Disclaimer: If I owned "Newsies", or Disney, rather, I would have an entire theme park dedicated to them. "The Lodging House" would be the resort, "The Distribution Office" would be the shop, and they would have all things newsie-related, including wardrobe, accessories, office supplies, etc.
Okay, fine... Maybe not... But I would SO have a slot for them in the parades. I mean, they had a, what was it? A "Share Your Dreams Come True" parade at the Magic Kingdom, and they didn't have the brains to put "Newsies" somewhere in there... And it wasn't like it was only animated movies! "Mary Poppins" was there!
Ahem...
Yeah, but you're here to read, so...
I'll shut up now...
Matchmaker: Chapter Five
Curse Your Pitiful Face
I have a thing for torturing myself, apparently... What do they call it? Masochism? Is that right?
Yeah, see, 'cause after Spot, Blink may just be the hardest person to talk to. No, no... That's wrong. He is the hardest one to talk to. 'Cause talking to Spot's scary but not really hard, per se. Spot, at least, knows good sense when he hears it, even if he doesn't like it. He's just really intimidating, and when he stares at you with those eyes of his, your mind automatically goes blank. It's like, unless you got something important to say, you'd better keep your mouth shut.
But Blink. He's... impulsive. Now, don't get me wrong. He's a smart kid; I'm not saying he's stupid or anything, 'cause he's not. He just... gets angry real easily, you know? You got to be careful when you're talking to him, make sure you don't say anything wrong. I mean, he's nice and everything, but I guess he gets a little... sensitive, you know? And it's not his fault, really. Got picked on a lot before - and even after, actually - he came, for his eye. He ain't never told anyone what happened to it. Except maybe Mush, who can never say anything to hurt anybody. That's probably why they're so close.
So I've been avoiding Blink lately, trying to come up with a good angle. I mean, I knew Spot wouldn't like it, but I know that Blink won't like it. And they live in the same lodging house. Every night. It's not like I can just drag Mush out of range until it's safe, you know? And Mush... He's not like Racetrack. I mean, he's a tough kid - who isn't? - but he's... real easy to hurt, I guess. I remember that time everybody was furious at Jack for going scab, but Mush... It just broke his heart and his belief in everyone, you know? Of course, he never blamed Jack for anything or even yelled at him, but you could tell that it'd cut him real deep. And I think he's the only one who's really forgiven Jacky since. And by "forgive", I mean wiping the slate clean. What can I say? Mush just has that big of a heart. Mush'll make some girl mighty lucky someday.
Or maybe not.
Which brings me back to my point: How the hell am I supposed to "scout out" Blink, so to speak, without telling him directly?
That's what Mush said. He didn't want me to tell Blink, exactly... He just wanted to "get Blink's general reaction".
Like there's any difference.
I mean, what does he want me to say? "Hey, Blink. What would you do if Mush fell in love with you"?
So I'm just walking along, right, thinking about it when I hear this real familiar voice. Hawking. On my turf.
Granted, I sell in Central Park, which is easily large enough to accommodate several newsies, but we all got our own sections, you know what I'm saying? You know what I'm saying. And it's an unspoken rule never to sell while on someone else's territory.
Well, I don't care if it's Blink or not, but just because I'm a girl does not mean that I'm a pushover, no matter what he thinks! All he ever thinks about are ways to get a girl into bed without getting caught. It's ridiculous...
This is weird, come to think of it. I can't believe I didn't realize it before. I mean, Blink and Mush are the biggest ladies' men around. They even beat Spot, who could get any girl he wants but just doesn't care for them. 'Cause he's got someone else now.
I love the thought of those two together... It's so... reassuring, in some weird way.
But Blink and Mush, all they ever seem to talk about is girls. I must've been really drunk not to have been surprised... But somehow, I guess I should've seen it coming.
And seeing Blink now, remembering all those weeks leading up to Mush's confession, I think maybe I did see it coming, what with the whole Spot/Race thing and all. And maybe that's why I wasn't too surprised.
Although I was very drunk. Still got the headache to prove it.
"Sneaks! Just the goil I was lookin' for!"
"What are you doin' sellin' on my beat, Blink?"
Hey. Just 'cause I was supposed to talk to him doesn't mean being a pushover, alright? Rules are rules.
"Oh..." He looked real sheepish and kind of guilty. "Yeah... Sorry 'bout that... I was gonna ask if I could sell with you today, but you left so fast this mornin', I though you was mad or somethin'... Decided it would be a good idea to let you cool down a bit foist, you know..." He flashed me the infamous grin that turned most girls to mush.
But I ain't most girls. I'm this girl. And there's quite a difference, thanks.
Even though I most certainly did not turn to mush - Mush, HA! - I did regret my words a little. I vaguely remember him calling after me and picking up the pace immediately afterwards...
Fine. I freaked, all right? How would you feel if the guy you're trying to avoid, and for good reason, I might add, suddenly feels the urge to talk to you, huh? Yeah, that's what I thought.
Anyway, so I just grinned back at him and said, "Oh, that... I just... had an appointment this mornin', so to speak, you know what I'm sayin'?"
He looked at me suspiciously for a moment. Dirty-minded sexpot.
I rolled my eyes. I swear, if I rolled my eyes any more, they'd roll right out of my head. Thus is the price of living with too many males - notice the conspicuous lack of the word "men" here. "Not that kind of appointment, idiot! When have you ever known me to go into that kinda business, huh? I was meetin' with a bettin' buddy."
Hey. I'm a newsie. I'm allowed to stretch the truth. Even if it's nonexistent.
But apparently it worked, 'cause Blink flushed scarlet and muttered several half-slurred apologies.
"So why'd you wanna sell with me anyway? Have a fight with Mush or somethin'?" I said it as a joke but knew that it could be the truth all too soon.
"Naw, it ain't that... Me and Mush never fight. You know that."
Huh. Not yet, they didn't.
Yeah, I'm known city wide for my optimism.
He continued, oblivious to my so-very-optimistic thought. "But I guess... It's kinda about him, in a way..."
Well, if Mush just couldn't wait for it, he could've just told me, damn it, instead of letting me fret all over. And now he's gone and spilled it himself without even a thought...
"I'm worried 'bout him. He's been actin' kinda strange lately, you know? At first, I thought it was just another goil problem, but... I think it's more than that."
Or maybe not.
"I dunno. It's weird, but... I think he's pinin' after someone 'cause I recognize the signs. But he's had a different goil almost everyday for the past few weeks! He always gets 'em! So there really isn't any reason for him to be pinin', is there?"
I was impressed. Of all things, I had never expected Blink to be so observant.
And he was providing me with a perfect oppurtunity to delve into the subject.
"Well, maybe he ain't gettin' the person he wants."
Sly use of wording. It's an art. Very useful in my line of work.
"Well, yeah, but..." Poor Blink looked so frustrated and confused that I almost told him. But I held back. I mean, we were in a public place. It wasn't too smart to say anything like that here. "He's runnin' through the goils so fast that there's no one left! I can't think of anyone who he might like but hasn't dated yet. And I can't think of anyone crazy enough to turn down Mush! They all love him!"
I raised an eyebrow. "Well, would you date him?"
Blink just stared at me blankly for a moment. "What does that have to do with anything?"
Did I say he was smart? Sorry. I meant to add "most of the time".
I rolled my eyes again and felt them loosen up in my sockets. "You just said that nobody was crazy enough not to date Mush. Would you do it?"
He didn't talk for a few minutes. It was a miracle. No, I'm serious. Kid Blink never stops talking. Except for early mornings and a few select occasions. But generally, you can't get him to shut up. He's always got to say something. Impulsive, like I said. I'm surprised he even stopped to think about it. Then again, it was a pretty loaded question.
I savored the silence. It was strange, like, because Blink stopped talking, everything else stopped, too. There wasn't a noise to be heard. In Central Park.
That's saying something.
But then he spoke again, and everything immediately resumed its usual noisemaking. Weird.
"I suppose... If anything like that ever happened, I might... I mean, I know the guy well enough, and he's great and everything..." He shrugged. "But there really is no point thinking about it, is there? I mean, it's not like that's gonna happen anytime soon."
Think again, lover boy. It just may come sooner than you think.
My contribution to Blink Week. I can't believe I actually managed to squeeze this out... And yes, "weird" is my new word, apparently...
Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, B!!!!!!!
Gothic Author
Replies:
Omni:
Dude. You just read. I had to WRITE this thing. Be glad that I have a two-year-old sister, or my computer may have been destroyed before I could finish it...
studentnumber24601:
I saw your review, and I fell over and DIED. It's like when Omni first reviewed for hilaRy...
But anyway... [sings] HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR B-EE. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU-OOOOO!!!!!!!!
[winces] Slightly off-key, but it's the thought that counts, right? [sheepish grin]
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE COMPLIMENTS!!! [bows down and, well... BOWS] I worship your greatness...
By the way... "Violent Dreams"? [mug-splitting grin]
geometrygal:
Awww... But it would've been a different kind of Disney love song!! Angtsy Disney love songs by Alan Menken!! How could it get any better?
By the way, I see you've read "Sometimes I Don't Believe In Myself" and "I Wanna Make You Feel Beautiful"... [smirk] I love Tai, Soli, and Sele... Such a very entertaining trio.
The Heifah:
[sputters] But... But... Mush/Blink! And Race/Spot! AND Snitch/Skittery!!! How can you even AVOID it? Especially between Spot and Everybody and Their Mother?
HEH.
That statement was a stroke of genius, my friend...
Oh yeah... Before I forget...
Whatever happened to Asshole!Race?
Stage:
Yup. Blink/Mushness is nice. Good for the stomach, good for the heart, and good for all other kinds of doom and gloom!
Funkiechick:
[sings] You've got a friend in me...
Of COURSE I'll write more Race/Spots!!! Can't stay away from it. I'm hooked. In fact, I'm writing one right now featuring Cinderella!Race.
[sings] So this is love... Mm mm mmmm... So this is love...
Artemis-chan:
HEH.
"Now that Race's back to his normal self..."
If that's what YOU think... But you didn't hear it from me. [wink]
shingiami nanoda:
Yeah, that's a great line, ain't it? I fear I have overused it, though... -_-;;;
Thanks for the review, hon... Appreciate it!!
Thanks go to: [blinks] Wait... I've replied to everyone!! [jigs in victory]
Aw, hell... Thanks go to everyone who reviewed!!! Mucho love!!!!!
