A Change in Brooklyn Chapter 8: Strike Talk, a newsies fanfic

Chapter Eight: Strike Talk

The next couple of months were quite uneventful. Things between Spot and Brigid cooled down and their friendship was just like normal again. They celebrated Spot's 16th birthday in May and Brigid's 14th in June with much gusto and livelihood. They teased each other and helped with the other's problems. Tower even heard and saw them from the warehouse window one evening sitting out on the dock as the sun set, talking about fascinating topics such as life's journey and people's beliefs. He noticed that the discussion didn't last long though as Spot made a snide comment about faith. Brigid, believing in God and standing up for her convictions, didn't appreciate the comment at all and she showed it by glaring icily at Spot and immediately leaving his presence. Tower shook his head in repulsion of his leader's behavior as he went to find and comfort Brigid.

Towards the middle of July, Brigid was spending time with her fellow girl newsies when they heard the shouting and laughing outside by the docks die down. Curious, they all got up and viewed the scene out a window. Jack Kelly, the Manhattan leader, was spit shaking hands with Spot. Boots was with him as well as a cute young man with curly brown hair and sparkling blue eyes. The girls joined one of the groups outside and listened to the exchange with growing concern. It appeared that the Manhattan newsies were fed up with the outrageous price of newspapers and were calling for a strike. Spot declared that they would have to show him their true devotion to the idea before he would offer Brooklyn's aid.

As Jack, Boots, and the new newsie named David left, Brigid quickly grabbed the African American boy's sleeve and pulled him aside. "I gotta ask ya sumt'in', Boots."

"What's on youse mind, Sketch?" he asked, automatically volunteering any information she would need.

"Remembuh when I foist met ya?" The boy nodded. "When ya asked me if Spot was treatin' me awright, did ya say dat 'cause ya knew how ovuhbearin' he is?"

Boots gave her a respectful look. "Yep, I dids. Ya too good ta have anymo' problems in youse life, Sketch."

Brigid gave him a hug. "T'anks, Boots. Ya da best! Say hi ta Race an' da udda guys fa me!" After the newsie ran off to catch up with his leader and new friend, she walked up to Spot. "So ya t'ink dey'll stick ta what dey said?" she inquired of him.

"Not shoiuh," Spot mused with a shrug. "Jackie-boy's guys aw great, but deh shoiuh ain't as tough as us." He gave her a cocky grin. "Hell- I mean, heck, if one of me goils can punch da sh-… uh, livin' daylight's out of me, den we's gotta be good!" Brigid merely laughed.