Warning: This story contains adult language, adult themes, and sexually
explicit themes. Reader's discretion is advised. Rating - R.
Disclaimer: I do not own Newsies or any of the Newsies characters. Brett, Brynn, Cocoa, Agnes, Maddock, Ms. Barrett, and other miscellaneous characters are all mine. Sweets and Morning Dew own themselves.
Chapter 4: The Nearness of You
It had been a few hours that Brett was working in the hostel. Everyone was heavily engaged in a different task. Brynn was busy at work polishing the silverware, Cocoa was cleaning the windows, Agnes was hard at work beating the dust from the Oriental rugs behind the building, and Brett was occupied with making up the beds and adjusting the floral arrangements that were placed in every room.
As she exited the room to move on to the next, she heard the sounds of laughter escaping from the lobby. She moved closer to the room when she heard Ms. Barrett talking to someone. She was obviously talking to a man and the man's voice sounded familiar.
Perplexed, she walked towards the fancy atrium to be met by a friendly countenance. "Brett, darling! I am enjoying the company of your gentleman friend. You need to bring him around more often!" Ms. Barrett teased with Jack laughing.
She was somewhat shocked that Jack made a surprise visit to see her. Jack could tell that she was surprised that he made an unannounced stopover. He couldn't wait to see the expression on her face. He thought that it was worth it.
Brett approached the two as Ms. Barrett decided to excuse herself from the counter and attend to other business in her office. Jack had already informed her that he was there to deliver a message to Brett and she wanted to give them some privacy.
"Well, just behave yourselves, especially you, young man. Brett is like a daughter to me. And you may be an adult, but you're not too old for me to take a wooden spoon to you and whack you upside the head." She taunted, holding a ledger over his head as he ducked, laughing the entire time. Ms. Barrett left the two in the lobby as Jack leaned on the desk smiling over at Brett.
"So, Jack. How did you find the place?"
"Well, I knew dat ya worked somewhere in dis area and I followed Boots' cousin ta make sure I knew exactly where da place was. And here I am."
She smirked at Jack's sneaky behavior. "Boy, when you want information you know just how to obtain it, do you?"
Jack just nodded and smiled. Slowly walking towards her, Jack wanted to see if she wasn't upset even though she didn't seem to be. He didn't want to offend her in any way and he didn't want her thinking that he was a stalker of some sort.
"Uh, dere's another reason why I came by. I can't take ya ta Coney Island this week. My boss had some extra work and needed some extra help. He asked me if I could come in on my day off of this week ta help out and dat I'd get paid overtime. And I could really use da money, ya know? So, I was wondering if you could take a rain check on da matter."
"That's alright, Jack. I understand. We all can use a little spare cash every now and then. You don't have to apologize. We can go some other time."
Jack smiled as he was very relieved that she was quite understanding. She didn't strike him as the conceited beauty that thought that a man should be at her every beck and call and want things to go her way. He had been down that road once before and he had no plans of traveling down that path again. He began playing with the bell on the desk as he eyed the place. The surroundings were quite fancy as he took notice of the mahogany furniture, polished floorboards, and fancy chandelier suspended above them.
"Dis is a nice place where ya work. Better than a grimy foundry." He kidded.
"Yeah, I like it. It's a luxurious little place and it's my home away from home." She said as she strolled around the parlor. Jack's eyes followed her as she leisurely walked around the room. Even though they had just known for a relatively short period of time, Jack figured to himself that she was something special. He couldn't quite pinpoint the reason for his conclusion.
She found it rather tactical of Jack to find out where she worked. Normally she would have freaked out at the action of some guy that she has only gotten to know for a few weeks to do such. But Jack seemed different. Unbeknownst to her, their thoughts of each other were in sync. Catching a glimpse at the clock, he then realized that he needed to head back to the iron works.
"Well, listen I gotta be heading back ta work before my supervisor wonders why I'm not on da clock." Brett nodded.
"Well, I guess I'll see ya next week then, huh?"
"Of course, Jack." Just as he was about to make a move on her before leaving, he was met by the appearance of another male.
"Hey, there, cutie." Maddock said right before Jack and Brett finish saying their goodbyes. Jack looked up, taken aback by the abrupt interruption. He saw the handsome young man approach them, swiftly walking up to Brett and looking as if he was very eager to see her. As he raised his arms to hug and kiss her, Brett accepted advances and introduced the two.
"Jack, this is Maddock. Maddock meet Jack. Maddock works here in the maintenance capacity."
Maddock smiled and nodded to Jack. Jack gave him a subtle, distrusting look, but played it off. "So, are you coming back to grace the place with that sexy body of yours?"
"Uh, no, in fact I haven't left yet. I worked into my lunch hour so I could leave early. I have some errands to run before I go home." She told them.
"Mmmm, that explains why you're in such good shape. You need to rest every once in a while, baby."
Jack cringed inwardly at his calling her 'baby'. He could tell just by looking at Maddock that he was a player and that Brett was obviously one of his sexual targets. Jack could feel his guards go up at the sight of this green-eyed, ebony-haired stud. Within moments, they heard the voice of Ms. Barrett call for him to make another repair.
"Uh, yeah, I'll be up in a minute." He then turned to Brett and Jack.
"Well, looks like I got my work cut out for me. I'll talk to you later, sweetness. Nice to meet you, Jack." He then made a mad dash upstairs with Jack looking upon him with suspicion, which Brett detected.
"Don't worry about him, Jack. He flirts with everything that wears a skirt."
"Well, I don't want him flirting with what's in this skirt." Brett looked at him thoughtfully.
"Jack, are you jealous?" Jack just nonchalantly shook his head in denial.
"Then why are those hazel eyes of yours turning a pretty shade of green?"
"Because these Irish eyes are smiling." He said with a mouthful of wit.
"Well, these chocolate brown eyes are rolling and have to head back to work."
"Okay, I'll see ya later, then?" She nodded in affirmation. Jack leaned in and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek before sprinting out.
Contentedly, Brett walked to the door and watched him leave. She thoroughly enjoyed her few minutes with Jack and could not wait for the day to come that they could go to Coney Island together. She hadn't been there in a while and she had never gone there with a guy before. As she walked past the desk, she was met by a catty Agnes, who was finishing up on the sweeping of the nearby dining room.
"Well, look at this little lovebird rolling around for working time after talking to her little boyfriend."
"Agnes, you make sounds I don't like."
"Maybe I should tell Ms. Barrett that you are slipping on your exertions here."
"You do that and I'll scratch out the one good eye you got left, bitch!"
Brett swiftly walked right past her with Agnes looking on with hateful eyes. As Brett proceeded to finish the rest of her duties Cocoa walked up and intercepted her.
"So, Brett, what's up with you and Jack Kelly?" she said smiling.
"What? Why do you ask?"
"Oh, don't play coy and innocent with me. Boots told me that you and Jack definitely have a thing going on with each other."
"You know, for a little guy, Boots surely has a big mouth."
Cocoa laughed at Brett's statement as they walked to the back room to retrieve supplies for their tasks. "So, tell me, Brett, what's the deal with you two?"
"There's no deal."
Cocoa looked at her suspiciously. "Well, I think that Jack has more in mind with you than you think, sweetheart."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, you're about to be spending more time with him than with us. I think that you really have it bad for him. I bet that you are thinking about Jack right now, are you?"
Brett just smiled at her friend's observation. She was right.
~
Brynn had touched base with Blink not long after their meeting from before and made plans to meet at O'Brien's for drinks. Brynn and Cocoa joined the male company of Blink, Mush, and Racetrack. After the pleasantries and ordering drinks, they discussed a myriad of topics which eventually made its way to how men and women view each other. They were heavily engaged in a heated discussion of a battle of the sexes.
"Bottom line - all women are whores!" Racetrack stated, angering both Cocoa and Brynn and embarrassing Blink and Mush.
"Oh, that's it! Waitress, get me a knife!" Cocoa yelled as Brynn, Blink, and Mush chuckled.
"Alright, alright, maybe whore was a little too strong, but all women do have a price."
"Oh, please, Race. There isn't enough money in the world to make me sleep with you!" Brynn said with everyone laughing hard.
"So, ya saying that ya wouldn't sleep with Race for, let's say, one million dollars?" Mush asked.
"For a million dollars, I'd sleep with Race's mama!" Cocoa added. Waves of laughter came from all three of the guys.
"Race, why don't ya quit while you're ahead. This is a sure fire way not ta get any with your attitude." Blink suggested.
"Can I get an 'Amen!'" Yelled Brynn.
"The point is that you men think of us women as commodities to be bought, sold, and traded." Said Cocoa.
"Exactly, you rate us like bonds and as soon as we depreciate, you unload us." Brynn reiterated.
"That's not true. I'm gonna hold onto my Sweets forever and ever." Blink said.
"Even if her looks fade?" Brynn asked.
"One's looks never fade when the looks are dat of an angel from heaven."
"Oooooooh, sounds like someone's whipped!" Race declared with a smile.
"Oh, shut up, Shorty!" Blink said as everyone snickered.
"And dat's another thing! You women talk about how we rate you all, but ya do da same ta us guys."
"Explain, Race." Said Cocoa.
"Alright, 'He's not cute enough.' 'He's has no money.' 'He doesn't own any property.' 'He doesn't own his own home.' 'He's too fat.' 'He's too skinny.' 'He's too short.'"
"Oh, so that's what it's all about. You're insecure about your height." Brynn stated.
"I'm not insecure. I just don't like my height."
"Okay, maybe we women are a little too hard on you guys, but it's only because you guys are hard on us!" Cocoa said.
"How?" Race inquired.
"Easy. 'She's too skinny.' 'She's too fat.' 'Her butt is too big.' 'Her butt is too flat.' 'She's flat-chested.' 'She's not pretty enough.'" Brynn reiterated.
"Hey, hey, hey. That's not true! The bigger her boobs are, the uglier she can be!" Brynn splashed her drink right into Race's face, causing a clamor of laughter to erupt in the entire bar.
"I stand corrected." Race said.
After hours of drinks, laughter, and outright horseplay, it was three o'clock in the morning and the bar was about to close up. Blink, Mush, and Race were the only patrons in the bar. Brynn and Cocoa left hours earlier. All sat at the table wasted and dazed. The bar's owner knew them well enough to know that they would not leave until he told them to. And since they were good customers, he had no problem waiting until the last minute to escort them out. The trio continued to sit in a hypnotic state until one of them started to speak.
"I'm hungry." Said Blink.
"I'm sleepy." Uttered Mush.
"I could hump a tree." Stated Racetrack as he puffed on his cigar. Everyone looked at him like he was crazy, including the bartender and waitresses who were nearby. Simultaneously, the trio got up and made their way out of the bar without a single word to rest up for a few hours before having to wake up for another busy day.
~
Jack met Brett at the Horace Greeley statue as agreed upon. Jack paced back and forth watching the younger newsies carrying the banner as he waited patiently for Brett. The weekend had finally come and his boss gave him that Saturday off as an incentive for his accepting the additional work at the iron works. While he waited, he decided to smoke a cigarette. He enjoyed taking a drag on it. It was his guilty pleasure and he hadn't had a cigarette in a long time. He then remembered that the cigarette smoke could sully his fresh breath. He quickly threw down the cigarette and put it out. As he looked up he saw her pleasantly approaching.
"Hello, Jack. Have you been waiting long?"
"No, not really. I was wondering if ya wanna go see Medda after da flickers."
"Sounds great." As Jack and Brett proceeded to walk down the street, Jack caught sight of a well-known comrade.
"Heya, Jacky-boy. How's it rollin'?"
"Hey dere." The two shook hands. They stopped the spit-shaking years ago, and Jack did not want to spit on his hands before placing his hands on Brett. "Where are ya headed, Brooklyn?"
"Just coming ta take care of some manly business." He said wickedly smiling as Jack rolled his eyes. Spot then looked over at Brett. "So, Jack, aren't ya gonna introduce us?"
"Spot meet Brett. Brett, dis is Spot."
"Nice ta meet'cha." Spot reached for Brett's hand and kissed it. Jack looked at him with a stern expression that Spot picked up and just smiled. She found Spot quite attractive. The label "lady killer" was written all over his face.
"Well, Jack. I must say dat you must've been playing ya cards right ta get a pretty little thing like dis"
"Dat's right. And she ain't up for grabs so don't go getting any funny ideas. Besides, ya already got a goil. Where's Dewey anyway?"
"She's at her place. I was on my way ta meet her. We're gonna go see Medda. Wanna come?"
"Uh, not today, Spot. We were planning on going ta see a flicker. Maybe next time, alright?"
"Alright, Jacky-boy."
Brett soon reappeared to the duo. "Ready ta go, sweetie?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
"Cool. See ya, Spot." Jack said, shaking his hand.
"Nice meeting you, Spot." Spot responded to her with a nod and a wink.
As they passed by, Spot briefly paused Jack for a second.
"Go get her, Tiger!" Spot candidly whispered. Jack just rolled his eyes and tapped him on the arm as Spot snickered and proceeded to meet his pretty girlfriend.
The flickers that they saw were rather entertaining that evening. And Medda's show was equally amusing. Brett was thoroughly enjoying her time with Jack. She hadn't had this much fun with a man in a long time. Strolling through Central Park, they took in the beauty of the park and all that nature had to offer. They eventually seated themselves on a bench. As they continued to converse, Jack felt compelled to inquire about her interests, particularly in men.
"So, what kind of man do ya like?"
Brett was somewhat startled by the question. She hadn't expected Jack to interrogate her about such an issue. She decided to humor him anyway.
"Well, I like a man that is friendly, outgoing, and has a great sense of humor. I also like for him to be sincere, compassionate, and tough as nails yet gentle and kind all at once. Someone that will protect me as well as love me. A person that knows who they are and doesn't compromise themselves for anything or anyone.
Jack just looked at her closely. He pondered on all of her answers and saw that she obviously knew what she wanted in a man. He wondered if she saw any of those qualities in him.
"So, I take it dat ya don't see any of those qualities in Adrian or Maddock."
Brett looked at him as if he was insane. "What! Adrian is just a friend and Maddock is just a very horny S.O.B! Trust me, Jack. You don't have anything to worry about as far as those two are concerned." Jack nodded out of relief. He was glad that there were currently no traits of competition to worry about. Gently, Jack took his index finger and stroked the top of her hand lightly. In the distance, he saw a woman selling flowers. He politely excused him and hurried down the way to catch up to the vendor. Brett looked on as she saw that he purchased a flower from the lady. Smiling from ear to ear, Jack approached her with flower in hand. Stopping directly in front her, Jack handed the blossom to her. She looked down at the floral gift and back at him.
"I also like the romantic types." She said right before accepting the present. Jack then bowed his head down and kissed her lightly before wrapping his arm around her and sauntering around the natural splendor of New York.
Disclaimer: I do not own Newsies or any of the Newsies characters. Brett, Brynn, Cocoa, Agnes, Maddock, Ms. Barrett, and other miscellaneous characters are all mine. Sweets and Morning Dew own themselves.
Chapter 4: The Nearness of You
It had been a few hours that Brett was working in the hostel. Everyone was heavily engaged in a different task. Brynn was busy at work polishing the silverware, Cocoa was cleaning the windows, Agnes was hard at work beating the dust from the Oriental rugs behind the building, and Brett was occupied with making up the beds and adjusting the floral arrangements that were placed in every room.
As she exited the room to move on to the next, she heard the sounds of laughter escaping from the lobby. She moved closer to the room when she heard Ms. Barrett talking to someone. She was obviously talking to a man and the man's voice sounded familiar.
Perplexed, she walked towards the fancy atrium to be met by a friendly countenance. "Brett, darling! I am enjoying the company of your gentleman friend. You need to bring him around more often!" Ms. Barrett teased with Jack laughing.
She was somewhat shocked that Jack made a surprise visit to see her. Jack could tell that she was surprised that he made an unannounced stopover. He couldn't wait to see the expression on her face. He thought that it was worth it.
Brett approached the two as Ms. Barrett decided to excuse herself from the counter and attend to other business in her office. Jack had already informed her that he was there to deliver a message to Brett and she wanted to give them some privacy.
"Well, just behave yourselves, especially you, young man. Brett is like a daughter to me. And you may be an adult, but you're not too old for me to take a wooden spoon to you and whack you upside the head." She taunted, holding a ledger over his head as he ducked, laughing the entire time. Ms. Barrett left the two in the lobby as Jack leaned on the desk smiling over at Brett.
"So, Jack. How did you find the place?"
"Well, I knew dat ya worked somewhere in dis area and I followed Boots' cousin ta make sure I knew exactly where da place was. And here I am."
She smirked at Jack's sneaky behavior. "Boy, when you want information you know just how to obtain it, do you?"
Jack just nodded and smiled. Slowly walking towards her, Jack wanted to see if she wasn't upset even though she didn't seem to be. He didn't want to offend her in any way and he didn't want her thinking that he was a stalker of some sort.
"Uh, dere's another reason why I came by. I can't take ya ta Coney Island this week. My boss had some extra work and needed some extra help. He asked me if I could come in on my day off of this week ta help out and dat I'd get paid overtime. And I could really use da money, ya know? So, I was wondering if you could take a rain check on da matter."
"That's alright, Jack. I understand. We all can use a little spare cash every now and then. You don't have to apologize. We can go some other time."
Jack smiled as he was very relieved that she was quite understanding. She didn't strike him as the conceited beauty that thought that a man should be at her every beck and call and want things to go her way. He had been down that road once before and he had no plans of traveling down that path again. He began playing with the bell on the desk as he eyed the place. The surroundings were quite fancy as he took notice of the mahogany furniture, polished floorboards, and fancy chandelier suspended above them.
"Dis is a nice place where ya work. Better than a grimy foundry." He kidded.
"Yeah, I like it. It's a luxurious little place and it's my home away from home." She said as she strolled around the parlor. Jack's eyes followed her as she leisurely walked around the room. Even though they had just known for a relatively short period of time, Jack figured to himself that she was something special. He couldn't quite pinpoint the reason for his conclusion.
She found it rather tactical of Jack to find out where she worked. Normally she would have freaked out at the action of some guy that she has only gotten to know for a few weeks to do such. But Jack seemed different. Unbeknownst to her, their thoughts of each other were in sync. Catching a glimpse at the clock, he then realized that he needed to head back to the iron works.
"Well, listen I gotta be heading back ta work before my supervisor wonders why I'm not on da clock." Brett nodded.
"Well, I guess I'll see ya next week then, huh?"
"Of course, Jack." Just as he was about to make a move on her before leaving, he was met by the appearance of another male.
"Hey, there, cutie." Maddock said right before Jack and Brett finish saying their goodbyes. Jack looked up, taken aback by the abrupt interruption. He saw the handsome young man approach them, swiftly walking up to Brett and looking as if he was very eager to see her. As he raised his arms to hug and kiss her, Brett accepted advances and introduced the two.
"Jack, this is Maddock. Maddock meet Jack. Maddock works here in the maintenance capacity."
Maddock smiled and nodded to Jack. Jack gave him a subtle, distrusting look, but played it off. "So, are you coming back to grace the place with that sexy body of yours?"
"Uh, no, in fact I haven't left yet. I worked into my lunch hour so I could leave early. I have some errands to run before I go home." She told them.
"Mmmm, that explains why you're in such good shape. You need to rest every once in a while, baby."
Jack cringed inwardly at his calling her 'baby'. He could tell just by looking at Maddock that he was a player and that Brett was obviously one of his sexual targets. Jack could feel his guards go up at the sight of this green-eyed, ebony-haired stud. Within moments, they heard the voice of Ms. Barrett call for him to make another repair.
"Uh, yeah, I'll be up in a minute." He then turned to Brett and Jack.
"Well, looks like I got my work cut out for me. I'll talk to you later, sweetness. Nice to meet you, Jack." He then made a mad dash upstairs with Jack looking upon him with suspicion, which Brett detected.
"Don't worry about him, Jack. He flirts with everything that wears a skirt."
"Well, I don't want him flirting with what's in this skirt." Brett looked at him thoughtfully.
"Jack, are you jealous?" Jack just nonchalantly shook his head in denial.
"Then why are those hazel eyes of yours turning a pretty shade of green?"
"Because these Irish eyes are smiling." He said with a mouthful of wit.
"Well, these chocolate brown eyes are rolling and have to head back to work."
"Okay, I'll see ya later, then?" She nodded in affirmation. Jack leaned in and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek before sprinting out.
Contentedly, Brett walked to the door and watched him leave. She thoroughly enjoyed her few minutes with Jack and could not wait for the day to come that they could go to Coney Island together. She hadn't been there in a while and she had never gone there with a guy before. As she walked past the desk, she was met by a catty Agnes, who was finishing up on the sweeping of the nearby dining room.
"Well, look at this little lovebird rolling around for working time after talking to her little boyfriend."
"Agnes, you make sounds I don't like."
"Maybe I should tell Ms. Barrett that you are slipping on your exertions here."
"You do that and I'll scratch out the one good eye you got left, bitch!"
Brett swiftly walked right past her with Agnes looking on with hateful eyes. As Brett proceeded to finish the rest of her duties Cocoa walked up and intercepted her.
"So, Brett, what's up with you and Jack Kelly?" she said smiling.
"What? Why do you ask?"
"Oh, don't play coy and innocent with me. Boots told me that you and Jack definitely have a thing going on with each other."
"You know, for a little guy, Boots surely has a big mouth."
Cocoa laughed at Brett's statement as they walked to the back room to retrieve supplies for their tasks. "So, tell me, Brett, what's the deal with you two?"
"There's no deal."
Cocoa looked at her suspiciously. "Well, I think that Jack has more in mind with you than you think, sweetheart."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, you're about to be spending more time with him than with us. I think that you really have it bad for him. I bet that you are thinking about Jack right now, are you?"
Brett just smiled at her friend's observation. She was right.
~
Brynn had touched base with Blink not long after their meeting from before and made plans to meet at O'Brien's for drinks. Brynn and Cocoa joined the male company of Blink, Mush, and Racetrack. After the pleasantries and ordering drinks, they discussed a myriad of topics which eventually made its way to how men and women view each other. They were heavily engaged in a heated discussion of a battle of the sexes.
"Bottom line - all women are whores!" Racetrack stated, angering both Cocoa and Brynn and embarrassing Blink and Mush.
"Oh, that's it! Waitress, get me a knife!" Cocoa yelled as Brynn, Blink, and Mush chuckled.
"Alright, alright, maybe whore was a little too strong, but all women do have a price."
"Oh, please, Race. There isn't enough money in the world to make me sleep with you!" Brynn said with everyone laughing hard.
"So, ya saying that ya wouldn't sleep with Race for, let's say, one million dollars?" Mush asked.
"For a million dollars, I'd sleep with Race's mama!" Cocoa added. Waves of laughter came from all three of the guys.
"Race, why don't ya quit while you're ahead. This is a sure fire way not ta get any with your attitude." Blink suggested.
"Can I get an 'Amen!'" Yelled Brynn.
"The point is that you men think of us women as commodities to be bought, sold, and traded." Said Cocoa.
"Exactly, you rate us like bonds and as soon as we depreciate, you unload us." Brynn reiterated.
"That's not true. I'm gonna hold onto my Sweets forever and ever." Blink said.
"Even if her looks fade?" Brynn asked.
"One's looks never fade when the looks are dat of an angel from heaven."
"Oooooooh, sounds like someone's whipped!" Race declared with a smile.
"Oh, shut up, Shorty!" Blink said as everyone snickered.
"And dat's another thing! You women talk about how we rate you all, but ya do da same ta us guys."
"Explain, Race." Said Cocoa.
"Alright, 'He's not cute enough.' 'He's has no money.' 'He doesn't own any property.' 'He doesn't own his own home.' 'He's too fat.' 'He's too skinny.' 'He's too short.'"
"Oh, so that's what it's all about. You're insecure about your height." Brynn stated.
"I'm not insecure. I just don't like my height."
"Okay, maybe we women are a little too hard on you guys, but it's only because you guys are hard on us!" Cocoa said.
"How?" Race inquired.
"Easy. 'She's too skinny.' 'She's too fat.' 'Her butt is too big.' 'Her butt is too flat.' 'She's flat-chested.' 'She's not pretty enough.'" Brynn reiterated.
"Hey, hey, hey. That's not true! The bigger her boobs are, the uglier she can be!" Brynn splashed her drink right into Race's face, causing a clamor of laughter to erupt in the entire bar.
"I stand corrected." Race said.
After hours of drinks, laughter, and outright horseplay, it was three o'clock in the morning and the bar was about to close up. Blink, Mush, and Race were the only patrons in the bar. Brynn and Cocoa left hours earlier. All sat at the table wasted and dazed. The bar's owner knew them well enough to know that they would not leave until he told them to. And since they were good customers, he had no problem waiting until the last minute to escort them out. The trio continued to sit in a hypnotic state until one of them started to speak.
"I'm hungry." Said Blink.
"I'm sleepy." Uttered Mush.
"I could hump a tree." Stated Racetrack as he puffed on his cigar. Everyone looked at him like he was crazy, including the bartender and waitresses who were nearby. Simultaneously, the trio got up and made their way out of the bar without a single word to rest up for a few hours before having to wake up for another busy day.
~
Jack met Brett at the Horace Greeley statue as agreed upon. Jack paced back and forth watching the younger newsies carrying the banner as he waited patiently for Brett. The weekend had finally come and his boss gave him that Saturday off as an incentive for his accepting the additional work at the iron works. While he waited, he decided to smoke a cigarette. He enjoyed taking a drag on it. It was his guilty pleasure and he hadn't had a cigarette in a long time. He then remembered that the cigarette smoke could sully his fresh breath. He quickly threw down the cigarette and put it out. As he looked up he saw her pleasantly approaching.
"Hello, Jack. Have you been waiting long?"
"No, not really. I was wondering if ya wanna go see Medda after da flickers."
"Sounds great." As Jack and Brett proceeded to walk down the street, Jack caught sight of a well-known comrade.
"Heya, Jacky-boy. How's it rollin'?"
"Hey dere." The two shook hands. They stopped the spit-shaking years ago, and Jack did not want to spit on his hands before placing his hands on Brett. "Where are ya headed, Brooklyn?"
"Just coming ta take care of some manly business." He said wickedly smiling as Jack rolled his eyes. Spot then looked over at Brett. "So, Jack, aren't ya gonna introduce us?"
"Spot meet Brett. Brett, dis is Spot."
"Nice ta meet'cha." Spot reached for Brett's hand and kissed it. Jack looked at him with a stern expression that Spot picked up and just smiled. She found Spot quite attractive. The label "lady killer" was written all over his face.
"Well, Jack. I must say dat you must've been playing ya cards right ta get a pretty little thing like dis"
"Dat's right. And she ain't up for grabs so don't go getting any funny ideas. Besides, ya already got a goil. Where's Dewey anyway?"
"She's at her place. I was on my way ta meet her. We're gonna go see Medda. Wanna come?"
"Uh, not today, Spot. We were planning on going ta see a flicker. Maybe next time, alright?"
"Alright, Jacky-boy."
Brett soon reappeared to the duo. "Ready ta go, sweetie?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
"Cool. See ya, Spot." Jack said, shaking his hand.
"Nice meeting you, Spot." Spot responded to her with a nod and a wink.
As they passed by, Spot briefly paused Jack for a second.
"Go get her, Tiger!" Spot candidly whispered. Jack just rolled his eyes and tapped him on the arm as Spot snickered and proceeded to meet his pretty girlfriend.
The flickers that they saw were rather entertaining that evening. And Medda's show was equally amusing. Brett was thoroughly enjoying her time with Jack. She hadn't had this much fun with a man in a long time. Strolling through Central Park, they took in the beauty of the park and all that nature had to offer. They eventually seated themselves on a bench. As they continued to converse, Jack felt compelled to inquire about her interests, particularly in men.
"So, what kind of man do ya like?"
Brett was somewhat startled by the question. She hadn't expected Jack to interrogate her about such an issue. She decided to humor him anyway.
"Well, I like a man that is friendly, outgoing, and has a great sense of humor. I also like for him to be sincere, compassionate, and tough as nails yet gentle and kind all at once. Someone that will protect me as well as love me. A person that knows who they are and doesn't compromise themselves for anything or anyone.
Jack just looked at her closely. He pondered on all of her answers and saw that she obviously knew what she wanted in a man. He wondered if she saw any of those qualities in him.
"So, I take it dat ya don't see any of those qualities in Adrian or Maddock."
Brett looked at him as if he was insane. "What! Adrian is just a friend and Maddock is just a very horny S.O.B! Trust me, Jack. You don't have anything to worry about as far as those two are concerned." Jack nodded out of relief. He was glad that there were currently no traits of competition to worry about. Gently, Jack took his index finger and stroked the top of her hand lightly. In the distance, he saw a woman selling flowers. He politely excused him and hurried down the way to catch up to the vendor. Brett looked on as she saw that he purchased a flower from the lady. Smiling from ear to ear, Jack approached her with flower in hand. Stopping directly in front her, Jack handed the blossom to her. She looked down at the floral gift and back at him.
"I also like the romantic types." She said right before accepting the present. Jack then bowed his head down and kissed her lightly before wrapping his arm around her and sauntering around the natural splendor of New York.
