Disclaimer: I do not own newsies or any of its characters, they belong to Disney. Floaty belongs to DimensionalTraveller.
(A/N: Hi everyone, thank you so much for the awesome reviews and the favorite story add! :-))
(Hi everyone, I changed the time line around a little for this chapter.)
The newsies spent the next morning painting the last of their strike signs, getting lunch, and going to Medda's. Throughout the afternoon they greeted newsies from Long Island, Little Italy, the Bronx, Queens, Midtown, and Harlem. Although Manhattan and Brooklyn usually wanted the Harlem newsies off their territory, they made an exception; in order for the newsie strike to succeed they needed every borough's participation and support. Each newsie leader and many of their newsies who past Spot noticed that the Newsie King seemed to be struggling to control his temper.
"Hey, Manhattan," exclaimed the Harlem leader, a short raven haired boy with eyes so dark they were almost black, "What's wid Conlon? He finally growin' a brain and realizin' I'm da newsie king?"
Jack sneered, "None of your business, Vampire." The Manhattan newsies had worked too hard for this day, and Cowboy understood Spot's anger. More than anything, he wanted to go to the refuge and break Floaty out, but that was impossible at this stage of the strike. Snyder and all his goons were looking for him; and he if was arrested the identity of Jack Kelly he had worked so hard to create and upkeep would be gone, along with his newsies' and friends' trust. He weaved his way through the huge crowd of newsies and found Spot sitting on the edge of the stage.
"Everyone here, Jacky boy?"
"Yeah, everyone but you."
Spot glanced at him, "I'm here."
"No, yer minds somewhere else, and I got an idea where." Jack sighed, crossed his arms, and leaned against the stage. "I'm angry too; I don't like what happened ta Floats."
"It ain't right, Jack," he frowned, "It ain't right. The Walkin' Mouth may have helped ya get this strike idea in your head, but it was Floaty who made it happen. She pushed me, Jacky-boy, and she made me listen." He looked Jack in the eye, "And no one forces Spot Conlon to do anythin'."
"No one but her."
"No one but her," Spot agreed. "Jack, da best thing you've ever done is bring dat girl to Brooklyn with ya. She ain't like the others, she's special." He chuckled, "She hated me at first, and I thought she was gonna claw my eyes out at one point."
Jack smirked, "Ya love her."
Spot paused, usually he'd argue against a person accusing him of being in love with a girl. But this time, he couldn't argue. He had fallen in love with Pulitzer's Messenger. For years, he had made fun of Pulitzer's messenger; never knowing that the messenger was a beautiful, intelligent, and strong young woman with a heart of gold. From the moment he saw her, Spot knew she was for him. She was tough, but with his help she had became tougher and even stood up to Pulitzer.
"Yeah, Jacky-boy, I do love her. Dat's good for me and her, but dat may not be safe for her." He looked up at the right balcony where Vampire and some of his newsies sat.
"Vampire won't bother Floats, Spot. She works for Pulitzah, he'll probably go outta his way to stay away from her. Even if he doesn't, she can handle herself….And right now, she's got more dan the Harlem newsboy leadah to worry about."
Spot nodded, the lights dimmed and the other newsie leaders and David began climbing onto stage. It was time for the first newsie strike to begin; Spot's only regret was Floaty wasn't there.
Floaty stood as the metal door of the solitary confinement cell opened with a loud metallic squeak that caused her hair to stand on end. Warden Snyder walked into the cell looking pleased with himself.
"Good evening, Emmalyn, I trust your stay was satisfactory?"
Floaty, not playing his game, smiled. "It was good, Warden, everyone here was very kind and considerate towards me."
Snyder tensed, "Well….That's good." He gestured to two officers; Floaty stepped towards them assuming they were going to take her arms. To her surprise, the officers carried shackles; her mouth became as dry as sand paper. "Warden, I have been nothing but cooperative during my stay. Why this?"
"You are a criminal, Emmalyn."
Floaty glared at him and held her head high, "I am no criminal, Warden."
"Oh yes, you are." Snyder leaned forward, "You harbored Francis Sullivan AKA Jack Kelly from the law, and you helped him to escape from me on various occasions. You aided him, therefore you are a conspirator – a criminal, and I can't have you escaping."
Floaty glared at him, she almost wished the man would drop dead where he stood. The officers shackled her wrists and ankles; she was led out of the refuge, but she held her head high. If there was any criminal in the refuge, it was Snyder. Floaty was led into the courtyard and the officers helped her into Pulitzer's carriage.
"We're going to Irving Hall," Snyder exclaimed, "To get your friend, 'Jack', then we're off to see your employer."
Floaty's stomach twisted; she knew the newsies were not expecting Snyder to show up. As the carriage neared Medda's, Floaty's heart fell towards her stomach; hundreds of goons and bulls surrounded the theater. Amongst them were Weasel, and Oscar and Morris Delancey….And to her surprise, Agatha.
"Wondering what 'Agatha' is doing here?"
"The thought crossed my mind." Floaty muttered.
Snyder smirked, "Agatha is my sister, and she wanted to be here to see the newsies' failure." He climbed out of the carriage and told the guard sitting beside Sykes to join Floaty in the carriage. He couldn't take a chance of her escaping – if his men, the Pinkerton agency's men, or Pulitzer's men couldn't catch Jack, Floaty would be perfect bait.
The newsies had been singing and dancing with Medda; their rally had gone great – Spot had given his 'ok' to the strike and every borough had joined in. No newsie in all of New York would be selling papes. The streets would be silent until Pulitzer lowered his prices. Then, as the song came to an end, David had spotted Snyder skulking around and edging towards Jack and Sarah.
Together, David and Spot had warned Jack but not in time. The theater was soon overrun with bulls, goons, and the Delancey brothers. Jack had almost escaped until a Pinkerton agent slugged him and sent him falling back into a group of officers' and goons' arms. All around them, the newsies were being beaten by the police and dragged towards paddy wagons. As Jack struggled against his captors he watched two bulls dragging an unconscious Racetrack out the door. Medda was a few feet behind him being restrained by a handful of goons, she kept screaming at the men to leave the newsies alone; they were only children.
Jack continued to struggle until Snyder jogged ahead of him towards a fancy carriage. Well, ain't dat nice, I'm goin' to the Refuge in style. Jack stopped his tracks a moment later, his mouth fell open; Snyder was dragging Floaty out of the carriage by her hair. Her wrists and ankles were encased in shackles, the chains that connected them clinked and rattled as she struggled.
"Get in, Kelly," Snyder shouted at him, "and each time you argue with me or attempt an escape, that's another month that Emmalyn will be spending in the refuge!" Jack sneered at him and climbed into the carriage, followed by Snyder, and lastly Floaty. As the carriage moved forward he glanced over at her; she looked at him and Jack's temper blew through the roof when he saw a shiner forming over her right eye. Someone had hit her; he assumed it had been Snyder.
The carriage entered Pulitzer's giant cobblestone front yard minutes later. The doors were opened and Floaty was greeted by Jonathan; as usual, he looked nervous.
"Mr. Pulitzer is waiting inside for you all," he informed as the two officers who had been sitting on each side of Sykes climbed down from the running board. One officer took Floaty by the other, Sykes took her other arm; the other office and Snyder had a tight hold on Jack's arms.
"Jack, whatever you do, please just smile and nod and try not to be sarcastic..." Floaty started until the officer slapped her upside the head and shouted at her to be quiet.
"Don't ya dare hit her!" Jack shouted, Floaty noticed how angry he was and she shook her head. Now was not the time to be making enemies. The doors to the mansion opened and Floaty walked in followed by Jack; she gaped at Pulitzer's home. The front parlor reminded her of the pictures in the books she had read about Ancient Greece and Rome. Her chains and shackles were removed, and the two were left in the living room.
"Some place he's got here." Jack commented as he looked around.
Floaty wrapped her arms around herself, "Don't touch anything," she commented as she stood beside a high backed wooden chair beside a stained glass lamp. "I once touched a statue in Mr. Pulitzer's office and he became extremely angry with me."
Jack glanced over at her, "Yer entire attitude has changed since da ride over here. Yer still afraid of him?"
Floaty paused, "I'm angry with him, not afraid. I'm also worried because he's finally getting to meet you, Lily's father….And I'm afraid of what he may say about our daughter. Snyder's been calling her horrible things all day," her eyes glazed at the pain of recalling the words the warden had used to describe Lily. She blinked away the tears; now was not time for weakness or grief, it was time for strength. She had to become the Floaty Pulitzer was used to seeing, while remaining the girl Jack had loved and then befriended. Suddenly I understand how hard a tight rope walker's job truly is.
Floaty hugged him back, "He may mention Lily." She felt her ex-boyfriend's shoulders tense, and to her surprise he placed a kiss on the top of her forehead.
"Den let him; there ain't nothin' bad he can say about her. If does say anythin', we know it ain't true."
Floaty nodded as Jack pulled away and returned to observing the room. He bent down in front of a oval shaped metal picture frame and picked it up. At the moment, Pulitzer began descending the stairs; the sounds of his heavy footsteps against the wooden steps caused Jack to turn and look up at him. Floaty followed his gaze and decided she'd do anything it would take to keep Jack safe. Even if it meant getting herself arrested (again) or, even worse, beaten up by a bull; maybe she could help Jack escape?
Pulitzer stood in front of Jack a moment later and gestured at him, "Sit!" He spoke to Cowboy as if he was commanding a dog. Jack glanced over at her and Floaty rolled her eyes; he treated her the same way more often than not. Jack looked over at Pulitzer, blinking a few times, obviously shocked. Pulitzer does not believe in ice breakers, Floaty thought to herself.
Jack sat down in the wooden chair and put his arms onto the arm rests.
"You know what I was doing at your age, boy?" Pulitzer pushed aside his smoking jacket and reached for a cigar. He glanced at Emmalyn, "You know what I was doing."
"Yes, sir." Floaty nodded as she clasped her hands in front of her and stood protectively beside Jack.
Pulitzer bent pointed to the photograph, "I was in a war!" Jack glanced over at the photograph. "The Civil War," Pulitzer continued.
"Yeah, I've heard of it," Cowboy nodded and looked over at Floaty, "She told me."
"Emmalyn's a very smart young woman."
Jack nodded at that. "So…Did ya win?"
"People think that wars are about what's right or wrong," Pulitzer walked around his dining room table, "But not about power."
"Yeah, I heard o'dat too. You know, I don't just sell your papes, Joe…sometimes, I read 'um."
Floaty had to bite the sides of her mouth to keep from smiling. But as Pulitzer neared, she nudged Jack and whispered, "Be careful, he has mood swings."
Pulitzer placed his hand against the back of a chair and leaned down, "The power of the press is the greatest power of them all. I tell the city how to think, I tell the city how to vote, I shape its future." He gestured his hand forward towards an aerial drawing of the city of New York.
"Yeah….Well….Right now I'm just thinkin' about one future and dat's mine."
Pulitzer paused and leaned against the chair in front of Jack, "So am I, boy." He glanced over at Floaty, she tensed but remained silent. She wouldn't move from Jack's side. Pulitzer continued, "I have the power to see you stay locked in the refuge."
"And I have da power to break out again." Jack replied, leaning forward slightly.
Floaty tapped his shoulder and shook her head, she noticed Pulitzer was tensing. Jack leaned back and nodded slightly to her.
"Or I could see you're released tomorrow, free and clear, with more money in your pockets than in erm….Three lifetimes." Pulitzer replied. Floaty's eyes widened; this was trouble, big trouble. Jack was going to keep his eyes peeled; ears open, and not do anything stupid. Pulitzer was up to something bad.
Jack shifted uncomfortably, "Are you bribin' me, Joe?"
"W….Well….Why….No," Pulitzer shrugged.
Jack stood, "Well, it was nice chattin' wid ya Joe, but I gotta get goin' now."
"Wait! You listen to me boy! Now, you shut your mouth and listen to me!" Pulitzer's face was beginning to turn red, his hands gesturing wildly. Floaty recognized her employer's temper and she walked in front of Jack. He tried to pull her out of the way, but she wouldn't budge. If Pulitzer was going to yell at anyone, it had better be her; Jack had enough trouble on his plate, he didn't need more.
"You shut up and listen to me for once!" Pulitzer shouted, he was so angry he was shaking from head to toe and his eyes were completely unfocused.
"Mr. Pulitzer, he's not going anywhere, he's listening. We both are," Floaty said softly, she had been able to calm the old man down before; she hoped she could do it again. He looked down at her, inhaled and paused to collect himself.
"You better be glad, boy, that she's here." Pulitzer growled, "Or you'd be in more trouble than you're in."
"Yeah, well, I wish she wasn't here. She, of all people, doesn't deserve to be around you." Jack retorted and took her hand.
"Jack, stop," she hissed, "Don't get him anymore angry than he already is!"
"Its fine Floats," he replied.
Pulitzer took a step forward, his gaze never leaving Jack's face, "You work for me. Until the strike is over and then boy, make no mistake without you, then you go anywhere you want to buy a ticket for."
Floaty's stomach twisted, Pulitzer had found out about Jack's dream of going to Santa Fe. Being able to go to Santa Fe, for Jack, was like being told he had a pass to go directly to Heaven without dying. She grabbed his hand, but he pulled away.
"Away from the refuge, these fowl streets, free!" He paused and glanced at Floaty, "Free the pain of having to walk past your daughter's grave!" Jack flinched and Floaty felt as if Pulitzer had just shoved a knife through her heart. "Free, with money to spend, and no one chasing you!" Pulitzer finished.
Jack stared at Pulitzer for a long minute and Floaty's shoulder slumped, from the look on the newsboy's face, Floaty knew Pulitzer had won.
"Jack….You have friends here, the newsies are depending on you."
"Be quiet, Floats," he muttered. Floaty shook her head. Jack didn't realize he was making a deal with the Devil himself.
To Floaty's surprise, Jack smiled, "I must have ya pretty scared, old man."
"I offer you freedom and money, just to work for me again. To your friends I won't be so kind! Now your partner, what's his name, David?" Pulitzer glanced over at Floaty but she kept her mouth shut and her face expressionless. He looked back at Jack, who was now frowning, "I understand he has a family. What do you think the refuge would do to him?" He paused, and looked at Floaty, "Look what it has done to her!"
Floaty swallowed and glanced away.
"What?" Jack looked over at her, "Floats, what happened?"
"Nothing happened," she shrugged, "I spent the night, had breakfast and lunch, Snyder came to get me and that was that."
"Den what are those bruises?"
Floaty bit her bottom lip and remained silent; she couldn't bring herself to look Jack in the face. She wouldn't admit to anyone what had happened there.
"You know what happened," Pulitzer glared at Jack. "It's because of you I had to send her to the refuge to be straightened out. They did what they always do – they beat the lessons into her….And from what I understand, one guard went too far with her."
Jack grabbed her shoulders, his eyes wide, "Floats?"
"I…It was nothing, Jack," Floaty shrugged; she could feel the wall she built around her heart slowly crumbling against her will.
Jack cursed. He turned and snarled at Pulitzer, "You shoulda fired her! You know what happens to girls her age in dat place!"
Pulitzer glared, "It was you who put her there! It will be you who puts David there! And all the others….After all, you're their leader."
Jack glared at Pulitzer, hate shining in his eyes as he pulled Floaty to his chest. He whispered, "I'm so sorry, Floats. I never meant for ya to get hurt."
"Stop apologizing, Jack, you did nothing wrong. I was there because of my actions, not because of yours. He's using me to get to you, don't fall for it." She whispered back to him.
"Go to the refuge tonight, think about it. Then, tomorrow, after your court hearing with Judge E.A. Monahan, give me your answer in the morning." He paused and stared at Jack, "Know this, you're future, your friends future, and Emmalyn's future are all on your shoulders." He shoved Jack forward and Floaty began to follow until Pulitzer grabbed her.
"Let her go, Joe." Jack growled when he noticed Floaty wasn't near him.
"She stays with me, boy. Even I'm not cruel enough to keep her trapped in the refuge where she could be killed. Know this; your answer decides her and your friends' fates." He pulled Floaty back into the living room as Sykes and Snyder 'escorted' Jack out of the house.
"Emmalyn," Pulitzer exclaimed, "Business is a man's world. I hope this entire experience has made you realize this. Because he dragged you into a man's world, you were punished like a man." He pushed her into a seat, "You are a young lady," he sat down in a chair in front of her, "And a hard worker. You will make someone a good wife, and I am willing to offer you a deal."
Floaty swallowed, "If it involves letting Jack go, then I'll agree to anything."
Pulitzer slammed his fist down on the arm of his chair, "That boy is out of my house! His deal and your deal are separate! With him, I made a business deal! With you," he leaned forward, "I am giving you the offer I would give to my sister's children. Do you want to hear it?"
"No…" she started until she noticed Kate standing at the second floor landing. The poor woman looked tired and frazzled and Floaty swallowed, she had a feeling this 'offer' had come from Kate, not from Pulitzer. In that case, she had to listen to it in respect for Mrs. Pulitzer and the fact that she had fought for Floaty. "Yes sir, I will listen."
Pulitzer leaned back, "Good, you're a smart and beautiful young lady, Emmalyn. I respect you, because you respect me and you've worked hard for me without complaint. I am willing to forgive your actions, however I will not be hiring you back. Instead, my wife and I have spoken and if you are willing to stay away from the newsies and their strike I am willing to give you this." He took a few rolled up papers out of his smoking jacket and passed it to her.
Floaty took them and slowly unrolled it and gasped her hand flying over her mouth.
"This would ensure you never have to worry about your uncle again. If you do not accept this offer, then the second offer is to stay in the refuge overnight then in the morning you will be married to Oscar Delancey."
Floaty glanced up at Pulitzer, and then back down at the papers, her heart was still pounding. Warden Snyder had adopted her.
"Those adoption papers are legal, and the warden's daughter died of Scarlet Fever eight years ago. He's willing to overlook your crime of aiding Jack Kelly. He wants to give you a new and better life. If you accept this offer, you will be a proper young lady in a proper household. You will be raised by Warden Snyder, and if you wish to work, anyone would hire you because of him."
"If I don't take this or the other offer?"
"Then you will join the boy and his friends in the refuge, and you will remain there until your 21st birthday. After that, your fate remains your own. However, I ask you to think carefully about your stay in the refuge before going along that path." He paused, "If you think by denying the two good offers and taking the third, you're protecting the boy and his friends, you're wrong. Whatever happens to you will not affect them or their fates. There's nothing you can do to stop me."
Floaty bit her bottom lip. Did she really want to be Emmalyn Snyder? She would be selling out her friends. But, if she took the second choice she'd be Mrs. Delancey. If I was the warden's daughter, they'd have to let me into the refuge and I could free Jack and the others. But what if Snyder doesn't let me see them?
"Thirty seconds," Pulitzer exclaimed.
I can't do anything to help the others if I'm Mrs. Delancey – Oscar's just a hired thug. But Snyder, he's recognized by the community; if I were his daughter people would listen to me because of my last name. I could find a way to get the newsies freed – I could use the press! Hundreds of angry mothers against Pulitzer locking up street children without good rhyme or reason…..The mothers would win. She had no doubt about that.
"The first."
Pulitzer smiled, and Floaty glanced up to see Kate Pulitzer looking relieved and more at ease. "Then," he exclaimed, "It's official, you're Emmalyn Snyder. Warden Snyder's daughter. I'll call the refuge and he'll be here in an hour to pick you up."
"Thank you, sir." Floaty replied as Pulitzer stood and walked out of the room; she could hear the murmuring of his voice as he talked to someone on the phone. She didn't notice Kate was standing beside her until she touched her hand. Surprised, Floaty looked up.
"I'm glad you took the first choice," Kate said with a tiny smile, "I had to fight my husband and the Warden hard for that. I told the Warden adopting a street child would make him a hero in society's eyes, and he's to treat you good." She knelt down beside Floaty's chair and whispered, "You're a smart young woman, I wanted you to say yes to the first because of the last name."
Floaty smiled, "I can use the power of the press against Pulitzer and Snyder and free my friends."
Kate smiled and nodded, "Trust me, thousands of good and angry parents outside of the refuge will take Snyder down and he will be forced to let your friends loose. My brother is a judge, and I will be sure he gives the order to release your friends from the refuge, alright?"
Floaty nodded, "Thank you so much, Mrs. Pulitzer."
Kate stroked the side of Floaty's face, "No, thank you. I haven't had to fight for anything in a long time, my husband has been too far gone…." She shook her head, "Our children are all grown and have long since married. You helped me get my voice back and reminded me that a marriage is 50-50, not 99 to 1. So thank you, dear, thank you."
"My friends….They're going to think I sold them out, and my boyfriend….." She stopped.
"Spot Conlon," Kate smiled, "I've heard about him. Don't worry; a messenger I've hired has already delivered a message to the Manhattan Lodging House. The newsies will know of your plan, and they will know you didn't sell them out."
Floaty nodded, "What about Jack?"
Kate sighed, "I'm sorry, Emmalyn, but there is nothing I can do for that young man. Believe me, if I could do more than I have already, I would have. But know you tried to protect him, and know that he knew when he started this strike there would be danger." She stood quickly when Pulitzer walked back into the room.
"Why aren't you in bed?" He asked her.
"I was going to getting a glass of milk from the ice chest; I wanted to know if you'd like a glass."
Pulitzer nodded, "That would be nice." He turned to Floaty, "Warden Snyder will be here to take you home in a few minutes." He handed her a small bag filled with coins, "This money is for you, not him. Go shopping tomorrow, buy decent clothing, and become the proper lady you were obviously meant to be."
"Yes sir," Floaty replied as she stood. When the Pulitzers left the room she darted to the parlor and grabbed the door handle.
"Emmalyn."
She turned and was surprised to find Sykes.
"Don't. Mrs. Pulitzer had to fight very hard for you. Don't ruin something good," he frowned. "You'll have more power as Miss Snyder than would as Miss McGongle."
"Mr. Sykes, I won't be associated with that rat of a man!"
Sykes sighed, "If you go, I'll be forced to call the police. You'll be back in the refuge, and no one, not even Pulitzer, will protect you. Would your friends, or Spot, really want you being thrown back into that hole where you could be hurt or killed? None of the guards would think twice of going farther than a kiss with you and killing you afterwards to keep you silent. Everyone would turn the other way. It would break every single one of your friend's hearts, including the one you just made," he glanced past her at Kate.
"Listen to me, Emmalyn, you're being given a powerful resource; you're a smart woman. I'm going to give you this advice: If you want to change the world, don't sleep through it. Use what gifts you've been given, every single one of them, and make Pulitzer and Snyder's lives a living Hell, pardon my French."
Floaty stared at Sykes in surprise, then smirked. "You know, being in the warden's house, I can find dirt no one else can and bring it to the newsies. We can spread the word and take down the newspaper giants."
"Now you have your thinking cap on." He smiled.
Floaty frowned, "But Spot..."
"You'll see him soon enough, knowing Snyder he'll bring you with him to court tomorrow to show off his good deed of adopting you. I'll help distract him so you can have a moment alone with Conlon."
Floaty gave a small smile, "Thank you."
He nodded, "Here's Snyder's carriage, walk tall and keep your head held high. Then, tonight, find some dirt on that rat and give it to Spot in the morning.
Floaty smiled, "I intend to."