Chapter: IV To Smokes, From Jack
Smokes,
Dis is bout Lady. She's with da Delanceys now can you'se beleave its Oscar shes sopost to mary. Day must a told her sumtin cause she wont talk ta any ov us. Ise hop you'se can red dis i ant to good spelr. maybe you'se can cum up an tawk to her.
Jack
As Smokes reads the letter, he can't believe it. It's hard for him to believe that something this coincidental could happen.
"Numbers. I have to go to New York." It's morning and Smokes has just got his papers from the distribution center. The streets are crowded and he is speaking low.
"Why? How are you gonna get the money?"
"I don't know. Just save for a couple of days I guess. It's for a friend."
"Does this friend happen to be a lady, named Lady?" Smokes looks at him stupidly.
"Fine, just promise not to tell anyone else. Lady is there, and she is stuck in an arranged marriage. She left a while back and I've had Jack keep and eye on her and he says that the guy is Oscar Delancey."
"Oscar Delancey? Is it the same guy that you talked about before?"
"It has to be. That whole family is scum. And now Lady is going to be with him, unless I can get her to stay with Jack."
"We're gonna have company."
"What do you mean we, I'm goin' alone."
"That's what you think. I'm coming, and as soon as the others find out they'll want to also."
"But they can't."
"Come on four or five out of how many newsies in Cincinnati, no one is going to notice we're missin'. And as for Lady just tell her we don't know anything and that we just wanted to come along." Smokes thinks for a few moments. He really has no choice. For the next few days, Smokes and the others save money. Smokes works extra hard so he can get enough for his family. His father works, but he feels more obligated since he has only been living with them again for five years. He left home when he was twelve to New York. At the Cincinnati lodging house they pack. Lola even packs her newspaper. Smokes reflects on his past and how cautious he is going to have to be. New York and the Delanceies are a part of his past and he wants to keep it that way.
"Okay Lucy, I'm leaving. I'll be back a few days. Make sure mama knows and that she is alright?" Smokes is on his knees talking to a little, blond girl with big, blue eyes, his little sister. He has come to really look out for her. She was barely one when he left, about five when he came back, and now she's nine.
"I understand bubba. Can you bring me back something?" She inquires innocently.
"I'll try. Now go home and be good for mama." He gives her a kiss on the forehead. The little girl skips away, and he heads to the train yards to find his friends. Once there he hears arguments over who is sitting where. He breaks it up and puts them in places.