Chapter two! Chapter two! Time to review..Please. Really, that chant was so pathetic. Out of sympathy...

Disclaimer: Much to everyone's dismay, the newsies and everything wonderful about them is owned by Disney. 'Nuff said.

Chapter 2.

The next morning the group that headed towards Manhattan consisted of Spot, Frankie, Evie and three other newsies who had been planning on selling in the city that day. Evie was dressed again in the clothes she'd been given by Spot and her cabby hat and she carried the others in her bag along with Jack's cowboy hat and a few possessions she'd taken from home. Sleeping on a mattress the night before had been refreshing and after the street lessons Spot had given her she'd been thankful for any amount of rest. As they neared the Manhattan Lodging House she stayed towards the back of the pack as Spot had instructed. Her nerves were making her scratch nervously at the back of her head, right where her hat ended. This was causing some troubles with how the cap sat on her head, often slipping it over her forehead and shading her eyes from viewing what was directly in front of her. Already she'd stepped on the back of Frankie's heels twice and when the group came to a halt she bumped into his back.
She was caught off guard by Spot's voice.
Jacky-boy, how's dat search of youis goin'? From where she crouched in the back, Evie watched Jack and Spot spit shake, a fascinating new greeting that she'd learned about the night before. Without answering Spot's teasing question, Jack motioned for the boy to sit next to him on the stoop. He looked so good to Evie, sitting there unaware of her watching eyes and smiling lazily. Even better than I'd been picturing
Snubbing out his cigarette, Jack eyed Spot. What you'se doin hear in da city Spot?
Spot fiddled with his cane, tapping it on the sidewalk and catching Frankie's eye. He nodded his head and the boy turned to Evie to grasp her hand. This was the signal they'd worked out to let her know when to move forward. Well, I'se got a fava ta ask of ya. Jack's silence told Spot to continue. A new goyl showed up yestaday and youse know I don't keep goyls wit me boys. Dey couldn't handle it. So, could ya spare an extra bunk for her? Frankie pulled Evie to the front of the group, her hat sliding over her forehead at the same time.
Jack looked at the girl, noticing that she was staring intently at the ground and grasping Frankie's hand awfully tightly. he said after a minute. I don't sees why not.
Spot clapped Jack on the back. Her names Teapot
Evie actually, interjected Evie, sticking out her hand. Spot had joked with her that morning about calling her that on account of the fact that she'd asked if he'd had a teapot during breakfast. She glared at Spot for he knew she hadn't taken to the name. Spot's just being fresh.
Come now Evie, don't go slanderin myse good name
Dese guys already know youse a lyin sack of shit, Conlon. Why go on tryin ta hide it. Evie flashed Spot a smile that only he saw as she tried out the accent he'd taught her the night before.
Laughing and shaking Evie's hand firmly, Jack nodded his head. Oh yea, she's gonna fit in poifect here. He focused on Evie for the first time and as he spoke to her she looked up shyly from underneath the visor of her cap. Their eyes locked and he faltered then, holding her hand longer than normal. Wait—have I seen ya befo? Youse look familiar
Frantically, Evie glanced between Frankie and Spot, the look on the latter telling her to stick with the plan. No, no. I just got hea yestaday.
Jack shrugged off the strong sense of de ja vu and motioned to another newsie that was seated on the steps behind him. Mush'll show ya wheres da goyls stay. Some of em should be up dere now. Evie nodded and turned to say her good byes to Frankie and the other newsies. It had been arranged the night before that Spot and Frankie would stop by in a week, just to check up on her. Evie and Frankie embraced quickly before Evie skipped up the steps, kissing Spot on the cheek and whispering in his ear as she passed. All the boys thought her behavior to be out of the ordinary and Jack was the first to speak of it. Where did ya find dat goyl Spot?
Pushing off the steps and taking back the papers Frankie had been holding for him, Spot turned to face Jack. I'se was lucky enough dat she found me Jacky-boy. Now, shes a special one, watch out fo her okay. She ain't use ta city life yet. Jack nodded, not quite sure what he had gotten himself into and watched as Spot and his group moved out into the streets.
Upstairs, Evie and Mush had stopped in front of a closed door on the third floor. Mush knocked before turning to face Evie. He had a pleasant smile on his face that made her instantly relaxed. Always knock, he joked, dat's whats I'se loined from livin wid goyls.
A chorus of voices came from behind the door and he pushed it open slowly with one hand, his other shielding his eyes. Youse decent? He asked, peering out from behind his separated fingers when the girls laughed at him.
Coise, whys else would we tell ya ta come in. Replied a girl on the far end of the room. She was holding up a dress in front of her and looking in a full-length mirror, some of the other girls in the room watching as she did so. In the rest of the room there was a row of bunk beds on the right side and a door on the left that opened into a wash room. Compared to the number of boys that had been at the Brooklyn lodging house and the number she'd seen briefly on the floors below, Evie realized that the girls were vastly outnumbered. There were only ten or twelve girls lounging around the room, all looking content with the fact.
Mush pulled Evie in after him. Wese got a newbie goyls, so be nice.
A brunette jumped up from her cross-legged position on the floor and walked over to the two. She was shorter than Evie, with cropped brown hair and a face that reminded Evie of Maggie's: round and inviting. Wese always nice Mush. She turned to Evie and stuck out a small hand. Names Charlie.
Evie shook her hand firmly and mimicked the pronunciation she'd heard on the streets of Boston so many times. Nice ta meet ya Chaalie, the names Evie.
Mush clapped his hands together and slowly back out of the room. Now dats you'se all set, I'se gonna get back wid Jack and da odda boys. We'se sellin close today so see youse goyls at Tibby's. The small group waved good bye as Mush slipped out the door, graciously closing it behind him.
You got dat boy taught well. Evie laughed. Charlie nodded and motioned for Evie to enter further into the room.
Charlie bounced on a bottom bunk. When more goyls started lodgin hea, I had some rules set. Just in case. Evie nodded in understanding. You'se can have dis bunk, she knocked on the top mattress. I sleep down hea, and da otha goyls rotate every now and den. Just hang youa stuff on da posts, we all got nottin so we don't steal.
Evie began to lie out her clothes, making sure that the cowboy hat remained hidden inside. She hadn't even shown Spot it yet and she was waiting until the right moment for it to be revealed. Laying out the dress she'd worn from home, a smaller girl on the next bunk gasped. Woud ya look at dat. She handled the dress with her long thin fingers, gingerly lifting it up to her frame. Where'd ya get sometin dis perty? Her reaction surprised Evie. That dress had been the plainest one she'd owned.
By this time a small cluster of girls had formed a circle around Evie and her dress. Quickly she thought of a little fib. My motha use to woik fo a seamstress. Last Christmas she got the left ova material and made me dat dress.
Gosh its perty, ain't it Charlie?
She probably stole it The girl who'd been looking in the mirror earlier glared at Evie and the attention she was getting from the rest of the girls. Evie was too stunned by the girl's rude behavior to say anything.
To everyone's surprise, Charlie came to her rescue. Ah Diamond, use just jealous cause you'd love ta have sometin dis nice fo your date tanight, wouldn't yea.
You can wear it if you'd like. Evie said tentatively, trying to show some kindness to the girl.
Instead of declining politely, the girl turned back to her mirror. I'se don't take charity, especially from da new goyl. With that she left, her shoes clicking down the stairs as she went. A small group of girls followed her so that only five girls and Evie remained. Falling with a sigh On the bunk, Evie held her head in her hands. Meeting all these new people was tiring and unnerving. On top of that she was nervous about how successful Spot's plan was going to be. Already she missed Frankie, and if she admitted it to herself, Brody, Mama and Maggie.
Noticing her distress, Charlie sat next to Evie. Don't worry youself ova Diamond, she's always like dis wit da new goyls. New competition or sometin. Evie's smile was shaky but it was obvious that she appreciated Charlie's attempt. Now dat Miss Sunshine has left, you'se can meet da rest of da goyls. Dis here's Teeni, Evie smiled at the girl who was still holding her dress. And den deres Basil, Jazz, and MJ
Hey, what about me! A girl no older than four rolled off of where she'd been watching on Evie's new bunk. She landed with a thud before dusting off her dirty dress and standing in front of the other girls. Her eyes were the strongest blue Evie had ever seen and set against her smudged cheeks they radiated.
And dis is Annie. Charlie pulled the little girl onto her lap. Me and her been here da longest. Jack found dis little one about a year ago, curled up in a dumpsta. Momma had left her and everytin. Used to hearing about her own tragic story, Annie skipped across the room to find some of her makeshift toys. I'se takin ta rasin her, wit help from da otha goyls of couse. And Jack.
Evie sat amazed at a side of Jack she'd never imagined. Wow, Jack sure is the saving type huh. First Annie and then that little boy in Central Pak.
Hey, how'd youse hea about dat? Jazz asked.
Catching her slip, Evie once again had to think of a quick excuse. Well, it was covad in da Boston pape. And Spot told me about it when he said I was ta be stayin' with Jack Kelly's newsies. I neededa couple references.
Charlie moved off the bunk, pulling her hair up into a knot. Okay goyls, lets get goin. Evie, you stay wit me, okay. The girls rummaged around in the washroom, returning with mops, buckets and brooms. Some had squares of fabric tied in their hair and all kept their feet bare. Todays Thusday, so dat means wese cleanin instead of sellin, part of da deal I made wit Kloppman to let goyls stay hea. My goyls and Diamonds' switch off every week, Charlie explained, tossing Evie a ribbon. Tie up dat pretty red hair wit dis and wese can get stated. Evie did as she was told, secretly happy that she had been excepted into Charlie's group.
That day Evie helped clean the whole lodging house, making up for the last seventeen years where she hadn't lifted one refined finger. When Charlie finally called the girls to get ready for dinner, Evie was exhausted and sweaty but smiling. Over the course of the day she'd been able to get to know all of the girls better. Meeting up with Charlie in the washroom, she ventured into a conversation that had been nagging at the back of her mind all day.
So, how'd you end up sellin papes? The two girls stood side by side at the mirrors, rubbing at their faces with towels.
Charlie shrugged. Me and Skittery came hea about seven yeas ago. Have you met Skittery yet? Both girls grabbed clean towels and Evie shook her head no. Our parents were close but mines died when I was about ten so I stayed with Skittery's family. We lived in da country, bout two hours up noth. Real nice place. But dere were too many mouths ta feed so one day we'se put in a carriage, brought to da city and left hea. Evie couldn't hide her shocked expression. We had each otha and loined quick. Da newsies coitainly attract da sewer kids. I remeba watchin a couple of dem one day. We knew wese could do sometin like dat.
Was it hard? Bein da only goil and all?
Not really. I was such a tomboy. And Skittery was always dere. He didn't let nothin happen ta me. Still doesn't.
Evie sighed. Sounds nice. Having someone that close.
Yeah, he's my broda. Always will be. The girls moved into the other room, washed, changed and ready to go. They sat on Evie's bunk as they waited. So, what bout youse. Why'd you decide ta come to da city?
Opportunity I guess. I mean, you can lose youself hear easier than other places. Back home— Evie was silent for a moment, trying to think of an expanded version of Spot's cousin from Boston' routine.
Charlie took this as a sign of discomfort and patted Evie's back. Hey, don't fret bout it. Foget dat I asked.
Grateful, Evie jumped down from the top bunk and followed the other girls out of the room. They were meeting the other newsies at Tibby's, a restaurant that Charlie said was a regular newsie hang out. They arrived to find most of the boys there, along with Diamond and her girls secluded in the back corner. Charlie had explained earlier that unlike herself, Diamond didn't mix well with the other newsies and she kept mostly to the girls in her group.
Nervous about meeting a new group of people, not to mention boys-a species Evie did not have much contact with outside of her father and Brody- Evie stayed near Charlie. Heya boys! Her new friend called, pushing one boy with an eye patch further into the bunk. The group returned the greeting and smiled at their surrogate sister. Evie noticed Mush a couple seats down but couldn't find Jack among the crowd. She tried not to let this get her hopes down. Charlie called, motioning to the open seat across from her. Sit down,
You don't mind, do you? Evie asked, politely addressing the boy who was already occupying part of the booth. The boy smiled and patted the seat. He had a pleasant smile and crazy brown hair. His shirt was unbuttoned to reveal a pink colored undershirt and he smelled of sun. I'm Evie.
I'se hoid. He shook her hand. I'm Skittery.
Evie smiled in recognition. I've heard of you too.
Skittery smiled at Charlie from across the table. Lies, she tells all lies bout me. He smiled and ducked quickly behind Evie as Charlie threw a balled up napkin at him. After it was thrown back and forth a couple more times, Evie was introduced to everyone else. It was overwhelming and as she sat watching everyone interact, her cheeks were flushed with happiness.
After ordering food, Evie fell into an easy conversation with Kid Blink, Skittery, Charlie, and Racetrack, who had pulled up an extra chair at the end of the table. Evie had seen him with Jack earlier in the day and was glad that he had joined the group—she had some research to do on the absent leader. So Evie, the smooth talking brunette began, how'd youse end up in da newspapa professin? He was lighting a cigar that reminded Evie suddenly of her father's study. It had been connected to the library where she'd spent plenty of hours losing herself in the stories of other adventurers. That smell had leaked out from underneath the heavy wooden doors that separated Evie from the one person who was supposed to love her unconditionally. The flashback brought a far away look to her eyes and again Charlie jumped to her rescue.
It's too soon Race, ya know how it is wit newbies. The newsies nodded in understanding. They all had their own stories and had all gone through the same deal that they imagined Evie going through. Over the years they'd learned that everyone dealt with loss in their own way.
The conversation quickly switched to a lighter note as a pickle smacked Skittery in the cheek. After a light food battle it was confirmed that the condiment had been thrown by Specs from the other side of the restaurant during a makeshift contest between him and another boy named Dutchy.
As Skittery dealt with the two, Evie turned to Racetrack who was still puffing on his cigar. she tried to sound as casual as possible but figured that her racing heart was giving her away. Is Jack still selling? Or does he go someplace else for supper? She found it hard to stick with her accent all the time, especially when she became distracted with all the new information she had to remember and all the lies she had to keep track.
Nah, he finished eoily taday but stayed around Central Park, just in case, ya know. Realizing that in fact Evie had no idea what he meant, Racetrack explained. He sells around dere now, lookin fo dat goyl of his. Da one from da accident. Did Charlie or Spot tell ya about dat?
Evie nodded her head to acknowledge her understanding and by this point, Charlie and Kid Blink had joined the conversation. He's like, obsessed or sometin. Blink said between a mouthful of his sandwich.
He'll be back late tanight cause its nice out. Da rich folks will want to stroll around da Park befo goin back to dere mansions. Racetrack snubbed out his cigar and placed it in his pocket for later. While us on da odda hand, should head back to da lodgin house cause I gots a poka game ta win.
The restaurant practically erupted at the mention of poker and a large group filed out into the streets, lazily making their way back to the lodging house. It turned out to be more like a tournament of sorts and exhausted from the day's activities, Evie turned in early, falling asleep to the light breathing of Annie in the next bunk over.