"I've been a wild rover for many a year..."
1899, New York.
We're all these immigrant children, fighting to live on the streets of New York.
Fighting a losing battle. Losing a battle we shouldn't have to fight so young.
"The minstrel boy to the war is gone In the ranks of death you will find him"
My boys give up all the time. Giving up their life and dying, or giving up their freedom to be taken to jail- the one place where a roof over their head and three meals a day is a sure thing.
Hey, I didn't say they were good meals. Just that they were a sure thing. And the whippings you get each day are better than staving to death.
At least, to most they are.
'Grief and pain are all I know My heart is sore, my tears do flow..."
You survive on the street by becoming known. By becoming feared.
Everyone knows Spot Conlon. And although they may not admit it, everyone fears Spot Conlon.
Because I know how to live this life. I know how to own the streets. Kelly doesn't. Hunter doesn't. Even Tabloid, my second, doesn't. Although he can bluff it well.
You put yourself up on a pedastol above all the others. I care about me. Not anyone else. I care about Spot Conlon, not whoever I happen to be dating-
"The devil take the women, for they never can be easy"
Not whoever I happen to be in an alliance with.
I care about me. And that's it.
Unless...
"Her eyes they shone like the diamond You'd think she was queen of the land And her hair hung over her shoulder Tied up in a black velvet band."
I grinned. "Sure, we always have room for the girl who kicked Jack Kelly's ass."
Jackal smiled and, without thinking, I leaned down and kissed her.
"l once had a wee lass and I loved her well, I loved her far better than my tongue can tell..."
She left.
I know how to live this life...
"Then I dreamt last night that my love came in , And she walked up so soft that her feet made no din. I thought that she spoke and those words she did say, "It won't be long now, love, till our wedding day."
She leaves again, taking the triplets.
I know how to live this life...
I sit here, with my son Chance sitting on my lap and a drink in the other hand, and think.
I knew how to live this life.
I will find out how to again.
I lie to myself all the time.
But I don't believe me.
1899, New York.
We're all these immigrant children, fighting to live on the streets of New York.
Fighting a losing battle. Losing a battle we shouldn't have to fight so young.
"The minstrel boy to the war is gone In the ranks of death you will find him"
My boys give up all the time. Giving up their life and dying, or giving up their freedom to be taken to jail- the one place where a roof over their head and three meals a day is a sure thing.
Hey, I didn't say they were good meals. Just that they were a sure thing. And the whippings you get each day are better than staving to death.
At least, to most they are.
'Grief and pain are all I know My heart is sore, my tears do flow..."
You survive on the street by becoming known. By becoming feared.
Everyone knows Spot Conlon. And although they may not admit it, everyone fears Spot Conlon.
Because I know how to live this life. I know how to own the streets. Kelly doesn't. Hunter doesn't. Even Tabloid, my second, doesn't. Although he can bluff it well.
You put yourself up on a pedastol above all the others. I care about me. Not anyone else. I care about Spot Conlon, not whoever I happen to be dating-
"The devil take the women, for they never can be easy"
Not whoever I happen to be in an alliance with.
I care about me. And that's it.
Unless...
"Her eyes they shone like the diamond You'd think she was queen of the land And her hair hung over her shoulder Tied up in a black velvet band."
I grinned. "Sure, we always have room for the girl who kicked Jack Kelly's ass."
Jackal smiled and, without thinking, I leaned down and kissed her.
"l once had a wee lass and I loved her well, I loved her far better than my tongue can tell..."
She left.
I know how to live this life...
"Then I dreamt last night that my love came in , And she walked up so soft that her feet made no din. I thought that she spoke and those words she did say, "It won't be long now, love, till our wedding day."
She leaves again, taking the triplets.
I know how to live this life...
I sit here, with my son Chance sitting on my lap and a drink in the other hand, and think.
I knew how to live this life.
I will find out how to again.
I lie to myself all the time.
But I don't believe me.