Silence surrounded him as he walked into the large empty hall. It was almost as if the house was deserted. Was he in the right place? Skittery wasn't sure. Maybe he should come back later. Then, just as he was about to leave footsteps came from the room behind him. Relieved, he turned around to greet the stranger. It was a boy, just younger than himself with pale blond hair and the most amazing eyes he had ever seen. Surprised at that bizarre thought, he reached out his hand.

"Hey there. This is the lodging house ain't it?"

The blond boy just stared at him.

"Uh, excuse me, I'se in the right place ain't I?"

This time Skittery could see a rosy colour come to the blond's pale cheeks.

"Uh, sorry" said the blond, "You'se kinda caught me by suprise, I thought everyone was out carryin' da banner" He looked at the floor feeling embarrassed. "This is da lodging house alright." He finally shook Skittery's outstretched hand. "You new then?" he asked, pushing his glasses up his nose. Skittery was surprised at how awkward this was, it wasn't as if he was talking to one of the pretty little girls he saw hanging around the park.

"Yeah, I'se come to work as a newsie. Heard this was the place to stay." He noticed the blond boy's eyes light up.

"Yeah, it certainly is that. Um, Kloppman ain't around at the moment, he usually deals with the new guys. I guess I could take ya around 'til he comes back. No point in ya being alone..." the blond boy trailed off, looking at the floor.

"Uh, yeah that'd be... great... I guess." Skittery didn't know what to say. "I'm Skittery by the way. I didn't quite catch your name..." The blond boy looked even more embarrassed. Was Skittery saying something wrong?

"Um, sorry, call me Dutchy... I... uh... never mind..." He started to walk towards the door so, apprehensively, Skittery followed. Why was that first meeting so weird? Surely all the newsies weren't like that...

As he walked through the door he smiled to himself. Actually, he wish they were.