CASTING CALL: I NEED SOME NEW CHARACTERS! Anybody interested in a modern day part as one of Tanya's friends or neighbors?



I need three or four people to be teenage actresses.

I need two neighbors.

I need someone to play LaShonda's nineteen year old sister (you pick the name and looks).



Please send a real name (doesn't have to be yours unless you want to)

Age and grade (most of them need to be in high school but if there are any girls who want to be junior high, I need one of them, too)

Description (ex: tall/short, hair color and style, eyes, fashion preference)

Personality: Outgoing/introverted (I do need a kind of introverted actress for one part of this-she doesn't stay that way), bad habits (?), best virtue, hobbies, dreams, home and family situation (try to make them as original to themselves as you can), what your character's best friend might be like, etc.



THANK YOU, GUYS! LOVE YOU ALL! :)





Shout ins:



Sureshot Higgins: I'm sorry! I still haven't read Morning Report but you know I will! I love your song fics. :) Check out Lil Rain Angel's shout in for your next lesson with Skittery.



Skittery: She loves me? Huh.

Racetrack: (hits Skittery) Glum and dumb! What'sa mattah witch you?

Skittery: What?

Racetrack: You'se gotta say moah den 'huh!' Say somethin' roman'ic!

Skittery: Like?

Racetrack: I dunno know! Make somet'in up!

Skittery: I can't t'ink of anyt'ing!

Racetrack: Like...like... "Da stahs shine brightly in yoah eyes and I feel like I'se gettin' trapped in deah beauteous rays."

Skittery: (turns to Sureshot) "Da stahs shine brightly in yoah..."

Racetrack: (hits Skittery) No, bonehead! Dat's cheatin'! Make up yoah own!

Skittery: But...





Shorty Carter: Thank you for the special brownies! Mwah. Here's more.



Jake says thank you, MA'AM. Lol.



Racetrack: Hey, I'se ain't little!



Love you! Have the beginning of the sequel!

Lil Rain Angel: Thank you...no, no Italian lesson. Skits and Race were playing monopoly (don't tell him I told you this, but Racetrack cheats and since Skittery isn't that good at math...)



Here is Skittery, though, with a new lesson...:)



Skittery: Today, class...we'se gonna loin a new phrase. Ready?



Legs, Rain, Sureshot: Yes.



Skittery: "Siamo i vostri schiavi devoted."



Legs, Rain, Sureshot: "Siamo i vostri schiavi devoted."



Skittery: Why, t'ank you! (looks pleased)



Rain: ( looks at her friends) Um, what did we just say?



Legs: Something about devoted?



Sureshot: What does "siamo whatever" mean, Skits?



Skittery: (leans back, contented) "We are your devoted slaves."



Rain: WHAT?



Legs: nu UH.





Raven: Whoa. Dude. Maybe you should cut down on the Prozac. But then again...it IS pretty entertaining...hmmmmmm...



Yeah, Spot and Raven rock! Everyone hug them! (newsies crowd around and begin administering hugs)



Spot: Get offa me! Don't touch me, ya doity rotten...



I love Kristen and Bumlets. They're so cool. Yeah, I felt kind of bad for them, too.



Yup, Race finally said it. Certainly took him long enough. Thank you! Here's more.





Angelic One: Thank you, precious! Here's more!

Thank you for the hersey bars. (whines) But how am I ever gonna fit in my new swim suit?



Racetrack: Heah, sweethawt. (takes candy away from her) I'll help yous.

Legs: Racetrack! Gimme!

Racetrack: (calmly peels off wrapper and shoves chocolate in his mouth) But sweetie, what about yoah goahgeous legs, huh?

Legs: But...but...

Racetrack: You'se should t'ank me. I'se doin' you a favah.

Legs: (sighs, mumbles ungratefully) Thank you.





Cici: Racetrack is in our time now.

You really laughed? You really cried? (sighs happily) I love evoking emotion. (hugs Cici)

I'm sorry I haven't had a good chance to read your friend's story. Hopefully, I'll get to, soon. Tell her not to give up!





Dreamer: Thank you! Glad you liked it...yes, cliffs are mean. Ha. Here comes another one!

Thank you for the cookies but Race just stole them.



Racetrack: (mouth full, chocolate smeared across chin) I'she ish shavin' you'she from yoahshelf, Wegs.

Legs: (rolls eyes) Oh, whatEVER, Higgins.





Moonlight: Don't cry! Here's the next part! The snail is actually doing great. He says hello. He's actually been seeing a shrink about his mouth-breathing tendencies.

Thanks. Mwah.





snipah higgins: Thank you as always...Oh, I posted my first message on that thing...(that one thing, I'm so articulate) (hugs Snipah) Here's what happens next.





Corky Higgins: I'm so happy that you love it! That makes these late nights totally worth it.



VINNIE! Um. Pick me up now. How about that? Heheh. (stops smiling) Wait. I don't sound too EAGER, do I? Uh oh...(whispers to Corky) Should I be playing hard to get?

I love going to the movies. Let's go see...Hollywood Homicide? Okay? Pleeeeeeeasssssse. I hate Josh Hartnett but Harrison Ford rocks. And then I'll let you take me to dinner. (sighs) I must be asleep. This is too wonderful to be real. And then we can drive up to somewhere where we can... "park." (giggle) Boy, I sound ditzy. I'm not, really. I'm very smart. 1 + 1 = (stops mid-sentence to stare deep into those dark Italian eyes) Vinnie, you're so dreamy...DUH, you're cuter than Mike! (kisses Vinnie)



I don't know, Mike. I'll have to find someone for you/Skittery.



;) Thanks, Corky.





Phoenix: Spot, you should know better. Honesty is always the best policy.

Hmmm...Spot and Ruin. I'll have to think about that. :)

Jack, don't scream in anguish! I'm back! (hugs Jack) It's okay.

Thank you...





Artemis-chan: Thank you! Yeah, I missed you last chapter. :( Dumb camp. (kicks camp)



Blink: Ha. Told ya, Race!

Racetrack: (sighs) Ahtemis, you'se is makin' a big mistake. Ya don't want ta loin pokah from dis idiot. He can't even count ta ten!

Blink: I can SO! (holds up fingers) One, two, t'ree, six, eighteen, TEN! So BLA on you, RACETRACK!

Racetrack: See what I mean?





fiesty: Keep reading. You'll find out what happens in the end. (evil laugh) Thank you, darling! Here's more. :)



gambler: hey, babe...groovy as crap? Okay, then. Thank you. (weird look) lol. Thanks. Here's more.



NicNac: Yeah, Racetrack would make a great Tony the Tiger except he's too skinny.



Race: I hoid dat.



Thanks...mwah. More to come!





o0B-i-r-d-y0o: Thank you! Here's the next part! :) Mush is a doll, btw.





Chicago: (pats Chicago on the back) Don't cry. I'm sorry about that one character dying. I won't say it here but yeah...

Thanks. :)





Kennyon: You wonderful, wonderful, wonderful you! Scroll down and read the plug for your story. YES! I AM COOL. Heheh...not really. I'm honored that you read this. And I LOVE YOU, RACETRACK! (Sweetness! He called me sweetness!) Thank you!





Lady Elwen: So glad you came back! :D Yes, I ended part one like that. But part two just might be better. Maybe. Heheh.



I'll see what I can do about Skittery. Gimme some time. Something may come to mind. If you really need a Skits fix, go ask Kennyon if you can have him. Bet ya she'll give him to you.



Thanks for the great long review! Here's more, finally!





PLUG: GO READ "NEWSIES AND YOU!" by Kennyon. Two super heroes, a jealous lover, a pyromaniac, a cry-baby cameraman, and a mysterious villain whose identity has yet to be revealed!



Not only is it extremely funny, but I am in it and the darling author has informed me that this story will mostly likely never end (I could see it in her eyes...lol, Kennyon!)



She has LOTS of room for people in her comedy-hour! I think almost all the newsies are still available! Next chapter is a "Spot's Best Drama Queen" Contest. If you hurry, you might still get in! And if you didn't, I know for a fact Mush, Snitch, Dutchy, Specs, Bumlets, Skittery, Jake, Pie-Eater, Les, David, and even Pulitzer are still without women!





DISCLAIMER: Disney owns the Newsies. The actors own themselves. Their agents own their filmography. I own Tanya, her mother, her little sister, and LaShonda.





So on and so forth...



****



Tanya pulled Racetrack shakily towards the door.

A neon green sports car and a taxi rushed by and a distant siren whined in their ears as the ambulance picked up speed.

The boy's frank brown eyes seemed to take in everything around them. "What yeah is it?" he asked, his eyes not stirring from her face.

"2003. I think."

Racetrack shook his head, his eyes narrowing, "No. I...no!"

Tanya ached as she felt him pull away from her.

"I'se don't believe you!"

"LOOK AROUND YOU, RACETRACK!"

He reeled backwards and stared, horrified at the garish red graffiti on the apartment wall. "It's some kinda trick! Nobody's from da futcha!"

"But-..."

His arms reached around her small waist and pulled her as close as was physically possible, "Ya not from two-t'ousand t'ree, Tanya. We live in nineteen hundred."

She tried to move back, he held her tightly. "Ya heah me, Tanya?" his voice was desperate and seemed close to breaking.

Tanya struggled harder, feeling the stinging tears forming in her eyes.

He shook her as hard as he could, "Do ya HEAH me?"

The girl reached her hand out and slapped him, "Let go of me, you jerk!"

Racetrack's dark eyes, that a second ago had been so cruel and piercing, seemed to melt into muddy pools and wincing at her words and angry touch, he released her and staggered back.



****



In the year 1900...



Kristen listened to her husband's even breathing as his strong chest rose and fell with each tick of the clock.

The clock had been a wedding present from her grandmother. It was small and wooden and had a glass front. The redhead had been proud of that clock. Now it seemed so silly.

When Bumlets had said he found work at the sawmill, she had been thrilled. But lying there in the dark, Kristen knew it was not what he had wanted to do with his life.



****



"Tanya, I..." Racetrack felt like a part of him had been wrenched away when she hit him.

Tanya didn't answer but continued to sob, hugging herself against the edge of the building and watching him warily.

"I'm sorry, Tanya," his voice cracked slightly.

She nodded and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

He moved closer again, and gently, ever so gently, let his calloused fingers trace the tip of her nose. "What am I s'posed ta do now?" he asked softly.



****



1900...



Ruin shivered as she stepped back inside the drafty lodging house. There was no sign of Raven but her brother sat by the window, rolling his cane between his hands.

She could tell he was thinking hard about something and turned to leave. His voice stopped her.

"Ruin, what would happen to you'se if I died?"

Ruin was startled, "What?"

"You hoid me," his blue eyes met her matching ones with frankness.

"Why d'ya ask?"

"Ansah da question."

"But..."

"NOW!"

In exasperation, she shouted, "Well, if you'se die I guess I'll just go and take ovah Brooklyn, whaddya t'ink?"

There was silence.

Spot seemed to consider this for a moment, then nodded.

"Yeah, a'right. Dat sounds good."

"Huh?"

"Good," he repeated, slapping her on the back. "You'se da next leadah." He nodded again and climbed the stairs, the famous smirk spreading across his face.

"Wait! But..."



****



Tanya gave a short laugh. Her apartment key must be floating around back in 1900 somewhere. Weird.

"Why is da doah locked?"

"Because that's what people do these days. Crazy, I know."

"You'se don't have a key?" The newsie was looking around him, nervously.

"Not on me." Tanya walked across the hall and rapped sharply on a door that seemed to vibrate with sound.

"What ah you doin? What if dey's asleep?"

The door flew open and a large, pot-bellied man leaned out, "Hey, Tanya." The loud party music behind me and the drunken laughter didn't seem to phase Tanya or her neighbor. "Hey, you're gettin' home kinda late, aren't ya?"

"I need a key."

"Hey, where's yours?"

Tanya shrugged. The man shuffled through the drawer in the hallway and handed her a key.

"Thanks, Mike."

"Hey, no prob'em." He followed her out into the stair well. "Hey, this your boyfriend?"

Tanya looked up from fitting the key into the door, "Um...yeah."

"Hey, I won't tell your mom."

"Is she home?"

Mike gave her a strange look. "She left on that business trip yesterday, remember?"

"Oh, yeah? I mean, yeah. Yeah. Right."

"Hey," Mike addressed Racetrack, "You treat her right or I'll pummel ya."

Race stared up at the meaty fist that had been extended in friendly warning. He nodded quickly, his brown eyes as large as could be.

Tanya turned the door handle. Her eyes motioned for the newsboy to follow her.



****



"But what?" Spot spun around on the landing to glare at his sister.

"Why me?" Ruin felt suddenly small, even though she stood a good two inches above him.

He shrugged, his mouth once again curving into a smile. "Brooklyn's gotta have a Conlon around ta get t'ings done. Feels good ta keep it in da family."

"What about Raven?"

Spot got a faraway look in his eyes, "Raven's too good foah Brooklyn. If somethin' happens ta me, she won't stay."

****



The answering machine wasn't blinking...for once. A large note had been taped to the refrigerator:

Tanya, sorry I left too early to say good bye to you. I didn't even see you come in last night! I'm sorry about that, sweetheart. When I get home, we'll make up for it, okay?

Your sister's at the Hannedy's. If you could pick her up Thursday morning around ten, that would be great.

See you in ten days. Let's just pray the time goes fast!

Love you,

Mom



Tanya remembered Racetrack. There he was, standing in the doorway, his face haggard and his eyes dull.

"Do you mind sleeping on a couch?"

"Nah, wheahevah."

She nodded and pointed with a tired arm towards the living room sofa. "I'm down the hall if you need anything."

"A'right."

Tanya turned to go. A hand snaked around her waist to stop her. She wouldn't look at him so Racetrack tugged her so she was facing him, his hand creeping up under her chin. "I love you, Tanya."

She stared sleepily into his sweet brown eyes as tired as her own. "Yeah," she yawned, " I know. I'm gon' go sleep now."

He didn't let go, "Do ya love me, Tanya?" he persisted.

She giggled, "Duh." Seeing his serious expression, the girl added seriously, "Yeah, I love you, Race."

"Why?"

Tanya sighed, "Why can't you ask these deep questions when I'm actually awake to answer them? Um...because you're not caught up in what's popular, you don't care if I ever get on stage again, you think I'm pretty..." she struggled for coherent thought, "I love the way you look at me sometimes. The way your jaw works up and down when you're thinking hard." She let her head fall onto his chest and close her eyes, "The way you think you can do..." she yawned again, "everything. Why do you ask?"

"If I love you and you love me..." Racetrack's jaw chewed as he tried to piece together the bits of logic coming to him, "Den why don't we get married?"

Tanya's head shot up and hit Race in the chin. He let go of her and put his hand to his mouth, "Ow."

"Married?" Tanya grabbed him by the collar and yanked him forward. "MARRIED? Are you NUTS?"

"Uh..."

"We can't get MARRIED!"

"Why not?"

"Because we can't! I'm sixteen and you're...you're...what? Nineteen?"

He nodded, still rubbing his sore chin.

"There. You SEE? That's why we can't get married! We're too young!"

"Me muddah was fifteen when she got married."

"Your mother lived in the 1800's! People don't get married that soon anymore!"

"Why not?"

"We...go to school and college and get jobs and..."

"You can't do dat when yoah married?"

"Do you realize you are a hundred and seven years older than me?"

"Hundred an' six."

"Oh, whatEVER. The point is...that we can't!"

"I don't see why not," he grumbled.

Tanya sighed, "Can we talk about this tomorrow? I think I'm gonna collapse right here, I'm so tired."

"Yeah, shoah. Night, Tanya."

"Good night, Racetrack."

****



a/n: More to come in the next chapter. We meet Tanya's sister, her best friend, and some other interesting people. But...you all must reviewwwwwwwww!!!!!! :) love you guys! Legs