I've been on summer break, and held up with a bum foot I injury from dance, so I've had a bit of free time on my hands. This is a 2 parter...Enjoy!

Katherine sat at the typewriter. The day was winding down and she stared at the pile of work that had been getting taller and taller throughout the day.

"Looks like I'll be here late tonight." Katherine thought

The stories she was proofing where such a yawn. She knew the reporters weren't to blame. Nothing was really moving in the news world. The biggest story any paper could sell is The Trolley Strike. Even that was being beat to the ground. The top reporters at The Sun had spun it every way they could, but as it entered its 3rd week there was no way to make it sound fresh. Even as she typed the stories she was struggling to keep her interest.

She looked around at the empty newsroom. Practically everyone had gone home for the night. Katherine looked outside, the sun was still up, she could get another hour's worth of typing done before she needed to head home. She tried never to be out past sunset alone anymore, especially since she lived alone. Katherine knew she should be able to walk down the street without the fear of being mugged or raped, but that was not the time they lived in.

The few times she had sayed past sunset someone always escorted her home. The men of the office liked Katherine and looked out for her. Even Mr. Dana had walked her home once.

Tonight she didn't want to bother them with having to walk her home.

Mr. Dana was still in his office, crunching the monthly numbers of the paper sales. From what Katherine gathered it wasn't going very well….

"SHIT!..."

Katherine jumped. It wasn't uncommon to hear profanity come from Mr. Dana's office, but this one sounded frantic.

"Katherine!?"

Katherine cringed, but got up from her desk and walked into Charles Dana's office.

"Yes Mr. Dana."

"Is anyone still in the office? Anyone on the reporting staff?"

"No, Mr. Dana they all when home early, nothing's really pressing with the Trolley Strike dragging into its 3rd week. You told me to tell them we were covered and they could take an early day."

"Fuck!"

Charles Dana slammed his fist on the table. Katherine jumped.

"Sorry Ms. Plumber. I shouldn't curse like that infront of you."

"It's alright Mr. Dana….Is there anything I can do for you? Or help with?"

Charles shuffled through the papers on his desk, as spoke to Katherine

"Katherine, I know you are not a reporter, but I forgot to assign this story. I was going to send Thomas, but he was sick today and it slipped my mind. Do you think you would be able to go watch it and take notes? I could help you put the notes into a review for tomorrow's paper. I'd give you the byline as well."

Katherine couldn't believe what she was hearing. She just stared down at the floor for a moment processing what he was telling her.

"Mr. Dana...are you sure? I'm just a secretary. I've never written anything for a real publication."

Charles smiled.

"Katherine I know that you edit and write most of the stories the reporters bring in. I know you can do this, and you would be helping me out. The paper can't afford to lose their endorsements."

"Mr. Dana I would love to! Where is it?"

"Ms. Metta Larkin's Burlesque house. I can walk you over there…"

"No I should be fine. The sun will be up for a few more hours and It cannot be more than an hour long."

"Excellent….Just be sure to give your honest opinion of the show. Report the Truth. You got that Plumber?"

"Sure thing Mr. Dana! I'll be in early to finish up transcribing the notes for the paper as well."

Katherine ran out of his office with a skip in his step.

Charles Dana smiled. This girl was going to go places, and she was ready to make it happen.

In another part of the city…

Bryan was meeting his brothers after his first week on the job. This job had been harder than he could ever imagine, but also some of the most rewarding work he's ever done. He knew his pictures wouldn't be gracing the front page anytime soon, but it was a goal to work towards.

"Hiya! Shoots!"

Bryan turned around and saw Jack, Crutchie and two boys he had never seen before.

"Hey boys! How's it goin"

He walked up and hugged Jack and Crutchie.

"Yas know hawkin the papes is the same everyday, but if you coulds tell old Joe to give us a decent headline we could really push some more!"

"Unless yous not that big of a deal up there."

Jack made some fake swings at Bryan. Who quickly put him into a headlock.

"Easy there Cowboy...Yous know that I can still soak ya even though you are grown. So who are these boys….you con them into sellin your papes today?"

Jack pushed Bryan off of him and walked over to the boys.

"They's helped me….I didn't con them into doing anything. This is Davey and his brotta Les. Their Pa got laid up on the job and they's had to get a job."

Bryan felt sorry for the boys. He remembered his first day on the job, It wasn't easy but older newsies took them under their wing.

"Nice to meet ya Davey and Les! I'm Bryan...or Shooter as these bastards like to call me. How was ya first day? Jackie show ya the ropes?"

The younger boy spoke up.

"It was soo much better than school! Jack told me if I acted sick and looked cute more people would buy a pape. We sold em' all!"

The older boy, Davey cut his brother off.

"Not that I agree with swindling people outta their money, but We did sell all of our papes."

He turned and spoke to his brother.

"And remember Les, as soon as Pa is back on his feet you, Sarah and I are all goin' back to school."

Crutchie walked up to Davey.

"Theres three of yas?"

Les chimed in again

"Actually five of us in the whole family. Ma, Pa and the three of us!"

Crutchie smiled at the younger boy.

"That sound like the perfect family….right Jackie?"

Jack looked down at the ground. Bryan knew what was goin' through his head. The talk of family always caused Jack to shut down a little. Bryan put his hand on Jack's shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

"So boys...where we headin? Are drinks on you tonight Cowboy? Since you had quite the successful day?"

"Not so fast Shoots, we's still waitin' for Romeo….He's sure takin his sweet time."

Bryan looked up the streets and didn't see any sign of him.

"Ya sure he's not swindlin some pretty gal into buying him dinner?"

Crutchie, Jack, and Bryan all laughed. Davey and Les didn't seem to get the joke...Les pointed at someone approaching down the alley way.

"Hey is that him? Romeo! Over here!"

As the figure got closer Bryan saw the face of someone he never wanted to see. Snyder! Crutchie was the first one to get everyone's attention.

"It's Snyder...Scatter Boys!"

Crutchie took off, Jack and Bryan wanted him to get a good head start with his limp. Davey and Les didn't seem to realize who this was or the danger they were in. Snyder saw the boys and immediately began running towards them.

Jack grabbed Les by the hand and Bryan put his hands on Dave's shoulders and pushed him the opposite direction down the street.

"Kelly! Get back HERE!"

That voice sent a chill down all of their spines. Bryan knew that Snyder had no right to pull him in again, with him bein' 25, but he wasn't about to let that scum haul his brottas in. Jack called over his shoulder.

"Metta's is the next block over! She'll let us lie low until Snyder the Spider has passed!"

Bryan nodded in agreement, not that Jack could see it. He brought up the rear of the group making sure that Snyder was a comfortable distance away from them, and ready to soak em if he got to close. There was no way he was letting any of these boys go to that Refuge. When they reached the back door, Jack jimmied the lock and they all snuck inside. Bryan close door behind him and leaned against it. They all breathed a sigh of relief. Bryan looked around. He hadn't been here in years but the place hadn't changed one bit.

"Boys...welcome to Metta Larkin's burlesque house."