Title: High Times and Hard Times
Author: sabor ice
Disclaimer: I own nothing, but this story is mine. Thanks for past reviews. Please keep them coming.
Chapter Twelve
Sunlight crept under the doorway of the place the Brooklynites used as their hideout. It had been built by hand within the docks themselves. The beds were made of different things including straw, wood, feathers, pillows and blankets. It was alot different from the lodge house, but it was still suitable. Letty and the others had been up since day break. Today was the day - the day where either the strike would be their a success or their failure. Letty hadn't planned on going, but now that Spot had given her a new responsibility, to act in his stead, how could she just sit around and not do anything? The young woman glanced around at the boys in the room. She could feel their dis-content. Some of them obviously hadn't agreed with Spot's decision, on more than one level. Letty couldn't blame them; she, too, had doubt, especially in herself. But, what else could she do? She had to make her way in the world like the rest of them. Then, she made her decision. She no longer could be the follower. She was now a leader.
"Listen up!" Letty exclaimed, standing.
Some of the other boys turned to look at her, while most of the others went about what they were all ready doing. Like Spot had said, they needed to know who was boss. If she wanted them to listen to her, she would have to make them. Making her way across the room, Letty knocked over a game of cards a group of boys had been playing. They shouted in protest, but Letty ignored them as she moved over to where some other boys were smoking and chatting. She took a mug of stale beer from one of them. Then, she proceeded in taking all of their cigarettes and cigars and dropping them within the container. The newsies were all upset by now as they stood and turned their attention to Letty. The dark-haired girl stood on top of one of the tables, so they all could see and hear her.
"I's got your attention now, don't I?" she said, taking the cane that was at her side and placing it in front of her, her hands resting on top of it. "Now, I's know not all of yous specifically like Jack Kelly and his gang. But, I's tellin' yas right now that I don't care. They's is friends of mine and Spot's. And, theys asked us for help."
"So?" a red-headed boy called Snake asked lazily, causing snickers to emerge within the crowd of boys.
Letty stared down at him and frowned. She lightly poked him in the chest with the end of her cane.
"So, dat means we got work to do, boys," the girl replied, a serious tone in her voice. "We gots to make sure Pulitzer and Hearst get put in der places, 'cause they think we're nothin.' Now, are we nothin'?"
"No!" came the reply.
"I says we join de other newsies of New York, and show that we ain't nothin'!" Letty proposed. "Now, who's wit me?!"
The other boys cheered and shouted their approval. Letty felt like she was getting somewhere now.
"Then, let's go!" she added, before jumping down off the table.
The Brooklynites flooded from the hide-out. Letty's heart fluttered with anticipation. They were going to help end this strike. They were ready. She was ready.
The moment she and the others crossed the bridge, Letty couldn't believe what she saw. The streets and sidewalks were sweeping with wall-to-wall bodies. Kids from all over the city were moving in the same direction, towards the park. And, it wasn't just newsies. It was girls who worked in sewing shops and factories. It was boys who worked in sweat-shops and armories. And, there were even some people there who weren't kids. Together, they were all fighting the status quo, walking and talking in one voice, a voice that wished to be heard. Cops here and there were trying to stop people, but they were no match for the crowd. Along with the others, Letty made her way through the park and into the square outside "The World."
"Brooklyn!" she shouted, raising the cane in her hand up high.
The others behind her replied the same word in perfect unison. Everyone stood in the square now facing the headquarters of "The World." There were more than a thousand voices now, and not a single whistle could be heard. Letty pushed her way through the crowds of people until she saw a few familiar faces.
"Spot! Race! Mush!" she shouted, though it was pointless. There was too much noise for them to hear her.
She reached Mush first, and shook his arm to get his attention. The dark-haired boy turned around, his eyes lighting up when he saw her.
"Hey, Dreamer!" Mush said. "You came!"
"'Course I did," she replied, cheekily. "What would any of yous do without Brooklyn backing yous?"
"Be in trouble, dat's what," Spot interjected, slinging an arm around Letty's shoulders for a moment.
"What's goin' on now?" Letty asked, looking from one boy to the other. "Jack and Dave?"
Racetrack moved closer to the three in order to reply.
"Inside, talkin' to Pulitzer," he said.
"Look!" Mush yelled, pointing.
Everyone looked up at the balcony of the building. They could see Pulitzer flailing his arms about and shouting, though no one could hear him. They didn't care to. Finally, the old man disappeared back inside. Those closest to the doors of the building, including Letty, began talking amongst themselves, each one in wonder of what was going to happen next. Soon, the front doors opened and Jack and David emerged. Everyone pushed forward somewhat, then watched as Jack bent down and whispered something into Les's ear. He then raised the small boy up on his shoulders.
"WE WON!" Jack exclaimed.
An eruption of celebration commenced. People cheered and embraced, then cheered some more. Some people were even crying. Letty couldn't stop hugging her friends. She just couldn't believe that kids could have made such a difference. For once, kids' voices had been bigger than any adults'. Some of the crowd parted as the now recently un-employed made their way through. Letty was right in front; she wanted to take full advantage in seeing Weasel at the Delancey brothers take a walk. Morris and Oscar both looked up at her; she held a strong expression on her face to let them know she wasn't afraid of them anymore. The two brothers lowered their heads again as they followed their uncle out of there.
"Look, it's Crutchy and Ten-Pin!" someone shouted out.
The brown-haired girl whipped around to see. Sure enough, Crutchy and Ten-Pin were making their way towards the group. Letty's eyes lit up; she was so glad to see them again. They were free now, but Warden Snyder hadn't been so lucky. He was now inside of the police cart. Everyone jeered and riled him as he was taken away.
"Dreamer!" came a smaller voice.
"Ten-Pin!" Letty exclaimed happily as she embraced the boy.
The girl had been so caught up in the moment, that she had forgotten about something else of great importance: Spot and Jack. She turned around with her friend to see them both all ready saying their good-byes and climbing into a nice carriage. Letty was shocked to see the older gentleman they were joining. It was Teddy Roosevelt! Jack really had told the truth about knowing the governor. Letty hastily forced her way through the others, Ten-Pin at her heels as if he were a puppy folling its master.
"Spot!" the green-eyed young woman shouted.
Spot leaned over the side of the carriage once she reached it. Happiness was evident in the boy's face, so Letty had no choice but to be glad for him. She reached up and embraced him.
"Don't forget 'bout your family," Letty said, briefly glancing over at Jack. "Neither of yas."
The Brooklyn boy pulled back and gave her one of his famous smirks.
"Don't worry. We'll be back; yous can count on it," Spot answered. "Take care of da boys for us!"
The carriage slowly began to make an exit through the crowds. Letty and some of the other newsies followed it for awhile, still waving and shouting good-byes until the carriage was out of sight. Letty sighed deeply. It wasn't going to be the same without Spot and Jack, but she believed that one day they'd both be back. In fact, she counted on it.
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