The next sunup, with the dawn's light spilling through the lodging house window the Newsies began to wake up and, without questions, began their usual morning routine. Notebook, hearing voices and noise, woke up and noticed Star's top bunk was empty, "Hmm, I guess she didn't come back from last night. I hope she's okay" a worried expression crossed her face as she gathered her clothes to change in the stall.
Hearing Notebook, Tiger replied. "With Spot she'd be alright."
"I see your point, but who knows what kind of messes they'll get themselves in." Notebook replied, going into the stall to change. Once she was dressed, she washed up and set her hat on her head, when Kid Blink playfully splashed her with water, while at the sink. She laughed and bumped into Tiger. "Sorry." She said, while he just chuckled. "It's alright."
While in the washroom, the Newsies began talking about their chaperones for the following night at the fair.
"Heya fellas it's da big night, aint ya all excited." Crutchy shouted hobbling through the bathroom entrance.
"I se been savin me money for dis night." Skittery stated, before he splashed some water on his weary face.
"I'se met dis goil last night and took her ova ta da Park. She had dis blonde coily hair, and her eyes ..Whoo dey were da most goigious tings I'se eva did see." Mush said dreamily, recalling his night with her. Chuckling, the Newsies playfully threw towels in his direction, bringing him back to reality.
"Dey don't call ya Mush for nuttin." Race said getting ready to wash up at the sink next to Mush.
Jack walked in, "Hey have any of you fellas seen Star or Spot dis mornin?"
"Well, I looked in her bunk but other then that, no" Notebook said, shaking her head.
Skittery looked down, wiping his hands with a towel, and mumbled "Probably spent da night in Brooklyn…"
"Sounds like dey had a great night." Mush said grinning widely.
Race stood in front of the sink, with a towel hanging over his shoulder. "Five ta one he couldn't keep his pants up" he said lightheartedly nudging Mush in the ribs. The room erupted into a roar of laughter at the comment, and continued getting ready.
Meanwhile at the docks, Spot opened his eyes and swore at the sunlight that beamed in his dreary eyes. He ignored the chatter of the few men, and Brooklyn Newsies walking by. Spot noticed his arm was still under Star, holding her close. Turning his head, he smirked at her as she slept peacefully by his side. The sunlight swept over her features, and strands of red and gold shone amongst her dark brown hair. Her skin seemed to take on a golden-brown color, and a hint of a smile could be seen on her full, pink lips.
Spot leaned in to kiss her forehead but was surprised when she suddenly opened her large brown eyes and said, "Boo." Spot smirked and his eyes lit up, once he knew she was awake. 'G'mornin" he replied groggily, still staring down at her bright eyes. Star smiled and got up to get her clothes. As she crawled over to them, Spot swiftly got up and quietly crawled behind her. All of a sudden he placed his hands on either side of Star touching the floor of the dock, and bounded her with his arms. Star abruptly turned to find his face, a few inches from her own. "Where ya off ta so fast? I didn't get me mornin kiss." Spot allured.
"Oh well." Star taunted as she turned her gaze away from his, and continued to move toward her clothes. Spot turned his head, rolled his eyes and muttered.
When he least expected it she rapidly twisted around and playfully pranced on him sending the two plunging to the ground in a heap of laughter. As Star lay on top of him she kissed him avidly. He instantly returned the kiss, and as he pulled her closer their bodies compressed. With their legs intertwined, and their hands exploring, Star and Spot were utterly lost in a landslide of emotions. Suddenly a barrel crashed loudly in the distance and brought Star from her passion-drilled daze. Realizing what was happening and before things went too far, Star quickly rolled off him. Spot let out a reluctant moan and cursed the barrel for interrupting his pleasure.
Star lay on her back, as thoughts of what happened a few moments ago, ran through her head. "There, you got your morning kiss" She teased.
Although he realized the sexual impact it had on him, he decided to taunt her, and said dryly, "Ya gettin betta."
"Better then you?" Star challenged, smirking inquisitively.
"I'll let you be da judge of dat." Spot said suggestively, as he stretched his cramped muscles.
Star laughed and buried her face on his chest, as he placed an arm under her. "I wish we could lay like this forever." Star sighed.
"What's stoppin ya?" Spot asked gently fidgeted with her hair.
"Time." Star answered bluntly. After that being said she finally stood up and stretched her cramped muscles.
Spot smirked as he watched her, wondering if Star forgot that she wasn't fully clothed. Quite aware that she was still clad in her long underwear, she continued to stretch. After all, she had already spent the night outside only in undergarments, and it would be silly to mind now. She enjoyed the feeling of the freedom she had, and thought "If Mother saw me like this she'd have a conniption."
A tall, lean, dark haired newsboy walking by unexpectedly whistled at her. In his dark eyes was a frightening glint she did not trust. Star glared at the boy, as she quickly headed towards her clothes. Spot met the newsboy's eyes fiercely. He sat up, and put on his clothes. Once he grabbed his cane, he slowly got up, and walked toward the newsboy. As Star put on her clothes she eyed the two suspiciously, and noticed the hatred between them.
"She your new girl Conlon?" The newsboy mocked amusingly.
"What's it to ya? Ya plannin on stealin her away to like ya did wit Sugar cuz it aint gonna happen." Spot said furiously getting ready to soak the guy for even having the nerve to come to his territory.
Star was now not only suspicious but also confused and aggravated as well. "What is he talking about? What did Sugar have anything to do with this?" She thought
The newsboy grinned slyly as he eyed Star keenly, "Well I wouldn't mind havin her around to fuck every—"
But before the newsboy could say another word Spot forcefully punched him square in the nose causing blood to splatter out. "Don't you eva talk about Star like dat! He shouted clouting him in his eye, causing him to stumble backward. "So go back ta ya bloody whores in Queens Striker, and leave Brooklyn da fuck alone!" Spot sent the last punch to Striker's stomach almost sending him falling to the ground.
Striker growled in frustration as blood continued to drip from his nose, and swung a punch toward Spot, chuckling as his fist pounded against Spot's face.
Star couldn't stand watching them fight any longer and she ran toward Spot grabbing his hand "Spot please just forget about him. "She quietly begged looking up at his swelling eyes. "He's nothing but a horny dumb ass looking for trouble." Star said, louder this time so Striker could hear.
"So ya got ya goils fightin ya battles now eh Conlon?" Striker taunted as blood dripped from his filthy face. Spot was about to bash him with his cane, but Star stopped him before he could make matters worse.
"Ya jus lucky dat she's here Striker, or else ya woulda been dead by now." Spot replied menacingly.
Striker snickered wickedly, taunting the Brooklyn leader.
"Now dis betta be da last time I ask ya ta leave, I neva wanna see dat ugly face of yours in Brooklyn again ya hear dat?" Spot said pointing his cane towards Striker.
As Spot glared threateningly into his cruel dark eyes. Striker said nothing, but continued to smirk viciously.
Spot couldn't stand to glare at Striker's revolting face any longer, so he abruptly turned around and placed his arm around Star leading them away.
Striker watched the two walk away and scoffed as he contemplated
"I aint done wit you yet Conlon, by da time we'se trough wit you and ya goil u'se gonna wish you was neva born."
They walked in silence for a few minutes to Manhattan, each not knowing what to say. Star finally broke the silence, "Well that turned out to be an awful start to the morning. Everything was going perfect, then he had to show up"
"Must have been too good to be true." She thought.
Spot didn't say anything for a moment; face blank and mysterious, as he pondered over the incident.
"What the hell would Striker be doin in Brooklyn anyway?" Spot finally replied angrily. "He's obviously up to no good, do you think it could be because of …never mind." Star said shaking her head, and looking away.
"Cuz of what? If ya gonna say somtin, finish it." Spot said quite irritated. He glanced at
Star's baffled expression and felt a pang of guilt. He didn't want her to think any of it was her fault.
"I know you've had a rough morning but so have I, and if we want to figure out what the hell is going on we've got to communicate calmly and rationally." Star said sternly.
Spot rolled his eyes, "Ya weren't complainin before da bastard showed up." Spot mumbled.
Star glared at him and said, "If I recall, neither were you, now did you hear anything I just said."
" I aint deaf." Spot stated.
Star shook her head angrily, and reluctantly turned away.
Noticing this, Spot sighed in frustration, and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Aright fine, we'll communicate 'calmly and rationally,'" He said mimicking her stern tone. "So start talkin." He said more serious this time.
Star frowned at him for a moment then said, "Do you think Sugar could have anything to do with this?" She knew it was the last thing he wanted to talk about, but she had to speak her mind.
"Sugar? Why would she have anytin ta do wit dis? Da last I'se heard of her was when she left at da train station."
"That's true." She concurred. "But what if she didn't leave after all?" Star questioned arching her eyebrows at Spot, as he grinned at her cleverness.
"If she didn't leave den wadda ya tink she's plannin dis time?" Spot questioned.
"Only time will tell Spot, but we'll be ready." Star said smiling up at his cerulean eyes. He looked down at her hopeful expression, and smirked, as he pulled her closer. "Ya know I'se aint eva talked ta a goil about dis sorta stuff before " He confessed.
"That's because you've probably never given a girl the chance, they're quite smart at times." Star said reassuringly.
"So I'se noticed." He replied.
"Hey dere ya are, where ya been all night?" Racetrack taunted once they reached Central Park
"Dere aint time for dat shit Race, I'se gotta problem wit Striker, and I'se tink da situation wit Sugar might have sumtin ta do wit it."
Racetrack's eyes widened, and shouted "Striker! Sugar! I tought we was done wit dose bums!"
"Ye so did I Race, but looks like Queens aint done wit Brooklyn." Spot said.
Star stood quietly, and listened intently
"Dey sure don't know what dey's in for." Race said lighting up his cigar, as his unsold papes rested under his arm.
"No shit, ya seen Jackey-boy around? I'se gotta let him know dat we'se got company, I'se been tinkin dat dose goons are plannin on pullin sumtin at da fair t'night." Spot explained.
Race blew out a puff of smoke, nodded his head, and replied "Da las time I'se saw him he was sellin at da boxin ring wit Cassie, and Dave, and Les."
"Aright tanks Race, we'll see ya around." Spot said before swiftly grabbing Star's hand and hurrying off.
Race watched the two leave, shook his head and thought "Dis is gonna be one hell of a night." He chucked his unfinished cigar to the side, and continued selling his papes.
Wandering along the streets Spot pulled Star along, trying to weave through the bustling crowds. They finally found Jack and the others at the rather noisy boxing ring trying to sell their papes, and apparently succeeding.
Star, and Spot tried to get Jack's attention but to no avail, Jack hadn't heard them. Spot rolled his eyes and, while still holding Star's hand tightly he pushed through the mob of shouting people. Jack finally noticed them, raised his arm high, and waved them over,
"Hey Spot!" Jack shouted over the boisterous clamor before turning away and handing a paper to someone. When Spot was close enough, the Newsies turned to face him and was greeted with a quick spit shake from both Jack and David.
"Hey Spot! Hey Star!" Les cheerfully greeted, as he ran towards them. Star smiled and waved.
"Hey kid." Spot said patting Les on the back.
"Jackey-boy, Mouth, we'se gotta talk." Spot replied, his tone harsh, and stern. Jack and David knew it was something serious, so they immediately obeyed, and followed Spot through the crowds of people to a quieter place. Cassie, Star and Les stayed behind, and Star helped them finish selling their papes.
"What's up with Spot?" Cassie asked, glancing at the paper to find any interesting headlines.
Star told her friend everything that had happened—leaving out some certain details, of course—and Cassie nodded.
Spot had just finish telling them what happened earlier, and now they were discussing, and reflecting over the issue.
"So ya tinkin Sugar has sumtin to do with dis?" Crutchy said she left for da train station, I tink Stiker is jus messin wit our heads, ya know, jus looking for trouble."
"No body mess's wit my head Jackey-boy. Sumtin strange is goin on and I aint gonna stand for it, we'se gotta be prepared for anytin." Spot said, blue eyes flashing in fury.
Jack and David shifted nervously, taking in the info.
"Sounds like we need a plan." David suggested.
The three stood in silence grinning as they recalled the strike.
Jack spoke up "Alright we'll get all da boys togedda at da fair tonight, if dose bastads even tink about startin shit wit us we'll–"
"Soak em." Spot abruptly stated.
"No! We can't jus soak them then, and there. What about the patrolling bulls? Or the kids there, if we fight them we'll be putting innocent lives in jeopardy." David declared.
Spot and Jack rolled their eyes, but reluctantly knew he had a point.
"So what are ya suggestin we do den Mouth?" Spot asked mockingly, although he half-heartedly wanted to hear what David had to say.
Quite hesitantly, David affirmed, "We should just stick together, if Queens wants to start something at the fair tonight they'll be the ones arrested for assault, and if worse comes to worst we'll take the fight somewhere secluded."
Gazing down Spot nodded slowly, as he rubbed his cane top with his thumb.
"Dats a good plan Dave." Jack complimented casually.
David's insecurity quickly vanished to self-assurance, and the three walked back to the boxing ring, pondering over the circumstances.
When they reached the boxing ring, Cassie rolled her eyes, and turned to Jack, "Took ya long enough!"
Jack chuckled, and elbowed Dave in the ribs, "Mouth here wouldn't stop talking."
David rolled his eyes and glared at Jack.
Spot looked at Dave. "Dat's why yous called Mouth, so keep ya mouth shut."
Jack laughed, knowing Spot was just kidding around with him. "We'se gotta sell da rest of dese damn papes if we'se goin' to da fair tonight."
"Remember the plan," Mouth replied.
"Yea, yea we know." "We'se just gotta tell da others foist." Jack clapped David on the shoulder and left with Cassie, Dave following close behind.
Spot shook his head, chuckling, "Dats where da real fun begins." he slung an arm around Star's shoulders and they headed down the busy streets.