Hey hey!! Chapter three. Thanks so much my reviewers!!! Don't forget to read below!!

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Rawr


Newsies Again

Chapter Three;;

To Sing or Not to Sing

Man, I could have slept that soundly for another eight hours if it weren't for the fact that I was crushed against the wall, or I remembered that somehow, I was surrounded by about 18 hot newsies from a movie, who think this is real.

Then I heard Kloppman. Great... Who needs an alarm clock when you have Kloppman??

"Boots!" I heard the old wrinkled man yell at the little black boy. Man, I already knew everything that was coming... But I rolled over. I was not getting up without a fight.

"Skittery... Skittery. Skittery!"

"Don't laugh Delia..." I almost couldn't help it.

Smack! To the foot...

"What!? i didn't do it-" Skittery jolts up...

Smack! Right on the cheek...

"Ow-!" He turns away...

"What do ya mean ya did't do it? You get up! When ya have ta get up, ya have to get up!"

"Yeah..."

I giggled into the pillow.

"Snitch!"

I heard the old mans shoes against the old wooden floor as he got closer to us. This wasn't part of the movie... Well duh. We weren't originally in the movie. Where the heck were those cameras!?!

"Come on, goils! Bright and early! Foist day a' sellin'! Get'up Misfit!" Our bed moved and I heard Reanna and Danielle groan. That's when I noticed I was sharing the bottom bed with Danielle. I shrugged, opening my eyes and sitting up. Nothing new. We always shared my bed back at home.

Skittery stumbled over to me, a groggy look in his eyes.

"Uhh... I tink you goils need some... no'mal clothes. I think you'll fit inta mine. Dey may be a bit big, but dey're really old..." He trailed off.

I smiled to him, even thought I knew his clothes will be more than just a bit big.

"Thanks, Skittery."

I know everyone's getting up, and exactly how without even watching. I knew Newsies like I knew the back of my hand.

I stumbled into a stall and changed quickly. I glanced down at my outfit. It must have been something Skittery didn't ware often, because I didn't recognize it from the movie. I wore dark brown pants that went all the way to the floor, a dirty white button up shirt (Although it was a light shade of brown by now) and purple suspenders. Purple?? What and interesting color...

A pair of black boots slipped under my stall. I didn't know who had put them under there, although I took a guess. I tried them on. They were maybe half a size too big, but they fit pretty good.

Then I remembered my hair. It always got in the way, no matter what I did. Maybe... Since I wasn't going to be using my black shirt any time soon, and I could always get another if I wanted, I grabbed it, tore a long piece of fabric off and exited the stall.

I quickly tied my hair up, looking into one of the only mirrors that weren't surrounded by boys.

The long hair was back, but my side bangs I'd just have to deal with.

Then I noticed I was surrounded by half naked boys. I smirked to myself. This was too good.

I walked out of the bathroom, right passed a few boys glancing at me and to the bunk.

Reanna and Danielle had just gotten clothes from Racetrack and Boots, probably the only people small enough for Dani and Nan to borrow clothes from.

They headed off to the bathroom, looking curiously around, while I lifted up the mattress and chuckled my clothes under.

By then, Race was looking for his cigar and I squirmed, watching them as I plopped down on my bed. Oh GOD I wanted to sing... and you know what? I was going to. No matter what they thought.

"Dat's my cigah!" Race hissed to Snipeshooter, giving him a glare.

"You'll steal unuddah!" Snipeshooter snapped, getting a nice whack across his face by Race. Blink dropped down from the top bunk above Race and grabbed him, pulling him away from Snipe.

"Eh bummah's we got woik ta do!"

"Since when did you become me muddah?" Specs asked, leaning towards Kid Blink. Blink put a disgusted look on his face and pushed Specs back.

"Ah, stop yoah bawlin'!" Crutchy grunted, pushing between Specs and Blink.

"Hey! Who asked chu!?" Specs Mush and Blink asked, swiping at Crutchy.

I let out a little laugh, walking into the bathroom as Jack talked with Mush.

Danielle wore black pants, black boots, a white, long sleeved button up shirt and a black and yellow very. She didn't look exactly happy with it, but she could live with it. Her hair was a curly mess, pulled back with come cloth. On top of her curly hair was a black hat, put backwards.

Reanna wore black boots, light gray pants that stopped half way down her calf, a very faded green, long sleeved button up, her hair pulled back also.

But I turned away from expecting them as Mush began singing again.

"Try Bottle Alley or da ha'bah."

"Try Central Pa'k, it's guaranteed." Race put it, coming through this dark hair. Jack, who was shaving, flicked a nice glop of cream on Mush's face, leaving the tanned boy glaring at him. I giggled. Man, I loved this.

"Try any banker, bum or ba'bah." Jack said, saving his upper lip.

"Dey almost all knows how ta read." Muttered Skittery, coming up from the washing basin and reaching for a towel. Ah, the pink underwear...

I turned towards the bathroom, just as Blink walked out, a smile across his face. He take a good dump, or what?

"I smell money!" He chanted, going to wash his hands.

"You smell foul!" Crutchy gasped, turning away from the stall Blink was just in.

Blink whipped around, lunging forward.

Mush stepped in between them, stopping Blink.

"Met dis goil last night." Mush sang, pushing Blink so he spun as he winked over at Nan, making her cheeks redden.

"Oh, move your elbow!" Cutchy croaked from behind me as I wizzed around to find him.

"Pass da towel!" Race called, searching blindly for the towel as Skittery pushed passed him, the towel in his hand as he stepped onto a crate, holding the towel above Race.

"For a buck, I might!" He sang, jumping over Jack who had just grabbed the towel. Here came the part I'd been waiting for.

"Ain't it a fine like, carryin' da bannah tru it all?" We sang as I twirled about, bumping into boys, although they didn't notice.

"A mighty fine life, carryin' da bannah tough an' tawl?" I glanced at Dani and Nan as we rushed out of the bathroom, grabbing for any last minute things and heading to the stairs with the boys.

"Every mornin' we goes weah we wishes, we'se as free as fishes, shoah beats washin' dishes. What a fine life, carryin' da bannah home for'yall?" We stomped down the stairs, Kloppman counting everyone as we exited the lodging house, whooping. We danced in the streets, heading towards the distribution office. First came the barrels. Of course, I didn't know what I was going to do, so I'd have to make it up as I went.

"Summah stinks an' wintah's waitin', welcome to New Yoik. Boy, ain't natcha fasanatin', when you'se gotta walk?" I leaped over a few barrels after a newsie that I though was Bumlets and did a cartwheel just for show. I found myself climbing onto the cart behind Itey. Itey leaped off, and the man on top of the cart looked about to throw me off, so I flipped off, landing carefully on my feet. I was never able to do a flip, into a pool or on a trampoline. Didn't know how I landed this one.

We ran out into one of the streets, twirling in the air and laughing. I didn't know whether Dani and Nan were dancing. Reanna didn't know the moves and Danielle... she liked to dance, but she said she sucked at it. I thought she was pretty good if she just tried.

"Still it's a fine like, carryin' da bannah wit me chums." I leaped into the air with Kid Blink, Specs, Boots and Jack, and somehow, ended up dancing with Skittery. He was smiling. Something I hadn't seen in the movie. Not that I'd be able to see it really... but really, where were the cameras?

"A mighty fine like, blowin' every nickle as it comes." I didn't stop dancing with Skittery. He threw a pretend punch at my face and I ducked, poking him in the side. He let out a snort of laughter and we twirled together in the air.

I did a cartwheel over Skittery's foot as he went to trip me, hearing Crutchy in the back ground.

"I'm no snoozah, sittin' makes me antsy, I like livin' chancey-" -we joined in on- "Harlem to Delancey. What a fine life-" -I spun beside Skittery then, along with about 18 other guys, did the pelvic trust. I could not help it- "Carryin' da bannah tru da slums."

We were at the nuns now, and we all walked over to the cart, waiting for food and coffee as they sang.

"Blessed children. Though you wander lost and depraved, Jesus loves you. You shall be saved." Not my favorite part, to be serious. I grabbed a piece of bread from the nuns and munched on it gently, letting it last, listening to the singing in the background. And I heard the music. WHERE THE HECK WAS THAT COMING FROM, FOR GOD'S SAKE!?!?!

"Patrick-"

"Just gimmie half a cup."

"Darling?"

"Something to wake me up."

"Since you've left me-"

"I gotta find an angle."

"I've been undone."

"I gotta sell moah papes."

"Papers is all I got-"

"Wish I could catch a breeze-"

"Mother, loves you-"

"Shoah hope da headlines hot-"

"All I can catch is fleas-"

"God save my son!"

"God help me if it's not."

"Somebody help me please!" We all moved to an alley now, only a few leaving. I stayed behind with Race and some other guys.

"If I hate the headline, den I'wl make up da headline, and I'wl say anyting I'wl have to. Cuz it's two foah a penny, if I take too many, Weasel jus' make me eat'em aftah."

Everyone pointed to the headlines on the board. Wow we were close.

"Look! Dere putting up a headline-"

"What's it say?-"

"You call dat a headline?-"

"That won't pay-"

"I get bettah stories from da coppah on da beat-"

"So wheah's yoah spot?-"

"I was gonna start at twenty-"

"God it's hot!-"

"Now a dozen'll be plenty!-"

"Tell me how'm I gonna make ends meet!?"

During the split part, I kind of switched between. I didn't know all the parts and the words were really unclear in some parts. We now stood in front of the board with the headlines, glaring up at it.

"We need a good assassination-" -pelvic thrust- "-we need an earth quake-" -I jiggled around playfully- "-or a war!" I pretended to shoot at Skittery, who acted like he was shot in the heart and collapsed, sending me to fits of laughter.

"How 'bout a crooked politician?" Snipeshooter asked, a wide smile across his face.

"Hey stupid dat ain't news no moah!" Everyone shouted, some throwing their hats and poking at him.

Skittery grabbed my hand and pulled me to the side as the next line rang out.

"Up town to Grand Central Station, down to City Hawl!" Skittery and I danced together, making it up as we went. Play fighting, twirling, jumping, sliding, you name it, we did it.

"We improves our circulation! Walkin' till we fall!" We collapsed together, laughing. Skittery quickly pulled me up, practically dragging me over to the gate of the Distribution Center.

Skittery twirled me around and stood by Jack while we continued to sing.

"Still we'll be out dere, carryin' da bannah man to man! Yes we'll be out dere, soakin' every sucker dat we can! See da headline: Newsies on a mission! Kill the competition, sell the next edition, while we're out dere ,carryin' da bannah is da-"

But we were cut off as Oscar and Morris pushed their was through the crowd, glaring around at the newsies, all the newsies guffawed playfully, as did Skittery and I.

"Deah me." Race said, waving his hat in front of his face as he elbowed Dani in the side, "What is dat unpleasant aroma? I feah da sewah may have backed up durin' da night." He playfully slapped Blink's cheek as the newsies laughed. Some how, I ended up in front, right were Snipeshooter was supposed to be. Perfect...

"Na, too rotten ta be da sewah!" Boots called from somehwere, a bunch of "yeahs!" following.

"Den it my be, da Delancey bruddahs!" Crutchy chuckled, sending all the newsies to laughter yet again.

"Hiya boys!" Race chuckled as Morris and Oscar sauntered up, their faces tensed as they looked at the newsies. Oscar's eyes stopped on me and I felt Skittery's hand on the back of my suspenders.

Oscar suddenly grabbed the back of my neck, bring his face very close to mine, but I was ready.

"In da back, ya lousy little-" But he didn't get his sentence out, because I smacked him across the cheek, all the newsies gasping as Oscar chucked me to the ground. All the newsies remained silent as Skittery helped me up, glaring at Oscar. Oscar rubbed his cheek gingerly, his gaze hard on mine.

Jack stood in front of them, eying both of them.

"Ya know, I wouldn't be doin' dat to people, 'specially goils, ya bummahs." I was at Jacks side glaring them down. Oscar looked furious, but Morris remained expressionless.

"Hey Morris. That was an insult. And so it this." I might as well steal Jack's limelight. After all, I'm changing the movie up. I flicked Morris' hat off and took off as the newsies laughed and whooped.

I saw Skittery as I ran, and he didn't look too pleased that I'd start a fight, but I saw a glimmer of amusement in his eyes as well.

I slid under the wagon, just as I'd see Jack do a million times on the screen. I didn't think I'd be able to do it, but got it and leaped up to his under the awning. I waited for Morris and Oscar to jump on the wagon. I didn't know how I'd be able to tell, but I saw their shadows and released my feet, swinging out a hitting both guys to the ground. I ran through the cheering newsies and around the statue of Horace, running straight into David and Les. I stumbled and turned to look at them.

"What do you think you're doing?" David asked me, his blue eyes serious and curious.

I looked behind the brothers, seeing Oscar and Morris pushing through the crowd.

"Running!" I called behind as I started to run again.

I raced through the dancing newsies as they began singing again. Jack looked absolutely proud, as did Skittery. Man, I was head honcho right now! It felt great to slap someone who I hated.

I was suddenly pushed to the ground from behind, but Skittery grabbed me up and Jack started fighting them.

From Skittery's arms I watched Oscar swing at Jack and miss. Jack grabbed Oscar, holding him tightly in his arms as Morris began to sing at him, one of the punches getting him right in Oscars face and they were pushed to the side by the other newsies. Jack climbed the iron gate easily.

"-Go!" We cheered as Jack reached the top.

"Dis is foah da newsies!" The little red head yelled as the fences opened and all the newsies streamed in. Skittery set me down, shoving some money in my hands, and I pushed my way to the front, wanting in on the action. I was right behind David, Les looking at Jack as if he were God. Cute kid. I had no idea where Danielle and Reanna were. Probably somewhere with Mush and Race.

Danielle was with Race, in front of me.

Jack knocked on the door of the window, calling, "Oh Mr. Weasel..."

He rang the bell and your could hear the fat man within calling, "Alright, alright. Hold yoah horses, hold yoah horses. I'm comin'."

"So, did'ya miss me, Weasel? Did'ya? Did'ya miss me?" Jack asked Weasel, earning a funny look from Weasel.

"I've told ya a million times: The name is Wisel. Mr. Wisel to you." He shook a finger at Jack as Jack skimmed through the pape on the desk, "How many?"

"Don't rush me. I'm perusing da moinchendise, Mr. Weasel." Everyone laughed.

Jack slapped down some money, "The usual."

"Hundred papes foah the wise guy." Weasel muttered, "Next."

"Mornin' yoah honah-" Man, I knew what happened from here. Race, Brooklyn, Crutchy, David, blah, blah, blah... man life was weird when you knew what was going to happen.

Instead, I felt someone come up besides me and saw Skittery.

"Thanks for the money." I told him, flashing a smile.

Skittery shook his head, a faint smile on his lips, "It ain't nothin'. You should be able to get 'bout 20 papes.."

He trailed off. It was about time for...

"Ah, lookit dis. Baby bo'n wit two heads. Must be from Brooklyn..."

The mention of Brooklyn sent butterflies through my stomach. I really wanted to meet Spot...

I heard David's "I paid for twenty but only got nineteen" sentence and then Jacks. Man, I really wanted to skip ahead. Where was the fast forward button??

Finally we started movie, David telling Jack he didn't want his papes.

I slapped my money down in front of Weasel.

"Twenty papes, Weasel." I told him, my chin high.

Weasel squinted at me through his strange little eyes.

"Yoah new." He muttered as I took my papes from Morris, getting a glare in return, "And yoah a goil."

"Yeah, got a problem with that, Weasel?" I asked him, giving him a hard look through the bars.

Weasel blinked at me before Skittery asked for his papes and I went down the steps.

Danielle and Reanna were at the front of the crowd, David temporarily forgotten at the moment.

"Hey, Misfit. Get's up heah." Jack called, motioning me forward.

I pushed my way through the boys and stood next to Reanna.

"Ok, so as you boys know, we gots some new goil sellin' wit us, and we need someboidy to teach em. Who'll help Spice?" Jack called among the boys who had gotten their papers.

Hand shot up around the square, although not all boys.

"Take yoah pick, Spice." Jack told her.

I saw an eager Race in the front of the crowd, flailing his hand wildly in the air.

Of course Danielle picked him.

Reanna was next, and this time, all of the newsies held up their hands. What boys.

Reanna chose Mush. Then came me.

"Who'll help Misfit?" He called.

All the boys stared around. Only one hand was up. Skittery.

Didn't really blame the other boys though. I was pretty frightening. Yeah. Right.

Skittery pushed through the crowd and dragged me out onto the street in front of everyone else.

We made our way around the city as Skittery taught m the ways of the selling career, not that I'd already memorized them... but it was still fun.

I saw a lot of the city through out the day. I sold all my papers easily, and Skittery said he'd never had a better student.

For lunch we went to Tibby's sitting with Specs, Duthcy, Pic Eater, Swifty and Bumlets for a while before we finished up selling.

Night fell and we went back to the lodging house. We stayed up a while, playing poker (Of course, i didn't play, because I knew I'd loose and I needed money for tomorrow since the strike would happen.

I went to bed smiling, unable to stop.

This was going to be way better than just watching the movie.

I was living it.


Wow, four thousand words! LONG CHAPTER!!

Ok guys, to add to the Fun Fact of the Week, I did the math wrong, Max Casella today is 43, not 47 (9 - 7 does NOT = 7....)

Anyway, I love your reviews!! Keep on doing so!!

Much love always

~Scree