Disclaimer: Newsies is owned by Disney not me. If you want to sue me, fine
whatever. All you'll get is my crazy bird.
It was June 21, 1900. I had a horrible day. I decided I was going to leave that night. No on in my house remembered that it was my birthday. I just had to do chores. What kind of a family was this? I should really have been used to not having my presence noticed. After all, I was only acknowledged if something went wrong.
I packed some clothes, a bottle of my dad's whiskey and cigars, and my journal. I left through the fire escape.
When I got to the ground, I thought about where to go. I had no idea. Brooklyn was a frightening place to be out on the streets in the dark on my own.
I wandered around for awhile. When I got tired, I found a nice little alleyway to sleep in. It took me awhile to fall asleep.
I woke up from the sun and the sounds that were coming from the streets. I yawned and rubbed my eyes.
I wondered if my family even noticed I was gone. I sighed and stood up. I grabbed my bag of stuff and started to walk.
I sat down on a bench and took out the whisky. I took a drink. It tasted good. I pulled my suspenders off my shoulders (since my family didn't care much for me, I got all my brother's old clothes) and took out a cigar.
I lit a match, which I retrieve from my pocket. I lit the cigar I had in my mouth.
"Extra! Extra!" I heard a boy's voice say. I looked and saw a boy with dark, brown hair holding up some papers. I noticed he had a sling shot hanging from his pocket.
"How much is the pape?" I said standing up and holding my cigar. I had taken it out of my mouth so I could talk.
The boy looked at me. He looked tough. He wasn't bad on the eyes either. "A penny, miss," he said with a smirk.
"What? Can't believe I am a girl? Most guys can't. Here's your penny." I handed him my penny.
"Want some whiskey or a cigar? Looks to me like you could use a good drink," I said as he handed me my paper. I put my cigar back in my mouth.
"Sure," the newsie said.
"My name is Courtney. What's your name?" I said taking my place back on the bench.
"Cigar, me name is Cigar," the newsie said taking a place on the bench next to me. I handed him a cigar and a match.
"Nice to meet ya, Cigar. So how's life treating you?" I said as I looked down at the paper. Corpse Found in the Brooklyn River I read the headline on the front page.
"Pretty good. Da headlines have been pretty good."
"Yeah, I can see that," I said looking up from the paper.
"Where are youse headed?" Cigar asked looking at my bag. He put the cigar in his mouth and lit it.
"I don't know. I left my house last night, and I don't plan on going back. So, I guess I am just looking for a place to spend the night," I said turning back to the paper.
"Why don't youse come stay at da Brooklyn lodging house? Ise'll have ta talk ta Spot, but wese have room for anudder newsie," Cigar said with a smile.
"Who's Spot?" I asked curious. I took another long swig of my cigar.
"He's da leada of us Brooklyn newsies. Ise gotta talk ta him. Before Ise go, I gotta sell all me papes."
I threw my cigar to the ground and grabbed half his papers. "I'll help you."
He smiled at me. "Tankz."
It didn't take long to sell his papers because the headlines were so good. When we were finished, Cigar led me to the Brooklyn Pier. There was a gorgeous guy with brown hair and blue eyes sitting on crates.
"Heya, Spot. Dis goil needs a place ta stay," Cigar said approaching the guy on the crates.
"Oh really, and does she expect me ta let 'er stay wit us?" Spot said. He didn't look too thrilled with the idea of me staying.
"Hey, I don't expect anything from you or anyone else. I am fine on the streets," I said glaring at him. I didn't need anyone's help. I've been on my own most of my life. It didn't need to change now.
"Sose why are ya here, den?" Spot said looking at me with some curiosity.
"Ise brought her here, Spot. She's tough. Ise don't tink she'll be a problem," Cigar said looking at up at Spot.
"Fine, da goil can stay. So what's yer name goil?" Spot said. He jumped down off the crates and stood right in front of me. I am only five feet tall so he and Cigar towered over me.
"Courtney." I said flatly.
"Dat won't do, ya need a newsie name," he said. He screwed his face up in concentration. It was funny because it looked like it was causing him pain to think.
"How about Lightening?" I suggested. He looked at me. "I am quick with movement, plus the guys back home never messed with me because my punch 'stung like lightening' as they put it."
"Okay. Cigar take Lightenin back to da lodging hose," Spot said turning his attention to Cigar.
He nodded. "Let's go Lightenin," he said smiling.
When we got the the lodging house, Cigar took me upstairs and showed me to my bunck. "You sleep here. My bunk is dere," he pointed to the bunk next to mine. "Ise'll Probably be the one wakin youse up. We gets up at da crack a dawn and sell papes."
I nodded and put my bag of stuff on the bunck. I sat down. I took my journal and a pencil from my bag.
June 22, 1900 Dear Journal,
I ran away last night. I slept in an alley. It was kinda fun. Well, I met a really cute newsie; his name is Cigar. I also met Spot. He's the leader. He's gorgeous. Well, I am now staying in the lodging house. Write in you later.
Courtney
"Does every goil have a journal?" I heard Cigar ask. I slammed my journal shut and put it in my pillowcase.
"I don't know, but mine has been my only friend for awhile," I said it sarcastically, but I really did mean it. I have always been alone with that dumb family that I was unfortunately born into.
He laughed. "Youse hungry? Lets get some lunch."
When we finally got back to the lodging house, it was dark out. When we got up too the bunck room, Spot was waiting at my bed.
"Okay, here's da deal. Ya gets woken up bright an early. Youse sell all your papes; den you can do what yas want as long as youse back by da same time you gots home tonight. Got it?" Spot said to me after I sat on my bed.
"Yeah, I get it. Cigar told me when we got here. Get the pole outta your ass and have a cigar. Loosen up." I tossed him a cigar.
He look startled at my comment and caught the cigar taken aback. He put it in his mouth. "Tankz."
"Yeah, don't mention it. My 'family' is filthy rich. I stole some money before I left. I can always get more cigars," I said as I opened my bag and went through it looking for something to wear to bed.
"How much?" I heard Spot say. I could tell he was anxious to know.
"Ten bucks. It should last me awhile."
"T-ten bucks?" Spot said looking at me with his eyes wide with shock and amazement. He sat next to me. He looked even better close up. Was that really possible?
I just nodded.
"Ten bucks?" He repeated grabbing my arm.
"Yes!" I said loudly as I tore my arm from his grip. "Calm down Spot. Here's a buck if you would get off my bed." I took a dollar out of my pocket.
Spot took it and stood up. "You don't even need ta sell papes. Youse got enough money ta last ya ova a month."
I laughed and turned away from him. I took off my shirt and put on the shirt I was going to sleep in. I couldn't wait to sleep since I didn't get much sleep the night before in the alleyway.
"Good night, Lightenin," I heard Spot's voice say.
"Yeah, 'night you crazy fool."
"WAKE UP!"
I jumped up and hit my head on the bunk above me. I looked to see who it was that screamed in my ear. It was Sneak, a cute newsie with blonde hair and green eyes. I have been at the lodging house for about a week and a half now.
"Thanks, Sneak," I said pushing his laughing face away from me.
I yawned, stretched, and changed. When I was finished, I grabbed one of my cigars and my journal from my pillowcase. I walked out the door. It was a beautiful day.
I lit my cigar and I was on my way. With selling papes, I didn't need to use the money I stole from my parents. I saved it all, plus what I didn't spend from my selling money. I didn't know what I was saving for, but I kept saving.
I didn't feel like selling that day, so I took out my journal and found a bench to sit on.
June 30, 1900 Dear Journal,
Sorry I haven't written, but I have been busy. I've been selling papes, hanging with "da boys", and flirting of course. You know something, I have taken quite a liking to Spot. He's really nice, well to me anyways. He is kinda harsh to his newsies. Nah, he ain't bad. Anyway, I have been hanging out with Spot. He is so damn arrogant. He defiantly needs a little of an attitude change. We are having a poker night tonight. The boys from Manhattan are coming. I can't wait. It'll be fun. Write in you later!
Courtney
"What were youse writtin?"
I slammed my book as I jumped. I looked up to see Spot looking down at me.
"Is it really your business?" I asked as he sat next to me. He had his hat off so his brown hair was falling in his face. One word: Wow!
"Yes, youse one a me newsies. Your business, is me business," he said looking strait into my eyes.
I could feel his blue eyes pierce right through me. "Well tough, I ain't telling you what I wrote." I put my journal back in my pocket. I took a long swig of my cigar. I wasn't looking at Spot, but I felt his eyes on me. Neither of us talked. I just smoked my cigar.
"You know, youse look so much prettier wit dat cigar outta your mouth," Spot said.
I jumped and looked at him. "Yeah right. Me pretty? Okay, Spot. You feeling alright?" I wasn't pretty and I knew it. After all, my parents always compared me to my picture perfect sister. She is gorgeous and girly. Guys love her. I am ugly and boyish. Guys fear me.
"Ise fine. I ain't kiddin. Ise tink your beautiful," Spot said going back to looking me in the eyes. He took the cigar out of my mouth. "Youse have nive green eyes, and yer hair is just da right shade of reddish brown. It looks so beautiful blowin in da wind." He took his hand through my hair.
I backed up a bit. I was beginning to get freaked, and I knew it was showing on my face. "Spot, you sure you're not dru."
I couldn't finish my statement because he leaned in and kissed me.
It was June 21, 1900. I had a horrible day. I decided I was going to leave that night. No on in my house remembered that it was my birthday. I just had to do chores. What kind of a family was this? I should really have been used to not having my presence noticed. After all, I was only acknowledged if something went wrong.
I packed some clothes, a bottle of my dad's whiskey and cigars, and my journal. I left through the fire escape.
When I got to the ground, I thought about where to go. I had no idea. Brooklyn was a frightening place to be out on the streets in the dark on my own.
I wandered around for awhile. When I got tired, I found a nice little alleyway to sleep in. It took me awhile to fall asleep.
I woke up from the sun and the sounds that were coming from the streets. I yawned and rubbed my eyes.
I wondered if my family even noticed I was gone. I sighed and stood up. I grabbed my bag of stuff and started to walk.
I sat down on a bench and took out the whisky. I took a drink. It tasted good. I pulled my suspenders off my shoulders (since my family didn't care much for me, I got all my brother's old clothes) and took out a cigar.
I lit a match, which I retrieve from my pocket. I lit the cigar I had in my mouth.
"Extra! Extra!" I heard a boy's voice say. I looked and saw a boy with dark, brown hair holding up some papers. I noticed he had a sling shot hanging from his pocket.
"How much is the pape?" I said standing up and holding my cigar. I had taken it out of my mouth so I could talk.
The boy looked at me. He looked tough. He wasn't bad on the eyes either. "A penny, miss," he said with a smirk.
"What? Can't believe I am a girl? Most guys can't. Here's your penny." I handed him my penny.
"Want some whiskey or a cigar? Looks to me like you could use a good drink," I said as he handed me my paper. I put my cigar back in my mouth.
"Sure," the newsie said.
"My name is Courtney. What's your name?" I said taking my place back on the bench.
"Cigar, me name is Cigar," the newsie said taking a place on the bench next to me. I handed him a cigar and a match.
"Nice to meet ya, Cigar. So how's life treating you?" I said as I looked down at the paper. Corpse Found in the Brooklyn River I read the headline on the front page.
"Pretty good. Da headlines have been pretty good."
"Yeah, I can see that," I said looking up from the paper.
"Where are youse headed?" Cigar asked looking at my bag. He put the cigar in his mouth and lit it.
"I don't know. I left my house last night, and I don't plan on going back. So, I guess I am just looking for a place to spend the night," I said turning back to the paper.
"Why don't youse come stay at da Brooklyn lodging house? Ise'll have ta talk ta Spot, but wese have room for anudder newsie," Cigar said with a smile.
"Who's Spot?" I asked curious. I took another long swig of my cigar.
"He's da leada of us Brooklyn newsies. Ise gotta talk ta him. Before Ise go, I gotta sell all me papes."
I threw my cigar to the ground and grabbed half his papers. "I'll help you."
He smiled at me. "Tankz."
It didn't take long to sell his papers because the headlines were so good. When we were finished, Cigar led me to the Brooklyn Pier. There was a gorgeous guy with brown hair and blue eyes sitting on crates.
"Heya, Spot. Dis goil needs a place ta stay," Cigar said approaching the guy on the crates.
"Oh really, and does she expect me ta let 'er stay wit us?" Spot said. He didn't look too thrilled with the idea of me staying.
"Hey, I don't expect anything from you or anyone else. I am fine on the streets," I said glaring at him. I didn't need anyone's help. I've been on my own most of my life. It didn't need to change now.
"Sose why are ya here, den?" Spot said looking at me with some curiosity.
"Ise brought her here, Spot. She's tough. Ise don't tink she'll be a problem," Cigar said looking at up at Spot.
"Fine, da goil can stay. So what's yer name goil?" Spot said. He jumped down off the crates and stood right in front of me. I am only five feet tall so he and Cigar towered over me.
"Courtney." I said flatly.
"Dat won't do, ya need a newsie name," he said. He screwed his face up in concentration. It was funny because it looked like it was causing him pain to think.
"How about Lightening?" I suggested. He looked at me. "I am quick with movement, plus the guys back home never messed with me because my punch 'stung like lightening' as they put it."
"Okay. Cigar take Lightenin back to da lodging hose," Spot said turning his attention to Cigar.
He nodded. "Let's go Lightenin," he said smiling.
When we got the the lodging house, Cigar took me upstairs and showed me to my bunck. "You sleep here. My bunk is dere," he pointed to the bunk next to mine. "Ise'll Probably be the one wakin youse up. We gets up at da crack a dawn and sell papes."
I nodded and put my bag of stuff on the bunck. I sat down. I took my journal and a pencil from my bag.
June 22, 1900 Dear Journal,
I ran away last night. I slept in an alley. It was kinda fun. Well, I met a really cute newsie; his name is Cigar. I also met Spot. He's the leader. He's gorgeous. Well, I am now staying in the lodging house. Write in you later.
Courtney
"Does every goil have a journal?" I heard Cigar ask. I slammed my journal shut and put it in my pillowcase.
"I don't know, but mine has been my only friend for awhile," I said it sarcastically, but I really did mean it. I have always been alone with that dumb family that I was unfortunately born into.
He laughed. "Youse hungry? Lets get some lunch."
When we finally got back to the lodging house, it was dark out. When we got up too the bunck room, Spot was waiting at my bed.
"Okay, here's da deal. Ya gets woken up bright an early. Youse sell all your papes; den you can do what yas want as long as youse back by da same time you gots home tonight. Got it?" Spot said to me after I sat on my bed.
"Yeah, I get it. Cigar told me when we got here. Get the pole outta your ass and have a cigar. Loosen up." I tossed him a cigar.
He look startled at my comment and caught the cigar taken aback. He put it in his mouth. "Tankz."
"Yeah, don't mention it. My 'family' is filthy rich. I stole some money before I left. I can always get more cigars," I said as I opened my bag and went through it looking for something to wear to bed.
"How much?" I heard Spot say. I could tell he was anxious to know.
"Ten bucks. It should last me awhile."
"T-ten bucks?" Spot said looking at me with his eyes wide with shock and amazement. He sat next to me. He looked even better close up. Was that really possible?
I just nodded.
"Ten bucks?" He repeated grabbing my arm.
"Yes!" I said loudly as I tore my arm from his grip. "Calm down Spot. Here's a buck if you would get off my bed." I took a dollar out of my pocket.
Spot took it and stood up. "You don't even need ta sell papes. Youse got enough money ta last ya ova a month."
I laughed and turned away from him. I took off my shirt and put on the shirt I was going to sleep in. I couldn't wait to sleep since I didn't get much sleep the night before in the alleyway.
"Good night, Lightenin," I heard Spot's voice say.
"Yeah, 'night you crazy fool."
"WAKE UP!"
I jumped up and hit my head on the bunk above me. I looked to see who it was that screamed in my ear. It was Sneak, a cute newsie with blonde hair and green eyes. I have been at the lodging house for about a week and a half now.
"Thanks, Sneak," I said pushing his laughing face away from me.
I yawned, stretched, and changed. When I was finished, I grabbed one of my cigars and my journal from my pillowcase. I walked out the door. It was a beautiful day.
I lit my cigar and I was on my way. With selling papes, I didn't need to use the money I stole from my parents. I saved it all, plus what I didn't spend from my selling money. I didn't know what I was saving for, but I kept saving.
I didn't feel like selling that day, so I took out my journal and found a bench to sit on.
June 30, 1900 Dear Journal,
Sorry I haven't written, but I have been busy. I've been selling papes, hanging with "da boys", and flirting of course. You know something, I have taken quite a liking to Spot. He's really nice, well to me anyways. He is kinda harsh to his newsies. Nah, he ain't bad. Anyway, I have been hanging out with Spot. He is so damn arrogant. He defiantly needs a little of an attitude change. We are having a poker night tonight. The boys from Manhattan are coming. I can't wait. It'll be fun. Write in you later!
Courtney
"What were youse writtin?"
I slammed my book as I jumped. I looked up to see Spot looking down at me.
"Is it really your business?" I asked as he sat next to me. He had his hat off so his brown hair was falling in his face. One word: Wow!
"Yes, youse one a me newsies. Your business, is me business," he said looking strait into my eyes.
I could feel his blue eyes pierce right through me. "Well tough, I ain't telling you what I wrote." I put my journal back in my pocket. I took a long swig of my cigar. I wasn't looking at Spot, but I felt his eyes on me. Neither of us talked. I just smoked my cigar.
"You know, youse look so much prettier wit dat cigar outta your mouth," Spot said.
I jumped and looked at him. "Yeah right. Me pretty? Okay, Spot. You feeling alright?" I wasn't pretty and I knew it. After all, my parents always compared me to my picture perfect sister. She is gorgeous and girly. Guys love her. I am ugly and boyish. Guys fear me.
"Ise fine. I ain't kiddin. Ise tink your beautiful," Spot said going back to looking me in the eyes. He took the cigar out of my mouth. "Youse have nive green eyes, and yer hair is just da right shade of reddish brown. It looks so beautiful blowin in da wind." He took his hand through my hair.
I backed up a bit. I was beginning to get freaked, and I knew it was showing on my face. "Spot, you sure you're not dru."
I couldn't finish my statement because he leaned in and kissed me.