"Nah," said a boy who had a cane tucked into his belt. "That ain't no girl. That's the thief from Tibby's." He walked towards her, stopping only inches away. "Time to pay up," he ordered.
"I ain't got no money," she whispered
"What was that?" the boy asked.
"I said, I ain't got no money," she repeated louder.
The boy held out his hand. "I'm Spot Conlon," he greeted her as she tentavily shook it. "Your new leader."
Cheetah looked up at him as if he were nuts. "My what?" she repeated.
"Look, you owe me and the boys some money. So, you can work under my leadership selling papes until you pay us all back," he explained.
Jack shook his head slightly. "Spot, we only got one bunkroom. Only Brooklyn does. She can't stay with all the boys. " Neither of them had bothered to ask if she had a place to stay. It was obvious by her appearance and small bag of clothes that she didn't.
"Okay, then it's settled. She'll live in Brooklyn and work for me," Spot said in a tone that suggested that was the end of the conversation.
Fianally, Cheetah spoke up. "What? Don't I get a say in this?"
"No," both Jack and Spot answered her firmly at the same time.
"This is crazy. I don't even know you people," she pointed out.
"Oh yeah? Well what's crazier, staying at a lodging house and making money or running out on the streets sleeping in alleys. Face it kid, we're your only choice." Cheetah remained silent, knowing that Spot was right.