Disclaimer: We don't own any of the newsies, and if we did you wouldn't
even want to know what we would do to them! However we do own Problems,
Random, Crunchy, Skills, Brains, Avery, Fins, Ducky, and all the other non-
Disney Newsies!
"I hope you'se boys don't mind but we'se gotta stop at First Cambridge Newspaper, our lodging house, to pick up somebody," Randy informed the boys. The boys just looked at each other as they headed back the way they came. When they got there Random told them to wait outside while she went in and got someone. They looked around at the city around them. It was hard to believe that they had only been there one day, the girls showed them around and treated them like family so that it felt like they had lived there their whole lives.
"Hey Cowboy, who do you tink the 'someone' could be? Do you tink she has a boyfriend or someting?" asked Race with wide innocent eyes, but still trying to remain poised as usual.
"Nah, don't worry Race, I'se don't she wouldn't have a boyfriend. She doesn't seem like the type," reassured Jack, while musing the idea of Race having a girlfriend who wasn't a rich, hoity-toity type.
At this Random came back outside. With her was a little shrimp of a kid. With red hair, freckles, and two missing teeth in the front, you couldn't help but love him.
"Dis is Fins. He loves the harbor so I'se thought he might want to come along for the trip. Fins, dese are da newsies from New York. I thought he might keep Probs a little more on the. peaceful side, if you'se gets my meaning," said Randy as she made the introduction. At the mention of New York, Fins' eyes grew larger and he stood in awe of the newsies.
"Hiya Fins! How ya doin? Do ya know how to play poker?" asked Race.
"Race, I'se is almost positive you'se could beat dis little kid at poker, but beating me is anudda story," laughed Spot, "Hey kid. I'm Spot Conlon, leadah of Brooklyn."
"I'se don't tink he cares where you'se is da leadah of, Spot! I'm Jack, but you'se can call me Cowboy if you'se wants.''
"Not know Brooklyn?!?!" Spot was outraged at this new idea, 'Who the hell wouldn't know Brooklyn? I mean it's the most famous city in da woild! Not know Brooklyn, God! I otta soak the bummers who don't know Brooklyn," cried Spot as he felt for some spare marbles in his pant pockets.
Fins eyed the slingshot and took a small steep backward trying to avoid Spot as Randy spoke up.
"I tink dats enough talk foah right now. Let's head ovah to Boston befoah it gets dark." With that the group hopped a trolley and headed over to Boston Harbor. **** **** **** **** **** ****
"Now, befoah we head in, lemme tell you'se again. Problemd and her crew have a quick and vicious temper, so don't do anyting rash. But, I guess if she knows you'se guys are wid me she wont hoit you'se.too much," warned Randy as they approached the harbor.
"Randy, can I go swimming yet?" asked Fins, his eyes looking hopefully at the older newsie.
"Nah, you'se gotta wait foah problems ta say its ok."
"Uhh.Randy, you'se guys go ahead. We'se just gotta discuss something privately," said Jack as he, Spot, and Race backed up to the side of the road.
"Soah ting. When you'se cross the bridge go straight, I'll be soah ta tell Probs to send someone down to meet you'se," Random said with a wave as she and Fins crossed the West Boston Bridge.
"Guys, we got a serious problem.hehehe problem, Problem, get it?" joked Race.
"Yea Race, we get it," sighed Jack, "But we gotta focus on what we'se is gonna do when we meet Problems. Apparently she has a bad temper, not unlike someone else we know." Race and Jack both looked at Spot who glared back, fingering his gold-tipped cane. "So Spot, why don't you'se let me do all da talking, ok? And you'se better keep yoah mouth shut too Race," said Jack as Race was about to open his mouth to make one of his smart-ass remarks.
"Let you'se do all the talking? Jacky-boy, ya know I got my way with the ladies," said Spot.
Even though they had all the evidence in the world of this being true, Jack couldn't help but feel a little doubtful. Still, knowing he couldn't tell Spot Conlon what to do, Jack smirked, "Ya ok Spot, you do what you do best." With this Jack motioned the boys to follow him over the West Boston Bridge and into Problem's territory. When they reached the other side of the bridge they ran into a boy who looked their age with curly blonde hair.
"Hey! Are you guys the New York Newsies? It's a pleasure to meet you, my name's Chipper. Problems told me to take you over to the docks, but first to warn you that she won't put up with any back talk, sass, or jokes about her being a girl. Yea, Randy told her that you guys weren't used to seeing girls as newsies. To tell you the truth, it's not too common around here either. Cambridge and Boston are the only two territories managed by girls, well Boston is officially run by Crunchy, but Randy is the one in charge. I'll even let you in on a secret, Crunchy is afraid of Problems, always has been. Ever since he was a little boy, she scared the shit outta him. Actually, it's kinda sad if you think about it, but I guess there's one in every city. One feared leader I mean. Well, we should be heading over now. Follow me." said Chipper with the most optimistic attitude the newsies have ever seen.
"Spot, don't flatter yourself in thinking you'se is the feahed one, I ovah heard some boys talking bout how the Queens leadah was woise than you." teased Race. "Shuddap Race befoah you'se make me do something that would really hoit you, but then again it might be fun."
"Both of you'se shut up now!" hissed Jack as they approached the docks. Just then something whizzed by Spot's head causing his hat to fly off.
"What the fuck?"
The boys turned around to see a girl with long brown hair laugh as she jumped off a platform above the boy's heads.
"Boys, dis is Problems. Problems, dese are da newsies from New York, Jack, Spot, and Race."
"Hey! Sorry bout that Spotty, I jist though dat you was taller dan you ah," laughed Problems.
"Just ignore it Spot, just ignore it." warned Jack as Spot's hands wandered over to his slingshot.
"Nobody calls me Spotty." said Spot through clenched teeth, then, regaining his cool, "But, sweetheaht, I guess theah's always an exception," he laid on this first line in a low, sexy voice and looked at her eye to eye, since his growth spurt to 5' 9" he could do this. The only reaction he got was a little chuckle and quick eye roll.
That's strike one, she thought, hm, he's not too bad either the fuckin playa.
"Hey Spotty, Problems has a slingshot like you! I betcha she could beat you!" teased Race as he broke the silence.
"Race, I've had it up to heah with you." Spot said as he broke away from his task of trying to tempt the Boston leader, "Now shut yer trap befoah I seriously to hoit you."
"Hmm.a slingshot duel, that'd be fun," considered Problems, 'How bout if you win den I join you right away, but if I win den you'se gotta convince me to." Now you see, Problems was a very confident girl, and a very skeptic one in need of some serious convincing. She knew she could probably win that duel if she shot the slingshot with her feet, she was just curious to see the looks on the boys faces.
"Five to one that Problems skunks him. Who's betting?" shouted Racetrack.
"Wait a minute! Shouldn't we talk a little about the strike befoah we make all dese important decisions?" asked Jack as he stepped into the middle of the docks.
"Woah Cowboy, you just sounded like a walkn mouth there! Davey better watch his back, he's got some competition!" laughed Race.
"Randy, can I go swimming yet?" asked a meek Fins from behind Random's back.
"Hold on a minute honey. Probs, is that ok?"
"Ya soah, just watch out for the sharks," joked Problems, "Chippah, go help him out. Thanks." With this Chipper and Fins set off at it brisk jog over to the edge of the dock where they jumped right in.
"Holy shit! How cold is that water?" asked Spot in astonishment, "Even my boys wouldn't care to jump in the water in the middle of winter!"
"Hehehe, guess Boston's tougher than Brooklyn, Spotty."
"Race, I swear if you make one moah fuckin comment about anything, I'm gonna soak ya from heah ta tamorrow!" said Spot as he glared at Race with a look that could have melted butter. This shut Race up because not even Spot Conlon's best friends would dare to oppose him when he hit this mood.
"Sorry Spot, won't happen again," replied Race as he tried to disappear from Spot's view.
"Jeeze, do dese guys act like dis all the time?" asked Problems, "Anyways, back to da strike. I know that they big shots jacked up the price and now they're payin the scabs to sell."
"Yea, and not these guys are tellin us not to soak 'em!" cried an outraged Random.
"Wow, that's rough. What are we supposed ta do wid the bums, kiss 'em?"
"My point exactly. See guys, I'm not the only one who thought that!" said Race.
"Shuddup Race," said Spot as he reached over and pushed Racetrack into the freezing water of the Boston Harbor.
"Jesus Christ! Are you outta your fuckin mind Spot?" yelled Race as he scrambled up the ladders to the laughter of the others, with the execption of Problems who sat there observing with a rather unresponsive look.
"Maybe that'll shut you'se up Race!" laughed Jack, who could barely stand without the help of a nearby pole.
After everybody settled down, Problems stood up and took out her slingshot, eyeing Spot, who was the first to stop laughing, in the process. "Well, thank you for stopping by, boys, Randy," she eyed each in turn then shot a cop chasing down a bummer who was caught stealing an apple. "I see you'se have had a delightful time. Ya convinced me of one ting. You'se ah far from being serious about this strike. Now, you can't expect me to put my boys up to this strike ta catch ya back when ya fall. It don't happen lie dat. You'se really think I'd join this strike when ya walk up ta me all happy and shit? This is a serious matter, at least I thought it was, and until me oah me birds see change in attitude, Boston is no wheah neah suppoahtin the strike."
Everybody just stood there surprised in the complete change of atmosphere.
"I hope you'se boys don't mind but we'se gotta stop at First Cambridge Newspaper, our lodging house, to pick up somebody," Randy informed the boys. The boys just looked at each other as they headed back the way they came. When they got there Random told them to wait outside while she went in and got someone. They looked around at the city around them. It was hard to believe that they had only been there one day, the girls showed them around and treated them like family so that it felt like they had lived there their whole lives.
"Hey Cowboy, who do you tink the 'someone' could be? Do you tink she has a boyfriend or someting?" asked Race with wide innocent eyes, but still trying to remain poised as usual.
"Nah, don't worry Race, I'se don't she wouldn't have a boyfriend. She doesn't seem like the type," reassured Jack, while musing the idea of Race having a girlfriend who wasn't a rich, hoity-toity type.
At this Random came back outside. With her was a little shrimp of a kid. With red hair, freckles, and two missing teeth in the front, you couldn't help but love him.
"Dis is Fins. He loves the harbor so I'se thought he might want to come along for the trip. Fins, dese are da newsies from New York. I thought he might keep Probs a little more on the. peaceful side, if you'se gets my meaning," said Randy as she made the introduction. At the mention of New York, Fins' eyes grew larger and he stood in awe of the newsies.
"Hiya Fins! How ya doin? Do ya know how to play poker?" asked Race.
"Race, I'se is almost positive you'se could beat dis little kid at poker, but beating me is anudda story," laughed Spot, "Hey kid. I'm Spot Conlon, leadah of Brooklyn."
"I'se don't tink he cares where you'se is da leadah of, Spot! I'm Jack, but you'se can call me Cowboy if you'se wants.''
"Not know Brooklyn?!?!" Spot was outraged at this new idea, 'Who the hell wouldn't know Brooklyn? I mean it's the most famous city in da woild! Not know Brooklyn, God! I otta soak the bummers who don't know Brooklyn," cried Spot as he felt for some spare marbles in his pant pockets.
Fins eyed the slingshot and took a small steep backward trying to avoid Spot as Randy spoke up.
"I tink dats enough talk foah right now. Let's head ovah to Boston befoah it gets dark." With that the group hopped a trolley and headed over to Boston Harbor. **** **** **** **** **** ****
"Now, befoah we head in, lemme tell you'se again. Problemd and her crew have a quick and vicious temper, so don't do anyting rash. But, I guess if she knows you'se guys are wid me she wont hoit you'se.too much," warned Randy as they approached the harbor.
"Randy, can I go swimming yet?" asked Fins, his eyes looking hopefully at the older newsie.
"Nah, you'se gotta wait foah problems ta say its ok."
"Uhh.Randy, you'se guys go ahead. We'se just gotta discuss something privately," said Jack as he, Spot, and Race backed up to the side of the road.
"Soah ting. When you'se cross the bridge go straight, I'll be soah ta tell Probs to send someone down to meet you'se," Random said with a wave as she and Fins crossed the West Boston Bridge.
"Guys, we got a serious problem.hehehe problem, Problem, get it?" joked Race.
"Yea Race, we get it," sighed Jack, "But we gotta focus on what we'se is gonna do when we meet Problems. Apparently she has a bad temper, not unlike someone else we know." Race and Jack both looked at Spot who glared back, fingering his gold-tipped cane. "So Spot, why don't you'se let me do all da talking, ok? And you'se better keep yoah mouth shut too Race," said Jack as Race was about to open his mouth to make one of his smart-ass remarks.
"Let you'se do all the talking? Jacky-boy, ya know I got my way with the ladies," said Spot.
Even though they had all the evidence in the world of this being true, Jack couldn't help but feel a little doubtful. Still, knowing he couldn't tell Spot Conlon what to do, Jack smirked, "Ya ok Spot, you do what you do best." With this Jack motioned the boys to follow him over the West Boston Bridge and into Problem's territory. When they reached the other side of the bridge they ran into a boy who looked their age with curly blonde hair.
"Hey! Are you guys the New York Newsies? It's a pleasure to meet you, my name's Chipper. Problems told me to take you over to the docks, but first to warn you that she won't put up with any back talk, sass, or jokes about her being a girl. Yea, Randy told her that you guys weren't used to seeing girls as newsies. To tell you the truth, it's not too common around here either. Cambridge and Boston are the only two territories managed by girls, well Boston is officially run by Crunchy, but Randy is the one in charge. I'll even let you in on a secret, Crunchy is afraid of Problems, always has been. Ever since he was a little boy, she scared the shit outta him. Actually, it's kinda sad if you think about it, but I guess there's one in every city. One feared leader I mean. Well, we should be heading over now. Follow me." said Chipper with the most optimistic attitude the newsies have ever seen.
"Spot, don't flatter yourself in thinking you'se is the feahed one, I ovah heard some boys talking bout how the Queens leadah was woise than you." teased Race. "Shuddap Race befoah you'se make me do something that would really hoit you, but then again it might be fun."
"Both of you'se shut up now!" hissed Jack as they approached the docks. Just then something whizzed by Spot's head causing his hat to fly off.
"What the fuck?"
The boys turned around to see a girl with long brown hair laugh as she jumped off a platform above the boy's heads.
"Boys, dis is Problems. Problems, dese are da newsies from New York, Jack, Spot, and Race."
"Hey! Sorry bout that Spotty, I jist though dat you was taller dan you ah," laughed Problems.
"Just ignore it Spot, just ignore it." warned Jack as Spot's hands wandered over to his slingshot.
"Nobody calls me Spotty." said Spot through clenched teeth, then, regaining his cool, "But, sweetheaht, I guess theah's always an exception," he laid on this first line in a low, sexy voice and looked at her eye to eye, since his growth spurt to 5' 9" he could do this. The only reaction he got was a little chuckle and quick eye roll.
That's strike one, she thought, hm, he's not too bad either the fuckin playa.
"Hey Spotty, Problems has a slingshot like you! I betcha she could beat you!" teased Race as he broke the silence.
"Race, I've had it up to heah with you." Spot said as he broke away from his task of trying to tempt the Boston leader, "Now shut yer trap befoah I seriously to hoit you."
"Hmm.a slingshot duel, that'd be fun," considered Problems, 'How bout if you win den I join you right away, but if I win den you'se gotta convince me to." Now you see, Problems was a very confident girl, and a very skeptic one in need of some serious convincing. She knew she could probably win that duel if she shot the slingshot with her feet, she was just curious to see the looks on the boys faces.
"Five to one that Problems skunks him. Who's betting?" shouted Racetrack.
"Wait a minute! Shouldn't we talk a little about the strike befoah we make all dese important decisions?" asked Jack as he stepped into the middle of the docks.
"Woah Cowboy, you just sounded like a walkn mouth there! Davey better watch his back, he's got some competition!" laughed Race.
"Randy, can I go swimming yet?" asked a meek Fins from behind Random's back.
"Hold on a minute honey. Probs, is that ok?"
"Ya soah, just watch out for the sharks," joked Problems, "Chippah, go help him out. Thanks." With this Chipper and Fins set off at it brisk jog over to the edge of the dock where they jumped right in.
"Holy shit! How cold is that water?" asked Spot in astonishment, "Even my boys wouldn't care to jump in the water in the middle of winter!"
"Hehehe, guess Boston's tougher than Brooklyn, Spotty."
"Race, I swear if you make one moah fuckin comment about anything, I'm gonna soak ya from heah ta tamorrow!" said Spot as he glared at Race with a look that could have melted butter. This shut Race up because not even Spot Conlon's best friends would dare to oppose him when he hit this mood.
"Sorry Spot, won't happen again," replied Race as he tried to disappear from Spot's view.
"Jeeze, do dese guys act like dis all the time?" asked Problems, "Anyways, back to da strike. I know that they big shots jacked up the price and now they're payin the scabs to sell."
"Yea, and not these guys are tellin us not to soak 'em!" cried an outraged Random.
"Wow, that's rough. What are we supposed ta do wid the bums, kiss 'em?"
"My point exactly. See guys, I'm not the only one who thought that!" said Race.
"Shuddup Race," said Spot as he reached over and pushed Racetrack into the freezing water of the Boston Harbor.
"Jesus Christ! Are you outta your fuckin mind Spot?" yelled Race as he scrambled up the ladders to the laughter of the others, with the execption of Problems who sat there observing with a rather unresponsive look.
"Maybe that'll shut you'se up Race!" laughed Jack, who could barely stand without the help of a nearby pole.
After everybody settled down, Problems stood up and took out her slingshot, eyeing Spot, who was the first to stop laughing, in the process. "Well, thank you for stopping by, boys, Randy," she eyed each in turn then shot a cop chasing down a bummer who was caught stealing an apple. "I see you'se have had a delightful time. Ya convinced me of one ting. You'se ah far from being serious about this strike. Now, you can't expect me to put my boys up to this strike ta catch ya back when ya fall. It don't happen lie dat. You'se really think I'd join this strike when ya walk up ta me all happy and shit? This is a serious matter, at least I thought it was, and until me oah me birds see change in attitude, Boston is no wheah neah suppoahtin the strike."
Everybody just stood there surprised in the complete change of atmosphere.