Author's Notes: Well, my goal for the rest of this fic is to ramble as little as possible during the AN. ::blinks as various people cheer:: So the only thing I have to say is THANK YOU!!!! Thank you to the wonderful, fabulous, kind, loving reviewers, (especially Stage, Dizzy, and Ann Valentine, who have been patiently reviewing every chapter. You guys rock my world!) and to my lovely, talented beta and friend Sinhe!! Without her, this would've never gotten off the ground. Okay, onward to the fic!
Bumlets-Late Night Poker
Night had fallen. the other newsies were lounging about the Lodging House, cracking jokes and teasing each other. Dutchy was sitting on his bed sketching on a spare piece of paper. Specs was shuffling a pack of cards, getting ready for a game of Blackjack. Blink and Mush were sitting in a corner, laughing at some private joke. Swifty was teaching Jack how to do the Cat's Cradle with a spare bootlace. All of them happy, all of them content.
I paced around the room restlessly. I was still full of energy, still dangerously awake. I got like this sometimes, had a hard time settling down when most people were tired. I couldn't calm down, couldn't force myself to sit still.
"Oi, Bumlets, wouldja stop walkin' around? Youse makin' me dizzy," Skittery said.
"Yeah, Ise gettin' sick from just watchin' ya," Blink agreed.
"Siddown and tawk to us or somethin', just quit moving'," Dutchy chimed in, flicking a ball of paper at me as I passed.
I pointedly ignored the three of them and turned to Swifty.
"Ise gonna go for a walk. You wanna come with?"
The Asian boy made a face. "Naw, I can't. I promised Race I'd give 'im a rematch tonight."
Jack spoke up from behind the bed. "Ehy, if youse lookin' for somethin' ta do, I heard dere's gonna be a big poker game down in Brooklyn tonight."
I smiled. A walk to Spot's place for a game of cards. That sounded perfect. "T'anks, Jack. I might just do dat."
I stayed long enough to grab my hat and the money stashed under my bed. Kloppman warned me not to stay out too late as I ran past him, then I was out the door.
I shivered as I stepped outside. There was a chill to the air, a bite that wasn't there a month ago. It would be a bad winter if it was already this cold in November. I grimaced. I hate the winter. So much ice and snow, it made me uncomfortable just thinking about it.
I started walking at a brisk pace, partly to get there quicker, and partly to ward away the chill. The buildings cast shadows on the ground, hiding the broken glass and burnt cigerettes. The wind whistled through the city like a lost soul, whispering of forgotten hearts and nights long past. It was a lonely sound, a bitter sound. A sound that made me want to be home. I started walking faster.
The Brooklyn Bridge came into view, a monster of steel and iron. A monster chained, a monster forced to aid humanity. The passage was empty this late at night, the normal bustle of traffic silenced by the heavy veil of night. The water underneath was as dark as eternity unforgiven.
Finally, I saw a light up ahead. The Brooklyn Lodging House was a block away. I jogged the rest of the way there, the stillness of the night making me nervous. I walked in, nodding a greeting to the old man who ran the Lodging House. I walked up the stairs and into the main room, glad to be out of the darkness.
A chorus of greeting hailed me as I walked in. I knew most of Spot's newsies, was friends with a lot of them. They were a good bunch, once you got to know them.
"Heya, Bumlets! Watcha doin' all da way down here?" Pod asked, a blonde, bright-eyed boy.
I gave his shoulder a light puch. "I heard dere was a killah game down here tonight! 'Sides, I haven't seen you fellas in a while."
Pod grinned and slapped my back. "Glad to see ya."
I felt someone shove up against me, nearly pushing me over. "Oh, oops, sorry 'bout dat," the someone said, sarcasm so thick you could taste it.
"Oh, hey Coal," I said warily, looking up at the taller newsie. Coal was a giant of a person, towering over me and almost everyone else. He had a ridiculously thick neck, and his eyes were set back in his face. I never liked him much, and he makes no secret of the fact that he doesn't like me. I don't know why, honestly. I never did anything to him. But every time I see him, he and his cronies would give me a hard time.
"Ehy, ease up, Coal. He's just here ta play," Johnny spoke up, sensing the tension in the room. Johnny was Spot's right hand, the person who played leader when Spot was away. He had dark hair tied back at the nape of his neck, and a ghostly pale complexion. He looked like the type who could fight his way out of any scrape he got himself into. Truth, he intimidated me a little.
Coal glared at me sullenly, but held his peace. I shot Johnny a look of gratitude. The last thing I needed was to get into a brawl with someone a foot taller than me.
"Well, well, well, who have we heah?"
I turned around with a big smile on my face.
"Now, who else would come to your house in da middle o' da night? Wait, on second t'ought, don' answer dat."
Spot came up and clapped me on the back.
"Good to see ya, pal. Good to see ya. Youse ready to get your ass kicked tonight?"
I laughed. Spot never changed. "We'll just see about dat."
Two hours and many hands later, I had nearly all the Brooklyn newsies complaining.
"How is it dat youse ended up wit' all da money? I was shoa dat I'd beat you!" Pod asked, mock angry.
I grinned. "If youse t'ink I'm bad, you should play against Racetrack Higgings! He'll leave ya wit' not'ing but da clothes on your back." And sometimes not even that, I thought, remembering that ill-fated game of strip poker a few months ago. I shuddered inwardly. Who knew Specs had black underware?
I reached over and collected my winnings, amid the groaning of everyone else. Even Spot had lost some money to me.
"Well boys, it's been a pleasure seein' youse tonight."
"And tonight's the last night you'll be comin' over, if youse keep playin' like dat." Coal said darkly. I think I busted him. Apparently he wasn't used to losing.
I ignored him and said goodbye to the rest of the Brooklyn crew. Most of them waved cheerfully as I left, and I walked out the door with a smile on my face.
It had been nice to see some new people. Don't get me wrong, the guys I live with are great, it's just that sometimes they got on my nerves. One of the problems with being a newsie is the constant companionship. I hardly ever got a minute to myself, or even a chance to work alone. Most of the time I could shrug it off, but today it had been getting to me.
I started walking back quickly, the money jangling in my pocket like a sweet music. I grinned. I hardly ever won this much in a single game. I usually pulled even; not like poor Dutchy, who couldn't play a decent game of poker to save his life. Race and Jack were the main contenders of our little group, and Blink could wipe someone out if he put his mind to it. Swifty was the real surprise last night. The look on Race's face when our quiet little Swifty had nearly all his money was priceless.
I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn't notice the person behind me til it was too late. A hard shove smacked me to a wall, and my head hit the bricks with a crack. A fist came flying out of nowhere and belted me across the face. Another puch was landed in my stomach, knocking the air out of me.
Coal's squat face leered at me from the darkness. "So, pretty boy, who's the winner now, eh?"
I was furious. This guy attacked me for beating him in poker. Poker! I couldn't believe it. I tried to reach up to fight back, but someone came out and pinned my arms to my side. One of Coal's friends, I couldn't remember his name, had grabbed me and was holding me still. Another one reached up and grabbed my hair, pulling my head back.
Coal punched me in the mouth, and the metallic flavor of blood filled my mouth. I crumpled this time, and the cronies let me fall. I was kicked hard in the back, and I felt the skin break. I was trying not to cry, trying to ignore the pain. It hurt, oh god, it hurt. He hit me again...and again...I lost count, drowning in a dark sea of agony.
Finally, mercifully, I blacked out.
**********
"Bumlets, Bumlets, wake up. Come on buddy, wake up."
I heard someone speaking, calling my name. Slowly, I opened my eyes. Snoddy's worried face stared down at me.
"Hey, hey fellas! He's awake!"
The other newsies crowded around, assuring themselves that I was okay. Which, of course, I wasn't.
I tried to shift me weight, but shooting pains up my back made me change my mind.
"Don't try to move," Specs said, noticing my wince, "Youse got some pretty serious cuts and bruises, but no broken bones. It'll take a few days for the pain ta go away."
I blinked slowly. "Where am I?"
"Well, when youse didn't come back, we all started ta get worried," Jack said, placing his hand lightly on my shoulder. "Me and a couple o' the guys went out ta look for you. It was Shadow* that found ya, poor kid. He got pretty shaken up when he found ya lying in the back of an alley."
"How's he doin?" I asked. Shadow was a cute kid, I didn't want him upset.
"He'll be fine. Race's tawking to 'im now. You just worry 'bout yourself, okay?"
I smiled. Jack had a tendency to get mother-henish when someone got hurt. "Shoah, Jack. I'll be fine."
"Bumlets, what happened?" Dutchy asked quietly after Jack left.
"Yeah, what did you do ta yoursef?" Skittery asked, with a trace of old sarcastic humor.
I started to shrug, but then thought better of it. "Coupla guys jumped me for beatin' dem at poker after I left Spot's place. Not a big deal."
Blink leaned over and asked me, in an unusually serious tone, "Who did dis to you?"
"Um, Coal. Coal and a few of his friends," I answered without thinking. "Wait, why do you wanna know?"
Blink stood up, the shadows on his face making him look like a dark angel.
"I t'ink Ise gonna go have a tawk with dis Coal," he said softly. Too softly.
"Blink, don't be an idiot," I said, expasperated. "Coal's a head and a half taller dan you. He'd beat youse inta da ground."
The one-eyed boy merely smiled. It was a dangerous smile, a smile that made you back away.
He was out the door before anyone could stop him. I looked around desperately for Mush. I gestured him over.
"Mush, go wit' 'im."
Mush looked surprised. "Me? Why?"
I sighed. "Because you're the only one he'll listen to. Just stop 'im before he gets himself killed."
He looked at me searchingly for a moment, then nodded. Good, that was taken care of. I knew if anyone could calm Blink down, it would be Mush.
Now, maybe, I could get some sleep.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
*Shadow doesn't actually have a name, but he's the kid who's always next to Bumlets during the dances (Bumlet's shadow; Shadow, get it?). You get a good shot of him during the chorale version of Seize the Day. He's right beside Bum-chan. The name belongs to Sinhe. I just had to put him in here, he's so adorable!
Closing Comments: Ack, I have a plot, and the first thing I do is beat up Bumlets! I'm sorry, honey ::pats Bumlets on the head:: And wow, I actually made up characters! ::is surprised:: I actually like Pod alot..::huggles Pod:: Okay, next up: Mush's POV!
Bumlets-Late Night Poker
Night had fallen. the other newsies were lounging about the Lodging House, cracking jokes and teasing each other. Dutchy was sitting on his bed sketching on a spare piece of paper. Specs was shuffling a pack of cards, getting ready for a game of Blackjack. Blink and Mush were sitting in a corner, laughing at some private joke. Swifty was teaching Jack how to do the Cat's Cradle with a spare bootlace. All of them happy, all of them content.
I paced around the room restlessly. I was still full of energy, still dangerously awake. I got like this sometimes, had a hard time settling down when most people were tired. I couldn't calm down, couldn't force myself to sit still.
"Oi, Bumlets, wouldja stop walkin' around? Youse makin' me dizzy," Skittery said.
"Yeah, Ise gettin' sick from just watchin' ya," Blink agreed.
"Siddown and tawk to us or somethin', just quit moving'," Dutchy chimed in, flicking a ball of paper at me as I passed.
I pointedly ignored the three of them and turned to Swifty.
"Ise gonna go for a walk. You wanna come with?"
The Asian boy made a face. "Naw, I can't. I promised Race I'd give 'im a rematch tonight."
Jack spoke up from behind the bed. "Ehy, if youse lookin' for somethin' ta do, I heard dere's gonna be a big poker game down in Brooklyn tonight."
I smiled. A walk to Spot's place for a game of cards. That sounded perfect. "T'anks, Jack. I might just do dat."
I stayed long enough to grab my hat and the money stashed under my bed. Kloppman warned me not to stay out too late as I ran past him, then I was out the door.
I shivered as I stepped outside. There was a chill to the air, a bite that wasn't there a month ago. It would be a bad winter if it was already this cold in November. I grimaced. I hate the winter. So much ice and snow, it made me uncomfortable just thinking about it.
I started walking at a brisk pace, partly to get there quicker, and partly to ward away the chill. The buildings cast shadows on the ground, hiding the broken glass and burnt cigerettes. The wind whistled through the city like a lost soul, whispering of forgotten hearts and nights long past. It was a lonely sound, a bitter sound. A sound that made me want to be home. I started walking faster.
The Brooklyn Bridge came into view, a monster of steel and iron. A monster chained, a monster forced to aid humanity. The passage was empty this late at night, the normal bustle of traffic silenced by the heavy veil of night. The water underneath was as dark as eternity unforgiven.
Finally, I saw a light up ahead. The Brooklyn Lodging House was a block away. I jogged the rest of the way there, the stillness of the night making me nervous. I walked in, nodding a greeting to the old man who ran the Lodging House. I walked up the stairs and into the main room, glad to be out of the darkness.
A chorus of greeting hailed me as I walked in. I knew most of Spot's newsies, was friends with a lot of them. They were a good bunch, once you got to know them.
"Heya, Bumlets! Watcha doin' all da way down here?" Pod asked, a blonde, bright-eyed boy.
I gave his shoulder a light puch. "I heard dere was a killah game down here tonight! 'Sides, I haven't seen you fellas in a while."
Pod grinned and slapped my back. "Glad to see ya."
I felt someone shove up against me, nearly pushing me over. "Oh, oops, sorry 'bout dat," the someone said, sarcasm so thick you could taste it.
"Oh, hey Coal," I said warily, looking up at the taller newsie. Coal was a giant of a person, towering over me and almost everyone else. He had a ridiculously thick neck, and his eyes were set back in his face. I never liked him much, and he makes no secret of the fact that he doesn't like me. I don't know why, honestly. I never did anything to him. But every time I see him, he and his cronies would give me a hard time.
"Ehy, ease up, Coal. He's just here ta play," Johnny spoke up, sensing the tension in the room. Johnny was Spot's right hand, the person who played leader when Spot was away. He had dark hair tied back at the nape of his neck, and a ghostly pale complexion. He looked like the type who could fight his way out of any scrape he got himself into. Truth, he intimidated me a little.
Coal glared at me sullenly, but held his peace. I shot Johnny a look of gratitude. The last thing I needed was to get into a brawl with someone a foot taller than me.
"Well, well, well, who have we heah?"
I turned around with a big smile on my face.
"Now, who else would come to your house in da middle o' da night? Wait, on second t'ought, don' answer dat."
Spot came up and clapped me on the back.
"Good to see ya, pal. Good to see ya. Youse ready to get your ass kicked tonight?"
I laughed. Spot never changed. "We'll just see about dat."
Two hours and many hands later, I had nearly all the Brooklyn newsies complaining.
"How is it dat youse ended up wit' all da money? I was shoa dat I'd beat you!" Pod asked, mock angry.
I grinned. "If youse t'ink I'm bad, you should play against Racetrack Higgings! He'll leave ya wit' not'ing but da clothes on your back." And sometimes not even that, I thought, remembering that ill-fated game of strip poker a few months ago. I shuddered inwardly. Who knew Specs had black underware?
I reached over and collected my winnings, amid the groaning of everyone else. Even Spot had lost some money to me.
"Well boys, it's been a pleasure seein' youse tonight."
"And tonight's the last night you'll be comin' over, if youse keep playin' like dat." Coal said darkly. I think I busted him. Apparently he wasn't used to losing.
I ignored him and said goodbye to the rest of the Brooklyn crew. Most of them waved cheerfully as I left, and I walked out the door with a smile on my face.
It had been nice to see some new people. Don't get me wrong, the guys I live with are great, it's just that sometimes they got on my nerves. One of the problems with being a newsie is the constant companionship. I hardly ever got a minute to myself, or even a chance to work alone. Most of the time I could shrug it off, but today it had been getting to me.
I started walking back quickly, the money jangling in my pocket like a sweet music. I grinned. I hardly ever won this much in a single game. I usually pulled even; not like poor Dutchy, who couldn't play a decent game of poker to save his life. Race and Jack were the main contenders of our little group, and Blink could wipe someone out if he put his mind to it. Swifty was the real surprise last night. The look on Race's face when our quiet little Swifty had nearly all his money was priceless.
I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn't notice the person behind me til it was too late. A hard shove smacked me to a wall, and my head hit the bricks with a crack. A fist came flying out of nowhere and belted me across the face. Another puch was landed in my stomach, knocking the air out of me.
Coal's squat face leered at me from the darkness. "So, pretty boy, who's the winner now, eh?"
I was furious. This guy attacked me for beating him in poker. Poker! I couldn't believe it. I tried to reach up to fight back, but someone came out and pinned my arms to my side. One of Coal's friends, I couldn't remember his name, had grabbed me and was holding me still. Another one reached up and grabbed my hair, pulling my head back.
Coal punched me in the mouth, and the metallic flavor of blood filled my mouth. I crumpled this time, and the cronies let me fall. I was kicked hard in the back, and I felt the skin break. I was trying not to cry, trying to ignore the pain. It hurt, oh god, it hurt. He hit me again...and again...I lost count, drowning in a dark sea of agony.
Finally, mercifully, I blacked out.
**********
"Bumlets, Bumlets, wake up. Come on buddy, wake up."
I heard someone speaking, calling my name. Slowly, I opened my eyes. Snoddy's worried face stared down at me.
"Hey, hey fellas! He's awake!"
The other newsies crowded around, assuring themselves that I was okay. Which, of course, I wasn't.
I tried to shift me weight, but shooting pains up my back made me change my mind.
"Don't try to move," Specs said, noticing my wince, "Youse got some pretty serious cuts and bruises, but no broken bones. It'll take a few days for the pain ta go away."
I blinked slowly. "Where am I?"
"Well, when youse didn't come back, we all started ta get worried," Jack said, placing his hand lightly on my shoulder. "Me and a couple o' the guys went out ta look for you. It was Shadow* that found ya, poor kid. He got pretty shaken up when he found ya lying in the back of an alley."
"How's he doin?" I asked. Shadow was a cute kid, I didn't want him upset.
"He'll be fine. Race's tawking to 'im now. You just worry 'bout yourself, okay?"
I smiled. Jack had a tendency to get mother-henish when someone got hurt. "Shoah, Jack. I'll be fine."
"Bumlets, what happened?" Dutchy asked quietly after Jack left.
"Yeah, what did you do ta yoursef?" Skittery asked, with a trace of old sarcastic humor.
I started to shrug, but then thought better of it. "Coupla guys jumped me for beatin' dem at poker after I left Spot's place. Not a big deal."
Blink leaned over and asked me, in an unusually serious tone, "Who did dis to you?"
"Um, Coal. Coal and a few of his friends," I answered without thinking. "Wait, why do you wanna know?"
Blink stood up, the shadows on his face making him look like a dark angel.
"I t'ink Ise gonna go have a tawk with dis Coal," he said softly. Too softly.
"Blink, don't be an idiot," I said, expasperated. "Coal's a head and a half taller dan you. He'd beat youse inta da ground."
The one-eyed boy merely smiled. It was a dangerous smile, a smile that made you back away.
He was out the door before anyone could stop him. I looked around desperately for Mush. I gestured him over.
"Mush, go wit' 'im."
Mush looked surprised. "Me? Why?"
I sighed. "Because you're the only one he'll listen to. Just stop 'im before he gets himself killed."
He looked at me searchingly for a moment, then nodded. Good, that was taken care of. I knew if anyone could calm Blink down, it would be Mush.
Now, maybe, I could get some sleep.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
*Shadow doesn't actually have a name, but he's the kid who's always next to Bumlets during the dances (Bumlet's shadow; Shadow, get it?). You get a good shot of him during the chorale version of Seize the Day. He's right beside Bum-chan. The name belongs to Sinhe. I just had to put him in here, he's so adorable!
Closing Comments: Ack, I have a plot, and the first thing I do is beat up Bumlets! I'm sorry, honey ::pats Bumlets on the head:: And wow, I actually made up characters! ::is surprised:: I actually like Pod alot..::huggles Pod:: Okay, next up: Mush's POV!