After Grabs was dragged by Oscar into his office, he was wincing in pain from his side. He had been dragged uncerimoniously down the hall and it had wounded not only his body, but his pride. He had been caught, and now after hearing Oscar's words, he knew he would die. "I tried. I tried Fairy." He muttered under his breath as he was shoved into the room. He was forced into the stiff, unyielding wooden chair roughly. He sat there, giving Oscar a look of both hate and fear. He looked about the room and noticed then a second wooden chair. It's occupant was a whitefaced little girl with curly brown curls falling in her bright blue eyes. "Fairy." He croaked suddenly. The girl turned slightly and blinked her eyes, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. "Grabs! Oh it is you!" She whispered fervently as any prayer. But before the two could embrace, Oscar stepped between them.
"Dere ain't no time fer dat now. So shove it." Oscar said firmly. He sat down in a third chair and stared at the two of them for a time. "So, ya ready ta die Grabs?" He asked shortly. Grabs drew himself up bravely, but still a glimmer of fear shone in his eyes. "If dere ain't no way outta it, den yeah. Sure. I'm jest along fer da ride an' if dis is da cawd life is dealin' me, well I cain't change da cawds." He said firmly. Oscar grinned. "Dats mighty big tawk fer Race's kid. Ya know dat yer fadda woulda tried ta cheat. Ya know dat?" Oscar said, scoffing. "Would he now? As far as I know, me fadda didn't win nothin' cheatin' or not." Grabs replyed, keeping on an air of confidence. This surprised Oscar, but it didn't put him off for a moment. "Yeah, I guess da one cheatin' was yer mudda." Grabs reddened, but he didn't show his anger. "You bet. Mama's da best cheatinest cawd playa I eva did see in Manhattan. Its 'most scandalous Osca." He countered bravely.
Oscar's eyes widened in surprise, but then they dropped to their slits once more. "You got courage kid. Ya know who I am, but ya don't care?" Grabs shook his head. "I jest know dat yer name is Osca. Nothin' more. But I would like ta know why yer so blamed set on killin' me family. Dat ain't nice." He said. "No it ain't. But I won't go inta dat again, since ya ovaheard our tawk in da hallway dere. I suppose I should intraduce meself. Osca Delancy, leada of dis undawoild crime institution, which yer priveliged ta see in action." Oscar remarked, his pride shining through. "Yeah, I'm gonna be yer thoid victim is dat it?" Grabs said plainly, eyeing the man's hand playing about the gun in his belt. "Not quite yet. Ya see, I wanna show you whats gonna happen afta I git rid of ya. You an' yer little group. Come wit' me." He said, roughly pulling Grabs to his feet. Grabs grabbed Fairy's hand and held it tight as they followed the man.
They walked down a series of corridors till they walked out a door and Grabs smelled fresh air. They were outside in a loading dock. The dock was filled with people, boys of all different sizes and ages. Most were men, but even the boys had the same rough look about them. "See dis? An' dat stuff dey're loadin'? Dat's me stuff dats gonna help me take ova New Yawk." Oscar said with pride. "Whats in 'em?" Grabs gulped. "Oh guns an' stuff." Oscar said cooly. Grabs shivered and held Fairy's hand tighter. "But dats beside da point. See Grabs, afta I kill you, New Yawk ain't neva gonna be da same again. Dere's gonna be moida an' robbin' all ova da place. An' no one will know who done it. 'Cept us. An' yer gonna stawt it all. All because ya had ta be snoopy." Oscar smirked. Grabs stared at the scene, tight-lipped and pale. "Makes ya feel real good don't it?" Oscar hissed. Grabs ducked his head away from the man.
"Lets git inside Grabs. You an' me got business don't we?" Oscar said, separating Fairy's grasp from Grabs. Fairy began to shriek loudly as one of the boys grabbed her quickly, his large arms holding her tightly. Oscar grabbed Grabs arm and began to jerk him towards the door. Grabs tried to struggle, but the arm that Oscar held was the one on the side that he had wouned at Queens. As a last act of rebellion, he placed his feet against the walls of the door and refused to move, making Oscar push and shove him uncerimoniously. Suddenly, Oscar nearly dropped him as something whizzed by his head. "I'd let him go Delancy. If I was you." Oscar looked up on the rooftop and Grabs and the other men did the same. Boys and men shot up from the rooftop, slingshots at the ready. In front of them all, stood Spot, Sketch and Jade on either side of him, their slingshots ready.
Oscar grinned. "You think dat marbles is gonna stop us Conlon? I don't think so! Gentlmen! Now!" The men all drew pistols from their belts and began to shoot at Brooklyn. Brooklyn promptly dropped behind the wall, the bullets missing them all. "Watch out fer Fairy!" Grabs shrieked as the men were hit hard by the marbles. Oscar began to drag him back in, but he fought him with all his might. Suddenly, Oscar was knocked flat and he lost his hold on Grabs. Grabs jumped up holding his side and found himself into the arms of Racetrack. "Hey kid. Long time no see." He said, holdin his son in his arms fiercely. "Gotta fight. Wanna help?" Racetrack asked with a twinkle in his eye. "Yeah! We gots ta save Fairy!" Grabs said quickly. Racetrack nodded and the two of them plowed their way through the men.
Grabs looked around him as he ran and suddenly a familiar figure caught his eye. There was a person beating the living daylights out of a boy who had chanced to try to climb the roof near Brooklyn. Grabs gasped as he realized who it was. "Papa! Dats Mama!" He said quickly. "I told ya she was a good fighter!" Racetrack grunted, punching another man to the ground. "An' dere's Blue an', an', Papa! Like all yer Newsies pals is here!" He said in surprise. "Of course. You kids mean alot, an' we weren't about ta let ya go widout a fight." Racetrack said, flashing a smile at his son. "But, even da way we was actin'?" Racetrack nodded. "Yup. But lets tawk 'bout it later! We's got a fight ta finish." Grabs grinned first at his father, then at the victorious Sketch, who struck yet another man down with his fists and slingshot. "Heya Sketch! Havin' fun?" Grabs yelled. Sketch punched a man, then looked at him and grinned. "I've neva had so much fun Higgins. Dis is wondaful!" He said. "How'd ya find me?" Grabs yelled, as he punched and hit the opposition. "Follered ya. Saw ya leave an' den when I saw ya go in, I got da uddas." Sketch said very matter-of-factly. "Well it sure took ya long enough Conlon." Grabs said in mock anger. Sketch grinned. "I know. I won't take so long again." He said. Grabs grinned and threw another swing contentedly. But strong arms came around Grabs and he felt himself being dragged away from his father and Sketch, large hands covering his mouth. He tried to scream to get his father's attention, but it was no use. He was dragged back into the building and thrown to the floor.
"So yer friends an' family came fer a reunion eh? Well we'll settle dat. Even if I cain't git dem, I kin sure as hell git you." Oscar snarled, pulling his pistol out and pointing it at Grabs. "I wouldn't count on it Osca." An icy voice called out. Oscar looked up as Mouse emerged from the shadows, two pistols in his hand, both pointed at Oscar's heart. Oscar's eyebrows raised, and he grinned. "So, yer toinin' traita Mouse. Afta all we been through." Mouse scoffed. "Yeah, I am. I told ya, I don't kill kids. An' I don't like waste, an' dats jest what dis is. Killin' him won't make up fer how much ya hate an' wanna kill Race. It jest won't Osca. Face it. It's ova. Ya cain't win. Look outside. Dey're beatin' da hides out of us. Give it up." Mouse said reasonably.
"NO!" Oscar screamed, and as he did, he fired a shot at Mouse. Mouse ducked and in fired another back at him in turn. Oscar also ducked, but it was a very narrow miss. "I'm givin' ya da chance ta leave da kid an' stawt ova wit' yer guys somewhere else. Widout me." Mouse said, taking a step closer, the guns not wavering at all. "Ha! Ya tink I'm gonna buy dat? Yeah right! Neva!" Mouse took another step closer. "Jest do it Osca. It's betta if ya jest git it ova wit'. Tink of it dis way. I'm sparin' yer life, AN' I'm lettin' ya keep yer little mafia. Jest do it, an' I won't shoot ya. An' ya know I don't miss Osca. Ya didn't see me miss Dice, or any of dose uddas ya asked me ta 'dispose' of." Mouse said, his lip curling in indignation.
"Well, I'll tink about it." Oscar said, his tone suddenly softening. Grabs looked up at him, startled. He didn't like that look in his eyes, it was a lying gaze. "When?" Mouse asked, not stirring. "Now." Oscar said, and he swiftly pulled the trigger on his gun. "NO!" Grabs screamed as the bullet shot through Mouse. Mouse's eyes widened and he slumped to the floor, the pistols falling with a clang. Grabs stared at him in wide-eyed terror, just as he had when Archer had been killed. "Jest like in Queens eh Higgins? An' jest like in Queens, I'm gonna shoot ya, but dis time I won't miss." Oscar said spitefully, cocking his gun and pointing it straight at Grabs. "Not today Delancy!" Grabs turned behind him and saw Mouse standing again, his face pale, but radiant. He shot his pistol and it hit Oscar as he lunged towards him.
But the bullet didn't stop him and he lunged on top of Mouse, knocking the pistol to the ground. Grabs stood and watched in terror as the two grappled with each other on the floor. He watched in panic, not knowing what to do. But then he grabbed Oscar's pistol on the floor, pointed it nervously, and shot. The force knocked him down. When the smoke cleared and he stood, the two men were still. "Oh God I killed 'em both." He muttered softly. Then the bodies began to stir and Grabs covered his head as he thought he saw Oscar move. But it wasn't Oscar who had stood before him.
It was Mouse. "Mouse! Yer, yer not dead!" Grabs said, joyfully running to him. "No I ain't dead yet. I've got me whole life ta live before I die by da likes of him, although I'll be set off by dis here shoulda." Mouse remarked casually, fingering the bullet hole in his shoulder. "Yeah but, at least yer alive. I want ya ta meet me Papa an' Mama! I bet dey've all licked dose guys out dere! Lets go!" Grabs said, taking hold of Mouse's hand. "But wait, what about Osca?" Grabs asked, turning around. The two boys stared in disbelief at the floor where Oscar had fallen. He was gone, leaving behind him a puddle of his blood. Mouse shook his head. "Well, he'll be back. Dats all I kin say. I guess he took me advice. Now lets go meet yer folks." Mouse said solemnly, taking the boy's hand and walking out the door.
"Dere ain't no time fer dat now. So shove it." Oscar said firmly. He sat down in a third chair and stared at the two of them for a time. "So, ya ready ta die Grabs?" He asked shortly. Grabs drew himself up bravely, but still a glimmer of fear shone in his eyes. "If dere ain't no way outta it, den yeah. Sure. I'm jest along fer da ride an' if dis is da cawd life is dealin' me, well I cain't change da cawds." He said firmly. Oscar grinned. "Dats mighty big tawk fer Race's kid. Ya know dat yer fadda woulda tried ta cheat. Ya know dat?" Oscar said, scoffing. "Would he now? As far as I know, me fadda didn't win nothin' cheatin' or not." Grabs replyed, keeping on an air of confidence. This surprised Oscar, but it didn't put him off for a moment. "Yeah, I guess da one cheatin' was yer mudda." Grabs reddened, but he didn't show his anger. "You bet. Mama's da best cheatinest cawd playa I eva did see in Manhattan. Its 'most scandalous Osca." He countered bravely.
Oscar's eyes widened in surprise, but then they dropped to their slits once more. "You got courage kid. Ya know who I am, but ya don't care?" Grabs shook his head. "I jest know dat yer name is Osca. Nothin' more. But I would like ta know why yer so blamed set on killin' me family. Dat ain't nice." He said. "No it ain't. But I won't go inta dat again, since ya ovaheard our tawk in da hallway dere. I suppose I should intraduce meself. Osca Delancy, leada of dis undawoild crime institution, which yer priveliged ta see in action." Oscar remarked, his pride shining through. "Yeah, I'm gonna be yer thoid victim is dat it?" Grabs said plainly, eyeing the man's hand playing about the gun in his belt. "Not quite yet. Ya see, I wanna show you whats gonna happen afta I git rid of ya. You an' yer little group. Come wit' me." He said, roughly pulling Grabs to his feet. Grabs grabbed Fairy's hand and held it tight as they followed the man.
They walked down a series of corridors till they walked out a door and Grabs smelled fresh air. They were outside in a loading dock. The dock was filled with people, boys of all different sizes and ages. Most were men, but even the boys had the same rough look about them. "See dis? An' dat stuff dey're loadin'? Dat's me stuff dats gonna help me take ova New Yawk." Oscar said with pride. "Whats in 'em?" Grabs gulped. "Oh guns an' stuff." Oscar said cooly. Grabs shivered and held Fairy's hand tighter. "But dats beside da point. See Grabs, afta I kill you, New Yawk ain't neva gonna be da same again. Dere's gonna be moida an' robbin' all ova da place. An' no one will know who done it. 'Cept us. An' yer gonna stawt it all. All because ya had ta be snoopy." Oscar smirked. Grabs stared at the scene, tight-lipped and pale. "Makes ya feel real good don't it?" Oscar hissed. Grabs ducked his head away from the man.
"Lets git inside Grabs. You an' me got business don't we?" Oscar said, separating Fairy's grasp from Grabs. Fairy began to shriek loudly as one of the boys grabbed her quickly, his large arms holding her tightly. Oscar grabbed Grabs arm and began to jerk him towards the door. Grabs tried to struggle, but the arm that Oscar held was the one on the side that he had wouned at Queens. As a last act of rebellion, he placed his feet against the walls of the door and refused to move, making Oscar push and shove him uncerimoniously. Suddenly, Oscar nearly dropped him as something whizzed by his head. "I'd let him go Delancy. If I was you." Oscar looked up on the rooftop and Grabs and the other men did the same. Boys and men shot up from the rooftop, slingshots at the ready. In front of them all, stood Spot, Sketch and Jade on either side of him, their slingshots ready.
Oscar grinned. "You think dat marbles is gonna stop us Conlon? I don't think so! Gentlmen! Now!" The men all drew pistols from their belts and began to shoot at Brooklyn. Brooklyn promptly dropped behind the wall, the bullets missing them all. "Watch out fer Fairy!" Grabs shrieked as the men were hit hard by the marbles. Oscar began to drag him back in, but he fought him with all his might. Suddenly, Oscar was knocked flat and he lost his hold on Grabs. Grabs jumped up holding his side and found himself into the arms of Racetrack. "Hey kid. Long time no see." He said, holdin his son in his arms fiercely. "Gotta fight. Wanna help?" Racetrack asked with a twinkle in his eye. "Yeah! We gots ta save Fairy!" Grabs said quickly. Racetrack nodded and the two of them plowed their way through the men.
Grabs looked around him as he ran and suddenly a familiar figure caught his eye. There was a person beating the living daylights out of a boy who had chanced to try to climb the roof near Brooklyn. Grabs gasped as he realized who it was. "Papa! Dats Mama!" He said quickly. "I told ya she was a good fighter!" Racetrack grunted, punching another man to the ground. "An' dere's Blue an', an', Papa! Like all yer Newsies pals is here!" He said in surprise. "Of course. You kids mean alot, an' we weren't about ta let ya go widout a fight." Racetrack said, flashing a smile at his son. "But, even da way we was actin'?" Racetrack nodded. "Yup. But lets tawk 'bout it later! We's got a fight ta finish." Grabs grinned first at his father, then at the victorious Sketch, who struck yet another man down with his fists and slingshot. "Heya Sketch! Havin' fun?" Grabs yelled. Sketch punched a man, then looked at him and grinned. "I've neva had so much fun Higgins. Dis is wondaful!" He said. "How'd ya find me?" Grabs yelled, as he punched and hit the opposition. "Follered ya. Saw ya leave an' den when I saw ya go in, I got da uddas." Sketch said very matter-of-factly. "Well it sure took ya long enough Conlon." Grabs said in mock anger. Sketch grinned. "I know. I won't take so long again." He said. Grabs grinned and threw another swing contentedly. But strong arms came around Grabs and he felt himself being dragged away from his father and Sketch, large hands covering his mouth. He tried to scream to get his father's attention, but it was no use. He was dragged back into the building and thrown to the floor.
"So yer friends an' family came fer a reunion eh? Well we'll settle dat. Even if I cain't git dem, I kin sure as hell git you." Oscar snarled, pulling his pistol out and pointing it at Grabs. "I wouldn't count on it Osca." An icy voice called out. Oscar looked up as Mouse emerged from the shadows, two pistols in his hand, both pointed at Oscar's heart. Oscar's eyebrows raised, and he grinned. "So, yer toinin' traita Mouse. Afta all we been through." Mouse scoffed. "Yeah, I am. I told ya, I don't kill kids. An' I don't like waste, an' dats jest what dis is. Killin' him won't make up fer how much ya hate an' wanna kill Race. It jest won't Osca. Face it. It's ova. Ya cain't win. Look outside. Dey're beatin' da hides out of us. Give it up." Mouse said reasonably.
"NO!" Oscar screamed, and as he did, he fired a shot at Mouse. Mouse ducked and in fired another back at him in turn. Oscar also ducked, but it was a very narrow miss. "I'm givin' ya da chance ta leave da kid an' stawt ova wit' yer guys somewhere else. Widout me." Mouse said, taking a step closer, the guns not wavering at all. "Ha! Ya tink I'm gonna buy dat? Yeah right! Neva!" Mouse took another step closer. "Jest do it Osca. It's betta if ya jest git it ova wit'. Tink of it dis way. I'm sparin' yer life, AN' I'm lettin' ya keep yer little mafia. Jest do it, an' I won't shoot ya. An' ya know I don't miss Osca. Ya didn't see me miss Dice, or any of dose uddas ya asked me ta 'dispose' of." Mouse said, his lip curling in indignation.
"Well, I'll tink about it." Oscar said, his tone suddenly softening. Grabs looked up at him, startled. He didn't like that look in his eyes, it was a lying gaze. "When?" Mouse asked, not stirring. "Now." Oscar said, and he swiftly pulled the trigger on his gun. "NO!" Grabs screamed as the bullet shot through Mouse. Mouse's eyes widened and he slumped to the floor, the pistols falling with a clang. Grabs stared at him in wide-eyed terror, just as he had when Archer had been killed. "Jest like in Queens eh Higgins? An' jest like in Queens, I'm gonna shoot ya, but dis time I won't miss." Oscar said spitefully, cocking his gun and pointing it straight at Grabs. "Not today Delancy!" Grabs turned behind him and saw Mouse standing again, his face pale, but radiant. He shot his pistol and it hit Oscar as he lunged towards him.
But the bullet didn't stop him and he lunged on top of Mouse, knocking the pistol to the ground. Grabs stood and watched in terror as the two grappled with each other on the floor. He watched in panic, not knowing what to do. But then he grabbed Oscar's pistol on the floor, pointed it nervously, and shot. The force knocked him down. When the smoke cleared and he stood, the two men were still. "Oh God I killed 'em both." He muttered softly. Then the bodies began to stir and Grabs covered his head as he thought he saw Oscar move. But it wasn't Oscar who had stood before him.
It was Mouse. "Mouse! Yer, yer not dead!" Grabs said, joyfully running to him. "No I ain't dead yet. I've got me whole life ta live before I die by da likes of him, although I'll be set off by dis here shoulda." Mouse remarked casually, fingering the bullet hole in his shoulder. "Yeah but, at least yer alive. I want ya ta meet me Papa an' Mama! I bet dey've all licked dose guys out dere! Lets go!" Grabs said, taking hold of Mouse's hand. "But wait, what about Osca?" Grabs asked, turning around. The two boys stared in disbelief at the floor where Oscar had fallen. He was gone, leaving behind him a puddle of his blood. Mouse shook his head. "Well, he'll be back. Dats all I kin say. I guess he took me advice. Now lets go meet yer folks." Mouse said solemnly, taking the boy's hand and walking out the door.