All the newsies looked at Joe in horror and confusion. "Joe, you all right?" Jack asked, from behind him.
The 'younger' boy glanced back at him - almost in tears - then ran out of Tibbys. The newsies exchanged baffled glances.
"That kid has been acting strange ever since we found him" Racetrack remarked, trying to start a poker game without any worry to the situation.
Jack nodded. "Yeah, he has."
Snoddy shook his head in remorse then ran out the door with Pie Eater following. They ran down the street a little ways till Joe was in view.
He was slumped against a building, eyes redden and face tear streaked. This was too much for an old man under stress to take. The two newsies strolled up to him cautiously.
"Joe, you all right?" Snoddy asked carefully, stepping up next to the kid.
"Why the heck you flutterin' over hearing 'bout Pulitzer. He's the enemy heah" Pie added, a little rough toned. Snoddy elbowed him in the gut.
Joe glared up at them. "You wouldn't understand. That Jack Kelly didn't. Everyone thinks I'm crazy, but I'm not."
Snoddy and Pie exchanged bemused looks. "Look heah" Snoddy started. "We'll understand no matter what you tell us."
Pie snorted abruptly, and received another jab in the gut by his best friend.
Joe didn't know how to say this or even if to say who he really was. He glared aggressively at Pie, who he posed as a threat for some reason. But, Snoddy seemed to be trustworthy even if he was a newsie.
Joe sighed deeply, and spilled fretfully, "I am Joseph Pulitzer."
Pie had to suppress his laughter, but Snoddy listened intensively.
"And, how is this possible?" he said.
Joe blinked, annoyed. "I don't know!" he burst out.
"Hey, hey. Joe, calm down." Snoddy placed a firm hand on the 'younger' boy's shoulder. "I believe you."
"Wha'?" Pie objected indirectly, not knowing whether to believe if his friend was telling the truth. Although, Snoddy wasn't one to lie.
"So, you don't know how the heck you got in a boy's body?" Snoddy asked.
"No! This is me. This is how I looked when I was this age. I…I…I don't know what to think." Joe sank to the ground, leaning against the brick wall.
Pie had been thinking silently about the whole situation. "So, if you're Pulitzer - the guy who is trying everything to ruin our lives - can we soak ya?" he asked, casually.
"Pie Eater!" Snoddy glared at his friend. Pie was known for his nonchalant remarks that usually got him in trouble.
A miserable growl came from the boy on the ground. There really wasn't anything that could be done. What was he suppose to do - plow his way into the World Building and claim his turf? He'd be thrown into the Refuge before a word could escape his throat. Joe felt like disappearing into thin air.
"Well, we can't do anything 'bout that right now. So, why don't we go back to Tibbys and get something to eat" Snoddy suggested, holding a hand out to Joe. Joe raised his head and excepted the help.
The trio walked back to down the street to the restaurant with Joe lagging behind. As they strolled back through the door, all the newsies looked toward them.
"You okay, Joe?" Jack asked, sounding concerned.
Joe shook his head, and Snoddy answered for him. "Yeah, he's all right. Just a little shook up."
"About wha'?" Shoe spoke up openly, from her seat by the window.
"None a your bee's wax, Shoe" Pie said, actually defending Joe. He had no idea why…maybe by the staunch expression on Snoddy's face. *This kid is going to be trouble* - he thought.
Jack stepped up beside Snoddy, and whispered, "Wha's goin' on heah?"
"Can we talk 'bout it at the lodging house?"
"Yeah." Jack nodded, fixing his watch on Joe - who had sat down in a corner looking like a horse had just kicked him.
*********************
"So, wha's up?" Jack asked, planting himself on a spare crate a top the lodging house.
Snoddy sighed. "Joe said he was actually Pulitzer, but only in a boy's body. I know it sounds weird, but…"
Jack cut him off. "So that's why he was sayin' he owns the World Building. Geez…" he rose to his feet. "That kid has problems."
"In the head" Pie commented lowly, from the fire escape. He had been up there the whole few minutes Jack and Snoddy had been up there, but was keeping quiet.
"Pie, stop that!" Snoddy yelled. "Now, look, for some reason this kid sounds like he's telling the truth. Don't know why but he does. Anyways, I think we should look into this. Like get Denton to get information for us."
Jack shifted uncomfortably, scratching the head. "I guess we could do that, but the kid just might be…y'know…" He throw a thumb in Pie's direction. "Wha' he said."
Snoddy rolled his eyes. This wasn't going anywhere. He stood up, frustrated.
"Fine then. I'll do this by meself." He walked down the fire escape feeling like an idiot.
Jack shrugged and turned to Pie. "Got a clue wha's up wit him?"
*********************
Joe sat with his knees tucked into his chest on a bed in the bunk room. He didn't care who's bed it was, his mind was on bigger things like getting back to his newspaper. It wouldn't be healthy to claim that you were actually Joseph Pulitzer and be in the middle of hundreds of newsies. Although, nothing bad had happen yet besides the fact that he was a boy! Joe looked up when he heard footsteps on the fire escape. Snoddy stormed in from the window not looking amused.
"What's got you so fired up?" Joe asked aggressively, still tucked on the bed.
Snoddy shook his head uneasy and sat down next to him. "I talked with Jack about your situation, he thinks your kinda …" he trailed off.
"What?"
Snoddy shifted uncomfortably, trying to find the right words. "He thinks your kinda not all there."
"What?!" Joe shot up and started pacing, his face gone totally malicious. "I knew this would happen. Can't trust street trash."
That stung, but Snoddy ignored the intended comment. "Joe, kid, calm down! We'll find wha's goin' on with this. It's not like it's the end of the world." Snoddy kicked himself. Bad chose of words! Although it equally mirrored Joe's comment. Joe glared at him like he wanted to ring his neck. "I mean, we'll get this fixed, you'll see."
Snoddy watched as Joe soaked up his words as he paced around the room. Snoddy started to wonder why he want to help the person who was trying to make the newsies' lives miserable. *Very strange thing* - he thought. *How did I become such a sap? Pie is right, I am too nice.*
Just then, Shoe strolled in. Joe, with his eyes cemented to the floor, almost ran right into her. "Whoa! Kid, watch where you're goin'!"
Joe sighed in frustration, pinning her with a glare. "Would you people stop calling me 'kid'! I am over 30 years your elder."
Shoe couldn't help but double over in laughter. *Oh great, Shoe, make him feel worse* - Snoddy thought.
"Geez, Joe, you are a crack up." She slowly sat on a bed, holding her stomach. Joe's mouth twitched. He wanted to say some choice words, but decided not to since Shoe was a girl.
"Listen Shoe" Snoddy started, trying to break the silence that had just been filled with embarrassing laughter. "Could you take Joe around town for a while?" Shoe peered at him momentarily. "Y'know, just to get his mind off things."
It took a second for it to register, but Snoddy sounded like he meant business. Shoe stood up. "Sure, why not." She walked over to the boy who was disgruntlely staring out the window. "Come on, Joe. We're goin' for a walk."
Joe looked up with a frown. A walk sounded better than staying there at the lodging house to be criticized in his face for something he was not lying about. Snoddy watched as the two left. He knew what he had to do now…
*********************
Joe was brooding as him and Shoe walked down the street. The city was busy with men in business suits going home from their offices. Ladies in lacy dresses sauntered around like they had something to show off. Joe snorted inwardly at the thought that he would be in his fancy office at the moment talking with Seitz about the evening edition.
"Whatcha thinkin' about?" Shoe asked.
Joe dragged his feet, his eyes unreadable. "Nothing you would want to hear about because you wouldn't believe me. No ones does." He stared down the street, biting his lip.
"I will though." It sounded genuine.
"I am Joseph Pulitzer."
Shoe blinked, but knew not to go against what he said - so not to make him more upset. "That's a good thing to know."
Joe snorted, abruptly. "Where are we going?" he asked.
"Right heah!" She suddenly stopped, catching Joe's arm.
Joe threw her a questioning look. "Why are we here again?" The place was Tibbys, and most of the Manhattan newsies were still there just goofing off.
The two stepped in to be greeted by an unfamiliar voice…only to Joe though.
"Well, well, well, if it ain't the Shoegoil" Spot Conlon remarked from a table he was leaning on.
Shoe whirled her eyes. What the heck was HE doing there?! She clenched her fist. "Heya Spot, I see you crawled out of your hole for a little visit."
He banged his cane against the floor and stood up straight. "Who's your new beau?"
That got her. Shoe didn't like Spot Conlon one bit. "He ain't me beau" she replied, glancing over at Mush who casually breathed a sigh of relief. "This is Joe."
Spot peered over Joe. The kid was as skinny as he was, but that didn't stop him from getting ideas. Never to pass up an opportunity… "You look like you been beaten to the punch, kid."
"I have, idiot" Joe growled. Bad idea! He didn't know how the Brooklyn leader's mannerisms played out, but found out very quickly when he noticed he was sprawled on the floor with an arm choking his neck.
"Spot!" Shoe shrieked, mouth agape. Mush ran over and held her back from killing Spot. All the newsies gathered around to watch the usual show that played when a new person didn't know who the Brooklyn leader was.
"Let Joe learn while he's in a controlled environment" Race said to Shoe.
Joe gathered up enough energy to place his foot gently on Spot's stomach and kick him off. He gasped for air getting up from the floor. Joe threw a fist at Spot from a few feet away, but it was blocked. Spot was fast. Especially when he slugged Joe in the eye.
The waiters and manager were watching the fight with frowns, but didn't stop the entertainment. The front door opened uninterruptedly as Pie Eater strolled on in. He smirked at the sight of the brawl.
"Well, lookey, lookey" he spoke, squeezing up to Shoe, Mush, and Race. "I see Joe met Spot in the usual fashion."
"Shut up, Pie" the three hollered at him.
"Wha'?" He acted innocent. "I was just speakin' the truth!"
The fight ended a minute later with Joe laying on his stomach and Spot with his knee in Joe's back. Both boys were gasping for air.
"That oughta teach you not to mess with Spot Conlon." The boy under him jerked. Spot's grip tightened. "You got that?"
He nodded and was released. A trickle of blood trickled from Spot's lip and Joe sported a fresh back-eye. Joe collapsed roughly into a nearby chair.
"You all right?" Shoe asked, concerned.
Joe just nodded again. Pie Eater lightly slapped his back, making him jump.
"Have fun? Making new friends, I see." Joe shot a deadly glare at Pie - who was laughing - but Joe was too wiped out to retort back.
"You fight good, kid." Joe snorted at the term 'kid', once again. Spot wiped the little stream of blood off his lip with a napkin. "Whatcha name again?"
"Joe" he murmured out.
"Jackey-boy found a feisty one." Spot whistled intently then walked across the restaurant with pride.
Joe stared at the boy who just whooped his butt. "Who the heck was that boy?!" he mustered up, with all his strength left.
"That…" Racetrack began answering. "…is Spot Conlon, leader of the Brooklyn newsies."
Joe blinked, ghastly. Leader? Of Brooklyn? He couldn't believe what he just heard, but excepted it - making a mental note not to visit Brooklyn.
"Here you go." A voice came from beside him, knocking Joe out of his surface thoughts. Mush handed him a rag with ice in it.
An unexpected word came from Joe's mouth: "Thanks."
"Where's Snoddy?" Pie Eater suddenly asked. "When I got off the roof with Jack, he was gone."
Shoe shrugged. "He didn't say anything to me, but I could tell he was about to do something serious by the tone in his voice."
Pie smacked his forehead. "I think I know where he went. Catch you guys later."
They watched as their friend disappeared out the door.
"I'm gonna head back to the lodgin' house to start up a poker game" Race announced, listlessly.
"Wha' are you up to, Shoe?" Mush asked, grinning.
Shoe patted him on the cheek. "I gotta keep a eye on Joe. Snoddy's orders."
Mush frowned. "Ya'll doin' anything special?" He had a hint of jealousy in his voice when he knew not to worry.
"No!" Shoe rolled her eyes. "Joe gots a big problem that Snoddy is trying to fix and I got a place to bring him."
Mush raised his eyebrows. "Oh?"
She pretended to punch him in the stomach. "I'm bringin' him…" she leaned in closer, whispering where. Mush just nodded. "You okay with that?"
"Yeah, I guess I'll go back to the lodging house and play a few rounds a poker."
"Good idea! Let Race win your money" Shoe smiled. Mush laughed, because he knew it was true. She kissed him on the cheek. "And when I get back…" she started whispering in his ear again. Joe glanced at them, curiously. Mush grew crimson, grinned, then bid goodbye.
"Ready?" Shoe smirked, mischievously.
"Yes, if your finished with your 'love fest'." It was more of a comment than a question. But, it made Shoe blush - obviously.
They walked down a street a few blocks from the Newsboys Lodging House. He wondered where they were going, but quickly received his answer.
Shoe stopped. "We're heah."
Joe cocked his head. "Where's here?" He looked up in the direction Shoe pointed to. A faded sign read "Newsgirls' Lodging House".
The 'younger' boy glanced back at him - almost in tears - then ran out of Tibbys. The newsies exchanged baffled glances.
"That kid has been acting strange ever since we found him" Racetrack remarked, trying to start a poker game without any worry to the situation.
Jack nodded. "Yeah, he has."
Snoddy shook his head in remorse then ran out the door with Pie Eater following. They ran down the street a little ways till Joe was in view.
He was slumped against a building, eyes redden and face tear streaked. This was too much for an old man under stress to take. The two newsies strolled up to him cautiously.
"Joe, you all right?" Snoddy asked carefully, stepping up next to the kid.
"Why the heck you flutterin' over hearing 'bout Pulitzer. He's the enemy heah" Pie added, a little rough toned. Snoddy elbowed him in the gut.
Joe glared up at them. "You wouldn't understand. That Jack Kelly didn't. Everyone thinks I'm crazy, but I'm not."
Snoddy and Pie exchanged bemused looks. "Look heah" Snoddy started. "We'll understand no matter what you tell us."
Pie snorted abruptly, and received another jab in the gut by his best friend.
Joe didn't know how to say this or even if to say who he really was. He glared aggressively at Pie, who he posed as a threat for some reason. But, Snoddy seemed to be trustworthy even if he was a newsie.
Joe sighed deeply, and spilled fretfully, "I am Joseph Pulitzer."
Pie had to suppress his laughter, but Snoddy listened intensively.
"And, how is this possible?" he said.
Joe blinked, annoyed. "I don't know!" he burst out.
"Hey, hey. Joe, calm down." Snoddy placed a firm hand on the 'younger' boy's shoulder. "I believe you."
"Wha'?" Pie objected indirectly, not knowing whether to believe if his friend was telling the truth. Although, Snoddy wasn't one to lie.
"So, you don't know how the heck you got in a boy's body?" Snoddy asked.
"No! This is me. This is how I looked when I was this age. I…I…I don't know what to think." Joe sank to the ground, leaning against the brick wall.
Pie had been thinking silently about the whole situation. "So, if you're Pulitzer - the guy who is trying everything to ruin our lives - can we soak ya?" he asked, casually.
"Pie Eater!" Snoddy glared at his friend. Pie was known for his nonchalant remarks that usually got him in trouble.
A miserable growl came from the boy on the ground. There really wasn't anything that could be done. What was he suppose to do - plow his way into the World Building and claim his turf? He'd be thrown into the Refuge before a word could escape his throat. Joe felt like disappearing into thin air.
"Well, we can't do anything 'bout that right now. So, why don't we go back to Tibbys and get something to eat" Snoddy suggested, holding a hand out to Joe. Joe raised his head and excepted the help.
The trio walked back to down the street to the restaurant with Joe lagging behind. As they strolled back through the door, all the newsies looked toward them.
"You okay, Joe?" Jack asked, sounding concerned.
Joe shook his head, and Snoddy answered for him. "Yeah, he's all right. Just a little shook up."
"About wha'?" Shoe spoke up openly, from her seat by the window.
"None a your bee's wax, Shoe" Pie said, actually defending Joe. He had no idea why…maybe by the staunch expression on Snoddy's face. *This kid is going to be trouble* - he thought.
Jack stepped up beside Snoddy, and whispered, "Wha's goin' on heah?"
"Can we talk 'bout it at the lodging house?"
"Yeah." Jack nodded, fixing his watch on Joe - who had sat down in a corner looking like a horse had just kicked him.
*********************
"So, wha's up?" Jack asked, planting himself on a spare crate a top the lodging house.
Snoddy sighed. "Joe said he was actually Pulitzer, but only in a boy's body. I know it sounds weird, but…"
Jack cut him off. "So that's why he was sayin' he owns the World Building. Geez…" he rose to his feet. "That kid has problems."
"In the head" Pie commented lowly, from the fire escape. He had been up there the whole few minutes Jack and Snoddy had been up there, but was keeping quiet.
"Pie, stop that!" Snoddy yelled. "Now, look, for some reason this kid sounds like he's telling the truth. Don't know why but he does. Anyways, I think we should look into this. Like get Denton to get information for us."
Jack shifted uncomfortably, scratching the head. "I guess we could do that, but the kid just might be…y'know…" He throw a thumb in Pie's direction. "Wha' he said."
Snoddy rolled his eyes. This wasn't going anywhere. He stood up, frustrated.
"Fine then. I'll do this by meself." He walked down the fire escape feeling like an idiot.
Jack shrugged and turned to Pie. "Got a clue wha's up wit him?"
*********************
Joe sat with his knees tucked into his chest on a bed in the bunk room. He didn't care who's bed it was, his mind was on bigger things like getting back to his newspaper. It wouldn't be healthy to claim that you were actually Joseph Pulitzer and be in the middle of hundreds of newsies. Although, nothing bad had happen yet besides the fact that he was a boy! Joe looked up when he heard footsteps on the fire escape. Snoddy stormed in from the window not looking amused.
"What's got you so fired up?" Joe asked aggressively, still tucked on the bed.
Snoddy shook his head uneasy and sat down next to him. "I talked with Jack about your situation, he thinks your kinda …" he trailed off.
"What?"
Snoddy shifted uncomfortably, trying to find the right words. "He thinks your kinda not all there."
"What?!" Joe shot up and started pacing, his face gone totally malicious. "I knew this would happen. Can't trust street trash."
That stung, but Snoddy ignored the intended comment. "Joe, kid, calm down! We'll find wha's goin' on with this. It's not like it's the end of the world." Snoddy kicked himself. Bad chose of words! Although it equally mirrored Joe's comment. Joe glared at him like he wanted to ring his neck. "I mean, we'll get this fixed, you'll see."
Snoddy watched as Joe soaked up his words as he paced around the room. Snoddy started to wonder why he want to help the person who was trying to make the newsies' lives miserable. *Very strange thing* - he thought. *How did I become such a sap? Pie is right, I am too nice.*
Just then, Shoe strolled in. Joe, with his eyes cemented to the floor, almost ran right into her. "Whoa! Kid, watch where you're goin'!"
Joe sighed in frustration, pinning her with a glare. "Would you people stop calling me 'kid'! I am over 30 years your elder."
Shoe couldn't help but double over in laughter. *Oh great, Shoe, make him feel worse* - Snoddy thought.
"Geez, Joe, you are a crack up." She slowly sat on a bed, holding her stomach. Joe's mouth twitched. He wanted to say some choice words, but decided not to since Shoe was a girl.
"Listen Shoe" Snoddy started, trying to break the silence that had just been filled with embarrassing laughter. "Could you take Joe around town for a while?" Shoe peered at him momentarily. "Y'know, just to get his mind off things."
It took a second for it to register, but Snoddy sounded like he meant business. Shoe stood up. "Sure, why not." She walked over to the boy who was disgruntlely staring out the window. "Come on, Joe. We're goin' for a walk."
Joe looked up with a frown. A walk sounded better than staying there at the lodging house to be criticized in his face for something he was not lying about. Snoddy watched as the two left. He knew what he had to do now…
*********************
Joe was brooding as him and Shoe walked down the street. The city was busy with men in business suits going home from their offices. Ladies in lacy dresses sauntered around like they had something to show off. Joe snorted inwardly at the thought that he would be in his fancy office at the moment talking with Seitz about the evening edition.
"Whatcha thinkin' about?" Shoe asked.
Joe dragged his feet, his eyes unreadable. "Nothing you would want to hear about because you wouldn't believe me. No ones does." He stared down the street, biting his lip.
"I will though." It sounded genuine.
"I am Joseph Pulitzer."
Shoe blinked, but knew not to go against what he said - so not to make him more upset. "That's a good thing to know."
Joe snorted, abruptly. "Where are we going?" he asked.
"Right heah!" She suddenly stopped, catching Joe's arm.
Joe threw her a questioning look. "Why are we here again?" The place was Tibbys, and most of the Manhattan newsies were still there just goofing off.
The two stepped in to be greeted by an unfamiliar voice…only to Joe though.
"Well, well, well, if it ain't the Shoegoil" Spot Conlon remarked from a table he was leaning on.
Shoe whirled her eyes. What the heck was HE doing there?! She clenched her fist. "Heya Spot, I see you crawled out of your hole for a little visit."
He banged his cane against the floor and stood up straight. "Who's your new beau?"
That got her. Shoe didn't like Spot Conlon one bit. "He ain't me beau" she replied, glancing over at Mush who casually breathed a sigh of relief. "This is Joe."
Spot peered over Joe. The kid was as skinny as he was, but that didn't stop him from getting ideas. Never to pass up an opportunity… "You look like you been beaten to the punch, kid."
"I have, idiot" Joe growled. Bad idea! He didn't know how the Brooklyn leader's mannerisms played out, but found out very quickly when he noticed he was sprawled on the floor with an arm choking his neck.
"Spot!" Shoe shrieked, mouth agape. Mush ran over and held her back from killing Spot. All the newsies gathered around to watch the usual show that played when a new person didn't know who the Brooklyn leader was.
"Let Joe learn while he's in a controlled environment" Race said to Shoe.
Joe gathered up enough energy to place his foot gently on Spot's stomach and kick him off. He gasped for air getting up from the floor. Joe threw a fist at Spot from a few feet away, but it was blocked. Spot was fast. Especially when he slugged Joe in the eye.
The waiters and manager were watching the fight with frowns, but didn't stop the entertainment. The front door opened uninterruptedly as Pie Eater strolled on in. He smirked at the sight of the brawl.
"Well, lookey, lookey" he spoke, squeezing up to Shoe, Mush, and Race. "I see Joe met Spot in the usual fashion."
"Shut up, Pie" the three hollered at him.
"Wha'?" He acted innocent. "I was just speakin' the truth!"
The fight ended a minute later with Joe laying on his stomach and Spot with his knee in Joe's back. Both boys were gasping for air.
"That oughta teach you not to mess with Spot Conlon." The boy under him jerked. Spot's grip tightened. "You got that?"
He nodded and was released. A trickle of blood trickled from Spot's lip and Joe sported a fresh back-eye. Joe collapsed roughly into a nearby chair.
"You all right?" Shoe asked, concerned.
Joe just nodded again. Pie Eater lightly slapped his back, making him jump.
"Have fun? Making new friends, I see." Joe shot a deadly glare at Pie - who was laughing - but Joe was too wiped out to retort back.
"You fight good, kid." Joe snorted at the term 'kid', once again. Spot wiped the little stream of blood off his lip with a napkin. "Whatcha name again?"
"Joe" he murmured out.
"Jackey-boy found a feisty one." Spot whistled intently then walked across the restaurant with pride.
Joe stared at the boy who just whooped his butt. "Who the heck was that boy?!" he mustered up, with all his strength left.
"That…" Racetrack began answering. "…is Spot Conlon, leader of the Brooklyn newsies."
Joe blinked, ghastly. Leader? Of Brooklyn? He couldn't believe what he just heard, but excepted it - making a mental note not to visit Brooklyn.
"Here you go." A voice came from beside him, knocking Joe out of his surface thoughts. Mush handed him a rag with ice in it.
An unexpected word came from Joe's mouth: "Thanks."
"Where's Snoddy?" Pie Eater suddenly asked. "When I got off the roof with Jack, he was gone."
Shoe shrugged. "He didn't say anything to me, but I could tell he was about to do something serious by the tone in his voice."
Pie smacked his forehead. "I think I know where he went. Catch you guys later."
They watched as their friend disappeared out the door.
"I'm gonna head back to the lodgin' house to start up a poker game" Race announced, listlessly.
"Wha' are you up to, Shoe?" Mush asked, grinning.
Shoe patted him on the cheek. "I gotta keep a eye on Joe. Snoddy's orders."
Mush frowned. "Ya'll doin' anything special?" He had a hint of jealousy in his voice when he knew not to worry.
"No!" Shoe rolled her eyes. "Joe gots a big problem that Snoddy is trying to fix and I got a place to bring him."
Mush raised his eyebrows. "Oh?"
She pretended to punch him in the stomach. "I'm bringin' him…" she leaned in closer, whispering where. Mush just nodded. "You okay with that?"
"Yeah, I guess I'll go back to the lodging house and play a few rounds a poker."
"Good idea! Let Race win your money" Shoe smiled. Mush laughed, because he knew it was true. She kissed him on the cheek. "And when I get back…" she started whispering in his ear again. Joe glanced at them, curiously. Mush grew crimson, grinned, then bid goodbye.
"Ready?" Shoe smirked, mischievously.
"Yes, if your finished with your 'love fest'." It was more of a comment than a question. But, it made Shoe blush - obviously.
They walked down a street a few blocks from the Newsboys Lodging House. He wondered where they were going, but quickly received his answer.
Shoe stopped. "We're heah."
Joe cocked his head. "Where's here?" He looked up in the direction Shoe pointed to. A faded sign read "Newsgirls' Lodging House".