Hello! I found an article in which Jess LeProtto (Buttons in the OBC, though you probably knew that already) gave the character a backstory, and I decided to make it into a fanfiction! This is really short, but it's just something that I thought would be cute. Basically how Buttons became Buttons. I don't own Newsies, Disney does. I guess Jess kind of owns the backstory of Buttons, but I don't know.
The article is on Broadway World's website, if you want to read it. Just search: Gypsy of the Month Jess LeProtto and click on the article.
"Hey! You!" Benjamin heard a voice call.
"Yes?" The small boy's voice was squeaky as he answered the older boy's call.
A brown haired boy walked up to him. "I'm Jack."
Benjamin stuck out a hand. "Benjamin."
"You'se got a family, Benjamin?" Jack asked, ignoring his hand.
The boy shook his head.
"Well, I got a place ya can go! Come with me."
Benjamin felt a little intimidated by the boy standing in front of him, so he obediently followed.
Jack walked him through the streets, until they reached a large building.
"Welcome, Benjamin, to the Lodging House," Jack said, pushing open the door.
He was soon face to face with at least twenty boys, ranging in age from ten to eighteen, at the oldest.
"Who's he?" someone yelled from the back of the room.
"This here's Benjamin. He gots no family."
"Benjamin? What kinda name is that Jacky?" a small boy leaning on a crutch, asked.
"I'm not sure, Crutch. So, Benjamin, do ya wanna be a newsie?"
"Do ya hawk papers?" Benjamin asked.
"Uh-huh."
"Sure, Jack."
"We's got ourselves a new recruit!" Jack exclaimed.
There was an explosion of voices as the boys cheered.
Jack went around and introduced Benjamin to all of the boys. Then, he brought him back around to the door.
"First, we's gotta get you'se a name."
"I'se got one, Benjamin."
"No! Not a real name, a nickname."
"Oh."
At this moment, a button fell off of Benjamin's vest. "Darn, these stupid buttons!"
"Buttons!" Race yelled.
"Yeah," Jack smiled. "Welcome to the ranks, Buttons."
He spit in his hand, then held it out to the boy. He got the gist, then spit in his own and shook Jack's.
Thanks for reading! Please review and follow!