwauling. Despite the noise there were boys sleeping all around room. Spot led Jack to a bunk in the far corner where one lone body was sleeping.
"Dis is da goil I's givin'ya, Marble." Spot kicked the bottom of the bed right under the kid's head. The whole bunk shook and the body toppled onto the floor in a tangle of blankets. A head appeared out of the mess and under a mat of mud brown hair one blue-green bloodshot eye slid open to see what had happened. When she saw Spot and Jack the other eye opened, showing a washed out blue. She blinked owlishly until her eyes were both almost the same color, "Huh?"
Spot nudged the bundle with his foot, "Git up goil"
"Wha?"
"Jist git up 'fore I's soak ya"
"Yeah, whatever." Marble didn't sound very impressed but she still struggled to her feet.
"Git ya stuff, ya goin' wit da Cowboy heah."
"What? Now?"
"Yea, now. I's want ya in Manhattan afore mornin'."
"Yeah, sure, fine." She yawned and started shoving some clothes into her pillow case then wandered off, looking for something.
"So, dis is da goil dats causin' all da trouble. She don't look like she's been in any fights."
"I knows, she's soakin' da boys." Jack laughed.
"Dat liddle goils been soakin' dese giants?"
"Yeah, but don't let her heah ya callin' her a little goil, else she's gonna split ya lip, an' don't t'ink she's always like dis, dere was a liddle drinkin' contest yestahday an' she's celebratin' her victory." Spot smirked scarcastically.
Marble came back and sat on her bunk, lowering her head into her hands. It looked like she was sleeping again. Spot grabbed her arm and dragged her to her feet, "Come on, we're goin' now, say good-bye." He continued to drag her towards the door as she waved over her shoulder.
"Bye guys."
There were a few grunts and waves and assorted comments. The only coherent message came as she got to the door. "If I's evah see ya face again I's gonna kill ya. Ya heah me?"
The last comment came from a battered looking boy of about 19. He was covered in bruises and looked like he could hardly stand by himself. Marble looked at him like he was an idiot and took a swing at him. Her fist almost connected with his face but he fell back and Spot grabbed her by both arms, lifting her up, and carried her out the door smirking at the boy, "Jist like da last time roight, Beck?"
When they were outside the building Spot let Marble go and turned to Jack who asked, "What was dat all about?"
"Dat, was da guy she soaked." Marble tried to sit down and go back to sleep but Spot picked her up and slung her over his shoulder then started walking towards Manhattan. "Ya see he was gittin' mad dat she was out sellin' him and he went aftah 'er. When she soaked 'im he tried ta git da othahs to help 'im beat her. Now his whole gang is out ta git her and, what can I say, I's gotta soft spot for da goil, she like me kid sistah."
They were at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge and Spot set Marble down on her feet. "Watch out for da kid, Jacky-boy. Don't let her get her self inta trouble." He turned and walked back towards the docks.
Jack looked down at the girl standing by him in time to see a small dark shape detatch from the shadows of a building and leap onto her shoulder. Marble absently rubbed the little kitten's head and looked like she was about to pass out. Jack thought to himself, "What've I gotten me self into."