Blink knocked softly on the heavy wooden door, stepping into the expensively decorated office. Joseph Pulitzer sat regally at his desk, motioning for the young man to come in.

"You, uh, wanted to see me?" Blink shoved his hands into his pockets and looked around nervously.

"Yes." Pulitzer stood, staring Blink down as he did so. "It's come to my attention, young man, that you've become rather familiar, and inappropriately so, with a particular young lady of this city."

Blink swallowed. "Uh, yeah, I guess... Mr. Pulitzer, I don't see what this has to do with you."

The publisher chuckled, but did so without any humor. "Oh, it's got everything to do with me." He poured himself a drink, and then turned to look the newsboy directly in the eye. "What is it they call you, again?"

"Kid Blink, sir."

"That's not a name." After taking a sip, Pulitzer set his drink down.

"It's what they call me."

The older man sighed and shook his head. "Fine. Now, you see, Kid Blink, what this has got to do with me is that this young lady you've familiarized yourself with, Evelyn, happens to be my granddaughter."

Blink swallowed, though his mouth was suddenly very dry. "But... that's not possible." He shook his head, hoping it was all just a bad dream and he'd wake up soon enough. "Her name is Harris."

"Is that what she told you?" Again, the humorless laugh. "Harris is her mother's maiden name. She is my son's daughter." He grinned as he looked Blink up and down. "Now, she's been saying how in love the two of you are, but if that's true, why would she lie to you? Especially about something as small as a name?"

"She probably--"

"What, wanted to protect you? My dear boy, Evelyn thinks of no one but herself, and one can only guess what she was trying to achieve by lying to you. The most probable answer is that she simply needed someone to lash out against her family with." Pulitzer shook his head and sat down. "I'm aware that Evelyn has been... deflowered, presumably by you, but who knows. In short, young man, I would like to inform you that Evelyn will be married and off my hands in just a few months' time, and you are not to engage in such improprieties with her again."

Kid Blink opened his mouth, unsure himself whether he was going to protest or defend himself. Pulitzer just smirked dryly and shook his head.

"You will not be seeing her again. Are we clear?" Cold eyes stared the newsboy down, getting no response. "Well, that'll be all then. I trust you can see yourself out."

"Look, you can't make Evie--"

"I said that will be all, young man, you are excused."

"But she doesn't--"

"Get out of my office!" Pulitzer shouted, punctuating with a fist coming down on the hard wood of his desk.

Blink spent the majority of the day down at the docks in Brooklyn, sitting on the edge of a pier and staring blankly at the water. He felt empty and angry, prepared to take it out on anyone who dared cross his path. He nearly back-handed a young newsie who came up to talk shop, but settled for a severe tongue-lashing. The little boy ran off in fear and embarrassment, and now Blink was sorry. He'd half to go to the Brooklyn lodging house sometime soon and apologize.

It was dark now, and the streets were mostly empty, so it was the perfect time to head home. He walked along, shoulders hunched against any friendly passersby. About halfway to Manhattan, he kicked a rock in the street that stopped at the feet of a very drunk and very irate Morris Delancey, who promptly answered it with a slew of profanities and a swift fist to Blink's face.

Great, Blink thought. The perfect ending to the perfect day.

A/N: Longer chapter than I usually do for this fic! Jeeze. I like it though. I'm kind of so-so about my Pulitzer, but hey, he's a douchebag and that's all there is to it... am I right or am I right? So anyway, I hope you enjoyed it, I'll have you know I have THREE DIFFERENT REVIEWERS for this story, and no one seems to comprehend how FREAKING EXCITING THAT IS. GEE I LOVE CAPITAL LETTERS. Anyhooters, please R&R and I hope you have enough patience to wait for my next chapter... but if you don't have enough patience, and you MUST get your pennylayne fix, you could always read Lean On Me! (end shameless plug) I love you guys! -Layne