Free Companies Inc. Presents:

Brooklyn: One Rainy Day

A Newsies fanfic by Keza: Queen of Procrastination

(Chapter Three)

AN: Heyyy ya'll like Ruin! Woo. Ruin. That is the coolest name/word. I really overuse it. It's the name of the annalist (main character) in my Black Company fic too. And my nick on the NML (yeeeah I'm one o' the newbies, ayuh.) And I think it's the name of a mage in the story I'm writing with Abbe… Nevermind.

Reminder: I'm horrible at writing in NY dialect. Or rather, remembering and making the effort to write in it. Sorry.

+

Heart stalked out of the gates, nearly knocking Ore to the ground as she did so. She threw a grumbled apology over her shoulder and cut a clean path through the rest of the newsies. They recognized the mad glint in her eyes. They knew to stay away. A sly chuckled rose uncalled to her lips as she recalled why her hand was still tingling. Ah, she had got the bastard good that time. Heart dropped her head back and let loose a hearty laugh, letting her troubles and worries roll off with the joyful sound. Sling passed by her with an amused expression on his face. She winked at him and he turned red and hurried on behind Mercy. She smiled at the sky, ignoring the threatening clouds off near Manhattan. 'A slap a day keeps the doctor away,' she liked to say. And that theory hadn't been proven wrong yet.

Heart crossed a main street and stopped to study herself in the reflection of a newly cleaned shop window. She rubbed a bit of dirt off of her forehead irritably and quickly finger combed chin-length auburn hair into a more suitable position. A bright smile smoothed out premature wrinkles and certainly made her look a few years younger. Heart straightened her skirt, then continued walking, humming a soft lullaby as she went.

It was a long walk to the school. But worth every step. Heart loved stepping into the well-organized offices, studying plaques on the wall while she carefully listened for whatever snatches of conversation that she could catch. There wasn't much, but she tried to pick up as much information as she could from what went on behind those closed doors. And what did go on? She wasn't sure. Until now, she had only ventured into the school for a few minutes, hurrying out before the secretary could ask her what she needed. But not today.

Heart tugged on her black skirt for the hundredth time and strode confidently into the tidy brick building.

Brooklyn Community Drama Center, read the sign above the door.

The secretary smiled warmly as she entered.

"What can I do for you, Miss?" Heart took a deep breath, attempting to control both her nerves and voice.

"I was comin' ta ask about enrollment information," she said, a funny look playing across her face. Well, she had ALMOST kept her crude accent out. The secretary looked her up and down, something that annoyed Heart greatly.

"Name, dear?"

"Hea… Sorry, Beth Ezran," the name sounded foreign on her tongue. When was the last time she had said it? The secretary frowned slightly at the stumble but jotted her name down all the same.

"Well!" the woman said brightly. "You're in luck. We do have a few spots open, for night classes. Would that work out?" Heart nodded enthusiastically, words beyond her at the moment.

"Splendid. If you'd just fill out these forms… I'll go get Mr. Hoysten to come see you."

Heart accepted the papers and sat down in a stiff-backed chair. She began filling out the first one in slow, neat handwriting. This could be her only chance… She had to make it count.

Heart was almost through with the first paper when the door in the back swung open, admitting the secretary and a tall man with jet-black hair and a stern face.

"Let's see what we got," he said with a musical voice. Heart, staring at the papers and gathering her nerves, gasped softly as she heard the voice. She quickly put the papers down and rose slowly, eyes lowered. Mr. Hoysten walked forward and leaned down, grabbing her chin with one hand. "Well, I need to see your face, girl," he said, tilting her chin up. Heart reluctantly met his eyes, which quickly widened with surprise.

"Heart!?"

+ + +

"I don't want to go out tonight."

"Heart, don't be silly!" Dove's teasing voice breathed into her ear as she applied more of the lip paint to Heart's already shining mouth. "Why else would you be in this business? You must go out tonight," Dove stepped back and nodded her approval. "Lovely. Lower your eyes a bit, dear. You know the men like to think you're weak. Like they own you," Dove rolled her eyes, then winked at Heart before disappearing behind a garish curtain into the next room. Heart stared glumly into the mirror opposite her, her usually bright eyes sad.

"I don't feel well."

"Nonsense!" an older woman said firmly as she bustled into the room. She grabbed Heart's chin and forced her too look up. "You're perfectly fine. And you will be going out tonight, just like everyone else."

Heart shook free of her grasp.

"I tire of this life!" The woman's expression turned soft for a moment.

"You aren't the only one… But a woman must do what she has to to survive." She smiled weakly. "Now be a good girl and finish getting ready. It's a big night… The richest men in the region will be there-"

"Which means good money!" Dove's giggle rang through from the next room. Mary shook her head slightly and left Heart alone. 'Poor child,' she thought. 'Only seventeen, and lowered to this life…'

Heart shifted uncomfortably in the short, skintight dress, picking at the fabric absently. Already she could here the sounds of the party down below, then raucous laughter of drunken men and breathless giggles of the prostitutes. Dove skipped her way downstairs, calling out behind her.

"Come on Heart; let's go find you a MAN!" Heart took one last look into the mirror, and then followed reluctantly.

Loud music and rowdy dancing blasted into her like an icy wind. Heart shivered and gravitated towards a shadowy corner, seemingly oblivious to the approving glances sent her way. One man in particular couldn't seem to keep his eyes off of her.

"Jonathon… Hey… John… JOHN!" James slapped his friend lightly, jolting him out of his daze. James chuckled. "They'll be plenty of time for the later, Johnny me boy… Just try to look interested for a few minutes? I'm tellin' a story here!" John stole another glance at the girl, and then cleared his throat, a business like look plastered to his face. James had only seen that look come off once or twice, one of the reasons he had brought his friend along to this party. Johnny needed to have more fun. James shook his head and turned to the rest of the table. "So I'm here, thinking they're talking about the cow, right? And so then I said…" John sighed and tuned out his friend's voice, searching the room again for those blue eyes… 'No, don't tell me I've lost her!' He thought angrily. Oh…

John's eyes widened slightly as he caught sight of the girl, who was staring right back at him. Shifting awkwardly, he met her gaze, unblinking. Another girl darted up behind her and whispered something, then dodged quickly away to avoid a slap. A shy smile played across the girl's face as she darted back into the shadows, disappearing from sight.

'Acting,' Heart murmured to herself. 'It's a difficult role, but just imagine… You're acting.' She watched the man carefully.

"Hmm… Interesting pick," Mazy appeared at Heart's right shoulder. Heart wrinkled her nose at the thick aura of alcohol that surrounded the girl. She had never enjoyed drinking. "Johnny Hoysten. He's an actor you know," Mazy giggled and slumped against the younger girl. "Stop moving about! You're making me dizzy."

"You're horribly drunk," Heart reminded her.

"All the better. What was I saying? Oh right. So I took a left turn, which led me into some alley, but with golden horses prancing around, ya know? No, there's more – it was a long dream…"

Heart rolled her eyes and pushed Mazy away, although the woman's words still rang in her head… 'An actor? Maybe this night won't be so bad after all…'

+ + +

Heart swallowed, then put on an innocent face and looked quizzically up.

"Pardon me?"

"…Heart?" John sounded less sure of himself now. Heart laughed softly and shook her head.

"I'm sorry… My name is Beth," she nodded to the secretary, as if for verification. "Beth Ezran. Heart… what a silly name!" John's face fell. He mumbled something and exited the room hastily. Heart's eyes flashed. So much for that plan. She barged through the door right after him, ignoring the secretary's protests.

"Go teach your granny to suck eggs!"

That shut her up.

John was standing in the middle of the room with his back to the door when Heart entered. She reached up to tap him on the shoulder (being barely up to his upper arm herself), but he was already turning around. Smiling slyly, he picked her up and kissed her deeply. Eyes widening, Heart yanked her head away and moved her hand to slap him. Sensing this, John freed one arm and caught her wrist.

"That was some nice acting," he admitted. "But you can't hide from me."

"Oh, damn," Heart muttered sarcastically, twisting to free herself from his one-armed grasp. "Put me down! I'm not a doll," John chuckled and lowered her to the floor, eyes never leaving her face.

"You cut your hair," he observed.

"Yes."

"You grew too."

"No."

"You have a new life."

"Yes."

"You still have the acting bug." Pause.

"Yes."

"Three out of four. Not bad, not bad. How long has it been, two years? Three?"

"I don't know," Heart answered, still glaring. She didn't need this. No, not in the least. "I'm interested in taking classes here," she reminded. "I didn't know you would be here. In fact, I was planning on taking from…" Heart quickly scanned the room, looking for something that would reveal another name. "Hannah. Ms. York." Disappointment clearly shone through John's eyes. She cackled to herself.

"She's new," he said defiantly. "Not too good, I'll have you know." Heart remained impassive, one eyebrow slightly raised. John turned to his desk and took out a pen. "I'll sign you up. Can you tell me how to spell that last name?" She obliged. "And will you be applying for-"

"I have the money," Heart interrupted curtly. "I've been saving," she added quietly. John nodded briefly and wrote a few more notes down.

"Sounds good…" he handed her a small slip of paper. "There's the information. Perhaps I'll see you again soon."

"Perhaps," Heart nodded a goodbye and left the building, waving cheerily to the secretary as she did so.

Heart smiled at the approaching clouds and walked briskly down the street, hoping she wouldn't be late for her afternoon work. Ruby's was understaffed, and they hated being short even one waitress. Once in the restaurant and changed, she remembered the piece of paper and was about to place it carefully away when she realized she still had yet to read the actual information.

'Beth Ezran, with Hannah York. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 5:00.' He had signed the bottom. 'Sounds good,' Heart murmured, then noticed the back.

'Bridge Café, tonight. 4:30. My treat.' Her expression turned grim.

"HEART! TABLE NINE NEEDS SOME HELP HERE!"

+

It was pouring by the time Heart left the diner. Grumbling at her luck, she hurried as fast as she could back towards her tiny flat near the bridge. Suddenly she slowed, swiping wet hair out of her face as she frowned at a softly lit window.

'Bridge Café'

the door informed her. Heart peered in through the window. A clock on the wall read 5:10. In the corner, a tall man with black hair was reading a newspaper, his face hidden by the object. Her hand clutched at the note in her jacket pocket. Someone left the café, tantalizing smells revealing themselves swiftly before dispersing into the rain. Heart looked hungrily from the café to the road ahead… and back to the café.

+ + +

Heart turned in the sheets and faced John, eyes still holding a mischievous gleam. He opened one eye and looked her over, a rare smile present on his normally stoic features. He leaned over and kissed her again, the smile never leaving his mouth. Although he had only known the girl for a few hours, no more, he felt strangely attracted to her, in a way he hadn't felt for awhile. Unlike most of the other women he had been with in the past, she was spirited, intelligent, and into acting.

"What's a lady like yourself doing hanging around scoundrels like us?" he asked when they broke the kiss. Heart shook her head.

"You already asked me that," she said softly, one finger tracing its way down his neck. She moved closer for the next word. "Money."

"Oh, yes," John said bitterly. "And how much do I owe you?" Heart laughed and told him. He groaned. "How about a simple 'I love you?'" She laughed again.

"You aren't the first to try that. I don't accept that kind of credit."

"Oh, of course… of course." John climbed out of bed and hopped around the room as he tried unsuccessfully to pull on his pants. Heart watched silently, playing with a pillowcase.

She was about to leave his flat when he stopped her with a firm hand on her shoulder. She stopped and looked up into his eyes, shining with earnestness and love.

"I do love you," he said quietly. "Yes. I've only known you for less than a day, but I can't deny the feeling. I love you." Heart removed his hand and started to walk away, then turned back. She traced a heart on his chest, then motioned for him to lean down. He did so, coming to her eye level.

"I love you," she breathed, so quietly John wasn't sure if he had heard right. He looked up for confirmation, but she was already gone.

+ + +

She walked on.

+ + +

And you know, the guy's name was really Christian, and he was actually a writer, not an actor, and… Yeah, I just realized how much Heart is like Satine in Moulin Rouge.

–groans- I did NOT mean to do that… Damn. The whole (former, in this case) prostitute who wants to become an actress thing… Coincidental. I promise. And Heart won't die of consumption either. Hehehe. I'm not sure if I like this chapter very much, so SEND FEEDBACK! Review. Reviews are like {insert word of choice: ice cream, Newsies, pie, strawberries}. Absolutely necessary and best when covered in whipped cream.