Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed and given me
suggestions. I love you all!!! Please read and review. I only own the
Newsies who weren't in the movie. Eronn owns herself. This is also going
to be a longer chapter than normal because of all the new characters, etc.
I also might add another character to this chapter after I load it, so
you're going to have to check back every so often. Also I know the music
is not from 1899, so lets play pretend. Enjoy!
1 Medda's
Medda ushered Cecile into Irving Hall. "Welcome to our lovely abode!" She exclaimed. Cecile smiled nervously. "Over by the bar are Charlotte, Eronn, and Caitlyn my three other showgirls. Playing the piano is John, our pianist. And my other four male singers who perform occasionally are not here at the moment. Girls this is Cecile. Pour her a drink."
"Oh. No thanks, I don't drink. Could I have some water instead?" She asked.
"Sure. Water instead." Medda sat down at a table and motioned for Cecile to do the same. Soon Charlotte, Eronn, and Caitlyn joined them. Charlotte was about Cecile's height, with long wavy brown hair and violet eyes. She was very slender and moved very gracefully. Eronn, on the other hand, was shorter, about 5'2. She had straight brownish-blonde hair and blue eyes. She was also very slender. Caitlyn was also about Cecile's height. She had unruly auburn hair and green eyes.
"Girls, this is Cecile. She's going to be working with us from now on." They all smiled warmly.
"So, what's your story?" Medda asked.
"What?" Cecile responded confused.
"Your story everyone has a story. Ok, I'll tell you mine first. My family moved here from Sweden when I was six. Both of my sisters died on the voyage here. My dad started working for a factory and eventually made it to a really high position, so we were somewhat wealthy. He was killed in a fire when I was 15. From our newly acquired money, my mother bought Irving Hall and opened it as a place where people could perform. When she died, I took over the management of it and I hire girls to work here. So what's your story? Everything that is told here, stays here. No one will tell anyone else, unless you give them permission. Right girls?" Medda said. Charlotte and Eronn nodded.
"Well.." She told them the story she told Spot, with a few more things that ladies would like to hear.
"So you really met the Prince?" Charlotte asked dreamily. "What's he like?"
"He's really sweet and nice. He can be funny but most of the time he is pretty serious because he is the prince. We flirted a lot and went to the opera and plays. He took me to see Romeo and Juliet for the first time. That was wonderful. I loved England." Cecile said with a faraway look in her eyes. "So what about you two, what is your story?"
"I was born to my parents, Cassidy and Robert Skinner. They died when I was six, leaving myself and my older brother Luke orphaned. We stayed with our Aunt Rachel until she died in childbirth, when we were 14. Our uncle started drinking and when he would come home, he would scream at Luke and I. We started to have fear of being abused and ran away. Luke knew I liked to sing, so he took me here and asked if I could stay. Medda let me and Luke went to Queens and became a Newsie. He is currently the leader of the Queens Newsies." Charlotte said.
"What about you Eronn?" Cecile asked.
"All right, here's my story. I'm a native New Yorker, and my parents were both Vaudeville performers. My mother was friends with Medda. My father left my mother when I was seven, and so she performed with Medda. When I was twelve, my mother got sick and died, so Medda took me in and began teaching me how to perform so I could make a living. She trained me for about two years, and I began performing for her when I
was fourteen. I'm now fifteen. I had met my boyfriend, Race way back when I was about ten, but didn't see him again until I was fourteen. We met again backstage and we flirted a lot. The next week, he came back again, and then again, and after a few weeks he finally got the guts to ask me out. We've been going together ever since. I occasionally
go with him to sell papes, but only when he's not going to the racetrack, 'cause then I wouldn't be able to get back to Medda's in time." Erron finished.
"I saw Racetrack outside earlier with some other Manhattan Newsies." Cecile responded eagerly.
"Yeah. Isn't he a cutie?" Eronn said smiling.
"And you Caitlyn?" Cecile asked
"When I was young, my parents decided to leave Ireland and come to America. My father died during the journey. I barely remember him... My mother and I came to New York on our own. Mother was never the same again. It was hard keeping spirits up with her so glum. The only thing that helped her was hearing me sing, so she said. We eventually found cousin Medda, and she invited us to stay with her until we got up on our feet. Mother was never very strong, but she didn't like relying on others for support, so she got a job in a factory and she and I moved to a small, nasty tenement. Mother worsened, both in physical condition and general sadness, and there came about the time when I knew she would die. I got a hold of Medda just in time; Mother died the next day. Not long afterwards, Medda took me in and provided me with shelter. Like my mother, I couldn't stand to be such a burden on someone like that, so I ran away a few times before she found that I had some talents. After the second or third time I had to come back- I couldn't stay long on those mean streets- she insisted I stay and perform on her stage. I was terrified at first, having never sung in front of anyone but family, but I'm pretty used to it know. I still get incredibly nervous before I perform though."
"Well, let's see what you can do. Can you sing a song for me, any song you want." Medda said.
"Ok." She thought for a moment and began to sing a song her mother used to sing to her and Spot before they went to bed.
"Amazing Grace.
How sweet the sound.
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost and now am found,
Was blind but now can see.
T'was grace that taught
My heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought
Me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
When we've been there
Ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days
To sing God's praise
Than when we first begun."
The last note rang like a bell on a clear day.
"That was great." Medda praised. Charlotte, Caitlyn and Eronn applauded.
"Thank you very much." Cecile said shyly. She wasn't used to being praised like this.
"If you work very hard this afternoon, you might be able to perform tonight. What song would you like to sing?" Medda asked. Cecile paged through a pile of music on the piano.
"What about this one?" She asked picking up a couple sheets of music and showing it to Medda.
"That could work. Let's do it." Medda said. They rehearsed all afternoon long.
On one of the breaks the three girls came up to Cecile. "We're really glad you're here." They all said.
"Thanks. I'm glad I came here too. So what about you Charlotte and Caitlyn? Do you have a boyfriend?" Cecile asked curiously.
Charlotte blushed. "No, not yet. I'm really not interested in anyone yet. And no one likes me either."
Cecile gasped. "Charlotte Skinner, have you looked in a mirror lately? You are gorgeous, half of the Newsies probably are head over heels in love with you.' Charlotte laughed.
"No. I like Crutchy, he's a Manhattan Newsie, but he would never like me." Caitlyn said shyly.
"I bet he's head over heels in love with you Caitlyn. You have to be optimistic." Cecile said brightly.
"Ok, girls. Break's over." Medda shouted. "Back to work." The girls worked until about 6 'o'clock. At that time, Medda ushered them into dressing rooms.
"Cecile, this is the dress that you'll be wearing tonight." Medda said pointing to a blue one, that brought out her eyes. "Eronn this is yours." She said, pointing to light green one that looked very good against her skin color. "And for Charlotte." She said again, pointing to a violet one, that almost exactly matched her eyes. "Caitlyn, the dark red one is yours. Go and change. Caitlyn, keep your hair the way it is, just brush it out. Charlotte wear your hair halfway back. Erron, just curl your hair and Cecile leave yours the way it is. Your jewelry will be in your dressing room." Medda said before leaving to get ready herself. The girls headed to their dressing room and got ready in silence.
"Are you nervous?" Charlotte asked Cecile.
"Yes. This will be my first time performing for people in America. I've never done this before in front of a large audience." Cecile whispered.
"You'll be fine." Eronn said. "It's really a lot of fun and not so bad once you get out there."
"Thanks Eronn." Cecile said fastening her earring.
"Cecile, darling, you're up." Medda said poking her head into the room.
"Good luck." Charlotte said putting her hair back.
"You'll be great, Cecile." Eronn said encouragely.
"You'll knock them all dead. What a mess to clean up!" Caitlyn said groaning. Cecile left, which helped her nerves.
"I hope so." She walked to the stage and took her place. The curtain rose and she could feel a thousand eyes on her.
2 Manhattan's POV
"Hey Spot!" Jack shouted over the roars of Medda's.
"Hey Jacky-boy!" Spot did a spit shake with him. "Rae, Moth, Mush, Blink, Crutchy, Mouth, Skittery, Specs, Dutchy, Charity, Jazz, Blazer." He said, acknowledging some other Manhattan Newsies there. The lights dimmed and the Newsies took their seats in the balcony, with Jack and Spot in the front row.
The curtain raised and five males paraded out singing:
One singular sensation
Every little step she takes.
One thrilling combination
Every move that she makes.
One smile and suddenly nobody else will do;
You know you'll never be lonely with you know who.
One moment in her presence
And you can forget the rest.
For the girl is second best
To none,
Son.
Ooooh! Sigh! Give her your attention.
Do...I...really have to mention?
She's the One?
They paraded around the stage in white tuxedos with black canes and black top hats, doing a little dance routine.
When they were finished singing, they parted in the middle revealing a pretty girl in a long blue dress.
Jack's heart leaped into his throat. It was the girl he saw earlier. The room fell silent, everyone memorized by the new girl. She opened her mouth and started singing.
Kiss today goodbye,
The sweetness and the sorrow.
Wish me luck, the same to you.
But I can't regret
What I did for love, what I did for love.
She walked over to where a swing was and sat down, swinging slightly in it, with a pained look in her eyes that reflected the meaning of the song perfectly.
Look my eyes are dry.
The gift was ours to borrow.
It's as if we always knew,
And I won't forget what I did for love,
What I did for love.
Gone,
Love is never gone.
As we travel on,
Love's what we'll remember.
Kiss today goodbye,
And point me t'ward tomorrow.
We did what we had to do.
Won't forget, can't regret
What I did for love.
The five men came out again, one of them helping her take a curtsey. They started singing "One, singular sensation." Again until she left the stage.
Applause rang out throughout the room.
Charlotte, Caitlyn, Eronn and Medda came out and each performed but Jack was in a daze. When the show finally ended, he leapt up to meet the new girl, but Spot's Newsies blocked off the entrance. Protests rang throughout the balcony.
"Before you all leave, I want to say something." Spot shouted. "That girl who performed tonight is my twin sister, Cecile Conlon. And if any of you lay a finger on her I'll kill you." He said threateningly.
"She's also known as Bella and Belle." Sullivan shouted. Whispers were heard throughout the room.
"Your sister?" Asked Racetrack.
"Yes. I'll intoduce all you bums to her at Tibby's." The crowd of Newsies eagerly moved downstairs and out the door towards the restaurant.
1 Medda's
Medda ushered Cecile into Irving Hall. "Welcome to our lovely abode!" She exclaimed. Cecile smiled nervously. "Over by the bar are Charlotte, Eronn, and Caitlyn my three other showgirls. Playing the piano is John, our pianist. And my other four male singers who perform occasionally are not here at the moment. Girls this is Cecile. Pour her a drink."
"Oh. No thanks, I don't drink. Could I have some water instead?" She asked.
"Sure. Water instead." Medda sat down at a table and motioned for Cecile to do the same. Soon Charlotte, Eronn, and Caitlyn joined them. Charlotte was about Cecile's height, with long wavy brown hair and violet eyes. She was very slender and moved very gracefully. Eronn, on the other hand, was shorter, about 5'2. She had straight brownish-blonde hair and blue eyes. She was also very slender. Caitlyn was also about Cecile's height. She had unruly auburn hair and green eyes.
"Girls, this is Cecile. She's going to be working with us from now on." They all smiled warmly.
"So, what's your story?" Medda asked.
"What?" Cecile responded confused.
"Your story everyone has a story. Ok, I'll tell you mine first. My family moved here from Sweden when I was six. Both of my sisters died on the voyage here. My dad started working for a factory and eventually made it to a really high position, so we were somewhat wealthy. He was killed in a fire when I was 15. From our newly acquired money, my mother bought Irving Hall and opened it as a place where people could perform. When she died, I took over the management of it and I hire girls to work here. So what's your story? Everything that is told here, stays here. No one will tell anyone else, unless you give them permission. Right girls?" Medda said. Charlotte and Eronn nodded.
"Well.." She told them the story she told Spot, with a few more things that ladies would like to hear.
"So you really met the Prince?" Charlotte asked dreamily. "What's he like?"
"He's really sweet and nice. He can be funny but most of the time he is pretty serious because he is the prince. We flirted a lot and went to the opera and plays. He took me to see Romeo and Juliet for the first time. That was wonderful. I loved England." Cecile said with a faraway look in her eyes. "So what about you two, what is your story?"
"I was born to my parents, Cassidy and Robert Skinner. They died when I was six, leaving myself and my older brother Luke orphaned. We stayed with our Aunt Rachel until she died in childbirth, when we were 14. Our uncle started drinking and when he would come home, he would scream at Luke and I. We started to have fear of being abused and ran away. Luke knew I liked to sing, so he took me here and asked if I could stay. Medda let me and Luke went to Queens and became a Newsie. He is currently the leader of the Queens Newsies." Charlotte said.
"What about you Eronn?" Cecile asked.
"All right, here's my story. I'm a native New Yorker, and my parents were both Vaudeville performers. My mother was friends with Medda. My father left my mother when I was seven, and so she performed with Medda. When I was twelve, my mother got sick and died, so Medda took me in and began teaching me how to perform so I could make a living. She trained me for about two years, and I began performing for her when I
was fourteen. I'm now fifteen. I had met my boyfriend, Race way back when I was about ten, but didn't see him again until I was fourteen. We met again backstage and we flirted a lot. The next week, he came back again, and then again, and after a few weeks he finally got the guts to ask me out. We've been going together ever since. I occasionally
go with him to sell papes, but only when he's not going to the racetrack, 'cause then I wouldn't be able to get back to Medda's in time." Erron finished.
"I saw Racetrack outside earlier with some other Manhattan Newsies." Cecile responded eagerly.
"Yeah. Isn't he a cutie?" Eronn said smiling.
"And you Caitlyn?" Cecile asked
"When I was young, my parents decided to leave Ireland and come to America. My father died during the journey. I barely remember him... My mother and I came to New York on our own. Mother was never the same again. It was hard keeping spirits up with her so glum. The only thing that helped her was hearing me sing, so she said. We eventually found cousin Medda, and she invited us to stay with her until we got up on our feet. Mother was never very strong, but she didn't like relying on others for support, so she got a job in a factory and she and I moved to a small, nasty tenement. Mother worsened, both in physical condition and general sadness, and there came about the time when I knew she would die. I got a hold of Medda just in time; Mother died the next day. Not long afterwards, Medda took me in and provided me with shelter. Like my mother, I couldn't stand to be such a burden on someone like that, so I ran away a few times before she found that I had some talents. After the second or third time I had to come back- I couldn't stay long on those mean streets- she insisted I stay and perform on her stage. I was terrified at first, having never sung in front of anyone but family, but I'm pretty used to it know. I still get incredibly nervous before I perform though."
"Well, let's see what you can do. Can you sing a song for me, any song you want." Medda said.
"Ok." She thought for a moment and began to sing a song her mother used to sing to her and Spot before they went to bed.
"Amazing Grace.
How sweet the sound.
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost and now am found,
Was blind but now can see.
T'was grace that taught
My heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought
Me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
When we've been there
Ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days
To sing God's praise
Than when we first begun."
The last note rang like a bell on a clear day.
"That was great." Medda praised. Charlotte, Caitlyn and Eronn applauded.
"Thank you very much." Cecile said shyly. She wasn't used to being praised like this.
"If you work very hard this afternoon, you might be able to perform tonight. What song would you like to sing?" Medda asked. Cecile paged through a pile of music on the piano.
"What about this one?" She asked picking up a couple sheets of music and showing it to Medda.
"That could work. Let's do it." Medda said. They rehearsed all afternoon long.
On one of the breaks the three girls came up to Cecile. "We're really glad you're here." They all said.
"Thanks. I'm glad I came here too. So what about you Charlotte and Caitlyn? Do you have a boyfriend?" Cecile asked curiously.
Charlotte blushed. "No, not yet. I'm really not interested in anyone yet. And no one likes me either."
Cecile gasped. "Charlotte Skinner, have you looked in a mirror lately? You are gorgeous, half of the Newsies probably are head over heels in love with you.' Charlotte laughed.
"No. I like Crutchy, he's a Manhattan Newsie, but he would never like me." Caitlyn said shyly.
"I bet he's head over heels in love with you Caitlyn. You have to be optimistic." Cecile said brightly.
"Ok, girls. Break's over." Medda shouted. "Back to work." The girls worked until about 6 'o'clock. At that time, Medda ushered them into dressing rooms.
"Cecile, this is the dress that you'll be wearing tonight." Medda said pointing to a blue one, that brought out her eyes. "Eronn this is yours." She said, pointing to light green one that looked very good against her skin color. "And for Charlotte." She said again, pointing to a violet one, that almost exactly matched her eyes. "Caitlyn, the dark red one is yours. Go and change. Caitlyn, keep your hair the way it is, just brush it out. Charlotte wear your hair halfway back. Erron, just curl your hair and Cecile leave yours the way it is. Your jewelry will be in your dressing room." Medda said before leaving to get ready herself. The girls headed to their dressing room and got ready in silence.
"Are you nervous?" Charlotte asked Cecile.
"Yes. This will be my first time performing for people in America. I've never done this before in front of a large audience." Cecile whispered.
"You'll be fine." Eronn said. "It's really a lot of fun and not so bad once you get out there."
"Thanks Eronn." Cecile said fastening her earring.
"Cecile, darling, you're up." Medda said poking her head into the room.
"Good luck." Charlotte said putting her hair back.
"You'll be great, Cecile." Eronn said encouragely.
"You'll knock them all dead. What a mess to clean up!" Caitlyn said groaning. Cecile left, which helped her nerves.
"I hope so." She walked to the stage and took her place. The curtain rose and she could feel a thousand eyes on her.
2 Manhattan's POV
"Hey Spot!" Jack shouted over the roars of Medda's.
"Hey Jacky-boy!" Spot did a spit shake with him. "Rae, Moth, Mush, Blink, Crutchy, Mouth, Skittery, Specs, Dutchy, Charity, Jazz, Blazer." He said, acknowledging some other Manhattan Newsies there. The lights dimmed and the Newsies took their seats in the balcony, with Jack and Spot in the front row.
The curtain raised and five males paraded out singing:
One singular sensation
Every little step she takes.
One thrilling combination
Every move that she makes.
One smile and suddenly nobody else will do;
You know you'll never be lonely with you know who.
One moment in her presence
And you can forget the rest.
For the girl is second best
To none,
Son.
Ooooh! Sigh! Give her your attention.
Do...I...really have to mention?
She's the One?
They paraded around the stage in white tuxedos with black canes and black top hats, doing a little dance routine.
When they were finished singing, they parted in the middle revealing a pretty girl in a long blue dress.
Jack's heart leaped into his throat. It was the girl he saw earlier. The room fell silent, everyone memorized by the new girl. She opened her mouth and started singing.
Kiss today goodbye,
The sweetness and the sorrow.
Wish me luck, the same to you.
But I can't regret
What I did for love, what I did for love.
She walked over to where a swing was and sat down, swinging slightly in it, with a pained look in her eyes that reflected the meaning of the song perfectly.
Look my eyes are dry.
The gift was ours to borrow.
It's as if we always knew,
And I won't forget what I did for love,
What I did for love.
Gone,
Love is never gone.
As we travel on,
Love's what we'll remember.
Kiss today goodbye,
And point me t'ward tomorrow.
We did what we had to do.
Won't forget, can't regret
What I did for love.
The five men came out again, one of them helping her take a curtsey. They started singing "One, singular sensation." Again until she left the stage.
Applause rang out throughout the room.
Charlotte, Caitlyn, Eronn and Medda came out and each performed but Jack was in a daze. When the show finally ended, he leapt up to meet the new girl, but Spot's Newsies blocked off the entrance. Protests rang throughout the balcony.
"Before you all leave, I want to say something." Spot shouted. "That girl who performed tonight is my twin sister, Cecile Conlon. And if any of you lay a finger on her I'll kill you." He said threateningly.
"She's also known as Bella and Belle." Sullivan shouted. Whispers were heard throughout the room.
"Your sister?" Asked Racetrack.
"Yes. I'll intoduce all you bums to her at Tibby's." The crowd of Newsies eagerly moved downstairs and out the door towards the restaurant.