-Chapter 5.1: Watch What Happens-
-22 March, 1899-
Katherine Point of View
After all the rest of the newsies leave, it's just Jack and me.
"You got a name?" He finally asks.
"Katherine… Plumber."
"What's the matter? Ain't you sure?" He laughs.
"It's the name I publish under. So are you using this money to work your way through art school?" I ask. He laughs and I can tell I've struck a nerve.
"Art school? Why would I be in art school?"
"You're an artist," I pull out the drawing he drew of me at the theater. "And you've got real talent."
"Well it ain't what I want."
"What do you want."
He walks towards me slowly. All I can think is personal space. Personal space. Personal- he's actually really cute…
"Can't you see it in my eyes?" He's inches away from me now.
"Yeah, okay." I move away from him "have you always been their leader?"
"Hey, I'm just the figure head. Davey is the brains behind the operation."
I'm surprised. "Modesty is not a quality I would pin on you. So what are your plans for tomorrow?"
"I'd rather tell you my plans for tonight." He whispers, leaning against the wall.
"Mr. Kelly," I say to get him back on track. He grumbles and pushes off the wall.
"Today, we didn't sell, but the wagons still delivered to the city. Tomorrow, we stop the wagons."
"Are you scared?"
"Do I look scared?" He gives a slight laugh. "Ask me again tomorrow."
"Good answer. Goodnight, Mr. Kelly."
"Hey, Plumber!" I turn. "write it good. We both got a lot riding on this."
I nod and keep walking. When I get home, I sit down at the typewriter.
"You heard the man," I make my voice deeper in order to mock him. "Write it good. Write it good or it's back to reviewing the ballet. No pressure. But, I don't know what to write or the right way to write it. This is big, lady. Don't screw it up! Honestly! It's a basic story line. Poor little kids versus rich greedy sourpusses." I laugh and stand up. "It's a cinch! It could practically write itself." My smile fades. "And let's pray it does, because as I may have mentioned, I have no clue what I'm doing."
I walk away from my typewriter to give myself some space.
"And then there's also the story behind the story: thousands of children, exploited, invisible. Speak up! Take a stand! An there's someone to write about it that's how things get better!"
I sit down again and type out the paper.
"Now that is how you turn a boy into a legend. Picture a handsome heroically charismatic-" I realize what I just said. "Plain smoking no nothing skirt chasing cocky little son of a-" I compose myself and continue. "Lie down with dogs and you wake up with a raise and a promotion. So, he's a flirt. (That's the understatement of the year) A complete egomaniac. The fact is, he's also the face of the strike (what a face) face a fact that's a face that could save us all from sinking in the ocean.
"Think, Katherine. This can't be any worse than how it's been so far, and we could win. So whatever happens, let's begin!"
(An: I'm not sure how I feel about my version of Watch What Happens, so it's okay to not like it, just don't tell me you don't like it. I already know it sucks. I may have butchered the Santa Fe portion, too.")
I start to type again. I have my entire article completely laid out and now it's time to put it down on paper.
-Chapter 5.2: Seize the Day-
-23 March, 1899-
Jack Point of View
I don't know why I even tried. Here we are, same as every morning, yet we're missing Brooklyn. And every single neighborhood in New York. Every single borough, except Manhattan. So far, I'm thinking this strike might not work so well.
"Is Brooklyn showing?" Race finally asks.
"See, we had a great talk with Spot Conlon and I'd say he was very impressed-" I hear Davey agree with me. "But he wants to make sure we ain't backing down at the first sign of trouble. He'll hold off a little. What about Queens?"
"Queens says they're waiting for the OK from Brooklyn."
I'm getting really anxious now.
"And The Bronx?"
"The Bronx will be right there beside you-" Spec starts. Everyone cheers in unison. "Once Brooklyn is here." everyone groans in unison.
"We're on our own for today, then." Finnick says. Leave Finnick to be optimistic.
"Let's just sell for today. I need the money." Everyone - I mean everyone - except Finnick, Davey, Les and I go to buy papes.
"Jack! Finnick! Say something!" Davey urges us.
"Come on, guys! How will this fix anything?" I try to convince them, but they aren't having any of it.
"Davey," I didn't even know Katniss was here. "You have to say something. You need this money more than them!"
"Now is the time to seize the day." He starts singing this weird song. I guess maybe it was a childhood lullaby? I join in, once I figure out the lyrics. Slowly, one by one, the newsies turn back to our side. That's when the replacements come. I face the three new newsies
"Pulitzer thinks we're gutter rats with no respect for nothing, including each other. Is that who we are? Huh? We stab each other in the back, yeah, That's who we are. Yeah, but if we stand together, we change the whole game. And it ain't just about us! All across this city, there's boys and girls who ought to be out playing or going to school, and instead are slaving to support themselves and their folks! Don't let Pulitzer beat us to the ground!
Boy number one stomps up to me. For a second, I think he's about to judo flip me or slap me upside the head, though I know I can totally take him. Instead, he slams his papers on the ground
"I'm with you!" He says. With much convincing, we get the other two on our side.
-Chapter 5.3: Santa Fe-
-23 March, 1899-
-Early Morning-
Katniss Point of View
First thing in the morning, I go home, to the Academy.
"Mr. Gordon!" I call once I get there.
"Hello, Katniss. Did you complete your mission?" He asks, his usual smile plastered on his face. I hate it now more than ever.
"I quit." He looks at me in disbelief. "I can't believe you. You make criminals by sending them to be Newsies, then you kill them. In all reality, you're killing orphans for no reason." Mr. Gordon still didn't seem to get it. "My client - Mr. Pulitzer - he wanted me to kill two seventeen year old boys, Jack Kelly and Finnick Odair, because they were causing trouble. They were causing trouble because they were in need! I quit! I'm leaving!"
"No, you aren't. You're grounded." He says. I almost laugh,but instead,settle for raising an eyebrow.
"Excuse me?"
"Contained to your room for a week. You will stay there until you come to your senses. You will kill these boys. In other words, either they don't live to see eighteen, or you don't.
Jack Point of View
So, let's just say the strike didn't go the way I thought it would. It started out fine, until the goons arrived. An entire army. Dozens of goons and the cops et cetera. All the Newsies ran, because who wouldn't.
Crutchie wouldn't, because he can't run and I'm too stupid to stop and help him. Finnick isn't, though.
"Jack!" Crutchie screams one Snyder caught him. I look around, panicked. There's no way I can catch him in time. Then my eyes lock with Finnick's. He gives me a current nod before running up and straight out decking Snyder. It would've been a perfect, classic hero moment, and it was, until backup came in. As it turns out, Finnick can't hold off ten cops, plus Snyder and the Delanceys. So off they go to the Refuge.
I'm breathing heavy when I get to the penthouse.
"Well, Katherine was right. We finally got our headline: Newsies Crushed as Bulls Attack. I can feel Crutchie calling me. Dumb crip's too slow. This entire situation is all my fault. People keep looking up to "Captain Jack," but Captain Jack just wants to close his eyes and GO!" I scream mindlessly. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself.
"Let me go. Far away.
Somewhere they won't ever find me
And tomorrow won't remind me of today
When the city's finally sleeping
And the moon looks old and grey
I get on a train that's bound for Santa Fe
And I'm gone! And I'm DONE!
No more running
No more hiding.
No more fat old men denying me my pay
Just the moon so big and yella
It turns night right into day
Dreams come true,
Yeah they do
In Santa Fe
Where's it say you gotta live and die here?
Where's it say a guy can't catch a break?
Why should you only take what you're given?
What should you spend your whole life living
Trapped like there ain't no future
Even at seventeen.
Breaking your back for someone else's sake.
When the life don't seem to suit you
How 'bout a change of scenery
Far from the lousy headlines
And the deadlines in between.
Santa Fe, my old friend
I can't spend my whole life dreaming,
Though I know that's all I seem inclined to do
I ain't getting any younger
And I want to start brand new
I need space!
And fresh air!
Let 'em laugh in my face, I don't care!
Save my place,
I'll be there."
I stop my rant and take a few deep breaths.
"Just be real is all I'm asking.
Not some painting in my head.
'cause I'm dead if I can't count on you today,
I got nothing if I ain't got Santa Fe!"
End of Act I