"I just really wish there was some way we could repay you!" Melody angrily mimicked Hayley. Kloppman had unexpectedly taken the girls up on her offer. In return for the previous night's shelter they only had to do him one small favor—clean out the boys' washroom. Hayley and Mel looked out across the rows of stalls and sinks that appeared to have not been washed in the last decade.
"I was referring to money, not this!" Hayley said, apologetically. Melody only glared as Hayley began to fill a pail with soapy water.
"This is going to take forever…" Mel grumbled.
"Here, I hope these'll work," Kloppman had followed them up with a mop and scrub brush. He set the cleaning tools down and leaned against the sinks, watching the girls begin their daunting task. "Decide where yer going yet?"
"No," Mel said bluntly.
"I'm sure we'll find somewhere," Hail said, looking up from scrubbing the floor. "We'll go out and search for employment this afternoon. It shouldn't be too hard."
"What's with all this 'we' stuff?" Melody asked, wiping down the windows. "I never said I'm stickin' with you."
"Sounds like you have it all planned out," Kloppman smirked, much to Hayley's annoyance. "How are you going to pay for lodging anywhere? Cleaning out their washrooms? And who's going to hire a pair of homeless girls? And what qualifications do you have to get a job?"
"Woah, woah, what's the deal with all the questions?" Melody asked.
"Yeah unless you have a better plan for us, you really aren't helping," Hayley chimed in. Kloppman gave them another little grin, and then went downstairs without a word.
"What was that?" Hayley was confused. "He wasn't seriously implying that we…?"
"Be newsies?" Melody finished her thought. "No. It's ridiculous."
"Is it really? As of now, that looks like my best option," Hayley shrugged.
"We are not becoming newsies; there's gotta be something better," Melody said.
"What's with all the 'we' stuff?" Hayley asked sarcastically, effectively silencing her companion. They continued to work quietly, yet diligently, and had the room spotless in a matter of hours. Stiff from bending over, the girls walked back downstairs to tell Kloppman they were done.
"Excellent, excellent," he said, taking a peek inside the newly cleaned washroom. "Great job. Well, you girls are free to go now; I won't keep you any longer."
"Actually…" Melody interjected, getting the old man's attention. "I wondered if there was room for me to become a newsie. I figuring it's the best I can do until I get back on my feet."
Kloppman nodded in agreement.
"You in Hayl?" Melody turned to her.
After a moment, Hayley agreed, "Yes, but it's Hayl-ey."
"Yeah ok Hayl," Mel ignored that, but Hayley grinned in spite of herself.
"Alright girls, when the boys get home I can introduce you and they can show you the ropes," Kloppman explained. "Until then, relax—you've earned it."
The girls didn't need to be told twice. They collapsed into bed again, stretching out their sore muscles and catching up on the sleep they had lately been deprived of.