Disclaimer: I don't own the Newsies. I am not Walt Disney.

The Bronxs was becoming more and more difficult to steal from. The Newsies were getting smarter and some ass had made posters with my description on it and gave it to the general public; I was having to walk around with my head down everywhere! Maybe I'd try Manhattan next, a few weeks ago I had overheard a few Bronx newsies say that Manhattan was supposed to be one of the best. Plus I had heard about some actress in that area who was supposed to be pretty good. Maybe I could pick up a few tips from her? Her show was only a nickel which I could spare. And then I could scope out the area for tomorrow nicking! Good idea? Yes.

"Oi, Spot! Over here!" Jack whispered loudly to me as I came through the doors. We were on the balcony in Medda's theater and tonight she was preforming a new act. All the Newsies were invited but I was running a bit late. It was the second half of her performance but I didn't care, I wasn't much into theater anyway. Ernie, Remi, and Melzer were seated with Jack and nodded in my direction.

"Why are you so late?" Jack whispered to me, then he looked at my face. "Geez Spot! What happened to your eye?"

"Boxing." I answered settling into my seat. "You should see the other guy."

"So does that mean you won?" Remi asked.

"Of course it does! When have you ever heard of me loosing a match?"

"Spot, I think you need a new girl." Melzer said leaning towards me. "I hate to break it to you bud, but your obsessed with this boxing thing. Try for an older woman, they're more experienced. I'll see if Medda has any girlfriends she could set you up with. Hey, then maybe we could double!" Jack leaned over me and punched him in is gut.

"Shut up Melzer! You know she's like family to me! Why do you do that?"

Melzer grinned and sat back in his seat, he was known as a pretty big player. There was a rumor going around a while back that he had been with Medda for a one night stand, but it was only a rumor. But he sure was good at never letting us forget it! I decided to change the subject and asked about the pickpocketing bitch.

"Remi says its starting to cool off a bit around his turf but me and my boys are getting hit every week!" Ernie answered in an annoyed whisper.

"I wonder is she has a thing against Newsies" Melzer said biting into a liquorice.

"We could ask her." My eyes narrowed and were glued to a girl a few feet below us. There she was, just sitting like a normal person, watching the show. I started to get up when Jack pushed me down. "We'll get her after the show, we don't wanna ruin Medda's big night." Jack whispered to me, then turned his attention to the stage.

Even though the show was great and Medda was beautiful, I couldn't stop starring at her. I had never been pick pocketed before, and she obviously didn't know who she was messing with! I was getting anxious, I wanted to grab her before she got away. But as I watched her I noticed something I wouldn't have suspected; she was absolutely fascinated with the theater. It looked as though she was dissecting every move Medda made, and she was actually quoting whatever play she was starring in. I had never seen anyone so interested in a play before. I mean the boys liked it sure, but I don't think they really got what was going on. It was obvious that this girl was educated too; she seemed to understand every big, confusing, word that came out of Medda's mouth. So the question was, what was a educated girl doing dressed as a poor kid and stealing from Newsies?

The play was wonderful, the actress Medda really knew what she was doing and performed Shakespeare's "The Winter Tale" as Perdita beautifully. The only problem was that the audience was made up primarily by Newsies, but thankfully I wasn't recognized.

"Grab her!" I heard a voice yell from the stairs. I looked up and saw four boys sliding down the banister, starring at me. I quickly ducked and started crawling on my hands and knees through the forest of legs, trying to find the exit. Once bumping into the stage I climbed onto it and ran behind the curtain, looking for the back door. By this time some of the other Newsies had caught on and were after me too, I could hear them running down the aisle. Finally I found the back door that lead into an alley and I just started running. Luckily, our dear Lord had blessed me with a pair of good legs and I could outrun anything! But suddenly I was tackled and hit the ground hard.

"Where's my cane you little bitch!" this stranger yelled in my face.

I was too shocked to say anything, and my head was killing me. I struggled to get up but he had his hands on my arms pushing them down and was sitting on my torso. I looked up into his face and saw the coldest blue eyes I had ever seen, but they were on fire at the moment. He had dark hair, a round face, and smelled like Partaga cigars. He also looked like he had just been hit by a train. Under different circumstances and if his face wasn't black and blue, I might of called him attractive. But all I could see was some angry bloke yelling in my face. Finally I spoke the first thing that came to my mind. "What are you talking about?"

"My cane that you stole 3 weeks ago, where is it?" He yelled again, shaking me.

His grip on my arms was painful and I winced. But I was feeling a bit smart today and smirked despite it.

"Aw yeah, your cane. Well Mister I hate to tell you, but it seems that I forgot where I put it on account of I just got amnesia from you slamming me into the cobblestone!"

"Don't try and play smart with me kid!" he snarled tightening his grip again. This time I cried out in pain, cursing under my breathe. "Now I'm gonna ask you again, where is my cane!"

I bit my lip to keep from crying and tried to regain my composure. His expression changed a little, and he slowly loosened his grip. We were silent for a moment then I spoke.

"I still have your damn cane and you can have it back, it isn't even gold anyway."

"What did you expect?" he asked in disbelief. "I'm a Newsie! We ain't made of money!"

"Well it was dark and all I saw was a shinny gold cane ok? I nicked it and left! I thought you were some rich guy who didn't really need it anyway."

"Well I'm not. I'm a Newsies; the King of the Brooklyn Newsies if you wanna know the truth!"

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, very nice! Bet you get all the girls with that one huh? What, is that supposed to sound impressive?"

"Yeah, it is!" he said, his voice getting loud again as he started to blush. "And I'm not someone who you should be messing with!"

"Well thank you kindly for the information, I'll remember it for next time. Now would you mind getting the hell off me! Your crushing me into a pancake!" He hesitated, then finally got up not bothering to help me. Once on my feet I leaned against the theater wall and closed my eyes.

"So when do I get it back?"

"When my head stops spinning!" I spat, then sat down. This guy had really hit me hard.

"So, what you got against Newsies anyway? We seem to be your prime targets when it comes to stealing" he said lighting up a cigar.

"I don't have anything against Newsies!" I answered glaring at him. "Your just easy to steal from. And I steal from other folks too ya know, don't flatter yourself!" Finally after a few more minutes I got up and grabbed my hat off the ground, sticking it on my head. "Ok Newsie, where should I met you to give back your cane."

"How do I know that you'll show up?"

"Listen Slick, I have absolutly no need for your stupid cane now. And obviously it means something to you if you tackled me in an alley just to get it. So fine, I'll give it back."

He thought about it for a moment, then spit in his hand putting it towards me to shake. "Alright, Brooklyn docks tomorrowat noon" I looked at his hand in desgust.

"I'll just give you my word ok? Is that good enough?"

I turned to leave when he suddenly grabbed my arm and turned me around. "Whats your name?" he asked pulling me closer towards him.

"Whats yours?" I answered, a little uncomfortable with such a small distance between us.

"Spot, Spot Conlon."

I hesitated then finally answered. "George." I said taking a step back. "George Smalls."

"See you tomorrow Smalls. And don't be late!"

Ok that's the second chapter. Review please!