Chapter 15: Medda's
"Hurry! We don't wanna miss 'er!" the usually quiet Itey yelled to the boys upstairs. Ponine had left an hour ago so she could practice before the show.
"C'mon!" Itey urged.
"Awright! Shuddup! We're on our way!" Jack called as he and the boys walked down the stairs and out the door.
Itey blushed at his outburst and walked outside behind the boys. When they got to Medda's it was filled with the usual Newsies. Manhattan sat in their usual places, and Brooklyn, the Bronx, Mid-Town and Harlem was all sitting around them, to fill Ivering Hall. There were a few unfamiliar faces, but everything was perfect.
Medda came out from the curtain in her light pink dress with lace around the edges. She hung her umbrella around her shoulder and said the 'always opening' question: "Hello Newsies, whats new?"
The Hall burst into applause as Race yelled "Whoo-hoo! Medda!!" whirling his hat around his head.
Medda's first song was 'High Times, Hard Times'. Chorus girls came out to dance and sing as her backup. They all looked the same, as they all had their hair up, and were wearing similar dresses. The only was to tell them apart was by the color of the dress, every girl wore a different one.
"Where's Ponine? Where's Ponine?" Itey asked in a hurry. "That one." Race said, pointing to girl in a red dress. Blink stared at her wide-eyed. He nudged Itey.
"You never told me she had that kinda figure!" He said. Itey blushed as he sank down a little in his chair.
Medda came out to talk again. "Hello Newsies! For tonight, we have a special performance, by one of yours truly." Everyone in the hall looked around at each other confused, but nonetheless clapped. The chorus girls all came back out onstage, except the one in the red. Itey looked around frantically.
"Where'd she go?!" He stood up looking around, as if she was sitting in the audience. Jack had to grab his shoulders and tear him down. "Look!" he said. The spotlight left the chorus girls and fell onto a girl in a light pink dress who had just walked onstage.
"Is that…Ponine?" Itey asked in disbelief.
"You bettah believe it!" I told him, smiling at him.
He stared at her in awe, she was gorgeous, and the whole hall had felt silent. Spots jaw had dropped as he gazed upon her. She started to sing, making her way slowly to the center of the stage.
"It was cold outside of Tiffany's, I was shivering in the Storm."
"I walked in and asked a gentleman "could I please keep warm?"
She was now at the center of the stage and made it look like a shiver ran all the way down her body. She was making her way down the stairs when the hands of drunken men were longingly reaching for her. She twirled her way around them and made her way to the Brooklyn table.
"He asked me how come a baby doll have no comfy place to go,
So I kindly told the gentlemen my tale of ward."
She locked eyes with Spot, as she danced around the Brooklyn table, loving the stares she had gotten from the Brooklyn Newsies. She backed up and made her way to a table Manhattan Newsies, sitting on the table in front of Itey.
"Every baby needs a da-da-daddy to keep her worry free.
Every baby needs a da-da-daddy, but where's one for me?"
She winked at Itey as she was standing up to dance around more.
"I'd sure purr, I don't care who.
If he hasn't got a million, then a half will do."
The Newsies laughed as she sauntered away from Itey, who was ready to jump out of his seat and kiss her.
"Every baby needs a da-da-daddy. Could my da-da-daddy be you?"
"YES!" The whole Manhattan table screamed, joining into the song enthusiastically. Which made Ponine laugh.
"Every Baby needs a da-da-daddy with silver in his hair."
She sang, as she passed an older man who, at this comment removed his hat showing gray hair.
"Every baby needs a da-da-daddy who has some gold to spare."
The same older man tossed a few coins her way. She laughed again.
"Some sweet daddy who enjoys,
Bringing home to baby little diamonds toys."
She twirled around as whistles erupted from the audience.
"Every baby needs a da-da-daddy. Could my da-da-daddy be you?"
"Oh yea!" a drunk man said as he reached for her and brought Ponine close to him. She grabbed a bottle of beer and poured it over the mans head, causing him to let go. She made her way back to the stairs, starting up to the stage.
"Every baby needs a da-da-daddy in case she runs her ground.
Every baby needs a da-da-daddy to keep her safe and sound."
By this time, she was on the stage and walking backwards to the curtain.
"Every baby needs a da-da-daddy, Could my da-da-daddy be you?"
She sung out "you" and when she was done winked and pulled the curtain closed on herself.
Backstage Medda pulled her into a hug. "Was I good? Do you think he was surprised?" Ponine asked, gesturing to the fact that she hadn't mentioned her solo piece.
"Of course! You sung beautifully! If you want, you can sing next Friday too…" said Medda, raising her eyebrows. Ponine laughed.
"Wow…Ponine…you were amazing!" Itey said, pulling her into a kiss. She smiled to herself.
"Ya gonna sing again?" I asked, walking backstage.
"Yea!" Ponine said excitedly "She says I can sing Friday if I want." He smiled at her.
"Oh, but I have to go change…" She said, smiling and pulling away to the dressing room. She came out a few minutes later and many of the Manhattan newsies congratulated her as they walked back to the Manhattan Lodging House.