"And as I was standin dere" exclaimed Spot "Dis goil jus knocked me over!"
"Aww," said Raider Thompson "Sounds like Conlon got bowled ova."
Jack Kelly laughed heartily and wrapped an arm around his girlfriend's slender shoulders as they walked into Irving Hall.
"I appreciate ya doin dis for us Miss. Larkson," Requiem said smiling at her.
"Pleas, wit a voice like dat, I should be thankin you," laughed Medda "and please call me Medda."
"Here Requiem," said Q as she came bouncing up with a dress in her hands "Sapphire says to wear this."
"Ya friend's got good taste." Said Medda as she carefully examined the crimson gown.
Requiem smiled and walked into the dressing room to change.
Kid Blink looked around the crowded table and grinned.
"God, I aint neva been here when it was so loud." He yelled.
Mush Meyers laughed.
"I hoid its cause Harlem won da bridge from Queens at poka last night," Mush yelled back.
"Ah, I bet Cords aint happy bout dat."
"Ya realize dis is da foist time we've come somewhere without planning to jack it?" asked Fib as she took a sip of her beer.
"Yeah, fo now dough, we aint here as thieves," said Sapphire "Got dat?"
Q grimaced; she had a bit of trouble keeping her hands out of people's pocket.
"Ah," Sapphire exclaimed placing a hand on her shoulder "Every once in a while."
Q smiled happily.
Requiem stepped up to the opening of the curtains and swallowed hard. They had only been in New York City for a day and it had been pure luck that Medda had been walking by and had over heard her singing to the baby.
"Eva sang in front of such a big crowd before?" asked Glory Thomas, one of the other girls.
Requiem just shook her head.
Dutchy looked around and sighed. He was so tired; it had been a really long day.
"Hey guys, I tink I'm gonna go." He yelled over the din.
Specs looked up at his best friend, "So soon?"
Dutchy laughed and looked at the clock on the wall.
"Specs, its 2 o'clock in da morning."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, straight from Louisiana," yelled the Emcee "The beautiful Requiem."
Like anyone would be
I am flattered by your fascination with me
Like any hot-blooded woman
I have simply wanted an object to crave
But you, you're not allowed
You're uninvited
An unfortunate slight
Dutchy sat quickly down when he heard the voice. It was unlike anything he had ever heard, clear as a bell and thickly accented. The girl singing looked like an Angel. Half of her raven colored curls were done up into an intricate updo, the rest of it hung down her delicate back; the lights played on her face, making her eyes sparkle.
Must be strangely exciting
To watch the stoic squirm
Must be somewhat heartening
To watch shepherd need shepherd
But you you're not allowed
You're uninvited
An unfortunate slight
"Why does dat goil look so familiar?" Raider wondered out loud.
"You know her?" Jack asked.
"I dunno."
Like any uncharted
territory
I must seem greatly intriguing
You speak of my love like
You have experienced love like mine before
But this is not allowed
You're uninvited
An unfortunate slight
Dutchy smiled when his eyes locked with her's. Requiem shivered and looked away.
I don't think you unworthy
I need a moment to deliberate
"Wow!" yelled Countess "That's the best I've heard her in a while."
Requiem rushed backstage. She smiled when she saw Lily sleeping on the stomach of the gruff guard.
"Thank you," she whispered to him.
"No problem." He replied "I'll put her in the dressin room, Glory said she'll look afta her until ya done makin ya rounds."
"Mah rounds?"
"Yeah, ya gotta go socialize."
"Oh."
Raider excused herself and walked confidently over to the table where the girls sat.
"Raider!" yelled Sapphire "Raider Thompson?"
"Sapphire?" yelled Raider hugging her "Oh my god! Countess! Q! Fib!"
"Am I missin sumptin?" asked Requiem.
"Requiem?" said Raider "I thought ya looked familiar!"
"Oh my god." Requiem yelled hugging her.
"Uh Raider?" asked Jack.
"Oh sorry," she replied pulling him towards her "Goils, dis heres my boyfriend Jack Kelly. Jack, dis is Sapphire Collins, Countess Miller, Fib Walker, Q Andrews and Requiem Alvarado."
"You!" yelled Spot when he recognized the girl from the train station.
"Hey, nice ta see ya didn't break." Laughed Countess.
"Goils, dis here is Spot Conlon," said Jack "He's da leada of da Brooklyn newsboys."
"Da finest newsies in da city, no matta what Jacky-boy here tells ya." Replied Spot.
"Whatever Brooklyn," said Raider "Ya egos bigger den you."
Dutchy stood on the fringes of the group. Requiem, he thought, what a beautiful name.
"Hello," said Blink "I'm Kid Blink."
Sapphire turned around and smiled.
"I'm Sapphire," she replied.
This boy is adorable she thought. With his pale blond hair and bright blue eye, she wondered if the patch was real. He was about her height and had an incredibly infectious grin.
"Well, it was great seein ya again," said Sapphire "But we gotta find somewhere ta stay,"
"Your welcome ta stay at our Lodgin House." Said Jack.
"Really?"
"Yeah, da foist night is free." He replied.
"Tanks," said Fib "dats mighty fine of you."
"No sweat," replied Racetrack "Any friend of Raider's is a friend of ours."
Carryin Da Banner,
Revolution