DISCLAIMER: Nope, the characters have yet to belong to me, except for
Runner, Rosary, and the others not in Newsies. Disney owns the rest. :sigh:
A.N.: The update took a long time because I was in New York for XMAS! YaaaaaY! Merry Christmas, by the way, to all my reviewers out there! I hope you goils had a great a holiday, and here's wishes to enjoy a New Year. :Spot and Jack blow kisses to everyone: On another note, has anyone seen 'Gangs of New York' yet? I've been wanting to see it for a while, as it pertains to this story in a way, but I haven't gotten a chance! :pouts: Will someone tell me if it's really good? Thanks ya'll!
When Brooklyn Needed A Rosary
Spot lowered himself onto the booth beside Blink, giving his weary legs a rest, and risked a glance at Rosary across the restaurant as she leaned over to give Racetrack a peck on the cheek in warmhearted greeting. His heart seemed to quiver with jealousy at this second long action, and it made him feel less powerful as the leader everyone feared across the state. Those lips...they were soft and inviting. When the girl had kissed him, he experienced an exuberant wanting surge through him. As much as he tried to resist the warmth, he had wanted to deepen the kiss. He had wanted to lean her backwards in his arms and be consumed with passionate desire.
He groaned at the ideas. 'It was just a diversion,' he thought grumpily. That fact seemed all for the better. He hated how this girl reached out to his heart with invisible tendrils and squeezed it mercilessly, as if to drain away all the hatred that had once dwelled there. She was slowly getting to him, and he was aware of it all the while, but there was nothing he could do to stop it. Try as he did, her innocent eyes still filled him with shame, her childlike smile still awakened in him forgotten joy, and her remarkable beauty still stirred up feelings within him he had never thought he had.
He found himself staring at her now, studying the class by which she conducted herself. The proper posture of a lady, and the delicate handling of the silverware before her. Suddenly, she happened to look his way and catch his look. Embarrassed, he quickly diverted his gaze to the menu he was holding and nearly blushed.
Rosary furrowed her eyebrows at this. What had all that been about? She waited for Spot to put down his menu, but seeing how he was now entranced by the selections he had to choose from for lunch, she returned to the conversation she was presently having with Race.
"So how's that book comin along?"
"Ah, quite nicely, thank you," she replied with a grin. "I've come to the last few chapters of the novel and I can hardly wait to finish! It's been an enjoyable read so far."
Race laughed at her obvious pleasure of reading. "Ya know, I'se never knew a newsgoil who talked as proper as youse. How is it that ya don't have the rough accents Harlem has practically perfected?"
"Oh it's actually quite simple. As my mother believes in a proper education for young ladies, she pays a woman to give me private lessons in grammar, social studies, mathematics, and the whole lot. I'm on break, though, for the holidays and so I sell papers during this time to help my family maintain a stable income."
She took a sip of the soda pop she had ordered and sat back comfortably in her booth. She wondered how things were fairing back home with her devastating absence. What had Marcello said to their mother to comfort the aged woman? It was all schemes, she knew it. A believable story about how Rosary had probably taken up an internship at a learning institution had most definitely been devised by the clever gang leader.
"Ya muddah sounds like me uncle. He's always tryin tah get me tah come ovah his restaurant for family dinners and such. But I'se told 'im I like the newsie life, ya know? He's offered me a room in his house, an education, everything youse could imagine! But it just wouldn't be the same without me pals at my side."
Rosary sighed in content. She loved being in Race's company. The boy was so kind and gentle, and had a wonderful personality that shone like a brilliant light. She was glad she had befriended him during her first days as a Brooklyn newsie; she did not know how she would have survived without him. With news of a monthly dance soon approaching, hosted by a kindly woman named Medda, Racetrack and her seemed a likely couple and the girl would say yes to his asking her out in an instant, assuming he did ask her- which she hoped he would. "Where does your family live?"
"Actually, they's live in Harlem," he replied, just now realizing the irony of it all. "Maybe youse knows some of me cousins. The uncle I was tellin ya about was just heah too! I wish he had stayed longer so that I could've introduced ya tah him."
Rosary's smiled dropped. "Your uncle was just here? As in, a few days ago, or a few minutes ago?"
"Uh...two minutes at the most. Why?"
"Oh my god, oh my god!" She covered her mouth with trembling hands and her eyes widened in disbelief. This could not be happening!
"What's the mattah?!"
She tried to regain calmness, but was far from it. Of all things to be discovered in her friendship with Race, it had to be this?! "What's his name?" she nearly cried out.
"Romano..."
She yelped, as if in pain. "Tony Romano..." It came out as a whisper and the dreamy look that was ever present in her eyes was immediately crushed.
"Heya, how'd ya know his name? He's a neighbor of yours?" Race did not understand the graveness of the situation. What was the big deal?
"No, no, no." She wanted to cry. Why could it not have been someone else? Why Race? Why the one she was steadily falling in love with? At last, she looked him in the eyes and with an exasperated air, exclaimed, "He's my uncle as well." Race only stared at her unblinkingly. "I just saw him leaving Manhattan as Spot and I were heading this way. That's why I asked you the time of his departure."
Race started laughing of a sudden and slammed his hands onto the table with much happiness. "Then why are ya so sad, goil? We'se cousins! Damn, which one is youse? Marie? Elaine? Anna?"
"Eva," she muttered dejectedly.
"Eva!" He pulled her up from where she was sitting and threw his arms around her small frame. "Eva, I aint seen youse since we'se were little kids! Wow, I didn't even recognize ya! Youse grown up a lot." He pulled away from her, only to hug her again. "Ya probably don't remember me, I'se Anthony! I can't believe this, what a surprise!"
She managed a light laugh and returned his hug. "Ah yes, Anthony. Mama' often speaks of you. I believe you're her favorite nephew, though she admits she has not seen you in over a decade!" Letting the anger fuel from her, she smacked his arm with only a slight does of playfulness. "Why did you never visit? You could've been cordial enough to at least drop in every now and then for a dinner!"
His absence was not what bothered her though, but rather the fact that the pain she now felt could have been prevented had Race been an active member in the family. She was now disgusted by her feelings for him, and felt impure in a way, even though the two had never done anything beyond innocent kisses solely aimed for the cheeks.
Race shrugged, not understanding anything. "What does it mattah? We'se reunited now!" He laughed and kissed the back of her hand, happy to be in the midst of a relative from his own generation.
* * * * *
As Rosary read the last chapter of "Crime and Punishment", she found that her mind was not focused on the story, but rather on the sad reality of her relations to Racetrack. Such a tragedy it was, having finally met someone compatible with her ways only to unearth a forgotten family tie. She glanced at Spot seated at the desk in his room, as he scribbled illegible letters on a piece of paper. That was another thing she hated; Spot Conlon acting as if her presence did not mean a single thing to him.
"What are you doing?" Setting her book aside, she sat up in her bed and prayed that he would continue the conversation she had willingly began.
"Milking a cow," he said sarcastically, and with disdain. "What does it look like I'se doing? I'se writin a lettah!"
She was grateful that he had at least answered. Maybe the hostility was wearing off. "And who will have the honor of receiving this letter?"
Spot looked back at her, hoping to see mockery in her face so that he could bark an insult out at her, but unfortunately, she was as placid as a dove. "As a mattah of fact, it's fer ya bruddah."
"What does it say?!" That certainly had awakened her. She jumped out of the bed and rushed to his side, meaning to snatch the letter out of his hands. "Tell me!"
"Don't get all excited," he said with a smirk. "Though I wouldn't mind youse feelin that way latah tonight." His smirked grew wicked and he reveled when she obviously felt violated. "It's mostly obscenities, but there's a few woids in there havin tah do wid me killin his sorry ass if he doesn't give me the newest addition tah his gang."
"I don't think Marcello would have included your cousin into such an elite assemblage. No offense, but Runner does not look like the type who would do so much as to even think of killing someone." She crossed her arms and glared at him.
Spot rolled his eyes and continued writing the letter as he spoke. "Listen, if I'se gots me a gang, I'se gunna recruit whatever kid I'se can get me hands on. Shoah Runnah probably aint killin nobody, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's the brains behind all their schemes."
"What else does it say?"
"Youse is so annoying, ya know that?" Nevertheless, he scanned over the sentences to pick up on anything he had missed. "Oh yea, I'se offering him a truce, but if he don't want it, I'se makin him aware that me and three or four other boroughs is gunna tear down his territory when he least expects it."
Rosary looked at him incredously. "Oh yea, that's brilliant, Spot! 'Dear Marcello, could you be so kind as to send over that small blonde kid that joined your newsies not too long ago? Oh, by the way, back off or I'll murder you and all your idiotic followers. Sincerely, His High and Mighty'. If only all leaders could think like you!"
"That's it, I'se had about enough..."
"No, listen to me! Listen to how stupid you are being right now! Does it not dawn on you at all just how suspicious Marcello will be when you request that he send Runner to Brooklyn? I mean, here comes this seemingly nice kid who cooperates with everyone and wishes no harm, but then all of a sudden, Spot Conlon wants him? God, do you ever think, or has your brain retired from the task? It's bad enough that your cousin and you are virtually identical! Who knows what lie the kid had to make up to cover for that, now you're only putting his life in further danger!"
She was going to pause to take a breath, but when she saw Spot open his mouth to object, she continued on. "And exactly what kind of truce did you even offer?" She stole the letter from him and read as much as she could before he pushed her away and recovered it. The little she had gained was enough. "Banishment?! You're going to exile him from New York? You honestly think he will accept that offer? I can't believe how you could think that's even in your power!"
"Would ya shut up already?! Youse givin me a headache!" Spot grabbed her wrist and tightened his fingers around it so that she drew breath in pain. "Foist of all, if youse ever question me intelligence again, I swear tah God I'll strangle you wid me own hands. And as for me exiling ya damn bruddah, youse obviously don't know the extent of me power. I'se can have boys put in the refuge on the mere basis that I'se just don't like them. I'se can snap me fingers and have five messengers be ready tah heed my orders. I've exiled joiks before, doll face; I'se won't have a problem doing it again."
She broke free from his grasp with a swift turn of her arm and stepped back. "You're a pig," she spat at him, and grabbing her pillow and blankets, she proceeded to exit the room.
"Where do youse thinks ya going?!"
"I much rather sleep in the girls' bunkroom and so I will." She placed her hand on the doorknob, but Spot pushed her back and blocked her way.
"Ya just don't walk outta heah when ya feel like it. I'se ya leadah heah, and you'll ask me if youse can do things 'fore ya do them. Understood?"
Rosary glared at him and wanted so much to put a bruise on his arrogant face. Through clenched teeth, she said, "all right then, your highness, do I have your permission to sleep elsewhere tonight?"
Spot smiled at having humbled the girl and looked at the ceiling in thought. "Hmmm, any reason why ya wanna?"
"I fear I may vomit from disgust if I stay in this hellhole any longer." She fully expected him to slap her hard on, or to at least shove her to the floor. But much to her surprise, he only gave her a blank look as he opened the door behind him and let her pass through.
* * * * *
Aww, shucks! They're back to fighting again. But look! The next chapter smells heavily of apologies and...love? Muahahaha! SUBMIT a REVIEW and you might find out soon! C'mon, kids, keep those REVIEWS rolling in! REVIEW REVIEW! Please? Please? A lot of REVIEWS for a belated Christmas Gift? Kisses from Spot for all my reviewers!!! Love ya all!
A.N.: The update took a long time because I was in New York for XMAS! YaaaaaY! Merry Christmas, by the way, to all my reviewers out there! I hope you goils had a great a holiday, and here's wishes to enjoy a New Year. :Spot and Jack blow kisses to everyone: On another note, has anyone seen 'Gangs of New York' yet? I've been wanting to see it for a while, as it pertains to this story in a way, but I haven't gotten a chance! :pouts: Will someone tell me if it's really good? Thanks ya'll!
When Brooklyn Needed A Rosary
Spot lowered himself onto the booth beside Blink, giving his weary legs a rest, and risked a glance at Rosary across the restaurant as she leaned over to give Racetrack a peck on the cheek in warmhearted greeting. His heart seemed to quiver with jealousy at this second long action, and it made him feel less powerful as the leader everyone feared across the state. Those lips...they were soft and inviting. When the girl had kissed him, he experienced an exuberant wanting surge through him. As much as he tried to resist the warmth, he had wanted to deepen the kiss. He had wanted to lean her backwards in his arms and be consumed with passionate desire.
He groaned at the ideas. 'It was just a diversion,' he thought grumpily. That fact seemed all for the better. He hated how this girl reached out to his heart with invisible tendrils and squeezed it mercilessly, as if to drain away all the hatred that had once dwelled there. She was slowly getting to him, and he was aware of it all the while, but there was nothing he could do to stop it. Try as he did, her innocent eyes still filled him with shame, her childlike smile still awakened in him forgotten joy, and her remarkable beauty still stirred up feelings within him he had never thought he had.
He found himself staring at her now, studying the class by which she conducted herself. The proper posture of a lady, and the delicate handling of the silverware before her. Suddenly, she happened to look his way and catch his look. Embarrassed, he quickly diverted his gaze to the menu he was holding and nearly blushed.
Rosary furrowed her eyebrows at this. What had all that been about? She waited for Spot to put down his menu, but seeing how he was now entranced by the selections he had to choose from for lunch, she returned to the conversation she was presently having with Race.
"So how's that book comin along?"
"Ah, quite nicely, thank you," she replied with a grin. "I've come to the last few chapters of the novel and I can hardly wait to finish! It's been an enjoyable read so far."
Race laughed at her obvious pleasure of reading. "Ya know, I'se never knew a newsgoil who talked as proper as youse. How is it that ya don't have the rough accents Harlem has practically perfected?"
"Oh it's actually quite simple. As my mother believes in a proper education for young ladies, she pays a woman to give me private lessons in grammar, social studies, mathematics, and the whole lot. I'm on break, though, for the holidays and so I sell papers during this time to help my family maintain a stable income."
She took a sip of the soda pop she had ordered and sat back comfortably in her booth. She wondered how things were fairing back home with her devastating absence. What had Marcello said to their mother to comfort the aged woman? It was all schemes, she knew it. A believable story about how Rosary had probably taken up an internship at a learning institution had most definitely been devised by the clever gang leader.
"Ya muddah sounds like me uncle. He's always tryin tah get me tah come ovah his restaurant for family dinners and such. But I'se told 'im I like the newsie life, ya know? He's offered me a room in his house, an education, everything youse could imagine! But it just wouldn't be the same without me pals at my side."
Rosary sighed in content. She loved being in Race's company. The boy was so kind and gentle, and had a wonderful personality that shone like a brilliant light. She was glad she had befriended him during her first days as a Brooklyn newsie; she did not know how she would have survived without him. With news of a monthly dance soon approaching, hosted by a kindly woman named Medda, Racetrack and her seemed a likely couple and the girl would say yes to his asking her out in an instant, assuming he did ask her- which she hoped he would. "Where does your family live?"
"Actually, they's live in Harlem," he replied, just now realizing the irony of it all. "Maybe youse knows some of me cousins. The uncle I was tellin ya about was just heah too! I wish he had stayed longer so that I could've introduced ya tah him."
Rosary's smiled dropped. "Your uncle was just here? As in, a few days ago, or a few minutes ago?"
"Uh...two minutes at the most. Why?"
"Oh my god, oh my god!" She covered her mouth with trembling hands and her eyes widened in disbelief. This could not be happening!
"What's the mattah?!"
She tried to regain calmness, but was far from it. Of all things to be discovered in her friendship with Race, it had to be this?! "What's his name?" she nearly cried out.
"Romano..."
She yelped, as if in pain. "Tony Romano..." It came out as a whisper and the dreamy look that was ever present in her eyes was immediately crushed.
"Heya, how'd ya know his name? He's a neighbor of yours?" Race did not understand the graveness of the situation. What was the big deal?
"No, no, no." She wanted to cry. Why could it not have been someone else? Why Race? Why the one she was steadily falling in love with? At last, she looked him in the eyes and with an exasperated air, exclaimed, "He's my uncle as well." Race only stared at her unblinkingly. "I just saw him leaving Manhattan as Spot and I were heading this way. That's why I asked you the time of his departure."
Race started laughing of a sudden and slammed his hands onto the table with much happiness. "Then why are ya so sad, goil? We'se cousins! Damn, which one is youse? Marie? Elaine? Anna?"
"Eva," she muttered dejectedly.
"Eva!" He pulled her up from where she was sitting and threw his arms around her small frame. "Eva, I aint seen youse since we'se were little kids! Wow, I didn't even recognize ya! Youse grown up a lot." He pulled away from her, only to hug her again. "Ya probably don't remember me, I'se Anthony! I can't believe this, what a surprise!"
She managed a light laugh and returned his hug. "Ah yes, Anthony. Mama' often speaks of you. I believe you're her favorite nephew, though she admits she has not seen you in over a decade!" Letting the anger fuel from her, she smacked his arm with only a slight does of playfulness. "Why did you never visit? You could've been cordial enough to at least drop in every now and then for a dinner!"
His absence was not what bothered her though, but rather the fact that the pain she now felt could have been prevented had Race been an active member in the family. She was now disgusted by her feelings for him, and felt impure in a way, even though the two had never done anything beyond innocent kisses solely aimed for the cheeks.
Race shrugged, not understanding anything. "What does it mattah? We'se reunited now!" He laughed and kissed the back of her hand, happy to be in the midst of a relative from his own generation.
* * * * *
As Rosary read the last chapter of "Crime and Punishment", she found that her mind was not focused on the story, but rather on the sad reality of her relations to Racetrack. Such a tragedy it was, having finally met someone compatible with her ways only to unearth a forgotten family tie. She glanced at Spot seated at the desk in his room, as he scribbled illegible letters on a piece of paper. That was another thing she hated; Spot Conlon acting as if her presence did not mean a single thing to him.
"What are you doing?" Setting her book aside, she sat up in her bed and prayed that he would continue the conversation she had willingly began.
"Milking a cow," he said sarcastically, and with disdain. "What does it look like I'se doing? I'se writin a lettah!"
She was grateful that he had at least answered. Maybe the hostility was wearing off. "And who will have the honor of receiving this letter?"
Spot looked back at her, hoping to see mockery in her face so that he could bark an insult out at her, but unfortunately, she was as placid as a dove. "As a mattah of fact, it's fer ya bruddah."
"What does it say?!" That certainly had awakened her. She jumped out of the bed and rushed to his side, meaning to snatch the letter out of his hands. "Tell me!"
"Don't get all excited," he said with a smirk. "Though I wouldn't mind youse feelin that way latah tonight." His smirked grew wicked and he reveled when she obviously felt violated. "It's mostly obscenities, but there's a few woids in there havin tah do wid me killin his sorry ass if he doesn't give me the newest addition tah his gang."
"I don't think Marcello would have included your cousin into such an elite assemblage. No offense, but Runner does not look like the type who would do so much as to even think of killing someone." She crossed her arms and glared at him.
Spot rolled his eyes and continued writing the letter as he spoke. "Listen, if I'se gots me a gang, I'se gunna recruit whatever kid I'se can get me hands on. Shoah Runnah probably aint killin nobody, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's the brains behind all their schemes."
"What else does it say?"
"Youse is so annoying, ya know that?" Nevertheless, he scanned over the sentences to pick up on anything he had missed. "Oh yea, I'se offering him a truce, but if he don't want it, I'se makin him aware that me and three or four other boroughs is gunna tear down his territory when he least expects it."
Rosary looked at him incredously. "Oh yea, that's brilliant, Spot! 'Dear Marcello, could you be so kind as to send over that small blonde kid that joined your newsies not too long ago? Oh, by the way, back off or I'll murder you and all your idiotic followers. Sincerely, His High and Mighty'. If only all leaders could think like you!"
"That's it, I'se had about enough..."
"No, listen to me! Listen to how stupid you are being right now! Does it not dawn on you at all just how suspicious Marcello will be when you request that he send Runner to Brooklyn? I mean, here comes this seemingly nice kid who cooperates with everyone and wishes no harm, but then all of a sudden, Spot Conlon wants him? God, do you ever think, or has your brain retired from the task? It's bad enough that your cousin and you are virtually identical! Who knows what lie the kid had to make up to cover for that, now you're only putting his life in further danger!"
She was going to pause to take a breath, but when she saw Spot open his mouth to object, she continued on. "And exactly what kind of truce did you even offer?" She stole the letter from him and read as much as she could before he pushed her away and recovered it. The little she had gained was enough. "Banishment?! You're going to exile him from New York? You honestly think he will accept that offer? I can't believe how you could think that's even in your power!"
"Would ya shut up already?! Youse givin me a headache!" Spot grabbed her wrist and tightened his fingers around it so that she drew breath in pain. "Foist of all, if youse ever question me intelligence again, I swear tah God I'll strangle you wid me own hands. And as for me exiling ya damn bruddah, youse obviously don't know the extent of me power. I'se can have boys put in the refuge on the mere basis that I'se just don't like them. I'se can snap me fingers and have five messengers be ready tah heed my orders. I've exiled joiks before, doll face; I'se won't have a problem doing it again."
She broke free from his grasp with a swift turn of her arm and stepped back. "You're a pig," she spat at him, and grabbing her pillow and blankets, she proceeded to exit the room.
"Where do youse thinks ya going?!"
"I much rather sleep in the girls' bunkroom and so I will." She placed her hand on the doorknob, but Spot pushed her back and blocked her way.
"Ya just don't walk outta heah when ya feel like it. I'se ya leadah heah, and you'll ask me if youse can do things 'fore ya do them. Understood?"
Rosary glared at him and wanted so much to put a bruise on his arrogant face. Through clenched teeth, she said, "all right then, your highness, do I have your permission to sleep elsewhere tonight?"
Spot smiled at having humbled the girl and looked at the ceiling in thought. "Hmmm, any reason why ya wanna?"
"I fear I may vomit from disgust if I stay in this hellhole any longer." She fully expected him to slap her hard on, or to at least shove her to the floor. But much to her surprise, he only gave her a blank look as he opened the door behind him and let her pass through.
* * * * *
Aww, shucks! They're back to fighting again. But look! The next chapter smells heavily of apologies and...love? Muahahaha! SUBMIT a REVIEW and you might find out soon! C'mon, kids, keep those REVIEWS rolling in! REVIEW REVIEW! Please? Please? A lot of REVIEWS for a belated Christmas Gift? Kisses from Spot for all my reviewers!!! Love ya all!
