Rei: Not much to say about this one. It's pretty much like the original. Newsies, that is. Maybe things'll liven up in the next part. Still, I think this one is worth the read…

PART II

Narrator: With the power of Fanfic magic, and the fact that this _ is_ a book, thousands of fans gathered in stands two hours later, waiting eagerly for the start of the play… (well, those that weren't carrying tomatoes anyway.)

Nuriko: Anyone who throws tomatoes at my play will get pulverized!!!

Narrator: okay, okay, nix the tomatoes guys…

Keisuke & Tetsuya: awww… ::put the tomatoes away::

Miaka: How'd they get here!

Rei and Setsuna: Fanfic magic, DUH!

Nuriko: umm… who're they? Nevermind, Miaka, put on your costume, we're about to start.. ::hands her the 'ahem' dress (or lack there of)::

Miaka: You want me to wear THIS?!

Nuriko: No, you're going nude, I just want you to hold it…

Tamahome: WHAT?!

Nurko: I was just kidding!

Tamahome & Miaka: and this costume is any better?!

Nuriko: ::sniffle:: I made it myself…. Besides, how else are we going to get the audience to stay?

Chichiri: what is with this costume? ::wearing fluffy white dress::

Nuriko:: well I was hoping you'd be a girl…

Chichiri: I'm not changing into a girl!

Nuriko: Oh well… hold on.. ::pulls down Chichiri's ponytail and combs his bangs down…:: there… a little better I suppose…

Chichiri: I hate you right now, no da….

Tasuki: You could change it to an older brother you know…

Nuriko: NO, he's staying an older sister!

Chichiri: Why me…?!

Nuriko: Okay, lets get the ball rolling!!!

Narrator: Out in the audience a hush fell as the lights dimmed.

Suboshi: ::walks to the middle of the stage, a spot light following him. He stops in the middle of the stage, looking at the audience, soft music playing behind him:: In 1899 the streets of New York city echoed with the voices of Newsies peddling the newspapers of William Randolph Hearst, Joseph Pulitzer and other giants of the newspaper world…

Yui: (psst, Nuriko, where did you get all these names?)

Nuriko: (Miaka was studying some of this stuff… strange, eh?)

Yui: (not really.)

Suboshi: On every corner you saw them carrying the banner bringing you the news for a penny a pape. Poor orphans and runaways, newsies were a ragged army, without a leader, till one day all that changed…

[The curtain opens, and Suboshi goes to lie in one of the beds set up. Around ten other boys are sleeping in various positions on the bunk beds, the other half of the stage set up as a bathroom.]

Old Bandit: Alright you guys, up! We gots papes to sell! C'mon get up now! ::stops beside one of the beds, poking a red head on the shoulder:: C'mon get up!

Tasuki: What's the matter w'chou…

Old Bandit: What's the matter with me? What's the matter w'chou? Chou dreamin' of sellin' papes? ::moves on from bed to bed::

Suboshi: ::gets up and starts to search on a nightstand for something, then looks at the bed beside him. He leans over and looks at Anonymous Bandit A (Bob) who's holding a cigar between his lips:: * That's my cigar…*

Bob: * You'll steal anudder *

Amiboshi: * eh bummers we gots work to do *

Hikou: * since when did you become me muddur? *

Miaka: (isn't he suppose to be dead … and how did he get here?)

Nuriko: (ah, the power of Fanfic magic)

Miaka: (what?)

Nuriko: (Nevermind.)

Tamahome: * aw stop ya bawlin' *

Yui, Amiboshi & Hikou: *who asked you? *

Hikou: So how'd ya sleep, Jack?

Tasuki: On me back, Mush

Hikou: ::laughs and walks to others in bathroom:: Did you hear that guys? I asked Jack 'ow he slept and he said 'on me back mush!'

Tamahome: ::walking on crutch into the bathroom area:: 'ey, Tasuki, when I walk, do I look like I'm faking it?

Nuriko: ::on side. Slaps his own forehead:: (doh!)

Tasuki: Nah, _ Crutchie_ (My name is Jack, idiot) Who says your fakin' it?

Tamahome: Nobody… it's just there's so many fake crips' on the streets these days ya can't tell a real one fr'm a fake! I need to get a new sellin' spot. Where they don't know m'face.

Hikou: * Try Bottle Alley or da Ha'bor*

Suboshi: ::elbows Hikou:: * Try Central Park, it's guaranteed * :: runs comb through his hair::

Tasuki: *Try any Banker, Bum, or Barber *

Yui: ::washing her face and dressed as a guy:: *The almost all knows 'ow to read *

Amiboshi: :: walks out of toilet stall:: *I smell money *

Tamahome: ::opens stall door then closes it quickly:: *You smell foul *

Hikou: ::stops Amiboshi from hitting Tamahome:: *Met this gurl last night *

Tamahome: ::trying to wash his face:: *move your elbow *

Suboshi: ::eyes closed:: * pass the towel*

Hikou: ::on top of a barrel holding the towel:: *for a buck I might! *

All: * Ain't it a fine life, carrying the banner through it all. A mighty fine life, carrying the banner tough and tall. Every mornin' we goes where we wishes we's as free as fishes, sure beats washin' dishes, whatta fine life carryin' home free all! *

Tasuki: ::walking down the street:: * It takes a smile as sweet as butter*

Tamahome: * The kind that ladies can't resist *

Suboshi: *it takes an orphan, with a studder *

Amiboshi: *who ain't afraid to use his - *

Yui: FIST! ::playfully attacking Amiboshi::

All: * Summer stinks and winter's waitin' welcome to New York, boy ain't nature fascinatin' when yous gotta walk! It's a fine life carrying the banner with your chums! A fine life, blowin' every nickel as it comes *

Tamahome: ::Dancing around with the others:: * I'm no snoozer, sittin' makes me anzy, I like livin' chancy,*

All: *Harlem to Delancy whatta fine life, carryin' the banner through the slums- *

Nun-like-people: ::standing in front of food wagon:: * Blessed, Children, though you wander lost and depraved, Suzaku loves you! You shall be saved! *

Soi: ::walking through crowd of boys, looking at the different faces:: * Patrick *

Suboshi: ::holds out cup:: * just give me half cup*

Soi: * Darling *

Amiboshi: *something to wake me up *

Soi: *Since you left me *

Hikou: *I gotta find an angle *

Soi: *I am undone *

Tamahome: * I gotta sell more papes*

Soi: *Mother, loves you! *

All boys: * If I hate the headline, I'll make up the headline *

Soi: * Gods, save my son! * ::exits stage with nuns::

All: ::Dancing:: *and I'll say anything I haveta, cause it's two for a penny, if I take too many, weasel just makes me eat 'em afta.*

Group 1: Look! There putting up the headline, They call that a head line? I've heard better stories from the copper on the beat! I was gonna take twenty but a dozen'll be plenty. *

Group 2: ::simultaneously with Group 1: * What's it say? That won't pay! So where's your spot? Gods, it's hot! *

All: *Tell me how I'm gonna make ends meat? We need a good assassination, We need and earthquake or a war*

Bob: *How 'bout a crooked politician *

All: * Hey stupid, that ain't news no more. Uptown to grand central station down to city hall. We improves the circulation walkin' till we crawl. We improves our circulation walking till we crawl Still we'll be out there Carrying the banner man to man! Yes, we'll be out there soaking every sucker that we can! See the headline, newsies on a mission, kill the competition, sell the next edition; while we're out there carrying the banner is the...*

Tomo & Miboshi: ::walk up and stop the singing, pushing kids out of their way::

Suboshi: Oh dear me, what is that smell? I fear the sewers musta backed up in the night…

Tamahome: No, that's too bad for the sewer… it must be the… DeLancy brothers…

Tomo: ::goes to hit Tamahome, but Tasuki steps in:: C'mere shrimp!

Suboshi: ::stage whisper:: oh, that's not good for your health…

[back stage]

Nuriko: Okay, people, get that stuff ready! Do not drop the table Keisuke!

Tetsuya: ::helping Keisuke carry the table:: Dude, how'd they get all this done in two hours… and where the hell'd this stage come from anyway?!

Keisuke: I don't know…. I'm scared…..

Nuriko: ::Checks the action on the stage:: Chichiri, you almost ready?!

Chichiri: ::grumble::

Nuriko: Oh get over it! ::goes to the dressing room to get ready::

Miaka: ::blushing and holding a blanket around her:: I don't like this…

Hotohori: I'm sure it's not that bad, Miaka…

Miaka: You wanna bet? ::opens and closes it quickly::

Hotohori:: Huh? I didn't see it…

Miaka: ::drops the blanket:: See, this is embarrassing!

Hotohori: ::nosebleed:: It's… well… ah… ….

Tamahome:: Miaka! Put that blanket back on!!!

Miaka: ::realizes what she did and hurriedly wraps the blanket back around her::

Nuriko: ::comes back out, and takes a peek at the stage:: Okay, let's hope they don't screw this up!

END PART II