a/n: Rewritten on May 3, 2018
honestly, this isn't my best chapter but you always need a filler before you get to the good stuff
Chapter 6: Seize the Day
Someone knocked on the door, "Occupied!" she said as her voice broke.
"Dat you, Bolt?"
"Go away, Jack, I'm takin' a piss!" she slurred through her teeth, gripping the side of the sink until her knuckles turned white.
"I know you ain't takin' no piss-"
"Leave me alone!"
Jack burst through the door and shut the door behind him quickly. He placed his hands on his hips and looked at her with concern. The tear trails down her cheeks were enough to make him sigh and ask her, "Whatchya thinkin' about, Kace?"
She pushed him back against the wooden door, "None o' your damn business," she growled.
Jack put his hands up, "Okay, fine, but you at least gotta let me stay with you until you're done."
Kacey let out a frustrated cry, "Nobody ever lets me t'ink things through on my own! I'm tired of you and everyone else treatin' me like some kind of kid-"
"We are kids!" he yelled back.
"Maybe I wanna cry alone, Jack! Maybe I want to figyah this out on my own without you or anyone else tellin' me to calm down!" she screamed.
Jack began to approach her with that look on his face, the one she hated so much. The one where he would take her shoulders and tell her to calm down and that everything was going to be okay. That she could cry if she wanted to, but that was not what she wanted to do. Her hand curled into a fist and she pulled it back. Jack ducked just in time as her fist came flying forward.
Jack staggered back and glared at her, "Don't do dat,"
Kacey challenged him with a glare of her own, "Maybe that's how I feel, Cowboy."
"You're a stubborn bitch when you're drunk, you know dat?" he said.
"Get out!"
Jack lunged at her.
Kacey took him by the collar and pressed her lips to his. For a moment he stood still and angered before slowly kissing her back. This was the moment she had been both dreading and dreaming of for three years.
It was so wrong, he was practically her brother. But her mind was swirling and all she could think of was how soft his lips were and the taste of whiskey that still lingered on them. He pushed her back against the sink and deepened the kiss, her arms wrapping around his middle and clinging to his suspenders.
Kacey knew Jack didn't feel the same about her, he never had. Jack was drunk and she knew he got emotional when he was and she was taking advantage of that. But her drunken mind kept reassuring her that this would be long-forgotten by the morning.
The handle jiggled and before the could break apart, Skittery stood in the doorway with wide eyes. Kacey pushed Jack away with short breaths, "Skittery, it's not what you-"
"I know what I saw!" Skittery exclaimed with a pointed finger at Jack, "You and Alexander?"
Jack shook his head, "It ain't like that, Skit-"
"Then what was that?" their friend exclaimed with furrowed brows.
Kacey pulled Skittery into the now crowded room and slammed the door shut behind her. With fumbling hands and tears threatening to spill, she pulled off her cap and unpinned her hair. Her jagged layers and curls traveled just barely over her shoulders and Skittery's eyes grew wider.
"This is what ya saw," she whispered.
Skittery shook his head, "All this time?"
"If you tell one soul, I'll murdah ya." she snarled at him, balling his collar in her fist and shoving him against the wall.
He nodded his head slowly, "Why didn't you just tell me, Bolt?"
Jack left the room before her explanation could begin.
"So I says, 'We can escort ourselves out!'"
"That's when the guards grabbed us," Les said with his mouth full of food.
"Doesn't it scare you? Going up against the most powerful man in New York?" Denton asked with curiosity. Jack scoffed and laughed a little, leaning back in his chair.
"Yeah, look at me, I'm tremblin'!" Jack said with sarcasm anda grin, Kacey rolled her eyes.
Denton's eyes flickered to the girl, "You're awful quiet, what are your thoughts on this?"
She leaned back in her chair next to David and took a long drag from her cigarette. David was irritated at her blatant ignoring of Denton and couldn't figure out why she was doing it. He snatched the smoke from her mouth, "Alexander smokes too much,"
Kacey smacked the back of his head with a deadly glare, "Don't touch my cigs, got it?" she took it back from his hand, "I t'ink the violence is unnecessary but I won't stop fightin' 'til I get my papes back."
Denton nodded, "Seems like you all have a lot of passion for this and what's even more impressive is that you're all children."
"Children have rights, too," Kacey said, crossing her arms over her chest.
"And I agree," Denton responded with a small smile. He handed David his card and stood from the table, "Keep me informed, I want to know everything that happens."
David stood and shook his hand, grinning, "Are we really an important story?"
"What's important? A year ago, I covered the war in Cuba, charging up San Juan Hill with Colonel Roosevelt, a very important story. Now it doesn't seem so important, except Teddy's our governor and probably on his way to the White House. Is the Newsies strike important?" he paused to smile at the four, "It all depends on you."
"My name really gonna be in the papers?" Jack asked and Denton turned to him.
"Any objections?" he asked with a smile as he was handed his coat.
"Not as long as you get it right, it's Kelly. Jack Kelly." Jack announced as Denton nodded with a chuckle, "And Denton? No pictures."
Denton nodded his head and shrugged with a smile, "Sure, sure." And with that, the man left. David turned to them and rubbed his hands together.
"Well, what now?"
"To Brooklyn," Kacey said as she stood and smoothed out her shirt. She approached the taller boy and pushed him backward roughly, "Don't ever touch my cigarettes-"
"You already told me that," he grumbled, "You don't need to smoke so much, though."
"You don't make that decision for me, got it?" she threatened, standing on her toes and eyeing him. David held his hands up in defense and backed away.
Jack placed a hand on her shoulder and pulled her back onto her heels, "Cool down, Bolt."
She shrugged his hand off and left the restaurant, lighting up another cigarette outside. She breathed in the smoke and felt her nerves calming instantly. She had been on her own and making her own decisions since she was little, she didn't need some boy she barely knew trying to order her around. No one did that to her, she didn't stand for it.
The bell to the door rang and she knew the boys would be ready to leave. She sucked in what remained of her smoke and turned to face them, David wouldn't look her in the eye, "So, to Brooklyn?" she asked cheerfully.
"I'm comin' too!" Les shouted as he jumped onto Kacey's back.
"Oh no, you ain't!" Kacey said as she scooped the boy over her shoulders. The two ran ahead, she was going to go and drop him off at the lodgehouse.
David stared after her, "She's good with the kids,"
"Hm," was all Jack said as he eyed David, "Yeah, she's real good with 'em. Treats 'em like real kids."
"Real kids?"
"Ya know like they ain't street rats," Jack said.
"How long has she been a newsie?" David asked as they walked up to the lodgehouse.
Jack sighed, "Why all da questions? Four years," he retorted in an annoyed voice.
Four years of good memories and friendships that he knew would never end. He could feel his face heating up at those memories and he cleared his throat. David kicked at loose pebbles on the ground and shoved his hands into his pockets, "Just wondering," he said.
They approached the Lodgehouse just as she exited with Boots in tow. They set off for Brooklyn with heavy feet and little talking. It took about ten minutes to reach the bridge and David gazed in wonder as they began to walk across it. Jack and Boots walked ahead of David and Kacey.
"I've never been to Brooklyn before, have you?" he asked as Kacey chuckled.
"Nope." She responded with a smile.
David seemed surprised, "Really?"
"Really, Jack won't evah let me go here. Too risky." She said as Jack threw her a smile from in front.
"Then why are you goin' today?" David questioned.
"This is serious business and I trust Bolt," Jack said as he and Boots stopped to lean over the side of the bridge.
"This Spot Conlon guy, is he really as bad as they say?" David asked as he too leaned over the side.
The other three laughed as they stopped to observe the busy river below.
"Did I say something funny? Is he bad or not?" David asked.
Kacey sighed, "I don't think it's Conlon that's bad, I think it's some of his cronies."
Jack nodded but decided to lighten the subject, "Hey, watch this!" he said as he hit David's shoulder. The other two knew what he was going to do so leaning over the side a little farther, they let out screams and let the sound echo down to the river below.
"Dusty!" a friend called out from the water. Alex DeWitt hung his head over the edge of the dock to see who it was.
"Looks like we got some Manhattan visitahs," the newsie said as he swam to the ladder.
Alex whipped around, his blonde hair flipping over his head. Smirking to himself, he stood and tossed his friend a towel. Four Manhattan newsies were approaching cautiously, earning quite a few glares from the Brooklyn boys.
What were they doing here unplanned? Crossing enemy lines for sure, they were in for it. The four approached the docks and briskly walked past the boys stalking closely behind and in front of them.
"Where ya goin', Kelly?" Alex's friend left his side and stepped in front of the frustrated newsie.
Jack rolled his eyes and kept pushing past.
Jumping down from his high spot on the dock, Spot Conlon met the four on a lower dock, "Well if it ain't Jack be nimble, Jack be quick," Conlon greeted as Jack looked at him with a somber face.
"You're movin' up in da world, Spot. Got an ocean view and everythin'." Jack teased as he pointed to Spot's lookout. Spot nodded in pride and smiled, spat in his hand, and stuck it out to Jack who gratefully accepted it, "Sorry to come on short notice without a birdie to warn ya."
"Got ya some real good shooters here," Boots interrupted as he handed Spot some marbles. The Brooklyn leader nodded and pulled out his slingshot. David watched nervously as the boy pulled back with a pebble in the rubber band.
"Ain't no problem Jack, I'm hearin' things from otha birdies in Harlem and Queens and all over." He released the pebble and shattered a beer bottle on the ledge above them. David flinched as it soared past him, he was shaking a little, "They're chirpin' in my ear that Jackie-boy's newsies are playin' like they're goin' on strike." Conlon turned to Jack with a smirk.
David frowned, "We're not playing. We are on strike, it's-" David stopped mid sentenced when he saw Spot's eyes flick to him and glare daggers.
Spot marched over to David's side. Sure, David towered over the King of Brooklyn, but David wasn't going to take any chances here.
"What's this, Jackie-boy? Some kind of, walkin' mouth?" Spot stared up at David.
"Yeah, it's a mouth with a brain, and if ya got half of one you'll listen. Tell 'im, Davey." Jack patted his back and stepped towards Kacey, who was staring at David with an encouraging look.
David cleared his throat and turned to Spot, "Uh, we started the strike. But, we can't do it alone. We've been talkin' to newsies all over the city-"
"So they told me. And what did they tell you?" Spot pushed his cane into David's chest.
"That, they're all waiting to see what Spot Conlon does, that you're the key!" David suddenly began to gain confidence, and Spot seemed pleased with this answer, "That Spot Conlon is the most respected and, and famous! Most famous newsie in New York, and probably everywhere else." He paused as he looked at Jack, Kacey, and Boots, who were all smirking at him, "And, if Spot Conlon joins the strike, they'll join and we'll be unstoppable. So you gotta join and, well," he paused with a pleading look, "You gotta."
Spot nodded in respect and looked at Jack, "You're right, brains," David straightened up, "But I've got brains, too, and more than half of one! How do I know you punks won't run the first time some goon comes at you with a club? How do I know you're in it to win?" Spot pressured as Jack shook his head.
"Cause, I'm tellin' you."
"Not good enough, Jacky-boy. You gotta show me," Spot responded as he began to walk away. Jack sighed and let out a small growl, Kacey was fuming but David and Boots sighed in relief.
"Maybe you lost your guts, Spotty-boy. Or maybe you traded 'em to some chicken for that beak of yours!" Kacey suddenly exclaimed.
Spot turned on his heel slowly, his newsboys stiffening.
"Maybe you gotta show us you're not afraid to join the strike!" she shouted again as Spot walked up to her, slowly and angrily. He barely came up to her neck.
"Nice try, pal, but that's just what I'm talkin' about." He pushed the girl back with his cane, "And who's dis, Jacky-boy?" Spot questioned as Jack glared at him. David shifted his weight from one foot to the other as Spot approached Kacey, who was standing straight and barely topped the Brooklynite's height.
If that boy made one wrong move, David was ready to fight.
"This would be Bolt," Jack said.
Spot nodded, "I've heard your name on the streets," he said as he circled around the girl and pressed his cane into her back, "But what's your real name?"
Bolt let out a breath, "Alexander."
Spot spit into his hand and Kacey returned the gesture before they shook on it, "You got a good grip, Alexander."
"You gotta when you work on da streets," she responded with a smirk.
Spot laughed, "Alright, I like this kid enough but not his mouth."
She scoffed, "Sorry to disappoint ya, Conlon."
"Watch it," Spot threatened with a softening glare, "I said I liked ya enough,"
Jack placed a hand on Kacey's shoulder and pulled her to his side, "So, you in, Spotty?
Spot considered everything as he swung his cane back and forth. His bright blue eyes met Jack's, "Show me this strike ain't just some kids do-or-dare, then we'll talk."
Jack agreed and once again shook hands on it with Spot before leaving the docks. Spot whistled and called one of his most trusted newsboys to his side.
"Dust, I want you to follow 'em and tell me if they're serious 'bout this."
"Aye, aye, Conlon," he responded with obedience before trailing behind them at a distance.
"Spot didn't seem too bad," David said as they crossed back into Manhattan territory.
"He can get down and doity when he needs to," Kacey said, "His boys are loyal and put up a good fight."
"Has there ever been a big fight between Manhattan and Brooklyn newsies?" David asked.
Jack nodded, "Before Conlon was leadah we'se was mortal enemies, you could say."
"They had spies," Boots recalled, "If our nose was over territory lines. . ." he trailed off, shivering.
"They paid no mercy," Kacey said as she slung an arm around Boots.
David looked away and said nothing more, it was obvious that Boots was uncomfortable on the subject so he decided to ask Jack or Kacey on their own time. He couldn't imagine being scared to sell on your own block.
When they arrived back at the Greeley statue the boys were gathered around it, but they sure didn't look like they were on strike. Jack looked appalled at the activities, and Kacey ran over to Crutchy. On a bed sheet, he had painted a portrait of Pulitzer in red paint.
"We're supposed to be boycotting 'im and bringing him down, not paintin' him fancy portraits!" Kacey exclaimed as she snatched the brush from his hand. Crutchy snatched it back.
"I know, but we'll burn it latah!" he retorted. Jack and David soon joined her side, examining the portrait. Jack looked all around him in frustration, shaking his head.
"We are so not ready for this," David sighed.
"In ya own words, Davey, we can't rush 'em all into it," she said to him.
"But we have to be serious about this if we wanna win!"
"Loosen your suspendahs, Jacobs," she said as she nudged his side.
Racetrack joined their small group and offered Kacey a fresh pack of cigarettes, which she gladly took. He lit his own cigar before hers and looked around them.
"So, where's Spot Conlon?" he asked, the three all looked at each other wearily.
The boys got quiet and began to gather around them and Jack obviously grew frustrated again.
He let out a laugh, "He was concerned about us bein' serious, ya imagine that?"
"Without Spot and the others, there ain't enough of us!" Kid Blink exclaimed.
Mush nodded his head frantically, "Maybe we're movin' too soon, maybe we ain't ready!" he stopped short at the glare Jack shot at him, "Definitely shoulda put this off a couple o' days, definitely-"
The boys around Mush agreed and began to holler at Jack for rushing them into this. Kacey crossed her arms David caught the I told you so look that she gave him.
Jack threw up his arms, "Who're we kiddin' here? Spot was right, it's just a game to you guys!"
The boys instantly silenced and weary eyes searched Jack's own for an answer.
Across the way at the WDC, the gates opened. Some of the boys stiffened as the smell of ink and fresh papers filled the air. Even Kacey couldn't help the nervousness in the pit of her stomach. This was money the boys were giving away to strike.
"Seize the day!"
Everyone turned to look back at David, who stood next to Jack awkwardly.
Kacey came up behind him, "S'that it?" she asked.
David stood silently for a few more seconds before crying out, "STRIKE!"
