REVISED Introducing Cocky
The Newsies rush out of the Lodging House the day before we are first introduced to them.
Race and Jack, however, shuffle along behind.
None are singing.
As Jack went down the street, he kicked a pile of rags in his path.
Which promptly stood and punched him in the nose.
Our dear Jack backed away, looking rather shocked, while Race, who happened to be nearly at blows with Jack at the time, laughed at Jack's bloody nose.
Thus encouraged, the young game-seeker added a shiner to make his appearance more festive.
"Hey kid, youse don' know who youse beatin' up on. Lemme have da pleasure of in'ter'ducing Baby Jack, defenseless ta da last."
Race got a glare for his pains.
"What, Ise jus' tryin' ta per'tec' ya!"
"Ise can do me own per'tec'in'!"
He started towards the ragbag.
"Let's call it pax," suggested the aforesaid ragbag in a startling Cockney accent.
Jack looked rather surprised, then said rather cautiously, "What's "pax"?"
Race laughed and slapped his knee.
"He don' know what "pax" means!"
"Well, do youse?" Jack flashed, blushing and adding yet more colour to his already brilliant appearance.
The THING put in rather hurriedly, "It's sort o' makin' it up,"
"Yeah, dat's what Ise was gonna say!" Said Race, glad that he had not had to admit that he really didn't know.
Jack frowned and suddenly changed the subject.
"Who is youse?" He inquired.
"Well, I really ain't got no name, but some flash toff put me down as "Rags" though I ain't too fond o' th' name."
"Well, sorry, but but till wese find youse a bettah name, youse gonna be Rags. Youse wanna sell da papes with us tahday?"
"Sure!" The newly discovered Rags replied enthusiastically.
Thus Rags became a Newsie.