A Change in Brooklyn Chapter 3: Fighting, Brooklyn Style, a newsies fanfic

Chapter Three: Fighting, Brooklyn Style

Spot Conlon was never one to break a promise in drastic situations; therefore, he was up bright and early to teach Brigid how to fight "Brooklyn style." The two went to the docks right next to the warehouse, Stealthy following. Spot led Brigid to his favorite dock and then turned to face her.

"Awright," he began, "da foist t'ing ya gotta know in fightin' is yaself an' youse enemy. Ya hafta be familiuh wid' youse strengths an' weaknesses, an' have a general idea 'a youse opponent's, too. Anudduh good t'ing ta notice is da size an' height of him, jus' so ya know if ya gonna need help or not."

Brigid raised her eyebrows and shot an impressed look at Stealthy. The boy nodded with a small grin on his face as if to say, "Dis is why he's da leaduh." Brigid looked back at Spot expectantly and asked, "What next? I t'ink I's got dat unfuhmation stored away in me brain."

Spot chuckled and replied, "Now come da moves."

The next two hours were spent showing Brigid how to punch, kick, and wrestle an opponent. A crowd of newsies who didn't want to sell papers that day gathered around and watched their fearless leader teach the petite girl. They were surprised to see he was actually having a good time, smiling at Brigid's tough nature and laughing at the jokes she made. Brigid even seemed to be having fun as she threw punches at an invisible attacker.

After a while, Spot told her they were done and he'd teach her more later. Brigid thanked him and went over to Stealthy.

"Very impressive," he commented with a smile. "I didn't t'ink ya was dat strong."

Brigid blushed. "Well, I am, it's jus' I nevuh show it as much as youse guys do. Actually, I take dat back. I did fight at da oiphanage one time."

"Really? What happened?" Stealthy asked in interest.

"Oh, dis guy dat's a bully deh was bugging me. I tried ta ignore 'im by walkin' away, but he jus' followed me. So I gots fed up, turned around, an' socked his-" Brigid demonstrated what she'd done, but little did she know Spot was right behind her. Her fist made contact with his left eye and he cried out, his hands automatically flying to his face. Brigid gasped and covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes wider than they'd ever been in her life.

The newsies who had seen the blow were all roaring with laughter. Stealthy was about to fall off the dock he was giggling so hard and some of the guys' faces were red with guffaws. Brigid lowered her hand and looked around, her eyes resting on Spot. Two guys walked up to him and exclaimed, "You jus' got soaked, Mr. I's-So-Tough! By a goil!"

Brigid couldn't tell, but as Spot walked off, she thought she saw a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. She then saw Tower walking up to her.

Grabbing her hand and shaking it hard, he said, "Congratulations, an' welcome ta Brooklyn!"