Bryan exited The World building and didn't see the boys anywhere.
He looked up at the Headline Board and saw STRIKE written in Jack's handwriting. He couldn't believe how brave those boys were. They were standing up for what they believe in.
He started off to Jacobi's Deli where he was sure the boys were regrouping and discussing what to do next. He was going to join their strike and help them.
As he got closer to the Deli he could hear the boys dividing off sections of the City to rally more Newsies to their cause. He was surprised to hear a young woman's voice over the boy's rowdy murmuring.
"Why is everyone so scared of Brooklyn?"
He recognized that voice. While he wasn't able to see her face he knew it was the young lady from Metta's last night. The girl who was reviewing the show for The New York Sun. Her voice filled his dreams last night.
As he approached the door. He saw the petite brunette shooting down Jack's advances towards her, like she had done to him last night.
He smiled at Jack's failed attempt to capture her.
She got right up in his face using the same sass that he had towards her
"Have you got an answer?"
He smiled, not a lot of girls are immune to Jack's charms but she could see right through him.
Bryan decided to save Jack from humiliation. He stepped through the door and walked behind Katherine.
"Brooklyn is the 6th largest city in the entire world- you got Brooklyn, you got the motherload."
Katherine nearly jumped out of her skin and spun around. She was face to face with a tall blonde man with piercing blue eyes.
Bryan wasn't quite prepared for what he was faced with as Katherine spun around. He found himself face to face (or as close as their faces could get with the height difference) with the small brunette. She had chestnut curls flowing over her shoulders and down her back. While her hair was pulled away from her face she had bangs that fell slightly in front of her green eyes. Damn she was as beautiful as he pictured! His face formed into a dumb grin, but he quickly recovered.
"Nice to see you again Miss...Plumber wasn't it?"
Katherine looked at him confused, she didn't recall meeting this man so she couldn't understand how he knew her last name.
Bryan realized he needed to help her recognize him. He stepped around her to stand by the boys.
"Shouldn't you be out reviewing the ballet or somethin'?"
Just then it hit her. I was the voice of the impossible boy from last night.
"I don't normally review shows. I'm-"
She didn't want to finish the sentence with "a secretary" because that was far worse than a reviewer."
"Ya know as someone who works for The New York Sun, you are spendin' an awful lot of time around The World."
He walked around Katherine, he could see the boys watching him and he didn't want to be a pushover in front of them.
"Were ya lookin for me?"
Katherine scoffed
"The only thing I'm 'looking for' is a story. And this is a great one!"
She turned back to the boys and walked up to Jack
"A rag-tag gang of ragamuffins want to take on the king-makers of New York. Do you think you have a chance?'
Jack stood dumbfounded by this girl. He had never talked to a girl this clever and in his face. He was unsure how to respond. He looked around at his brothas for help, but everyone seem speechless in front of this girl.
Davey finally stepped forward. Being the brains he was always thinking things through
"You know, I've read a lot of papes in my day, and I never noted no girl reporters writing hard news."
Katherine tried to keep her emotions in check. These boys were just trying to bait her into a fight.
"Wake up to the new century. The game's changing."
Bryan didn't know if he wanted this girl, as smart as she was, writing the boys' story. He stepped next to Davey. Jack not wanting to be put down by this girl went back up to her.
"What was the last news story you wrote?"
Katherine didn't miss a beat and shot back
"What's the last strike you organized?"
All the boys backed off a little saying
"Ohhhh!"
A different boy stepped up from the crowd
"You're out of your beat, Kelly. Methinks the lady needs to be handled by a real man."
Katherine was used to be "hit on" by most men, but this boy was just a little pathetic. Using a sarcastic tone she said
"You thinks wrong, Romeo."
The boy shocked stepped away
"Hey, how'd she know my name?"
Jack patted him on his back. He turned towards Bryan.
"Ya know….I'd say we save any exclusive for a real reporter."
This really hurt Katherine. This was the kind of stuff she was trying to fight against. She was a REAL reporter. She knew the things she wrote were far better than the men who wrote for papers today.
"What? Do you see somebody else giving you the time of day?... ok...listen…. you give me the exclusive, let me run with the story, and I promise I'll get you the space."
A smaller boy who was using a crutch stepped up closer. He was about her size. (which she found rare because most everyone was taller than her.) He looked at her with hope and admiration.
"Hey, you really think we could be in the papes?"
This boy was very sweet. She looked at him then looked out at all the boys.
"Shut down a paper like The World, and you'll make the front page."
Jack stepped forward to her
"You want a story? Be in front of the circulation gate tomorrow mornin' and you'll get one."
Walking over to Bryan and talking at a lower voice...
"Shoots you betta bring a camera. Cause you'll wanna snap a picture of this!"
Bryan slumped a little...now that he quit he didn't have access to a camera.
But he'd find a way to get a photo for his brothas
Old Mr. Jacobi came over and started to shoo the boys outside.
"Let's go boys! Play outside, I gotta set up for dinner and I gots payin' customers what need the tables."
Jack stood at the doorway and addressed the Newsies.
"Come on boys! We got newsies to visit!"