Hey! I just want to thank those who reviewed the last chapter!
This is a revised version of the chapter. I realize I may have put Sarah to severely into the role of "bitch."
Disclaimer: No, I do not own Newsies. (big surprise)
Ch. 2
Callia awoke to yells. Well, that wasn't unusual, in the orphanage; screaming children had often disrupted her sleep. But this time, it wasn't babies needing to be fed that awoke her, it was cries of "Extry, Extry" and "Nude Corpse Found at Murder Scene" She blinked her eyes confused, she had been hoping that the events of yesterday would all end up being a dismal dream, but she now was resigned to the fact that it was a grim reality. Uncurling herself from the fetal position she had slept in an effort to fend off the bitter winds. Callia stretched and began to think out her next move, she would need a job. That was the most important. But also, she needed a place to stay. The nights were going to get colder as the winter progressed, and it just wasn't safe to be sleeping out on benches in these New York streets.
Unsure of where to begin her search, she began to walk down the busy street, brushing past the newsies who had awoken her. Looking for sign of what to do next. Noticing a small shop, with Solomon's Book Store written on it in peeling gold lettering. Callia entered the store, prepared to do any job at all, as long as she was guaranteed a salary. The heavy wooden door thudded shut behind her.
Sarah was surprised when she heard the door of Solomon's swing closed; it was unusual to have customers this early in the day. Actually, Sarah thought grimly, it unusual to have customers at all. Solomon's glory days were long over with. Solomon's death a few years ago had brought a bad change in business, and the son who had inherited it cared nothing for the store, and was basically letting it go to ruins. With a sigh, Sarah smoothed back her hair and put on a 'work ready smile'. Coming up behind the girl looking around the store as if lost, Sarah asked briskly,
"May I help you?"
Callia started when she heard the disembodied voice come up behind her. Whirling around, she came face to face with a girl, who looked about her age or older. She had a placid smile that would be more common to see on a doting grandmother than a teenage girl. Her face turned quizzical as she continued to regard Callia. Callia was confused until she realized that the other girl was waiting for her reply.
"Oh! Umm, actually yes," Callia stumbled to find the right words, "I was wondering, actually, if there was any jobs around here that I might be able to do."
The girl kept her expression neutral, "No, I really don't think so."
Callia paused, "Oh, well, ummm, listen I don't want to sound rude or anything, but is there anyway you can check with the owner?"
The other girl raised her eyebrows, "Oh, ummm, well," she said, mocking Callia's previous statement, "No, I really don't think I can." Beginning to walk away, she looked over her shoulder, "You can leave now."
Stung by the obvious rejection, Callia nodded and walked back into the street. She was still in the same predicament she had been in before, and the blatant dismissal by the working girl had made her less optimistic about her chances of getting a job. Sighing, she looked up into the sky, the day was still young and she couldn't lose hope yet. Ignoring the sounds of her hungry stomach she set off again, in hopes of finding a better reception at her next tryst.
AN: I seriously want to apologize for the first version of this chapter; I didn't realize how out of character it was. My imagination totally got the better of me. Review and tell me if you like this one better!
--hw