DISCLAIMER: These characters do NOT belong to me unfortunately. I tried to kidnap
them from Disney and was unsuccessful. Go figure. However, Runner and Mallory are
MINE, and so is Josephine, Aunt Patricia, and Daisy! Muahahaha! So take that, Mickey!!
A.N. WoWzeRZ! You goils really reviewed up a storm!! Heehee, I absolutely LOVE that
spirit!! Keep it up, okay? Chocolate-covered JACK's, SPOT's, and RACE's for all!!!
Shout-out time!
*snuggles: WoW, I haven't heard from you in a loooong time!! Glad to see you still
in the fanfic scene. Update your story soon! And thanks for reviewing!! And by the
way, Geometry does suck! I hated that class! I think that is the worse math class
I have ever had to sit through. My teacher was nice, fortunately, but honestly, the
whole proofs thing should be slaughtered. LoL!
*Ali: It's incredible that no matter how much of a jerk Spot Conlon can be potrayed as,
we still find him incredibly sexy. : ) Thanks for the review, and I will continue!
*Angel: Heya, how's that story of yours coming along? : ) Ah yes, Mallory is not
the brightest candle on the cake when it comes to a newsie life, but bleh! LoL! Keep
those reviews rolling in!
*Irish/Kat: Aww, don't feel bad for ol' Mal. She has a good head on her shoulders.
Hopefully she'll realize what Spot and Company are doing before it's too late. Ay me!
I am the writer and I don't even know what's going to happen, lol! Thanks for reviewing!
Enjoy the rest!
*Babydoll: Hey, hey, hey. I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far! Thanks to your
review, along with everbody else's, I will write write write! Have fun reading this
next chapter. : )
*Braces: Like to see more, ay? Well here's another chapter coming atchya! I hope
you enjoy it just as much. Thanks for the reviews, and keep them rolling in! Heehee!
*Candi Kane: Heya, I haven't heard from you in a while! Howz it rollin? : ) Hahaha.
Well thanks so much for the review. Glad ya love it! Who will win, who will win?
Ay, the muses won't let me reveal the grand secret. But stay tuned and you'll find
out soon enough. Thanks again!
*b133ding p03t: Yaaay! Another review from youse! *dances around the chair with Spot*
Heehee. Thank ya, darlin' for ya support! Have fun reading chapter two!!!
*jo: Thanks for reviewing! Don't worry about Mallory. : ) She won't get hurt, or
at least TOO hurt. *shrugs* I have no idea what's going to happen in the following
chapters, lol. But stay tuned!
Just A Little Bet
~*~*~*~ Mallory grabbed another dity dish from the sink of hot water and began
scrubbing its glass form softly, occasionally looking down to her feet where,
cuddled in a tight warm ball, lay her buff-colored cocker spaniel lazily basking
in the rays of the rising sun as the beams entered through a nearby open window.
"Daisy, you are such a beautiful dog," Mallory said in a sing-song voice, as she set
the washed dish aside to clean yet another.
"And you are such a beautiful young woman."
Mallory smiled at the voice of her father and turned her head to regard him. "Father,
you are up early. How did you sleep?"
"It was not one of my most peaceful sleeps," Mr. Carter replied, "but I suppose I
enjoyed it nonetheless. My medication is steadily depleting, though, and I will soon
have to visit Doctor Reynald for another refill. Darling, I have not received a
paycheck from the factory yet. I will have to take money from the bank account I had
set aside for your education in order to pay for the pills."
"Oh." The girl's face obviously darkened by the news and she turned her head to face
the dishes in the sink to hide her disappointment. Every two weeks, her father had
taken a certain amount of money out of his paycheck that would eventually be used by
Mallory to afford enrollment into an institution of higher education. But every now
and then, Mr. Carter was obliged to use the money for matters ranging from groceries to
the house's mortgage, as he was currently not employed but rather on a sickness leave.
The textile factory where he worked had agreed to provide for him in his time of need,
but apparently they had not held up their end of the deal and now the Carters were
terribly suffering.
"Mallory, I deeply regret doing this to you, but I am merely trying to make ends meet.
I know how much studying for a future career means to you, but right now we are in no
position to be saving for...."
"Daddy!" The girl turned around and smiled, changing her tone. "You need not explain
to me. It is perfectly fine. Of course I know of what situation we are in, and I
apologize that I cannot be of more help around here."
Mr. Carter looked at her sadly. "Oh, dearest, why are you sorry? If I wanted you to
bring our household some extra money, I would request of you to acquire a job! For
goodness sake, we are not impoverished! Everyone goes through financial distress at
times. Just promise me you will remain patient and understanding with me."
"Of course I will," Mallory laughed. She shut the running water, turned around, and then
stepped forward to embrace her father.
"And promise me that you will one day marry a man who will be able to support you and
any family you might raise comfortably without any troubles."
Mallory rolled her eyes. "Daddy, I am only fifteen years of age! I have yet to start
dating!"
"You are never to young to start upholding values," Mr. Carter said as he held her
close. "Make sure you only involve yourself with someone who loves you dearly and who
will treat you like the angel you are."
"Very well then," answered she. "I promise."
* * * * *
"So youse, Jack, and Race is all involved in this?!" Runner marveled at the concept
as he sat upon the desk in his room within the walls of the church where he spent
most of his days and laughed. "What a bet!" Taking off the jacket of his three piece
suit, he set the piece of clothing onto a chair and took out a cigarette along with a
match. He struck the match against the hard surface of a wall and set the newborn
flame into use.
Spot sighed. "I thought youse were gunna quit smokin'? Where d'ya get all this crap
anyways?! Ya board in a damn choich!"
"I'se got me sources," the younger replied.
But Spot was not satisfied with the answer. Runner was quite the mystery. He attended
an elite private school and lodged in a monastery with both his parents, yet
mirrored a ruffian image and an acidic attitude that even the toughest in Brooklyn
could not compete with, save for Spot Conlon himself, of course.
Just then, someone entered the room without knocking. It was a woman dressed in nun
attire and when her eyes fell upon Runner exhaling smoke carelessly , she shrieked.
"Lucas!!! What in heavens are you doing?!"
Runner's eyes widened and he quickly extinguished the cigarette, crushing its form
into the same wall that had enlivened the match. "Uh, mother, I can explain," he said,
doing away with his rough New York accent.
"I certainly hope so!" The woman crossed her arms and gave her son a scolding glare.
"Well, mother....." he looked down in thought and then smiled. "Ah! Spot suggested
that I do it, mother! He claimed it would not harm me, and since I admire him so, as he
is my elder, I took his word for it." Spot opened his mouth to argue against the lie,
but his aunt cut him off.
"Andrew!! How dare you allow your bad influence to wash upon your cousin!"
"Aunt Patricia, I'se didn't..."
"I don't want to hear it, young man. You apologize to Lucas this instant for
leading him astray from his righteousness!"
Spot gave her an incredous look. He could not believe the woman was falling for
Runner's pitiful innocent act! "But, I never told 'im tah..."
"I will not hear another word," the nun almost yelled. "Apologize!"
Spot clenched his teeth and shot Runner a menacing gaze. "Sorry," he muttered.
Patricia smiled warmly at the apology and nodded. "Thank you, dear. Now, I will not
tolerate any of this nonsense in this church! I will not allow you both to throw
your lives away! I love the both of you too dearly to allow that! Please, Andrew, do
not bring the rubbish from a newsie life into the house of God ever again. And please
do not even think about tempting your cousin with a slipshod life!" She paused to
allow the words to settle in and then addressed her son. "Lucas, father expects you in
the fellowship hall at noon for your social creed examinations. Good luck, dear!" She
turned and left the room, gently closing the door behind her.
As soon as Spot could no longer hear the woman's shoes plod down the narrow hallways
of the church, he jumped from his seat, grabbed Runner by the front of his shirt, and
threw him into a chair, holding him down with firm hands. "Ya ever pull shit like that
again, and I'll tell ya muddah everything, ya heah me? Everything about the gun youse
keep in under ya bed, the liquor in one of ya drawers, and every damn thing youse keep
from her. Don't think I'se won't, Runnah! Cause ya playin' too many games now and it's
pissing me off!"
Runner shrugged him away. "As if she would believe youse." He casually rose to his feet,
collected his jacket, and slid each arm through its sleeves. "So how do I'se looks? Me
father insisted that I take this damn exam today tah prove tah the counsel of clergy's
that I'se capable of preachin' the woid."
"God help us all," Spot threw at him sarcastically. "The day youse become a preacher,
I'll be conviced there's such thing as an anti-christ."
"Ouch," Runner smirked. "That shoah hoit. Listen, it aint like I wanna do it. But
seeing how it runs in the family supposedly, I was forced into it. So, wish me luck,
huh?"
The Brooklyn leader looked disgusted. "Go tah hell, Runnah."
* * * * *
Race sighed at his lack of success in today's selling rendezvous and layed his stack
of papers upon the sidewalk to sit upon and indulge in an early morning smoke. He had
not gone to the tracks today, for he very much wanted to make the first move on
Mallory and knew quite well that would not happen if he was not in reasonable distance
from her home. Then again, he had not the slightest idea where the girl resided; not
even what neighborhood! But remembering the direction she had walked when leaving
Jack, Spot, and himself to tend to her father, he assumed she would have to pass the
lodging house sometime during the day for errands or such.
And how he was right! Across from him on the other side of the street suddenly appeared
Mallory, strolling about in seemingly bright moods behind a well-groomed purebred puppy.
"Heya Mallory!" Race waved at the girl and closed the distance between them in a quick
run, abandoning his papers where he had earlier set them down. "Where ya headed?"
Mallory smiled at the remembrance of how kindly Race had treated her yesterday. "Oh,
no where in particular. I am only taking Daisy for her morning trot. She is rather
young and needs excercise to burn that energy puppies are known for."
Race laughed and leaned over to scratch Daisy's fur behind the ears. The puppy wagged
its tail in delight and stepped closer for a better massage. "Cute dog."
"Do you have one?"
"Nah," the boy answered, still playing with the puppy. "We'se aint allowed tah have
pets in the lodgin' house, in case one of the kids is allergic or sumthin. I remember
when I foist came heah, I had a terrier mix, but Klopmann wouldn't let me keep 'im
and I had tah toin him tah the streets."
Mallory frowned. "Aww, that is awful! I am sure he found a better place, though. Do
not be saddened."
Race patted Daisy on the back and then rose to his full height. After a moment, a grin
crept to his lips. "Ya know, youse gots pretty eyes."
"Really? I always believed they were too big for my liking."
"Nah, they's just right." Mallory smiled up at him and then turned to continue her
walk with Race at her side. "So anyways, youse ever been tah the tracks? Ya know,
where they's compete horses against eachother?"
The girl shook her head, but was still curious. "When do they compete?"
"Alls the time! As a mattah of fact, I'se can take ya tah one of their races latah
today if you'd like. It'd be alotta fun. Heck, we'se could even place a bet if ya
want. I'll even let youse pick the horse." He waited for a response, the tension
making him suddenly nervous.
"Well, Daisy needs her walk," she started off. "And I could not imagine intermingling
with all the unusual and ill-mannered people that will undoubtedly be taking part in
the track's events today. I think I will have to deny your request, but I do thank you
for suggesting my presence into your plans."
Race bit his lip from saying something that would let her know he was fully angered
by the rejection. He had not expected her to pass the oppurtunity! He could have
sworn she was an easy-going girl, but apparently, he could not be any more wrong. "Ah,
well that's fine. 'Sides, I'se gots papes tah sell." In one last effort to leave an
affect on her, he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, and then with a word of
farewell, retreated back to the area where his fifty newspapers awaited him.
* * * * *
So how's it coming along? Is there anything you would like to see in here? C'mon,
goils, I'se flexible! Any suggestions? Tell me what ya think so far, please!?!?
Submit those REVIEWS! ReViEWs!!! Ya know what they say about authors who recieve
REVIEWS; they're more likely to update quicker. *wink, wink* So let's put our
reviewing caps on and send in some comments!!! w00t w00t! Youse can do it! Love
ya all!
them from Disney and was unsuccessful. Go figure. However, Runner and Mallory are
MINE, and so is Josephine, Aunt Patricia, and Daisy! Muahahaha! So take that, Mickey!!
A.N. WoWzeRZ! You goils really reviewed up a storm!! Heehee, I absolutely LOVE that
spirit!! Keep it up, okay? Chocolate-covered JACK's, SPOT's, and RACE's for all!!!
Shout-out time!
*snuggles: WoW, I haven't heard from you in a loooong time!! Glad to see you still
in the fanfic scene. Update your story soon! And thanks for reviewing!! And by the
way, Geometry does suck! I hated that class! I think that is the worse math class
I have ever had to sit through. My teacher was nice, fortunately, but honestly, the
whole proofs thing should be slaughtered. LoL!
*Ali: It's incredible that no matter how much of a jerk Spot Conlon can be potrayed as,
we still find him incredibly sexy. : ) Thanks for the review, and I will continue!
*Angel: Heya, how's that story of yours coming along? : ) Ah yes, Mallory is not
the brightest candle on the cake when it comes to a newsie life, but bleh! LoL! Keep
those reviews rolling in!
*Irish/Kat: Aww, don't feel bad for ol' Mal. She has a good head on her shoulders.
Hopefully she'll realize what Spot and Company are doing before it's too late. Ay me!
I am the writer and I don't even know what's going to happen, lol! Thanks for reviewing!
Enjoy the rest!
*Babydoll: Hey, hey, hey. I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far! Thanks to your
review, along with everbody else's, I will write write write! Have fun reading this
next chapter. : )
*Braces: Like to see more, ay? Well here's another chapter coming atchya! I hope
you enjoy it just as much. Thanks for the reviews, and keep them rolling in! Heehee!
*Candi Kane: Heya, I haven't heard from you in a while! Howz it rollin? : ) Hahaha.
Well thanks so much for the review. Glad ya love it! Who will win, who will win?
Ay, the muses won't let me reveal the grand secret. But stay tuned and you'll find
out soon enough. Thanks again!
*b133ding p03t: Yaaay! Another review from youse! *dances around the chair with Spot*
Heehee. Thank ya, darlin' for ya support! Have fun reading chapter two!!!
*jo: Thanks for reviewing! Don't worry about Mallory. : ) She won't get hurt, or
at least TOO hurt. *shrugs* I have no idea what's going to happen in the following
chapters, lol. But stay tuned!
Just A Little Bet
~*~*~*~ Mallory grabbed another dity dish from the sink of hot water and began
scrubbing its glass form softly, occasionally looking down to her feet where,
cuddled in a tight warm ball, lay her buff-colored cocker spaniel lazily basking
in the rays of the rising sun as the beams entered through a nearby open window.
"Daisy, you are such a beautiful dog," Mallory said in a sing-song voice, as she set
the washed dish aside to clean yet another.
"And you are such a beautiful young woman."
Mallory smiled at the voice of her father and turned her head to regard him. "Father,
you are up early. How did you sleep?"
"It was not one of my most peaceful sleeps," Mr. Carter replied, "but I suppose I
enjoyed it nonetheless. My medication is steadily depleting, though, and I will soon
have to visit Doctor Reynald for another refill. Darling, I have not received a
paycheck from the factory yet. I will have to take money from the bank account I had
set aside for your education in order to pay for the pills."
"Oh." The girl's face obviously darkened by the news and she turned her head to face
the dishes in the sink to hide her disappointment. Every two weeks, her father had
taken a certain amount of money out of his paycheck that would eventually be used by
Mallory to afford enrollment into an institution of higher education. But every now
and then, Mr. Carter was obliged to use the money for matters ranging from groceries to
the house's mortgage, as he was currently not employed but rather on a sickness leave.
The textile factory where he worked had agreed to provide for him in his time of need,
but apparently they had not held up their end of the deal and now the Carters were
terribly suffering.
"Mallory, I deeply regret doing this to you, but I am merely trying to make ends meet.
I know how much studying for a future career means to you, but right now we are in no
position to be saving for...."
"Daddy!" The girl turned around and smiled, changing her tone. "You need not explain
to me. It is perfectly fine. Of course I know of what situation we are in, and I
apologize that I cannot be of more help around here."
Mr. Carter looked at her sadly. "Oh, dearest, why are you sorry? If I wanted you to
bring our household some extra money, I would request of you to acquire a job! For
goodness sake, we are not impoverished! Everyone goes through financial distress at
times. Just promise me you will remain patient and understanding with me."
"Of course I will," Mallory laughed. She shut the running water, turned around, and then
stepped forward to embrace her father.
"And promise me that you will one day marry a man who will be able to support you and
any family you might raise comfortably without any troubles."
Mallory rolled her eyes. "Daddy, I am only fifteen years of age! I have yet to start
dating!"
"You are never to young to start upholding values," Mr. Carter said as he held her
close. "Make sure you only involve yourself with someone who loves you dearly and who
will treat you like the angel you are."
"Very well then," answered she. "I promise."
* * * * *
"So youse, Jack, and Race is all involved in this?!" Runner marveled at the concept
as he sat upon the desk in his room within the walls of the church where he spent
most of his days and laughed. "What a bet!" Taking off the jacket of his three piece
suit, he set the piece of clothing onto a chair and took out a cigarette along with a
match. He struck the match against the hard surface of a wall and set the newborn
flame into use.
Spot sighed. "I thought youse were gunna quit smokin'? Where d'ya get all this crap
anyways?! Ya board in a damn choich!"
"I'se got me sources," the younger replied.
But Spot was not satisfied with the answer. Runner was quite the mystery. He attended
an elite private school and lodged in a monastery with both his parents, yet
mirrored a ruffian image and an acidic attitude that even the toughest in Brooklyn
could not compete with, save for Spot Conlon himself, of course.
Just then, someone entered the room without knocking. It was a woman dressed in nun
attire and when her eyes fell upon Runner exhaling smoke carelessly , she shrieked.
"Lucas!!! What in heavens are you doing?!"
Runner's eyes widened and he quickly extinguished the cigarette, crushing its form
into the same wall that had enlivened the match. "Uh, mother, I can explain," he said,
doing away with his rough New York accent.
"I certainly hope so!" The woman crossed her arms and gave her son a scolding glare.
"Well, mother....." he looked down in thought and then smiled. "Ah! Spot suggested
that I do it, mother! He claimed it would not harm me, and since I admire him so, as he
is my elder, I took his word for it." Spot opened his mouth to argue against the lie,
but his aunt cut him off.
"Andrew!! How dare you allow your bad influence to wash upon your cousin!"
"Aunt Patricia, I'se didn't..."
"I don't want to hear it, young man. You apologize to Lucas this instant for
leading him astray from his righteousness!"
Spot gave her an incredous look. He could not believe the woman was falling for
Runner's pitiful innocent act! "But, I never told 'im tah..."
"I will not hear another word," the nun almost yelled. "Apologize!"
Spot clenched his teeth and shot Runner a menacing gaze. "Sorry," he muttered.
Patricia smiled warmly at the apology and nodded. "Thank you, dear. Now, I will not
tolerate any of this nonsense in this church! I will not allow you both to throw
your lives away! I love the both of you too dearly to allow that! Please, Andrew, do
not bring the rubbish from a newsie life into the house of God ever again. And please
do not even think about tempting your cousin with a slipshod life!" She paused to
allow the words to settle in and then addressed her son. "Lucas, father expects you in
the fellowship hall at noon for your social creed examinations. Good luck, dear!" She
turned and left the room, gently closing the door behind her.
As soon as Spot could no longer hear the woman's shoes plod down the narrow hallways
of the church, he jumped from his seat, grabbed Runner by the front of his shirt, and
threw him into a chair, holding him down with firm hands. "Ya ever pull shit like that
again, and I'll tell ya muddah everything, ya heah me? Everything about the gun youse
keep in under ya bed, the liquor in one of ya drawers, and every damn thing youse keep
from her. Don't think I'se won't, Runnah! Cause ya playin' too many games now and it's
pissing me off!"
Runner shrugged him away. "As if she would believe youse." He casually rose to his feet,
collected his jacket, and slid each arm through its sleeves. "So how do I'se looks? Me
father insisted that I take this damn exam today tah prove tah the counsel of clergy's
that I'se capable of preachin' the woid."
"God help us all," Spot threw at him sarcastically. "The day youse become a preacher,
I'll be conviced there's such thing as an anti-christ."
"Ouch," Runner smirked. "That shoah hoit. Listen, it aint like I wanna do it. But
seeing how it runs in the family supposedly, I was forced into it. So, wish me luck,
huh?"
The Brooklyn leader looked disgusted. "Go tah hell, Runnah."
* * * * *
Race sighed at his lack of success in today's selling rendezvous and layed his stack
of papers upon the sidewalk to sit upon and indulge in an early morning smoke. He had
not gone to the tracks today, for he very much wanted to make the first move on
Mallory and knew quite well that would not happen if he was not in reasonable distance
from her home. Then again, he had not the slightest idea where the girl resided; not
even what neighborhood! But remembering the direction she had walked when leaving
Jack, Spot, and himself to tend to her father, he assumed she would have to pass the
lodging house sometime during the day for errands or such.
And how he was right! Across from him on the other side of the street suddenly appeared
Mallory, strolling about in seemingly bright moods behind a well-groomed purebred puppy.
"Heya Mallory!" Race waved at the girl and closed the distance between them in a quick
run, abandoning his papers where he had earlier set them down. "Where ya headed?"
Mallory smiled at the remembrance of how kindly Race had treated her yesterday. "Oh,
no where in particular. I am only taking Daisy for her morning trot. She is rather
young and needs excercise to burn that energy puppies are known for."
Race laughed and leaned over to scratch Daisy's fur behind the ears. The puppy wagged
its tail in delight and stepped closer for a better massage. "Cute dog."
"Do you have one?"
"Nah," the boy answered, still playing with the puppy. "We'se aint allowed tah have
pets in the lodgin' house, in case one of the kids is allergic or sumthin. I remember
when I foist came heah, I had a terrier mix, but Klopmann wouldn't let me keep 'im
and I had tah toin him tah the streets."
Mallory frowned. "Aww, that is awful! I am sure he found a better place, though. Do
not be saddened."
Race patted Daisy on the back and then rose to his full height. After a moment, a grin
crept to his lips. "Ya know, youse gots pretty eyes."
"Really? I always believed they were too big for my liking."
"Nah, they's just right." Mallory smiled up at him and then turned to continue her
walk with Race at her side. "So anyways, youse ever been tah the tracks? Ya know,
where they's compete horses against eachother?"
The girl shook her head, but was still curious. "When do they compete?"
"Alls the time! As a mattah of fact, I'se can take ya tah one of their races latah
today if you'd like. It'd be alotta fun. Heck, we'se could even place a bet if ya
want. I'll even let youse pick the horse." He waited for a response, the tension
making him suddenly nervous.
"Well, Daisy needs her walk," she started off. "And I could not imagine intermingling
with all the unusual and ill-mannered people that will undoubtedly be taking part in
the track's events today. I think I will have to deny your request, but I do thank you
for suggesting my presence into your plans."
Race bit his lip from saying something that would let her know he was fully angered
by the rejection. He had not expected her to pass the oppurtunity! He could have
sworn she was an easy-going girl, but apparently, he could not be any more wrong. "Ah,
well that's fine. 'Sides, I'se gots papes tah sell." In one last effort to leave an
affect on her, he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, and then with a word of
farewell, retreated back to the area where his fifty newspapers awaited him.
* * * * *
So how's it coming along? Is there anything you would like to see in here? C'mon,
goils, I'se flexible! Any suggestions? Tell me what ya think so far, please!?!?
Submit those REVIEWS! ReViEWs!!! Ya know what they say about authors who recieve
REVIEWS; they're more likely to update quicker. *wink, wink* So let's put our
reviewing caps on and send in some comments!!! w00t w00t! Youse can do it! Love
ya all!
