Bitter looked at the rundown building. She could barely make out "Brooklyn Newsboys Lodging House", from the weathered sign. Spot took her hand and pulled her inside the building.

"Heya Floppman! I'se brought us a new newsie from Manhattan. I'se gunna take her upstaihs and show her 'round. Ise'll settle'er financial situation when I'se is done," he said to the man behind the counter. Bitter noticed he looked astonishingly like the Kloppmann at the Manhattan House.

"Hey…that guy…he kinda looks familiar…" Bitter commented, looking back at him.

Spot smirked. "So you'se noticed. Yeah dey'se is broddahs. I'se don't know hows they both started runnin' houses aldough dere's rumors dat dey both used ta be really great newsies back in deir day."

Bitter laughed trying to imagine either men being young at some point. She didn't have much time to think about it though because Spot finally brought her to the Brooklyn bunkroom where most of the newsies had been gathering, since it was almost dark. She stood in the doorway, completely frozen. The Brooklyn boys didn't seem shocked at all to see Spot with a girl in his room, in fact it seemed to happen all the time.

"Heya Spot welcome back! It's 'bout time you'se showed up 'roun heah! I'se didn' know how long I'se could take dat uptight Jack bossin' us 'roun." He paused in his speaking to look Bitter up and down. "I'se guess I can see what kept ya 'n Manhattan dough. Dis one's prettier dan da rest, Spot. I'se hopes you'se keeps dis one 'roun fer awhile; I'se wouldn't mind seein' her poirty face heah ev'ry moinin'." He smiled at Bitter and stuck out his spit-on hand. "Hey. I'se Cards. It's a pleasure to meet any frienda Spot's, 'specially since deys da prettiest goils I'se evah gets ta meet.

She attempted to smile and tentatively moved to shake his hand. Spot stopped her though saying, "Look boys dis goil ain't like none a da oddahs and you'se bettah get used ta treatin' her wid all da respect you'se gives me or else you'se gunna have a deal wid me." He paused and made eye contact with a couple of the boys that had the nerve to smile at his threat. "An' you'se definatley don't wanna deal wid me. We'se gots a understandin'?" The boys that had been smiling stopped and took a quick breath, then nodded with the rest of the boys.

"Wese'll be poifect gentlemen's Spot. Youse'll see. I think dat Fox wanted ta see you'se soon as you'se got heah. Ya want me ta go get him?" Cards told Spot.

"Nah, dats okay. Ise'll go see him. Hows 'bout you'se settle Bittah inta da top bed a me bunk fer me?" Spot asked. He didn't wait for a reply, but walked out of the room to a smaller room and shut the door.

Bitter didn't realize how comforting it was to have Spot in the room. She suddenly felt very scared sitting in a room of over twenty very strong and intimidating boys. She looked around and noticed that everyone was still staring at her not talking anymore. Bitter was just beginning to think that maybe it wasn't such a good idea leaving Manhattan and subconsciously edged closer to the door.

Cards finally said, "Bittah, right? You'se can come ovah heah wid me. Ise'll show you'se yer bed and give you a tour if ya's likes?"

Bitter smiled and nodded, picking up her small bag and gripping it tightly. She followed Cards to the bunk closest to the window.

"You'se is supposed ta take da top bunk, but you'se can jest throw yer stuff undah da bed." He waited until she had done so. "All right good, now would ya like to meet some a da boys? I don't 'spect youse'll remembah mosta dem but I would hate ta be rude and not have propah introductions." He smiled and continued to walk around the room pointing out everybody and relating his title to her.

Cards noticed she was kind of shy and asked her if she would like to go outside on the fire escape and get some air. Bitter readily agreed and almost ran to the window.

"So can you'se tell me how a nice goil like you'se got mixed up with a boy like Spot?" Cards asked once they were situated on the fire escape.

Bitter smiled. "Well one minute we were fightin' an' da next we were a couple…literally. Da boys thought it would be a good idea ta lock us in da bathroom together. Luckily, fer dem, it worked."

Cards laughed heartily at hearing this. "You'se the goil dey locked in wid him. I'se been hearin' all sorts a stories 'bout you. You'se got quite a reputation 'roun heah. You'se just bettah be able to live up to it."

"I'll try me best not ta disappoint ya all," she said giggling. "Can I ask ya a question?" she asked.

"You'se jest did, so back to my questions." Card teased.

Bitter hit him playfully. "Oh ya know what I mean" she said.

"All right lets heah it," Cards playfully relented while pretending to nurse his 'mortally wounded arm'.

"Okay I was jest wonderin' how close you an' Spot are. I noticed dat ya weren't nearly as afraid a him as da other boys. I mean da other boys nearly passed out when he glared at dem an' you ran up ta greet him," Bitter pointed out.

"Oh dats easy. Spot an' I grew up togeddah. We'se always been like broddahs ta each oddah. He ain't got much family an' so sometimes he jest needs someone ta be dere fer him and watch his back. After all he is human…regardless what da rumors are," he explained to Bitter.

"Dat was heartbreakin' Cards. I'se tearin' up ovah heah," came the joking voice of Spot from the window. Before Cards and Bitter had turned around they already knew Spot was smirking.

"Yeah yer real cute Conlon. I tries me hardest to make ya sound good infronta yer goil and you'se gotta go an' try ta sound cute," Cards countered, trying to appear angry.

"Yeah, shoah, whatevah. You'se two bettah get in heah before da boys starts ta talk about you'se. In case ya ain't heard Cards, I'se gets real jealous when oddah people's play wid me toys," Spot said fighting to keep a serious face.

"It ain't me fault dat yer toys are always lookin' fer a bettah owner," Cards teased while entering the room.

Bitter followed close behind him. Spot, always the gentlemen, helped her in the room.

"Hey I wants ta talk to you'se fer a minute, okay?" Spot asked pulling her into the room he had earlier disappeared to.

"Yeah, shoah," she said, although it was somewhat pointless because by the time she had been able to answer Spot had already closed the door to the room. When she looked around she was very surprised. The room seemed to be somewhat of a large, empty closet. There were two wooden chairs, a small table, and a one flickering light that hung from the ceiling.

Spot followed her eyes around the room and said, "Yeah dis is me conference room." He looked around the shabby room. "You'se remind me ta call me decorator! Dis place is a disgrace!" he joked.

Bitter laughed. "So, did ya have a reason fer pullin' me inta a dark room where we are completely alone?" she asked innocently.

"Is you'se tryin' ta hint at somethin'?" Spot said pretending he didn't know what she was talking about.

"Well if all ya do is talk 'bout interior decoratin' when yer all alone wid a goil I think dat we are gunnna have some problems wid our relationship," she commented.

Spot pulled her into a long kiss. "What kinda problems was you'se talkin' about?" he asked after they had finished.

"Oh nevermind…" she said a little breathless. Spot smirked at her and sat down.

"Now we'se really does have ta talk. Look Brooklyn ain't like Manhattan at all. I knows me boys ain't gunna try nothin' but you'se gotta be more careful in da streets. You'se better always have one of me boys around if I'se can't be dere. Also, I'se was thinkin' now dat you'se are wid the leadah a da Brooklyn newsies it jest ain't fittin' fer you'se ta be a cleanin' goil. I'se knows ya don't wanna but Ise'll have ta insist dat you'se becomes a newsie. Ise'll take ya out tomorrow an' teach you'se. Dat is if you'se has no objections."

"It's about time! If I knew dat all I had ta do ta get out a cleanin' was kiss ya I woulda done it long ago…as horrible as it is," she joked.

"Hey watch yaself goil! Ain't nobody allowed ta talk ta da leader a Brooklyn likes dat!" Spot commanded trying to look fierce.

"Aw, look da puppy dog got his feelins hurt. I feel sorry…really I do!" Bitter said hurriedly, faking an apologetic look.

"Yeah, you'se will be! Anyways I'se gots stuff ta do tanight. I'se sorry but it can't be delayed any further since I'se already put it off a couple a weeks. So I'se is gunna leave you'se heah. Ise'll be out late, so I'll prolly jest see ya tamarrow." Spot got up to leave.

"Wait, Spot somethin' has been botherin' me. Just how many goils have ya had here? Da boys all made it seem like it happened all da time…"

"Oh…I figured you'se would bring dat up soonah or latah. Look Bittah I'se used ta be dat type a guy but now I'se isnt...see?" Spot explained.

"No I don't see. I also don't think ya could be more vague even if ya tried," Bitter asserted. "I was jest wondering…well have ya evah had a real steady goil?"

"I'se ain't really got time ta get inta dis wid you'se now an' I really don't never wanna get inta it. Dose oddah girls is in da past. Plus, I sweah I'se ain't nevah had a goil as special as you'se dat I actually liked. I'se really gotta go now, so how's bout me goodnight kiss?" Spot asked hopefully.

Bitter smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow I guess. Aldoh I really wish you weren't leavin' da foist night I am here. I don't even know anyone out der an' dey shoah do stare a lot. It's intimidatin' if not completely scary."

"I'se would get outta it if I'se could. How's 'bout I take ya out tomorrow aftah we'se sell our papes ta celebrate you'se bein' a real newsie?"

"All right…and I understand ya have ta leave I jest wish ya didn't have ta."

"Well if you'se understands den what if you'se gave me a real kiss dis time?" Spot asked pulling her in for a 'real kiss'.

They both exited the room. "Listen up boys. I'se gotta go out fer awhile an' I'se expects you'se ta be on yer best behavior. I'll know if you'se ain't good!" Spot announced. He then picked up his hat and secured his slingshot and cane into his belt loops. He looked around once more then walked straight out of the room.

Bitter stood right where she was for a couple moments before feeling completely self-conscious. She walked over to her bed and pretended to be busy packing and repacking her things into her bag. 'What am I gunna do now? I wasn't even supposed ta stick 'round wid da newsies aftah I got bettah an' now I'm goin' out wid da leader? Nice job Bittah. God, I'm even calling myself Bittah now?! I'm Melody! I have ta remembah dat! I can't jest stick 'round an' I really can't get emotionally attached. Okay, I cant get MORE attached den…Only bad things come from it Melody!'

Her silent reproving of herself was interrupted by Cards saying, "Ya knows you'se are gunna wear yer clothes out even moah if ya keep foldin' dem ovah an' ovah like that."

Bitter laughed sheepishly. "Yeah, I guess yer right. I jest kinda got caught up in thinkin' an' didn't realize what I was doin'."

Cards laughed. "You'se looks all bored an' lonely ovah heah in da cornah all alone. How's 'bout you'se comes an' plays some cards with us? Wese'll go easy on ya since yer Spot's goil an' all," he joked.

"Well…I kinda sorta…don't know how ta play cards…" Bitter mumbled, not proud of her ignorance of such a popular pastime.

Cards held his chest pretending to be wounded. "You'se what?! Not any? Guys dis goil is killin' me!" He fell to the ground to emphasize his words.

Bitter laughed despite her embarrassment. "Cut it out! Get up!" she commanded.

"I'se is only getting' up if you'se promises ta let me teach ya how ta play cards." Cards bargained.

"All right, all right! I give up! I'll learn how ta play!" Bitter surrendered.

"Good!" said Cards jumping up. He dragged Bitter over to the game that was already in progress and proceeded to explain the rules in poker, the object of the game and easy ways to cheat without people ever knowing (he did have the name "Cards" for a reason after all!). After a couple of grueling hours Bitter had even managed to win a few hands.

"See yer a natural, Bitter!" Cards exclaimed. "Stick wid me kid it only gets bettah from heah. You'se keeps practicin' and Ise'll take ya ta all da games as my secret weapon."

"If I'm yer secret weapon ya bettah be prepared ta lose horribly," Bitter said smiling wryly.

The night went on in the same fashion. Bitter began to warm up to a couple of the other newsies and became pretty good friends with Cards. Although she was having fun she was very relieved when Floppman came in to make everyone go to bed.

After Floppman left the room all the boys headed for their bunks, pulling off various items of clothing as they went. Even though it shouldn't have shocked Bitter, since she had been living with all boys for awhile now, it did. Some of the boys seemed a little uncomfortable at stripping down in front of her too. Other boys waited and watched Bitter with anticipation as she headed for her bunk.. Bitter looked at them all oddly and sat on her bed to brush out her short blonde hair. 'What are dey all lookin' at me for?' Bitter wondered. She brushed her hair slowly hoping they would all just get in their beds and leave her alone. Unfortunately they all just sat there watching her more. 'Are dey goin' ta watch me while I sleep to? Do dey do dis ta all da new newsies ta scare dem?'


Finally Cards came out of the washroom and looked around. He rolled his eyes and yelled, "All right boys get in yer bed. Dere's nothin' ta see ovah dere. You'se boys are in serious need of lives a yer own. Da only time you'se all can see a goil is when Spot brings one in? Dat's pretty sad boys, now get away from her or Ise'll be more dan happy ta make ya."

The boys all moseyed towards their beds grumbling about 'Spots lackey'. It finally had dawned on Bitter exactly what the boys were trying to see and she wasn't very happy. She jumped into bed fully-clothed and pulled the covers up close around her neck.

Cards came over shortly. "Yeah shoah Cards! We'se all has ta get away from her but when da lights go out you'se sneaks ovah ta her. What's you'se tryin' ta see?" came a shout from somewhere in the room.

Bitter sighed and realized she would have to get used to a lot of things. Cards laughed and said "Jest ignore dem Bittah deys don't gets ta see goils a lot. Infact, I'se gots suspicions dat some a da boys ain't been in da same room as a goil since deys was born. I'se jest wanted ta ask you'se if ya needed anythin' befoah I'se went ta sleep and ta say 'night ta ya."

"Thanks Cards. No, I don't need anythin' but thanks fer askin'."

"Okay then Ise'll be goin' ta bed. Ise'll see you'se bright n' early tomorrow. Oh an Bittah I'se really glad you'se came heah. It's been really nice meetin' you'se an' its also good ta know dat Spot ain't always got bad taste."

"Really, thanks Cards. I'm really glad yer here. I don't know what I would do if ya weren't," Bitter told Cards.

"Ya'd prolly still be foldin' yer clothes!" Cards teased.

Bitter burst out laughing and Cards began soon after.

"Would you'se two shut up?!"

"Hey some of us is tryin' ta sleep ovah heah!"

"GO TA SLEEP!"

Bitter and Cards hushed their laughing and muttered goodnights to each other before Cards went back to his own bunk. Bitter fell asleep thinking that maybe it wasn't so bad that she had stayed with the newsies.

The next morning Bitter woke when the sun first showed in the window. She rolled over in her bed to find Spot asleep next to her. She smiled at his innocent face and the little bit of drool coming out of his mouth. 'It's so nice wakin' up next ta him. He is so adorable when he sleeps. Why haven't I seen him like dis before? Wait a minute…'

"AAAAAAAH" she screamed kicking Spot out of her bed.

Spot fell to the floor with a thud and woke up immediately. All the newsies that hadn't been up before, sure were now. They were also gathering to see what the commotion was. Spot picked himself off the floor looking completely bewildered.

"What da hell was dat for?!" he asked, looking angry.

"What do ya think it was for?! Why da hell are you in my bed?!" Bitter asked mortified. 'I didn't do anythin' wid him last night…did I? Nah, I would remembah somethin' like dat…wouldn't I?'


"What are you'se talkin' 'bout dis is my bed! Yers is da top bunk!" Spot informed her. His anger was starting to give way to amusement, and the mischievous look began to sparkle in his crystal blue eyes again.

"Oh…" Bitter said blushing a little. "Yeah, but ya musta known I was in here when ya got in bed and ya should've, I don't know, woke me up ta tell me or somethin'!"

"Hey I'se was a little surprised ta see ya in me bed, but I'se thought dat maybe you'se missed me or somethin'. It ain't dat unusual fer a guy's goil to sleep in his bed," Spot commented.

"Yeah well I just…I…" Bitter started to say then looked around. There were a bunch of newsies, only clothed in their underwear, in a circle around her bed and it made her feel a little uncomfortable.

Spot looked around too and rolled his eyes. "Don't you'se all gots ta be somewheah right now?" he asked. All the newsies sprang into action, getting dressed and washed up and everything.

Bitter got out of Spot's bed and smiled sheepishly at him. "I'm sorry about all dat I was jest surprised…very surprised."

"Yeah I figured dat. I think dat yer scream gave it away…" Spot commented smirking.

"Yeah well you try goin' ta sleep an' den wakin' up wid a guy in yer bed!" Bitter challenged. "You'd be scared, too!"

"Yeah," Spot agreed. "But I'se would be scared fer completely different reasons," he pointed out.

Bitter laughed. "Ya know what I mean!"

"Shoah I'se gets ya. So you'se expects me ta throw a beautiful goil outta bed on da off chance dat she might be surprised in da mornin'?"

"Well, I dunno I could kinda get used ta sleepin' wid ya nowit now," Bitter admitted.

Then looking at Spot's shocked face she finished, "I said sleepin' wid ya…not ya know…'sleepin' wid ya!"

Spot laughed. "I'se knew it was too good ta be true! Oh boy we's bettah get ready or dere wont be papes left! Der's da washroom ovah der if you'se needs it fer anythin'," Spot informed her while slipping his pants and shirt on.

"Thanks. Let me just go throw some watah on me face and I'll be ready ta go," Bitter told Spot.

"All right, Ise'll be waitin' out heah fer you'se," Spot said.

Bitter then walked into the now-empty washroom. She quickly rinsed her hands and face. She went out of the room to find Spot had left. She found herself worried almost immediately. 'Now what am I supposed ta do? Does he expect me ta go downstairs an' meet him, or stay here an' wait fer him?' she thought not knowing what to do. She finally decided to go downstairs to see if Spot was there.

When she didn't find Spot downstairs she really was worried. Since she didn't know where anything was in Brooklyn she couldn't go see if he was at the distribution office. She sat on the bench near the Lodging House door, resolved to wait for Spot there.
She had waited for about ten minutes when Cards came walking in through the door.

"Hey der Bittah. I'se was jest gunna go an' look fer you'se upstairs. Thanks fer savin' me da time! I'se is supposed ta take you'se along an' teach ya all I'se knows 'bout sellin' papes. Since dat won't take long, I'se is also supposed ta also show you'se 'roun Brooklyn 'til lunch. You'se ready ta go?"

"Oh, shoah I am," Bitter said, somewhat surprised. "Not dat I ain't happy 'bout spending time wid ya or anythin', but where is Spot? He promised he was goin' ta show me 'round and everythin'."

"Yeah, well I'se don't knows da particulars, but he was pulled inta Queens. It looked pretty important an' so he made me promise ta take good care a you'se," Cards answered her. "Come on let's make like a tree an' leave. Even doh you'se don't gotta sell papes ta day I shoah do since I ain't to keen on sleepin' on da streets." Cards then took Bitter's hand and pulled her out of the Lodging House.

Cards and Bitter spent a very enjoyable day together. Cards showed her how to exaggerate headlines, play on customer's sympathy, avoid the police, and the basic streets that she needed to know in Brooklyn. Bitter proved herself to be an excellent student and before long was exaggerating with the best of them. She also filled Cards in on how she and Spot had met, finding that she could talk about almost anything with him. While they were having hot-dogs by the river, Cards finally noticed the time. They were three hours late for meeting Spot. Cards took off at a sprint for the Lodging House more or less dragging Bitter behind him.

"Geez, pull my arm off, why don't ya?" Bitter asked angrily, when they had reached the Lodging House. "What does it mattah if we are a little late? Its not like—"

"It mattahs 'cause I'se been waitin' heah fer three an a half hours an' I'se don't likes ta be kept waitin'," came Spots voice from inside the Lodging House. "Get in heah you'se two. You'se got some explainin' ta do an' it bettah be good."

They walked in with their heads hanging. They both knew they were in for it.

"Look Spot, its me fault. I'se was showing her da town an' was too stupid ta watch da time," Cards rushed to tell him.

"Dat's not true. We were jest havin' a good time and I didn't think it would mattah if I showed up at noon or not, figurin' ya would jest find some business more important den me. Maybe I didn't want ta rush home jest ta find out ya had ta run off ta God knows where on 'business'," Bitter told Spot.

"Cards you'se get upstahs. We'se can talk latah. You," he said pointing at Bitter. "Follow me. Ise'll deal wid you now."

Spot walked out of the Lodging House and took off for the docks. Bitter followed him without talking. She soon began worrying about where he was taking her. 'What's he doin'? Maybe I pushed him too far dis time and he's takin' me off ta a secluded place so he can kill me an' dispose of me body easily. Nah, Spot wouldn't do dat…he likes me too much…he'd nevah hurt me…would he?'

She was suddenly jerked out of her thoughts when Spot whipped around and said, "Cards, I'se pretty shoah I'se told ya ta go upstahs. An' I'se almost positive I'se didn't ask ya ta follow us."

"Sorry Spot," Cards apologized sheepishly. "I'se was jest a little worried about you'se tempah an' what affects it might have on Bittah der."

"You'se thinks I'se gunna beat up me own goil? What kinda person do you'se take me fer? I'se jest wanted ta get away from all da boys so we'se could talk 'n private. Aldoh you'se ain't makin' it so easy fer me."

"Oh, I knew you'se weren't gunna hurt her…really…I uhh jest didn't want you'se ta uh…say somethin' dat you'se would regret," Cards said a little shooken.

"Shoah Cards. Now beat it befoah I'se changes me mind an' give you'se da soakin' you'se desoives," Spot threatened.

Cards had disappeared before Spot had even finished, leaving Bitter all alone with Spot. Once alone, Spot and Bitter just sat there for a couple minutes in an awkward silence.

"Spot, ya brought me out here ta talk didn't ya?"

"Yeah, I'se did."

"Well, den, why aren't ya talkin'?"

"I'se was jest thinkin' 'bout what you'se said befoah. Look, you'se knows dat yer really important ta me, don't ya? I mean I'se wouldn't keep you'se aroun' if ya weren't."

"I know," Bitter said, not really believing what she was saying.

"No, really, you'se is. But it's jest I'se gots responsibilities ta me boys an' all da newsies in New York. I'se caint jest turn me back on dem ta do what I'se wants ta do all da time."

"I know…really. It's jest I thought if I came ta Brooklyn dat we would get ta spend time together. I could have jest stayed in Manhattan where I have friends if I knew da only time dat I would see ya is when I was throwin' ya out a bed!"

"Is dat what you want? Ta go back ta Manhattan? You'se don' like it heah?" Spot asked sounding hurt.

Bitter sighed. "I didn't mean dat. I'm jest kinda exasperated."

"I'se glad you'se didn't mean it 'cause I'se wants ya ta stay heah. Look hows 'bout we'se goes back ta da House an' clean up, an' Ise'll take ya ta a nice restaurant soes we'se can spend some time togeddah?

Bitter smiled. "Dat sounds great Spot. I'd really like that."

With that their first 'lovers quarrel' ended...little did they know that there were many to come.