"So have we got everything in order?" Sport asked Jack. They had spent
their entire day selling papers. They were done now, and were sitting back
in the lodging house. Knowing the importance and secrecy of the matter,
Kloppman had let them use his room to plan.
"Yeah, we're gonna send some of the less noticed newsies to the Bronx. I think we said we wanted Mush and Sam to go there. They're gonna act like bruders that got kicked out of their home by an abusive father. Hopefully the Bronx will take them in, and they'll get some information for us.
Sport continued for him, "Meanwhile, we won't let any more newsies into the Manhattan gang, no matter how distressed they look. And the only people we leak information to is David, Racetrack, Boots, and Kid Blink, since they've been newsies the longest. Well, except for David, but I doubt he's a spy. Anyway, we'll call this our planning committee. They'll be the only ones to know that you arranged my arrival here. From now on I'll try to blend in and not act like a leader of any sort."
"But what'll we do if Brooklyn attacks while we wait?"
"Don't worry. My guess is Brooklyn isn't gonna attack outright. They're gonna go after you. Which is why I will be serving as your personal bodyguard. But you might want to write some kind of statement leaving someone in charge, just in case... well, you know.
"Right. Well, I guess I gotta decide who'll be leader next." Jack was nervous, but he refused to let his voice show it. "I was gonna have you take over for me when I turned nineteen, but it I put you in charge now, none of the newsies will trust you. Maybe I'll put David as leader, and Racetrack as second in command. That way if David doesn't work out, there's a replacement. But if David does become leader, you've gotta protect him with everything ya got. He's got a family ya know."
"Don't worry, he's in good hands. Well, I think that's it. It's probably time to get down stairs now. I need some sleep."
"Yeah, and Kloppman is gonna want his room back."
"Goodnight Jack."
"'Night Bird."
"Hey, you might want to lay of that Bird thing. Bird is who I was. Sport is who I am. Besides, you'll confuse the other newsies."
"Yeah, you're right. 'Night Bir. I mean, Sport."
Sport just laughed. "Goodnight Cowboy."
"Yeah, we're gonna send some of the less noticed newsies to the Bronx. I think we said we wanted Mush and Sam to go there. They're gonna act like bruders that got kicked out of their home by an abusive father. Hopefully the Bronx will take them in, and they'll get some information for us.
Sport continued for him, "Meanwhile, we won't let any more newsies into the Manhattan gang, no matter how distressed they look. And the only people we leak information to is David, Racetrack, Boots, and Kid Blink, since they've been newsies the longest. Well, except for David, but I doubt he's a spy. Anyway, we'll call this our planning committee. They'll be the only ones to know that you arranged my arrival here. From now on I'll try to blend in and not act like a leader of any sort."
"But what'll we do if Brooklyn attacks while we wait?"
"Don't worry. My guess is Brooklyn isn't gonna attack outright. They're gonna go after you. Which is why I will be serving as your personal bodyguard. But you might want to write some kind of statement leaving someone in charge, just in case... well, you know.
"Right. Well, I guess I gotta decide who'll be leader next." Jack was nervous, but he refused to let his voice show it. "I was gonna have you take over for me when I turned nineteen, but it I put you in charge now, none of the newsies will trust you. Maybe I'll put David as leader, and Racetrack as second in command. That way if David doesn't work out, there's a replacement. But if David does become leader, you've gotta protect him with everything ya got. He's got a family ya know."
"Don't worry, he's in good hands. Well, I think that's it. It's probably time to get down stairs now. I need some sleep."
"Yeah, and Kloppman is gonna want his room back."
"Goodnight Jack."
"'Night Bird."
"Hey, you might want to lay of that Bird thing. Bird is who I was. Sport is who I am. Besides, you'll confuse the other newsies."
"Yeah, you're right. 'Night Bir. I mean, Sport."
Sport just laughed. "Goodnight Cowboy."
