After they had finished eating, Hayden decided that he better be going. He was a newsie, and most of the papers would be handed out by now. He had become a newsie when his mother dies. When she was alive, she was a seamstress or whatever odd jobs were hanging about. Hayden worked to try to make up for a little of the money that used to be the share his mom earned. He liked being a newsie though. He got fresh air, made some money, and it was an excuse to get out of the house.

"Well Miss Lissy, it's been fine dining with you, but I really mush go." He said formally, hoping to make her laugh. But she had quite a different reaction.

"Awww." She was immediately downcast.

"What?"

"It's so boring here! There is nothing to do, all...by…my…self." she whined, letting it sink in.

"Hey! That's not fair!" She was giving him 'the look.' For all of you out there, I don't think you need an explanation of 'the look.' It is a powerful weapon is used accordingly. And for Hayden….something that he just couldn't stand.

"Ok! Ok! Fine! I give in! You can go sell with me. Just don't give me that look, you know I can't take it." Well, lets just say that she knew all right.

"Yay!" she said excitedly, pleased with herself. And very proud, might I add, of her convincing skills.

"Now go get your shoes! I have to be leaving." He had to admit that he was glad she was coming. She would keep him company, and a cute face always sold more papers.

"C'mon! We have to meet Bottlecap. I told him that I would sell with him today!"

"I'm coming!" She squealed. She knew he wouldn't leave with out her, but she still didn't want to take a chance. She ran out of her room with her shoes tied. It was a recent accomplishment for her, and she still had a look of success on her face.

"Ok, let's go!" he said grabbing his newsie hat off the coat rack.

~~~~~=~~~~~

"40 papes Splat." Hayden wasn't quite sure why they called him that. He figured there was some reason behind it. He didn't really care to find out. He had some feeling it probably had to do with him falling down stairs and landing with a SPLAT…but he erased that from his mind.

"Are you sure only 40? I bet ya could sell 50 with that adorable little face wid ya." He was always trying Hayden for more money.

"That's a bet I can't take you up on, I got plenty here. Thanks Splat."

"No problem. See ya 'round Kid."

Hayden and Lissy walked to his normal selling spot and saw Bottlecap there waiting for them. While he was waiting he was flipping his lucky bottlecap like he always did. That's how he came by his name. Hayden didn't know what his real one was though.

"Heya Bottlecap, how are the headlines."

"Same as usual Kid." Hayden didn't know why he called him Kid; he was guessing it was just because he was younger, and it just kinda stuck.

"I see ya brought the squirt."

"Don't call me that!"

"Well ya are."

"I could soak ya for that!"

"You? Soak me?" he started laughing.

She ran up to him while he was still laughing and kicked him hard in the shin.

"Ouch! What was that for?"

"Calling me squirt!"

"Why I oughtta…"

Bottlecap started after Lissy but Hayden stepped in front of him. He had been watching the whole thin and laughed the whole time.

"Ok, this is where I step in. Bottlecap, no. Lissy, don't beat him up, you know he can't handle himself."

"Hey!"

"We have papers to sell." He said changing the subject. "So what are the headlines?"

"Ah, just something about a murder. Not too big but it makes a nice headline."

"Psycho murder! Hundreds in the hunt for killer!"