Okay, so I reposted chapter 2…I took MoonlightsDarkShine's advice and stretched out the lunch part to the best of my ability. It may not be tons better, but I'm watching Alias at the same time so forgive me. The new part is in bold italics. Part 3 will be up tomorrow. I was hoping tonight but with the Super Bowl and Alias, I needed to get to bed so I could get enough sleep to be awake for my 8 AM.
"I wasn't watching either," the guy says, a New York accent prevalent. He offers her a hand up. "I gots stuff on me mind, too." They share a laugh. Amanda finally gets a good look at him. He's about 6'2" with dark hair and gorgeous eyes. He has newspapers under one arm and a bandana tied around his neck.
Jack looks at the girl he knocked over. She's relatively tall and dressed in very nice clothing. She has brown, curly hair, hanging over her shoulder and green eyes. "Name's Jack Kelly," he says, offering her his hand.
"Amanda Sawyer," she answers, giving him her hand. He kisses the knuckles. "So, you're the famous Jack Kelly, the strike leader," she continues.
"Yous know about me?" he asks, in shock. She nods, a slight smile on her face. "You ain't from around here, is you?"
"No, I'm not," she says, not offering him any more information.
"What's a pretty angel like yous doing, walking around an unfamiliar city, alone?" he asks.
"Well, I was just walking around and checking out the city," she says looking around, "But I don't know how to get back to where I'm supposed to be."
"Where's that?" he asks.
"Tibby's" she says, wandering if it will give away who she is.
"Well, I was headed there meself. I'd be glad to show you," he says, offering her his arm. She accepts it with a smile, and they walk together. They walk in, still talking.
"Amanda, thank God," Denton says, wrapping her in a hug, "I was worried."
"I just got a little lost, uncle. I literally ran into someone who could help me out," she says, turning around and smiling at Jack.
"Thank you, Jack," Denton says, offering him his hand. "I've seen you've already met my niece, Amanda."
"Sos that's how you knew me," Jack says, smiling at her.
"It was. All of Philadelphia knows about you, though," Amanda continues, sharing a look with Denton and Race.
"That's another reason you was sent here," Race asks.
"Father found out I was the author…decided to hurry the idea of engagement before Pulitzer found out," Amanda affirms.
"What's yous got to do with Pulitzer?" Jack asks.
"What did you write?" Les asks.
"Who's your father?" Spots wants to know.
"My father in Jacob Sawyer," Amanda starts, receiving a shocked look from David.
"You're the socialite engaged to Joseph Pulitzer III?" David says.
Jack looks at her questioningly because of the fact she had been flirting with him.
Amanda continues, ignoring the engagement part, "Yes, I am that socialite. My father is the leader in Philadelphian society. I wrote a story for the Tribune about your strike under the name Armand Denton because no one would take an article from a girl, let alone Jacob Sawyer's daughter." Amanda takes a break to sit in a chair between Denton and Jack, and she grabs a glass of water. "My father found out that I was the author. It was hell, so he sent me here to get to know the Pulitzers. Basically, tonight I am supposed to accept Joe's proposal. I am not engaged to that ape. I do not plan to be, either. Not after what that cretin's grandfather did to you."
"You're not all fancy-shmancy like the women here," Mush says, receiving a laugh from all the other guys. "What?" he asks, sincerely confused
"I'm not meant to be a socialite. Most of the time, I look like any girl on the street," she says, smiling.
"I doubt that's possible," Jack says, smiling at her.
"Hey Amanda," Race interjects, "I don't got nice clothes for tonight. Maybe Jackie-boy could take my place."
"What place?" Jack asks.
"I invited Race to dinner with me, Uncle Denton, and the Pulitzer family tonight. Since he's declined, would you care to join me? I believe you know Mr. Pulitzer. I know he would be glad to see you again," Amanda says, smirking.
"I don't know if I have anything to wear, and do you really want mes there with the Pulitzers?" Jack asks, laughing.
"Nonsense, you are a friend of mine," Amanda says, smiling right at him, "and if you don't have anything to wear, go get something." Amanda opens her purse and hands him $10.
"I don't take money from no one," Jack says, stubbornly.
"Well, I want someone I like at dinner with me. Give me all your papes in exchange," she says, thinking for a second.
"They ain't worth $10," Jack says.
"Well, it's also for helping getting me back here. Please?" she asks, smiling sweetly.
"Take it, Jack. She's a pretty lady," David says, "When else are you going to get the chance to escort Joe's grandson's supposed fiancée to dinner at his own house?"
"When yous put it that way," Jack says, thinking, "Okay." He puts the money in his pocket.
Not a minute later, the food arrives. Everyone sits down and starts eating.
"So, Amanda," Boots asks, his mouth full, "How do you like your trip to New York, so fars?"
"Don't talk with yer mouth full," Spot says, whacking Boots upside the head, "We's eating with a girl with manners, so yous betta learn some."
"Seeing as I just got in today, I like it so far. Culture, great eclectic atmosphere, nice people," Amanda says, glancing ever so quickly at Jack. The exchange goes unnoticed by most everyone except for Denton and David.
"What's eclectic?" Les asks, sounding out the word slowly.
"It means a lot of different things all together in one place," David says; the others nod in understanding after David's explanation.
"How long are you here for?" Blink asks.
"My father thinks 3 months. My plan is indefinitely," Amanda says.
"If yer supposedly engaged to Joe's grandson, does that mean you don't have a boyfriend?" Skittery asks, looking her over.
"No, I don't," she says, his examination making her uncomfortable.
"Do you want one?" he responds.
"If I meet someone I'm interested in, then they'll know. I'll say yes," Amanda says, looking at Skittery but directing her comment to Jack.
"By the way, Amanda, do you have a friend as pretty as yous?" Spot asks, a slight smirk appearing on his face.
"Thank you for the compliment, Spot. Yes, I do," Amanda says, smiling and sipping her water, "Alison. She's my best friend; we've grown up together." She turns to address Denton, "She's Olivia and Mark Landon's daughter."
"I remember," Denton says, "I have known Mark for ages. If you want, I can talk to him and see if he'll let Alison come up here while you're here."
"That would be good because I didn't tell her everything that is going on."
"Well, Amanda, Denton, I need to be heading back to work. Still have a few papes left to sell," Race says, looking at the clock in Tibby's.
"Bye Race. Nice meeting you," Amanda says, giving him a hug.
The others follow Race's lead and begin trickling out, saying goodbye to Amanda and Denton. Finally it is just David, Les, and Jack left with Amanda and Denton.
"I'll go with you," Denton says to Jack, "Help you get the best tuxedo. David, Les, can you get Amanda back to my apartment?"
"Sure, Denton," David says.
"Thanks, Denton," Jack says.
"See you later, Amanda," Denton says.
"Nice meeting you, Jack," Amanda says, smiling at him.
"Same heres, see yous later," he says, winking at her before following Denton down the street.
Well, well, well…done with part 2. I have a good portion of part 3 done. If you want it, you have to give me feedback. Otherwise, I'll write it for myself or it'll get left with all my other unfinished fics in the abyss that is my hard drive.
To review: feedback=happy writer=more story. Got it?