The Female Newsie

by pizzafan123

The Newsies had a major riot in 1899. But it all started with the Manhattan Newsies, who didn't have a leader, but gained one. Jack Kelly or Cowboy. Another Newsie was called Slick for his slicked back hair and smooth attitude. But Slick had a secret. What if he wasn't a he after all. Then 2 newcomers join the newsies. After that, things change.

2. Chapter 2

The Female Newsie

Chapter 2

This took a little longer than I hoped it would, but here you go. It's long, longer than my first chapter. I like writing long chapters, even if they take me a little bit. Good for character interaction and all that.

Disclaimer: I usually don't put this because it's obviously not mine, but I don't own anyone or anything, but my own characters.

I was running forward as fast as I could. We ran into the ring, dodging the fighters and running off. Jack told me that he had it out for him for something stupid. He was Jack so I believed him. He never lied to us before. I followed Jack in a narrow alleyway, Les in front of me and David behind me. Jack called. "C'mon!"

We got out and followed Jack into the street. I lifted Les up from under his arms and put him near Jack before I let him go. "Keep up with Jack!"

"That's my little brother!"

We were still running and David was in step with me. I said back. "Yeah, and if ya don' want 'im being caught, youse best let 'im be with Jack."

We ran some more and David sped up, keeping close to Les and Jack. I guess was that he didn't trust Jack with Les. He seemed like the uptight type. We went up some stone stairs and went into this building, I was right on their heels. Jack called. "Sleeper!"

I saw the guy on the floor sleeping and I easily jumped over him, going past Les and David. We up all the steps, passing a couple of people. I heard what had to be Snyder following us. We ran up the top of the stairs, ending on the roof. I huffed from next to Jack, the two behind us. "What now, Jack?"

"C'mon Slick, this way."

I followed him down the roof and stopped for a moment. I snapped. "Are you crazy?!"

He grinned at me before jumping with a yell. I looked over and rolled my eyes. It was a slight jump. "Ya lousy bastard!"

He snickered at me and I huffed before jumping down, crouching next to him. I whispered. "Where's Les and David?"

I didn't know either of them well, but I didn't want them to be caught either. Jack's eyes widened in horror and then he poked his head over the little wall blocking us from the roof's sight. He told them to come over, whispering and looking at the door we came out of.

Les and David both came over, sitting next to us. I was between Jack and David with Les on his other side. Snyder was yelling. "SULLIVAN! WAIT TILL I GET YOU BACK TO THE REFUGE!"

As he yelled like a crazy person, we snuck off, this being the only time we'd be able to get away. Jack said to me. "C'mon, we're goin' ta Medda's."

I nodded. "Yeah, safest place."

David said to us. "What are you two talking about?"

I smirked. "Guess youse'll have ta see, won't ya?"

He gave me a dirty look, which I ignored. We ran around the city until we ended up in front of Medda's. I grinned and went to go forward, but David said. "I'm not going to run anywhere else!"

David was blocking the door to get inside and I wish he'd move. David was facing him, an angry and annoyed look on his face. Jack just moved him aside and walked in confidently.

I followed him. "C'mon."

As we walked in, we were about to climb the stairs. David snapped. "I want some answers!"

Jack shushed him, but David said. "Who is he and why was he chasing you? And what is this Refuge?"

Jack gave him an annoyed look, but turned to face him fully. "Refuge is just jail for kids. The guy chasing me is Snyder. He's the warden."

Les looked at Jack, shocked. "You were in jail?"

Jack nodded. "Yeah."

Les gaped. "Why?"

I leaned against the railing as he said. "Well, I was starvin', so I stole some food."

David rolled his eyes. "Oh, right. Food."

I glared at him. "He's tellin' the truth, you ain't lived like you might not eat for days, so keep your trap shut."

Jack did tell me about why he was there, it's how I knew about Snyder in the first place, then again, everyone knew about the Refuge and Snyder being the warden.

Jack patted my shoulder and we were about to go up when David said. "Well, he called you Sullivan." He looked at me. "You heard it."

I scowled. "Jack's name is his name, don't matter what others call 'im. He's Jack n' Cowboy."

Jack nodded his head. "Slick's right. The name's Kelly. Jack Kelly. You think I'm lyin'?"

David narrowed his eyes. "Well, you have a way of improving the truth."

Jack raised his eyebrows. "Yeah?"

David grabbed his brother and I moved to the steps, to stand at Jack's shoulder. David looked at me and then asked Jack. "Why was he chasing you?"

Jack said. "Because I escaped."

Les eyes were wide. "Woah, how?"

Jack smirked. "This big shot gave me a ride out in his carriage."

I grinned with him, knowing who he was talking about. David looked at him coldly. "I bet it was the mayor."

"No, Teddy Roosevelt, you ever heard of 'im?"

I smirked at David and he sent me an annoyed stare back.

I then heard. "What's going on here? Out! Out! Out!"

I recognized the voice and me and Jack shared a grin.

It was Medda. She had red hair and really green eyes. Today she was wearing a purple dress. Jack turned to her with a smile. "You wouldn't kick me out without a kiss goodbye, would you Medda?"

I snickered as he walked up the stairs toward her. She smiled warmly at him, hugging him. "Ah, Kelly. Where ya been, kid? Oh, I miss seeing you up in the balcony."

"Hangin' on your every word."

He kissed her hand and I heard David mutter. "I thought that was Slick's job."

I let out a laugh. I heard her say. "Is that Alex down there? Come here, honey."

I smiled, walking up and giving her one of my most charming grins. "Hey, Medda. A pleasure seeing ya."

She hugged me and I grabbed her hand, letting her down the stairs. I obviously didn't feel the attraction Jack did, but I did care about and was fond of her.

Jack said. "So Medda, this is David and Les. "

Medda smiled. "Hello."

Jack continued. "And this is the greatest star of the Vaudeville Stage today. Miss Medda Lawksen, the Swedish Meadowlark."

Medda laughed, bowing. "Velcome gentlemen."

I let go of Medda's hand. I spread my arms and turned halfway toward her. "To make it better, you owns the place."

Jack was grinning widely at David, who was staring in surprise at Medda. I snickered, I wondered how love struck he would be when he sees her show. Medda leaned down until she was at eye level with Les. She said softly. "What have we here? Aren't you the cutest little thing, yes you are!"

She tickled the purple feather in his face. I smirked. Les then started coughing, covering his mouth with his hand. Meeda leaned forward, worried. "Are you alright?"

Les said softly. "Buy my last pape, lady?"

I grinned widely at that, smacking Jack's arm. Medda no doubt knew he was playing her or trying to, nothing got past her. "Hey, lookie here."

Jack sent me the same look, looking amused. Medda said. "Oh, you're good."

Jack laughed.

Medda looked back at us. "This kid is really good." She turned back to Les. "Speaking to one professional to another, I think you got a great future."

I spoke up. "Get this, Medda, he's been 'ere one day."

She looked surprised. "Oh really?"

Jack asked. "Is it alright if we stay here a little while, Medda?"

I nodded my head, we needed to stay here until Snyder gave up and stopped looking. He was like a stubborn dog with a bone.

Medda said she was fine with us staying. Mostly because she knew me and Jack. Also, she had a soft spot for us newsies. Medda said. "Sure, Toby just give my guests whatever they want."

I grinned at that, I would never say no to free stuff. I grabbed something to snack on, following the other two and making sure Les was catching up behind me. We sat down in the balcony sidelines and heard a loud voice say. "And Miss Medda Larksen!"

She started to sing, cooing at the audience. I grinned at the widely gaping grin Jack had and the love struck expression David has and when he followed her when she moved around the stage. I snickered.

David glared at me. "What?"

I nudged him, laughing. "Surprised you ain't droolin' yet."

He pointed toward Medda and said. "That don't effect you, aren't you 14?"

Jack, still with the wide grin said after throwing an arm over my shoulder. "Slick over 'ere is smooth with so many of 'em, he don't get effected much."

He messed up my hair and I dodged away, huffing. "Stop that!"

I used my hands to slick my hair back. Considering it was wet before, I didn't like the stiff pieces in my face and it just looked strange like that.

Jack just grinned.

David still sent me a glare, his cheeks flushing pink. "Shut up."

I just grinned to where my face was starting to hurt.

As we talked, Medda was going to the other side of the stage. Les looked lost as Jack and David stared at the show. I chuckled, ruffling his hair. "Don't worry kid, you'll learn about that stuff when your older."

He looked even more lost, but nodded his head anyway, eating the free things he was given. It was entertaining to watch her.

We waved at Medda as we left and she gave us a cheerful smile. We walked out the back door and Jack stuck a cigarette in his mouth, lighting the other end. It didn't even bother me, I've been around so many of the boys smoking, either cigars, stolen pipes or cigarettes, I barely recognized the scent.

Jack asked. "So, you like that?"

I noticed it was nighttime. Me and Jack needed to get back soon. Les was leaning against the wall and I came from behind Jack and out of the narrow lip that opened up into the street. David was still behind Jack.

David went up to Jack, a look of awe on his face. "She's beautiful. How do you know her?"

Jack tilted his head to the side. "Uh, she was a' friend of my fadder's."

David turned to look at me. "How do you know her?"

I shrugged. "Jack introduced me to 'er."

David nodded his head, turning his head to look at the closed door. I could still hear a small bit of the instruments from out here. Jack moved next to me, sitting in the chair I was leaning next to. He said. "C'mon Les, you want to shine my shoes for me?"

I rolled my eyes with a laugh. "Don' use the kid."

He shoved my arm. "I'm not."

David said, looking up from something in his hands. "Uh, it's getting late. My parents are going to be worried. What about yours?" He was looking at the both of us.

Jack said. "There out West looking for a place to live. Like this." He pulled out a book from his pocket. "See, that's Santa Fe, New Mexico. As soon as they find the right ranch, they're gonna send for me."

Les asked. "Then you'll be a real cowboy, right?"

Jack nodded. "Right."

I shifted uncomfortably, I didn't really believe Jack when he talked about this, but I didn't say anything. We all had things we didn't want to talk about, we didn't bother each about it. Like how Crutchy really felt or why Racetrack liked to bet or even where our parents were. There were just some things you didn't ask.

David was looking at me. "What about you?"

I shifted against the wall, staring at the ground. "Uh…I dunno. Haven't seen 'em in years."

Les looked at me shocked. "Woah! In years?!"

I nodded, looking up with a smirk. "Yeah, but who needs 'em. Being stuck with my folks was bad. Now I'm free!"

Les' eyes widened with an awed look. David was give me a look like he didn't believe me. When they weren't looking at me, Jack patted me on the shoulder a couple of times.

He let out, but I got the message. Before anything else was said, there was something going on down the street. David and Jack were running toward it. I let out a swear. "Dammit, c'mon Les!"

I grabbed his hand and pulled him with me. He yelped, but kept up with me. I let go once he did. There was a lot of yelling, the type from fighting. A bunch of people were running and I flinched when fire was around, we backed against a brick wall so we wouldn't be trampled.

David said, his voice screaming to heard over everyone else. "Jack! Slick! Why don't we go back to my place and divvy up! You can meet my folks!"

I raised an eyebrow at that, staring at him. He gave me a honest look back. I looked over to see two older men, in their 40's fighting.

Jack said cheerfully. "It's the Trolley Strike, Dave. These couple of dumbasses must have got out of the joint or somethin'!"

David was looking worried. "Jack, let's get out of…Slick, please talk to him!"

I gave him a look of unease, I didn't know about parents, I wasn't good with them. I really didn't want to go to his place. Jack just laughed. "Maybe, we'll get a good headline, tomorrow."

Jack threw an arm over David's shoulder, but I didn't see a reason for worry from the strike. If the Bulls leave us alone, we should be fine. Jack knelt down and I saw that Les was knocked out. I grinned, amused. "He's out."

Jack carefully put him over his shoulder. "You comin', Slick?"

I shoved my hands in my pockets. "I dunno…"

He grinned at me. "Come on, don' make me go 'lone."

I rolled my eyes, following him. David took the lead, bringing us to his home. It looked like he lived near the apartment buildings. I was behind all of them when they went inside. Jack was behind David. Jack reached behind him and pulled on my jacket. "C'mon, don' worry."

I grimaced at that, I rather sleep out here. But Jack was pulling harder on my jacket, so I groaned knowing he's never going to leave me be and walked inside. That had Jack letting go of me, I could imagine the cocky grin on his face. It made me roll my eyes.

I heard an adult female voice say. "My God! What happened?!"

David tone was kinder, which made sense since this was his family. "Nothing Mama, he's just sleeping."

I looked to see the woman that talked, a pretty lady with blond hair. Some man who must've been his father said. "Dinner's been made for you, where have you been?"

David put his coins on the table and I leaned awkwardly on the wall as Jack put Les down on a bed. David waved at me and Jack. "These are my selling partners and friends, Jack Kelly and uh, Alex."

I'm happy he used that instead of my street name, I was not explaining to his parents why I have that name. Especially in front of his mother. His father had his arm in a sling. Jack shook his other hand and I did too, he said. "Hello."

I nodded back. David pointed at his table, where a girl around Jack's age was sitting. "That's my sister, Sarah."

She smiled at us and I grinned back, going back to something I was used to. She was knitting something. David's father said. "Ester, why don't we invite David's friends for dinner? Why don't you add a little more water to the soup?"

He kissed her cheek and smiled warmly at her. I shifted, uncomfortable from where I was. They looked happy, this looked like a great place. I said. "Uh, no thank you, sir. I don' wanna bother ya."

He chuckled. "It's fine, I don't see a problem."

I tried to shrug it off, like it didn't matter. "If you say so."

We sat around the table and it was raining hard by the time dinner was done. No way we were getting to the Lodge now. We were eating the soup and it tasted good. I haven't tasted something like this in who knows how long. Jack grinned. "I gotta say, from what I saw today, your boys are a' couple of born newsies. Can I have a little more?"

I nodded my head when Jack looked at me. "It's true, from what I seen, they can sell really good."

I passed my dish to Sarah with a smile, staring out at the thundering sky. Jack said, leaning back in the chair. "So with my experience, Sl-Alex's skill and their hard work, we can peddle a thousand a' week and not ever break a sweat."

David's father shot us a disbelieving look. "That many?"

Jack nodded his head. "Maybe more when the headlines are good."

I fought off my grin, remembering what we thought of headlines. Of course they didn't know, so it was a good thing to use. I smirked as Sarah sat next to Jack, saying quickly. "So, what makes a headline good?"

My smirk turned into a grin at Jack's slow smile. I knew that look. He grinned. "You know, um, catchy words like uh, maniac or corpse or uh let's see, love nest or nude."

I snorted. "Jacky, watch what ya say."

Jack sent me a glare.

The parents looked amused, but still. Pulling what I usually did (even if he meant it seriously instead of a selling line) in front of her parents was bad, even for him. He looked awkwardly at said parents, realizing what he was doing. He rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh, sorry. I'm talking too much."

David's father was smiling though as he leaned forward. "Sarah, go get the cake your mother is hiding in the cabinet."

David's mother looked annoyed, but it was strange. I didn't see the same anger I've seen with adults when they were angry. Almost play-annoyed like how the boys and me would get when we played around. "That's for your birthday tomorrow!"

The man waved a hand. "I have enough birthdays, this is a celebration."

David and his mother cheerfully got plates and forks and knifes and whatever else. I shared a look with Jack, he was grinning. I felt myself smile, they were so nice.

David said as he went across the room. "This is only the beginning, Papa. The longer I work, the more money I make."

His father tone was cheerful, but stern at the same time. "You only work until I go back to the factory then you go back to school like we promised."

That makes sense, that must be where the older man ruined his arm and why I never seen David and Les before. Sarah came over with a sweet smile. "Happy birthday, Papa."

They all surrounded him and Sarah finally sat down. She was walking around all through dinner. They shared some moment and I looked away, staring at the bare wooden table in front of me. Jack got some cake and then so did I. I looked at it in surprise, birthday cake…wow.

I smiled at her. "Thanks."

Jack muttered the same thing next to me. I took a bite of cake and slapped a hand over my mouth when I heard Les singing the song while he was sleeping from what Medda was doing. I ducked my head and felt my shoulders shake. I felt Jack snickering next to me and knew David was also laughing.

His mother's voice was stern. "Hm? What is this, David?"

I laughed some more, grinning widely. We finished eating and they told us to leave the plates. I nodded with another smile. "Thanks for the food."

David's mother smiled at both me and Jack. "It's no problem, why don't the three of you go outside."

We nodded and I stood with them on the steel stairs connected to the apartments. I was standing on the other side of Jack and we leaned on the railing. Jack asked. "How'd your Pop get hurt?"

David looked down before smiling sheepishly. "He got hurt at the factory, it was an accident. He was no good to them, so they fired him. He's got no union to protect him."

I shrugged. "That's why I don' work in 'em factories no more."

David looked over at me. "Your worked in a factory?"

I nodded, frowning. "Yeah, didn' like it, so I stopped."

Truthfully, the hours were bad and the pay not worth it when I was getting sick day in and day out.

"David, it's time to come in."

David said. "Alright, night."

I went in front of Jack, already going down the stairs, I knew he was following me. David called. "Wait, Jack! Slick, why don't you too stay here tonight?"

I shook my head. "Nah, we're good. Right, Jack?"

He nodded as I moved down the stairs, the metal clanging under my boots. Jack nodded again. "Yeah, we got our own place. Your parents are real nice, Dave. Like mine."

David looked at me. "About what you said before…"

I waved a hand, laughing stiffly. "Don' worry about that, Davy. I'm alright."

I didn't talk about my parents with anyone. Not even Jack or Racetrack or Crutchy. Jack smiled. "Carrying the Banner."

I got down and waiting for Jack to come with me. He sat on the stairs. I knew that look on his face, he wanted to be left alone. "Hey, Cowboy. I'm gonna head to the Lodge, okay?"

He stared at me, then grinned, though it lacked the usual happiness. "Okay, watch out for 'em Delancey's."

I waved a hand. "Got it, not even scared."

I shoved my hands in my pockets as the wind hit me on the back of my neck. I ducked my head and walked forward toward the Lodge. I knew that place from anywhere. I admit, I was a little worried. I was going to soak those brothers if they came, but I was still worried. They were still bigger and older than me and outnumbered me.

Nothing happen though and I walked in the Lodge. I walked around, waving to a couple of them saw me.

I walked over to Crutchy and started talking to him. "Hey! How'd today go?"

He grinned when he saw me, waving his hand. He was sitting on one of the lower bunks. We didn't really have our own, we just went on the one that was empty. I leaned my arm on the bunk above him, looking down. He said. "Good, where I went, it's was easy to buy from a cripple."

I nodded. "Yeah, got a' couple of men mad, but met some ladies today."

He laughed loudly, grinning wider. "Well, that's how you sell 'em."

I looked around. I asked. "You seen Race?"

He shook his head. "Naw, he was beatin' on the horses today. Where's Jack?"

I shrugged. "He's comin'." I yawned. "Night."

He yawned back. "Night, Slick."

I grabbed the top of the bunk, untying my boots and dropping them down. I took my jacket off, putting it on the bed post. I decided to just sleep in my clothes today.

"Ow! Slick, watch it!" That was Boots, he was both shorter and darker skinned than me.

I said, laying down. "Sorry!"

I turned on my side and reached under my shirt, loosening the bandages around my chest. It hurt really bad if I kept them on overnight. I let out a groan of relief and went to sleep.

/ / / / / / / /

Kloppman was waking us up and I rolled out of bed, doing the same routine as before. Going into the stall and dressing in a white shirt, trousers, my boots and jacket. I slicked my hair back and sprayed some of the cologne on.

I then checked my pockets for my coins. You don't know how bad it is to walk all the way to get your papes and then having to go to the Lodge before coming back. And then by that time, someone steals your usual spot and then you have to find somewhere else, selling less papes. I caught with Jack as we hooted and hollered down the streets. My stomach was growling, but the nuns weren't out today.

Jack nudged my shoulder. "You get to the Lodge okay?"

I nodded. "Yeah, yeah I did. That was some food last night, huh?"

He laughed, grinning at me. "That's for sure, Slick or is it Alex?"

I scrunched up my nose. "Yeah well, I couldn't just go by Slick, ya know."

He chuckled again. "Yeah, at least not in front of Dave's folks."

I snorted, wiggling my eyebrows with a wide grin. "You were the one sayin' stuff at the table. Nude, corpse and what not."

He shoved my shoulder hard, making me stumble. "Shut up, how 'bout this!"

I yelped as he grabbed my neck from behind, messing up my slicked back hair. I moved away and swore. "Dammit, Cowboy, know it off! I just fixed it!"

He snickered. "It's what you get."

I rolled my eyes, slicking my hair back to like it was before, wiping my hands on my pants.

I heard as we arrived to get the papes. "They raised the price!"

My head snapped up, it was Kid Blink and he looked boiling mad. My eyes widened in shock and we ran over to him. Jack asked. "What?"

Kid Blink snapped. "Can you believe that, Jack?! 10 cents a' hundred! It's bad enough we got to eat what we don't sell!"

I snapped back. "No way! We can barely afford what we pay!"

Kid Blink yelled. "That's what I'm sayin'!"

I looked at Jack worriedly. "Jack?"

He was just staring at where we get our papes. I noticed David was here and nodded at him, he gave me a nod back.

"This will bust me! I'm barely making living right now."

Boots shook his head. "Looks like I'm back to livin' on the streets."

I frowned worriedly at that. "No way, we can't do that!"

Boots shook his head at me. "What choice do we 'ave?'

I ran a hand through my hair, loosening it up. "I don' know, somethin'!"

They all started arguing themselves, calling Pulitzer greedy and what not. I believed it, they all were. I saw Jack go up to Weasel and left him alone. We needed to figure this out.

Jack came back over and Kid Blink said. "They can' do this to me, Jack."

A newsie snapped. "They can do whatever they want, it's they're stinkin' paper!"

Boots complained. "It ain't fair, we ain't got no rights at all."

Jack sat down, but I stayed standing. I was pacing back and forth, trying to think of what to do, where to work. Racetrack stormed over. "Come on, it's a rigged deck! They got all the marbles!"

Another newsie said. "We got no choice, let's just get our lousy paper when we still got some."

I was worried though. "We can't do that!"

He asked. "And why not?"

I threw my arms in the air. "And what's stoppin' them from doing it again, huh?"

That caused more arguments and we all started yelling at each other. I was arguing with Boots about what he was saying earlier.

I then stopped when I heard a high voice cry out. "Clear out! Clear out! Give him some room."

I looked over to see Les jumping and going under the boys in front of him. I was a little farther from Jack, since I was with the other newsies. Les sat next to Jack on his side. "Let him think!"

I stared at Jack, was he going to think of something? I knew Jack didn't know everything, but he knew a lot of things. He grabbed a cigarette from Race and blew in the smoke. I knew that was to stall time. I sighed, don't tell me he has nothing.

Race shared a look with me and rolled his eyes. I shrugged. I knew all the newsies eyes were on Jack. Race asked. "Jack, you done thinkin' yet?"

"HEY! HEY! ONLY WORLD EMPLOYES ON THIS SIDE OF THE GATE!"

I stiffened in anger at Weasel's voice. I knew he was enjoying this. We snapped at him, but then turned back to Jack. I sighed when he didn't say anything. "Okay, I get it. You got nuttin'."

Jack raised his hands. "Wait a minute, one thing is for sure, if we don't sell papes, nobody sells papes. Nobody comes through those gates 'till they put the price down to where it was!"

I nodded to myself, that sounded like a good idea. David was staring at like he didn't believe what he was saying. "Like what, a strike?"

I brightened up at the idea, I remembered most of what I sell and strikes were one of the big things that always showed up. But if we were going to do that…

Jack jumped up. "Yeah, a strike!"

They all started yelling at him. Race snapped. "Are you out a' your mind!?"

I raised my hands in front of me and shouted. "Woah, woah! Hey, hold on 'ere! Jack may be on to somethin' right now. We- "

Race said, slapping me on the shoulder. "Now, listen Slick, I know you always agree with Jack, but this time it's too far!"

I reddened, embarrassed. "I do not! I agree with 'im 'ere! C'mon!"

Jack rose up at my side, yelling. "See, Slick agrees with me! It's a good idea!"

I heard David tell Jack. "I was just joking!"

He said something else, but I didn't hear it. Jack then said louder. "But if we go on strike, then we are a union, right?"

I perked up. "A union?"

I knew what that was, I thought only factory workers had that. David shook his head at both of us. "No, we're just a bunch of angry kids without money…Maybe if we got every newsies in New York, but…"

My eyes widened at that. In the whole state, there had to be hundreds of us. Jack most away from us, saying. "Yeah so, we organize! Crutchy, you take for collection! We'll get all the newsies in New York, together!"

David said. "Jack, this isn't a joke! You saw what happened to those trolley workers."

I winced at that, the beat down from the Delancey Brothers would be nothing compared to that. Jack said. "Yeah, that's anudder good idea! A newsie that doesn't join us, then we bust their heads." He smacked his fist in his hand.

I jumped up, getting excited for doing this. "Yeah, we'll soak 'em!"

A couple of the newsies cheered with me.

Stuff never goes good for us poor folk, if we can actual win or get something to be heard, I was all for it. It was about time!

David said. "Slick, no!"

I grimaced and ignored him, he had that scolding tone I didn't want to listen to. David then ran up to Jack and started arguing with him. Jack stopped as we followed him. I fell more to the back. Jack called. "Dave is right! Pulitzer and Hearst are a' bunch a' rich fellas! I mean…they own dis city! So, do you really think a' bunch of street rats like us can make a difference?! The choice has got to be yours! Are we gonna take what they give us or are we gonna strike?"

I looked around, no one was saying anything. Who was going to? Les did. "Strike!"

They got us going and I could feel it, we were going to strike! David grabbed his brother. I moved over, so I was in the middle again. A newsie called. "Keep talkin' Jack!"

"Tell us what to do!"

I heard Jack say quietly. "You tell what to do, Dave."

David did seem to know a lot of stuff like this. "Pulitzer and Hearst have to respect our rights."

Jack yelled. "Hey, listen! Pulitzer and Hearst have to respect…the rights…of the workin' boys of New York!"

Even if I knew David was helping, I still cheered. We needed this strike. Jack said something to David and then he stood on the statue behind him. "Pulitzer and Hearst think we're nuttin', are we nuttin'?"

I cried out with everyone else, feeling my heart pound in my chest. "NO!"

David said, excited. "If we stick together like the trolley workers, they can't break us up!"

Jack grabbed some newspapers and ripped then up, asking. "Pulitzer and Hearst think they got us, do they got us?!"

I threw a fist in the air and jumped up. "NO!"

I knew we were getting crazy, but I did believe what Jack was saying and I knew the other newsies did too.

David said. "We're a union now, the Newsboy's Union. We have to start acting like it!"

I nodded. "Yeah! We gotta show 'em who we are!"

Jack called out, walking around the statue. I knew he wouldn't be able to be still, he couldn't do that much when he was calm. "Even though we ain't have hats or badges, we are a union just by sayin' so! The World will know!"

Boots asked. "What's ta stop someone else from sellin' their papes!?"

Jack threw his arms in the air. "Then we'll talk to 'em!"

I went back over to Race and Boots. Race said. "Some of them don' hear so good!"

Jack yelled. "Then we'll soak 'em!"

I grinned. "Yeah! And by then we'll have more people in our side! We'll soak 'em good!"

Jack hollered. "That's what I'm talkin' about!"

David yelled. "No! We can't just beat up kids in the street! It'll give us a bad name!"

I groaned at that, he was right. The Bulls would nothing more than to jump in. Jack grabbed a stick from the ground. "What's it gonna take to stop the wagons!?"

Jack yelled. "Are we ready!?"

We all yelled. "Yeah!"

Well, except David who yelled. "No!"

Jack crouched down next to us. "What's it gonna take to stop the Scabbers? Can we do it?"

We called out. "Yeah!"

"We'll do what we gotta do to break the will of mighty Bill and Joe! And the World will know!"

We all said. "And the World will know!"

We all said with Jack, calling out toward Pulitzer's big building. "And the Journal too! Mr. Hearst and Pulitzer, have we got news for you! The World will hear, what we've got to say, we've been hawkin' headlines, but we're makin' 'em today! And our rates will grow!"

Crutchy yelled out. "And we'll kick their rear!"

We all called out again. "And the World will know we've been here!"

Jack jumped down, grabbed my arm and started pulling me with him. "C'mon Slick! Time to strike!"

Jack yelled. "When the circulation bell starts ringing, will we hear it?!"

I was jumping on my feet, yelling with them. "NO!"

A newsie asked. "What if the Delancey's come out swinging, will we hear it?"

Jack let go of me and I yelled the loudest with everyone. "NO!"

I remembered what they did to me that night and I hated those jerks. I called with all the newsies. "When you have a 'undred voices singing, can you hear a lousy whistle blow! The World will know! This ain't no game!"

We were walking back to the gates, all of us were. "That we got a ton of fruit and perfect aim!"

They snapped the gates shut as we came close. "So, they gave their word, but it ain't worth beans! Their gonna see what stop the presses really means!"

We ran around until we were back by the statue. Jack disappeared somewhere. We all yelled out. "And our day will come! And the time is now! And the fear is gone!"

Boots higher voice came from somewhere on my right. "And their name is mud!"

I yelled out. "And the strike is on!"

Boots yelled out again. "And I can't stand blood!"

Jack called from the front of us. "Pulitzer may own the World, but he don' own us!"

We all said. "Pulitzer may own the world, but he won't own us!"

Jack yelled out, grabbing onto David's shoulders, up high. "Pulitzer may crack the whip, but he don't whip us!"

We repeated it after him. It was great, saying it all like this. We were going on strike!

We all started calling out at how were going to stop Pulitzer. I noticed Jack was by the message board. He was writing STRIKE.

I threw my arm around Race's neck and called with him and everyone else. "AND THE WORLD WILL FEEL THE FIRE AND FINALLY KNOW!"

I yelled out with everyone else, tightening my grip on Race's neck, moving away and friendly slapping a couple newsies on the back. I went over to Crutchy. "Strike, buddy! We're goin' on strike!"

The arm that wasn't using his crutch punched the air. "Yeah!"

They were throwing hats in the air and everything. They were chanting. "STRIKE!"

I joined them with just as much excitement. Jack came down the ladder, I walked over to him and he was surrounded by newsies.

Jack said as I stood close by. "We got to get the word to all the newsies in New Yawk! I need some of those, what do you call 'em?"

David answered him. "Ambassadors?"

Jack yelled out. "Right! Right! You guys, you need to be Ambastards and go tell the others to join our strike!"

I snickered, I knew that sounded wrong for some reason. Kid Blink called, grinning. "Jack, I'll take Harlem!"

Race was taking Midtown. Crutchy was taking the Bronx. Jack yelled out. "Bumbles, Specs and Skittery, you take Queens!"

"Pie Eater, Snotty! East side! Sniper, you go with 'em!"

Jack continued and I was getting ready to offer the next place. Jack called. "What about Brooklyn? Who takin' Brooklyn!?"

My eyes widened and I shook my head harshly. "Not it!"

It was silent, no one wanted to do that, I didn't either. Jack exclaimed. "C'mon! It's Spot Conlon's territory! Slick, what 'bout you?"

He always looked at me when the others didn't agree with something he did. As much as I hated to disappoint Jack… "Naw, sorry Jack."

Jack pulled me until I was at his side, facing everyone else. He snapped. "What's the matter, 'fraid of Brooklyn?!"

Boots snapped back. "We ain't 'fraid of Brooklyn! Spot Conlin makes us…nervous."

I nodded quickly. "Yeah, yeah. What Boots said. I ain't scared!"

I was scared of Spot, I just wouldn't say that out loud, he was the King of Brooklyn. He was insane at some points. A couple of years ago when I was around 12, he soaked me, worse than Delancey's. I deserved that one, but still…

Jack was telling Boots. "He don't make me nervous. So, me, Boots and Slick will go to Brooklyn."

I gaped at him in shock and he messed my hair. "Don' worry 'bout it, Slick. Dave will keep us company!"

The newsies in front us laughed. They were just happy they didn't have to deal with Spot.

I sighed, but decided to just deal with it. I don't think Spot would soak me a second time for the same thing.

We had to do this, we were going on strike! So, we needed to see Spot Conlon, the King of Brooklyn in his home turf.

Sounds like fun.

This seems like a good place to stop it; a good amount of stuff was done in this chapter. Thank you for the reviews and favorites and sorry it's been over a month, almost two. I didn't think I waited this long.

Ashlyn (Guest): Glad you like it, here's the new chapter. Hope you like this.

Masketjuliet09: Yeah I agree with that. To me it just has more sense. A choice of wanting hair or having a more solid disguise.

Vorelt21: Thanks! It's hard to find one on here without romance. I figured I'd just write one.

AutumnBelle101: Cool, you reviewed on my birthday! Anyway, glad you liked my story. Here's the awaited new chapter. That's what I'm going for, I like sibling Jack/Slick too.