Author's Note: I don't own any of the regular Newsies. Some of them own
themselves.
Kat: Sorry that he sounds like her mother. He might sound like that, because he's pretty much raised her for eight years, so that could be why he sounds like her mother.
Moth: That is awesome, cause will I was writing it I was thinking, this better be what Moth would actually say.
Olive: Thank you so much! *blushes* I hate compliments!
No I don't! Just kidding! You are so good for my ego, did you know that? Lol
Rae: I know. You actually admitted it. You and Spot might not be in this chapter. I won't be sure til I post it. You're coming up soon, though!
1 Selling with Blink
"Where do you want to sell today?" Blink asked, picking up the afternoon edition from the Distribution Office.
"Let's go to Central Park. We can get all of the rich suckers while they're going on their afternoon walk."
"Did you just use slang?" Blink asked amazed. Cecile gave him a look that said so what.
"Everyone! Listen! Cecile Conlon just used slang! The world is going to end!" He screamed. Several people looked at him with amused looks.
"Shut up Blink!" Cecile commanded, putting her hand over his mouth to silence him. "Do you promise not to make a scene?" He nodded and she released her hand.
"A week after you first came to Manhattan, and you're already using slang. What's next? Swearing?" He asked in mock horror.
"Shut up!" She said again. "Can I actually sell papers today, instead of just sitting there so that maybe someone comes up to me and asks to buy one?"
"Ok." He said, handing over half of the papers. "What are you going to do?" He asked suspiciously.
"Why do you suspect something Blink? Why can't I just sell papers, like Rae or Moth? I don't see you questioning them." She protested, putting on an innocent face.
"Cause I recognize that Conlon look. The one that says, 'I'm going to pretend not to do anything but really I am.'"
"Ok, Blink. You're right. I'm going to teach you the real way to sell papers." She unbuttoned the first button at the top of her already low dress.
"What the hell are you doing? Spot will kill me if anything happens to you."
"But he won't find out now will he?" She stated. "Hand me those three papers. See those young men over there?" She pointed to a group of three men standing on a bench. "I'll sell these to all of them."
"No you won't." Blink said.
"Watch me." She strolled over to the men and passed them.
"That one is a looker." The tallest one said. She turned around and went over to him.
"Bonjour. Vould you like to buy zhis paper?" She asked, putting on a French accent. He nodded blankly and handed her a penny. "Merci."
"She's French too." One of his friends said.
"Vou didn't tell me zhat you had such 'andsome friends." She commented, turning her back on her last customer.
"Vat about you two? Can vou please buy zhis two papers?"
"For you doll, anything." Said the one who hadn't spoken yet. He looked at her plunging neckline and looked back up at her face. "Anyone ever tell you that you're beautiful, mademoiselle."
"Vhy, yes zey have! Zhank you for doing buziness with moi! Au revoir!" She said, walking back towards Blink.
"How did you do that?" He asked dumbfounded. "Teach me."
"Well there, I used cleavage and spoke with a French accent. You have to use your best physical features to your advantage. And lie a bit. You would do great if you could speak with a British accent. Girls love that." She said, handing Blink his three cents.
"Thanks. Do that again. Sell these five papers to those guys over there." He said pointing to a group of 7 gentlemen.
"Aiming for the big groups Blink? I can handle it. This time I'll speak with a British accent." She walked over to them.
"Would any one like to buy a paper?" She asked with a British accent. The men looked at her. Three of them spoke at the same time.
"I'll take one." They said in unison. They each handed her a penny and in return got a paper.
"What about you two?" She took her hair down from where it was perched on the top of head, and shook it around. "I only have two left. Won't you take them?" One of the men spoke up.
"I'll take another one for my boss." She handed him a paper.
"Thank you very much. I only have one left, all of you handsome men would do me such a favor if you could buy my very last one. What about you?" She asked, touching the shoulder of the man nearest her.
"Alright. Here you go."
"Thank you very much for all of your business gentlemen." She did a quick curtsey and pranced back towards Blink.
"Here you go."
"I'm going to try now." Blink said eagerly.
"Go for the younger women and flirt. Flirting is the way to selling the papers." She called after him. Shortly after, he came back with no papers.
"This is great. Give me some more." Blink said. This time Cecile went to go sell some more papers. They quickly sold the rest.
"That was amazing!" He said, lying on the grass. "How did you know how to do that?"
"From those idiots I thought were some of my friends in France." She remarked darkly.
"What?" Blink asked.
"Nothing." She replied.
"How come you never talk about your past?" Blink asked.
"Cause, I don't." She replied. "Why don't you ever talk about yours?"
"Cause you never asked. Do you really want to know?" He asked. Cecile nodded.
"If I tell you mine, then you tell me yours, ok?"
"Maybe." She replied.
"Fine. I'll tell you mine anyway. My father got a girl pregnant, one of his many lady friends I think, and voila! she had me. I think she didn't want me around or something so my father had to raise me. His wife didn't like me very much so she was never the friendliest person. When I was 10, my father caught tuberculosis. He recovered, but had a relapse a couple months later. He didn't survive. His wife was going to send me to the orphanage, so I ran away. Jack found me and suggested I become a Newsie. I didn't want to go to the orphanage, so I quickly agreed. I've been here ever since."
"I'm sorry about your father Blink. I know how it feels to have someone you love die so early on." She said with a tear in her eye.
"Thanks. I don't really remember him though."
"You don't know who your mother is?" He shook his hand.
"I think she lives somewhere in New York, but then again I'm not sure."
"Oh. How did you get the name Kid Blink anyway?" She asked.
"Well, a few nights after I arrived at the Lodging House I got into a fight with one of the Newises from Brooklyn. Back then Brooklyn was really tough and not organized. Spot came and organized it a year later. He blinded me in that eye. I have worn an eye patch ever since then. The boys thought it would be sort of funny to call me that because of the lack of sight in that eye."
"That's cruel. Do you mind it at all?"
"Not really. It just sort if stuck. Now hold up your end of the bargain, tell me your past that is such a mystery here."
"It's a mystery?" She asked surprised.
"Yeah. All the boys want to know where you come from and what's your story." He replied. "Pretty much everyone knows everyone else's' past, except only a few people know Jack's."
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yes. Come on tell. Your one of my best friends, and that's weird because normally I don't become friends with people that fast. I promise I won't tell."
"You have to swear you won't tell anyone. If you do, it could be somewhat dangerous depending on who knows the information."
"Alright, I swear." Blink said solemnly. Cecile took a deep breath.
"This is going to be the simplified version. I was born in Boston. When I was ten, Spot ran away. My whole family was pretty much shocked. Then another blow hit our family hard. I was almost fourteen when it happened. My mom and dad were walking in the street to avoid the mud on the sidewalk and the streetlight wasn't lit. A carriage was coming down the street too fast and hit them. My father died instantly and my mother a few hours later." Tears were streaming down Cecile's face. Blink patted her shoulder comfortingly.
"You can not hate me for this next part Blink, promise."
"How could I hate you Cecile? But I promise I won't."
"I was sent to New York City to live with my grandfather, Joseph Pulitzer." Blink gasped.
"He's your grandfather?" Cecile nodded. "Alright, I won't hate you. I'm just a little bit shocked. He doesn't seem like the type to raise a 14 year old girl."
"He might not, but he did. He was really nice actually. He gave me the best of everything and so many opportunities. When I was 15, Grandfather got a letter from my other grandparents in England. They invited me to come and stay with them for two years. I went and it was so much fun. Maybe it was because my grandparents were a duke and duchess. We went to France for about six months and also visited Italy. When I came back here, I had grown up into a woman. There were parties and dances every night. Then about a week ago, Grandfather told me that I was going to be forced into a marriage with the Mayor's son, Luke. He abuses his girlfriends and servants and I did not want to become like one of those people. So I ran away and here I am." She rubbed her eyes, trying to clear some of the tears. "You can't tell anyone, because I think some of the others wouldn't take it so well that my grandfather was their enemy, Joseph Pulitzer."
"Wow. Does anyone else know about this?"
"Medda, Caitlyn, Eronn, Charlotte, Lucky and Spot. Don't talk about it with anyone Blink."
"I won't." He promised. They continued to talk about other things for about an hour.
"Umm…Cecile, do you know who Charlotte likes?" He stammered.
"Yes, but I can't tell you." She replied. "Why?"
"I'm thinking about asking her to be my girl. She is so nice and pretty."
"Talk to her a little bit more. Become her friend. And if you guys do end up going out, don't play her. She is too nice to be played."
"Don't worry. I could never do that to Charlotte." Cecile gasped and looked at him.
"Is one of the biggest womanizers going soft?" She asked teasingly. Blink threw a piece of grass at her which landed in her hair.
(~~)
That day, Spot and Jack decided to sell together in the Central Park area. When they were all done they walked around, enjoying the warm September weather.
"Isn't that Cecile and Blink over there?" Jack asked.
Spot shielded his eyes with his hand. "Yeah. Let's go say hi." They headed over to where they were. As they got closer, they saw that they were throwing grass at each other. They could hear Cecile's shrieks as Blink grabbed her throwing hand and pinned her on the ground. Spot cleared his throat and they both looked up.
"Hello Spot, Jack." Blink said standing up, off of Cecile.
"Hey." Cecile said, standing up and brushing herself off.
"What are you guys up to?" Jack asked.
"We were just talking and playing around after we got done selling Blink's papers." She responded.
"That sister of yours is an excellent seller." Blink said. "She has your skills, Spot."
"What do you mean?" Spot asked suspiciously.
"What time is it?" Cecile asked, quickly veering her brother off of the topic.
"3:30." Jack responded.
"Damn! I need to be at Medda's at 3:45 to rehearse for tonight. Walk me there Spot?"
"Sure. See you later Jack and Blink." Spot said.
"That girl sure is something." Blink said as they walked away.
"You're telling me." Jack responded under his breath.
(~~)
"Hey Spot." Cecile said as they walked to Medda's.
"Yeah?"
"Do you like anyone?"
"I like a lot of people." He responded slyly.
"You know what I mean. Do you like any girls more than friends?"
"Yeah."
"Who?" She asked curiously.
"Why should I tell you?" He asked smiling.
"Because I'm your sister and I have a right to know." She replied annoyed.
"Well…."
"Please Spot."
"Fine. I like Rae."
"Rae?" She asked.
"Yeah. The only people that know besides you are Lucky and Sullivan, so don't go telling anyone."
"I won't." Cecile promised. "Why don't you ask her to be your girl?"
"Have you seen the way she acts around me? She hates me. There is no way she would ever say yes and then I'd be the laughingstock of New York. I can just see it, Spot Conlon, the most feared and respected Newsie in the state, turned down by Rae Kelly. I could never do that." He said, stopping in front of Irving Hall.
"You won't know unless you ask, Spot. See you tonight. You're coming right?"
"Well, I can't take the risk of the answer being no. Yeah, I'll see you after the show. Bye." He said, kissing her cheek.
"Bye. And you really should do something about Rae." She said, heading into the building.
Kat: Sorry that he sounds like her mother. He might sound like that, because he's pretty much raised her for eight years, so that could be why he sounds like her mother.
Moth: That is awesome, cause will I was writing it I was thinking, this better be what Moth would actually say.
Olive: Thank you so much! *blushes* I hate compliments!
No I don't! Just kidding! You are so good for my ego, did you know that? Lol
Rae: I know. You actually admitted it. You and Spot might not be in this chapter. I won't be sure til I post it. You're coming up soon, though!
1 Selling with Blink
"Where do you want to sell today?" Blink asked, picking up the afternoon edition from the Distribution Office.
"Let's go to Central Park. We can get all of the rich suckers while they're going on their afternoon walk."
"Did you just use slang?" Blink asked amazed. Cecile gave him a look that said so what.
"Everyone! Listen! Cecile Conlon just used slang! The world is going to end!" He screamed. Several people looked at him with amused looks.
"Shut up Blink!" Cecile commanded, putting her hand over his mouth to silence him. "Do you promise not to make a scene?" He nodded and she released her hand.
"A week after you first came to Manhattan, and you're already using slang. What's next? Swearing?" He asked in mock horror.
"Shut up!" She said again. "Can I actually sell papers today, instead of just sitting there so that maybe someone comes up to me and asks to buy one?"
"Ok." He said, handing over half of the papers. "What are you going to do?" He asked suspiciously.
"Why do you suspect something Blink? Why can't I just sell papers, like Rae or Moth? I don't see you questioning them." She protested, putting on an innocent face.
"Cause I recognize that Conlon look. The one that says, 'I'm going to pretend not to do anything but really I am.'"
"Ok, Blink. You're right. I'm going to teach you the real way to sell papers." She unbuttoned the first button at the top of her already low dress.
"What the hell are you doing? Spot will kill me if anything happens to you."
"But he won't find out now will he?" She stated. "Hand me those three papers. See those young men over there?" She pointed to a group of three men standing on a bench. "I'll sell these to all of them."
"No you won't." Blink said.
"Watch me." She strolled over to the men and passed them.
"That one is a looker." The tallest one said. She turned around and went over to him.
"Bonjour. Vould you like to buy zhis paper?" She asked, putting on a French accent. He nodded blankly and handed her a penny. "Merci."
"She's French too." One of his friends said.
"Vou didn't tell me zhat you had such 'andsome friends." She commented, turning her back on her last customer.
"Vat about you two? Can vou please buy zhis two papers?"
"For you doll, anything." Said the one who hadn't spoken yet. He looked at her plunging neckline and looked back up at her face. "Anyone ever tell you that you're beautiful, mademoiselle."
"Vhy, yes zey have! Zhank you for doing buziness with moi! Au revoir!" She said, walking back towards Blink.
"How did you do that?" He asked dumbfounded. "Teach me."
"Well there, I used cleavage and spoke with a French accent. You have to use your best physical features to your advantage. And lie a bit. You would do great if you could speak with a British accent. Girls love that." She said, handing Blink his three cents.
"Thanks. Do that again. Sell these five papers to those guys over there." He said pointing to a group of 7 gentlemen.
"Aiming for the big groups Blink? I can handle it. This time I'll speak with a British accent." She walked over to them.
"Would any one like to buy a paper?" She asked with a British accent. The men looked at her. Three of them spoke at the same time.
"I'll take one." They said in unison. They each handed her a penny and in return got a paper.
"What about you two?" She took her hair down from where it was perched on the top of head, and shook it around. "I only have two left. Won't you take them?" One of the men spoke up.
"I'll take another one for my boss." She handed him a paper.
"Thank you very much. I only have one left, all of you handsome men would do me such a favor if you could buy my very last one. What about you?" She asked, touching the shoulder of the man nearest her.
"Alright. Here you go."
"Thank you very much for all of your business gentlemen." She did a quick curtsey and pranced back towards Blink.
"Here you go."
"I'm going to try now." Blink said eagerly.
"Go for the younger women and flirt. Flirting is the way to selling the papers." She called after him. Shortly after, he came back with no papers.
"This is great. Give me some more." Blink said. This time Cecile went to go sell some more papers. They quickly sold the rest.
"That was amazing!" He said, lying on the grass. "How did you know how to do that?"
"From those idiots I thought were some of my friends in France." She remarked darkly.
"What?" Blink asked.
"Nothing." She replied.
"How come you never talk about your past?" Blink asked.
"Cause, I don't." She replied. "Why don't you ever talk about yours?"
"Cause you never asked. Do you really want to know?" He asked. Cecile nodded.
"If I tell you mine, then you tell me yours, ok?"
"Maybe." She replied.
"Fine. I'll tell you mine anyway. My father got a girl pregnant, one of his many lady friends I think, and voila! she had me. I think she didn't want me around or something so my father had to raise me. His wife didn't like me very much so she was never the friendliest person. When I was 10, my father caught tuberculosis. He recovered, but had a relapse a couple months later. He didn't survive. His wife was going to send me to the orphanage, so I ran away. Jack found me and suggested I become a Newsie. I didn't want to go to the orphanage, so I quickly agreed. I've been here ever since."
"I'm sorry about your father Blink. I know how it feels to have someone you love die so early on." She said with a tear in her eye.
"Thanks. I don't really remember him though."
"You don't know who your mother is?" He shook his hand.
"I think she lives somewhere in New York, but then again I'm not sure."
"Oh. How did you get the name Kid Blink anyway?" She asked.
"Well, a few nights after I arrived at the Lodging House I got into a fight with one of the Newises from Brooklyn. Back then Brooklyn was really tough and not organized. Spot came and organized it a year later. He blinded me in that eye. I have worn an eye patch ever since then. The boys thought it would be sort of funny to call me that because of the lack of sight in that eye."
"That's cruel. Do you mind it at all?"
"Not really. It just sort if stuck. Now hold up your end of the bargain, tell me your past that is such a mystery here."
"It's a mystery?" She asked surprised.
"Yeah. All the boys want to know where you come from and what's your story." He replied. "Pretty much everyone knows everyone else's' past, except only a few people know Jack's."
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yes. Come on tell. Your one of my best friends, and that's weird because normally I don't become friends with people that fast. I promise I won't tell."
"You have to swear you won't tell anyone. If you do, it could be somewhat dangerous depending on who knows the information."
"Alright, I swear." Blink said solemnly. Cecile took a deep breath.
"This is going to be the simplified version. I was born in Boston. When I was ten, Spot ran away. My whole family was pretty much shocked. Then another blow hit our family hard. I was almost fourteen when it happened. My mom and dad were walking in the street to avoid the mud on the sidewalk and the streetlight wasn't lit. A carriage was coming down the street too fast and hit them. My father died instantly and my mother a few hours later." Tears were streaming down Cecile's face. Blink patted her shoulder comfortingly.
"You can not hate me for this next part Blink, promise."
"How could I hate you Cecile? But I promise I won't."
"I was sent to New York City to live with my grandfather, Joseph Pulitzer." Blink gasped.
"He's your grandfather?" Cecile nodded. "Alright, I won't hate you. I'm just a little bit shocked. He doesn't seem like the type to raise a 14 year old girl."
"He might not, but he did. He was really nice actually. He gave me the best of everything and so many opportunities. When I was 15, Grandfather got a letter from my other grandparents in England. They invited me to come and stay with them for two years. I went and it was so much fun. Maybe it was because my grandparents were a duke and duchess. We went to France for about six months and also visited Italy. When I came back here, I had grown up into a woman. There were parties and dances every night. Then about a week ago, Grandfather told me that I was going to be forced into a marriage with the Mayor's son, Luke. He abuses his girlfriends and servants and I did not want to become like one of those people. So I ran away and here I am." She rubbed her eyes, trying to clear some of the tears. "You can't tell anyone, because I think some of the others wouldn't take it so well that my grandfather was their enemy, Joseph Pulitzer."
"Wow. Does anyone else know about this?"
"Medda, Caitlyn, Eronn, Charlotte, Lucky and Spot. Don't talk about it with anyone Blink."
"I won't." He promised. They continued to talk about other things for about an hour.
"Umm…Cecile, do you know who Charlotte likes?" He stammered.
"Yes, but I can't tell you." She replied. "Why?"
"I'm thinking about asking her to be my girl. She is so nice and pretty."
"Talk to her a little bit more. Become her friend. And if you guys do end up going out, don't play her. She is too nice to be played."
"Don't worry. I could never do that to Charlotte." Cecile gasped and looked at him.
"Is one of the biggest womanizers going soft?" She asked teasingly. Blink threw a piece of grass at her which landed in her hair.
(~~)
That day, Spot and Jack decided to sell together in the Central Park area. When they were all done they walked around, enjoying the warm September weather.
"Isn't that Cecile and Blink over there?" Jack asked.
Spot shielded his eyes with his hand. "Yeah. Let's go say hi." They headed over to where they were. As they got closer, they saw that they were throwing grass at each other. They could hear Cecile's shrieks as Blink grabbed her throwing hand and pinned her on the ground. Spot cleared his throat and they both looked up.
"Hello Spot, Jack." Blink said standing up, off of Cecile.
"Hey." Cecile said, standing up and brushing herself off.
"What are you guys up to?" Jack asked.
"We were just talking and playing around after we got done selling Blink's papers." She responded.
"That sister of yours is an excellent seller." Blink said. "She has your skills, Spot."
"What do you mean?" Spot asked suspiciously.
"What time is it?" Cecile asked, quickly veering her brother off of the topic.
"3:30." Jack responded.
"Damn! I need to be at Medda's at 3:45 to rehearse for tonight. Walk me there Spot?"
"Sure. See you later Jack and Blink." Spot said.
"That girl sure is something." Blink said as they walked away.
"You're telling me." Jack responded under his breath.
(~~)
"Hey Spot." Cecile said as they walked to Medda's.
"Yeah?"
"Do you like anyone?"
"I like a lot of people." He responded slyly.
"You know what I mean. Do you like any girls more than friends?"
"Yeah."
"Who?" She asked curiously.
"Why should I tell you?" He asked smiling.
"Because I'm your sister and I have a right to know." She replied annoyed.
"Well…."
"Please Spot."
"Fine. I like Rae."
"Rae?" She asked.
"Yeah. The only people that know besides you are Lucky and Sullivan, so don't go telling anyone."
"I won't." Cecile promised. "Why don't you ask her to be your girl?"
"Have you seen the way she acts around me? She hates me. There is no way she would ever say yes and then I'd be the laughingstock of New York. I can just see it, Spot Conlon, the most feared and respected Newsie in the state, turned down by Rae Kelly. I could never do that." He said, stopping in front of Irving Hall.
"You won't know unless you ask, Spot. See you tonight. You're coming right?"
"Well, I can't take the risk of the answer being no. Yeah, I'll see you after the show. Bye." He said, kissing her cheek.
"Bye. And you really should do something about Rae." She said, heading into the building.