Racetrack
As soon as we got back into the lodging house, Mush spread the word.
"Racetrack has got a date! Everyone's got to help him get ready!" They all started fixing my hair and stuff. The whole time I was wondering if the guys were afraid of Mush, or if they wanted to help me. I ended up wearing a tux and my hair was all greased back. I didn't bring my hat, because Kid Blink said that you never wear a hat when you're on a date. I was all ready. I got in the car and drove over to Shox's apartment. She answered the door, and a skinny gray tiger cat poked his head out. He started to run out, but Shox scooped him up before he went out into the dark city.
"You have to stay inside this time, Shadow," she said to the cat. She tossed him inside and closed the door, so he wouldn't try to get out again.
"Hey babe," I said. "You ready?"
"Yeah." said Shox. We walked side by side back to the car. She hopped in the front seat and closed the door. I started the car up and drove towards the movie theater. There was silence for a long time.
"Race?" Shox asked suddenly.
"Yeah?" I replied.
"You know my real name. I don't know yours. What is it?" I was hit suddenly by that question. No one had ever asked me that, really. I didn't want to tell her, but at the same time I did.
"Max." I told her. "It's Max." I cringed at my real name. Max. What kind of stupid name is Max anyway?
"Why do newsies change their names?" she asked. She seemed to not know much about newsies at all, really.
"Most of us just don't like our real names, so we change them for our own satisfaction. But sometimes it's serious. Like if Snyder wants to put you back in jail but he can't find you because no one but you knows your real name." I informed her. She nodded and neither of us said anything else until we got to the theater.