Any One of Us

Chapter Two

Disclaimer: Yes, you caught me. I'm keeping all the Newsies hostage under my bed and I don't plan to ever release them to the public. Mine, all mine. Really now.. I own nothing, the newsies aren't mine, I'm not making any money and I can assure you this is just for fun. Anyone you don't recognize belongs to me however, but I'm easygoing and will share! As always, please send me feedback, any feedback! But please, no flames.

"Who is Medda? Better yet, who was snooty and hoity toity? And more important, I've never heard such bad English and grammar in my life. Who was it that was in there??"

XXX

Don't interfere, don't interfere…Awe who am I kidding? "Excuse me!"

Two heads turned in my direction. One was the girl that I followed in this direction, the other was an older lady, maybe her mother. "Excuse me," I said again, in a gentler tone, "We're not all that bad. Some of us couldn't care less about how much money we made during the week."

"Youse would if youse lived day by day" the younger one said. I was going to ignore that, I came to try to be nice, not start an argument. "I am sorry for coming in like this, but I saw my brother bothering you with his free doctor exam routine and I wanted to find you and apologize for his behavior."

"Why didn't he joist come apalahgize to me 'imself?"

"Because he's a stubborn dork."

A smile. Alright, I was getting somewhere.

"I'm Harriet," I said, offering my hand to the new girl. "Amelia, but everyone calls me Roller. Dis oddur lady, she's Medda, the Swedish Meadowlark. Medda also owns da joint."

"A pleasure Medda, I will have to come by one day and see you perform."

"Ooh yes, please do, best seats in the house."

"So, um Roller, where are you from?"

"Youse means why don't I tawk like you?"

"I did not say that." I began, if there was one thing I couldn't stand, it was someone putting words in my mouth, especially when those words could easily start problems.

"Youse don't have to, I'se can see it written all ovah your face. Well, I'se a newsie."

"A what-sie?"

"Newsie. We hold dis town togedda. Without Newsies, nobody knows nothing. If it wasn't for us, you richies wouldn't have a clue as at whoit's goin on in da woriold."

"What is it exactly that you do?"

"Sell the papes Mrs."

"You sell newspapers? Oh and it's still Miss I'm afraid. No man yet. I'm sorry you have to work so hard for such very little pay. That must be terrible."

"Aw it's awlright. The 'ard days, the long nights, well you get used to 'em. Besides, we's as free as fishes, and it beats the crap oudda working in a factory."

Makes sense, I guess.

"Rollah, Rollah, come quick. We's needs your help. Morris is 'ccusing Mush at making a pass at his goil, it's gonna be a soaking like nevah before. Come on!"

"Whoa Kelly, have some manners, can't you see we's in the presence of royalty?" Roller chastised, gesturing to me. I shrugged my shoulders innocently, after all, my position wasn't my fault.

"Pleased to Meetcha Miss, now if you'll excuse us" Jack trailed off, trying to pull Roller up by her sleeve. "Awlsright, let me get changed foist."

"Is everything alright? Do you need some help?"

Jack slipped his cowboy hat down to his back and stared. Amazed that a rich girl would offer and even want to help him. Or actually talk to him with words other than "street rat."

"No's thank you Miss, I don't want anyting at happen to ya. Well I mean, it could get rough, and well you'se a goil and you'se pretty and it could get rough."

"Jack? That was your name right?"

He nodded.

"Well, Jack I think you already said it could get rough." I said with a hint of a smile. He opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by Roller, dressed back in street clothes, fancy dress thrown to the side.

"Tomorrow Richy, we'll tawk more tomorrow."

"But I'm only here for tonight, for this event. Then I'm back to New Jersey!"

"Don't let it happhen, show up again tomorrah. Oh, yeahs, please."

Ugh, well this would be interesting. "Where?"

"Go to Tibby's. Local newsie hangohut. At 2."

"Alright."

What did she want with me? What did I do? Or better yet, what didn't I do? Who were Morris and Mush? What did 'soak' mean? And wow, did Jack really think I was pretty?