---Chapter One---
Things at the Lodging House had started ordinarily enough. With most of the newsies gone all day selling papers, the place was pretty much deserted until nightfall. Sometimes, boys would run in and take naps or hang out with each other, but Kloppman didn't mind. Kloppman never minded and was considered a grandfather figure to the Downtown New York newsies who boarded at the Lodging House.
When the door opened that afternoon to reveal a lovely young lady, Kloppman only assumed she was lost and was looking for directions to the nearest market place or wherever her heart desired. But when she introduced herself and told him she wanted to be a newsie...well, he'd been more than surprised.
"Miss? Are you feeling all right?" Kloppman asked gently. "Do you need to sit down? I know that heat out there has been killer, but I hadn't thought it brought people to be having...delusions..."
"No, I do not need to sit down sir, I'm quite fine, thank you," Maddy replied evenly, expecting this sort of answer. "I came to discuss business with you about this whole newspaper world. I want to be a part of it and you, sir, can make that happen."
"You understand you're girl, right?" the blonde headed boy standing next Kloppman asked rather bluntly.
"I've been well aware for the past seventeen years, but thank you for pointing that out," Maddy answered coolly, a smirk playing across her face.
"Well...I, uh, didn't mean that..." he stuttered. "It's just no girls are allowed to be newsies."
"Who made up that rule? Did you?"
"Well...no..."
"Did you ever think to wonder that just because most girls don't want to be newsies doesn't mean there isn't any who do?"
"As a matter of fact..."
"And is it written down anywhere that girls can't become newsies? If so, I want to see this," Maddy interrupted, folding her arms.
"Listen lady, I didn't make up the rules. That's just the way it's been and it's the way it's always going to be," the boy replied, sounding a little upset. He looked at the old man for help, but he just shrugged.
"Dutchy, she's got a point," Kloppman reasoned. Before he continued, he was rudely interrupted.
"Kloppman! She's a GIRL," Dutchy exclaimed in an exasperated tone. "Girls won't be able to sell any newspapers because they'll complain about the work and no one would buy them because they'd all think it was some kind of trip. They probably think they'd be wasting their money."
"Can I say something?" Maddy asked. "I understand that I seem to have...limitations. But that doesn't mean I can't do the job. I could sell just as many newspapers as a man could and I think a petty thing such as gender shouldn't stand in the way. But you've got to believe me that I've tried every other lodging house in the city. No one will take me because I'm a woman. I've pleaded and groveled with everyone and no one would give me a chance. When I asked newsies where I could go to find answers, they pointed me here. They said Kloppman was a fair man and that he could give me the answers I needed. Of course, they were under the impression I was looking for a job for my brother, but I knew they believed this Kloppman character to be trust-worthy and kind. Since I'm assuming you're Kloppman, can you please give me a hand?"
Kloppman waited a beat and let her rant sink in before he asked a question. "Why do you want to sell newspapers?"
"To be blatantly obvious, I got no place to go," Maddy replied, sighing. "I can't sew, I can't cook, and I hate looking after spoiled, little rich kids so that pretty much gives me no options in a woman's job. Due to my personal reasons, I ran away on angry terms and I haven't looked back. I've been doing odd jobs here and there but I'm looking for something stable. I know I have the talent to do this but I need a place to stay and a place where I can interact with newsboys so I can learn all the tricks of the trade. That's where you come in."
"So you're telling me that if I don't give you a place to stay, you have no place to go? Is that what I understand?" Kloppman asked curiously.
"Yup. I'm sick of skipping across rooftops, sleeping in the park, or wherever else seems suitable," Maddy answered. "I need this place before I get sent to the Refuge again."
Kloppman looked at Dutchy and knew the answer Dutchy wanted to give. But he studied Maddy and saw something inside her. He saw a sort of spunk he saw in some of his best newsboys and he knew she was being serious.
"Okay," Kloppman said evenly. "I'm gonna give you a chance kid. You know, you're the first girl to walk through those doors wantin' a job. I'm hoping you live up to the expectations you presented." Kloppman gave Dutchy credit as the young boy's face turned red, but didn't say anything. His mouth just drew into a thin line and stalked off to a room in the back.
A large grin cracked across her face and if it weren't for the desk, Maddy probably would've squeezed him in a death hug. She hadn't felt this happy in a long time and was extremely excited that this day was looking up all of a sudden.
"Well, I hope I live up to those expectations too, sir," Maddy agreed. It's been awhile since she even had expectations to live up to. Well, this would just have to be another challenge and she thrived on challenges.
"Grab your bag and I'll show you upstairs," Kloppman told her and she followed him, feeling extremely content.
Eating hot dogs, drinking sasparilla, and hanging out with your friends at Tibby's Diner; it didn't get much better than this, Jack Kelly thought to himself. He smiled as he looked around the table and saw his best friends talking and laughing at a joke someone made.
Racetrack Higgins was trying to convince Les Jacobs into a quick round of poker with the bet consisting of whoever won had to buy the person another hot dog. While Racetrack was being very persuasive, Les knew better than to bet Racetrack for food, although it was tempting. Kid Blink was egging Les on, eager to see how the game would turn out. He was sort of known as Racetrack's unofficial partner, trying to hook up suckers to Race to bet with. While Racetrack would've liked to work alone, he admitted he wouldn't be half as good if it hadn't been for Kid Blink.
Then there was David Jacobs and Mush, trying to stay out of the whole scam. While David was too smart Race's betting techniques, Mush had learned from plenty of games with Race that it was best if he didn't get involved. David had long tried giving up on his younger brother, claiming that it was his money and he could waste it however he pleased. That didn't stop a little brotherly panic to go through his mind when Les decided to take the bet.
As Jack was getting comfortable to watch the poker game unfold, a loud clatter was heard at the front of the restaurant where a tired looking Crutchy banged in.
"Hey, Crutchy! How's it going?" David called out to him. Before he could answer, David realized that Crutchy looked rather flushed and sweaty. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Crutchy insisted, hobbling over to the table. His leg was getting better, but he still needed to use his crutch now and then. He reached the table, pulled up a spare chair and took a breather as he looked around the table. "You guys heard the news?"
"What news?" Mush asked, tearing his eyes away from the poker game.
"Kloppman hired another newsie," Crutchy answered, wiping his forehead. To him, the sun just seemed to be getting hotter and hotter.
"So? What's the big deal?"
"It's a girl!"
"WHAT?!" Most of the boys exclaimed, shocked at what Crutchy was telling them.
"Hot damn!" Les yelled loudly. Unfortunately, he hadn't heard a word of what Crutchy was talking about; he'd been referring to the fact that he, once again, had lost a poker game to Racetrack over food. And he'd really wanted that hot dog too.
"Les! Watch your mouth," David said, half absent-mindedly.
"You say it all the time," Les grumbled as Racetrack collected his cards and gloated.
"That's different, I'm older," David reasoned as Les scowled. "Besides, we've got more pressing issues to deal with."
"Like the fact that Les owes me a hot dog? Because I'm thinking I'm mighty hungry!" Racetrack said triumphantly, rubbing his stomach for dramatic effect.
"Shut your mouth Race," Les replied. "You'll get your hot dog when I earn enough money. Hold your horses."
"You guys! Did you not even hear what Crutchy had to say?" Kid Blink interrupted the two arguing boys. "There's a girl newsie in our boarding house!" They looked at him blankly, as if he was speaking a foreign language.
"That's crazy; Kloppman would never hire a girl," Racetrack scoffed, taking a sip of his drink. "Only guys are newsies. Girls would complain too much."
"Dutchy told me that's what he told Kloppman, but apparently Kloppman decided otherwise," Crutchy said, filling them in on the details. "She's moved in and everything!"
"This is awful. What if she takes away from our selling papers?" Kid Blink pointed out.
"What are you talking about Blink? No girl is gonna take away from our sellin'," Mush said confidently. Kid Blink sighed and hit Mush's head.
"Think, stupid! If this girl is good-looking, she's gonna be cornering up a whole new market," Blink explained. Jack laughed at that thought.
"Yeah, but that's only if she's good-looking. I mean for all we know, she could be ugly and stupid and couldn't find another job," he said, laughing at his joke. The rest of the guys joined him, except Crutchy.
"I don't know. Snoddy was there when Kloppman hired her and he said she wasn't too bad on the eyes," he said, a worried tone inflected in his voice.
"Yeah, but we've all seen Snoddy's taste in women," Jack replied. "I don't think we have anything to worry about. Besides, even if she's a good looking broad, that doesn't mean she's got talent. And that's something we've all been working on for years. My advice: we shouldn't worry too much about it."
"Yeah, I guess you're right Jacky-boy. You always know the right thing to say," Kid Blink replied, a relaxed feeling coming over him. He knew deep down that Jack was right; this was coming from a kid who had led a whole troop of kids against Pulitzer, right?
All the boys felt silent until Kid Blink spoke again. "Still...don't ya kinda wanna see her? I mean, she's gotta be a different sort of girl to want to become a newsie."
The boys all nodded and shared their agreement as they all stood up, ready to pay the bill. Only Jack and Crutchy sat in their wooden seats.
"Hey guys! I thought we weren't going to worry about it!" Jack exclaimed. All his friends seemed to be trading in a good time to hang out with some chick. What a sour ending to a great day.
"We aren't going to worry about it," David answered. "However, it always helps to check out the competition." The boys all started throwing money down on the table for the meals until Jack noticed something.
"Les, you're going too?"
"I...uh...David's making me!" Les replied, not being able to come up with a quick enough excuse. And then he thought of a more workable excuse before David could say anything. "Besides, I left my set of jacks with Skittery and Pie-Eater and I haven't seen them in a week. I kind of want it back."
"Are you saying you don't want to see her?" Mush asked curiously. "I mean, you have been known to "know" some ladies in your past."
"I just think the whole thing sounds fishy," Jack replied. "It's not that I don't trust Crutchy, but remember the last time Dutchy told Crutchy about how they were going to shut Tibby's down and Crutchy got all upset and told all of us before Dutchy could say he was just kidding?"
"Jack, I thought we said we'd never talk about 'the incident'," Crutchy said, his ears turning slightly pink.
"Sorry. You guys understand where I'm coming from?" Jack asked, looking into all their eyes.
"I guess," Racetrack answered. "Still it never hurts to back up your facts. And with that on mind, last one to the lodging house owes me two hot dogs!" With that challenge, all the boys raced out of the restaurant, yelling and laughing along the way.
"Well Jack, I guess it's just us," Crutchy said, sighing.
"Have you seen her?" Jack inquired. Crutchy shook his head and stole one of Jack's French fries.
"No, but I saw the back of her head," he admitted. "She's got gorgeous auburn hair though; really thick and straight and it caught the light in a cool way. But then she was gone before she turned around. She seems to be making enough friends throughout the house though."
"Yeah, I'll bet," Jack muttered, thinking of womanly wiles he'd dealt with in the past. "C'mon Crutchy, I'll walk you home."