A/N: hey! Sorry I took so long but that's high school sophomore year when you have tap and salsa classes, the school play, Maspeth Town Hall play, choral group, film and photo club, paranormal club, and going to the gym regularly. I have quarterlys all next week so I needed to update before that. I will try to update my Kid Blink story before and I recently did for my Skittery one. In the near future, I was thinking if making a Supernatural fanfiction, thoughts? And tomorrow is Halloween, I'm gonna be a mash up of Kid Blink, Skittery, Racetrack, Jack, and Crutchy. I have a cowboy hat, eye patch, pink long johns, a fake cigar, and a crutch along with my hat, tote, and program I got at the Broadway showing. I'm so excited! Happy Halloween. I do not own Newsies or the Little Mermaid. I do not own Her Voice which is the song of the chapter.
Chapter 4: Her Voice
Ariel wakes up to Kloppman's voice ringing throughout the bunk room.
"Boots!" He shouts scaring the young African American newsie up out of his slumber. Next he travels to the next unsuspecting newsie, "Skittery! Skittery! Skittery!" He shouts until he resorts to hitting his foot. The boy jolts awake shouting, "Wha..I didn't do it!" To which Kloppman slaps him.
Ariel laughs at this exchange. It may not be obvious to others, she knows that the newsies love Kloppman and vice versa. She gets up as Kloppman walks by her and over to Jack after a quick, "Good mornin'." Is thrown her way.
She changes into her clothes and neatly packs away her belongings so they won't get lost.
But they don't even belong to her, technically that is. Ursula gave her the clothes, Bumlets gave her the long johns, Kloppman gave her a bed. Normally she would feel uncomfortable using so much of others' stuff but one look at Racetrack, who is currently searching for his cigar, and it makes it all seem natural and worthwhile.
He finds it, in Snipeshooter's mouth, "That's my cigar!" He says trying to keep his anger under wraps.
"You'll steal anudda." He retorts and Racetrack grabs it from his hand and hits him.
Kid Blink hops off his bunk and throws his arms around them to prevent the fight that was sure to insinuate. "Hey, bummas we got woik ta do." He says before walking away.
Ariel silently chuckles at the next act as Specs asks, "Since when did youse become me mudda?"
"Aww, stop yer bawlin'!" Crutchy shouts as to which many newsies shout back, "Who asked youse?"
Ariel tunes them out as she washes her face and hurriedly ties up half her hair. The newsies get ready in a matter of minutes so they can cram in as much sleep as possible but not be late for work. Back at Ariel's old home, her mother would insist on picking out an outfit for two hours, then fixing her hair for another, and make up and other necessities for an hour. But Ariel would always fix her hair to her liking, half up, which took about a minute, depending on the wacky hairdo her mother set up. Washing her face clean off makeup which sometimes took about fifteen minutes due to the large amount. And changing into the least fancy dress she has. Everyday she tries to stop her mother from this but her mother won't hear it, even though she always changes after she's done.
Racetrack accidentally bumps into Ariel, snapping her out of her thoughts. She looks at his shaving cream covered face and tries to hide her grin behind her hand. He yells, "Pass the towel!"
"For a buck I might!" Skittery retorts holding the towel out of Racetrack's reach and shoving him away.
Ariel takes her towel and washes some shaving cream away from his eyes so he can see before handing him the towel itself.
"Thanks, thought I was gonna go blind it stayed there." Racetrack jokes wiping the rest away as Ariel laughs, but as usual, no sound comes out.
She straps on her shoes as the other newsies grab their caps or other last minute needs before barreling down the stairs and into the streets. Ariel manages to stay on her feet this time but Racetrack always tries to remain close, just in case.
Soon the same nuns as the day before show up an Ariel once again enjoys the meal while other choke to keep down rancid biscuits and curdled coffee. It also helps her blend in a a street rat more. Like she's not used to the exquisite banquets she had before, one with plenty to spare but used to eating whatever she could afford. Which isn't much.
They finally arrive to the gates and out pop the Delancy brothers. Ariel's heart is stricken with fear. She's afraid that they'll recognize her as the girl dressed to impress who beat them up and blow her cover. Yesterday, she was able to hide behind an unused cart while Racetrack paid for his papes. Today she is in a crowd but still ducks behind Snoddy, the tallest newsie by her. She's the only girl in the crowd which makes her stand out. She plays off hiding behind Snoddy well enough that the newsies don't suspect anything either. Then she hears Racetrack's voice which makes a warm tingle run through her entire body.
"Dear me! What is that unpleasant aroma? I fear the sewer may have backed up durin' the night." He says causing the newsies to snicker knowing where this particular joke is going. Ariel however is slightly baffled at how he has a bit of an expansive vocabulary. Unpleasant. Aroma. He's smarter than he is leading on. Now she's really glad she did this, she loves him even more the more she learns about him. So far, all good things. She even kind of loves the way he loves to gamble.
"Nah, too rotten to be the sewers." Boots inquires.
"Yea, yea. It must be the Delancey brudders." Crutchy says finishing the joke. Ariel laughs at the joke even though her mother would say it's crude humor.
"Hiya boys!" Racetrack says after he finishes laughing.
Oscar wouldn't rather hit Racetrack again in fear his guardian angel will show up again, so he picks on the closest and smallest newsie near him, "In the back, you lousy little shrimp." He says throwing Snipeshooter to the ground. Ariel's mouth goes agape at the treatment of the young newsie no more than twelve by a man who must be at least six years older. She wants to hit him again but Racetrack's fast witted mouth speaks before she can.
"It's not good to do that. Not healthy." Racetrack says as Jack helps him up.
"Youse shouldn't call people lously liddle shrimps, Oscar, 'less
you're referrin' ta the family resemblance in yer brudda here." Jack says getting in Oscar and Morris's face.
"5-1 that Cowboys skunks 'em. Huh? Who's betting?" Racetrack asks the newsies who all shrug off his need to gamble on everything. Even Ariel rolls her eyes but with a smile on her face, she still thinks it's an adorable trait. Racetrack catches her smile which unlocks a teeny tiny shiver from within himself that confuses him.
"That's right. It's an insult. So's this." Jack says as he hits Morris's hat and begins running. The newsies run following him making Ariel jump at her blockage, she begins to panic and Racetrack misinterprets her panicking.
"Don't worry. Jack, he always wins. The Delancy bruddas is jokes, empty threats, cowardliness, an' they definitely ain't smart." Racetrack says trying to comfort her, something he usually isn't good at but he can easily talk to her; even though she can't answer back. He knows she understands but her facial expressions.
Ariel smiles at his attempts and feels less panicky. She takes a deep breath to calm down as Jack swings from his hiding place hitting the Delany brothers in the face. Ariel's face lights with awe as she applauds his work since she can't verbally cheer him on.
"See, now youse is enjoyin' it." Racetrack says with a chuckle. They enjoy the scene. Jack bumps into two boys, one about his age and one much younger.
"What do you think you're doing?" He asks. The newsies and Ariel notice his lack of an accent. But they don't have time to worry about that as Oscar and Morris break through the crowd of newsies so Jack gives him a smart answer.
"Runnin'!" He shouts before hurrying off again as the newsies all shout and scream as the Delancy brother gain way. Soon they're by him again and they shove Jack to the ground. The newsies all circle around them, hanging on ever action as they cheer Jack on.
Soon Jack makes Morris punch Oscar through slight of hand and shoves Oscar to the ground. He climbs the gate as the newsies cheer for his victory.
"Yea, believe it or not. This is an usual day for us." Racetrack says as he walks up to pay for his papers. Ariel hides where she did the day before. She watches and patiently waits for them to finish so she can sell with Racetrack again.
"Oh Mistah Weasel." Jack calls out knocking on the door. When he s hasn't come, he rings the bell to get his attention.
"Alright, alright! Hold your horses! I'm coming, I'm coming." He says opening the window.
"So, didja miss me Weasel? Huh, did you miss me?" Jack asks ready to mess with him again today.
"I told ya a million times, the name's Wisel. Mr. Wisel to you. How many?" He asks. Ariel isn't so sure why they call him Weasel, he does kind of look like one and his name can be interpreted as that if not said clearly.
"Don't rush me, I'm perusing the merchandise Mistah Weasel." Jack says reading a paper. He drags out the word Weasel. The newsies and Ariel laugh. He slams down two quarters and says, "The usual."
"100 papes for the wise guy. Next!" Weasel says as Racetrack walks up to him. He plans on taking Ariel to the track today as her first real taste of New York guided by him. He really hopes she likes it as much as him.
"Mornin' yer honor! Listen, do me a favor, Weas, spot me 50
papes? I got a hot tip on the fourth, youse won't waste yer money." Racetrack says even though there really isn't a tip. His years of gambling as left him with a talent for lying quick on his feet. Usually he uses it to think of jokes quickly or snarky remarks but every once in awhile he uses it for free papes. He has the money, but his logic is, "Why pay, when youse can get papes for free?"
"It's a sure thing?" Weasel asks knowing of his games but not being able to deal with them because this morning, like most mornings went by coffee-free.
"Yea. Not like last time." Racetrack says lightening his cigar.
"Uh-huh. 50 papes! Next!" Weasel says as Crutchy steps up.
"Heya, Mistah Wisel." Crutchy says, respecting his elders like his folks taught him to, before they abandoned him for his lack of mobility of his right leg.
"See anythin' good this morning?" Racetrack asks Jack as he sits beside him. He wants to find a good headline to impress Ariel with. Something better than "Trolley Strike Drags on for Third Week."
"30 papes for Crutchy! Next!" Weasel says as Crutchy gets his papes. He usually has the least amount of papes because he can't sell like the others, due to his bum leg.
Jack, noticing his shadow Les asks the boy, "Youse wanna sit down?" To which the young boy plops down.
"20 papers please. Thanks." The boys with curly hair who Jack bumped into running from the Delancy brother earlier.
"Look at this, 'Baby Born With Two Heads'. Must be from Brooklyn." Racetrack says knowing this'll be his headline, after a little work is done to it. He also tries to remember the joke to tell it to Ariel when selling.
"Hey, you got your lously papes, now beat it!" Weasel says to the curly haired boy.
"I paid for twenty. I only got nineteen." David explains. Ariel watches as Weasel, who seemed to be okay with all the other boys joking around, gets angry.
"Are you accusing me of lying kid?" He asks.
"No. I just want my paper." The boys says holding his own like his parents taught. The parents whom love him very much and he loves very much.
"He said beat it!" Morris says.
"No, it's nineteen. It's nineteen, but don't worry 'bout it. It's an honest mistake. I mean, Morris, he can't count to twenty with his
shoes on." Jack insults making Morris want to hit him but the metal bars get in his way and the newsies and Ariel laugh.
"Hey Race, will ya spot me 2 bits?" Jack asks as Racetrack quickly offers up the money without complaint. If the leader, in this case Jack, asks for money, you give it to them. "Another 50 for my friend."
"I don't want another 50." The boys says as Jack shoves the papers into his hands.
"Sure youse do. Every newsie wants more papes."
"Well I don't."David says as Jack begins to walk away with his own papers.
"What're youse stupid?" Racetrack asks him not knowing he doesn't know to take things life gives them. Since they already don't have much. He quickly heads over to Ariel asking her, "Youse ready?"
She nods even though she wants to get to know the new kid. She can have a lifetime to get to know him if she makes Racetrack fall in love with her and kiss her. She intends to do so.
As they walk away, they hear the newbie's voice talking to Jack, "I don't want your papes. I don't take charity from anyone. I don't know you. I don't care to. Here are your papes."
"Ta-day, I'se gonna show youse the best place on Earth! Or maybe jus' in New York. I'd tell youse where but that'll ruin the surprise." Racetrack explains as he leads Ariel to the Brooklyn Bridge.
She looks up at awe at the bridge. She sees the structure as a work of art, a beauty. Then she sees Racetrack walking on and Ariel becomes fearful. She doesn't think the steel cables can hold anyone, she doesn't know this is a bridge because she's never seen one like this in Italy.
Racetrack turns around to meet her scared face looking up at the steel cables.
"Youse nevah left the borough 'fore haven't youse?" He asks her to which she nods her head.
"Don't be. I'se crossed this bridge more times than I can count." He says. Ariel puts a foot forward but hesitates going further.
"C'mon. It'll be okay, youse trust me. Don'tcha?" He asks out stretching his hand for her to take.
Ariel gently takes Racetrack's hand and he guides her onto the bridge. She tightens her grip on his hand as she takes her first step onto the bridge.
"See it ain't so bad." He says as they continue to walk across the bridge. The muscles in Ariel's body begin to relax and the safer she feels as long as her hand is in Racetrack's.
Soon she begins to smile and enjoy the sight of the East River. The beautiful still water with some ducks swimming hoping to cope with the summer heat.
The two walk in blissful silence, side by side, hand in hand. Ignoring the passerbyers, the horse drawn carts trotting down, the stares, all of it. All blinded by happiness. For Ariel, she is walking beside the man she loves, he accepts her, likes her. For Racetrack, he is going to the tracks with a wonderful girl by his side, one who is different than the others. Especially the one whom he never wishes to see again.
He leads her to his selling street in Brooklyn. Spot only allows him to sell on that spot because Racetrack beat him in poker once. The bet was if Racetrack won he's allowed a street to sell on. If Spot won, Racetrack isn't allowed in Brooklyn whatsoever. Racetrack, of course, won and choose this street because many gamblers pass by and he can easily twist a headline to fit their entertainment. Plus, they never read it until much later so he doesn't have to move around so much.
"Baby born wit' three heads; may not survive!" Racetrack hawks efficiently selling five papers easily. As Ariel waits he easily sells his fifty papers.
"Youse hungry? I don't know 'bout youse but I could use some grub." Asks Racetrack. Ariel nods and Racetrack leads her to his favorite place to eat in Brooklyn.
It's a small Italian restaurant not far from his selling spot so it does not take them long to arrive.
They are seated and Racetrack begins to count his earnings to see what he can afford to eat. Ariel sees this and places a hand over his and shakes her head. She points to herself and uses her free hand to remove her two dollars in various types of coins.
"No, no it's okay, I-" says Racetrack but Ariel persists by tightening her grip, pointing to herself again, and shaking her head more vigorously.
"Fine, fine. Youse pays then, sheesh." Says Racetrack with a smile, one Ariel returns graciously.
"This is the best Italian restaurant in the West. Anudda reason I loves Brooklyn so much." Racetrack says as Ariel smirks and reads her menu.
Soon the waitress comes and greets Racetrack, a regular for lunch but usually for one. "This is Ariel," Racetrack introduces, "she's a friend."
"It's nice to meet you. Race has always been alone for lunch it's nice to see such a beautiful lady by his side." Says the waitress causing both customers to lightly blush.
Ariel points to what she wants and Racetrack dictates it to the waitress as she writes it down. She is confused as to why the red headed lady didn't answer herself but shrugs it off.
As she walks away to tell the chef about their orders, she drops her pen. Ariel notices and picks it up and grabs a napkin to write on. She begins scribbling on it as Racetrack watches. She will get to know him, she's come this far, sacrificed so much, and it won't be for nothing.
She writes, "If you love Broklin so much then why live in mannhatan?"
It takes Racetrack a while to decipher her handwriting and misspellings as she is still new to the English language.
He answers in Italian, "Mi piace la gente lì meglio." Which translates to "I like the people there better."
"You speak Italian beautifully," writes Ariel in Italian, "Si parla Italiano in modo così bello."
Then continue to communicate in such a way until there food comes. The conversation switches to more one sided as Ariel needs her hands to eat. Racetrack tells of different adventures he has experienced when selling papers or at Sheepshead.
Ariel's interest shows on her face, she laughs , smiles, and nods at the right times to show she is paying attention which makes Racetrack happy. Not many people like to hear him speak. His babbling can be known to annoy others. Besides, he doesn't know of many girls who like to hear stories of a day of a newsie.
Yet, unbeknownst to Racetrack, his stories are like fairy tales to her and not the Grimm Brothers' tales. More happy and exciting than she could ever imagine. Before she met him, the climax of her life was probably moving from Italy. But maybe not for long.
After eating, and Ariel paying, because Racetrack payed last time, he leads the way talking up Ariel's expectations along the way.
He quickly explains how to bet as he bets it all on the horse he has a tip on. Ariel is entranced by his words, not just his words, but the way he delivers them. The twinkle of happiness in his eyes, the New York and Italian mixed accent, his hand gestures, and his smile. Ariel takes a mental photo of his right now and wishes to look at it forever. He's like firecrackers on the Fourth of July mashed with New Year's Eve fireworks.
As the two watch the race, Racetrack takes a brief moment to make sure Ariel is enjoying herself. He sees her electric blue eyes filled with content, her grip on the railing nervous about who will win, her hopping at certain times of excitement, and her smile. It's actually adorable how much she loves it, even if they're in the poorer section that's crowded with no seats. But since they're small, they managed to squeeze through to the front. He quickly returns his gaze back to the race before she catches him. "She sure is something..."
Unfortunately, Racetrack's horse came in third but, even though he lost, he walks away with a smile on his face caused by Ariel. Just being with her, a kind, gentle spirit.
He even escorts her to Irving Hall for her job. He is still transfixed on her long translucent fingers that fly across the piano in a complex melody that practically sings. Sometimes he pays more attention to the piano music than the singing or act, other times he pays more attention to her than her music.
He truly finds her extremely attractive inside and outside and just seeing her smile tugs at his heart but there's a hole only to be filled with his mystery girl with the beautiful voice.
After the show, Racetrack insists on walking back withAriel every night due to the dangerous city and the late hour the last show finishes. During such a time, Ariel is practically skipping with a grin plastered on her face.
"I'se guessin' youse enjoyed that, huh?" asks Racetrack. Ariel nods her head.
"Maybe we should continue this tradition more?"
Ariel nods her head violently causing Racetrack to laugh and say, "Careful, don't wanna nod yer head off."
Ariel blushes and touches her neck before one final nod making Racetrack laugh once more.
Jack sees the two walking over in bliss and knows they have a thing for each other, despite Racetrack loving another girl.
"So how was yer day at the track?" Jack asks.
"'Membah that hot tip I told youse 'bout?" Racetrack asks and Jack nods his head. Racetrack hides his smile remembering his encounter with Ariel not too long ago.
"Nobody told the horse." Racetrack delivers the punch line. Ariel playfully rolls her eyes as they walk in.
She watches the newsies play poker because she has never seen it before. The men usually don't play with women in the room, at least high society men don't. These boys even offers her to play but she declines. To tell the truth, she is tired from traveling around the two boroughs all day.
She quickly gets up with the others as it is nearing curfew and pays for her lodging before heading upstairs.
All the boys are quickly changed and in bed before Ariel can even make it to her bunk. She is exhausted along with the others after a nice long productive day but takes her time. As she removes her shoes she notices Racetrack and Bumlets aren't in the room. Barefooted, she looks for them but she shortly after hears their voices on the roof.
Despite knowing it's wrong, Ariel listens on the fire escape unnoticed.
"Youse an' Ariel seems friendly." Bumlets comments.
"Yea she's different... a good different." Racetrack says.
"A lot o' newsies is bettin' on when youse two will be togedda." Bumlets says. He can easily see the connection between the two, as well as several other newsies. He likes them together.
There is a silence that follows before Racetrack whispers, "Youse knows I'se in love wit' someone else."
"No. Youse is in love wit' her voice. Youse barely knows her. Look, I undah-stand what yer feelin'. There's that spark an' all youse wanna do is go for it but youse also hafta be realistic. Youse probably won't see her evah again. But, Ariel is here, an' she's good for youse. Bettah than youse knows who. Youse can loirn ta love her too. There's a special connection an' looks wise, youse could do a lot woise." Bumlets says.
Racetrack listens intensively and actually stops and thinks before answering, "Youse's right. Like usual. But if youse saw or even jus' hoid youse would undah-stand.
"Where did she go?
Where can she be?
When will she come again
Calling to me?
Calling to me...
Calling to me...
Somewhere there's a girl
Who's like the shimmer of the wind upon the water
somewhere there's a girl
Who's like the glimmer of the sunlight on the sea
Somewhere there's a girl
Who's like a swell of endless music
Somewhere she is singing
And her song is meant for me
And her voice
It's sweet as angels sighing
And her voice
It's warm as summer sky
And that sound
It haunts my dreams
And spins me 'round
Until it seems
I'm flying...
Her voice!
I can sense her laughter
In the ripple of the waves against the shoreline
I can see her smiling
In the moonlight as it settles on the sand
I can feel her waiting
Just beyond the pale horizon
Singing out a melody too lovely to withstand
And her voice
It's there as dusk is falling
And her voice
It's there as dawn steals by
Pure and bright, it's always near
All day, all night
And still I hear it calling...
Her voice
Strange as a dream...
Real as the sea...
If you can hear me now
Come set me free...
Come set me free!"
Bumlets listens and nods but does not say more. He isn't sure how to talk some reality into his friend's head. But he now also understands why Racetrack fell in the first place, a person can easily latch onto something brilliant and cling until the end of time but that isn't always the best thing to do. Still Bumlets starts to go inside.
Ariel notices this and hurries to change and she hops into bed as the two newsies make their way down stairs. Her back is to them and she lets one tear slip down her cheek.
"I'm here!" She mentally shouts.
"I may not have my voice but I'm still me! I'm still here! I still love you!"
She feels awful about herself, as Racetrack is blind that she is the girl. She wants to tell him the truth but she's gone this far with lying to him and there's no going backing now. She feels invisible and worthless, likes she only here because of a sob story, one that is only half real. Yes she did lose her voice and she feels abandoned by her family, but it didn't happen in a factory, and she wasn't physically abandoned.
After another tear slips down her face, she drifts off into a dreamless slumber.