I'm gonna be honest, I don't think I did this part of the story as much justice as it deserves. Once And For All made me cry when I saw this in theatres three times. It was definitely one of my favorites and still is one of my favorite songs to watch.
I hope you guys enjoy!
"I'll get the lights!" Katherine exclaimed while running to the other side of the basement from door they just snuck through. "You get those windows unlocked!
Jack nodded and ran over to the one window on the other side of the room, catching the keys that the girl threw at him. For a moment he stood there, stunned. "You've got enough keys here ta unlock the whole buildin'." He stated in surprise. "Someone been pickin' Daddy's pocket?" He teased.
Katherine laughed. "The janitor has been working here for twenty years." She explained. "He's never had a raise. He's with us one hundred percent."
Jack smiled at that. It was good to know he and his brothers weren't the only one with grudges against Pulitzer. But then he turned to find Davey and Race run in behind them. Race's face made him want to tear up with guilt. He looked at the boy that had become one of his closest friends, along with Crutchie. He was having trouble even looking at Jack so he quietly and quickly walked around him and sat up on the desk in the middle of the room, in front of the camera.
Jack shook it off and walked up straight to Davey. "Hey! Ya bring the fellas? What's happenin'?" He asked, cupping Dave's shoulder. The taller boy smiled.
"We could hold a ho down in here and no one would be the wiser." Davey smirked. He was really starting to get a hang of being one of the boys. Mischievous, sneaky and... doing it all to protect his brothers.
Jack grinned. "Good job." He then attempted to turn back to Katherine and the two men she'd brought in with her, but before he could, Davey spoke again.
"It's good to have you back again." He smiled. A few days ago, Davey didn't know anything about the famous Jack Kelly, but now? Now he knew everything he did was to protect. And he'd almost lost his path.
Jack paused for a moment. No one had ever said that to him before. But instead of getting all mushy, Jack just scoffed. "Shut up." He said, as if annoyed, and Davey just chuckled.
"Here it is boys!" Katherine exclaimed, gesturing to the old studio. "Just think, while my father snores blissfully in bed, we," she said, spinning around, acknowledging everyone in the room. "Will be bringing him down with his own studio!"
Jack walked passed, Katherine, thinking she might be a little too excited to be part of this. He then realized how far he'd gone as he stood next to Race. The boy still had yet to say a word and would not look Jack in the eyes. All Jack could think to do was joke it off. "Remind me not to get on her bad side." He laughed, hopping up next to his younger friend.
Race let a ghost of a smile lighten his face and he looked up to the others in the room. "So this is where they used to record the news?" The sixteen year old asked the two older gentlemen whom Katherine had brought with her.
"Well," one of them spoke while inspecting the single camera that stood in front of them. "I can see why they don't use this space anymore, but I don't see why we can't make it work for one night."
"Jack, this is Darcy." Katherine introduced. "He knows everything there is to know about broadcasting."
Jack smiled and hopped off the desk, spitting in his hand and holding it out to the other man to shake. When Darcy gave him a disgusted look Jack quickly wiped off his hand on his jeans.
"Sorry." He muttered, shaking the man's hand with a smile. His grin broadened as Race laughed behind him.
"Darcy and Bill, here." She said, gesturing to the other man in the room that was trying to clear off the messy desk that Race still occupied. "Work for the news company I have an internship at." She explained.
"Were happy to be apart of your revolution!" Bill ran up to Jack, shaking his hand and returning to his works, practically shoving Race off of the desk.
"Alright, in the words of the little one, can we get back to business?" Katherine asked, throwing her arms up in the air in anticipation.
"Alright," Davey chuckled and walked into the middle of the room. "Here's how we'll do this. Race," he pointed at the boy, who Jack had his hand on the back of, and the blond looked up at him, waiting quietly for instructions. "While we get the cameras working, you go let the fellas in. After that-"
"After that it's all up to the kids." Jack finished, and Davey nodded. Race hopped off of the table and ran over to the window, holding it open and waiting for each of his brothers to climb through.
"We can do this." Jack mumbled to himself. Little did he know, Davey and Katherine had heard him. The tall boy sighed and walked over to the strike leader.
"We're gonna show them who we are Jack. It'll be ok." He put a hand on the other boy's shoulder and smiled.
"Hell," Katherine joined, standing next to Jack. "We haven't come this far just to lose." She assured.
"Here they come!" Race called as boys started filing through the window, each of them ready to fight a battle.
Jack let out a breath and looked up at his new friend who he may have never gotten this far without. "Let's do this. Write it in ink or in blood, it's the same either way." Davey nodded and Jack turned to his boys, proclaiming to them. "They're gonna damn well pay!"
"Listen up boys!" Davey shouted, motioning for them all to gather around. After that, Jack took the lead.
"Pulitzer," he pointed outside, doing his best to ignore the fact that Katherine was in the room. "He don't give a damn weather we live or die." He said. "He's layin' down on three satin pillows while we are beggin' for food and water ta survive." His voice became angry as he continued on. "Well, tonight he's gonna see us for what we are!" He proclaimed, his heart becoming lighter as he heard his brothers agreements. "Once and for all, if they don't mind their manners we'll bleed 'em!"
"Now we only carry banners that say freedom!" Race yelled, holding up a banner that Jack recognized as Crutchie's. The boy was still in that awful prison.
The boys all shouted in their defiant agreements at that.
Jack ran back over to Katherine, who stood to the side of all the boys. "You've got a very important man ta see." He said. She nodded and placed a hand on his chest.
"Keep your fingers crossed." She smiled, starting to back away before he grabbed her wrist and held her hand in place.
"For us too." He looked into her eyes and found it hard to stop. She nodded and pulled away, crossing her fingers before running off."
"Let's do this!" Jack shouted and the cameras were turned on and a story that would touch the hearts of every kid in New York was being filmed.
Yay! I got another question!
KatherineRoseTiggular: Ah! Make me chose one?! How can I? Ok here's a long response you probably weren't expecting. I've gotta go through all my favorites first. So first is, of course, That's Rich, because F yes Medda Larkin, you go girl! Then there's Seize the day because it's Seize The Day. The dance makes me so happy every time I watch it. They're just fantastic. But King of New York, especially in the live recording, is everything. As you all know by now, Ben Tyler Cook is the frikin love of my life. He's fantastic and the dance just I love it so much. But... Once and for All. That one is the most powerful one by far. It is so amazing and it makes me smile every time I hear it. I'm still a bit torn but if I'd have to chose one right now I'd say Once and For All.
Thanks for reading! Make sure to tell me what you liked, what you didn't, what you'd change and what you'd improve by leaving me a review! Love ya kids!