Chapter 5: Gal and Jack

            Gal and Jack arrived at Irving Hall just as the show was starting. He took her hand and lead her to his favorite seats on the balcony and the music started up. Medda appeared on stage and the crowd went wild. She began to sing a song.

            "Woo hoo! Medda!" Jack screamed, but looked over at Gal who was frowning and mumbling to herself. "Sorry, I just really injoy da show, ya know?" The music stopped.

            "It's okay," Gal said trying to reassure him, though she didn't know what the newsies saw in this middle-aged vaudeville singer.

The music started up again, this time with a more upbeat tempo.

"High times, hard times," Medda crooned, "Sometimes the living is sweet. And sometimes there's nothing to eat, but I always land on my feet! So…"

It took all Gal had to keep from singing the song because how could she, theoretically, know the lyrics. Just then something clicked in Gal's mind.

"Hey, how did you have time to take me to the show? You're a newsie right?" Jack gave her 'a look.' "Then shouldn't you be out selling papers?" She questioned Jack.

"You're right, we should be sellin papes now, but were on strike! Pulitzer and Heartz gauged us! They raised the paypa's price, 10 cents a hundred!! Can ya believe that?!?!" Jack yelled over the crowd, getting a little too emotional.

"Oh…" Gal smiled sweetly as she took Jack's arm in her own. Duh! She thought to herself, I knew that!

A loud cry came from the below, Medda was running through the audience for all her fans to see her! Jack jumped up and ran to the edge of the balcony and leaned over in an attempt to touch Medda's hand. He leaned to far, though, faltered, and started to fall over the railing.

"Jack!!" Gal gasped and ran over to pull him back up again. He lifted his head, grinned at Gal, and hoisted himself onto the balcony.

"I'se just messin witcha, I ain't really fallin!" he said to Gal, playfully mussing her hair.

"Well I wasn't very amused! I thought you were really falling!" Gal yelled indignantly, tears blurring her eyes. Why would he try to scare me like that? I thought he liked me okay, I guess. I honestly did! I mean, he took me to this nice show and has been nothing but helpful and considerate since I got here! What went wrong? She thought as she turned around, crossed her arms, and attempted to stay mad at him. Jack frowned and walked over to Gal.

"Awww… come on Gal! I'se was just kiddin around!" he said, trying to make amends with her.

"Humph!" Was Gal's gruff reply. Jack put his hand on her shoulder and she gave him her infamous 'look.'

"Gal…" he whined, stamping his foot in exasperation. He spun her around and pulled her in close to him. "Gal, I'm sorry I'se scared ya." She averted her eyes and gave him the silent treatment. "And… I'se sorry that…" his voice trailed off.

Tap! Tap! Tap! Came a sound from Gal's foot, signaling her impatience.

"And I'm sorry," Jack gulped; "that I love you" He leaned down and lightly kissed her on the lips. Gal instantly forgave him and began to kiss him back. She wrapped her arms around his neck as the kiss got deeper and more passionate.

Gal sighed, This is a dream come true! She thought.