** Standard disclaimer: I don't own "Newsies" no matter how much I wish. Disney does. I only own Piker my brain child. So please....no suing, I'll give you the B-B-Q chips**

When Piker ran into her room at the lodging house she saw Jack telling a joke to Racetrack, Kid Blink, and Mush. They were all laughing when she made over to Jack's bed. Racetrack looked over and said.

"Hey Piker, youse gotta hear dis joke. It's hilarious." And he started laughing all over again. She just couldn't get herself to laugh. Jack noticed this.

"Piker, what's da problem? Youse don't looks so good." Jack asked.

"Jack, do ya promise to believe me when I tell ya someting?" Piker asked earnestly.

"Yea, showa. What is it?"

She quickly went through all that she heard. "I accidentally wondered over to a new area. While I'se was dere I'se notice a kid I could lift someting off of and went over. While going into his left pocket he started talking about hows de oder newsies are saying dat da Manhattan newsies are da most powerful and how dat ain't true because if it weren't for him den dey wouldn't have won da strike at all."

"Slows down! I'se can't understands ya." Jack said.

Piker quickly relayed the information again to Jack. He rubbed his jaw and sighed.

"Where were you?"

"I'se don't know....wait, dere were docks and boats."

"Brooklyn" Jack muttered.

"What?" Piker asked confused.

"Guess what boys? We'se goin' ta Brooklyn." Jack announced loudly.

"Huh? I'se so confused."

"Jack's just sayin' dat youse was over in Brooklyn and dat he's gonna have a little tawk wit da boss dere. Hey, youse get ta meet da infamous Spot Conlon." Racetrack explained.

Piker nodded and smiled. It wasn't everyday that you met the only person that could beat you in pick pocketing. She excused herself and headed towards the wash room. She pumped some water and quickly washed her face. The cold water felt good on her skin. She was upset about the fact that someone was threatening her life and that she was caught. She sighed and reached for a towel. When she couldn't manage to find one and heard a giggle in the background she quickly turned. She saw Crutchy holding the towel away from her. She laughed along and held out her hand. He gave it back to her and asked

"What were youse doin' near Brooklyn?"

"Just lookin' to find a new spot. I'se near used mine dry."

Crutchy nodded and replied "Next time, go to Queens. Dey know me dere and all's youse gotta say is 'Crutchy's friend' and your in."

"Tanks Crutch. Dat's great!" Piker smiled and called back "I'se gonna see who wants to give their money up to me tonight. Wanna join?"

Crutchy knew that she meant she was starting a poker game and he declined. He lost too much to Jack and he was a novice compared to Piker.

"Some oder time"

Piker nodded and went to the other boys. She held up a deck of cards and they all nodded without her having to say a word. She sat down and started to deal. While everyone was laying down their first hand Jack came over.

"Piker, Mush, Race, and Blink, youse are comin' wit me tomorrow to meet wit Spot."

They nodded and went back to cards. The night came quickly and so did Mush's and Kid Blink's money. Racetrack and Piker each got a nice share of their earnings, but refused all of what they lost. A newsie has to eat was their playing policy. With a goodnight to everyone Piker heading towards her bunk which was under Jack's. See yelled for him to wake her up when he got up and then she slipped onto the mattress.