It can't POSSIBLY be chapter nine ALREADY!



Shout ins:



I know some of you were wondering what happened to Spot and Race after they got locked up in the bathroom. So here's what happened when Legs opened the door this morning...



(Two newsies sprawled on the floor, leaning against the cupboard)



Racetrack: (sobbing) And den...it died!



Spot: (shaking his head, his eyes misting) Dat must have been painful, Race. I'se sorry, Pal.



Racetrack: (nods, trying to control himself) So dat's what happened to my cat.



Spot: Dat's da saddest story I'se evah hoid!



(They look up at Legs)



Racetrack: Hey.



Spot: What say, goily?



Racetrack: I still don't undahstand why yous locked us up in heah.



Spot: Yeah, as if we was criminals or dangahrus poicons!



Legs: I thought you two were fighting.



Racetrack: Fighting? Ya not serious!



Spot: (puts an arm around Race) Racetrack is my best friend!



Racetrack: Yeah!



Legs: (rolls eyes) Do you guys want breakfast?



Spot: BREAKFAS'!



Racetrack: I'se stawvin!



Spot: Not as stawvin as me!



Racetrack: Oh yeah? YEAH?



Spot: Hey, don't copy me, ya doity rotten...



Legs gives up and goes back to shout ins.





imaginelet: It was marvelous? Positively marvelous? Oh, STOP! (let stops) Do it again! Lol.

Yep, Race and Tanya will get closer...and closer...and...hee hee...I can't wait!

Kate is nowhere to be seen...you have my permission to panic. Especially because at this moment, I'm not sure where she is! It's horrible when I misplace a character. The guilt is overwhelming.

The research has been so much fun! I found some really awesome web sites and library books to help me! I had no idea how many of the Barrymores started in vaudeville or how decrepit the slums of NYC really were! And when I found out that Anthony "Racetrack" Higgins was REAL, I flipped. I was so excited!

Hmm...wonder if I'll take world civ. I start community college in the fall but I think all they offer is western civilization. Ve shall zee. Maybe Metro State will have it...

Yes, it is entirely possible to ramble when you're typing. I think.

Sleep gets in the WAY OF EVERYTHING! (Except health, I suppose)

Thank you so much for the way cool review! Good luck on your final! Does 'break a leg' only apply to the stage? The deep questions of my existence... questions like "Why isn't it illegal for Max Casella to be so hot?" or "Is Ann-Margaret a natural red-head?" or the ever-present "Why doesn't someone kill Jimmy Neutron's scary parents and put them out of their sugar-booger misery???" O...kaaaaay...that was random.





PsYcHoJo: Thank you! Actually, Race was locked up in the bathroom with Spot. That reminds me...



Legs: Hey, Racetrack, can you set my pal Jo up with Skittery?



Racetrack: (mouth full of pop tart) What'll ya give me?



Legs: Orange juice.



Spot pours Race a glass of orange juice.



Legs: A hug.



Racetrack: You'll give me one anyways.



Legs: (mutters) The idiot's right....drat. (Out loud) Please?



Racetrack: I'll considah it. But yous gotta treat me and Spot right. Owah I won't.



Legs: Fine. Whatever.



Well? I asked. We'll see what happens!





Lil Rain Angel: Racetrack in one of those short vaudeville costumes with the garter and the feather bustle in the back...looooollllll...:: sigh::

Yes, (TEENY WEENY SPOILER) Tanya's honesty (or lack of it) will come into play in the future. :D Thank you...hope you like this...





Angelic One: Yes, Spot and Race fighting over you. And over breakfast. And over Nic at Night. I've always wanted newsies to fight over me...lol. :D

So glad you liked the T/R interaction. It was fun to write. Thanks...





Raven: Who SAYS Kate isn't in the Five Points? I mean, they may have missed her...and then again...maybe I'm just trying to confuse you...lol. Spot, be nice to Raven or she might hurt you!

Thank you for reviewing again! Let me know what you think of the new installment. :)





Sureshot Higgins: Thank you! You guys asked for an update...here it is...Lol. I would probably become an insomniac if I could. It won't happen as long as I'm living at home-my mother would kill me!

Break a leg OF COURSE!



Here's what the Max voice has to say: Hey, sweetie, why aren't ya workin' on dose lines? Da newsie stories aren't goin' anywheah! Focus. Be the character. What's impowtant to dat charactah? I don't care if it's buyin' a toothbrush! That toothbrush's gotta be life and death to ya charactah! Got it? Knock 'em dead, baby.



Awww, he called you baby! (Becomes jealous) How come MY Max voice doesn't say that? (Sulks) :D





Artemis-chan: Yes, precioussss, more questions...we likes them, yes, we do...

Burlesque...lol...I couldn't help it! Tanya has a mind of her own!

Racetrack is pretty sweet. I really liked that about the newsies. They were rough in the movie but did you notice they always took their hats off in the presence of ladies. That's cool.

The real newsboys were the same way. I was reading an article from July 1899 where this reporter is commenting on how the boys are striking and they're waiting to beat up any scabs that try to sell the Journal or World. But you see these newsgirls being let through the lines and even selling boycotted newspapers in the middle of the strikers. They asked one of the boys and he said, "That's alright, boss. We're sorry but we can't help it. We ain't fightin' women." And I think it was Kid Blink who said, "You don't hit a lass."

About a rough relationship...I understand. I broke up with my boyfriend a couple weeks ago... Good or bad...it always hurts. I'm very sorry. :(

HEEH! Can't tell you 'bout Tanya, either! I'm really awful. I should be hung. (Feels guilty for two seconds)

Thank you so so so so so so sooooooo much for your lovely reviews! I can't wait to know what you think of this...





Kate Lawrence: Yep, you're the center of attention! :D



Racetrack: HEY! What about ME?



Don't worry. You'll know where you are soon! (Define "soon")

Thanks...:)





Dreamer: Racetrack and Tanya are being cute...:: sigh:: I almost wish I could be jealous of my own character but that would be pathetic so I won't be. Mostly. Thank you always! (Gives Dreamer a coupon good for chapter 10)





CiCi: HEY! I've MISSED YOU! :) I'm so glad you finally got through! Tell your computer it's dumb. That's what I do. It doesn't listen to me, though. (Gives CiCi a hug for coming back) Thank you...





Phoenix: Hey, thanks for reviewing! I'll have a cameo for Ruin. :) Hopefully in the next chapter. I think she'll be an interesting character to add.



Moonlight: Hey, I finally got to the rest of your story! And reviewed it, too! :) I really like it! Thank you! I'm so excited that you love it...lol. You can say that as much as you want, really.



Ivy: I'm so flattered! Welcome to the shout ins! Thank you forever for reading this! I hope you like this chapter. Let me know if there's anything I should be adding in the future.

Racetrack: (disgusted) She thinks I'm cute?

Spot and Jack: (pinching Race's cheeks) Awwww...he's so cuuuuuuuteeee.





Morwen: AAAAAA! YOU HAVEN'T BEEN REVIEWING? Oh, well! (Skips merrily around the room because she got another review) Thank you so much for reviewing! What a high compliment! Thank you. :) Yeah, you and Racetrack could team up and show off your legs...Uh...okay, skip the Racetrack part. He's getting mad at me. :)



snipah higgins: Racetrack's adorable when he's embarrassed! Anyway, thank you for the THREE REVIEWS! Lol. I'm teasing. Tell your comp to shape up or ship out! (I've always wanted to say that) Thanks always...luv, Legs...



Shorty Carter: MMMMMMMM BROWNIES! MIIIIIINEEEEEEE! (Passes brownies out to all her reviewers) Thank you, oh, wonderfulest brownie supplier! Here's another chapter! Hope you like it. :)







And the beat goes on...







"Vicious Riot of Govuhment Officials!"

Tanya giggled. The papers she held for Racetrack read "New York Police Department's Annual Ball."

"Thousands Ijuhed in Violence!" Two or three people stopped to buy a newspaper.

The newsie couldn't help showing off a bit as he tossed a penny high in the air before pocketing it. He was good at this.

The girl smiled, thinking what a great actor he would make, standing with his feet wide, full of confidence and business savvy. A woman handed him a nickel and he tipped his hat in her direction as she passed him, "Much obliged to ya, miss." He caught Tanya staring at him and bowed.

An older man walked past. Racetrack followed him, "Buy a pape, mistah? Rumahs of Hearst givin' away his forchun!"

The gentleman snorted, "A likely story." He bought one, anyway.

The newsboy sauntered to where Tanya sat on the curb, holding the rest of his papers. "What do ya think?" he asked. A hint of pride crossed his face.

"You're good," she told him.

He beamed.

Tanya imagined herself selling a paper, making people believe her stories...Racetrack's reaction..."Can I try?"

"You wanna sell papes?"

"Just one."

"Shoa, why not?"

She took a copy of the afternoon edition and not looking at Racetrack, limped quickly towards a man coming out of an office building. Her voice was quiet and pleading, "Please, suh, buy a pape?"

The man shook his head and kept walking.

"Please?"

"I've already bought an afternoon edition."

"Please, sir, it's me mum. She's dreadful ill and if I don't pay rent we'll be evicted from owah flat."

"Heaven help me if I look that stupid!" the man snapped angrily, stalking away.

Tanya felt her confidence shatter. She felt her cheeks grow warm with humiliation. And she had wanted to show Racetrack what a great actress she was.

She returned to him, walking normally, and held out the paper to him meekly. "I guess I'm not very good at that."

Racetrack looked at her, a funny look in his brown eyes. "Two things," he said, gently, putting an arm around her shoulders, "One...ya picked da wrong customah foah sympathy. He's prolly a hoity-toity bankah who makes moah in a month den any newsie'll make in a yeah. He don't caeh anyt'ing about ya muddah or wheah you live. Two..." here he chuckled softly, "Dat was a great accent...If yous from London. No one in New Yawk calls dere muddah 'mum' and no one lives in a 'flat.'"

Tanya tried to look as though it didn't matter to her one way or the other. And failed miserably. She nodded.

"Try again." The boy pushed the paper back into her hands. He turned her around and pointed out a figure walking in their direction, "See da lady wid da hat? Ya can get huh ta buy a pape easy."





The sun was falling behind the World building as they walked across the square.

"Hey, tomorrow...if I finish selling 'oily, ya can come ta da races wid me."

"The races?"

"Yeah," he smiled quizzically. "Why'd ya t'ink dey's call me 'Racetrack'?"

"Like...horse races?"

"Of, cohse! What else wouldja race?" He laughed and shook his head at her.

Tanya realized then how close she was to telling him the truth. Not that he would believe her but here he was, befriending, protecting, teaching her...She had never felt so guilty for simply "playing the part."

She opened her mouth, "Racetrack..."

His eyes met hers, "Yeah?"

"Racetrack..."

"Yes?" He asked slowly, emphasizing his open ears.

"I'm not from here," she blurted.

"From wheah? New Yawk?"

"No, I am. But I'm not."

"If yous woin't so pretty I'd say you wuh off ya rails."

"Off my what?"

"Rails! Ya know...crazy?"

"You've already said that."

"Well, ya not. At least, I don't t'ink you ah. But you do say some funny stuff."

"It's funny because...because..."

"Because what?" he asked impatiently.

Tanya searched for words to express it.

"C'mon, because what?"

Still, she couldn't explain.

"Tanya, tell me. Right now!"

"Because it hasn't happened yet!"

"WHAT?"

"I'm from the future!" she shouted desperately.

"Ya AH crazy!" he shouted back, his eyes wide as he stared into her face incredulously.

"NU UH!"

"NU UH WHAT?"

"NU UH I'M NOT CRAZY!"

"YES YOU AH!"

"NO I'M NOT!"

"DAT'S WHAT ALL CRAZY PEOPLE SAY!"

"FINE! I'M CRAZY!"

"NO YA NOT!"

"WHAT?"

"YA NOT CRAZY!"

"WILL YOU MAKE UP YOUR MIND ALREADY?"

"I'SE CAN'T MAKE UP MY MIND! YA CAN'T BE CRAZY BUT IF YOU AHN'T CRAZY DEN I AM BECAUSE ANY GOIL WHO SAYS SHE'S FROM DA FUTCHA IS A LUNATIC!" He glared at her.

"YOU'RE CRAZY!" she yelled.

"NO YOU AH!"

"NO YOU ARE! WOULD YOU STOP SHOUTING AT ME?"

"I AIN'T GONNA STOP SHOUTIN' TILL YOUS DO!"

"FINE! I'LL STOP SHOUTING!"

"GO AHEAD!"

Tanya panted. "I stopped shouting," she said, her voice hoarse.

"Good. Now. Yoah not crazy. Right?"

She nodded.

"Good. And I ain't crazy. Right?"

She nodded.

"So if yoah not crazy and I ain't crazy den neidah of us is crazy and dat means..."

Tanya didn't say anything.

"That you AH from da futcha," he finished triumphantly.

"Brilliant," she commented sarcastically.

"But you CAN'T be from da futcha! Nobody's from da futcha! Da past is da past and da present is now and da futcha hasn't happened yet. So you can't be from deah!"

Tanya's head was starting to ache as she strained to follow his train of logic.

"So derefoah...you AH crazy!"

"WHAT?"

Racetrack groaned, "Oh, great. I wish I'd nevah asked!"

Tanya was frustrated. Why couldn't he simply believe her? Oh, that's right. Because it was impossible.

"Wait a minute..." the boy spoke again, "If ya from da futcha den what about all dat stuff you told me 'bout ya family?" He realized something else, "It's not cause ya muddah won't forgive ya! It's cause you CAN'T get home!"

Tanya couldn't think of anything to say.

"Why didn't ya tell me dis befoah? Why make up all dat othah stuff?"

"You wouldn't have believed me."

"I'm not shoa I believe you now. Why are ya tellin' me dis now, anyway?"

She hugged herself, the night air running through her clothes. "I don't like having secrets from my friends."

"Ah we friends?"

She looked at him, "Are we?"

"Yeah, weah friends," he agreed, almost reluctantly.

"Well, if you don't WANT to be friends..."

"I've nevah been friends wid a goil."

"Why not?"

"Goils ah foah...foah..." he tried to express it, "Foah gettin' hitched wid owah strollin' t'rough da pawk wid! Goils ahn't pals."

"I see."

"I mean, da boys...we hit each uddah and play cawds and sell papes. Dose ahn't t'ings I do wid goils."

Tanya nodded, "Oh." She wished he would say something else.

He seemed to read her thoughts, "Foah instance, if a fella loikes a goil, he might call on huh owah bring huh flowahs. Mush likes ta walk in Central Pawk wid different goils sometimes."

The girl felt her head spinning with this new realization. There was no such thing as dating per se in the year 1900. "It's getting dark. Why don't we go inside?"

The newsie nodded and pushed the lodging house door open.





It must have been near morning when Racetrack finally gave up trying to sleep. He pulled his suspenders over his shirt and crept down the stairs as quietly as he could. Through the walls, Kloppman could be heard snoring in his little back room.

Racetrack leaned over the back of the sofa. Tanya lay curled on her side, her nose pressed into the cushions, a frown creasing her face. Her curly hair fell in her eyes and the boy itched to brush it back. He stepped away from the couch and walked quickly towards the window where the rising dawn cast a bluish glow over the city. His steps sounded loud to him in the stillness.

The newsie turned back to stare at the sleeping figure. He couldn't figure her out. Could someone like her really exist in the future? And if she was indeed from a future date, when exactly was she from? And how did she get here? Here...where she could successfully make him envy Jack for having a girl to make him breakfast and look at him the way Sarah did. For all he knew, Tanya had some kinda fellow back...wherever she came from. He probably had money and took her to see operas and they attended balls and high-brow functions...at the mayor's house, most likely. Racetrack watched gloomily as the sun rose and the lights were extinguished.

What was it like in the future? What kind of headlines did they have? He wondered if even newsies were rich in the future. They might be, since Pulitzer would be dead. Maybe the new guy would charge less for papes. He amused himself imagining how rich and powerful he would be in the future and how fast the horses must go.





Tanya stirred and sat up. Racetrack sat with his back to her.

"Hey."

He turned around, "Oh, hey. You sleep okay?"

"Yes."

The door flew open and two newsies crashed in.

Racetrack spun around, "Bumlets! Blink! How'd you two get out deah?"

"The window. Where's Tanya?"

"Right here."

"Tanya!" Blink said excitedly, "Guess who we saw taday!"

"Who?"

"Spot Conlon!"

Racetrack snorted, "Whoa. Hey, you guys, I'm dyin' from excitement, heah!"

"But guess who Spot found!" Bumlets was grinning.

Blink didn't let her answer... "Kate! Spot found Kate!"





a/n: there you go. Chapter nine. I was actually going to end the story in this chapter and start on the sequel but I realized how many loose ends I still had! So...more to come! Thank you guys SO MUCH!



DISCLAIMER: DISNEY OWNS NEWSIES

Don't sue me. I'll sic my fire-breathing snail on you!



Legs comments on: Green Mansions by W. H. Hudson



One of the slowest and most depressing books I've ever read. It was weird.



Synopsis: This guy is running from the government, escapes to this jungle in South America (I think) where he goes into great detail to describe the flora and fauna. He falls in love with this mysterious native girl who wears a dress made out of spider silk. These other natives that think she's an evil spirit or something eventually kill her by burning this tree she's hiding in. I think it's the guy's fault, somehow. So he gets depressed and goes practically insane...ahem...okay...bye...:D