Santa Fe, My Old Friend, I can't spend my whole life hidin.
You're the only light that's guiding me today.
I didn't understand. I didn't understand it at all. His words had gotten to me. Pulitzer's words. Would it be my fault? The weight of responsibility suddenly weighed heavy upon my shoulders. It would be my fault.
David…his family. Taking me in, treating me like I was one of their own. Like I belonged there. I couldn't let harm come to them, to David. He and his idealistic dreams, his optimistic belief that we could change things. I was one that made him believe. Now he sees it more than I do. A bigger picture than just beatin' the big wigs and not having to pay extra for our papes. A bigger picture I can't see.
Crutchy is talking to me now. In here because of me…it's my fault. He was hurt, hurt real bad, for my stupid dream. For my stupid talk…just talk that's all I am. I don't even speak my own words, but David's.
Crutchy is optimistic, always optimistic. Throwing some words back at me, something I once said…but I try and destroy it. Don't believe in me! I want to scream at him, I have nothing for you to believe in! I am, have been and always will be nothing. So cocky thinking I could do it, thinking I could do anything. Like I had a chance to change things. I should've known by then that life don't work that way. There's no winning against all odds and there are no heroes.
Pulitzer promised me money, real money. I could go to Santa Fe… Get away from all of this. I could have my dream… Santa Fe…
I sighed heavily, it actually hurt my chest. It hurt to breathe…For me to have my dream I would have to crush there's. But it would be safer that way? Right? Safer. David wouldn't be put in jail, the newsies wouldn't be hurt anymore…
Will you keep a candle burnin
Will you help me find my way
You're my chance to break free
And who knows when my next one will be
Santa Fe, wait for me…
I'm nervous. I can feel the sweat building up. A light sheen on my back, trickling through my hair. But I walk out, calm, in my new suit, money jingling in my pocket, to face the boys I was…protecting? Betraying…that's the truth of it. I'm betraying them, every last one. They would fight for me, go to jail for me, die for me…and I'm too scared to do the same for them. I'm nothing, I'm nobody. Don't fight for me!
David approaches, he says things, hurtful things, each one biting with the sting of the truth. I listen and it hurts, it hurts so bad. I react with my pride, always my pride getting in my way. I can feel my mouth moving, antagonizing him, goading him on into a fight. A fight with me. That's right…give up David. See that it's a pointless fight…give it up! Give me up! I'm nothing…
And now I'm selling for Pulitzer again. On the streets selling his papes. I'm wondering if I was right. Should David give up? No…he fought with me, he fought and he won't give up. He can do it without me. He's right…they don't need me. Nobody does.
I hear a scream. It's familiar and it sends chills down my spine. I run towards the sound.
Sarah!
They're hurting her, those damn Delancy brothers. They and people like them will always hurt her. They'll always hurt everyone. They'll always win. And who is going to stand up to them but me? They're my fight. This is my fight! I help them, David and Les, and Sarah. They're my family. David gives me hope. Sarah gives me something worth fighting for. And Les…I can't let him down, he fuels me on. His belief in me. Like I'm some hero. I want to be his hero.
We will win this fight.
We'll never give up.