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The next morning after discussing plans with the rest of the boys about the rally, Bright Eyes decided that she wanted to go to Brooklyn and talk to Spot about the rally. The Brooklyn leader's input was needed and she knew him better than everyone else. "Mainly boys, I know how to wheedle 'im inta doin' sometin' he doesn't 'specially want ta do!" Bright Eyes said and winked. She decided to take Jack and David. She took Jack because he was their leader and he could convey ideas easily to other people. She took David, mainly because he was the "Walkin' Mouth."
The walk to Brooklyn was smooth. No one bothered them and Jack and Bright Eyes talked about places and things, while David stood off to the side and listened, often interjecting when he wanted to know about something. When they arrived in Brooklyn, Bright Eyes suddenly ran off towards a Newsie with bright red hair, dressed all in black save for a white shirt under his black vest. "Hiya Red! How's it rollin'?" The boy recognized her and clapped his hand on her back and gave her a quick hug. "Hey Bright! Haven't seen ya's in a while! Spot was gettin' testy." Bright Eyes grinned.
"The ol'fogey. Where is ol' Spot? Need ta discuss some busness wit' him." Red smiled and pointed off to the direction of the docks. "He's takin' a break before the aftanoon edition comes out. Him an' some of da uddas." Bright Eyes smiled. "He sua likes dem docks, eva since he was little he'd be sittin' out dere befoa da aftanoon edition came out. Tanks Red! I'll see ya around!" Bright Eyes then relayed Spot's whereabouts to Jack and David, and the three set off towards the docks.
When they arrived, a typical scene was stretched out before them. Boys were in the water splashing and playing, others were standing around the docks taking an afternoon smoke. As they approached greetings were sung out and a few claps on the back were distributed. They got to the center of the dock when they saw Spot. He was sitting in his usual place, up on top of a pile of crates watching the boys in the water like a king over his subjects, with a proud air. He turned around and noticed the three Newsies and smiled a pleased smile. "Well if it ain't Jack be nimble, Jack be quick. An' me own pal Brighty, who hasn't come ta see her ol'friend in a long time."
Bright Eyes blushed and faked a sorrowful glance at Spot. "Sorry Spot, I jest lost track of da time. Don't hoit me, PLEASE!! I begs ya!!" She then burst into fake tears, drawing laughs around the pier and a rarely seen grin from Spot. That grin made David see why Bright Eyes still came back to Brooklyn. They were a second family to her, next to the Newsies in Manhattan. She had grown up with these boys, she knew them, all of them and they knew her. She could even bring out a smile in Spot Conlon, an incredible feat. This was her real home. "O.k., o.k. I forgives ya. An' ya brought da Walkin' Mouth. Oh joy. Somebody else ta spit poils o'wisdom at me like fireballs. Wondaful!" David avoided the small Newsie's glance and instead looked around the pier at the rest of the dirty, grubby boys. "So whaddya what guys? Anythin' new in ol' Manhattan?" Spot asked, still eyeing David.
"Actually Spot, we wanted ta know if da boids been doin' dere job an' have been tellin' ya 'bout da rally c'memmoration ova at Medda's place?" Bright Eyes asked. Spot rubbed his chin and drew his slingshot. "Yeah, I heaid of it. Whats it to ya?" David suddenly spoke up. "We wanted to know if there was anything special that you thought we could do. I mean seeing that you were part of the rally and the strike and all, we wanted to know if, um, there was anything you wanted to tell us." During David's little interlude, Spot nodded his head simultaneously and when he had finished rolled his eyes.
"Well Mouth, dere ain't really anytin' I think needs changin' I've hoid enough from me boys. Sounds fine wit' me. Is dere gonna be speeches Jackie boy?" Jack stepped up nearer to the crates as he spoke. "Yeah, if ya want ta speak dats fine. I'm sua dat everyone would like ta hea ya." Spot nodded, apparently pleased. "Sua, I'll do it. So is dat it?" Bright Eyes nodded. "Yup, jest wanted yer input Spot." Spot jumped down from the crates, spit on his hand and held it out to Bright Eyes. "See ya lata Bright. Come around sometime 'kay?" Bright Eyes did the same to her hand and shook with Spot. "Sua, I'll probably have tons of time afta dis rally ting is ova. Bye Spot." The two then let go of the other's hand and Spot moved on to Jack. Bright Eyes waited for Jack and David, and then the three made their way back to Manhattan to meet the rest of the Newsies at Irving Hall.
The rest of the Newsies were not however outside Irving Hall. David began to panic, but Bright Eyes and Jack motioned him through the front door. When inside, they saw what had become of the Newsies. They were sitting in the front row, watching Medda perform, cheering and yelling all the while. "Boys." Bright Eyes said in exasperation as she made her way to an empty seat.
As she was walking by the front row, Mush grabbed her hand. "Finally ya got here! What took ya so long?" "I was in Brooklyn, it takes a little while ta get back here ya know!" Bright Eyes had to shout over all the yelling. "Well, Race saved a seat for ya's. He's right in da middle of da foist row." Bright Eyes nodded and made her way to her seat, leaving David and Jack behind. David turned to Jack, confused. "Well, what about us? Don't we get a seat?" Jack rolled his eyes. " 'Course we do Dave. Ours jest wasn't saved."
After the show, the Newsies met Medda backstage to discuss their plans for the rally. The rally date was set for the day after tomorrow, so it was unanimously decided to decorate the hall now, instead of later. Bows and ribbons were dragged out and the boys were set to work while Bright Eyes and Medda directed them. As Bright Eyes helped Racetrack put a ribbon up on a balcony, she began to remember the night of the rally. Some parts were fun and some still made her shudder when she thought of them. But it was as if that now that she was in the place that it happened, thinking about it was inevitable.
It had been a warm night and the stars were shining bright in the sky. The whole rally had gone as planned, starting with speeches, and ending with the debate between David and Spot. Then came Medda's number. All around Bright Eyes, boys jumped up from their seats to get a glimpse of the entirely pink clad Medda. Bright Eyes stood up and merely clapped as whistles and cheers erupted. Racetrack stood beside her, waving his hat as if he were flagging down a train. She tugged on his arm and he looked at her with an inquiring look, to which she answered by shaking her head and grinning.
During the middle of "High Times, Hard Times", Medda got to the second verse and decided that a little of the Newsie influence should be used for the song. Bright Eyes watched her green eyes scan the crowd for someone to sing with her, and Medda's gaze fell upon her. She then beckoned to her and Bright Eyes resisted, but eventually gave in as Medda pulled her up. As she sang, her voice floating with Medda's above the crowds of boys, her friends looked at her in bewilderment at her sudden transformation, causing a furious blush to arise in her cheeks.
But finally the verse was over, and she jumped down from the stage and plopped down beside Spot, who was grinning over a glass of saspirilla as he watched his comrades dance with Medda. Spot smiled and punched Bright Eyes' arm as she sat down, winded from making her way through the boys. "Good job Brighty. Ya shoulda seen da boys! Dey neva heaid ya sing befoa, so dere mouths were WIDE open I tell ya!" Bright Eyes smiled and punched Spot's arm, causing saspirilla to fall on his sleeve. Spot looked at the stain and then at Bright Eyes' suddenly solemn face, with only a twinkle of mischief in her eyes, and started to laugh. Bright Eyes then got into the spirit of things and ran up to join Medda on the chorus with everyone else.
By the time the song was over, complete pandemonium had broken out for Medda, who was hoisted up above the crowds. Then she saw David run over to Jack and yell something into his ear. Jack straightened and his face paled as he looked up towards the exits. Bright Eyes followed his gaze and saw Snyder standing with a whistle poised at his mouth, Denton talking hastily with him. Bright Eyes slipped out of the crowd just as Spot grabbed her arm and began pulling her toward an exit.
Just then, the whistle blew and chaos erupted around the hall. Boys began to run everywhere. She managed to slip out of Spot's grasp to look behind her and see what had become of her friends. Blink was sliding down one of the poles of the balcony he had just been hanging precariously over edge of. She saw Bumlets heading out the door with one of the younger children under each arm. Mush and Dutchy were making their way to an exit, but were suddenly stopped by a policeman. She looked throughout the crowd for Racetrack, but he wasn't there. Suddenly she saw him and she breathed a sigh of relief.
He was out of the fighting and was helping Medda to get out safely. But then he let go of her and deposited her with Toby and another friend and began to make his way into the center of the hall, Medda's persisting yells echoing behind him. Then Bright Eyes watched in horror as he stepped into the fighting and was met by large man who greeted him with a kick in the stomach, which he grasped, surprised. Bright Eyes' strangled a yell as the man smacked his fist into his head and plunged the boy into merciful unconsciousness. Medda saw this and reacted as Bright Eyes would've reacted. She ran up to the man and smacked him, yelling repeatedly as Racetrack was dragged off to the carts waiting outside.
Even after Racetrack had been dragged out, the picture of his surprised face echoed in her mind. A fury then arose in Bright Eyes and she ran in the direction that Racetrack and the rest of her battered companions had been dragged. But she was suddenly slung backwards as Spot grabbed her arm and whirled her around to face him. "What da heck do ya tink yer doin'?" She tried persistently to free her trapped arm from Spot's grip as she yelled at him. "I gotta help da boys! Racetrack got smacked by some goon an' I gotta help him!" Spot regained his grip on Bright Eyes' arm as she nearly gained her freedom. "Whaddya gonna do Bright? Da only ting you can do would be ta join 'em! Dat wouldn't be helpin' 'em Bright, now come on!"
"No!" Bright Eyes yelled into Spot's face. The boy's face hardened as he pulled the girl closer to him. "Listen Bright, I ain't seen ya eva go inta hysterics. Don't ya start now!" Then he pulled Bright Eyes away, the girl giving in to him at last. But suddenly they were surrounded by three boys, Morris Delancy included. Spot indicated the balcony to Bright Eyes and she jumped up the pole, Spot trailing behind her. But suddenly, a yell behind her caused Bright Eyes to look down from the balcony.
Morris had Spot by the leg and Spot was kicking furiously, but to no avail. He couldn't hold onto the pole and try to kick Morris accurately at the same. Bright Eyes took a deep breath and jumped down from the balcony on one of the curtain ropes, hitting Morris in the face and freeing her companion. The two then ran toward another exit, but were again stopped by more and more men. "Dere's to many of 'em Spot!" Spot's forehead was crumpled up as he thought of another escape plan. But as he thought, Bright Eyes began to run, panicked at the sight of all the men and of her friends being beaten to a pulp.
Bright Eyes heard Spot yell behind her, but she paid him no heed as she wrenched a boy free of the vise-like grip of another boy. The boy whirled around and punched her in the face and she fell to the ground clutching her jaw. The boy was just about to finish the job when strong arms grabbed her around the waist and began to pull her along the floor till they reached a corner out of the fighting. Spot lifted her up and grabbed her hand as they made their way to yet another exit.
They finally reached the door and were in the process of getting out when someone grabbed her waist and threw her to the floor. Spot, feeling Bright Eyes' hand slip out of his own, whirled around to face the man who had done it. Spot threw up his fists and let them fly against the man's face unsparingly. But finally the man got a grip on the boy's shoulders and threw him to the floor. Bright Eyes yelled as she tried to get away from the other pair of arms that held her down. She then watched in horror as the man smacked Spot's head into the floor again and again until unconsciousness fell upon him. The man passed the sagging Spot into another man's hands.
Bright Eyes yelled and screamed as she too was slung over the man's shoulder and taken out to one of the carriages. By some good fortune though, the man slipped and stumbled, allowing Bright Eyes to take advantage of it and to slip away. She ran down the main stairwell, getting lost in the vortex of all the other desperate boys. Then Jack's figure came into view at the bottom of the stairs, huddled up so as to escape a policeman's horse's hooves. Then he jumped up and ran up the stairs desperately. Bright Eyes' yelled his name and yelled for him to look up, but the boy was oblivious and her yells were drowned out in the commotion. Bright Eyes cringed as a large man smacked Jack in the face causing him to fall backwards into the waiting hands of policemen.
She attempted to get to him to help him, but a burly mustached man came up behind her and shoved her head into the wall knocking the girl senseless, slumping down on the floor. When she came to, her head hurt like the devil and she was surrounded by her friends. Most of them anyway. Mush sat next to Blink, whose good eye was swollen and purple. Spot lay on the floor nearby, still unconscious. Around her another dozen of boys sat beside their friends attempting to nurse their wounds. "How ya doin' kid?" The drowsy voice came from Bright Eyes' right side. When she looked over, she moaned softly as she took in Racetrack's battered face. His eye was swollen and numerous bruises were forming all over his face. He still clutched his stomach where it had been punched not long ago.
The boy watched her face as it suddenly saddened, and gave her a lopsided grin. "Oh don't worry, I ain't gonna die Bright! Dey jest roughed me up a little. Dat all comes from bein' a gentleman I guess." As he spoke Racetrack patted Bright Eyes' arm reassuringly. "You didn't get hoit dat bad. Yer lucky. Ol' Blink got knocked pretty bad, on both eyes." Bright Eyes clutched Racetrack's arm gently. "Dis was da woist night of me life. I saw all me friends get beat up, watched some of 'em get knocked unconscious. It was terrible." She whispered to Racetrack urgently. Racetrack smiled at her childlike sincerity, but winced as his bruises tensed. " C'mere. Ya've had quite a night."
Bright Eyes smiled and took Racetrack's invitation, and laid her head gently on his shoulder. Then she sat up with a worried look on her face. "Dat don't hoit does it? 'Cause if it does," she started. "Its o.k. I'll be fine. Ya need a little rest 'fore tomorrow. Interrogation day don't ya know. An' ya sua as heck won't get any sleep in da refuge." Bright Eyes smiled slightly and her head again rested on his shoulder, her eyes eventually closing in merciful sleep. Eventually, Racetrack's head drooped and rested on the girl's head as he too fell into a deep sleep.
"Hello? I now summon Bright Eyes back into the land of the living! Brighty? Anybody in dere?" Bright Eyes jumped as Racetrack's hand waved back and forth in front of her eyes, that had been previously unseeing. "I need dat udda pin Bright." Bright Eyes quickly found the pin and handed it to Racetrack, who was balancing on the edge of the balcony putting up the ribbons. Bright Eyes hesitated for a moment as she watched him, but then she timidly asked, "Race, are you worried dat sometin's gonna happen ta dis rally like what happened at da last one?"
Racetrack looked down at her as he fastened the last ribbon and moved his body up and over the railing. "Not really. Its not even a rally, ya know? Why? Are you?" Bright Eyes blushed. "Well maybe a little bit." Racetrack smiled at the girl's agitation. "Don't worry 'bout it. No one will bodder us. Its jest a little ceremony. Nothin' ta attract da bulls ner nothin'. So don't worry 'bout it. Let us men do da worryin'!" Bright Eyes laughed at the boy's cockiness. Sometimes it could be annoying and other times it was all that kept her going in a day.
Jack sauntered over to oversee the job that the two had done, and nodded his head, his black cowboy hat bobbing up and down. "Dat looks good Race. Nice job Bright. We're pretty nea done ova on our side. We'll probably get done wit' it all teday actually. We'll go ta Tibby's aftawoids. Dat o.k.?" Racetrack nodded and grinned as he clutched a recently lit cigar in his right hand. "Yeah, we'll get done pretty soon. If Bright Eyes' head will get out of da clouds!" Bright Eyes looked up at him and glared. Jack smiled secretly to himself as he watched them. 'I wonda if dey even know how pictua poifect dey look tegetha.' He thought as he watched them.
Then Jack shook his head and walked off as Bright Eyes scolded Racetrack about smoking right by the ribbons, to which he questioned why he couldn't. "Its a free country Brighty! I can smoke by ribbons if'n I wants ta!" Bright Eyes rolled her eyes as she yelled up at him again. "Because what if some ashes were ta fall on 'em? Dey'd get boined up an' den we wouldn't have no ribbons!" Racetrack grinned slyly and leaned forward as far as he could and as close to the ribbons as possible and began to flick ashes near them. Bright Eyes groaned at his stubbornness. "Good grief Race! I'm gonna find someone else to help who will actually listen to me! Ya stubborn pig!" As she stormed off Racetrack yelled, "Yeah? Well it takes one ta know one!" Cheers and laughter surrounded Racetrack as he grinned at the departing girl. 'Its so fun watchin' her tempa get up.' Racetrack thought as he waved his hands over his head at his admirers.
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In a way she was glad that she could have an excuse to leave. On the other hand, Bright Eyes felt like a dirty rat. 'I cain't believe dis! I'm snoopin' around da hall lookin' fer a way fer Pulitzer's men ta get in hea! I don't wanna do dis! But I don't want me fatha comin' back eitha. I'd be dead in two weeks if he came back! I gotta do dis.' Bright Eyes thought as she searched the place, carefully avoiding the working Newsies as she did so. Finally she remembered the door at the back of the hall that she and the other Newsies usually used when they were being chased. 'Most likely no one would be back dere durin' da rally. Its poifect.' Then Bright Eyes clenched her fists determinedly and ran out the door, aiming for Pulitzer's home.
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Bright Eyes stepped up the gigantic steps of Pulitzer's home and approached the enormous wooden door. " 'Minds me of a prison doors." Bright Eyes muttered as she pulled hard on the bell. Seitz opened it and peered cautiously from behind it. "Yes, what is it?" Bright Eyes gulped then straightened defiantly. "I wanna see Joe. He said ta come back afta I did what he wanted." Seitz frowned then his face smoothed out as he remembered his orders. "Yes of course. Come in. I'll fetch the Chief." Bright Eyes stepped inside and the doors closed behind her. Seitz took her into the large reception room that she had first seen Pulitzer in and plopped down in the large easy chair to wait.
Upstairs, Joseph Pulitzer and another man were talking in brisk tones with each other. The man was tall and burly. His head was topped with a shock of bright red hair and his eyes were a piercing blue. As he spoke to Pulitzer, occasionally a slip of the tongue would reveal a slight Irish accent, worn away from his time away from his homeland. "So you're sure that she'll do it Pulitzer?" the man asked nervously. "Positive. She seemed positively terrified at the thought of her father coming back again." The Irish man shook his head. "Yes well, my brother was a very abusive man I'm afraid. When his wife died giving birth to Shailagh, well it destroyed him, mentally at least."
Pulitzer eased himself against his desk, hand on cheek in thought. "I thought her name was Anne." " It is. But her father knew her specifically by that name, and I suppose that she wanted to throw him off the track by calling herself Anne, which is her middle name. She really does not want him to find her." The man said sadly. After a brief moment of silence, Pulitzer straightened and began to pace around the room. "So you say you can act your brother Mr. O'Connor?" As the man spoke, his chin rose almost defiantly before the newspaper monarch. "Please, call me Andrew, Mr. Pulitzer. Mr. O'Connor is so formal. And yes, I can act my brother. I am a professional actor of the stages of New York City, I suppose that I can act my own brother!"
"Yes, yes of course. I don't think that you should make your grand appearance just yet though. You'll come into play when she begins to refuse what I ask of her. Then she'll be frightened into doing what I ask." Pulitzer said proudly. "Are you sure that she'll do this? From what you've said she is rather attached to those, what do you call them? Newsies?" O'Connor said, doubtfully. "I'm positive Andrew. She'll do it. Her love for the Newsies is nothing compared to the fear of her father. I have several witnesses to that." Pulitzer reassured the actor. Suddenly, a knock on the door caused the men to freeze. "Who is it?" Pulitzer called out. "Seitz, Chief. The Bright Eyes girl is here to see you. She says that she's done what you asked her to do."
Pulitzer smiled then turned to O'Connor. "What did I tell you? Send her in Seitz." Then O'Connor motioned toward the closet, to which Pulitzer nodded quickly. The man snuck into the closet and gently closed the door as Bright Eyes entered the room. The girl's face was pale but determined as she lifted her chin defiantly. "I done what ya asked me to Joe. Its da backstage door on da back of Anton street. I hope yer happy!" Pulitzer smiled and patted her on the back while she cringed at his touch.
"I am, very happy." Bright Eyes shrugged the old man's hand off of her back and began to walk silently towards the door. "Well good. Any more ordas fer me, my Liege?" The old man smiled at the girl's cynical tone as she opened the door, obviously nervous though she hid it well. "That is all for now. You can go." Bright Eyes only too happy consented to his wishes and the sound of the pounding of her footsteps resounded throughout the house. O'Connor stepped out of the closet and stared at Pulitzer, who gave him a knowing look and offered him a cigar.
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By this time, Bright Eyes knew that the boys would be at Tibby's ordering their dinner and so she made her way to the restaurant with all the speed she could muster. When she reached Tibby's out of breath, she was relieved the see the Newsies just then entering the building. 'Great! I can slip in an' not even be noticed!' Bright Eyes thought happily as she snuck in the midst of the crowds of boys. "Well if'n it ain't da prodigal son? Or shall I say dawta?" Racetrack yelled above the din, causing all the boys around him to laugh as Bright Eyes put her hands on her hips. "I have da right ta go somewheas if'n I wants ta Racetrack Higgins!" All around the boys began to chant, "Oooooooooo." Because everyone knew that when Bright Eyes used your last name she was mad, but if she used your full name, she was really mad. Fortunately for Racetrack, she was only partially mad.
As Bright Eyes made her way away from her usual table with Jack, Racetrack, Kid Blink and Mush, Racetrack yelled to her, "Aw come on Brighty! I was only kiddin'!" Bright Eyes paused near an empty table, then shrugged and took her usual spot next to the boys. "What'll you have miss?" The waiter asked as Bright Eyes told Jack a joke she had heard on the street, causing him to grin ear to ear. "I'll have da hot dawg an' a saspirilla I tink." Bright Eyes said off-handedly as the waiter jotted down her order and moved to the next boy. "Hey Brighty? Where did ya go dis aftanoon?" Racetrack's voice whispered in her ear causing, though she didn't mean to, shivers to run up and down her spine.
"I jest wanted ta get some fresh air." Bright Eyes said abruptly. Just as Racetrack was going to question Bright Eyes further, she was saved by a familiar figure trooping into the diner. She then cupped her hands and yelled out, "Well if'n it ain't da infamous Spot Conlon, lowerin' 'imself ta have dinna wit' da likes of us! Lets 'ave a round of applause fer 'im fer his bravery!" Cheers and clapping resounded all around the room as Spot began to mutter, but smile all the same as he slipped into Bright Eyes' booth, squeezing in next to Kid Blink and Mush. "Do ya really hafta do dat Bright? A simple hello woulda been all right!" Spot said with his notorious coy smile that earned him so many female admirers in New York.
Bright Eyes grinned and gulped some of her saspirilla. "Well nothin' simple would do fer da leada of da Brooklyn Newsies. Ain't dat what yer always tellin' me?" Spot rolled his eyes and gave his order, then turned back to the group. "So ya ready fer da rally Spot?" Jack questioned. Spot shrugged, unperturbed. "Yeah I guess dat I am. Gotta little speech ta give dat I guess will do." Bright Eyes' face lit up as Spot sipped his saspirilla. "Oh tell me it Spot! Please!"
Spot sat up alarmingly and gazed into the girl's expectant face. "I cain't do dat! Den it wouldn't be a surprise ya know dat Brighty!" Bright Eyes face fell and she took to stirring her drink with her straw. Spot watched her for a minute, rolled his eyes and looked to the other boys faces for the determining factor. "Fine then. Here goes. Welcome fella Newsies! We's gathered hea, ta c'mmemorate da rally we had a yea ago against da Woild!" Spot then proceeded to tell his speech with all the pride and glamor he was capable of, as his friends and peers looked on admiringly, especially a pair of big, bright, glistening blue eyes.
The next morning after discussing plans with the rest of the boys about the rally, Bright Eyes decided that she wanted to go to Brooklyn and talk to Spot about the rally. The Brooklyn leader's input was needed and she knew him better than everyone else. "Mainly boys, I know how to wheedle 'im inta doin' sometin' he doesn't 'specially want ta do!" Bright Eyes said and winked. She decided to take Jack and David. She took Jack because he was their leader and he could convey ideas easily to other people. She took David, mainly because he was the "Walkin' Mouth."
The walk to Brooklyn was smooth. No one bothered them and Jack and Bright Eyes talked about places and things, while David stood off to the side and listened, often interjecting when he wanted to know about something. When they arrived in Brooklyn, Bright Eyes suddenly ran off towards a Newsie with bright red hair, dressed all in black save for a white shirt under his black vest. "Hiya Red! How's it rollin'?" The boy recognized her and clapped his hand on her back and gave her a quick hug. "Hey Bright! Haven't seen ya's in a while! Spot was gettin' testy." Bright Eyes grinned.
"The ol'fogey. Where is ol' Spot? Need ta discuss some busness wit' him." Red smiled and pointed off to the direction of the docks. "He's takin' a break before the aftanoon edition comes out. Him an' some of da uddas." Bright Eyes smiled. "He sua likes dem docks, eva since he was little he'd be sittin' out dere befoa da aftanoon edition came out. Tanks Red! I'll see ya around!" Bright Eyes then relayed Spot's whereabouts to Jack and David, and the three set off towards the docks.
When they arrived, a typical scene was stretched out before them. Boys were in the water splashing and playing, others were standing around the docks taking an afternoon smoke. As they approached greetings were sung out and a few claps on the back were distributed. They got to the center of the dock when they saw Spot. He was sitting in his usual place, up on top of a pile of crates watching the boys in the water like a king over his subjects, with a proud air. He turned around and noticed the three Newsies and smiled a pleased smile. "Well if it ain't Jack be nimble, Jack be quick. An' me own pal Brighty, who hasn't come ta see her ol'friend in a long time."
Bright Eyes blushed and faked a sorrowful glance at Spot. "Sorry Spot, I jest lost track of da time. Don't hoit me, PLEASE!! I begs ya!!" She then burst into fake tears, drawing laughs around the pier and a rarely seen grin from Spot. That grin made David see why Bright Eyes still came back to Brooklyn. They were a second family to her, next to the Newsies in Manhattan. She had grown up with these boys, she knew them, all of them and they knew her. She could even bring out a smile in Spot Conlon, an incredible feat. This was her real home. "O.k., o.k. I forgives ya. An' ya brought da Walkin' Mouth. Oh joy. Somebody else ta spit poils o'wisdom at me like fireballs. Wondaful!" David avoided the small Newsie's glance and instead looked around the pier at the rest of the dirty, grubby boys. "So whaddya what guys? Anythin' new in ol' Manhattan?" Spot asked, still eyeing David.
"Actually Spot, we wanted ta know if da boids been doin' dere job an' have been tellin' ya 'bout da rally c'memmoration ova at Medda's place?" Bright Eyes asked. Spot rubbed his chin and drew his slingshot. "Yeah, I heaid of it. Whats it to ya?" David suddenly spoke up. "We wanted to know if there was anything special that you thought we could do. I mean seeing that you were part of the rally and the strike and all, we wanted to know if, um, there was anything you wanted to tell us." During David's little interlude, Spot nodded his head simultaneously and when he had finished rolled his eyes.
"Well Mouth, dere ain't really anytin' I think needs changin' I've hoid enough from me boys. Sounds fine wit' me. Is dere gonna be speeches Jackie boy?" Jack stepped up nearer to the crates as he spoke. "Yeah, if ya want ta speak dats fine. I'm sua dat everyone would like ta hea ya." Spot nodded, apparently pleased. "Sua, I'll do it. So is dat it?" Bright Eyes nodded. "Yup, jest wanted yer input Spot." Spot jumped down from the crates, spit on his hand and held it out to Bright Eyes. "See ya lata Bright. Come around sometime 'kay?" Bright Eyes did the same to her hand and shook with Spot. "Sua, I'll probably have tons of time afta dis rally ting is ova. Bye Spot." The two then let go of the other's hand and Spot moved on to Jack. Bright Eyes waited for Jack and David, and then the three made their way back to Manhattan to meet the rest of the Newsies at Irving Hall.
The rest of the Newsies were not however outside Irving Hall. David began to panic, but Bright Eyes and Jack motioned him through the front door. When inside, they saw what had become of the Newsies. They were sitting in the front row, watching Medda perform, cheering and yelling all the while. "Boys." Bright Eyes said in exasperation as she made her way to an empty seat.
As she was walking by the front row, Mush grabbed her hand. "Finally ya got here! What took ya so long?" "I was in Brooklyn, it takes a little while ta get back here ya know!" Bright Eyes had to shout over all the yelling. "Well, Race saved a seat for ya's. He's right in da middle of da foist row." Bright Eyes nodded and made her way to her seat, leaving David and Jack behind. David turned to Jack, confused. "Well, what about us? Don't we get a seat?" Jack rolled his eyes. " 'Course we do Dave. Ours jest wasn't saved."
After the show, the Newsies met Medda backstage to discuss their plans for the rally. The rally date was set for the day after tomorrow, so it was unanimously decided to decorate the hall now, instead of later. Bows and ribbons were dragged out and the boys were set to work while Bright Eyes and Medda directed them. As Bright Eyes helped Racetrack put a ribbon up on a balcony, she began to remember the night of the rally. Some parts were fun and some still made her shudder when she thought of them. But it was as if that now that she was in the place that it happened, thinking about it was inevitable.
It had been a warm night and the stars were shining bright in the sky. The whole rally had gone as planned, starting with speeches, and ending with the debate between David and Spot. Then came Medda's number. All around Bright Eyes, boys jumped up from their seats to get a glimpse of the entirely pink clad Medda. Bright Eyes stood up and merely clapped as whistles and cheers erupted. Racetrack stood beside her, waving his hat as if he were flagging down a train. She tugged on his arm and he looked at her with an inquiring look, to which she answered by shaking her head and grinning.
During the middle of "High Times, Hard Times", Medda got to the second verse and decided that a little of the Newsie influence should be used for the song. Bright Eyes watched her green eyes scan the crowd for someone to sing with her, and Medda's gaze fell upon her. She then beckoned to her and Bright Eyes resisted, but eventually gave in as Medda pulled her up. As she sang, her voice floating with Medda's above the crowds of boys, her friends looked at her in bewilderment at her sudden transformation, causing a furious blush to arise in her cheeks.
But finally the verse was over, and she jumped down from the stage and plopped down beside Spot, who was grinning over a glass of saspirilla as he watched his comrades dance with Medda. Spot smiled and punched Bright Eyes' arm as she sat down, winded from making her way through the boys. "Good job Brighty. Ya shoulda seen da boys! Dey neva heaid ya sing befoa, so dere mouths were WIDE open I tell ya!" Bright Eyes smiled and punched Spot's arm, causing saspirilla to fall on his sleeve. Spot looked at the stain and then at Bright Eyes' suddenly solemn face, with only a twinkle of mischief in her eyes, and started to laugh. Bright Eyes then got into the spirit of things and ran up to join Medda on the chorus with everyone else.
By the time the song was over, complete pandemonium had broken out for Medda, who was hoisted up above the crowds. Then she saw David run over to Jack and yell something into his ear. Jack straightened and his face paled as he looked up towards the exits. Bright Eyes followed his gaze and saw Snyder standing with a whistle poised at his mouth, Denton talking hastily with him. Bright Eyes slipped out of the crowd just as Spot grabbed her arm and began pulling her toward an exit.
Just then, the whistle blew and chaos erupted around the hall. Boys began to run everywhere. She managed to slip out of Spot's grasp to look behind her and see what had become of her friends. Blink was sliding down one of the poles of the balcony he had just been hanging precariously over edge of. She saw Bumlets heading out the door with one of the younger children under each arm. Mush and Dutchy were making their way to an exit, but were suddenly stopped by a policeman. She looked throughout the crowd for Racetrack, but he wasn't there. Suddenly she saw him and she breathed a sigh of relief.
He was out of the fighting and was helping Medda to get out safely. But then he let go of her and deposited her with Toby and another friend and began to make his way into the center of the hall, Medda's persisting yells echoing behind him. Then Bright Eyes watched in horror as he stepped into the fighting and was met by large man who greeted him with a kick in the stomach, which he grasped, surprised. Bright Eyes' strangled a yell as the man smacked his fist into his head and plunged the boy into merciful unconsciousness. Medda saw this and reacted as Bright Eyes would've reacted. She ran up to the man and smacked him, yelling repeatedly as Racetrack was dragged off to the carts waiting outside.
Even after Racetrack had been dragged out, the picture of his surprised face echoed in her mind. A fury then arose in Bright Eyes and she ran in the direction that Racetrack and the rest of her battered companions had been dragged. But she was suddenly slung backwards as Spot grabbed her arm and whirled her around to face him. "What da heck do ya tink yer doin'?" She tried persistently to free her trapped arm from Spot's grip as she yelled at him. "I gotta help da boys! Racetrack got smacked by some goon an' I gotta help him!" Spot regained his grip on Bright Eyes' arm as she nearly gained her freedom. "Whaddya gonna do Bright? Da only ting you can do would be ta join 'em! Dat wouldn't be helpin' 'em Bright, now come on!"
"No!" Bright Eyes yelled into Spot's face. The boy's face hardened as he pulled the girl closer to him. "Listen Bright, I ain't seen ya eva go inta hysterics. Don't ya start now!" Then he pulled Bright Eyes away, the girl giving in to him at last. But suddenly they were surrounded by three boys, Morris Delancy included. Spot indicated the balcony to Bright Eyes and she jumped up the pole, Spot trailing behind her. But suddenly, a yell behind her caused Bright Eyes to look down from the balcony.
Morris had Spot by the leg and Spot was kicking furiously, but to no avail. He couldn't hold onto the pole and try to kick Morris accurately at the same. Bright Eyes took a deep breath and jumped down from the balcony on one of the curtain ropes, hitting Morris in the face and freeing her companion. The two then ran toward another exit, but were again stopped by more and more men. "Dere's to many of 'em Spot!" Spot's forehead was crumpled up as he thought of another escape plan. But as he thought, Bright Eyes began to run, panicked at the sight of all the men and of her friends being beaten to a pulp.
Bright Eyes heard Spot yell behind her, but she paid him no heed as she wrenched a boy free of the vise-like grip of another boy. The boy whirled around and punched her in the face and she fell to the ground clutching her jaw. The boy was just about to finish the job when strong arms grabbed her around the waist and began to pull her along the floor till they reached a corner out of the fighting. Spot lifted her up and grabbed her hand as they made their way to yet another exit.
They finally reached the door and were in the process of getting out when someone grabbed her waist and threw her to the floor. Spot, feeling Bright Eyes' hand slip out of his own, whirled around to face the man who had done it. Spot threw up his fists and let them fly against the man's face unsparingly. But finally the man got a grip on the boy's shoulders and threw him to the floor. Bright Eyes yelled as she tried to get away from the other pair of arms that held her down. She then watched in horror as the man smacked Spot's head into the floor again and again until unconsciousness fell upon him. The man passed the sagging Spot into another man's hands.
Bright Eyes yelled and screamed as she too was slung over the man's shoulder and taken out to one of the carriages. By some good fortune though, the man slipped and stumbled, allowing Bright Eyes to take advantage of it and to slip away. She ran down the main stairwell, getting lost in the vortex of all the other desperate boys. Then Jack's figure came into view at the bottom of the stairs, huddled up so as to escape a policeman's horse's hooves. Then he jumped up and ran up the stairs desperately. Bright Eyes' yelled his name and yelled for him to look up, but the boy was oblivious and her yells were drowned out in the commotion. Bright Eyes cringed as a large man smacked Jack in the face causing him to fall backwards into the waiting hands of policemen.
She attempted to get to him to help him, but a burly mustached man came up behind her and shoved her head into the wall knocking the girl senseless, slumping down on the floor. When she came to, her head hurt like the devil and she was surrounded by her friends. Most of them anyway. Mush sat next to Blink, whose good eye was swollen and purple. Spot lay on the floor nearby, still unconscious. Around her another dozen of boys sat beside their friends attempting to nurse their wounds. "How ya doin' kid?" The drowsy voice came from Bright Eyes' right side. When she looked over, she moaned softly as she took in Racetrack's battered face. His eye was swollen and numerous bruises were forming all over his face. He still clutched his stomach where it had been punched not long ago.
The boy watched her face as it suddenly saddened, and gave her a lopsided grin. "Oh don't worry, I ain't gonna die Bright! Dey jest roughed me up a little. Dat all comes from bein' a gentleman I guess." As he spoke Racetrack patted Bright Eyes' arm reassuringly. "You didn't get hoit dat bad. Yer lucky. Ol' Blink got knocked pretty bad, on both eyes." Bright Eyes clutched Racetrack's arm gently. "Dis was da woist night of me life. I saw all me friends get beat up, watched some of 'em get knocked unconscious. It was terrible." She whispered to Racetrack urgently. Racetrack smiled at her childlike sincerity, but winced as his bruises tensed. " C'mere. Ya've had quite a night."
Bright Eyes smiled and took Racetrack's invitation, and laid her head gently on his shoulder. Then she sat up with a worried look on her face. "Dat don't hoit does it? 'Cause if it does," she started. "Its o.k. I'll be fine. Ya need a little rest 'fore tomorrow. Interrogation day don't ya know. An' ya sua as heck won't get any sleep in da refuge." Bright Eyes smiled slightly and her head again rested on his shoulder, her eyes eventually closing in merciful sleep. Eventually, Racetrack's head drooped and rested on the girl's head as he too fell into a deep sleep.
"Hello? I now summon Bright Eyes back into the land of the living! Brighty? Anybody in dere?" Bright Eyes jumped as Racetrack's hand waved back and forth in front of her eyes, that had been previously unseeing. "I need dat udda pin Bright." Bright Eyes quickly found the pin and handed it to Racetrack, who was balancing on the edge of the balcony putting up the ribbons. Bright Eyes hesitated for a moment as she watched him, but then she timidly asked, "Race, are you worried dat sometin's gonna happen ta dis rally like what happened at da last one?"
Racetrack looked down at her as he fastened the last ribbon and moved his body up and over the railing. "Not really. Its not even a rally, ya know? Why? Are you?" Bright Eyes blushed. "Well maybe a little bit." Racetrack smiled at the girl's agitation. "Don't worry 'bout it. No one will bodder us. Its jest a little ceremony. Nothin' ta attract da bulls ner nothin'. So don't worry 'bout it. Let us men do da worryin'!" Bright Eyes laughed at the boy's cockiness. Sometimes it could be annoying and other times it was all that kept her going in a day.
Jack sauntered over to oversee the job that the two had done, and nodded his head, his black cowboy hat bobbing up and down. "Dat looks good Race. Nice job Bright. We're pretty nea done ova on our side. We'll probably get done wit' it all teday actually. We'll go ta Tibby's aftawoids. Dat o.k.?" Racetrack nodded and grinned as he clutched a recently lit cigar in his right hand. "Yeah, we'll get done pretty soon. If Bright Eyes' head will get out of da clouds!" Bright Eyes looked up at him and glared. Jack smiled secretly to himself as he watched them. 'I wonda if dey even know how pictua poifect dey look tegetha.' He thought as he watched them.
Then Jack shook his head and walked off as Bright Eyes scolded Racetrack about smoking right by the ribbons, to which he questioned why he couldn't. "Its a free country Brighty! I can smoke by ribbons if'n I wants ta!" Bright Eyes rolled her eyes as she yelled up at him again. "Because what if some ashes were ta fall on 'em? Dey'd get boined up an' den we wouldn't have no ribbons!" Racetrack grinned slyly and leaned forward as far as he could and as close to the ribbons as possible and began to flick ashes near them. Bright Eyes groaned at his stubbornness. "Good grief Race! I'm gonna find someone else to help who will actually listen to me! Ya stubborn pig!" As she stormed off Racetrack yelled, "Yeah? Well it takes one ta know one!" Cheers and laughter surrounded Racetrack as he grinned at the departing girl. 'Its so fun watchin' her tempa get up.' Racetrack thought as he waved his hands over his head at his admirers.
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In a way she was glad that she could have an excuse to leave. On the other hand, Bright Eyes felt like a dirty rat. 'I cain't believe dis! I'm snoopin' around da hall lookin' fer a way fer Pulitzer's men ta get in hea! I don't wanna do dis! But I don't want me fatha comin' back eitha. I'd be dead in two weeks if he came back! I gotta do dis.' Bright Eyes thought as she searched the place, carefully avoiding the working Newsies as she did so. Finally she remembered the door at the back of the hall that she and the other Newsies usually used when they were being chased. 'Most likely no one would be back dere durin' da rally. Its poifect.' Then Bright Eyes clenched her fists determinedly and ran out the door, aiming for Pulitzer's home.
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Bright Eyes stepped up the gigantic steps of Pulitzer's home and approached the enormous wooden door. " 'Minds me of a prison doors." Bright Eyes muttered as she pulled hard on the bell. Seitz opened it and peered cautiously from behind it. "Yes, what is it?" Bright Eyes gulped then straightened defiantly. "I wanna see Joe. He said ta come back afta I did what he wanted." Seitz frowned then his face smoothed out as he remembered his orders. "Yes of course. Come in. I'll fetch the Chief." Bright Eyes stepped inside and the doors closed behind her. Seitz took her into the large reception room that she had first seen Pulitzer in and plopped down in the large easy chair to wait.
Upstairs, Joseph Pulitzer and another man were talking in brisk tones with each other. The man was tall and burly. His head was topped with a shock of bright red hair and his eyes were a piercing blue. As he spoke to Pulitzer, occasionally a slip of the tongue would reveal a slight Irish accent, worn away from his time away from his homeland. "So you're sure that she'll do it Pulitzer?" the man asked nervously. "Positive. She seemed positively terrified at the thought of her father coming back again." The Irish man shook his head. "Yes well, my brother was a very abusive man I'm afraid. When his wife died giving birth to Shailagh, well it destroyed him, mentally at least."
Pulitzer eased himself against his desk, hand on cheek in thought. "I thought her name was Anne." " It is. But her father knew her specifically by that name, and I suppose that she wanted to throw him off the track by calling herself Anne, which is her middle name. She really does not want him to find her." The man said sadly. After a brief moment of silence, Pulitzer straightened and began to pace around the room. "So you say you can act your brother Mr. O'Connor?" As the man spoke, his chin rose almost defiantly before the newspaper monarch. "Please, call me Andrew, Mr. Pulitzer. Mr. O'Connor is so formal. And yes, I can act my brother. I am a professional actor of the stages of New York City, I suppose that I can act my own brother!"
"Yes, yes of course. I don't think that you should make your grand appearance just yet though. You'll come into play when she begins to refuse what I ask of her. Then she'll be frightened into doing what I ask." Pulitzer said proudly. "Are you sure that she'll do this? From what you've said she is rather attached to those, what do you call them? Newsies?" O'Connor said, doubtfully. "I'm positive Andrew. She'll do it. Her love for the Newsies is nothing compared to the fear of her father. I have several witnesses to that." Pulitzer reassured the actor. Suddenly, a knock on the door caused the men to freeze. "Who is it?" Pulitzer called out. "Seitz, Chief. The Bright Eyes girl is here to see you. She says that she's done what you asked her to do."
Pulitzer smiled then turned to O'Connor. "What did I tell you? Send her in Seitz." Then O'Connor motioned toward the closet, to which Pulitzer nodded quickly. The man snuck into the closet and gently closed the door as Bright Eyes entered the room. The girl's face was pale but determined as she lifted her chin defiantly. "I done what ya asked me to Joe. Its da backstage door on da back of Anton street. I hope yer happy!" Pulitzer smiled and patted her on the back while she cringed at his touch.
"I am, very happy." Bright Eyes shrugged the old man's hand off of her back and began to walk silently towards the door. "Well good. Any more ordas fer me, my Liege?" The old man smiled at the girl's cynical tone as she opened the door, obviously nervous though she hid it well. "That is all for now. You can go." Bright Eyes only too happy consented to his wishes and the sound of the pounding of her footsteps resounded throughout the house. O'Connor stepped out of the closet and stared at Pulitzer, who gave him a knowing look and offered him a cigar.
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By this time, Bright Eyes knew that the boys would be at Tibby's ordering their dinner and so she made her way to the restaurant with all the speed she could muster. When she reached Tibby's out of breath, she was relieved the see the Newsies just then entering the building. 'Great! I can slip in an' not even be noticed!' Bright Eyes thought happily as she snuck in the midst of the crowds of boys. "Well if'n it ain't da prodigal son? Or shall I say dawta?" Racetrack yelled above the din, causing all the boys around him to laugh as Bright Eyes put her hands on her hips. "I have da right ta go somewheas if'n I wants ta Racetrack Higgins!" All around the boys began to chant, "Oooooooooo." Because everyone knew that when Bright Eyes used your last name she was mad, but if she used your full name, she was really mad. Fortunately for Racetrack, she was only partially mad.
As Bright Eyes made her way away from her usual table with Jack, Racetrack, Kid Blink and Mush, Racetrack yelled to her, "Aw come on Brighty! I was only kiddin'!" Bright Eyes paused near an empty table, then shrugged and took her usual spot next to the boys. "What'll you have miss?" The waiter asked as Bright Eyes told Jack a joke she had heard on the street, causing him to grin ear to ear. "I'll have da hot dawg an' a saspirilla I tink." Bright Eyes said off-handedly as the waiter jotted down her order and moved to the next boy. "Hey Brighty? Where did ya go dis aftanoon?" Racetrack's voice whispered in her ear causing, though she didn't mean to, shivers to run up and down her spine.
"I jest wanted ta get some fresh air." Bright Eyes said abruptly. Just as Racetrack was going to question Bright Eyes further, she was saved by a familiar figure trooping into the diner. She then cupped her hands and yelled out, "Well if'n it ain't da infamous Spot Conlon, lowerin' 'imself ta have dinna wit' da likes of us! Lets 'ave a round of applause fer 'im fer his bravery!" Cheers and clapping resounded all around the room as Spot began to mutter, but smile all the same as he slipped into Bright Eyes' booth, squeezing in next to Kid Blink and Mush. "Do ya really hafta do dat Bright? A simple hello woulda been all right!" Spot said with his notorious coy smile that earned him so many female admirers in New York.
Bright Eyes grinned and gulped some of her saspirilla. "Well nothin' simple would do fer da leada of da Brooklyn Newsies. Ain't dat what yer always tellin' me?" Spot rolled his eyes and gave his order, then turned back to the group. "So ya ready fer da rally Spot?" Jack questioned. Spot shrugged, unperturbed. "Yeah I guess dat I am. Gotta little speech ta give dat I guess will do." Bright Eyes' face lit up as Spot sipped his saspirilla. "Oh tell me it Spot! Please!"
Spot sat up alarmingly and gazed into the girl's expectant face. "I cain't do dat! Den it wouldn't be a surprise ya know dat Brighty!" Bright Eyes face fell and she took to stirring her drink with her straw. Spot watched her for a minute, rolled his eyes and looked to the other boys faces for the determining factor. "Fine then. Here goes. Welcome fella Newsies! We's gathered hea, ta c'mmemorate da rally we had a yea ago against da Woild!" Spot then proceeded to tell his speech with all the pride and glamor he was capable of, as his friends and peers looked on admiringly, especially a pair of big, bright, glistening blue eyes.
