I hope people are enjoying this story! Here's a part of the story not shown in the broadway show!
Enjoy!
Jack leaned against the railing of the Brooklyn bridge, staring out onto the water as she waited for Davey to arrive. She had grabbed a quick meal with Crutchie before heading off. Well, meal could be considered a generous word for their meager bread. They had shared a small piece of cheese but Jack had given the bigger part to her friend, mostly to thank him for unknowingly helping her with the new guy.
But, she didn't need to tell him that.
Now, she just waited. She hadn't timed the trek properly and she had reached the bridge much earlier than expected. It was a waiting game as she attempted to sort out how she would convince Spot Colon to join their strike.
From previous encounters, she knew he was a hard egg to crack and was even more protective of his newsies than she was of hers.
And that was saying something...
Hopefully, with Davey alongside, the two of them could convince the Brooklyn boys that it was well worth for them to join the Manhattan newsies for the strike. She hadn't lied when she told Katherine that Davey was the brains: he was much more eloquent than she was and she hoped that it would help convince Spot and the rest of the Brooklyn newsies to help them.
If they had Brooklyn, they would surely have the rest of the city.
"Jack!"
She pushed off the railing and turned towards the voice, already smiling -
"Les! Davey!" She had to be honest with herself, she was somewhat disappointed to see Les with his brother. It wasn't that she disliked the kid. On the contrary, she was already attached to him, caring for him as much as newsies who had been working with her for years but she had hoped to spend some time with Davey.
Alone.
"I hope you weren't waitin' long," began Davey. "It took a bit longer than expected to get here."
Jack shook her head. "Nah, didn't even notice," she replied, motioning towards the other side of the bridge. "Now, let's get going before it gets dark."
The brothers followed her as they began making their way towards Brooklyn. Les was nearly skipping ahead of Jack and Davey, seeming to be overly excited about visiting the other city.
"Don't get too far ahead, Les!" called out Jack and the kid slowed down, even leaning against the railing to pear out onto the river as he waited for the other two to catch up.
As they did, Davey took a moment to say to Jack. "You do know you can clean your face from time to time." He had put in a hint of a joke as he said that but there was still a chunk of truth that remained.
"What, don't ya like it?" teased Jack and she realized only after having said it that it resembled flirting a bit too much.
Again.
Tone it down, she reprimanded herself.
"Could be better," replied Davey. "It wouldn't hurt to have less dirt on you."
Actually, for Jack, it was a layer - literally - of defense. The dirt helped with her newsie boy disguise, making people focus more on the dirt than on her features.
To Davey, however, she just rolled her eyes. "Well, next time there ain't a line for the tub at the lodging, I'll give it a try."
"Offer still stands on comin' over," said Davey. "You'd be able to clean there."
Jack ignored that offer, like she had with the others because she still did not feel comfortable with the idea of parents, no matter how attracted she was to Davey. It was still a sore spot, a scar she hadn't let heal over the years.
Davey didn't add to the conversation as they continued walking and, the moment the trio stepped foot on Brooklyn turf, three newsies approached them.
"Gots lost, Manhattan?" asked the biggest one, the one with a good three inches over Jack and Davey.
Les stared at them with wide eyes as Jack stepped forward, hands up in surrender. "We're just here to speak to Spot Colon. We ain't steppin' on anyone's turf."
"Good. Don't want youse to get the wrong idea," grumbled another of the boys. He may have been shorter but he was bulkier in size. "Follow us and keep up."
Davey sent Jack a worried look as he began to regret letting Les tag along with them. He had not realized this had been the reason why the other newsies didn't want to go to Brooklyn.
"Jack," hissed Davey, coming up very close to her so that she was the only one to hear him. "Is it safe to have Les here?"
Jack glanced towards the three newsies in front of them just as one turned his head, giving them a look. Jack smiled in his direction and he just made a face. He thankfully returned his attention back to the front.
"Better 're than sendin' 'im back," replied Jack softly. "Just don't do anythin' stupid." That didn't seem to calm Davey's nerves. "Just let me deal with the other newsies, you talk to Spot. Deal?" Davey hesitantly nodded and Jack swung her arm around his shoulders, giving them a squeeze. "Don't worry. I gots you."
"Thank you," said Davey, sending her a grateful smile.
"Anytime," she replied with a wink.
Several minutes later, the group reached the Brooklyn lodging house and, when they entered, were greeted by about 20 newsies, almost all nearly as big as the ones that had brought them there.
One of the shorter boys broke away from the group and walked up to meet the trio. Jack spit into her hand and held it out as the boy did the same thing and they shook.
"Jack Kelly," greeted the boy.
"Spot Colon. Always nice havin' a welcomin' party at the bridge."
Spot smirked. "Can't be too safe, Kelly. And who's this?" he asked, motioning towards the brothers.
"Davey and Les," introduced Jack.
As Les had no problem spiting in his hand to shake Spot's, Jack needed to send a warning look towards Davey. She couldn't have him – as she had put it – doing something stupid. Not with the Brooklyn newsies.
Thankfully Davey only seemed midly inconvenienced as he imitated Jack and his brother and shook the hand of the Brooklyn leader.
"So, Kelly, word on the street is youse startin' a strike," began Spot, heading back towards his newsies and taking a seat on a stack of boxes.
Jack nodded and, with Davey, they explained the situation to Spot and his gang, about the next step being stopping the wagons from delivering to the rest of the city.
"The more newsies stand their ground against Pulitzer and Hearst and all the other newspaper giants, the better of a chance we have of winnin'. They need to understand that we're employees and we need to be treated as such," explained Davey and Jack was once again thankful that he had gone with her.
"So, what ya say, Spot?" wondered Jack. "Are you with us on showin' them that we wont's be stepped on? That we have rights and that they need to respect that?"
Spot didn't answer as he stared at the trio.
"Please?" tried Les softly.
Spot turned towards the young boy. "Those big eyes ain't gonna work 're, kid. But, I's impressed with what youse gotten done so far." Jack's eyes widened. She didn't think it would be – "But, I ain't ready just yet to join this little strike of yours."
Jack stepped forward and wanting to –
She froze the moment many Brooklyn boys moved forward as well. Thankfully, Spot raised a hand, stopping them quickly enough. He eyed Jack for a moment before motioning for her to approach. She did so slowly, keeping an eye on the other newsies until she was face to face with their leader.
"Listen, Jack, the idea, it's a nice idea. But I ain't puttin' my boys at risk with this strike if your boys ain't gonna stand their ground."
"The Manhattan newsies will –"
"Prove it. Prove you ain't gonna flake and Brooklyn'll have your back."
Jack frowned, not liking the implication Spot set for her newsies. They had never given Brooklyn a reason to doubt them and yet, here they were, playing with Manhattan's honour.
"We won't, you have my word," said Jack stiffly, spitting in her hand and extending it towards Spot. "And I hope I's have yours about the strike."
Spot also spit in his hand, shaking it with Jack's. "Done. Now get goin'."
Jack noticed Les stifling another yawn and felt bad for the kid. It had been a busy day and they were out later than expected.
And still a ways out from their home.
"Les," called out Jack, kneeling in front of the kid, "climb on my back."
He shook his head, staring at Jack through bleary eyes. "'m… fine," he said before yawning once more.
Jack rolled her eyes. "Sure, you is. But either you climb on or I gets to carry you like a sack o' potatoes. Your choice."
Les tried not to laugh at that threat. The two stared at each other for a moment until Les moved towards Jack and climbed onto her back.
Jack easily stood, readjusting her grip on Les. "See, ain't that bad. Now let's get youse home."
She briefly saw Les nod but his eyes were already drifting shut. Jack then caught Davey watching them and he mouthed, "Thank you," to her.
She sent him a smile as she caught up to him and said in a whisper, "You know how many newsies I've carried back to the lodging?"
Davey's expression got somber. "Now I can imagine. You guys do a lot of work to make just enough to survive… I didn't know that before."
Jack scrunched her nose, not meeting Davey's gaze. "Hey, you gotta do what you can to get by…"
Davey nodded and the two walked in silence for a while. They had finally made it across the Brooklyn bridge, and Davey led the way back to the brother's place.
"Jack," began Davey softly, "why is Snyder after you?"
Jack flinched at the mention of Snyder but tried to play it off. "You really don't believe I escaped the Refuge with the Governor, do ya?" she whispered back, trying to avoid the question with a bit of humour.
"But why were you in the Refuge to begin with? You said it's a jail for underage kids."
Jack didn't answer right away, stubbornly staring at the ground as they kept walking. She heard Davey sigh next to her and she could sense he was frustrated with her lack of an answer. It didn't help that she had already avoided a similar one the other night. But…
She briefly glanced back to see that Les was fast asleep on her back before returning her focus on the older brother.
"Fine," she muttered, catching Davey's attention. "I ain't proud of it but I's got a criminal record. I's had one since I was 8. After I escaped with the governor, I – I kepts stealing and it's just been fueling Snyder's hate for me. 'Specially since he can't catch me."
"Jack, stealing? You…?" Davey was too surprised to even finish a sentence.
"I tolds you, I ain't proud of it but I hads to." Davey stayed quiet but he did seem ready to ask more, to understand why Jack had to steal. "For the kids at the Refuge," whispered Jack, her eyes downcast.
She had walked several more feet until she realized Davey was no longer following. She slowly turned around and spotted him rooted in place, mouth gaping as he tried to process what Jack had just told him. He had a hard time believing her but… he also knew she wouldn't be one to lie about that either.
Even if they had just met, Davey did trust Jack.
"You'd really do that for those kids? Steal for them? Risk your freedom for them?" asked he slowly.
"Davey, I'd do ANYTHIN' for my newsies and those kids. ANYTHIN' to keep them out of there and to help them get out of there. Remember that. Now let's get youse home."
Jack turned heel and started walking, letting Davey jog to catch up to her. As he kept pace, he glanced towards her, newfound admiration in his eyes.
"Shut up," she muttered, scrunching her nose since she was unable of rubbing it at the moment.
"I didn't say anything, Jack."
"Youse were –"
"But, if I was, I'd say the newsies are lucky to have you. I now know why the others look up to you, why they trust you."
Jack cleared her throat, turning her face away from Davey. "It's 'cause of my big mouth, is all."
"Jack…," sighed Davey. "Just take the compliment, will ya?"
She felt her face heat at that comment. Davey had complimented her and she needed to internalize that small victory. She briefly glanced towards him, smiling. "Thanks," she said.
Jack began to recognize the buildings around them and realized they were nearing the brothers' apartment building.
She also realized she still had Les on her back, still fast asleep.
She hadn't thought the situation through.
Just as she was about to practically dump Les onto his brother, a voice began calling out.
"David! David, where have you and Les been?"
Jack and Davey looked up the fire escape where a young woman was leaning over, staring intently at the trio from the second floor.
"Sarah, I told you not to wait up for us," said Davey, trying to keep his voice down. "Don't wake up Les!"
Sarah eyed Davey and then Les before turning her attention to Jack herself.
"Sarah," began Davey, "this is Jack. He's the one I was telling you about." She nodded, a small frown on her face as she stared at Jack. "And Jack, this is –"
Don't say fiancée or girlfriend. Don't..., thought Jack, worried.
"– sister, Sarah."
Jack schooled her features to remain as passive as possible considering the good news she had just heard. She nodded towards Sarah, whispeing, "Nice to meet you."
The sister's frown deepened for a moment before she nodded back. "Nice to meet you too, Jack. I've heard a lot from the boys, especially Les."
Jack somewhat shrugged as she smiled, unsurprised by the fact that Les talked about her a lot: he talked a lot to begin with.
Jack then turned towards Davey, motioning towards the boy still on her back. "Want to take 'im? I needs to be heading back to the lodging."
"Jack, it's late, just stay over," insisted Davey. "My parents really won't mind."
Jack sighed, leaning closer towards him. "Davey, listen, I's appreciate the offer, I really do, but not now," she whispered. "It ain't nothin' against your folks. I's sure they're great seein' how they raised you and Les but I can't."
Davey stared wide-eyed at Jack for a moment before he slowly nodded. "Sorry, when you're comfortable, Jack. I didn't mean to push so much..."
She smiled at him as they gently got Les into his brother's arms. "It's the thought that counts so thanks. See you tomorrow!"
"See you then. Goodnight." But Jack was already down the street, running back to the lodging.
Let me know what you think!
