Pleeease review? And add ideas? Thanks!!
I don't own the newsies.
The streets were already starting to come alive. Vendors were setting up their stalls, yawning people were trudging to work, and sleepy children were waking up from a night in the streets. I skipped down the streets, saying hi to everyone I came across. Like I said, I like making up games. 3 people had greeted me back when suddenly I stopped and gasped. A flash of silver caught my eye! I looked closer…a quarter! I was rich. I picked it up and did a victory twirl. What a lucky day! First Mush joins my game and next I find a quarter? This must mean that I'll win the bet today. I smiled, pocketed the quarter, and skipped on.
As I passed a vendor setting up a stall with fruit, bread, and muffins, I realized how hungry I was. "Scuse me, could ya give me a plum, a bread, and a muffin?"
The vendor gave me an annoyed look. "Scram, kid. This stuff aint free," he said gruffly.
"I know that. I happen to be the daughter of the president," I stated calmly.
"I said scram," the vendor said, even more aggravated.
I pulled my hat off of my head and let my hair fall out. I gave the vendor my best fake smile. "Alright. See, I am not the president's daughter, but I am that lady's daughter," I said, indicating a fancy looking lady standing across the street, eyeing us. "Daddy wanted us to come test the kindness of vendors in the street, even to kids who look poor like me. I sure have a report to give him!" I began to skip off towards the lady, waiting for him to say something.
"My dear, I was only fooling with you. Come, come! You may have breakfast for free as a payment for my poor behavior," he pleaded, sounding desperate.
I slowly turned around, feigning suspicion. I walked towards him, scrutinizing him with my gaze. He shifted back and forth from foot to foot uncomfortably. "You'll be kind to everyone who comes to your cart?"
He nodded.
"You will offer free food to children who look like they are about to starve to death?"
He grudgingly nodded.
"You will take a bath as soon as your day ends?"
He frowned but nodded. I almost laughed out loud with his easy compliance.
"Good. Now may I have my breakfast, please?"
He handed me my food.
"Now, see this poor child here?" I pointed to a child who was sitting nearby, watching. "What are you going to do for him?"
The man picked up a piece of fruit and walked over to the boy, handing it to him. The boy looked at me and I winked at him. He grinned happily and started eating the fruit. I turned to the vendor. "I like your style," I said, smiling. "It was nice meeting you."
"Likewise," said the vendor, doing his best to sound polite.
"Come on, Charles. Let's go," I said to the boy. "See, this is my brother. He was acting as well. You have passed your test. Daddy will be pleased." With one last smile I grabbed the boys hand and we raced across the street. "Mother, we'll meet you at the park!" I added to try to further convince the vendor.
As soon as we rounded the corner we both burst out laughing. "You're good," the boy said.
"Thank you, thank you," I said. "Hey - we gotta find some way to eat. And that man was too mean. I had to pull somethin' on him."
"What's your name?"
"Pippa. What's yours?"
"Manny. I'se 4. How old are you?"
"7. Where do you live?"
"Oh, on the streets. While my mom is sick I can't be in her apartment."
"What's she sick with?"
"Yellow fever."
"Is she yellow?"
"I'se don't know. Probably. I haven't seen her in months. The doctor said she aint doin' so well."
"I'se sorry."
"S'ok. She wasn't nice when she was well anyways."
"Oh. Well, how do you get stuff to eat?"
"I usually steal. Sometimes people gimme stuff too."
"I can help take care of you if you want."
"Sure. And I'll help take care of you," he said, smiling up at me. I laughed and ruffled his hair.
"You can start by helpin' me sell newspapers!"
"You'se a newsie? I seen 'em around all a da time! They looks pretty tough. You…don't," he stated.
"Hey, I can be tough when I want ta! I mean it too. I'm just as tough as anyone else."
He raised his eyebrows at that but didn't object. "So, how can I help ya ta be a newsies?"
"Well, see it's my first day. And I made a bet with some of dem that I can sell all my papes without lying about the headline."
"Dey lie about da headline?"
"Why sure, they can't figure out how to sell the truth, I guess. I will!"
Manny laughed. "I'll help. Where do we get the papes?"
"It's just down this street and to the right. It's called the 'distribution office'."
"Those are some mighty fancy words," Manny said, big eyed.
"It just means office…where they distribute things. A place where they give things out. 'Cept we have to pay a penny for two papes."
"Got it."
We raced the rest of the way there. I won. Luck was sure on my side that day. The gates were already closed when we got there, so we sat down and talked about each other. He told me about his life, his favorite foods, and experiences he's had…and I told him mine. I told him about the newsies, too, and he can't wait to meet Jack. Manny is an adorable little kid. He has dark brown sort of longish hair, golden tan skin, and deep dimples. He's scrawny, like me, but likes to show off his growing muscles. I came to love him in the mere half hour we were at the gates together.
Suddenly a pair of arms lifted me up and spun me around. I squealed and laughed. It was Magnet. "Good morning," I said brightly.
"Someone sure is a morning person," Magnet said, his eyes sparkling. "You've had Jack worried sick."
"He keeps me under constant watch! It's no fair!"
"It is completely fair," a voice spoke from behind me. I whirled around to see Jack standing there with his arms folded. I did one of the only things I thought may make him not mad at me.
I ran over to him and jumped into his arms, saying, "Good morning Jacky! Didja have a good sleep?" And I kissed him on the cheek. I looked at him with my biggest puppy dog look eyes.
"You are a piece of work," Jack laughed.
Suddenly I remembered Manny. I leapt out of Jack's arms and took Manny's hand. "This is Manny. I'm gonna help take care of him. Manny this is Jack, and that's Magnet."
Manny shyly nodded and waved hello.
Jack said, "How ya doin' lil guy?"
"Good." Came Manny's feeble reply.
The newsies arrived at the gate in groups. Soon Mush, Race, Skittery, and some other guys came. Mush and I exchanged knowing smiles, we had a whole other world together. Race said, "So is da bet still on, Miss Pippa?"
"Of course. I'm getting fifty papes, and I'll sell 'em all without lying."
Everyone laughed again. "Pip," Jack asked, confused. "Where'll you get a quarter?"
I pulled the metal from my pocket and displayed it to everyone. "I found it on the street! Luck is with me today."
"Ya, we'll see about dat," Skittery said with a smile. Skittery? Smiling in the morning? I leaned that that was a pretty rare sight.
Suddenly the gates opened and a bell rung. Everyone shuffled into line to get their papes. Today we stood impatiently in line; me anxious to prove them wrong and them anxious to prove themselves right. Manny and I were ready.