Hey Guys just to make it clear I do not own Newsies!
They made it to the rooftop with Emma slung over Jack's shoulder and Crutchie climbing up one rung at a time. "Where should I put her?" Jack asked after Crutchie reached the top. "Just put her on my bed." He said "I'll use the extra mat and blankets." Jack gently laid her down on Crutchie's mat and draped a blanket over her small body.
Crutchie leaned on the railing overlooking the now sleeping city. Jack walked over and joined him. "Why would someone do that to her Jack?" he asked, "That just ain't right."
Jack took off his hat and sighed. "How old are you Crutchie?"
"I just turned seventeen remember." Said Crutchie still gazing at the city.
"Of course I remember. I'm just trying to make a point." Jack said. "Over a month ago I turned 18 and I is lived on the street for a long time." He sighed, "You'll see a lot of things that are wrong out here." He gestured to the sleeping Emma, "This is one of many. You were one too kid. I found you in that same alley almost as dinged up as she is."
Jack walked over and sat on his mat. "That's why I want to go to Santa Fe Crutchie. No worries they got there." He laid down and pulled the blankets over his head. "Good night Crutchie."
"Night Jack." Said Crutchie as he hobbled over to set up the extra mat and blankets. Before going to sleep he looked over at Emma. "Night Emma."
He woke up earlier than Emma and Jack. Crutchie had always been an early bird and liked to be up before the city. Emma slept like the dead and hadn't moved at all from the spot Jack put her in. She was still bruised and beaten up but at least the color had returned to her skin and the bruises had a faded a little. He decided to surprise Jack and Emma with breakfast and went down the ladder a leg at a time to a stand to get some bagels which were Jack's favorites. He paid for three and headed back up to the rooftop to see that Emma was awake.
Crutchie made his way up the ladder as quietly as he could so that he wouldn't wake Jack and whispered a small, "Hey." To Emma who had her back turned. She jumped at the sound of his voice but calmed when she saw who it was. "What are you doing awake?" he asked quietly.
She smiled, "I'm a morning person. And your friend over there snores."
Crutchie laughed. "Jack? He doesn't snore- he makes whale noises." They both laughed as Jack groaned and said, "You guys know that I can here you right?"
"No problem Jack, said Crutchie. "Your snores blend in with the trains." At this they all cracked up, including Jack. Crutchie shook the bag in his hand and asked, "Who wants bagels?"
Crutchie gave them each a bagel an between bites him and Jack asked Emma questions, "What are you going to do now?" asked Jack before taking a bite of his sesame seed bagel.
Emma shrugged, "I'll find some way to make money. Shining shoes maybe or helping with odd jobs I guess."
"You could sell newspapers with us." Crutchie piped up. "That's what me and Jack do."
Her eyes went wide. "You guys are Newsies?" she asked. "I always wanted to be a newsie. Wandering the city going where you wanna go."
"Yeah," said Jack. "But it's not all as glam as it sounds. Not too many people want newspapers and what you eat depends on the headline. Where else do you have to go?"
"Nowhere." Said Emma shaking her head and looked at Crutchie as she spoke. "My mom just died and I have to live with my uncles. I've only met them one other time and they hate me."
"Well then," Said Jack as he stood up, "I guess you've only got one other option. You're gonna have to be a newsie."
Jack spit into his hand and held it out. Emma spit into hers and they shook hands. "If you is gonna be a newsie," Crutchie started. "You is gonna need to look like a boy."
He dug through a pile of clothes and handed her a pair a pants, a gray button down shirt, and a hat. "These should fit," he said. "Just tuck your hair up into that hat and the boots you're wearing should be fine. Jack and I will meet you at the bottom." Crutchie said as Jack began down the ladder.
"Ok." Said Emma. Crutchie started heading down the ladder. "And Crutchie?" He looked up at her. "Thanks." She said. He gave her a salute and left.