"How many papes?" a gruff voice asked from the window in front of me. I reached into my pocket and pulled out ten cents. That would be 20 papers right? Ya 20.
"20 please!" and I slapped down my money like the others did before me. Some boys nodded their heads up towards me and smiled, others laughed though. One tall, toned newsie turned around and started toward me holding almost 100 papes.
"Hey, your gonna want more than 20 huh?" I turned towards him not knowing what to say. He put a another nickel on the windowsill and said, "10 more Weasel."
"I'm Jack, Jack Kelly" He held out his hand and I took it in mine, just as I did for Specs. "Ryan," I said mor confident than before.
"So, you new 'ere?" he asked grabbing the extra papers and adding them to my pile. "Uh, ya it's my first day." I said trying to tie in the thick New York accent most of the guys had. Another newsboy hobbled up next to Jack and said, "Well if you wanna learn anything about selling papes, Jack 'ere can tell you everything ya need ta know! He's da best!" I noticed the wooden crutch he held under his right arm. I kinda felt bad for the guy, but he didn't seem hindered by it one bit.
"Ya okay, okay. This is Crutchie, the second best Newsie." I filled my new bag with the 30 papers and shook, yet another hand.
"So Ryan, how old are ya?" Crutchie asked.
"Fourteen, just last month!" I replied getting used to my new friends.
"Hmm.. Well you look younger," Jack said. "Say you're twelve. The younger ones sell more."
I guess that makes sense.
"So you wanna be a Newsie, kid?" Jack asked and I nodded. "Well if you spend your first day wit me and Crutch 'ere, you'll be ready to go on your own by tomorrow."
Jack, Crutchie and I headed down the road to one of the more busy streets in the city and as the morning rush began to start Jack started right away. "EXTRA EXTRA! ROOSEVELT'S WIFE ACCUSED OF AFFAIRS!" He was yelling loudly and added more comments on the headlines as citizens walked by. Crutchie began his tactics too. I watched him hobble down to the middle of the street and he lost his balance and fell to the ground with a thud. I gasped and Jack put a hand on my shoulder, "He's fine. 'e does it on purpose to attract more buyers. It really works." A young couple bought a paper and a few more people came after them.
"So you just make a bunch of noise and attract people?" I asked.
"Yup, as many people as possible and then, by the end of the day, yer bag 'll be empty and all of us meet back at the Lodging House." I tried to process the idea of being stuck in a Lodging House with twenty-something boys and it was not easy. Good thing I can still go home to my mom. "Oh, well I still live wit my ma'." I said casually. The slightest bit of resentment flashed through Jack's eyes, but he just nodded and said, "Oh. Well if ya ever need a place to stay, just come to da House." I thanked him and grabbed a couple papes and began reading the headlines out loud to the crowds that were passing through the square.