They made their way through Brooklyn to the docks. The Brooklyn newsies seemed bigger to David than the ones in Manhattan. A couple of guys started following them as they made their way down the docks, weaving around the boys jumping off to swim in the river. Most of the newsies stopped to stare at them as they passed, and David looked nervously at the big guy who hauled himself out of the water to stand in Jacks way

"Goin somewhere, Kelly?" he taunted.

Jack just ignored him and kept going, his face blank. Boots didn't falter either, but David could see that his shoulders were tense and he kept his eyes on the boys around him. The guy looked at David next, giving him a hard glare and david silently wondered what he had gotten himself into. He hadn't been fond of this idea in the first place, but now he was really wishing he'd stayed in Manhattan. He wasn't much of a fighter, and these guys didn't look too happy to see them. He glanced over at Pocket, hoping she couldn't tell how nervous he was. She wasn't even looking his way, she was nodding at the boys they passed, not seeming uncomfortable at all. The guy who had intimidated David now stood in front of her, blocking her way.

"What about you, where you goin" he sneered at her.

David looked quickly at Jack to see if he had noticed this new threat to their companion, but Jack and Boots hadn't even turned around. He looked back at Pocket, who barely broke stride. She, too, simply stepped around him, raising an eyebrow when he moved too, staying in front of her.

"Let me by, Fiver," she said evenly.

He moved aside and she walked on. Now David was even more intrigued by this girl who walked blithely among so many strong, mean looking guys without even blinking an eye. A lot of them were half dressed, too, since they had been swimming, but she didn't seem to be bothered by that either. His sister would have been beside herself.

They neared the end of the dock where a slim boy in a grey cap sat perched atop some crates, watching their approach.

"Well if it ain't Jack- be -nimble Jack- be-quick," he looked down at them, his face a blank mask.

"So you moved up in da woild, Spot. Got a river view and everything."

Jack's face, too, was carefully composed. Spot jumped down off his throne, a gold tipped cane in his hand, and the two leaders stood there for a second, not speaking, before they a grin split the Manhattan leaders face. He spit in his hand and extended it, the Brooklyn leader grinned back and they spit-shook. Jack patted Spot on the shoulder as the smaller boy slid the cane into his belt loop.

His tone more friendly now, he greeted Boots, "Heya Boots how's it rollin?"

Boots approached, holding out his hand but keeping his distance. "I got ya a coupla real good shooters heah."

David saw that Boots was holding the marbles Pocket had given him earlier. Spot reached over and took them, then spoke to Jack as he pulled out his slingshot.

"So Jacky boy, I been hearin things from da liddle boidies."

"Yeah?"

"Things from Harlem, queens," the Brooklyn leader aimed his slingshot over Davids head. "All ovah." David jumped as a bottle shattered above his head and Spot nodded, satisfied.

"They been chirpin in my ear,"he continued, walking towards david. "Jacky boys newsies is playing like they goin on strike." His tone was mocking, and he turned to look back at Jack.

David stepped up, "But we're not playing, we are on strike."

As soon as the words left his mouth he regretted it. The other newsie came closer, right up in his face

"Oh yeah? Yeah?'

David nodded hesitantly, wondering if he was about to get hit. Despite the fact that David was a few inches taller than the other newsie, he was definitely worried by what he saw in those pale eyes. Spot kept his narrowed gaze on David.

"What is the Jacky boy?" he bit out. "Some kind of walking mouth?"

Jack wasn't afraid of Spot Conlon; Brooklyn and Manhattan had always been on good terms, especially since Spot took charge. But he did know that you had to be careful with Spot, stay on your toes. His Brooklyn counterpart wasn't thrilled about David jumping in like that, it would have been better coming from a fellow leader. This wasn't how he planned it, and he had to think fast to figure out how to make Spot listen. He shot a quick look over at Pocket, who stood off to the side and hadn't spoken yet. Her expression didn't change, but she casually crossed her arms and leaned against a post. She caught Jacks look and flicked her eyes towards spot. No one else noticed the exchange, but Jack got the message. She was telling him not to take his attention off Spot - but to keep cool, act like this wasn't a big deal.

'Yeah it's a mouth," he answered finally. "But a mouth with a brain, and if you got half a one ya listen ta what he's got ta say."

Jack knew he'd played it right when Spot sat down and looked at David, waiting. The Brooklyn leader's face was stern and David hesitated, but Jack knew that he had challenged the other boy into listening. He stood next to Pocket as David explained they needed the rest of the New York newsies to support the strike, but that nobody would join unless Brooklyn did. Pocket nudged him in the ribs, they both struggled not to smile as David flattered Spots ego, calling him the most respected and famous newsie in all of New York. Spot was amused too, smirking at David as he finished his little speech.

"Ya right Jack," he told the Manhattaner. "Brains."

Jack grinned, thinking things were going to turn out all right. Brooklyn would join the strike, and with their support they had a good chance of winning.

"But I got brains too, and more than just half a one." Spot continued.

Jack's grin faded as he realized that Brooklyn wouldn't be joining them. Spot didn't think they were serious, and he wasn't ready to help out until he saw that the newsies would win. Jack swallowed his disappointment, knowing that there was no arguing with Spot at this point. He just nodded, and turned to walk away. Boots started after him, and David started to follow until he noticed that Pocket hadn't moved.

She still leaned against the post, her eyes on Spot as he watched them leave. He turned toward her, and nodded, the first indication since their arrival that he even knew she was there. She nodded back and he motioned her toward him. She looked over at David, seeing that he was waiting for her. She smiled and nodded, pointing towards Jack.

Reluctantly David turned to go. At the end of the dock he looked back and saw her deep in conversation with the Brooklyn leader, who didn't look happy. Their heads were close together, their voices low, but David could tell Spot kept interrupting Pocket every time she started to speak. She put her hand on his arm, which finally silenced him. He leaned in more, watching her, their faces an inch apart as she spoke.

Understanding dawned on David, he turned to go with Jack. Obviously there was something going on with Spot and Pocket, this must be why Jack had warned him off. He sighed, looking down at his feet, wondering why he was so disappointed by this. He had only just met her, after all. Why should it bother him if she already had a boyfriend?

Odd, though, he thought, that Jack had introduced her as a Manhattan newsie. David couldn't be sure, but Spot Conlon seemed like the type of guy that would want his girlfriend with him, not halfway across New York. He wanted to ask Jack, but his friend was deep in thought, his brow furrowed, his shoulders slumped.

Brooklyns support was important, but David thought the strike could go on without. It seemed to him that Spots refusal was a blow to Jack on a personal level, Jack had obviously expected more from a friend.

The three newsies walked in silence toward the bridge, each lost in his own thoughts.

"Cowboy! Wait up!"

They turned at the sound of Pockets voice. She ran up, leaning on Jack to catch her breath.

"Cowboy," she said. "Jack, I'm sorry, ya know. I hoped he's say yes."

For almost a full minute the two just looked at each other. Finally Jack answered.

"Ya hoped he'd say yes, I know, Pocket. But did ya think he was gonna?"

Pocket blinked, taken aback by the question. She seemed to be considering her words carefully. Then she sighed and shook her head.

"No. I didn't. Not yet. Not taday."She paused. "but ya did good, Jack. There wasn't nothin else ya coulda said to change his mind."

Jack sighed too, and rubbed his hands over his face in frustration. Then he looked at her again. "Pocket, I need to know something."

"Yeah, sure Jack."

"How come ya didn't go to spot on your own? Why didya wait for me? I know he didn't like that. Maybe if you had gone first, he would been ready to listen to us."

Pocket shook her head. "Spot has "boidies" in 'hattan, Cowboy, but I ain't one a dem. It ain't right if I run back to him all the time with what's goin on here. I would neva do that. Bronx and Coney Island, sure, I keep him informed about them, but youse are my friends."

She punched jack in the shoulder. "Besides, its your show, bigshot" she teased.

"Then why'd you come with?" Jack persisted.

Again, she seemd to be choosing her words carefully. "Cuz, Jack, I wanted him to know that I'se wit you on this."

She waited for it to sink in. "I guess I need to make sure you know I'm wit you on this, huh?"

Jack gave her a hug. "I know Pocket. Thanks. You coming home or staying here?"

"I'm staying here tanight, got some things ta take care of. I'll be back early in da mornin."

He nodded, "See ya tamarra."

She turned to Boots, tapping the bill of his hat. "See ya Boots. Keep ya head up." The younger boy smiled.

David flushed as she turned to him next. "Bye mouth," she teased. "Nice ta meet ya."

"Bye" he mumbled.

They started across the bridge, but they had only gone a few steps before she called out again.

"Hey Jack?' They all looked at her.

"Jack, ya know, he did listen. And he won't forget, either. He'll remember that ya axed him for help."

With those parting words, she turned and jogged off toward the dock