New York Royalty

By: PrinceOfNewYork

Chapter Fourteen: 500 Papes

Summary: In the world people are viewed in several different ways. Some are leaders, some are followers, some are somewhere in the middle, and some just get power through possessions. The concept of royalty can take on more than just one form.

Disclaimer: Most of these guys are mine, except for the few that ain't. And, if ya don't know which ones those are then you better go watch Newsies again.

A/N: Alright, this is my first shot at a Newsie fic, but I've been messin' with this character for over a year now, and it's about time she had her story put down (before I completely forget it all!) Thanks a bunch to all of ya who read this!

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Prince continued coming back for poker most weeks, except for the ones when she didn't have enough money, or didn't feel like playing. But over a time she began learning the boys from Manhattan, Brooklyn and Bronx by name. She was one of the guys, in a sense, and she was rather happy about it.

However, Prince could never really stop being a girl all together. She was a girl, whether she acted like one or not. So, every so often her girly side would come out, especially when she was around Avalanche. Though she hated to admit it, and she wouldn't if anyone asked, but she had a small crush on the leader. In her mind, it was rather hard not to like him, and she knew Avalanche better than anyone. So, she knew he didn't have a girl friend. But it was doubtful that she would act on any of her emotions. After all, she was supposed to be a boy.

Spring faded into summer, and it was becoming routine to push someone into the water at least once a day. Luckily, it was hardly ever the same person two days in a row. And, partly because the boys knew Prince had to keep a secret, they didn't do it to her… much. But she still got to join in the 'fun' as it were.

It was sweltering one morning when Prince was sitting on her bunk while she and Avalanche were talking headlines and Million appeared. "Hey, bro."

Avalanche had learned that Prince and Million just do not get along, and there was no getting used to each other. "What's up Mill?"

"Me and the guys were talkin'. We got a bet for ya."

"You know I ain't no big gambler Max." The most gambling Avalanche ever did was the weekly poker games, and even then he didn't risk much often.

"Yeah, but we figure that this is somethin' youse could handle."

Prince rolled her eyes as Avalanche folded his arms. "I'm listenin'."

"Alright, I bet dat you can't sell 500 papes in one edition." Prince's eyebrows shot up and Avalanche blinked, seemingly unphased. "Dat means dat youse gotta sell dem either from the mornin', or the evenin', ya can't sell half at one time an' half another."

"500?" Avalanche said making he had heard him right.

"Yep," Million said. Avalanche was silent. Million turned away from his brother. "See, I told ya he wouldn't do it."

"Who said I wouldn't do it?" Avalanche questioned. "I know it wasn't me… and if it was you, then you was wrong… come on, youse want me ta sell 500 papes in one edition? Let's get started."

Prince was floored. This was crazy talk. 500 papes in one edition? He'd be lucky if he was done by the time evening came out and the morning was old news. There was no way. She leapt off of her bunk and Million smiled as they walked towards the door with the Queens newsies following behind them.

"Alright, here are da rules. You can carry as many papes as ya want at one time, I dun care. But, cha gotta stay in Queens. No help from any oddah newsies, ya gotta sell 'em on ya own."

"An' what do I get if I win?"

"The money you make."

"Uh-uh, dis is a bet. I gotta win somethin' from youse, or youse win' somethin' from me."

"Fine… if ya win I-"

"You gotta be my personal salve for a week."

"No way!"

"Den I ain't doin' it."

Million sighed. "Fine, I'll do it. But if I win I getta take on Prince without youse around ta help 'er."

Prince looked at Million. She was just a little amazed. "Avalanche won't-"

"Done," Avalanche agreed, and he spit shook Million's hand to seal the deal. Now Prince was really shocked. As far as she was concerned Avalanche had better win… or she'd kill him.

"Alright!" Max said. "Now, buy all ya papes at once, and we'll hold on to 'em until ya want 'em."

Avalanche stepped right up to the window and bought the 500 papes in one payment. Max took 200, Prince took 200, and Avalanche took 100. Silently Avalanche made his way to the busiest part of Queens. "Dis is where I'm gonna sell. And just you wait, I'll sell every last one, and won't leave da block," he said with a smirk.

Million and Prince set down the other 400 papers on the curb and sat down as Avalanche quickly disappeared into the crowed. "Think he'll do it?" Million asked.

"He had bettah."

"Scared Princess?"

"I told you… don't call me dat, unless ya wanna stop breathin'."

To mock her Million inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. He then quietly said, "Princess."

"Seriously, Million, knock it off!" she said eyes blazing.

He only laughed at her. "Okay, okay…" he said with a smile. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it, blowing smoke into the air with a sigh.

Then Avalanche showed up again. "Hey, guys, gimme those 400 ya got."

Prince looked at the 100 in his hands. "But… Avie, ya ain't sold none yet."

"I gots a plan, jus gimme da 400 papes."

Million handed him the 200 he had gladly. "Ya crazy Alex," he said laughing a little

Prince handed him her 200 as well. "Good luck," she said with a shrug.

Avalanche smiled at Prince and soon disappeared into the crowed once more. "What is he gonna do?" she said looking at Million.

"Beats me… but it's got my interest," he said leaning forward and putting his elbows on his knees. Prince had a sinking feeling that she was doomed.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE!" Avalanche's voice was heard above the crowed as he was seen suddenly above the crowed. He was standing on a crate. Prince and Million were instantly on their feet.

"What is he doin'?" Million said.

"I would like to offah youse all a once in a life time opportunity. I have with me 500 papers. In one of dese 500 papers you could win brand new radio! For those of you who don't know what a radio is, it's a new invention dat's coming from over seas to deseUnited States. You'll be able to listen to music, and… other things on a radio, and it is something that you will not want to be without. And right now you can own one, if you have the winning paper. Be the first in your neighborhood to say that you have a radio! But get your papers now, dis offer will not last long!"

Avalanche was a salesman. He could sell salt water to a sailor, and they'd still offer to pay more. People instantly rushed towards him. They threw money at him, literally. He set his hat down and they threw in pennies, nickels, dimes, even dollars! People were so frantic, and so caught up in the rush that they didn't care if they got change, they just wanted the radio. It took Avalanche ten minutes to get rid of 500 papers. "GOOD LUCK FOLKS! IF YOU FIND THE TICKET INSIDE PLEASE DELIVER IT TO THE WORLD HEAD QUARTERS. THANK YOU!" He jumped off of the crate and picked up his hat.

Prince and Million saw him running towards them. "Go, now!" he said grabbing a hold of Prince's shirt and pulling her along. Million, not one to ask questions when it came to his brother took off after the two of them.

They ran for five minutes through the streets of Queens until they were nearly in Brooklyn. "Will ya stop?" Million said as he nearly collapsed. "What… was that?" he asked breathing hard from the sudden marathon.

Avalanche smiled. "That… was me winnin' a bet, and comin' out on top," he said with a smile. "I'd bet dere is a lot more here den five dollars," he said with a smile as he set his hat on the curb and sat down beside it.

"Avalanche… one question…" Prince said, "what is a radio?"

"Uhhh… I dunno. Some guy in Italy made it up I think. Somethin'… Macaroni, I'm not sure what is name was. Some genius or somethin' thinks they'll be huge some day. I dunno about a radio, but dat guy's invention just made me da richest newsie in New York, with a slave for da next week," he reminded his brother. Prince only smiled.

"What's da outcome?"

"Sixteen dollahs and fifty two cents. Three times and more den what I woulda made. Maybe I oughta sell radio's more often."

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Well, that's this friday's chapter! And first I have two notes to you all. One: radio's back then hardly exsisted. It took a month to send a letter a bout a mile. Crazy huh? But, they had just been invented, it was a major break through! So... I thought it counted. And two: For those of you who didn't catch what the newsies also missed it doesn't surprise me. Prince didn't have a flush, she had a straight flush, she SHOULD have won the hand, but since not a one of 'em noticed it she didn't. Just something I thought someone might see... anyway hope you enjoy the chapter. Got another one comin' this monday. See you all then!