July 27, 1899

Day 7 of the strike

Adelaide walked up and down Flatbush, selling her papers. She didn't call out any fake headlines. She didn't even read the real headlines. She felt like putting any effort into selling would be more of a betrayal - but if she walked down the street, and just happened to be given free papers, and someone just happened to walk up to her and offer money for one, then so be it.

She was lost in her thoughts of rationalization when a yell broke her out of it.

"Hey!"

Adelaide looked across the street and saw Violet storm through the traffic towards her.

"Violet," said Adelaide.

"What's your game, huh?" asked Violet, walking up to her.

"What are you talking about?"

"You went home weeks ago, but you still come around Brooklyn all the time," said Violet. "And Spot's been coming around less and less, and when he does come, he doesn't stay for very long."

"Then it sounds like you need to talk to him about that," said Adelaide.

"No, I think I need to talk to you," said Violet. "He and me had no problems until he brought you around. Every time we were together it was 'Aide this,' and 'Aide that.' Now he barely comes around anymore. It don't take a genius to see that he's got you on the side."

"What?" Adelaide barked out a laugh. The idea of her and Spot as a couple was too ridiculous to keep a straight face. "Vi, come on."

Violet wasn't amused.

"Trust me, Spot and me is something that will never happen," said Adelaide.

"Yeah? Then why are you still here?"

Adelaide held up her newspapers.

Violet furrowed her brow. "Thought you newsies was all on strike."

"The newsboys are on strike, yes," Adelaide chose her words carefully.

"Uh-huh," Violet glared at her. "Then why ain't you in Manhattan supportin' your fella while he's on strike? Why are you here in Spot's neighborhood sellin' papes?"

"Coz he and I have a deal."

"I knew it!" Violet screeched, baring her fingers into claws and reaching for Adelaide.

"Not like that!" yelled Adelaide, holding up the papers as a shield and taking a few quick steps back. "Look, Spot and I are not together. Never have been, never will. I promise you that. Like you said, I have a guy back home."

"Good," said Violet, putting a finger in Adelaide's face. "Coz if I find out you're lyin' to me, and you and Spot are goin' around behind my back, you might not live to regret it."

"Trust me, Violet. I know not to lie to a Valentini."

Violet looked at her for a few beats, her expression softening. "He was a heartless bastard, wasn't he?"

Adelaide gave a short, wry chuckle. "Among other things."

Violet was silent for a few more seconds before she nodded at Adelaide's stack. "So if the newsies are on strike, then why are you sellin'?"

Adelaide shrugged. "I got people depending on me. They gotta eat."

Violet nodded. "It's a bitch, ain't it?"

"What?"

Violet shrugged. "Girls shouldn't have to work, you know? All them high class girls have fellas takin' care of them."

"You got someone takin' care of you."

"Not really."

Adelaide frowned. "Spot doesn't help you out?"

"It was one thing to take money from Ralphie. He'd just stolen it anyway, and he was gonna make me take it one way or another. But it's different takin' it from Spot. He works hard for that money."

Adelaide nodded. "I heard you moved out of your place."

Violet scoffed. "Yeah, and into this place for girls. I swear, I'm gonna lose my mind in there. The matrons make us do lessons and learn how to sew and all that garbage."

Adelaide suppressed her grin. "If you need help with any of that…" Adelaide shrugged, offering her services.

Violet shrugged. "That part ain't so bad. It's the girls. We just don't get along."

"Shocking."

Violet smirked. "I got my own way of doin' things, I guess." She shrugged. "Spot's the only one who's put up with me for this long. Anyone else is long gone."

"Well," Adelaide shrugged. "For what it's worth, I'm here. I mean, you did sit with me that one night."

Violet rolled her eyes. "Don't think you owe me a favor or anything."

"I don't," said Adelaide. "I just mean…Spot's my friend, you're his girl…if you need anything…you know…I'm just up on 12th street."

Violet nodded, looking down at the ground, clearly uncomfortable with the offer of friendship. "Thanks, Aide."


Adelaide sold her last paper and walked toward the bridge. About halfway over, she saw Spot coming from the opposite direction.

"Where've you been all day?" she asked.

"I been busy," said Spot. "Strikes are a lot of work."

"Well, Violet seems to think that you've been seeing me on the side," said Adelaide. "She was ready to soak me today when she saw me."

Spot sighed.

"You need to fix this before you get in over your head."

"I can handle it."

Adelaide raised an eyebrow. "You sure? Coz you've got two smart girls. They're gonna figure it out."

Spot rolled his eyes. "And you don't think Skittery suspects somethin' about you comin' to Brooklyn every day?"

"He did. But that's…under control."

Spot looked at her for a few beats. "So you lied to him."

"No more than you're lying to Vi and Charlotte."

They stared each other down for a few beats.

"Those girls don't deserve this."

"Skittery doesn't either."

"Are you going to keep throwing that in my face every time I bring the girls up?"

"Only so long as you throw the girls in my face when I bring up Skittery."

Adelaide sighed. "Fine. Then one last piece of advice. Remember, you're all Violet has. I think you're all she's ever had. She deserves better."

Spot raised an eyebrow. "I've never known you to be a fan of Violet."

Adelaide shrugged. "I was never a fan of Snipeshooter, and look at us now"

Spot smirked wryly. "By the way, Skittery was lookin' for you."

"What did you tell him?"

Spot shrugged. "Nothing. There's no reason I should run into you on my way to Brooklyn is there?"

Adelaide gave him a look and nodded. "See you around."