As to answer some questions, in my rendition she has never seen the movie or at least doesnt remember it.
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After drying herself off, she called Medda back into the room. With her help she slipped into a dress made of purple and grey fabric. Medda was gushing over her hair when there was a knock at the door. "You go answer it, I'm gonna lay down for a bit." Medda said with a bright and encouraging smile. Frankie looked in the mirror and rolled her eyes at the dress before smoothing her hair down and pulling at the ribbons. She opened the door slightly and saw that it was Racetrack, Jack, Les and a boy who wore glasses and a bowler hat. They all removed their hats when they saw Frankie and nodded their head in respect. She bit back a scoff and smiled. "Good afternoon Miss, we were just looking for Frankie. He don' run off after meeting Spot Conlon." Jack said with a toothy grin.
Frankie opened her mouth to tell them she didn't know where he was when she felt a pinch from behind. She turned around to see Medda holding a bit of money and motioning for her to leave. "Um….I don't know where my brother is but I wouldn't mind helping find him." Frankie said feeling the coin purse slip into her hand. "But you're a girl." Les said moving the hat out of his eyes. "And your point?" Frankie said with a small glare. "What my friend is trying to say is that we might be looking for your brother in some dangerous places and I…er…we don't want nothing to happen to you." Racetrack said with a smile. "If I needed people trying to keep me out of trouble, I would have stayed in the country." Frankie said lifting up her chin and walking out of the theater. The four boys followed her where she was greeted by non other than Spot Conlon.
"Spot, what are you doing out of Brooklyn." Jack asked. Frankie glared at him unconsciously and held her tongue. "Got'sa spy floating around. Wanted to talk to that new boy I met earlier." Spot said noticing the glaring girl. "Well will you look at the mug on her." He whispered to Jack, moving closer to get a better look. "And you are?" he said bending down to kiss her hand. "This is Frankie's sister…..er….What's your name dollface?" Jack asked moving between Spot and Frankie. "Francesca Marie but everyone calls me…..Marie." Frankie stammered, inwardly cringing at her middle name.
"Well it's a pleasure to meet you, Francesca Marie. You should visit Brooklyn sometime soon." Spot said locking eyes. Frankie felt a strange pressure in her chest and the churning of lust in her stomach. She held the stare nonetheless. "Well Jacky boy, if you find this brother of her's let me know. Any man related to such a beauty is alright with me." Spot said finally breaking the gaze and looking back at the boys. He nodded to them all and walked off. "Looks like you got a way with men, Miss Francesca Marie." The boy who wore glasses said. She discovered later as she walked with Les, that his name was Specs. Les talked her ear off again but this time she was more vocal in the conversation though the subject was identical. He mentioned his sister Sarah, who Jack was sweet on.
The five searched for a few hours, meeting the rest of the Newsies crew and Denton, the reporter. He commented on her green and black curls and gave her his card. Frankie was actually having some fun when they arrived back at Medda's. "I'm sorry I couldnt be of more assistance. If my brother shows up I'll send him your way. Where did you say you were going?" She asked batting her eyes at Racetrack. Les pulled at her skirt before Racetrack could answer. She bent down and leaned in to hear Les' whispers. "The Newsies are gonna head to Brooklyn for a get together with Spot and his gang. Me mother says I cant go and they's dont know I know." he finished with a confident nod. Frankie smiled and kissed his cheek in reward for the information. She cant have Conlon thinking that she was a spy.
She waited over and hour before she snuck out to follow the boys. Medda was doing her show and she didnt ask for the coin purse back.She lit a cigar and blew the smoke over the clothes to hide her feminine scent. She slipped back into her boy clothes and emptied the change into the pocket. Stuffing the curls under the hat she glanced in the mirror and pulled the hat low over her eyes. It was a long walk to Brooklyn in the silent dark but she soon saw the light from a few fires and the sound of bottles breaking. She stood in the shadows until she picked out Specs and Higgins engaged in a game of cards with Spot and another boy. Jack was wrestling with Les and David was trying to not have fun and learning to shoot a slingshot. After a small pep talk and a few deep breaths she donned the manliest voice she could muster and walked out of the shadows. She saw that the boy she didnt know had thrown down his cards and left the table so she moved to his spot and sat down. "Mind if I join" she squeaked. She cleared her throat again and tried to look at Specs and Racetrack but they were looking at Spot.
Spot nodded and dealt the cards out. "The game is poker, the bid is 1 bit, cant play dont sit." he said glaring at Frankie. So much for "Any man related to such a beauty is alright with me", Frankie thought. She made it through six games without losing. It was alot like Texas Hold'em. She had always been good at cards but she never gambled. "This is too much for me. I need some money for tomorrow's papes. Come on Specs, lets get a drink."Racetrack said throwing his cards down. Frankie felt herself grin from ear to ear as she scooped up the coins and shoved them in her pocket. "Not so fast there Frankie." Spot said with a glare. "Aint nobody that good at cards. I dont like cheaters." he added loudly. "I aint no cheat!" Frankie squeaked. "Now look here, Spot found himself a cheater. Let's soak him!" said someone behind Spot. "Now lets not get hasty." Jack said walking up. "Shut your gob Sullivan." Spot sneered.