CHAPTER EIGHT! I've never published eight of anything! Major WOW.
Shout ins:
Imaginelet: Thanks. I used to hate it when my mother dragged me all over castles and cathedrals and into war museums and now I keep wishing I could go back and see all that stuff again. Good luck on World Civ! Or are you done with it already? That sounds like an interesting class. Yeah, everyone feels sorry for Race.
Racetrack: (leaning over Legs' shoulder to read reviews) As it SHOULD be.
Lil Rain Angel: So glad you liked the chapter! :D
You're not a loser! We have this bucket of frozen cookie dough in the freezer and sometimes...(looks around and then whispers in Rain's ear) I open it up and eat spoonfuls of it when no one's lookin'. Sssssshhh...don't tell!
Kelly: WHOOOOOOO! ANOTHER COOKIE DOUGH FAN! We need to form a society. (cookie dough lovers anonymous) "Hi, my name is Legs and I love cookie dough." "HI LEGS!"
Artemis-Chan: Race is a challenging character to write deep. It's interesting to see how many people sympathize with him. Tanya has a clue but no real idea of what he's gone through, no. Heheh...you'll just have to keep reading to see what happens to Tanya! HEE HEE! (enjoys being annoying) I'll let you all keep guessing about Kate. ;) And you're not nosy! Questions are fun to read (even if I don't answer them straight out). Thank you...
Raven: I'm so glad you liked this! I'm sorry Raven hasn't appeared again. She will. Just wait. :D You guys aren't the only ones wondering where Kate is...
Spot: Wheah's da goil, goily? Wheah'd she go?
Racetrack: (confidently) Kate's fine. (Pause, looks at Legs' poker face) Right? She's fine, right?
Mush: Is she alright?
Jack: Wouldja all letta t'ink about it?
Spot: WHEAH'S DA GOIL? TELL ME OAH I'll SOAK YA!
Legs: (calmly) You guys are just gonna have to wait along with the rest of them.
Racetrack: (makes strangling noise in throat)
Spot: Women! Ya can't live WID 'em, and ya soitonly can't live WID 'em!
Jack: What's da difference, Spot?
Spot: It's like dis, Jackie boy...(lowers voice so Legs can't hear-or so he thinks) Da goils...dey got da powah...da trick is ta not let 'em know dat. We's gotta be in chahge no mattah what!
Angelic One: Thank you! And who says Kate DIDN'T head for Brooklyn? Heheh...(evil laugh) The kitchen's calmed down somewhat. (Since Skittery went back to the lodging house) For some reason, he and Racetrack don't get along very well.
Concerning the kiss:
Spot: What can I say, boys? Da ladies can't resist me...
Racetrack: Oh yeah, well she kissed me FOIST!
Spot: Dat's cuz she hadn't woiked up da noive ta 'spress huh feelin's towawds me!
Racetrack: Hey, I'se is irresistible!
Spot: Yeah, to a stray dog maybe!
Racetrack: Why ya doity rotten lousy good-for-nuttin SCABBAH! (angrily) Oh, ya really crossed da line dat time, Spot! (Puts fists up) I'll soak ya for dat one!
Spot: Oh yeah? YEAH? (puts own fists up) C'mon, ya cawd shawk! Ya always was a cheat!
(Legs locks them both in the bathroom until they resolve all their issues)
Dreamer: Yeah, Race does have a sweetness about him. He is pretty tough, though. That's what makes him so incredibly hot. (Titter) ;) Hope you like this chapter! Thanks for reviewing once again...
snipah higgins: Awww, thank you so much! Writing a book that is recognized in such a way would be very cool. We'll see...Yeah, when I got to the part where Racetrack is having flash backs...I totally got into it. I was right there and I could see it and hear it. Sort of strange, I guess. But I finished the chapter and I was emotionally exhausted-like I was experiencing all the things he was. Yeah...I'm a freak. :D Tell me if you like this!
Moonlight: Hey, thank you! I went to read your story but "the site is experiencing overload" and I can't read chapter two or three! (Panics) WHAT HAPPENS???????? (freaks out) AAAAAA! Okay. Breathe. I'm calm now. AAAAAAAAA! K, here's new chapter for you, my duckling!
Kate Lawrence: Ohhh, get lots of sleep! The fate of Kate is being widely argued and I have so many people begging Racetrack to find her. Unfortunately, he's still locked in the bathroom with Spot. (If you read the convo in Angelic One's shout in...) Don't worry. You'll soon find out where she is. Maybe. (Grins) (Kate hits Legs) Okay, okay! I promise! Soon!
mpfan: AAAA! Another record! Yes, run-on sentences are my specialty.
I'm so glad you liked this chapter! Yes, Tanya is hopefully developing as a character.
Don't worry. Racetrack must stay tough and sarcastic or his rep will be ruined. ;)
Yep, I COMPLETELY agree. All the newsies are hot. Or most of them, anyway. I don't really think Bumlets or Specs are, really. But all the ones that you really know about are gorgeous. Which isn't really fair. I mean, it's distracting to the plot! (Yeah, right.)
MsJonyReb: It's wonderful to know you're enjoying this! Yeah, pre-chaps get pretty interesting, sometimes. Speaking of which, I wonder how the boys are doing, resolving their conflict...(opens bathroom door a crack)
Spot: (lunges for Legs) C'mere, ya doity rotten goily! I'LL MURDAH YA!
Racetrack: (sobbing, grabs Legs' ankles) Please, please, please! Ya wouldn't leave a poah newsie locked up wid a certifiable maniac, wouldja? Dat's like...man-slaughtah! Pleeeeeeeease, don't leave me in heah wid him!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Legs disengages herself) You two need to learn to resolve your problems with maturity. (Shuts door and goes back to computer, ignoring sounds of carnage from inside bathroom)
sqky0o7: Race didn't REALLY cry. It's nice to know that chapter had such an effect. Sugar is the best, btw. Um, I'm really lame...what does SOTB stand for? (Cries quietly) I don't know aaanytttttthhiiiiiiiiiiiingggggggg!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!! (cheers up) thanks for the review! Please keep reading!
PsYcHoJo: Thank you as always for reviewing! (Goes to bathroom door to ask Racetrack if he can hook Jo up with Skittery)
Racetrack: (sulkily) If you let me out.
Legs: No can do, Racetrack. (shrugs apologetically) I'm sorry, Jo. Maybe after he gets out of the bathroom.
Sureshot Higgins: Yep, Kristen and Bumlets. Of COURSE she comes back! Yeah, Kris's mother is really nice. She thinks that Kristen and Bumlets should get married so she can have grandbabies. Lol. We'll see. Good luck on your studying! Know how that feels. Thanks always...
On viz ze chapterrh...
" Yeah, I used to live around heah," Racetrack tried to explain as they walked quickly through the alley.
"Why can't we use the front door?"
"Ya got any money?"
Tanya sighed.
"Dat's why."
A man who had been leaning against the wall staggered forward and belched, grabbing Tanya's arm familiarly, "Hey, girly..." She hid her face in Racetrack's coat.
The newsie pushed him back, "Beat it. She's wid me."
"I'll give ya ten dollarsssss," the drunk slurred, passing them to stumble out into the street.
Tanya still clung to the newsboy, a wave of nausea shaking her.
"Hey, it's a'right." He caught her hand and squeezed it.
"I wanna go home," she whispered.
"Ya ain't exactly gotta a home now, kid. Unless ya go home to ya muddah."
Tanya's head shot up, "What? How would I do that?" Was it possible he knew more about her situation than she thought he did?
Racetrack squirmed, "I don't know. Wheah does she live?"
Tanya sighed, not sure if she was relieved or disappointed.
"Well? Wheah does she live?"
"New York," the girl told him truthfully then bit the inside of her mouth hard. She shouldn't have told him that.
The boy raised his eyebrows, "She does?"
"I can't go back," she said quickly.
"Why not?"
Tanya struggled for words-keep playing the part, keep playing the part-"She..wouldn't...forgive me."
"Oh." He seemed to consider this for a moment. "I wouldn't know anyt'ing 'bout dat, I guess."
"You don't-where are-are they-?"
"Dead? Yeah."
Tanya could see he wanted no pity. He didn't want to feel anything. You can survive as long as you stay numb.
Racetrack listened intently to something then yanked the back door open. He motioned for her to follow.
A man's voice, loud and enunciated, reached their ears, "Did you send for the doctor when the baby swallowed the collar button?"
A woman with a raspy sound to her golden bell voice answered him, "You bet I did! It was the only one I had!"
The audience exploded with laughter.
The Bowery Theater was, according to and article in the New York Herald in 1836, "the worst and wickedest that ever stood a month in any city under heaven." It was also wildly popular with Five Points residents.
The cheering and clapping that accompanied the comedy troupe's exit covered the sound of the door as it banged shut on Racetrack and Tanya-who now stood in the thick dark of backstage.
Tanya was nervous about all the sneaking around they had to do but she couldn't help stopping in the wings for a moment.
"No, Madeline, it's too late!"
"Oh, Henry, it can't be!"
Henry raised the knife over his head as Madeline sank to her knees on the stage, sobbing.
"Forgive me, darling! Forgive me!" she wept.
"You've ruined me! Hasn't she?" he shouted at the audience.
There were cries of "She has!" "Forgive her!" "Have mercy!" "The hussy's getting what she deserves!"
Tanya was fascinated. The only vaudeville she knew was Rogers and Astaire or Shirley Temple. But black in white movies were nothing compared to this seething crowd, hungry for this raw entertainment.
Henry once again raised his knife and looked ready to plunge it into the woman's heart. Tanya found herself holding her breath.
"Tanya!" Racetrack hissed.
She turned to look at him, "Just a sec! I wanna see what ha-..."
He pulled her away. "Weah not heah ta watch da show."
"But..."
"If yous don't come now, I'm leavin'!"
That's all it took. She scurried after him.
"Now ya SHOAH ya don't know any Kate Lawrence?" Racetrack interrogated.
"Never heard of 'er," the man shook his head impatiently.
Tanya felt her hope diminishing. New York City was a big place. If Kate had disappeared, it would take more than a guess as to the direction she went in to find her.
The newsboy was staring at her.
"Racetrack, will you take me home?" she asked tiredly.
He didn't answer.
"Racetrack?"
"Tanya? Wheah's ya home?"
She felt a lump in her throat that made her ache. She met his eyes helplessly.
"You two have an act?"
"Huh?" They turned to stare at the man they had forgotten was still sitting in front of them.
"I said, 'Do you two have an act?'"
"An act?" Racetrack repeated stupidly.
"You two look like vaudeville."
"We do?" Tanya felt strangely flattered.
"Vaudeville?" The newsie was beginning to feel out of his league.
"Is he all there?" the man asked Tanya with concern.
Race snapped back to reality, "Yeah, I'se all deah! But YOU won't be if ya don't put a lid on it! I ain't no sissy dansah!"
The manager seemed taken aback.
"But I have an act," Tanya blurted...
"Tanya, of all da theatahs ya had ta pick..." Racetrack groaned.
"Hush. This will buy our dinner." She eyed her reflection in the mirror critically.
"Owah?"
"'Owah,'" Tanya affirmed, winking, as she fastened the garter at her thigh.
The newsboy watched her, blushing, "Do ya want me to leave?"
Tanya stared at him. Now why couldn't the guys at home be more like that? "No, it's okay. I'm ready now."
"What ah ya gonna sing?"
"I'm not."
"Not what?"
"I'm not going to sing."
Racetrack looked at her suspiciously, "What ah ya doin' then?"
"Burlesque."
His eyes bulged.
"Ya got foah dollahs jus' ta dance around wid ya legs showin'?" He asked her as they left the theater.
Tanya felt her face grow hot with his blunt question, "Yeah."
He whistled, "Shame I ain't a goil. I could get rich!"
An image popped into her mind. Racetrack in tights prancing across a stage to the whistles and cat-calls of the audience. She laughed. A full, hard, long laugh.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing," she giggled.
"Tell me," he urged, fighting a grin as he watched her face. She was awfully pretty when she laughed like that.
"No!" Giggling hysterically.
"Aw, c'mon!"
Tanya hiccuped, "I was just...hic....trying to...imagine...hic...you...dancing!"
"Why? Somet'in funny 'bout dat?" He poked her.
She shook her head violently, "No!"
"Oh yeah?" he asked, poking her again.
"No!" she shouted.
"Huh, huh, huh?" The newsie was enjoying himself now. David had always said it was fun having a girl (albeit his sister) to tickle but...
"St-o-h-o-p! Do-ho-n't!"
Racetrack stopped.
Tanya panted.
"So wheah ah ya gonna stay tanight?"
She shrugged but a panic had crept into her eyes again. He saw it but said nothing.
They walked on, neither speaking.
Race cleared his throat, "One more night at da lodgin' house. I'll clear it wid Jack."
Tanya felt relief wash over her, "Oh, Racetrack!" She stopped and threw her arms around his neck, halting him in his walk.
The boy wondered how he should react. Push her away? But she felt so...Push her away. He went against instinct and let his arms draw around her for a moment. As quickly as he did, he pulled away and began walking again.
He fought to think of something to say, "Uh, so...what about ya family?"
Tanya felt instantly on her guard, "What about them?"
"What ah dey like?"
"My dad died," she said cautiously. At least, that wasn't made up.
"Oh. And ya muddah hates you cause you went on da stage?"
"Yeah..." Something in her hated lying to him.
"Do ya have any bruddahs oah sistahs?"
"A sister."
"Really?"
"Yeah. She's eight."
"I don't have any sistahs. Or bruddahs."
They lapsed into silence again.
"Do you miss 'em?"
Tears formed in her eyes, "Yes." There. She told the truth again. Bravo, Tanya. Bravo.
"Musta been nice."
"What?"
"Havin' a family."
Tanya realized the depth of his words. She nodded, "Yeah, it was nice."
a/n: That's it for eight. It felt slow but I feel it's necessary to deepen R and T's relationship a little. Hope you liked it. :D
Disclaimer: DISNEY OWNS NEWSIES
The collar button joke was a direct quote from "American Vaudeville As Seen By Its Contemporaries" edited and with commentary by Charles W. Stein.
The quote from the Herald was from "Five Points" by Tyler Anbinder
Legs comments on: Sleep.
It gets in the way of all my great plans! Oh, well. G'night.
