Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of the Newsies, the songs, or the plot line in anyway. Anything or anyone that you recognize from the movie belongs to the movie. I am not claiming ownership in any way, shape, or form. I'm just a girl who loves the movie and wants to write about it. (Though I wish I owned it, haha)

Chapter 4

I couldn't get the thought of the school for blind students out of my head. No matter how hard I tried, it just wouldn't leave, it was the most annoying thing ever. I knew that there was no chance that I could get in. It was horribly expensive and unless they offered scholarships it was ridiculous to even think about getting in.

"Grace, what are you thinking about? You haven't paid this little attention since who knows when" exclaimed my teacher Miss Olsby.

"I was just thinking about a school for blind children"

"A WHAT?"

"A school for blind children, Papa got a flyer on one yesterday"

"Grace, I don't want to disappoint you, but the chances of you getting into a special school, is a bit...unlikely"

"I know that, it's just, now that I know about it, I can't get it out of my head"

Miss Olsby hugged me, "well right now focus on the Braille, alright?"

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It seemed that everyone that I talked to about it seemed to think that there was no chance that I would get into the school, but there's always hope right?

I spent my days hoping and my nights dreaming that somehow I might be able to get into the school. I knew that I was going to probably be blind for the rest of my life, but if I could just make some money then maybe I could at least lead a relatively normal life.

One night Jack came to have dinner and I told him about it.

"I say, go for it" he said

"How?"

"I don't know, you're smart though, maybe they have scholarships or something"

"Yeah, or something"

"Grace, I never saw you as a quitter"

"When did I quit? I never even started!"

"I think you started when you found out about the school, give it your best shot and see what you can do"

"But I don't even have anything to shoot at"

"I'm sure you'll find a way in time, success isn't always measured by money Grace" With that he stood up and left me to think it over. I considered possibly writing to the school, asking about a scholarship program, it could be possible that they had one. Who knows? I mean what have I got to lose?

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The next week I talked to Miss Olsby about writing a letter. She considered it a waste of time. Who would be interested in a poor Irish immigrant in New York City? There were plenty of rich blind children out there whose parents would be happy to pay full price to send them to the school, why should they be interested in me?

I asked Sarah and David, they both had the exact same response as Miss Olsby. Finally I turned to Jack.

"Jack, do you honestly think there is any possible way that they will accept me?" I asked

"Why wouldn't they? You're smart, you're talented, you have great potential, and you persevere through even the toughest stuff. I swear, I've never seen anyone as stubborn as you can be sometimes."

I smiled, "thanks Jack, but, how can I write a letter? I mean, everyone says that I shouldn't do it and that it's a waste of time"

"But it wouldn't hurt to try"

"It wouldn't hurt to try, but, I can't write, I mean, it's physically impossible"

"I can write it for you"

"Would you?" I cried

"Of course, just tell me what to say"

A day later we had sent a letter off to the Philadelphia Institution for the Visually Impaired. I was so nervous to hear their reply. Would it be good? Would it be bad? Would I get any reply at all? I could hardly concentrate during my lessons with Miss Olsby, and she would get terribly frustrated with me.

Finally about three weeks later Jack came bursting into the apartment.

"Jack Kelly! Will you ever learn to behave?" Exclaimed Mama from where she was kneading bread dough.

"Probably not" he answered then I heard him come closer to where I was sitting. "Grace, I got a reply!"

I gasped, "Really? Can you read it to me?"

"Sure" I heard the sound of someone ripping open an envelope he then cleared his throat and began reading "Dear Miss Jacobs, we are sorry to inform you that we cannot accept you to the Philadelphia Institution for the Visually Impaired at this time. If you found out the adequate information on this institute you will have noticed that there is a yearly entrance fee, we cannot and will not change that fee for any particular student. We are sure that you understand--"

"Stop!" I cried "I get the picture. I knew it was a foolish idea to write to them anyway"

"Grace, I'm really sorry 'bout this"

"It's fine, it's fine, it's not your fault" I managed to say between sobs. I was so sure that they might accept me, so ready to have a chance at a good education. Now I felt like my world was crashing down around me, there was nothing left of it. I heard footsteps crossing the room and heard the door close telling me Jack had left. It was a stupid idea anyway and I had wanted it so bad, now all my chances were gone. Or were they?

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