In Dandy Dan's Office

Disclaimer: Although I was in it, I don't own the play Bugsy Malone.

Time Frame: This story is the lead in to the song That Is Why They Call Him Dandy. In the play at my school, we were short on guys to play all the parts, so my character (Bronx Charlie) was changed into a girl (Bronx Charlene). It allowed for a more... romantic... backround between Bronx and Dandy.

Bronx sat down comfortably in her boss' office. The butler had stated, "Make yourself at home, miss." So, Bronx flipped down a picture of Louella that had been on Dandy Dan's desk and took a mint out of his top drawer and popped it in her mouth. Just as she was sitting back down, Dandy Dan entered. "Hello, Bronx," he said, making himself very business-like. He pulled up a chair and positioned it across from his desk. "Have a seat."

Bronx Charlene gave him a questioning look; he was never like this. She sat down in the chair and was about to kick her feet up when Dandy Dan eyed her. Charlene felt a little awkward being in a room with this side of Dan she'd never seen.

"How'd it go?" Dan asked.

Bronx shrugged and looked away.

"How'd it go?" Dan asked again.

Bronx shrugged again and this time a wide I-know-something-you-don't-know smirk spread across her face. She crossed her legs, turned her head to meet Dandy's anxious glare and raised her eyebrows. "Great," she lied.

"Oh," Dandy Dan said, "Then something else's bothering you."

After a few seconds of silence Bronx shouted, "Doodle dropped the splurger! Not only did he drop the splurger, he dropped it in the Slam! You know, one of little Fatso's gang members could've just picked it up! And--"

"Charlene!" Dan shouted even louder. He banged his fist on the table too. "Calm down," he said. He rose out of his chair and sauntered over to her.

"Sorry, boss," Bronx muttered.

"You don't have to call me 'boss'," Dan said awkwardly. He wrapped his handsa around the arm of Charlene's chair and rocked back and forth on his toes. "It's okay," he smiled, "She's gone now."

"Who?"

"Louella."

"Hmmph... so, Louella was watching us?"

"Sorry," Dan smiled sheepishly and shrugged.

After a little while, a wicked grin spread across Charlene's face and she asked excitedly, "So are we gonna punish him?"

"Doodle. Hmm... I guess so..."

"Ha!" Charlene's smirk grew even wider. "Let's think back a few weeks ago. Who said Doodle would be clumsy? Who said Doodle would be fine? Who said he was a waste of time? Who said he was a good addition? Who was right? Who was wrong?"

Dan tried hard to think of a good comeback, but just admitted, "Okay you were right." He turned around and flipped his picture of Louella back up. Then he added, "We'll splurge him tomorrow at the meeting."

Bronx shot hum a playful grin, "I think I know the perfect way to test out the new, improved Splurge Mark Two."