I've Had Worse Days
By Katie Louden
1 Chapter 1
One foggy, gray night, Jack Kelly decided to take a long walk. His day had been full of negative issues and troubled friends and he hoped that perhaps he could walk some of those thoughts off. While on his amble though, he came across a beautiful townhouse that was lit all the way up to the third floor. Jack was excited when he realized that this brightened house happened to be dancing even more inside. There was a party going on-- -and the doors were open.
Jack hoped he wouldn't stick out real clearly as he crept inside. He looked around for some soft of a buffet table or punch bowl. His eyes were wandering everywhere besides toward a good dinner. The room was not only lit with kerosene lamps but also with glistening chandeliers and glowing, 3- foot candles. The people inside were dressed in the most expensive-looking clothing. Jack felt very left out and knew someone must have noticed that he was clad in dirty, ripped clothing. He pulled at the handkerchief around his neck and wiped his face with it. Then he shoved it into his back pocket.
"Would you like a glass of red wine?" A voice came from behind Jack and he flung around to face an obvious butler. He wore the black suit and had the slicked black hair that Jack would think butlers would have. He carried a plate with several glasses of wine on top of it.
Jack shook his head. "No thanks. I don't drink," he stated. "Uh, I don't drink alcohol, I mean," he added, running his fingers through his brown, greasy hair.
The man nodded and turned toward some other people. Jack couldn't stand being in the presence of these people. They would notice he was there just as soon as a pack of lions would notice that there was a bird standing in the center of their pack. He quickly walked back out the front door and pulled a cigarette from his shirt pocket. Then he lit it and walked down the steps from the door and leaned against the brick house. "Damn scabba's," he mumbled.
"Yeah, I don't like them either." Another unknown voice.
A girl with brown, shoulder-length hair and deep, grayish-green eyes came out from the shadows around Jack. She had a cigarette in her mouth also and a glass of the red wine from inside in her hand. Her clothes were strikingly beautiful like the people inside of the house. She was wearing a light, pink dress that had curly, white ribbons dangling down from the bottom half in tired loops. The whole dress was sprinkled radically with sparkles. "Maybe I shouldn't talk about all of them behind their backs though. I guess it's not right," she babbled.
Jack was dumbstruck-never had he seen a girl smoke and drink in a public place. "Uh, right?"
The girl giggled. She blew a large sphere of smoke into the air. "My name is Kate," she announced.
"Jack."
"You come to parties like this?" Kate asked him.
He chuckled, "Definitely not."
Katie took a sip of the red wine and grinned. "This is always the best wine. She never buys this damn wine for me at any parties. I guess this is special of something," she slurred.
"Dis is your party?" Jack inquired.
She shrugged. "It's supposed to be but I suppose my mother took it over. I try to contribute some of my ideas but… no one really listens to me."
Jack raised his hand. "Same here," he replied as he took the cigarette from his mouth. "I guess I ain't too smart dough," he added.
"No one is truly genius." Kate closed her eyes. "Imagine a world where everyone knew everything about everything. There would be no point in living because it would be no fun. No one could tell anyone they were wrong, even if they didn't really know what the hell they were talking about, and feel smart for just one fantastic second."
Jack chuckled as she opened her eyes. "Dat's true," he agreed.
"It's hard to remember all this good advice." She took a long puff on her cigarette and blew a giant hole in the sky. Then she threw the cigarette into the hole. When it hit the ground, she smeared it into the pavement. Then she put her wine glass to her lips and drank the rest of it. "I'd like to see somebody do that," she garbled, sitting down on the ground.
Jack squinted from thinking so hard. 'Who is this girl?' he asked himself. He squatted down beside her and he caught her eyes roll back. "Are you alright?" he inquired.
She nodded and lied back on the pavement. She flung her hair out so that it formed a silhouette around her head. "My mother always said I had the hair of the angels but the face of the demons. Now she says that everything on the outside of me is angelic but that my insides are clouded with the devil himself." She shook her head on the ground, as if to throw the words out of her ears.
Jack stood up, not knowing what to say. He extended his hand out to her. "Why don't I take ya back to da party and you can get ta bed eh?" he suggested.
"Who are you Jack?"
Jack winced. "Huh?"
She grinned. "Who are you really Jack?"
"I'm… a newsie?"
She laughed, "Great!" She took his hand and let him pull her up. She walked back with him, not sluggishly at all, to the party.
Jack didn't think he should walk in with her the way she had acted. Everyone might think he did something to cause her odd behavior. "I think I should go," Jack said, looking behind himself as if he were seeing a friend who was waiting for him.
"Understandable!" Kate walked up the steps. "I had a fantastic conversation with you Jack. I hope I can run into you again some time."
Jack found it funny that a few seconds ago she seemed drunk and now she was perfectly fine. Or was she? He couldn't seem to figure her out. He grinned and watched her as she walked back inside. "Wow," he mumbled as he started off to the lodging house. It was probably around 10 o'clock at night now. He walked quietly but quickly into bed and fell right asleep.
The next morning, Jack awoke to find no one in his or her bed. He rubbed his eyes and got up. Then he used the bathroom and washed his face. After combing his hair through with his fingers and giving himself a quick shave, he walked down the steps, out the door, and right to the distribution office. He picked up only 50 papers today since he had woken up late and most people had probably bought their paper already. After a short quarrel with Weisel about false bets with Racetrack, Jack headed out to sell.
The sun was beaming very brightly and there were many children out in the streets, running around in their bathing suit. Jack yearned to be young again, to have a family. His whole teenage life had been spent selling newspapers. He shook his head as he spotted his first customer.
"Ay Jack!" Racetrack ran up to Jack and slapped him on his shoulder. He was wearing his usual clothing, which was actually pretty nice attire. His brown hat covered his short, jet-black hair and his usual stance was to slouch just a bit but he was very tall and straight today. "Good sellin' day?" he inquired. Jack shook his head and showed Racetrack the 30 papers he hadn't sold. "Damn! Sorry Jack. I guess dat's what'cha get fa' stayin' in bed all day." He quickly took his hat off and patted his hair down. Then he placed the hat back on his head and patted it.
Jack shrugged. "I didn't get in late last night," he explained. "I don't unda'stand why I slept in like I did," he yawned.
Racetrack raised an eyebrow. "After what happened, I'd'a stayed out all night."
"I didn't mean to explode like dat. Kid unda'stands," Jack assured himself.
"I dunno. I was talkin' ta him dis mornin'. He seemed pretty fired up…"
The evening before, Jack and Kid Blink had gotten into a fight about partnerships. After David and Les had come to sell papers, and then quickly disappeared off to school, Jack decided to go on with the partner deal that they had once had. Kid Blink wanted to partner up with Jack but after a few months, Blink thought that Jack wasn't giving Blink his fair share. "Dammit Jack! I sold ten times more papes den you did taday!" Blink had yelled.
"Blink, I sold all mine. Plus, I gave ya some last week. Dat should count more fa' me. And," Jack added, "I paid for your papes yesta'day."
"See, but ya gettin' all da days wrong Jack!" Blink was way out of control, Jack had noticed. "Dat was da day before yesta'day and I paid ya back yesta'day!"
"Blink, we're pals. Dis ain't sumpin' ta get all noisy about." Jack tried his best to calm down Blink but he seemed really angry.
The two had also started their own little piggy bank. They would each put 1 penny in each day. They were going to save up a load of money and buy something special for all of the other newsies. Blink had screamed, "I saw you lookin' trew da piggy! I think you took sumpin' and don't wanna tell me!"
"Blink! Why are ya gettin' all angry? Why can't we talk quiet? Ya hurtin' my ears."
Blink shook his head angrily. "I'm yellin' 'cause you're one'a my best friends and I didn't think you could do sumpin' like dis! But it all points ta you 'cause I sure didn't do nuttin'!"
"Well, now how am I supposed ta know dat? How are any'a us supposed ta know dat?" Jack was getting angrier every minute. He had looked at the other guys for support but they all decided to stay out of it since it had nothing to do with them.
"You're always tryin' ta get everybody on your side! Nobody ever wants ta stick wit me! They all scared you'll soak 'em or sumpin' but you ain't gonna 'cause youse a chicken!" Blink had turned to walk away and Jack filled with rage. He jumped right on top of Blink and turned him around so he could face him. Blink was beet red and looked as angry as a ever. The other newsies cluttered around.
Jack didn't hurt Blink. He began a threat, "Don't neva' say nuttin' like dat ta me eva'. If you even tink'a…"
"You ain't betta' den everybody Jack. We's all equal ya know…"
"I know I ain't! But tonight, I'm definitely betta' den you and your lousy bullshit!" He grabbed Blink's shirt and shoved him into the hardwood floor. "And dat's my warnin' Kid!" Jack added before getting up and walking out of the lodging house.
And now Racetrack was talking to Jack about that night. "I really suggest youse go ova' and talk ta him Jack. I mean, da last time I saw him… he sure was sour."
Jack put his hand up for Racetrack to be quiet. "I'm sorry Racetrack. No can do." Just as Jack finished his sentence, some of the younger newsies came crashing into him and knocking all of his extra papers out of his hand. Jack closed his eyes, holding back his anger.
Racetrack hurried the kids away. "Watch where ya's walk!" Racetrack bent down to pick up the papers but Jack stopped him and bent down to get them himself.
All of the anger was building up even higher inside of Jack. He couldn't stand all the bad things that seemed to be happening. He felt a tap on his shoulder. "Gimme a damn paper!" a voice growled.
That was it. Jack knew it would have to keep his temper with a customer though. "Hold on!" he screamed, picking up the last paper and turning around. He faced a grinning girl-Kate. His eyebrows rose. "Uh, hiya!" he exclaimed.
Kate nodded. She observed the papers that were in Jack's sweaty hands. "Are those all the extra papers?" she inquired.
"Yeah, I guess I'll just have ta throw dem out…"
Kate giggled. She took the papers from Jack's hands. "This is the way to do it," she stated. She ran toward a young man who looked to be in his late 20's. Jack watched her from across the street. The man grinned as she whispered in his ear. Jack's mouth dropped as he saw the man take all of the papers from Kate and give her money for it all. Kate strolled back over to Jack and Racetrack. She handed the money to Jack. "That's how ya do it," she told him.
"How? How'd you…? Wha'?" Jack was astonished.
"I neva' seen dat happen before," Racetrack chuckled.
"So… how'd you do dat?" Jack inquired.
Kate grinned. "Simple." She sat down on the pavement and it reminded Jack of the night before. He sat down beside her and Racetrack sat beside Jack. "I remember him from one of my mother's parties. I simply told him that my mother would love to have him come to all of her future parties without any type of invitation. I guess she won't be too happy but it got ya some money huh?" She winked.
Jack shook his head and realized he had the money in his hands. "Here," he began, putting the money on top of her dress, "you got da money."
Kate rolled her eyes and gave Jack the money back. "You saw my house. I'm fine." She leaned herself back on the palms of her hands and looked up at the sky, closing her eyes. "So what do they call you?" she asked.
Racetrack realized she was talking to him. "Oh, uh, dey call me Racetrack," he stated.
"Such an original name. I like it. My name happens to be very simple. Kate. It sounds like some kind of a name you'd give a pet bird or something." Kate looked back toward the two guys again.
"So Kate, what are ya plans for taday?" Racetrack asked her.
Kate simply shrugged.
"Would ya like ta come ova' ta 'Tibby's' wit us?" Jack offered.
"I've never been there before," Kate explained, "but sure."
Jack grinned. The three of them walked to "Tibby's". Kid Blink and Specs were leaning on the giant, glass window of the restaurant. Kid was looking down and kicking at the cement with his dirty, brown boots while Specs talked to him. The two were wearing the same type of clothing; brown knickers with a white tee shirt. Itey came out the front door of "Tibby's. His hair was all frizzy and in a bundle while his gray shirt and light green pants were nicely pressed and ironed. He handed Specs a glass of water, which he gulped down in one mouthful.
Racetrack greeted the three newsies. "How ya doin'?"
They nodded in reply.
Kid Blink was feeling so much pain and rage at the same time that he pushed past all of them and walked down the street. Itey ran after him and Jack rolled his eyes, pushing the door of "Tibby's" open, and walking inside. Kate watched Kid Blink as he and Itey walked away. "Is there something wrong?" she asked Racetrack. "I hope I haven't caused anything."
"Oh no," Racetrack chuckled. "It's just sumpin' between Jack and Kid, da one wit da patch."
Kate nodded. "Is there something I can do? Fights are so tough."
Racetrack shook his head. "Nah, dey need ta do all dis demselves."
Specs let out a fake cough. Racetrack and Kate turned to face him, a smile on his face. "I'm Specs," he stated. His spectacles were clearly very well taken care of, Kate noticed as she observed him.
"And I'm Kate." Kate held her hand out to him and he looked at it. He put his lips to it, ready to kiss it. "Uh…" Kate took his hand and shook it. "Can't women shake hands with men?" she inquired.
Specs glanced at Racetrack and back at Kate. "Sure," he replied with a puzzled smile. He walked into "Tibby's".
"Is there something about me that's making everyone… act… weird? Do I smell or something?" Kate lifted her arm and sniffed underneath it. Racetrack laughed as they walked into "Tibby's" together.
They spotted where Jack had sat and went over to him. Mush and Spot were sitting across from him. Racetrack motioned for Kate to sit beside Jack as he went to get a chair to pull up for himself. Spot's light, brown hair was out of his hat and was sticking out all over the place. He was leaning against the wall, looking as tired as ever. Mush, on the other hand, looked very energetic and when he saw Kate sit down he exclaimed, "Hey! I'm Mush! Dat's Spot!"
Kate grinned. "Glad to see someone is having a good day so far," she giggled.
Jack waved her off. "I'm OK," he said.
Spot picked his head up, realizing someone had sat at their table. "Ay, I'm Spot," he stated, very tiredly.
Racetrack had pulled his chair up by now and was holding his head up on his elbows. He explained, "Yeah Spot, Mush told her dat out while youse was dreamin'."
Spot shook his head and leaned against the wall again, closing his eyes. "Have I done something to make everyone seem so… down? I mean… life has its ups too. When you're at the bottom, it can only get better."
Jack shook his head in dismay. "I swear, you really are an advice giva'," he stated.
Mush told her, "Dat's sometin' good ta know, eh Spot?"
Spot didn't seem to hear what was happening. Jack explained, "He was up all night last night. "Some'a da boys from Brooklyn was messin' wit him last night. Dey's all fightin' about his size and all. Dey don't tink he's big enough ta be da leada' 'a Brooklyn. I don't see why it matta' dough Spot. I mean it ain't like everybody's against'cha. Ya see," Jack put in for Kate, "Spot here is da Brooklyn leada'."
She nodded. "Poor Spot," she said sympathetically.
Spot flung his hands up in the air suddenly. "Finally!" he cried, "Someone who shows a little pity!"
Kate smiled.
Jack, on the other hand, got angry. "It's not like we's can all centa' ourselves around you Spot," he said.
Spot made a "what the hell?" kind of a face and laid his head down on the table, trying to sleep again. "Jack," Kate began, "that wasn't exactly the best thing to say to your friend. He must be very worried and wishes someone would just listen to him."
Mush stood up. "I'm gonna go…" He walked out of the booth and went over to another group of newsies to avoid the trouble.
Kate stood up and went over to Spot's side of the booth. She sat beside him and patted his head. "It's alright Spot. Please, tell us what happened."
Jack shook his head and got up. He stormed out of "Tibby's" and down the street. Racetrack took Jack's seat and studied Kate. He realized how amazingly beautiful she really was, not only outside but also inside. He tilted his head and she looked at him. "Is there something wrong with Jack?" she inquired. "I know I shouldn't be judging anyone since I haven't really met anyone yet, but he seems very sour."
Racetrack nodded. "He's just pissed about da whole ting dat happened between him'n Blink."
"Spot," she whispered, "I'd love to hear more of this story." He picked his head up and looked at her. "But," she added, "I must away." He half- smiled. "I have many things to do at my chateau."
Spot nodded. "Sure. Nice meetin' ya… Well, I haven't actually met'cha but…"
"In time," she said to Spot and Racetrack, "you shall all know me." She winked. "I'm glad to have met some great people already." She stood up and walked out the door, waving back at the two guys.
READ ON!
By Katie Louden
1 Chapter 1
One foggy, gray night, Jack Kelly decided to take a long walk. His day had been full of negative issues and troubled friends and he hoped that perhaps he could walk some of those thoughts off. While on his amble though, he came across a beautiful townhouse that was lit all the way up to the third floor. Jack was excited when he realized that this brightened house happened to be dancing even more inside. There was a party going on-- -and the doors were open.
Jack hoped he wouldn't stick out real clearly as he crept inside. He looked around for some soft of a buffet table or punch bowl. His eyes were wandering everywhere besides toward a good dinner. The room was not only lit with kerosene lamps but also with glistening chandeliers and glowing, 3- foot candles. The people inside were dressed in the most expensive-looking clothing. Jack felt very left out and knew someone must have noticed that he was clad in dirty, ripped clothing. He pulled at the handkerchief around his neck and wiped his face with it. Then he shoved it into his back pocket.
"Would you like a glass of red wine?" A voice came from behind Jack and he flung around to face an obvious butler. He wore the black suit and had the slicked black hair that Jack would think butlers would have. He carried a plate with several glasses of wine on top of it.
Jack shook his head. "No thanks. I don't drink," he stated. "Uh, I don't drink alcohol, I mean," he added, running his fingers through his brown, greasy hair.
The man nodded and turned toward some other people. Jack couldn't stand being in the presence of these people. They would notice he was there just as soon as a pack of lions would notice that there was a bird standing in the center of their pack. He quickly walked back out the front door and pulled a cigarette from his shirt pocket. Then he lit it and walked down the steps from the door and leaned against the brick house. "Damn scabba's," he mumbled.
"Yeah, I don't like them either." Another unknown voice.
A girl with brown, shoulder-length hair and deep, grayish-green eyes came out from the shadows around Jack. She had a cigarette in her mouth also and a glass of the red wine from inside in her hand. Her clothes were strikingly beautiful like the people inside of the house. She was wearing a light, pink dress that had curly, white ribbons dangling down from the bottom half in tired loops. The whole dress was sprinkled radically with sparkles. "Maybe I shouldn't talk about all of them behind their backs though. I guess it's not right," she babbled.
Jack was dumbstruck-never had he seen a girl smoke and drink in a public place. "Uh, right?"
The girl giggled. She blew a large sphere of smoke into the air. "My name is Kate," she announced.
"Jack."
"You come to parties like this?" Kate asked him.
He chuckled, "Definitely not."
Katie took a sip of the red wine and grinned. "This is always the best wine. She never buys this damn wine for me at any parties. I guess this is special of something," she slurred.
"Dis is your party?" Jack inquired.
She shrugged. "It's supposed to be but I suppose my mother took it over. I try to contribute some of my ideas but… no one really listens to me."
Jack raised his hand. "Same here," he replied as he took the cigarette from his mouth. "I guess I ain't too smart dough," he added.
"No one is truly genius." Kate closed her eyes. "Imagine a world where everyone knew everything about everything. There would be no point in living because it would be no fun. No one could tell anyone they were wrong, even if they didn't really know what the hell they were talking about, and feel smart for just one fantastic second."
Jack chuckled as she opened her eyes. "Dat's true," he agreed.
"It's hard to remember all this good advice." She took a long puff on her cigarette and blew a giant hole in the sky. Then she threw the cigarette into the hole. When it hit the ground, she smeared it into the pavement. Then she put her wine glass to her lips and drank the rest of it. "I'd like to see somebody do that," she garbled, sitting down on the ground.
Jack squinted from thinking so hard. 'Who is this girl?' he asked himself. He squatted down beside her and he caught her eyes roll back. "Are you alright?" he inquired.
She nodded and lied back on the pavement. She flung her hair out so that it formed a silhouette around her head. "My mother always said I had the hair of the angels but the face of the demons. Now she says that everything on the outside of me is angelic but that my insides are clouded with the devil himself." She shook her head on the ground, as if to throw the words out of her ears.
Jack stood up, not knowing what to say. He extended his hand out to her. "Why don't I take ya back to da party and you can get ta bed eh?" he suggested.
"Who are you Jack?"
Jack winced. "Huh?"
She grinned. "Who are you really Jack?"
"I'm… a newsie?"
She laughed, "Great!" She took his hand and let him pull her up. She walked back with him, not sluggishly at all, to the party.
Jack didn't think he should walk in with her the way she had acted. Everyone might think he did something to cause her odd behavior. "I think I should go," Jack said, looking behind himself as if he were seeing a friend who was waiting for him.
"Understandable!" Kate walked up the steps. "I had a fantastic conversation with you Jack. I hope I can run into you again some time."
Jack found it funny that a few seconds ago she seemed drunk and now she was perfectly fine. Or was she? He couldn't seem to figure her out. He grinned and watched her as she walked back inside. "Wow," he mumbled as he started off to the lodging house. It was probably around 10 o'clock at night now. He walked quietly but quickly into bed and fell right asleep.
The next morning, Jack awoke to find no one in his or her bed. He rubbed his eyes and got up. Then he used the bathroom and washed his face. After combing his hair through with his fingers and giving himself a quick shave, he walked down the steps, out the door, and right to the distribution office. He picked up only 50 papers today since he had woken up late and most people had probably bought their paper already. After a short quarrel with Weisel about false bets with Racetrack, Jack headed out to sell.
The sun was beaming very brightly and there were many children out in the streets, running around in their bathing suit. Jack yearned to be young again, to have a family. His whole teenage life had been spent selling newspapers. He shook his head as he spotted his first customer.
"Ay Jack!" Racetrack ran up to Jack and slapped him on his shoulder. He was wearing his usual clothing, which was actually pretty nice attire. His brown hat covered his short, jet-black hair and his usual stance was to slouch just a bit but he was very tall and straight today. "Good sellin' day?" he inquired. Jack shook his head and showed Racetrack the 30 papers he hadn't sold. "Damn! Sorry Jack. I guess dat's what'cha get fa' stayin' in bed all day." He quickly took his hat off and patted his hair down. Then he placed the hat back on his head and patted it.
Jack shrugged. "I didn't get in late last night," he explained. "I don't unda'stand why I slept in like I did," he yawned.
Racetrack raised an eyebrow. "After what happened, I'd'a stayed out all night."
"I didn't mean to explode like dat. Kid unda'stands," Jack assured himself.
"I dunno. I was talkin' ta him dis mornin'. He seemed pretty fired up…"
The evening before, Jack and Kid Blink had gotten into a fight about partnerships. After David and Les had come to sell papers, and then quickly disappeared off to school, Jack decided to go on with the partner deal that they had once had. Kid Blink wanted to partner up with Jack but after a few months, Blink thought that Jack wasn't giving Blink his fair share. "Dammit Jack! I sold ten times more papes den you did taday!" Blink had yelled.
"Blink, I sold all mine. Plus, I gave ya some last week. Dat should count more fa' me. And," Jack added, "I paid for your papes yesta'day."
"See, but ya gettin' all da days wrong Jack!" Blink was way out of control, Jack had noticed. "Dat was da day before yesta'day and I paid ya back yesta'day!"
"Blink, we're pals. Dis ain't sumpin' ta get all noisy about." Jack tried his best to calm down Blink but he seemed really angry.
The two had also started their own little piggy bank. They would each put 1 penny in each day. They were going to save up a load of money and buy something special for all of the other newsies. Blink had screamed, "I saw you lookin' trew da piggy! I think you took sumpin' and don't wanna tell me!"
"Blink! Why are ya gettin' all angry? Why can't we talk quiet? Ya hurtin' my ears."
Blink shook his head angrily. "I'm yellin' 'cause you're one'a my best friends and I didn't think you could do sumpin' like dis! But it all points ta you 'cause I sure didn't do nuttin'!"
"Well, now how am I supposed ta know dat? How are any'a us supposed ta know dat?" Jack was getting angrier every minute. He had looked at the other guys for support but they all decided to stay out of it since it had nothing to do with them.
"You're always tryin' ta get everybody on your side! Nobody ever wants ta stick wit me! They all scared you'll soak 'em or sumpin' but you ain't gonna 'cause youse a chicken!" Blink had turned to walk away and Jack filled with rage. He jumped right on top of Blink and turned him around so he could face him. Blink was beet red and looked as angry as a ever. The other newsies cluttered around.
Jack didn't hurt Blink. He began a threat, "Don't neva' say nuttin' like dat ta me eva'. If you even tink'a…"
"You ain't betta' den everybody Jack. We's all equal ya know…"
"I know I ain't! But tonight, I'm definitely betta' den you and your lousy bullshit!" He grabbed Blink's shirt and shoved him into the hardwood floor. "And dat's my warnin' Kid!" Jack added before getting up and walking out of the lodging house.
And now Racetrack was talking to Jack about that night. "I really suggest youse go ova' and talk ta him Jack. I mean, da last time I saw him… he sure was sour."
Jack put his hand up for Racetrack to be quiet. "I'm sorry Racetrack. No can do." Just as Jack finished his sentence, some of the younger newsies came crashing into him and knocking all of his extra papers out of his hand. Jack closed his eyes, holding back his anger.
Racetrack hurried the kids away. "Watch where ya's walk!" Racetrack bent down to pick up the papers but Jack stopped him and bent down to get them himself.
All of the anger was building up even higher inside of Jack. He couldn't stand all the bad things that seemed to be happening. He felt a tap on his shoulder. "Gimme a damn paper!" a voice growled.
That was it. Jack knew it would have to keep his temper with a customer though. "Hold on!" he screamed, picking up the last paper and turning around. He faced a grinning girl-Kate. His eyebrows rose. "Uh, hiya!" he exclaimed.
Kate nodded. She observed the papers that were in Jack's sweaty hands. "Are those all the extra papers?" she inquired.
"Yeah, I guess I'll just have ta throw dem out…"
Kate giggled. She took the papers from Jack's hands. "This is the way to do it," she stated. She ran toward a young man who looked to be in his late 20's. Jack watched her from across the street. The man grinned as she whispered in his ear. Jack's mouth dropped as he saw the man take all of the papers from Kate and give her money for it all. Kate strolled back over to Jack and Racetrack. She handed the money to Jack. "That's how ya do it," she told him.
"How? How'd you…? Wha'?" Jack was astonished.
"I neva' seen dat happen before," Racetrack chuckled.
"So… how'd you do dat?" Jack inquired.
Kate grinned. "Simple." She sat down on the pavement and it reminded Jack of the night before. He sat down beside her and Racetrack sat beside Jack. "I remember him from one of my mother's parties. I simply told him that my mother would love to have him come to all of her future parties without any type of invitation. I guess she won't be too happy but it got ya some money huh?" She winked.
Jack shook his head and realized he had the money in his hands. "Here," he began, putting the money on top of her dress, "you got da money."
Kate rolled her eyes and gave Jack the money back. "You saw my house. I'm fine." She leaned herself back on the palms of her hands and looked up at the sky, closing her eyes. "So what do they call you?" she asked.
Racetrack realized she was talking to him. "Oh, uh, dey call me Racetrack," he stated.
"Such an original name. I like it. My name happens to be very simple. Kate. It sounds like some kind of a name you'd give a pet bird or something." Kate looked back toward the two guys again.
"So Kate, what are ya plans for taday?" Racetrack asked her.
Kate simply shrugged.
"Would ya like ta come ova' ta 'Tibby's' wit us?" Jack offered.
"I've never been there before," Kate explained, "but sure."
Jack grinned. The three of them walked to "Tibby's". Kid Blink and Specs were leaning on the giant, glass window of the restaurant. Kid was looking down and kicking at the cement with his dirty, brown boots while Specs talked to him. The two were wearing the same type of clothing; brown knickers with a white tee shirt. Itey came out the front door of "Tibby's. His hair was all frizzy and in a bundle while his gray shirt and light green pants were nicely pressed and ironed. He handed Specs a glass of water, which he gulped down in one mouthful.
Racetrack greeted the three newsies. "How ya doin'?"
They nodded in reply.
Kid Blink was feeling so much pain and rage at the same time that he pushed past all of them and walked down the street. Itey ran after him and Jack rolled his eyes, pushing the door of "Tibby's" open, and walking inside. Kate watched Kid Blink as he and Itey walked away. "Is there something wrong?" she asked Racetrack. "I hope I haven't caused anything."
"Oh no," Racetrack chuckled. "It's just sumpin' between Jack and Kid, da one wit da patch."
Kate nodded. "Is there something I can do? Fights are so tough."
Racetrack shook his head. "Nah, dey need ta do all dis demselves."
Specs let out a fake cough. Racetrack and Kate turned to face him, a smile on his face. "I'm Specs," he stated. His spectacles were clearly very well taken care of, Kate noticed as she observed him.
"And I'm Kate." Kate held her hand out to him and he looked at it. He put his lips to it, ready to kiss it. "Uh…" Kate took his hand and shook it. "Can't women shake hands with men?" she inquired.
Specs glanced at Racetrack and back at Kate. "Sure," he replied with a puzzled smile. He walked into "Tibby's".
"Is there something about me that's making everyone… act… weird? Do I smell or something?" Kate lifted her arm and sniffed underneath it. Racetrack laughed as they walked into "Tibby's" together.
They spotted where Jack had sat and went over to him. Mush and Spot were sitting across from him. Racetrack motioned for Kate to sit beside Jack as he went to get a chair to pull up for himself. Spot's light, brown hair was out of his hat and was sticking out all over the place. He was leaning against the wall, looking as tired as ever. Mush, on the other hand, looked very energetic and when he saw Kate sit down he exclaimed, "Hey! I'm Mush! Dat's Spot!"
Kate grinned. "Glad to see someone is having a good day so far," she giggled.
Jack waved her off. "I'm OK," he said.
Spot picked his head up, realizing someone had sat at their table. "Ay, I'm Spot," he stated, very tiredly.
Racetrack had pulled his chair up by now and was holding his head up on his elbows. He explained, "Yeah Spot, Mush told her dat out while youse was dreamin'."
Spot shook his head and leaned against the wall again, closing his eyes. "Have I done something to make everyone seem so… down? I mean… life has its ups too. When you're at the bottom, it can only get better."
Jack shook his head in dismay. "I swear, you really are an advice giva'," he stated.
Mush told her, "Dat's sometin' good ta know, eh Spot?"
Spot didn't seem to hear what was happening. Jack explained, "He was up all night last night. "Some'a da boys from Brooklyn was messin' wit him last night. Dey's all fightin' about his size and all. Dey don't tink he's big enough ta be da leada' 'a Brooklyn. I don't see why it matta' dough Spot. I mean it ain't like everybody's against'cha. Ya see," Jack put in for Kate, "Spot here is da Brooklyn leada'."
She nodded. "Poor Spot," she said sympathetically.
Spot flung his hands up in the air suddenly. "Finally!" he cried, "Someone who shows a little pity!"
Kate smiled.
Jack, on the other hand, got angry. "It's not like we's can all centa' ourselves around you Spot," he said.
Spot made a "what the hell?" kind of a face and laid his head down on the table, trying to sleep again. "Jack," Kate began, "that wasn't exactly the best thing to say to your friend. He must be very worried and wishes someone would just listen to him."
Mush stood up. "I'm gonna go…" He walked out of the booth and went over to another group of newsies to avoid the trouble.
Kate stood up and went over to Spot's side of the booth. She sat beside him and patted his head. "It's alright Spot. Please, tell us what happened."
Jack shook his head and got up. He stormed out of "Tibby's" and down the street. Racetrack took Jack's seat and studied Kate. He realized how amazingly beautiful she really was, not only outside but also inside. He tilted his head and she looked at him. "Is there something wrong with Jack?" she inquired. "I know I shouldn't be judging anyone since I haven't really met anyone yet, but he seems very sour."
Racetrack nodded. "He's just pissed about da whole ting dat happened between him'n Blink."
"Spot," she whispered, "I'd love to hear more of this story." He picked his head up and looked at her. "But," she added, "I must away." He half- smiled. "I have many things to do at my chateau."
Spot nodded. "Sure. Nice meetin' ya… Well, I haven't actually met'cha but…"
"In time," she said to Spot and Racetrack, "you shall all know me." She winked. "I'm glad to have met some great people already." She stood up and walked out the door, waving back at the two guys.
READ ON!