"Hello to you, too. Oh, thanks for askin', I'm jest great," Tinker said.
Spot's scowl deepened. "What da hell are ya doin' heah?" he repeated.
"I came ta talk ta you," Tinker answered.
"Den ya might as well jest leave.now," he told her coldly.
"C'mon Spot. Can't we jest talk 'bout dis?" Tinker asked. "Aftah bein' friends foh ovah twelve yeahs shouldn't I get da benefit a da doubt?"
"No. Hell, I already gave ya me trust an' look how dar dat got me," he told her. Then, not wanting to exhibit how hurt he truly was, he emotionlessly added, " I told ya not ta come back heah foh a long time. Now, leave or I'll make ya."
"Spot." Jack started.
"Cowboy, stay outta it. I was willin' ta let it slide foh you since we'se been friends foh so long but I can only take so much."
"What da hell?! So it was all right foh Jack ta kiss me since he's been yoah friend foh twelve years but not me even doh I'se been yoah friend jest as long an' ya said ya love me? Or were we nevah friends an' ya were jest lyin' da entire time?" Tinker asked, hurt.
"You bitch!" Spot exclaimed. "I did love you an' you went an' kissed me best friend. If anyone was lyin' 'bout bein' in love it was you! Now go da fuck away befoah I make ya!"
Tinker stared at Spot in shock for a few moments, tears welling in her eyes. She turned on her heels and ran away from the docks and Brooklyn as fast as she could.
Spot stood silently for a moment, watching her leave, before turning back to Jack and Davie. He cleared his throat. "Wheah was I? Yeah.I remembah. I was wonderin' how do I know you punks won't run da foist time some goon comes at ya wid a club? How do I know ya got what it takes ta win?"
Jack, who had been wavering on if he should reveal the truth about Tinker to Spot, decided against it and answered, "Cause I'm tellin' you, Spot."
Spot stared at him for a minute then told him, "Dat ain't good enough, Jacky-boy. You gotta show me."
~~~~~~********~~~~~~
Jack, Davie and Boots returned to Manhattan a little discouraged and immediately went to find the rest of the newsies to give them the news.
"Der's Tinkah," Boots pointed out.
Jack saw her and jogged to catch up to her. "Hey Tinker. You okay?"
Tinker looked up and Jack could see her eyes were red and swollen from crying. "I'm jest peachy," Tinker said sarcastically.
Jack immediately felt horrible for not telling Spot the truth. "C'mere," he said, pulling her into a hug. "I'm really sorry, Tinkah. Dis is all my fault."
"No it's not," Tinker answered, slightly muffled since she was talking into his chest. "It's mine. I shoulda told him da truth from da beginnin' an' not had all dose stupid thougths 'bout him trustin' an' lovin' me an' everythin'."
"No.it'll be all right. I'll talk ta him. I might end up not bein' able ta walk.but I'll talk ta him."
Tinker pulled away. "Don't Jack. I don't want ya ta ruin yoah friendship jest cause a one lousy night. Jest leave it alone. Maybe Spot an I'll become friends aftah awhile but I think anythin' else is ruined."
"Is dat really what ya want?" Jack questioned.
"Yeah, I think so," Tinker confirmed. "Well, maybe not what I want, but dat's da way dat things are."
"All right, den. Is der anythin' I can do foh ya?" Jack asked.
"Nah, I'm jest headin' ta da Lodgin' House. You should go find da othah boys. Dey'll wanna know what happened."
"Don't you?" Jack asked.
"I already do. He said no.I could kinda tell by how he was answerin' Davie befoah he saw me," Tinker responded.
"Nice call," Jack commended.
"Well, when yoah friends wid a guy foh dat long an' den spend every second wid him foh two months, two weeks an' five days, ya start ta be able ta tell his reactions," Tinker explained.
Jack gave her a smile, trying to cheer her up. He wished he could somehow make the pain that he had instigated disappear.
Tinker gave him a half smile in return. "I'll see ya latah."
"Wait.Tinkah.I was wonderin'." he started.
"Da answer is yes," Tinker responded.
"Yes? I didn't ask da question yet!"
"Ya were gunna ask if I know how yoah gunna respond like I know how Spot is an' da answer is yes."
Jack looked completely shocked and a little frightened. "But.how did ya know.dat don't make." he stammered.
Tinker smirked. "I'll see ya latah, Jacky-boy," she told him walking off.
Jack shook his head wondering how any guy, especially someone that was infamous to be a good judge of character, could let someone like Tinker go. He shrugged and walked off toward the Square where all the Manhattan newsies were sure to be.
~~~~~~******~~~~
The next days passed relatively unexciting for Tinker. She usually went off to do her own thing while the boys were off getting into fights, soaking scabs, and attempting to break into the Refuge. Although Tinker was a strong supporter of the strike she didn't agree with the violent tactics the boys utalized to help achieve their goal. Jack agreed with her that she shouldn't be there every day since she was hopeless at fighting.
Tinker found other activities to occupy her days, such as visiting old friends from different parts of the city that she hadn't seen in a long time.
~~~~*****~~~~~
One day Tinker had been in the Bronx talking to her friend Squibble and walking around.
"Hey, ain't da Weasel?" Tinker asked, pointing to a man surrounded by a group of other men.
"I dunno who dat guy in da middle is but dat guy he's talkin' ta is da leadah a da Crips."
"Why would he be talkin' ta dem?" Tinker wondered out loud.
"Who cares? Let's go back ta Manhattan. Ya told me dat you'd intraduce me ta dat Davie kid.gawd is he cute!" Squibble exclaimed, being slightly boy- crazy.
"Jest a minute. Dis seems fishy. Stay heah," Tinker ordered, stealthily walking toward the men.
Tinker ducked behind some garbage cans and tried to ignore the foul stench coming from them. She listened attentively to the suspicious conversation.
"So, you give us da money an' we beat up da kids?" the alleged leader of the Crips inquired.
"Yep," Wisel answered. "Jest gotta discourage der strike if ya know what I mean."
"I dunno 'bout dis. Beatin' up innocent kids dat're jest tryin' ta make an honest livin' doesn't seem right," the leader protested.
"I'se payin' ya good money an' ya don't gotta soak 'em all.jest scare 'em. Ya beat up der leadah, Kelly, an' dey'll back off."
"Yeah, but what've we got 'gainst dis kid? It ain't jest 'bout da money ya know."
"Ya got a lot 'gainst dis boy. He's Timothy Sullivan's kid. 'Bout seventeen now.not really a kid anymoah."
"Timothy Sullivan, huh? Dat rat! Ya jest got yoahself a deal. We'll be der tomorrow," the man said, shaking Wisel's hand.
"Holy shit! Holy shit!" Tinker muttered to herself. She curled into a small ball as the men walked past her hiding place. As soon as they had turned the corner Tinker ran to Squibble.
"Ya gotta go ta Manhattan," Tinker told her, grabbing both of her arms. "Tell Jack or Davie dat Weasel's got da Crips!"
"Whoah.wait.what? Wheah are you goin'?" Squibble asked.
"I'm gunna tell Spot an' get his help," Tinker told her. "Tell Jack an' Davie not ta back down. It's gunna happen tomorrow. An' I'll have Brooklyn der."
"What if ya can't?" Squibble asked, doubtful.
"Den I'll get der befoah da fight an' tell dem. Don't worry. I'll get dem."
Squibble nodded and ran toward Mahattan as fast as she could.
Tinker took a deep breath and sprinted in the direction of Brooklyn.
~~~~~~*****~~~~~~
"Spot?" Blue said, walking up to him.
"Yeah?" Spot responded.
"Tinker jest entered Brooklyn. I jest got word. Ya told me ya wanted ta know if she was evah heah," Blue informed him.
"Wheah's she headed?" Spot interrogated.
"Heah, I think," Blue answered.
"Shit! All right, well thanks foh lettin' me know," Spot told him.
"Should we let her in?" Blue inquired.
"Yeah, might as well," Spot responded.
"All right," Blue said, walking away.
"What was dat all about?" asked the girl who had been talking to Spot before Blue interrupted.
"I told da boys ta let me know if Tinkah was evah comin' so dat I could leave," Spot informed her standing up.
"Why?" the girl questioned.
"You know da story, Jersey. An' I jest ain't feelin' like seein' her," he responded, picking up his discarded slingshot and placing it in his back pocket.
"I don't udnahstand why ya don't give dat bitch da soakin' she desoives," Jersey answered twirling Spot's cane around in her hand.
"It's complicated, Jers. I'll see ya latah," he told her, grabbing the cane and slipping it through his belt loops.
"Well den get some revenge! Don't jest sit 'round an' do nothin' while she's screwin' yoah best friend!"
Spot looked like he was going to hit her but instead clenched his teeth and stated," You don't know what yoah talkin' 'bout an' dey aren't 'screwin' so jest shut da hell up."
Jersey rolled her eyes. "Look, Spot, we're friends right?"
Spot nodded in affirmation. "What's yoah point?"
"My point is ya can eithah let da goil chase ya outta yoah own Lodgin' House or ya can be a man an' get some good ole fashioned revenge. Whadja say?"
Spot thought about it for a second before sitting down again. "Whadja have in mind?" he asked.
"Well, what if she thought dat you were gettin' some, too. At least ya wouldn't feel like such a losah," Jersey told him.
"Losah!?" Spot asked, angrily.
"Uh.socially challenged?" Jersey suggested.
"How 'bout yoah gunna be walkin' challenged? Meanin' keep on talkin' an' ya won't be able ta walk," Spot threatened.
Jersey gave him a pat on the head. "Poor Spot. Still in denial."
Spot rose a fist but Jersey quickly pacified him saying," I'm sorry. Revenge, remembah? I'm helpin' ya!"
Spot dropped his fist. "How do ya get along in Brooklyn when yoah so fuckin' annoyin?"
"It's a skill.so what goil are ya gunna use?" Jersey asked.
"I dunno.How is dis supposed ta work anyway? I may be charmin' but I dunno 'bout gettin' a goil in bed befoah Tinkah gets heah."
"Fine.I guess I gotta sacrafice," Jersey resigned.
"What? Yoah gunna sleep wid me?" Spot asked, shocked.
"You wish! It'll jest look like we are. Go tell Blue," Jersey commanded.
"What exactly are we tellin' him?" Spot questioned.
"Nevah mind. I'll go wid ya. C'mon," Jersey said, taking Spot's hand and pulling him across the room.
"Blue?" Jersey asked. "Spot an' I are gunna go be busy in his room so when Tinkah gets heah make shoah ta let her know."
"Be busy?" Blue asked, raising an eyebrow at Spot.
"Yeah.dat's right. Tell Tinkah she'll have ta wait 'til we'se done.don't stop her from comin' in doh if she tries ta," Jersey instructed.
"Uhh.all right." Blue said, still confused. He waited for Spot to give his approval for this.
Spot shrugged. "Do what she says," he ordered.
"You got it. You guys bettah get goin'. She's gunna be heah soon," Blue told them.
Spot nodded and started toward his room with Jersey following close behind him.
~~~~******~~~~
Squibble reached the Manhattan Lodging House perfectly happy. She had hitched a ride on the back of a wagon and ridden all the way there, not seeing the rush.
"Hey Squibble, how's it goin'?" a familiar voice questioned.
"Blink! Hey!" she exclaimed, hugging him.
"Whatcha doin' heah, Squib? I thought Tinkah went ta visit you taday?" he said, confused.
"She did an' dat's why I'm heah. I gotta talk ta Davie or Jack," Squibble informed him. "Do ya know wheah dey are?"
"What happened? Tinkah is all right, ain't she?" Blink interrogated.
"Yeah, yeah, she's fine. I jest got a message foh Jack or Davie an' I gotta give it ta dem right away," Squibble told him. "Do ya know wheah dey are?"
"Yeah, dey's ovah at Davie's house foh dinnah. I think dat Jack is sweet on Dave's sistah," Blink confided.
"Nice ta know.do ya know when he'll be back?" she questioned.
"Uhh.lemme think.I think Jack said he'd be back." Blink started.
"Right now," Jack finished, walking in the door. "Whatcha talkin' 'bout me foh?"
Squibble turned around, slightly frightened that Jack had popped up just as they were discussing him. "I gotta tell ya somethin'," Squibble told him.
"Who're you?" Jack asked.
"I'se a friend a Tinkah, Squibble," she stated. "Can I talk ta ya.kinda in private?"
"Shoah, c'mon," Jack agreed pulling her away from the curious newsies.
"All right, taday when Tinkah an' I were walkin' 'round we ovah heard Weasel hirin' da Crips ta soak ya an' she told me ta run ovah heah an' tell ya not ta back down an' foh youh boys ta fight 'cause she's gunna bring all a Brooklyn wid her tomorrow."
Jack looked completely befuddled. "Why would dey wanna soak me?"
"Well, deys supposed ta "discourage" da strike an' da leadah a da Crips hoid dat youh Tim Sullivan's boy an' he said he'd soak ya happily an' so dey're gunna be der tomorrow."
"Shit!" Jack swore. "How's Tinkah gunna get Brooklyn heah?"
"Well, she said dat she'd talk ta Spot I guess. She said if he said no she'd be back heah in plenty a time ta stop you'se guys from goin'."
"All right.ya didn't tell anyone else dis infohmation did ya?" Jack asked, tiredly rubbing his eyes.
"Nope, jest you," Squibble assured him.
"Good, don't tell anyone else," he ordered. Then, looking outside and noticing how dark it was he said, "You bettah stay heah tanight. It's dark an' all."
"Thanks, I will," Squibble agreed, happily.
~~~~~~*******~~~~~~
Jersey sat down on Spot's bed. "So, now what?" Spot asked.
"Can ya turn 'round?" she asked.
"What?" Spot asked.
"Well, if Tinkah comes in she's gotta think we're really goin' at it," Jersey rationalized. "Meanin' dat I gotta at least lose me shirt an' so I'd appreciate it if ya turned 'round til I can get undah da blanket."
"Uh.all right." Spot said turning around and uncharacteristically blushing. He had, had sexual encounters with many girls but had never only pretended to so he was a little awkward.
A few moments later Jersey said, "Okay."
Spot turned around to find her under the blanket with her naked shoulders showing. "Oh boy," Spot muttered. "Remembah she's jest yoah friend.jest Jersey.nothin' ta gawk at! I'm actin' like a twelve yeah old boy!" he thought to himself.
"Spot yoah gunna have ta take yoah shirt off , too," Jersey commented. She had noticed the way he was looking at her and didn't like it, especially since she knew he was still head over heels for Tinker.
"I knew dat," Spot informed her and started unbuttoning his shirt.
"Spot she's jest outside da House," a voice called in.
"All right," Spot yelled, ripping off his shirt and diving for the bed.
Jersey squealed. "What're ya doin'!?"
"Getting' in da bed!" Spot told her, exasperated.
"Ovah da sheet! Hello, don't have a shirt on!" Jersey reminded him.
Spot rolled his eyes before getting under the blanket but over the sheet.
"C'mere," Jersey said, pulling Spot closer.
"Wow, dis is weird," Spot said, laying on top of her.
"Yeah, it's about ta get weirder," Jersey said, putting her hands on Spot's bare back.
"Now what?" Spot asked.
"We wait.shouldn't take her too long ta barge in."
~~~~~~~During this~~~~~~~
Tinker ran all the way to the Brooklyn Lodging House, in-between catching rides on carriages. She didn't think about anything except getting to Spot, thinking he would make everything all right as he had done so many times in the past.
Tinker pushed open the door hurriedly and stumbled up the stairs toward Spot's room. Everyone else in the House looked startled since they, not being privy to the plan, assumed Spot and Jersey were in his room having sex.
Tinker walked up to Blue. "Is Spot heah? I really gotta talk ta him. It's life or death.literally."
Blue looked very uncomfortable. "Uh.Tinkah.Spot's real busy an' I don't think he wants to be interrupted."
"So he's in his room?" Tinker asked, walking toward the door.
"I wouldn't go in der," Blue said very loudly, hoping to give the two plan- makers a warning that Tinker was there.
"Blue, please don't try ta stop me. It's really serious," Tinker told him.
"Fine, but I warned ya," Blue resigned, really wishing she wouldn't go in there.
Tinker smiled at him. "Thanks," she told him, knocking on the door and opening it before there was a response.
"Spot I know youh busy." she started. Then her eyes fell upon Jersey and Spot, presumably completely naked, involved in a long kiss. "Oh my gawd!"
Tinker felt a wave of nausea come over her. "I jest had ta tell ya dat.attack.uhh.shit." she mumbled before running into the washroom and being sick.
"I hope you guys are happy," Blue yelled before running after Tinker.
"Dat wasn't exactly what I was expectin'," Jersey commented pushing Spot off her and grabbing her shirt of the ground.
"Yeah, no kiddin'," Spot said getting up and pulling on his own shirt.
Spot's scowl deepened. "What da hell are ya doin' heah?" he repeated.
"I came ta talk ta you," Tinker answered.
"Den ya might as well jest leave.now," he told her coldly.
"C'mon Spot. Can't we jest talk 'bout dis?" Tinker asked. "Aftah bein' friends foh ovah twelve yeahs shouldn't I get da benefit a da doubt?"
"No. Hell, I already gave ya me trust an' look how dar dat got me," he told her. Then, not wanting to exhibit how hurt he truly was, he emotionlessly added, " I told ya not ta come back heah foh a long time. Now, leave or I'll make ya."
"Spot." Jack started.
"Cowboy, stay outta it. I was willin' ta let it slide foh you since we'se been friends foh so long but I can only take so much."
"What da hell?! So it was all right foh Jack ta kiss me since he's been yoah friend foh twelve years but not me even doh I'se been yoah friend jest as long an' ya said ya love me? Or were we nevah friends an' ya were jest lyin' da entire time?" Tinker asked, hurt.
"You bitch!" Spot exclaimed. "I did love you an' you went an' kissed me best friend. If anyone was lyin' 'bout bein' in love it was you! Now go da fuck away befoah I make ya!"
Tinker stared at Spot in shock for a few moments, tears welling in her eyes. She turned on her heels and ran away from the docks and Brooklyn as fast as she could.
Spot stood silently for a moment, watching her leave, before turning back to Jack and Davie. He cleared his throat. "Wheah was I? Yeah.I remembah. I was wonderin' how do I know you punks won't run da foist time some goon comes at ya wid a club? How do I know ya got what it takes ta win?"
Jack, who had been wavering on if he should reveal the truth about Tinker to Spot, decided against it and answered, "Cause I'm tellin' you, Spot."
Spot stared at him for a minute then told him, "Dat ain't good enough, Jacky-boy. You gotta show me."
~~~~~~********~~~~~~
Jack, Davie and Boots returned to Manhattan a little discouraged and immediately went to find the rest of the newsies to give them the news.
"Der's Tinkah," Boots pointed out.
Jack saw her and jogged to catch up to her. "Hey Tinker. You okay?"
Tinker looked up and Jack could see her eyes were red and swollen from crying. "I'm jest peachy," Tinker said sarcastically.
Jack immediately felt horrible for not telling Spot the truth. "C'mere," he said, pulling her into a hug. "I'm really sorry, Tinkah. Dis is all my fault."
"No it's not," Tinker answered, slightly muffled since she was talking into his chest. "It's mine. I shoulda told him da truth from da beginnin' an' not had all dose stupid thougths 'bout him trustin' an' lovin' me an' everythin'."
"No.it'll be all right. I'll talk ta him. I might end up not bein' able ta walk.but I'll talk ta him."
Tinker pulled away. "Don't Jack. I don't want ya ta ruin yoah friendship jest cause a one lousy night. Jest leave it alone. Maybe Spot an I'll become friends aftah awhile but I think anythin' else is ruined."
"Is dat really what ya want?" Jack questioned.
"Yeah, I think so," Tinker confirmed. "Well, maybe not what I want, but dat's da way dat things are."
"All right, den. Is der anythin' I can do foh ya?" Jack asked.
"Nah, I'm jest headin' ta da Lodgin' House. You should go find da othah boys. Dey'll wanna know what happened."
"Don't you?" Jack asked.
"I already do. He said no.I could kinda tell by how he was answerin' Davie befoah he saw me," Tinker responded.
"Nice call," Jack commended.
"Well, when yoah friends wid a guy foh dat long an' den spend every second wid him foh two months, two weeks an' five days, ya start ta be able ta tell his reactions," Tinker explained.
Jack gave her a smile, trying to cheer her up. He wished he could somehow make the pain that he had instigated disappear.
Tinker gave him a half smile in return. "I'll see ya latah."
"Wait.Tinkah.I was wonderin'." he started.
"Da answer is yes," Tinker responded.
"Yes? I didn't ask da question yet!"
"Ya were gunna ask if I know how yoah gunna respond like I know how Spot is an' da answer is yes."
Jack looked completely shocked and a little frightened. "But.how did ya know.dat don't make." he stammered.
Tinker smirked. "I'll see ya latah, Jacky-boy," she told him walking off.
Jack shook his head wondering how any guy, especially someone that was infamous to be a good judge of character, could let someone like Tinker go. He shrugged and walked off toward the Square where all the Manhattan newsies were sure to be.
~~~~~~******~~~~
The next days passed relatively unexciting for Tinker. She usually went off to do her own thing while the boys were off getting into fights, soaking scabs, and attempting to break into the Refuge. Although Tinker was a strong supporter of the strike she didn't agree with the violent tactics the boys utalized to help achieve their goal. Jack agreed with her that she shouldn't be there every day since she was hopeless at fighting.
Tinker found other activities to occupy her days, such as visiting old friends from different parts of the city that she hadn't seen in a long time.
~~~~*****~~~~~
One day Tinker had been in the Bronx talking to her friend Squibble and walking around.
"Hey, ain't da Weasel?" Tinker asked, pointing to a man surrounded by a group of other men.
"I dunno who dat guy in da middle is but dat guy he's talkin' ta is da leadah a da Crips."
"Why would he be talkin' ta dem?" Tinker wondered out loud.
"Who cares? Let's go back ta Manhattan. Ya told me dat you'd intraduce me ta dat Davie kid.gawd is he cute!" Squibble exclaimed, being slightly boy- crazy.
"Jest a minute. Dis seems fishy. Stay heah," Tinker ordered, stealthily walking toward the men.
Tinker ducked behind some garbage cans and tried to ignore the foul stench coming from them. She listened attentively to the suspicious conversation.
"So, you give us da money an' we beat up da kids?" the alleged leader of the Crips inquired.
"Yep," Wisel answered. "Jest gotta discourage der strike if ya know what I mean."
"I dunno 'bout dis. Beatin' up innocent kids dat're jest tryin' ta make an honest livin' doesn't seem right," the leader protested.
"I'se payin' ya good money an' ya don't gotta soak 'em all.jest scare 'em. Ya beat up der leadah, Kelly, an' dey'll back off."
"Yeah, but what've we got 'gainst dis kid? It ain't jest 'bout da money ya know."
"Ya got a lot 'gainst dis boy. He's Timothy Sullivan's kid. 'Bout seventeen now.not really a kid anymoah."
"Timothy Sullivan, huh? Dat rat! Ya jest got yoahself a deal. We'll be der tomorrow," the man said, shaking Wisel's hand.
"Holy shit! Holy shit!" Tinker muttered to herself. She curled into a small ball as the men walked past her hiding place. As soon as they had turned the corner Tinker ran to Squibble.
"Ya gotta go ta Manhattan," Tinker told her, grabbing both of her arms. "Tell Jack or Davie dat Weasel's got da Crips!"
"Whoah.wait.what? Wheah are you goin'?" Squibble asked.
"I'm gunna tell Spot an' get his help," Tinker told her. "Tell Jack an' Davie not ta back down. It's gunna happen tomorrow. An' I'll have Brooklyn der."
"What if ya can't?" Squibble asked, doubtful.
"Den I'll get der befoah da fight an' tell dem. Don't worry. I'll get dem."
Squibble nodded and ran toward Mahattan as fast as she could.
Tinker took a deep breath and sprinted in the direction of Brooklyn.
~~~~~~*****~~~~~~
"Spot?" Blue said, walking up to him.
"Yeah?" Spot responded.
"Tinker jest entered Brooklyn. I jest got word. Ya told me ya wanted ta know if she was evah heah," Blue informed him.
"Wheah's she headed?" Spot interrogated.
"Heah, I think," Blue answered.
"Shit! All right, well thanks foh lettin' me know," Spot told him.
"Should we let her in?" Blue inquired.
"Yeah, might as well," Spot responded.
"All right," Blue said, walking away.
"What was dat all about?" asked the girl who had been talking to Spot before Blue interrupted.
"I told da boys ta let me know if Tinkah was evah comin' so dat I could leave," Spot informed her standing up.
"Why?" the girl questioned.
"You know da story, Jersey. An' I jest ain't feelin' like seein' her," he responded, picking up his discarded slingshot and placing it in his back pocket.
"I don't udnahstand why ya don't give dat bitch da soakin' she desoives," Jersey answered twirling Spot's cane around in her hand.
"It's complicated, Jers. I'll see ya latah," he told her, grabbing the cane and slipping it through his belt loops.
"Well den get some revenge! Don't jest sit 'round an' do nothin' while she's screwin' yoah best friend!"
Spot looked like he was going to hit her but instead clenched his teeth and stated," You don't know what yoah talkin' 'bout an' dey aren't 'screwin' so jest shut da hell up."
Jersey rolled her eyes. "Look, Spot, we're friends right?"
Spot nodded in affirmation. "What's yoah point?"
"My point is ya can eithah let da goil chase ya outta yoah own Lodgin' House or ya can be a man an' get some good ole fashioned revenge. Whadja say?"
Spot thought about it for a second before sitting down again. "Whadja have in mind?" he asked.
"Well, what if she thought dat you were gettin' some, too. At least ya wouldn't feel like such a losah," Jersey told him.
"Losah!?" Spot asked, angrily.
"Uh.socially challenged?" Jersey suggested.
"How 'bout yoah gunna be walkin' challenged? Meanin' keep on talkin' an' ya won't be able ta walk," Spot threatened.
Jersey gave him a pat on the head. "Poor Spot. Still in denial."
Spot rose a fist but Jersey quickly pacified him saying," I'm sorry. Revenge, remembah? I'm helpin' ya!"
Spot dropped his fist. "How do ya get along in Brooklyn when yoah so fuckin' annoyin?"
"It's a skill.so what goil are ya gunna use?" Jersey asked.
"I dunno.How is dis supposed ta work anyway? I may be charmin' but I dunno 'bout gettin' a goil in bed befoah Tinkah gets heah."
"Fine.I guess I gotta sacrafice," Jersey resigned.
"What? Yoah gunna sleep wid me?" Spot asked, shocked.
"You wish! It'll jest look like we are. Go tell Blue," Jersey commanded.
"What exactly are we tellin' him?" Spot questioned.
"Nevah mind. I'll go wid ya. C'mon," Jersey said, taking Spot's hand and pulling him across the room.
"Blue?" Jersey asked. "Spot an' I are gunna go be busy in his room so when Tinkah gets heah make shoah ta let her know."
"Be busy?" Blue asked, raising an eyebrow at Spot.
"Yeah.dat's right. Tell Tinkah she'll have ta wait 'til we'se done.don't stop her from comin' in doh if she tries ta," Jersey instructed.
"Uhh.all right." Blue said, still confused. He waited for Spot to give his approval for this.
Spot shrugged. "Do what she says," he ordered.
"You got it. You guys bettah get goin'. She's gunna be heah soon," Blue told them.
Spot nodded and started toward his room with Jersey following close behind him.
~~~~******~~~~
Squibble reached the Manhattan Lodging House perfectly happy. She had hitched a ride on the back of a wagon and ridden all the way there, not seeing the rush.
"Hey Squibble, how's it goin'?" a familiar voice questioned.
"Blink! Hey!" she exclaimed, hugging him.
"Whatcha doin' heah, Squib? I thought Tinkah went ta visit you taday?" he said, confused.
"She did an' dat's why I'm heah. I gotta talk ta Davie or Jack," Squibble informed him. "Do ya know wheah dey are?"
"What happened? Tinkah is all right, ain't she?" Blink interrogated.
"Yeah, yeah, she's fine. I jest got a message foh Jack or Davie an' I gotta give it ta dem right away," Squibble told him. "Do ya know wheah dey are?"
"Yeah, dey's ovah at Davie's house foh dinnah. I think dat Jack is sweet on Dave's sistah," Blink confided.
"Nice ta know.do ya know when he'll be back?" she questioned.
"Uhh.lemme think.I think Jack said he'd be back." Blink started.
"Right now," Jack finished, walking in the door. "Whatcha talkin' 'bout me foh?"
Squibble turned around, slightly frightened that Jack had popped up just as they were discussing him. "I gotta tell ya somethin'," Squibble told him.
"Who're you?" Jack asked.
"I'se a friend a Tinkah, Squibble," she stated. "Can I talk ta ya.kinda in private?"
"Shoah, c'mon," Jack agreed pulling her away from the curious newsies.
"All right, taday when Tinkah an' I were walkin' 'round we ovah heard Weasel hirin' da Crips ta soak ya an' she told me ta run ovah heah an' tell ya not ta back down an' foh youh boys ta fight 'cause she's gunna bring all a Brooklyn wid her tomorrow."
Jack looked completely befuddled. "Why would dey wanna soak me?"
"Well, deys supposed ta "discourage" da strike an' da leadah a da Crips hoid dat youh Tim Sullivan's boy an' he said he'd soak ya happily an' so dey're gunna be der tomorrow."
"Shit!" Jack swore. "How's Tinkah gunna get Brooklyn heah?"
"Well, she said dat she'd talk ta Spot I guess. She said if he said no she'd be back heah in plenty a time ta stop you'se guys from goin'."
"All right.ya didn't tell anyone else dis infohmation did ya?" Jack asked, tiredly rubbing his eyes.
"Nope, jest you," Squibble assured him.
"Good, don't tell anyone else," he ordered. Then, looking outside and noticing how dark it was he said, "You bettah stay heah tanight. It's dark an' all."
"Thanks, I will," Squibble agreed, happily.
~~~~~~*******~~~~~~
Jersey sat down on Spot's bed. "So, now what?" Spot asked.
"Can ya turn 'round?" she asked.
"What?" Spot asked.
"Well, if Tinkah comes in she's gotta think we're really goin' at it," Jersey rationalized. "Meanin' dat I gotta at least lose me shirt an' so I'd appreciate it if ya turned 'round til I can get undah da blanket."
"Uh.all right." Spot said turning around and uncharacteristically blushing. He had, had sexual encounters with many girls but had never only pretended to so he was a little awkward.
A few moments later Jersey said, "Okay."
Spot turned around to find her under the blanket with her naked shoulders showing. "Oh boy," Spot muttered. "Remembah she's jest yoah friend.jest Jersey.nothin' ta gawk at! I'm actin' like a twelve yeah old boy!" he thought to himself.
"Spot yoah gunna have ta take yoah shirt off , too," Jersey commented. She had noticed the way he was looking at her and didn't like it, especially since she knew he was still head over heels for Tinker.
"I knew dat," Spot informed her and started unbuttoning his shirt.
"Spot she's jest outside da House," a voice called in.
"All right," Spot yelled, ripping off his shirt and diving for the bed.
Jersey squealed. "What're ya doin'!?"
"Getting' in da bed!" Spot told her, exasperated.
"Ovah da sheet! Hello, don't have a shirt on!" Jersey reminded him.
Spot rolled his eyes before getting under the blanket but over the sheet.
"C'mere," Jersey said, pulling Spot closer.
"Wow, dis is weird," Spot said, laying on top of her.
"Yeah, it's about ta get weirder," Jersey said, putting her hands on Spot's bare back.
"Now what?" Spot asked.
"We wait.shouldn't take her too long ta barge in."
~~~~~~~During this~~~~~~~
Tinker ran all the way to the Brooklyn Lodging House, in-between catching rides on carriages. She didn't think about anything except getting to Spot, thinking he would make everything all right as he had done so many times in the past.
Tinker pushed open the door hurriedly and stumbled up the stairs toward Spot's room. Everyone else in the House looked startled since they, not being privy to the plan, assumed Spot and Jersey were in his room having sex.
Tinker walked up to Blue. "Is Spot heah? I really gotta talk ta him. It's life or death.literally."
Blue looked very uncomfortable. "Uh.Tinkah.Spot's real busy an' I don't think he wants to be interrupted."
"So he's in his room?" Tinker asked, walking toward the door.
"I wouldn't go in der," Blue said very loudly, hoping to give the two plan- makers a warning that Tinker was there.
"Blue, please don't try ta stop me. It's really serious," Tinker told him.
"Fine, but I warned ya," Blue resigned, really wishing she wouldn't go in there.
Tinker smiled at him. "Thanks," she told him, knocking on the door and opening it before there was a response.
"Spot I know youh busy." she started. Then her eyes fell upon Jersey and Spot, presumably completely naked, involved in a long kiss. "Oh my gawd!"
Tinker felt a wave of nausea come over her. "I jest had ta tell ya dat.attack.uhh.shit." she mumbled before running into the washroom and being sick.
"I hope you guys are happy," Blue yelled before running after Tinker.
"Dat wasn't exactly what I was expectin'," Jersey commented pushing Spot off her and grabbing her shirt of the ground.
"Yeah, no kiddin'," Spot said getting up and pulling on his own shirt.