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Race had been sitting at the same table in the same spot for almost an hour now. He had a little something to eat, but was mainly waiting for Moneybags to show up. He thought that she would be here by now, unless she was eating at Rich's Bar. She never does dat, but why come ta see da guy dat she's avoidin'? He sighed. Not too long after, some of the newsies began to integrate Tibby's with themselves and their girls. Mush and Blink should be here soon, he wondered if they would come over and sit with him. Especially with da way I treated Mush dis mornin' .
The door opened yet again, and Race turned to see whom it was. Blink and Mush, and they were headed over his way. Well, won't hurt ta have a little company. "Hey, Blink, Mush." Race spit shook with Mush, and knew that everything was all right since this morning.
"So, whatcha doin' here, all by yerself?" Blink asked him. "Dere are tons of other seats over dere. Why dis lonely corner?" He had a good idea, just wanted Race to say it and admit it to himself.
"Oh, no reason. You'se hungry?" Blink and Mush sat down, as a waiter came over and asked them for their order. When they were done, Blink, persistent as he was, asked Race again, "Why dis lonely corner? I didn't remember getting' an answer."
"Dat's because ya didn't." Suddenly the door opened and Race spun around to see who it was. Dutchy and Slash, waltzing in, the happy couple that they were. Without meaning to, Race scowled.
"It's okay dat ya miss Moneybags." Mush tried to comfort his hurting friend.
"I never said sat I missed her!" Race defended himself. "What if I'se glad dat she ain't here?" But the hurt clearly showed through his eyes. He closed his eyes and let his head fall to the table
Mush put his arm around him, because he was sitting right next to him. "It's okay, Race .it's s'ok."
"No, it ain't, ya don't understand." Race was near tears, and then kept on hitting his head on the table.
"Race, stop dat" Blink whispered loudly enough for Race to hear. At his wit's end, Race obeyed and stopped. "Now what is so bad dat you'se a mess and what is so horrible dat we wouldn't understand?"
"Well, ya know last night when Moneybags went up ta her room?" Race started, pausing every few words. Blink and Mush nodded. "well I went up after her . and we got really mad . at each other . and I yelled . and I" Race just couldn't go on. Dey're gonna think dat I'se some madman or something.
"C'mon Race, ya got dis far." Mush tried to comfort Race, but he could tell something was really bugging Race, they had been friends for about 10 years and things like this had happened before. Mush was dere when I promised dat I would never hit a girl . he's gonna think so much less of me once he knows. The waiter bringing their food interrupted Race's thoughts.
The door opened yet again, this time Snipes, Hothead, Spadey and Specs walked in. They sat at the table next to where Race, Blink and Mush were. Hothead was talking really loud, and that mad it a little harder for him to concentrate. "C'mon, Race. Here, eat something." Blink pushed Race's food closer to him.
"I ain't hungry." Race said, his head back on the table.
"C'mon Race, let's go outside and talk about it." Mush tried to pull Race up, but being his stubborn self, he stayed put. "Then tell me."
"A'aight. Well, I got really mad an' before I knew it," Race's stomach got really queasy right then, "I had punched her several times, an' she was thrown up against da wall, an' had a little blood on her face." Race wanted to crawl under the table and die right then. Mush just nodded, and couldn't think of anything to say.
Jack and Mask entered Tibby's, and saw the three of them sitting there and not eating. "Mask, sit here and lemme go see what's the mattah. You know what I normally get, okay?"
"Sure thing." Mask watched as Jack waked over to where the 'three musketeers' were sitting. She saw Blink get up and talk to Jack. Mask couldn't quite see what was happening then, because the waiter came over and took Jack and her order. The next she saw of Jack was him walking back over to the table. "What's wrong wit Race? I've never seen him look so terrible before."
"Stuff." Was all that he said for a while. Seeing that Mask wanted to know more, he said, "Stuff dat I ain't gonna say. If ya wanna find out, den you can talk ta Race."
"Okay. I feel really bad for him though ." Soon their food came, and they talked about other things, the headline, Medda's, how things were going'. Shortly, Specs came over to their table. "Somethin' da matter, Specs?" Jack wondered out loud.
"Well, yes an' no." Specs began. "Ya, remember what I was tellin' ya about last night?"
"About Spadey?" Jack leaned in closer, so no one else could hear if something went wrong.
"Yeah. Well, I ast her taday, an' due ta her answer, I was wonderin' if Hothead and Snipes could sell wit someone else for da afternoon." Specs broke into a huge smile.
"So she said yes?" Jack was really happy for Specs, he had been waiting such a long time to ask Spadey and Jack knew that it would just crush Specs if Spadey said no. As an answer to Jack's question, Specs just smiled more and shook his head yes. "I'se so happy for ya!" Jack got up and gave Specs a hug.
Mask got up also, and congratulated him. "It's so nice, I know Spadey had been waiting a long time for dis."
""Hey guys," Jack shouted for all to hear. "I'se gonna make a toast!" That got everyone to keep their mouths shut for a bit. Someone called out, "For what?" Jack was able to speak his answer. "Today somethin' happened, and I figured dat I'd make it public. I wish da best o' luck to a new couple, Specs an' Spadey, an' dat you guys would have lots o' fun in da futcha!" Jack looked to Spadey, who was blushing and turning redder by the second.
It took a while for this to sink in, but the newsies finally got to realizing that Specs and Spadey were a couple. Many of the present newsies went over and congratulated them, punching Specs and teasing Spadey about Specs. Seeing a waiter come out, Jack went over to the table and said, "Hey! Break it up, break it up! We gotta finish up in here, before we get yelled at, a'aight?" The newsies obeyed, seeing that Jack was their leader and it wouldn't be wise to get the waiters mad. "I'll work it out Specs, for dis afternoon. Have fun!" Jack called as he went back to his table. "Hey Mask, have you seen Feisty, Snitch, Bumlets, Jake or Holiday? Dey shoulda been here by now."
"No. not since dis mornin'. I think dey were goin' over ta Central Park, dey mighta stopped an' ate over dere." Mask said, going back to eating her food. "Now, c'mon, you'se gotta eat. I'd be hungry comin all da way from Brooklyn."
"Ya right." Jack said, and started to eat his food when the table with Snipes, Hothead, Spadey and Specs got really loud. "I just wanted to know why you don't seem to care about your sis being gone!" Snipes practically shouted. He was still trying to get information out of Hothead, but this just caused a bigger problem.
"For da last time, Snipes," Hothead said this next part with each word growing louder, "I do not care about my sister! She probably killed herself and made this world a better place!!!" By the time she was done, the whole restaurant was silent, so everyone could hear every word perfectly.
Race still had his head on the table sulking but as soon as those words flew out of Hothead's mouth, Race was filled with an uncontrollable rage "Take it back! Take it back!" He stood up and leapt at Hothead, so mad he could kill her in a second with his hands. Luckily, when the restaurant went silent and Hothead went off about her sister, Jack was making his way over to Race, just in case something like this happened. So as soon as he saw Race lunge at Hothead, Jack lunged at Race, who was frantically trying to get to Hothead. Blink and Mush tried to help hold Race back, while Snoddy, who was passing by, and Specs tried to get Hothead away from Race.
After 5 minutes of struggling to get out of Blink and Mush's grasp, Race realized that fighting was doing no good and just crumpled like a sword had pierced him. There were a few tables knocked over and some of the newsies had helped clean up.
Blink and Mush had taken Race back to the Lodging House, and had strict orders not to let him out of their sight, for absolutely anything. Jack had Snipes sell with Books and Snoddy, while Hothead was selling with him and Mask. Just what we'se need, an annoyin' little pain in da ass while we sell. And with that whole episode over and done with, all the newsies headed out to finish selling their papers.
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Bumlets, Jake, Holiday, Katie, Felicia, Feisty and Snitch were rushing to get to Tibby's. They were a little late; as they walked into Tibby's, they saw that the restaurant was empty. A couple glared at them from across the room as the 7 went to go sit down. "What do ya think happened?" Feisty asked anyone.
"I dunno, but dese people look mad." Jake puzzled over the situation.
"Well, I say dat we get our food and eat, so we can go back an' sell da rest o' our papes." Holiday suggested.
"Good idea, Hol." Bumlets said, looking around for a table. "Look, dere's a table over dere." The others saw the table and went over. It was a while before a waiter came over and hurriedly took their order.
"Gee, dis is weird." Snitch said.
"Yeah . sorry dat ya didn't get ta meet more o' da boys-" Jake started to say.
"-and girls-" Put in Holiday.
"And girls," Jake continued. "but we musta missed dem. But if you'se want, ya can meet dem tonight. You'd have a sure chance of meeting dem there." Jake was telling Katie and Felicia.
"A'aight. I just gotta go back and tell my cousin then." Katie stated.
"Okay, does he live far?" Bumlets asked.
"Not really, he lives over where we were before, around Central Park." Katie said. It would be a drag walking back over there, but if they were getting a job, it would be worth it.
"Okay, so we'll go back over dere as soon as we eat up all our food." Feisty pointed out, as their food just arrived. Consequently this made everyone eat their food faster so they could get a move on.
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If it was a long morning, it was an even longer after noon. It had gotten unbearably hot, and many people decided to stay inside. So needless to say, it was harder to sell papes. Having Snipes with them just made things harder, him and Books were used to selling together. But Jack said that this would make things easier, and Snoddy couldn't refuse. Books would look at him every now and then, she looked annoyed. As soon as Snipes went off a way to go sell some papers to by-standers, Snoddy started to apologize. "I'se sorry, but I couldn'ta said no."
"Hey Snoddy, it's ok! There you go apologizing again." Books said fanning herself. "there was nothin' you could really do. So if I'm gonna be annoyed at anyone, it would be Snipes, or Jack." Books noticed that they were near Rich's Bar. "Snoddy, did you purposely bring us here?"
Snoddy, who was zoned out looking in the distance, snapped out of his daydream and said, "What?"
"We're near da bar. You brought us here on purpose."
"Oh, I didn't even realize dat." Snoddy paused, listening for a piano playing. He heard one, but the song was one that Moneybags didn't know.
"Is that her inside? Playing?" Books inquired.
"Naw, I don't think so. It's a song dat she doesn't know." Snoddy was thinking about this whole thing.
"Do you wanna go in an' see who it is?" Books was getting curious.
"Naw, cause den Rich might see me an' I might get in trouble." Snoddy saw Books face fall. "But if you wanna go in, dat's fine too."
"No thanks, I'll pass."
"But dis means somethin' now." Snoddy was thinking out loud again. "why Moneybags ain't here I have no idea. Somethin' musta happened, or we'd would have seen her by now ..."
Books snapped her fingers on front of his face. "you're thinkin' out loud again. Someday, dat's gonna get you in trouble. Besides, Snipes is comin' back, don't want him ta hear ya."
"Right." Snoddy said, trying to focus back on selling papes. "So Snipes, ya sell much?"
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Jack and Mask's afternoon looked like an easy one, and so far it was. He had sold all of his papes in the morning, and Mask was selling her papes rather quickly, despite the heat. Hothead was just hanging around, she had money at home (so she thought) and if she didn't sell the rest, then it was okay. She only had about 20 left anyway. "Hot!" Jack called to Hothead, using a shorter version of her nickname.
"What?" She said as she spun around.
"How many papes ya got left?"
"About 20. Why?" nobody had ever pushed her about selling her papes before.
"You'd better hurry, we gotta get back to the Lodging House soon." Jack felt as if he was stating the obvious. "Dere's people over dere, go see if dey'll but some."
Yeah, whatever. I can just trash dem when he's not looking later. But to satisfy Jack, she went over and tried to sell them.
Seeing that she obeyed, Jack went over to Mask, who had just sold her last paper. "Easy afternoon?"
"Yeah, for not many people being out and about." Mask sighed. The sun was almost setting, and the sky was a blazing red. "Let Slash have fun with Dutchy today, she sold with him this afternoon."
Jack nodded his head in agreement "Let us have a little fun too." He said, pulling her close to him."
"Hey, Hothead is done, looks like she sold a lot." Mask said, breaking Jack's embrace. "we have all night, don't forget. Can't spoil it now!" Mask smiled. She loved having Jack around, but never forgot what it felt like being the third wheel, and didn't want to leave Hothead out, no matter how much trouble she caused earlier. "almost done?"
"Yeah .. actually they tipped me, and I'm done." She lied, and was about to trash her papes.
"Wait," Jack ran up, catching her hand before it was to late. "if you're not gonna sell dem, I'll buy 'em from ya."
Hothead looked at him like he was crazy, but handed him the papes as he reached into his pocket for a nickel. "I have ten left." She told Jack.
After he bought the papes, he said, "We gotta head back to da Lodgin' House. I'll sell dese on da way." With no further complaints, the trio made their way back to the Lodging House in silence.
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It was nearing 8 o'clock and Kloppman suspected that the newsies should be coming in soon. Earlier that day, around 2, Kloppman had seen Blink and Mush dragging in Race and headed up stairs. He wasn't exactly sure, but as soon as the rest of the group came, he was sure that he would find out. Kloppman stopped and looked at the door, as he heard the door open. "Home a little early, Bumlets?"
"Well, I'se didn't wanna miss da others, we missed dem at lunch."
"We?" Kloppman questioned. Normally Bumlets sold with Jake, but as he saw in a second, there were quite a few of them. "Kloppy, dis is Katie and Felicia. Friends of Holiday's, and we were gonna see if dey could get jobs as newsies." Bumlets explained, and finally the seven of then were all in the lobby.
"Katie and Fel (Felicia had a shorter version of her name already)" Holiday motioned for them to come over by her and Kloppman. "Dis is Kloppman, he takes care o us, an' runs da Lodgin' House. Can I take dem upstairs? Ta show dem around?" Holiday asked Kloppman.
"Yeah, sure." Kloppman got the book. "But first dey gotta sign in and pay for tonight, if they're staying."
"Yeah, a'aight. I might as well sign in too." Holiday went over and signed in, showing Katie and Felicia how to do it. "C'mon, up here!"
The trio trampled up the stairs, leaving Bumlets, Jake, Snitch and Feisty downstairs to start a poker game. Just as they dealt out the cards, Princess and Swifty wandered in. "Start already?" Princess asked. It wasn't the best of days and she could use a good game to cheer her up.
"Yeah, well not really." Feisty said, but then changed her answer from the looks she was getting from the boys. "I guess we did. But dis game will be ovah soon, an' den you can play." Feisty felt bad now and tried to make it up to her.
"Didn't Holiday sell wit ya?" Princess said, rubbing her forehead.
"Yeah, well, ya see we got kinda side-tracked today." Bumlets offered to tell the story. Princess looked a little confused and her eyes demanded for a better explanation. "Ya see, while we were sellin' papes, Holiday met up wit some friends from da factory, Katie an' Felicia. An' it turns out dat dey are lookin' fa jobs, an' Hol suggested dat they should talk ta you an' Jack an' see if dey could be newsies." Bumlets put 3 pennies in because Jake raised the stakes.
"Where are dese new goils now?" Princess requested.
"Dey should be upstairs, Holiday was showing dem around." Feisty said, fully concentrating on the game.
"Oh, I see." Princess said, watching the game. "Didn't see ya at Tibby's, missed a . "good" time today."
"What happened?" Snitch asked. He dropped out of the game because it was too much for him, and he didn't even have a great hand.
"Well, first thing ya should know. Specs asked Spadey ta be his goil!"
"Really??" Feisty almost dropped her cards.
"Yeah. I never think dat I've ever seen Spadey happier." Princess thought out loud. "But dat's da good news." Her face fell, preparing to tell her eager on lookers about Hothead and Race . "Yeah . well not long after, Hothead was getting real loud, she was sitting wit Snipes, an' he musta been annoying her." Princess noticed Kloppman listening to the story. He's wondering why Blink, Mush an' Race came back so early too. "Anyway, ya know how Race was in a bad mood, he was sitting right next to Hot an' Snipes. Out a nowhere, Hothead screams, so da whole restaurant could hear, dat she hoped Moneybags had killed herself and made da world a bettah place." Princess was on a roll now, and not planning on stopping anytime soon. "Well Race just got soo mad, da maddest I'se evah seen him. He lunged at Hothead, screaming for her ta take it back. But Jack and Blink and Mush just held him back. So, needless ta say, it was not a good dat at Tibby's." Princess finished, and her audience was still in shock.
"So dat's why everybody was acting really weird ta us taday at Tibby's." Jake was the first one to put two and two together.
"Dat would make sense." Feisty said, letting this all sink in. "but why is Race so upset? What did Moneybags say? If anything, I'd think she'd be da one ta lunge at -"
"Moneybags isn't here." Princess said, not meaning to cut Feisty off. "She hasn't showed up yet, wasn't at Tibby's, if she doesn't show up tonight . "
"Ohh. Dat's harsh. But why would she leave?" Bumlets asked, forgetting that Princess didn't have all the answers.
"Dere must be somethin' more dat I don't know about. Race looked really bad today. I felt so bad for him. Maybe somethin' happened between da two of dem."
"Yes! At last! Race is free!!" Feisty meant it sarcastically, but the others didn't catch on and stared at her in shock. "Just kidding guys! Besides, I got you Snitch!" Feisty went to give Snitch a kiss, but remembered that they were still playing a poker game, and changed her mind.
"So what's dat? I don't even get a kiss? Or a hug?" Snitch playfully teased her.
"We're in da middle o' a game." Feisty reminded him.
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Race had been sitting at the same table in the same spot for almost an hour now. He had a little something to eat, but was mainly waiting for Moneybags to show up. He thought that she would be here by now, unless she was eating at Rich's Bar. She never does dat, but why come ta see da guy dat she's avoidin'? He sighed. Not too long after, some of the newsies began to integrate Tibby's with themselves and their girls. Mush and Blink should be here soon, he wondered if they would come over and sit with him. Especially with da way I treated Mush dis mornin' .
The door opened yet again, and Race turned to see whom it was. Blink and Mush, and they were headed over his way. Well, won't hurt ta have a little company. "Hey, Blink, Mush." Race spit shook with Mush, and knew that everything was all right since this morning.
"So, whatcha doin' here, all by yerself?" Blink asked him. "Dere are tons of other seats over dere. Why dis lonely corner?" He had a good idea, just wanted Race to say it and admit it to himself.
"Oh, no reason. You'se hungry?" Blink and Mush sat down, as a waiter came over and asked them for their order. When they were done, Blink, persistent as he was, asked Race again, "Why dis lonely corner? I didn't remember getting' an answer."
"Dat's because ya didn't." Suddenly the door opened and Race spun around to see who it was. Dutchy and Slash, waltzing in, the happy couple that they were. Without meaning to, Race scowled.
"It's okay dat ya miss Moneybags." Mush tried to comfort his hurting friend.
"I never said sat I missed her!" Race defended himself. "What if I'se glad dat she ain't here?" But the hurt clearly showed through his eyes. He closed his eyes and let his head fall to the table
Mush put his arm around him, because he was sitting right next to him. "It's okay, Race .it's s'ok."
"No, it ain't, ya don't understand." Race was near tears, and then kept on hitting his head on the table.
"Race, stop dat" Blink whispered loudly enough for Race to hear. At his wit's end, Race obeyed and stopped. "Now what is so bad dat you'se a mess and what is so horrible dat we wouldn't understand?"
"Well, ya know last night when Moneybags went up ta her room?" Race started, pausing every few words. Blink and Mush nodded. "well I went up after her . and we got really mad . at each other . and I yelled . and I" Race just couldn't go on. Dey're gonna think dat I'se some madman or something.
"C'mon Race, ya got dis far." Mush tried to comfort Race, but he could tell something was really bugging Race, they had been friends for about 10 years and things like this had happened before. Mush was dere when I promised dat I would never hit a girl . he's gonna think so much less of me once he knows. The waiter bringing their food interrupted Race's thoughts.
The door opened yet again, this time Snipes, Hothead, Spadey and Specs walked in. They sat at the table next to where Race, Blink and Mush were. Hothead was talking really loud, and that mad it a little harder for him to concentrate. "C'mon, Race. Here, eat something." Blink pushed Race's food closer to him.
"I ain't hungry." Race said, his head back on the table.
"C'mon Race, let's go outside and talk about it." Mush tried to pull Race up, but being his stubborn self, he stayed put. "Then tell me."
"A'aight. Well, I got really mad an' before I knew it," Race's stomach got really queasy right then, "I had punched her several times, an' she was thrown up against da wall, an' had a little blood on her face." Race wanted to crawl under the table and die right then. Mush just nodded, and couldn't think of anything to say.
Jack and Mask entered Tibby's, and saw the three of them sitting there and not eating. "Mask, sit here and lemme go see what's the mattah. You know what I normally get, okay?"
"Sure thing." Mask watched as Jack waked over to where the 'three musketeers' were sitting. She saw Blink get up and talk to Jack. Mask couldn't quite see what was happening then, because the waiter came over and took Jack and her order. The next she saw of Jack was him walking back over to the table. "What's wrong wit Race? I've never seen him look so terrible before."
"Stuff." Was all that he said for a while. Seeing that Mask wanted to know more, he said, "Stuff dat I ain't gonna say. If ya wanna find out, den you can talk ta Race."
"Okay. I feel really bad for him though ." Soon their food came, and they talked about other things, the headline, Medda's, how things were going'. Shortly, Specs came over to their table. "Somethin' da matter, Specs?" Jack wondered out loud.
"Well, yes an' no." Specs began. "Ya, remember what I was tellin' ya about last night?"
"About Spadey?" Jack leaned in closer, so no one else could hear if something went wrong.
"Yeah. Well, I ast her taday, an' due ta her answer, I was wonderin' if Hothead and Snipes could sell wit someone else for da afternoon." Specs broke into a huge smile.
"So she said yes?" Jack was really happy for Specs, he had been waiting such a long time to ask Spadey and Jack knew that it would just crush Specs if Spadey said no. As an answer to Jack's question, Specs just smiled more and shook his head yes. "I'se so happy for ya!" Jack got up and gave Specs a hug.
Mask got up also, and congratulated him. "It's so nice, I know Spadey had been waiting a long time for dis."
""Hey guys," Jack shouted for all to hear. "I'se gonna make a toast!" That got everyone to keep their mouths shut for a bit. Someone called out, "For what?" Jack was able to speak his answer. "Today somethin' happened, and I figured dat I'd make it public. I wish da best o' luck to a new couple, Specs an' Spadey, an' dat you guys would have lots o' fun in da futcha!" Jack looked to Spadey, who was blushing and turning redder by the second.
It took a while for this to sink in, but the newsies finally got to realizing that Specs and Spadey were a couple. Many of the present newsies went over and congratulated them, punching Specs and teasing Spadey about Specs. Seeing a waiter come out, Jack went over to the table and said, "Hey! Break it up, break it up! We gotta finish up in here, before we get yelled at, a'aight?" The newsies obeyed, seeing that Jack was their leader and it wouldn't be wise to get the waiters mad. "I'll work it out Specs, for dis afternoon. Have fun!" Jack called as he went back to his table. "Hey Mask, have you seen Feisty, Snitch, Bumlets, Jake or Holiday? Dey shoulda been here by now."
"No. not since dis mornin'. I think dey were goin' over ta Central Park, dey mighta stopped an' ate over dere." Mask said, going back to eating her food. "Now, c'mon, you'se gotta eat. I'd be hungry comin all da way from Brooklyn."
"Ya right." Jack said, and started to eat his food when the table with Snipes, Hothead, Spadey and Specs got really loud. "I just wanted to know why you don't seem to care about your sis being gone!" Snipes practically shouted. He was still trying to get information out of Hothead, but this just caused a bigger problem.
"For da last time, Snipes," Hothead said this next part with each word growing louder, "I do not care about my sister! She probably killed herself and made this world a better place!!!" By the time she was done, the whole restaurant was silent, so everyone could hear every word perfectly.
Race still had his head on the table sulking but as soon as those words flew out of Hothead's mouth, Race was filled with an uncontrollable rage "Take it back! Take it back!" He stood up and leapt at Hothead, so mad he could kill her in a second with his hands. Luckily, when the restaurant went silent and Hothead went off about her sister, Jack was making his way over to Race, just in case something like this happened. So as soon as he saw Race lunge at Hothead, Jack lunged at Race, who was frantically trying to get to Hothead. Blink and Mush tried to help hold Race back, while Snoddy, who was passing by, and Specs tried to get Hothead away from Race.
After 5 minutes of struggling to get out of Blink and Mush's grasp, Race realized that fighting was doing no good and just crumpled like a sword had pierced him. There were a few tables knocked over and some of the newsies had helped clean up.
Blink and Mush had taken Race back to the Lodging House, and had strict orders not to let him out of their sight, for absolutely anything. Jack had Snipes sell with Books and Snoddy, while Hothead was selling with him and Mask. Just what we'se need, an annoyin' little pain in da ass while we sell. And with that whole episode over and done with, all the newsies headed out to finish selling their papers.
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Bumlets, Jake, Holiday, Katie, Felicia, Feisty and Snitch were rushing to get to Tibby's. They were a little late; as they walked into Tibby's, they saw that the restaurant was empty. A couple glared at them from across the room as the 7 went to go sit down. "What do ya think happened?" Feisty asked anyone.
"I dunno, but dese people look mad." Jake puzzled over the situation.
"Well, I say dat we get our food and eat, so we can go back an' sell da rest o' our papes." Holiday suggested.
"Good idea, Hol." Bumlets said, looking around for a table. "Look, dere's a table over dere." The others saw the table and went over. It was a while before a waiter came over and hurriedly took their order.
"Gee, dis is weird." Snitch said.
"Yeah . sorry dat ya didn't get ta meet more o' da boys-" Jake started to say.
"-and girls-" Put in Holiday.
"And girls," Jake continued. "but we musta missed dem. But if you'se want, ya can meet dem tonight. You'd have a sure chance of meeting dem there." Jake was telling Katie and Felicia.
"A'aight. I just gotta go back and tell my cousin then." Katie stated.
"Okay, does he live far?" Bumlets asked.
"Not really, he lives over where we were before, around Central Park." Katie said. It would be a drag walking back over there, but if they were getting a job, it would be worth it.
"Okay, so we'll go back over dere as soon as we eat up all our food." Feisty pointed out, as their food just arrived. Consequently this made everyone eat their food faster so they could get a move on.
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If it was a long morning, it was an even longer after noon. It had gotten unbearably hot, and many people decided to stay inside. So needless to say, it was harder to sell papes. Having Snipes with them just made things harder, him and Books were used to selling together. But Jack said that this would make things easier, and Snoddy couldn't refuse. Books would look at him every now and then, she looked annoyed. As soon as Snipes went off a way to go sell some papers to by-standers, Snoddy started to apologize. "I'se sorry, but I couldn'ta said no."
"Hey Snoddy, it's ok! There you go apologizing again." Books said fanning herself. "there was nothin' you could really do. So if I'm gonna be annoyed at anyone, it would be Snipes, or Jack." Books noticed that they were near Rich's Bar. "Snoddy, did you purposely bring us here?"
Snoddy, who was zoned out looking in the distance, snapped out of his daydream and said, "What?"
"We're near da bar. You brought us here on purpose."
"Oh, I didn't even realize dat." Snoddy paused, listening for a piano playing. He heard one, but the song was one that Moneybags didn't know.
"Is that her inside? Playing?" Books inquired.
"Naw, I don't think so. It's a song dat she doesn't know." Snoddy was thinking about this whole thing.
"Do you wanna go in an' see who it is?" Books was getting curious.
"Naw, cause den Rich might see me an' I might get in trouble." Snoddy saw Books face fall. "But if you wanna go in, dat's fine too."
"No thanks, I'll pass."
"But dis means somethin' now." Snoddy was thinking out loud again. "why Moneybags ain't here I have no idea. Somethin' musta happened, or we'd would have seen her by now ..."
Books snapped her fingers on front of his face. "you're thinkin' out loud again. Someday, dat's gonna get you in trouble. Besides, Snipes is comin' back, don't want him ta hear ya."
"Right." Snoddy said, trying to focus back on selling papes. "So Snipes, ya sell much?"
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Jack and Mask's afternoon looked like an easy one, and so far it was. He had sold all of his papes in the morning, and Mask was selling her papes rather quickly, despite the heat. Hothead was just hanging around, she had money at home (so she thought) and if she didn't sell the rest, then it was okay. She only had about 20 left anyway. "Hot!" Jack called to Hothead, using a shorter version of her nickname.
"What?" She said as she spun around.
"How many papes ya got left?"
"About 20. Why?" nobody had ever pushed her about selling her papes before.
"You'd better hurry, we gotta get back to the Lodging House soon." Jack felt as if he was stating the obvious. "Dere's people over dere, go see if dey'll but some."
Yeah, whatever. I can just trash dem when he's not looking later. But to satisfy Jack, she went over and tried to sell them.
Seeing that she obeyed, Jack went over to Mask, who had just sold her last paper. "Easy afternoon?"
"Yeah, for not many people being out and about." Mask sighed. The sun was almost setting, and the sky was a blazing red. "Let Slash have fun with Dutchy today, she sold with him this afternoon."
Jack nodded his head in agreement "Let us have a little fun too." He said, pulling her close to him."
"Hey, Hothead is done, looks like she sold a lot." Mask said, breaking Jack's embrace. "we have all night, don't forget. Can't spoil it now!" Mask smiled. She loved having Jack around, but never forgot what it felt like being the third wheel, and didn't want to leave Hothead out, no matter how much trouble she caused earlier. "almost done?"
"Yeah .. actually they tipped me, and I'm done." She lied, and was about to trash her papes.
"Wait," Jack ran up, catching her hand before it was to late. "if you're not gonna sell dem, I'll buy 'em from ya."
Hothead looked at him like he was crazy, but handed him the papes as he reached into his pocket for a nickel. "I have ten left." She told Jack.
After he bought the papes, he said, "We gotta head back to da Lodgin' House. I'll sell dese on da way." With no further complaints, the trio made their way back to the Lodging House in silence.
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It was nearing 8 o'clock and Kloppman suspected that the newsies should be coming in soon. Earlier that day, around 2, Kloppman had seen Blink and Mush dragging in Race and headed up stairs. He wasn't exactly sure, but as soon as the rest of the group came, he was sure that he would find out. Kloppman stopped and looked at the door, as he heard the door open. "Home a little early, Bumlets?"
"Well, I'se didn't wanna miss da others, we missed dem at lunch."
"We?" Kloppman questioned. Normally Bumlets sold with Jake, but as he saw in a second, there were quite a few of them. "Kloppy, dis is Katie and Felicia. Friends of Holiday's, and we were gonna see if dey could get jobs as newsies." Bumlets explained, and finally the seven of then were all in the lobby.
"Katie and Fel (Felicia had a shorter version of her name already)" Holiday motioned for them to come over by her and Kloppman. "Dis is Kloppman, he takes care o us, an' runs da Lodgin' House. Can I take dem upstairs? Ta show dem around?" Holiday asked Kloppman.
"Yeah, sure." Kloppman got the book. "But first dey gotta sign in and pay for tonight, if they're staying."
"Yeah, a'aight. I might as well sign in too." Holiday went over and signed in, showing Katie and Felicia how to do it. "C'mon, up here!"
The trio trampled up the stairs, leaving Bumlets, Jake, Snitch and Feisty downstairs to start a poker game. Just as they dealt out the cards, Princess and Swifty wandered in. "Start already?" Princess asked. It wasn't the best of days and she could use a good game to cheer her up.
"Yeah, well not really." Feisty said, but then changed her answer from the looks she was getting from the boys. "I guess we did. But dis game will be ovah soon, an' den you can play." Feisty felt bad now and tried to make it up to her.
"Didn't Holiday sell wit ya?" Princess said, rubbing her forehead.
"Yeah, well, ya see we got kinda side-tracked today." Bumlets offered to tell the story. Princess looked a little confused and her eyes demanded for a better explanation. "Ya see, while we were sellin' papes, Holiday met up wit some friends from da factory, Katie an' Felicia. An' it turns out dat dey are lookin' fa jobs, an' Hol suggested dat they should talk ta you an' Jack an' see if dey could be newsies." Bumlets put 3 pennies in because Jake raised the stakes.
"Where are dese new goils now?" Princess requested.
"Dey should be upstairs, Holiday was showing dem around." Feisty said, fully concentrating on the game.
"Oh, I see." Princess said, watching the game. "Didn't see ya at Tibby's, missed a . "good" time today."
"What happened?" Snitch asked. He dropped out of the game because it was too much for him, and he didn't even have a great hand.
"Well, first thing ya should know. Specs asked Spadey ta be his goil!"
"Really??" Feisty almost dropped her cards.
"Yeah. I never think dat I've ever seen Spadey happier." Princess thought out loud. "But dat's da good news." Her face fell, preparing to tell her eager on lookers about Hothead and Race . "Yeah . well not long after, Hothead was getting real loud, she was sitting wit Snipes, an' he musta been annoying her." Princess noticed Kloppman listening to the story. He's wondering why Blink, Mush an' Race came back so early too. "Anyway, ya know how Race was in a bad mood, he was sitting right next to Hot an' Snipes. Out a nowhere, Hothead screams, so da whole restaurant could hear, dat she hoped Moneybags had killed herself and made da world a bettah place." Princess was on a roll now, and not planning on stopping anytime soon. "Well Race just got soo mad, da maddest I'se evah seen him. He lunged at Hothead, screaming for her ta take it back. But Jack and Blink and Mush just held him back. So, needless ta say, it was not a good dat at Tibby's." Princess finished, and her audience was still in shock.
"So dat's why everybody was acting really weird ta us taday at Tibby's." Jake was the first one to put two and two together.
"Dat would make sense." Feisty said, letting this all sink in. "but why is Race so upset? What did Moneybags say? If anything, I'd think she'd be da one ta lunge at -"
"Moneybags isn't here." Princess said, not meaning to cut Feisty off. "She hasn't showed up yet, wasn't at Tibby's, if she doesn't show up tonight . "
"Ohh. Dat's harsh. But why would she leave?" Bumlets asked, forgetting that Princess didn't have all the answers.
"Dere must be somethin' more dat I don't know about. Race looked really bad today. I felt so bad for him. Maybe somethin' happened between da two of dem."
"Yes! At last! Race is free!!" Feisty meant it sarcastically, but the others didn't catch on and stared at her in shock. "Just kidding guys! Besides, I got you Snitch!" Feisty went to give Snitch a kiss, but remembered that they were still playing a poker game, and changed her mind.
"So what's dat? I don't even get a kiss? Or a hug?" Snitch playfully teased her.
"We're in da middle o' a game." Feisty reminded him.
"Oh. Dat explains it." Snitch, feeling a little stupid, quickly covered himself up by saying, "Well, den let's get dis game over with so we can have some real fun!" ~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~$~