Racetrack ripped off the envelope and read out loud:
Letter 1
Dear Cutieracieboo, (Racetrack winced at this)
Racetrack, you are: cute, friendly, nice, good dancer, cute accent, and everything you do is adorable! However, one downfall: you're short. Sorry. But still, I cheer for you forever! You are so much better than every other Newsie!
Millie loves you
"You heard that? She tinks I'm bettah dan you all!" Racetrack grinned gleefully.
Letter 2
Dear Racetrack Higgins,
I don't like you. You're too short for my liking!
From,
Anonymous
Racetrack growled and tore the paper into half.
"Hey, being short ain't a bad ting ya know," Les patted Racetrack.
"Yeah, it's got it's advantages," Boots added hoarsely. Racetrack grinned.
"Hey, don't ya realize that only da shoartest people are saying it?" said Jack slyly from his bed. Racetrack made a face at him, much to the amusement of everyone else.
"Well, let's read da next letter, shall we?" he said and ripped away another envelope.
Letter 3
Dear Higgins
Hiya! I think you're adorable! I love your accent and the way you dance is so...too cute for words! I want you to know that even if you're short, people still love you!
Love,
Karen
"Hey, ain't dat goil nice?" Kid Blink asked, staring at Racetrack who was now glowing with happiness.
"Since Race heah seems so happy dat he can't read da next one, I'll read it foah 'im," Jack laughed and took the next one.
Letter 4 (not fictitious)
Hello Racetrack,
I think you're absolutely cool and you're my favorite Newsie. (not to mention you've got great looks, though I bet everyone tells you that in their fan mail) Love ya! Carryn' da Banner!
Wishing ya the best of luck,
Maria
"Seems like ya got pretty nice fans out dere, Race?" Boots said. "I bet I don't have much."
Race grinned at the letter. "She wished me da best of luck! Not many people do dat ya know."
Letter 5,
Racetrack Higgins,
This is Snyder. I remember you were the one who smoked quite a lot, and you were rather short, weren't you? Yes, I guess you're the one. As you well know, I went to jail. I want to tell you that last night, I had a nightmare about you. But I do not want to say what it is because it is too scary.
Some questions: are you still smoking? Do you still gamble? I also heard a rumor that you said my nose is somewhat like a pig's. I wish to know all this, and another little thing. I am still angry at your leader, Jack Kelly. I tell you all Newsies who are reading this: you will not have a happy life! I will chase you till the end!
"'ey, throw away dis garbage, 'e's not going ta get us anyway, so it's no use readin' it," Bumlets said, getting impatient at Snyder's useless malarkey. Racetrack ripped the letter apart while laughing creepily.
"But guys, here's something you all didn't realize- WHO are these people and HOW do they know us?? And what, exactly, is 2004 to 1899 Air Mail Company?" David asked, with his perfect English.
"Dave's right. Dis is year 1899, so could it be...dat...dese people are from year 2004?" Jack looked at each of the Newsies.
"What, you're tryin' ta tell us dat our fan mail writahs are from year 2004?!" Mush asked in disbelief.
"Huh, yeah right, I bet it's something else different but who cares? I want ta read MY fan mail next," Skittery said and opened his package...
(to be continued)