Now we haven't heard from Bryan Denton in a while….let's see what he is up to shall we?...
Bryan Denton walked towards the large building that housed The World News. He was dressed in hand me down suit that was slightly too big for him. It was borrowed from a friend who lived in the men's boarding house he lived in. He had a very tattered briefcase with him, which held his best photos. He was interviewing to be a photographer for The World. He had spent the last 3 years as a photographer's appearance at The New York Journal. Mr. Herist, his boss, hadn't use for him as a photographer. He was now hoping Joseph Pulitzer would have a place for him at The World.
Just as he was about to touch the door to The World he heard some familiar voices behind him.
"Woah! Lookie who's over in our neck of the woods. Ya lost Shoots?"
"Lookin' fancy Shoots! I almost feel like I should pick ya pocket...but I know better...ya ain't got anything to steal!"
He turned to see Jack and Romeo holding back laughter at his expense.
"Keep it up fellas...I'd soak ya good if I didn't think it'd trash my suit."
Crutchie hobbled up behind the boys and leaned on Jack.
"I think he looks profeshinal! Yas applying at The World Shoots?"
"Ya, apperentican' ain't payin the bills. Plus I thought I'd put some good photos on the front page so you can sell more papes"
The three boys hooped and hollered at this thought.
"Yas really gonna go interview with Joe?"
"Ya...we'll see….I might not be as educated as he wants"
"Yas got this Shoot! No one see things the way you do! Ya have a way of capturin' moments."
"Thanks Crutch!"
The circulation bell rang.
"Well ya better get out there boys!"
Romeo and Crutchie started toward the gate, Jack lagged behind.
"Besta Luck Shoots! This place needs someone like ya in there. Someone whose been on the outside."
"Thanks Cowboy!...Yas still drawn' in that journal I got ya?"
"Yeah, it's helpin with the memories…."
Jack diverted his eyes downward. Bryan knew he was talking about his short stay in The Refuge about 6 months ago. He placed his hand on Jack's back.
"Hey! Yas not in there anymore."
"But those boys...they's starvin' and strugglin to surivie. They's don't got brothas like me."
"We will help them the best we can, but ya gotta promise me yas not gonna go back there. Snyder is hot on ya tail. Keep ya head down and keep poundin' the pavement."
Jack didn't say anything else, he nodded and gave Bryan a quick embrace slapping him on the back. Then headed to the circulation gate.
"Hey Cowboy…Think fast."
Jack turned back towards Bryan and caught a half dollar Bryan flipped towards him.
"Get carryin' that banner, Jackie!"
Jack smiled and tipped his hat. He felt like one of the lucky ones to have Bryan in his life.
Bryan watched Jack disappear around the circulation gate. The half dollar he had gave to Jack had been for his lunch, but Jack was havin' a hard time of it ever since he got out of the refuge. He worried about him and tried to keep his spirts up.
Bryan finally walked through the doors of The World. This is the first time he had walked through these doors. He walked into the Elevator and smiled at the small boy running it.
"Good Mornin' Sir! Where ya headin'?"
Bryan looked down at this kid, he couldn't be more than 8 years old, and he was workin' a fulltime job. He had no idea that kids this young was workin' inside this building. Bryan was fortunate to attend school until his Ma passed away. She always worked hard so he didn't have to leave school. He did do as many odd jobs as he could after, but never to the extent this kid was working at this age. He made a promise to himself to help this boy out in someway if he got the job.
"Uhhh Mr. Pulitzer's Office."
The kid smiled at him
"Sure thing Sir!"
The boy started the elevator to Pulitzer's office.
"You don't have to call me Sir. You can call me Bryan. What's your name?"
The boy was a little surprised, but smiled a little wider. He felt like someone cared about him.
"Edwin Sir-er Bryan. But you can call me Eddie"
"Nice to meet ya Eddie."
Eddie smiled even more.
"Ya here for an interview with Mister Pulitzer?"
"Yeah, to be a photographer."
They arrived at the floor Bryan stepped out, but turned back to Eddie.
"Thank you Eddie."
Just as the he doors were closing he heard Eddie call after him:
"I hope ya get the job Bryan!"
Bryan stepped up to the desk where a small red-head woman with glasses sat. She was typing away. She looked up as he approached, but waited for him to speak.
"Hi, err-Hello, My name is Bryan Denton and I have an interview with Mr. Pulitzer this morning."
"Please take a seat, and I will see if he is ready for you."
Her voice was very high pitched, and almost hurt his ears. He took a seat on a chair by the wall, and watched the woman disappear behind the door. She was in there for 5 minutes before she emerged looking flustered trying to put papers in order. She sat back down at her desk without looking at Bryan. After a few minutes she jumped when she realized that Bryan was still sitting there.
"Ohh sorry Mr. Denton. You can go in."
Bryan walked to the door, placed his hand on the door knob, took a deep breath and pushed the door open.