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"Papes! Come an' get da pape dats got all da news ya could ask fer! Moida! Poison! Revenge! Its all here in da Woild people! Take dis one fer example! Boy gits trampled by stampede! Right here!" Blue yelled out, restraining against the grin that threatened to spill over as people came to buy the paper and read the story. The real story was that a little boy was stampeded, yes, but by an army of red ants and was taken to the hospital. "Yer doin' good fer only bein' heah a few weeks Blue." Kid Blink said as he sidled up to her. "Yeah, well its in me blood. Plus I leained a few tings from Queens." Blue remarked as she handed out the papers.
"Blue, Bright was goin' ta go down ta Brooklyn teday an' she wanted ta know if ya wanted ta tag along. I said dat ya would." Blue looked up at Kid Blink, surprise written all over her face. "I mean, ya should git ta know Spot and jest, well know 'im so he don't take a likin' ta soakin' ya. Ya know? I'll sell da rest of yer papes fer ya." Kid Blink offered. Blue looked up at him for a few minutes more then handed him the remainder of her papers with a sigh. "Where is she waitin'?" Kid Blink smiled and patted her on the back. "At da Greeley statue. Hurry up! An' mind yer mannas!" He yelled after her as she departed.
Blue quickly caught up to Bright Eyes at the Greeley statue. Bright Eyes was immersed in a game of craps with Racetrack and Snipeshooter, so Blue figured that she didn't know when she approached. But she knew without looking up. "Hey Blue. Hold on a minute. I've almost got Race beat." Bright Eyes murmured as Blue looked down at her in surprise. "You got me beat? Ha! More like I've got you beat!" Racetrack remarked as he looked at Bright Eyes happily. "Don't be so sure Higgins." Bright Eyes said as she won the game. Racetrack clapped his hands to his face. "NO! I coulda sworn dat, oh geez Bright! Yer heaitless!" Bright Eyes stood and patted Racetrack on the back.
"So, ya ready ta greet Spot?" She asked Blue. "Sure. Dat'll be fine." Blue said keeping pace with Bright Eyes as she walked. "Ya neivous?" Bright Eyes asked. "No. Should I be?" Blue asked. Bright Eyes merely smiled and continued to lead her into the depths of Brooklyn. When they got past the slums and had crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, Bright Eyes and Blue turned to a yell nearby. "Bright! Back already! Who's da kid?" A tall boy with a full head of red hair and wearing nothing but black clothes, save his white shirt under the black vest, approached the two girls at a rapid pace. "Hey Red. Dis is Blue. Blue dis is me friend Red. Blue's Kid Blink's sista." Bright Eyes said as the two newsies spit shook.
"Kid's sista eh? Well I kin see the family resemblance. Ya wanna see Spot?" Red asked after giving Blue a winning smile. "Yeah. Do ya know where he is?" Bright Eyes asked. "Don't know. But Tinker might. He's at da distribution office." Bright Eyes nodded and motioned for Blue to follow her as Red lead them further into Brooklyn. When they approached the distribution office Bright Eyes, Red, and Blue waited in line. "Bright, why are we waitin' in line? We ain't gonna buy papes." Blue asked as she tugged on Bright Eyes' sleeve. "We's gonna ask Tinker if he's seen Spot. Tinker's da distribution guy an' a newsie. He knows most everytin' about anyone an' where dey are." Bright Eyes said as they finally approached the office desk.
A grubby Italian with a cigarette in his mouth sat behind the desk. Though he was sitting, Blue could still tell that he was short in stature. He was thin and lanky with a shock of black hair under his black derby hat. The most curious thing about the boy was that his eyes, instead of being naturally brown like any other Italian, they were a light blue. They seemed to attract the natural observer into their gaze more than any other thing about him. "Whaddya want guys?" He asked taking the cigarette out of his mouth and blowing a smoke ring. "Tinker, has Spot passed by yet? Oh dis is Blue. Kid's sista." Red said. Tinker grinned at Blue and she smiled shyly. "Nope, our fearless leada ain't passed by yet. But if ya wait, he should be passin' by soon." Tinker said, blowing another smoke ring.
Suddenly Blue felt someone pushing past her quickly and harshly. On instinct, she quickly shoved her elbow backwards into the body and she heard the thump and grown as the person fell down. "Yer dead kid." A low voice murmured from the ground. Bright Eyes, Blue and Red looked down to see a boy with blonde-brown hair lying on the ground dusting off his blue hat. As he stood he picked up a black cane with tinfoil on the ends and pointed it straight at Blue. "Who are you?" Blue gazed at him squarely, raising her chin. "Dats none of yer business an' if you were decent you would wait in line like everyone else." Blue said sharply, gazing into the boy's grey-blue eyes. The boy set his jaw as he stared at her angrily. "You don't know who yer messin' wit' kid."
Blue rolled her eyes. "Right. I fergot. I'm messin' wit' da fearless urchin of da streets. I'm really scared." Blue said crossing her arms. "Um, Blue." Bright Eyes said warningly. Blue shook her off and continued on her rampage. "Anyway. You don't got any right ta push in front of me dat way. I was here foist an' even a street kid kin leain some mannas. I'm heah ta see Spot Conlon anyway, so you'll jest hafta wait yer toin like everybody else." As she spoke the last words, the boy's eyes widened and his lips curled in a smile. But not a happy smile. A sarcastic smile. Then he began to laugh. "So yer heah ta see Spot Conlon are ya? Whaddya want wit' Spot Conlon? Don't ya know dat he's da leada of Brooklyn? An' why would he wanna see a rude kid like you anyway?" He asked leaning on his cane.
As Blue scanned him over warily, she noticed a heavy metal key hanging from the boy's neck. "I'm heah ta see Spot jest 'cause his friends want me ta. So dat he won't soak me fer any reason. Ta gain an' ally I guess. An' plus I bet he's got more manners dan you'll eva gain in a century." Blue said haughtily. The boy laughed again and gazed humorously at Bright Eyes and Red. "So he does, does he? Well, I happen ta know where Spot Conlon is." Blue brightened. "Where? I need ta git back ta sellin' me papes." The boy grinned. "Devoted aren't ya? Well he's standin' right in front of ya." He said, bowing with a flourish. Blue's face paled. "Dat mannerly enough fer ya?" He asked, pulling himself up.
Blue couldn't speak. She merely stared at the boy in awe.
I was talkin' sass to da leada of Brooklyn. I'm gonna git killed.
Spot grinned. "Well Bright. Guess yer little plan ta make me her ally didn't woik." Bright Eyes didn't return the grin. "Spot, she didn't know. Now cool it okay. Jest give her a chance." Bright Eyes entreated. "A chance? She didn't give me a chance. Did ya?" Spot said, gazing at her. Blue still couldn't speak and merely stared back at him, angry and embarrassed. "See. She cain't even answer." Spot said tauntingly. The blood rose in Blue's cheeks as the anger returned.
"You could have at least been decent enough ta tell me who ya were!" She burst out. Spot smiled. "Yeah right. An' ruin dat whole speech? Dat woulda been terrible." He said, gazing at her then turning to Bright Eyes. "I dunno Bright. I guess she's sorry. I'll give her anotha chance." Bright Eyes nodded gratefully as Spot began to walk off. "Da only reason yer doin' dat is 'cause yer soft!" Blue hardly realized she had said it out loud until the Brooklyn leader halted in his tracks and turned around to face her. Behind her, Red, Tinker, and Bright Eyes paled and the whole distribution office was silent. Spot approached Blue once more, his face white with rage.
"What did you say?" Spot asked, his words coming out in harsh whispers. Blue raised her chin. "You, are, soft. Kin ya spell dat? S-O-F-T. You." Blue said menacingly. Spot grabbed the collar of her shirt harshly. "Look kid. I am da leada of Brooklyn. Do ya know what dis will do to my reputation if my boys believe some chit dat I'm soft?" He asked angrily. Blue shrugged and strained against Spot's strong grip on her shirt. "Sometimes da truth hoits." Spot tightened his grip on her collar and pulled her closer to his face. "Now its my toin ta tell you sometin'. I, am, NOT, by any stretch of da imagination, soft. Trust me on dat." Blue shrugged again and her hands attempted to free his grip. "I'm just goin' by what Bright told me." Behind her, Bright Eyes drew in her breath quickly.
Blue's plan worked. Spot dropped her collar and approached Bright Eyes as Blue rubbed her throat painfully. "So. Ya tink I'm soft huh? Whaddya got ta say fer yerself?" Spot asked harshly. Bright Eyes looked out over the boys. "LISTEN UP! TAKE MY WOID FER IT! SPOT CONLON AIN'T SOFT! YOU GOT DAT! AN IF ANY ONE OF YA DOUBTS IT, YA KIN COME TA ME, AN' I'LL POUND IT OUTTA YA! YA GOT DAT?" Bright Eyes yelled. There was a unanimous affirmation all around. Spot nodded, gave Bright Eyes a small smile and shoved past Blue. "Spot is soft, Spot is soft." Blue whispered in a sing-song voice. Spot whirled around once more and shoved Blue up against the wall. "Listen smart-mouth. You betta watch yer back. I know where Blink lives. An' where Blink is you are. I kin get all me boys ta soak ya at once, an' let me tell ya, dere ain't much left aftawoids. So you betta keep on da look-out, 'cause I'm gonna be watchin' ya, very closely. Ya got dat?" Spot whispered. Blue nodded. Spot let her go and finally trooped off.
Bright Eyes turned to Blue. "Boy you've got a lotta neive kid. You've really done it now. You are as good as dead." Bright Eyes said sadly. "No kiddin' Blue. He's got yer numba. He kin easily find ya, 'specially 'cause he knows dat I've seen ya before." Red put in. Blue shoved past them. "Don't matta none. I don't care what he says. 'Cause no matta what he says, he ain't leada of Manhattan, an' dats where I'm livin'. An' if he wants ta fight, bring it on." She said angrily as she stomped off towards Manhattan. There was silence as Bright Eyes and Red watched her go. They turned around though as a chuckling broke out behind them. Tinker's head was in his hands and he was shaking uncontrollably with laughter.
"Tinker, what are ya laughin' 'bout?" Red asked, smacking him on the arm. Tinker laughed in his hands for a few more minutes before raising his head. His face was red with suppressed laughter and tears were slipping out of his blue eyes. "Jest da look on Spot's face! Like he'd seen a monsta or sometin'! Or maybe a ghost or sometin'! He was so mad! Oh, Bright! I like dat kid! You gotta bring her ova here, jest ta see me of course. I'll hide her, but I've jest gotta see dat kid again! She's hysterical!" Tinker said, collapsing in another fit of laughing. "Tinker it ain't a laughin' matta! Spot is gonna kill her if he gits da chance!" Bright Eyes said angrily. "No he won't! Not if dat kid has anything ta say 'bout it! She'll jest keep defyin' him and he'll jest keep tryin' an' she'll keep defyin'! Its great!" He said in another burst of laughter. "I tought you was crazy before Tinker, but now you've really lost it." Red commented. Tinker said nothing but continued to laugh and pound on the desk.
Bright Eyes rolled her eyes. "Well guys I'm gonna take off. I'll see ya lata." Red nodded and waved good-bye and Tinker attempted a wave as he laughed. Bright Eyes searched the slums on the way to Manhattan for Blue. She didn't find her but when she returned to the Greeley statue, she saw Blue storm past Kid Blink and a group of others containing Jack, Racetrack and Mush. They looked to her as she approached. "What da heck's da matta wit' Blue, Bright?" Kid Blink asked, his face full of confusion. "She's a little angry." Bright Eyes said leaning up against the statue. "Didn't go good?" Jack asked. Bright Eyes shook her head. "Nope. Foist she pushed Spot down afta he tried ta push past her. Den 'cause she didn't know who he was she stawted yellin' at him. Den he showed her up in front of everybody. An' den she retoined da fava by callin' him soft in front of everybody." Bright Eyes said in one breath.
"I bet Spot enjoyed dat. Well, he's been needin' a good tawkin' to for a while anyway." Racetrack said, unconcernedly blowing the smoke from his cigarrette in the air. The whole group stared at him. "What? He has! Ya gotta admit Bright sometimes he acts like, frankly, a brat." Racetrack said, blowing another breath of smoke. Bright Eyes smacked his arm. "Race! Ya cain't say dat about Spot! He ain't a brat. He might, act like one, but he ain't one! Are ya tryin' ta cova fer Blue?" Bright Eyes asked. "Nope. But I'm jest sayin' dat what she did ain't wrong. He humiliated her. She humiliates him. What goes around comes around Bright." Racetrack said. "I'm not saying dat its wrong eida. But do ya know what sometin' like dat would do to his leadaship? Da boys wouldn't trust him an' dey'd go dere own ways!" Bright Eyes insisted.
"No dey wouldn't. Dey'd stay wit' Spot 'cause he's tough an' even dough he's a shrimp he kin knock da livin' daylights outta people an' keep 'em in line. Dey wouldn't deseit him." Racetrack said. Bright Eyes slumped her shoulders and pulled out a cigarette and lit it. "Well, its kinda funny. All in all." Jack commented. Bright Eyes chuckled and she blew a breath of smoke in the air. "Yeah. Da look on Spot's face was ta die for! Wish ya coulda seen it! He was like suckin' in his breath real quick an' he kinda looked like a fish!" Bright Eyes laughed. The whole group began to laugh as Bright Eyes told them the story in full detail.
From then on, Blue avoided Brooklyn as much as possible. She insisted that she wasn't an enemy of Spot Conlon, they just didn't see eye to eye. Which was partly true. Blue sold her papers, always on her guard for one of Spot's boys. She occasionally snuck away to see Tinker, but rarely did she leave Manhattan. Spot also stayed away from Manhattan as much as possible. He came only when he knew that Blue would be out. When Bright Eyes pressured him to stay and give Blue another chance, he would only glare at her and walk out the door.
Blue stayed very close to Manhattan, her life revolving around her brother, her new friends, and selling her papes. She didn't go back to Queens. Only once did she venture near the border, and that one time she was threatened in friendly, but firm tones by Archer not to cross it. She had gone to learn what had become of Fox, but she hadn't learned anything. She did learn however that Checks had been involved in a serious accident. An accident that started out with a prank that Cape started. The purpose for the prank was not certain, but a fire was started and Checks was knocked unconsious. She had been taken to the Refuge and no one had seen her since. That was all she had been able to learn, for Archer wouldn't divulge anymore information than that. So Blue's life circled Manhattan and she was content, till a fateful day that changed every Newsie's life in New York.
"Papes! Come an' get da pape dats got all da news ya could ask fer! Moida! Poison! Revenge! Its all here in da Woild people! Take dis one fer example! Boy gits trampled by stampede! Right here!" Blue yelled out, restraining against the grin that threatened to spill over as people came to buy the paper and read the story. The real story was that a little boy was stampeded, yes, but by an army of red ants and was taken to the hospital. "Yer doin' good fer only bein' heah a few weeks Blue." Kid Blink said as he sidled up to her. "Yeah, well its in me blood. Plus I leained a few tings from Queens." Blue remarked as she handed out the papers.
"Blue, Bright was goin' ta go down ta Brooklyn teday an' she wanted ta know if ya wanted ta tag along. I said dat ya would." Blue looked up at Kid Blink, surprise written all over her face. "I mean, ya should git ta know Spot and jest, well know 'im so he don't take a likin' ta soakin' ya. Ya know? I'll sell da rest of yer papes fer ya." Kid Blink offered. Blue looked up at him for a few minutes more then handed him the remainder of her papers with a sigh. "Where is she waitin'?" Kid Blink smiled and patted her on the back. "At da Greeley statue. Hurry up! An' mind yer mannas!" He yelled after her as she departed.
Blue quickly caught up to Bright Eyes at the Greeley statue. Bright Eyes was immersed in a game of craps with Racetrack and Snipeshooter, so Blue figured that she didn't know when she approached. But she knew without looking up. "Hey Blue. Hold on a minute. I've almost got Race beat." Bright Eyes murmured as Blue looked down at her in surprise. "You got me beat? Ha! More like I've got you beat!" Racetrack remarked as he looked at Bright Eyes happily. "Don't be so sure Higgins." Bright Eyes said as she won the game. Racetrack clapped his hands to his face. "NO! I coulda sworn dat, oh geez Bright! Yer heaitless!" Bright Eyes stood and patted Racetrack on the back.
"So, ya ready ta greet Spot?" She asked Blue. "Sure. Dat'll be fine." Blue said keeping pace with Bright Eyes as she walked. "Ya neivous?" Bright Eyes asked. "No. Should I be?" Blue asked. Bright Eyes merely smiled and continued to lead her into the depths of Brooklyn. When they got past the slums and had crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, Bright Eyes and Blue turned to a yell nearby. "Bright! Back already! Who's da kid?" A tall boy with a full head of red hair and wearing nothing but black clothes, save his white shirt under the black vest, approached the two girls at a rapid pace. "Hey Red. Dis is Blue. Blue dis is me friend Red. Blue's Kid Blink's sista." Bright Eyes said as the two newsies spit shook.
"Kid's sista eh? Well I kin see the family resemblance. Ya wanna see Spot?" Red asked after giving Blue a winning smile. "Yeah. Do ya know where he is?" Bright Eyes asked. "Don't know. But Tinker might. He's at da distribution office." Bright Eyes nodded and motioned for Blue to follow her as Red lead them further into Brooklyn. When they approached the distribution office Bright Eyes, Red, and Blue waited in line. "Bright, why are we waitin' in line? We ain't gonna buy papes." Blue asked as she tugged on Bright Eyes' sleeve. "We's gonna ask Tinker if he's seen Spot. Tinker's da distribution guy an' a newsie. He knows most everytin' about anyone an' where dey are." Bright Eyes said as they finally approached the office desk.
A grubby Italian with a cigarette in his mouth sat behind the desk. Though he was sitting, Blue could still tell that he was short in stature. He was thin and lanky with a shock of black hair under his black derby hat. The most curious thing about the boy was that his eyes, instead of being naturally brown like any other Italian, they were a light blue. They seemed to attract the natural observer into their gaze more than any other thing about him. "Whaddya want guys?" He asked taking the cigarette out of his mouth and blowing a smoke ring. "Tinker, has Spot passed by yet? Oh dis is Blue. Kid's sista." Red said. Tinker grinned at Blue and she smiled shyly. "Nope, our fearless leada ain't passed by yet. But if ya wait, he should be passin' by soon." Tinker said, blowing another smoke ring.
Suddenly Blue felt someone pushing past her quickly and harshly. On instinct, she quickly shoved her elbow backwards into the body and she heard the thump and grown as the person fell down. "Yer dead kid." A low voice murmured from the ground. Bright Eyes, Blue and Red looked down to see a boy with blonde-brown hair lying on the ground dusting off his blue hat. As he stood he picked up a black cane with tinfoil on the ends and pointed it straight at Blue. "Who are you?" Blue gazed at him squarely, raising her chin. "Dats none of yer business an' if you were decent you would wait in line like everyone else." Blue said sharply, gazing into the boy's grey-blue eyes. The boy set his jaw as he stared at her angrily. "You don't know who yer messin' wit' kid."
Blue rolled her eyes. "Right. I fergot. I'm messin' wit' da fearless urchin of da streets. I'm really scared." Blue said crossing her arms. "Um, Blue." Bright Eyes said warningly. Blue shook her off and continued on her rampage. "Anyway. You don't got any right ta push in front of me dat way. I was here foist an' even a street kid kin leain some mannas. I'm heah ta see Spot Conlon anyway, so you'll jest hafta wait yer toin like everybody else." As she spoke the last words, the boy's eyes widened and his lips curled in a smile. But not a happy smile. A sarcastic smile. Then he began to laugh. "So yer heah ta see Spot Conlon are ya? Whaddya want wit' Spot Conlon? Don't ya know dat he's da leada of Brooklyn? An' why would he wanna see a rude kid like you anyway?" He asked leaning on his cane.
As Blue scanned him over warily, she noticed a heavy metal key hanging from the boy's neck. "I'm heah ta see Spot jest 'cause his friends want me ta. So dat he won't soak me fer any reason. Ta gain an' ally I guess. An' plus I bet he's got more manners dan you'll eva gain in a century." Blue said haughtily. The boy laughed again and gazed humorously at Bright Eyes and Red. "So he does, does he? Well, I happen ta know where Spot Conlon is." Blue brightened. "Where? I need ta git back ta sellin' me papes." The boy grinned. "Devoted aren't ya? Well he's standin' right in front of ya." He said, bowing with a flourish. Blue's face paled. "Dat mannerly enough fer ya?" He asked, pulling himself up.
Blue couldn't speak. She merely stared at the boy in awe.
I was talkin' sass to da leada of Brooklyn. I'm gonna git killed.
Spot grinned. "Well Bright. Guess yer little plan ta make me her ally didn't woik." Bright Eyes didn't return the grin. "Spot, she didn't know. Now cool it okay. Jest give her a chance." Bright Eyes entreated. "A chance? She didn't give me a chance. Did ya?" Spot said, gazing at her. Blue still couldn't speak and merely stared back at him, angry and embarrassed. "See. She cain't even answer." Spot said tauntingly. The blood rose in Blue's cheeks as the anger returned.
"You could have at least been decent enough ta tell me who ya were!" She burst out. Spot smiled. "Yeah right. An' ruin dat whole speech? Dat woulda been terrible." He said, gazing at her then turning to Bright Eyes. "I dunno Bright. I guess she's sorry. I'll give her anotha chance." Bright Eyes nodded gratefully as Spot began to walk off. "Da only reason yer doin' dat is 'cause yer soft!" Blue hardly realized she had said it out loud until the Brooklyn leader halted in his tracks and turned around to face her. Behind her, Red, Tinker, and Bright Eyes paled and the whole distribution office was silent. Spot approached Blue once more, his face white with rage.
"What did you say?" Spot asked, his words coming out in harsh whispers. Blue raised her chin. "You, are, soft. Kin ya spell dat? S-O-F-T. You." Blue said menacingly. Spot grabbed the collar of her shirt harshly. "Look kid. I am da leada of Brooklyn. Do ya know what dis will do to my reputation if my boys believe some chit dat I'm soft?" He asked angrily. Blue shrugged and strained against Spot's strong grip on her shirt. "Sometimes da truth hoits." Spot tightened his grip on her collar and pulled her closer to his face. "Now its my toin ta tell you sometin'. I, am, NOT, by any stretch of da imagination, soft. Trust me on dat." Blue shrugged again and her hands attempted to free his grip. "I'm just goin' by what Bright told me." Behind her, Bright Eyes drew in her breath quickly.
Blue's plan worked. Spot dropped her collar and approached Bright Eyes as Blue rubbed her throat painfully. "So. Ya tink I'm soft huh? Whaddya got ta say fer yerself?" Spot asked harshly. Bright Eyes looked out over the boys. "LISTEN UP! TAKE MY WOID FER IT! SPOT CONLON AIN'T SOFT! YOU GOT DAT! AN IF ANY ONE OF YA DOUBTS IT, YA KIN COME TA ME, AN' I'LL POUND IT OUTTA YA! YA GOT DAT?" Bright Eyes yelled. There was a unanimous affirmation all around. Spot nodded, gave Bright Eyes a small smile and shoved past Blue. "Spot is soft, Spot is soft." Blue whispered in a sing-song voice. Spot whirled around once more and shoved Blue up against the wall. "Listen smart-mouth. You betta watch yer back. I know where Blink lives. An' where Blink is you are. I kin get all me boys ta soak ya at once, an' let me tell ya, dere ain't much left aftawoids. So you betta keep on da look-out, 'cause I'm gonna be watchin' ya, very closely. Ya got dat?" Spot whispered. Blue nodded. Spot let her go and finally trooped off.
Bright Eyes turned to Blue. "Boy you've got a lotta neive kid. You've really done it now. You are as good as dead." Bright Eyes said sadly. "No kiddin' Blue. He's got yer numba. He kin easily find ya, 'specially 'cause he knows dat I've seen ya before." Red put in. Blue shoved past them. "Don't matta none. I don't care what he says. 'Cause no matta what he says, he ain't leada of Manhattan, an' dats where I'm livin'. An' if he wants ta fight, bring it on." She said angrily as she stomped off towards Manhattan. There was silence as Bright Eyes and Red watched her go. They turned around though as a chuckling broke out behind them. Tinker's head was in his hands and he was shaking uncontrollably with laughter.
"Tinker, what are ya laughin' 'bout?" Red asked, smacking him on the arm. Tinker laughed in his hands for a few more minutes before raising his head. His face was red with suppressed laughter and tears were slipping out of his blue eyes. "Jest da look on Spot's face! Like he'd seen a monsta or sometin'! Or maybe a ghost or sometin'! He was so mad! Oh, Bright! I like dat kid! You gotta bring her ova here, jest ta see me of course. I'll hide her, but I've jest gotta see dat kid again! She's hysterical!" Tinker said, collapsing in another fit of laughing. "Tinker it ain't a laughin' matta! Spot is gonna kill her if he gits da chance!" Bright Eyes said angrily. "No he won't! Not if dat kid has anything ta say 'bout it! She'll jest keep defyin' him and he'll jest keep tryin' an' she'll keep defyin'! Its great!" He said in another burst of laughter. "I tought you was crazy before Tinker, but now you've really lost it." Red commented. Tinker said nothing but continued to laugh and pound on the desk.
Bright Eyes rolled her eyes. "Well guys I'm gonna take off. I'll see ya lata." Red nodded and waved good-bye and Tinker attempted a wave as he laughed. Bright Eyes searched the slums on the way to Manhattan for Blue. She didn't find her but when she returned to the Greeley statue, she saw Blue storm past Kid Blink and a group of others containing Jack, Racetrack and Mush. They looked to her as she approached. "What da heck's da matta wit' Blue, Bright?" Kid Blink asked, his face full of confusion. "She's a little angry." Bright Eyes said leaning up against the statue. "Didn't go good?" Jack asked. Bright Eyes shook her head. "Nope. Foist she pushed Spot down afta he tried ta push past her. Den 'cause she didn't know who he was she stawted yellin' at him. Den he showed her up in front of everybody. An' den she retoined da fava by callin' him soft in front of everybody." Bright Eyes said in one breath.
"I bet Spot enjoyed dat. Well, he's been needin' a good tawkin' to for a while anyway." Racetrack said, unconcernedly blowing the smoke from his cigarrette in the air. The whole group stared at him. "What? He has! Ya gotta admit Bright sometimes he acts like, frankly, a brat." Racetrack said, blowing another breath of smoke. Bright Eyes smacked his arm. "Race! Ya cain't say dat about Spot! He ain't a brat. He might, act like one, but he ain't one! Are ya tryin' ta cova fer Blue?" Bright Eyes asked. "Nope. But I'm jest sayin' dat what she did ain't wrong. He humiliated her. She humiliates him. What goes around comes around Bright." Racetrack said. "I'm not saying dat its wrong eida. But do ya know what sometin' like dat would do to his leadaship? Da boys wouldn't trust him an' dey'd go dere own ways!" Bright Eyes insisted.
"No dey wouldn't. Dey'd stay wit' Spot 'cause he's tough an' even dough he's a shrimp he kin knock da livin' daylights outta people an' keep 'em in line. Dey wouldn't deseit him." Racetrack said. Bright Eyes slumped her shoulders and pulled out a cigarette and lit it. "Well, its kinda funny. All in all." Jack commented. Bright Eyes chuckled and she blew a breath of smoke in the air. "Yeah. Da look on Spot's face was ta die for! Wish ya coulda seen it! He was like suckin' in his breath real quick an' he kinda looked like a fish!" Bright Eyes laughed. The whole group began to laugh as Bright Eyes told them the story in full detail.
From then on, Blue avoided Brooklyn as much as possible. She insisted that she wasn't an enemy of Spot Conlon, they just didn't see eye to eye. Which was partly true. Blue sold her papers, always on her guard for one of Spot's boys. She occasionally snuck away to see Tinker, but rarely did she leave Manhattan. Spot also stayed away from Manhattan as much as possible. He came only when he knew that Blue would be out. When Bright Eyes pressured him to stay and give Blue another chance, he would only glare at her and walk out the door.
Blue stayed very close to Manhattan, her life revolving around her brother, her new friends, and selling her papes. She didn't go back to Queens. Only once did she venture near the border, and that one time she was threatened in friendly, but firm tones by Archer not to cross it. She had gone to learn what had become of Fox, but she hadn't learned anything. She did learn however that Checks had been involved in a serious accident. An accident that started out with a prank that Cape started. The purpose for the prank was not certain, but a fire was started and Checks was knocked unconsious. She had been taken to the Refuge and no one had seen her since. That was all she had been able to learn, for Archer wouldn't divulge anymore information than that. So Blue's life circled Manhattan and she was content, till a fateful day that changed every Newsie's life in New York.