AAAGGGHHH! I'M GOING CAMPING FOR A WEEK, THIS OUGHT TO APPEASE YOU FOR A WHILE. This is a long chapter for me, and took me long enough to write. I'm gonna be gone for a week, so I'm posting this; make it last. Thanks Christina Conlon for the insight, which I used and Christopher Scott for the help and support! R&R!
FIREFLY'S POV
After waking up, Books and I shoveled down a minimal breakfast of bread and butter. I pulled my dirty blond hair back into a ponytail, glad that at least three hair elastics never left my wrist. I followed Spot as he got his papersfrom the Distribution Center, he handed me twenty of them and walked away. "What now boss?" I asked in my dumb-sidekick voice.
"Sell da papes," he shrugged and started yelling out made-up headlines based on stories in the paper. I walked to a street corner and sat down, my papes in my lap, Spot came over. I had pulled out an old handkerchief Race gave me last night and tied it around my ankle like you would a bandage.
"What are you doin?" he asked.
"Selling the papers, now would you go away, you're scaring off all of my business," I said, feigning annoyance. A man walked over to me, a very rich man from the look of his suit. "Buy a paper sir?" I asked, coughing.
"What happened young lady?" he asked, motioning to my 'bandage'. This is why actresses sell more papers than average newsies:
"I worked in the factory, but I fell and twisted my leg. I sleep in alleys every night to guard from pickpockets, but it's so cold. I'm sorry to babble sir," I coughed piteously and lowered my face.
"You poor thing, let me pay for your food and boarding for a night," rich people are very gullible; any little child with an 'injury' was help worthy. The saint of a man handed me a whole dollar and took a paper, I beamed at him and said "Thank you so much sir! You saved my life," in my most street-childlike manner. Spot, who had been watching the whole thing while hawking the headline, just stared as I pocketed the dollar. I smiled over at him, "I'm an actress right?" I winked, and resumed coughing.
"Wow, nice job," he stared at me until another rich woman walked up to me, and I told my sob story again. This time, I got fifty cents and she didn't even take a pape. By the time all my papers were gone I had five entire dollars from rich idiots. I gave a very shocked Spot a smirk of my own and walked down to the bridge. He caught up with me and started to walk by my side. "How'd you do dat?" he asked amazed.
I coughed and pouted a little, looking like a gutter child. "Buy a paper from a poor injured girl, please?" I practically whimpered. Spot just laughed and flung his arm around my waist, pulling me close. We walked to Manhattan talking about selling spots and methods. I taught him how to be poor and destitute and he taught me how to charm men into buying papers. Spot's selling method was to flirt with passing women and young ladies; more often than not they stopped to buy papers from the handsome newsie boy.
"Remember Spot, you're mine," I said after his lecture.
"Yeah, and I wouldn't have it any udda way doll," he kissed the top of my head and I blushed a pretty shade of pink. He just smirked and continued walking. Soon we stood in front of the Manhattan Lodging House, the Manhattan Lodging House. I walked up to the door and Spot dashed in front of me to open it like a gentleman, "Thanks," I said, walking into the drafty building. Racetrack, Mush, Kid Blink, and Skittery sat at a table with cards in front of them. I ran in and hugged every newsie, one after the other, my crazy fan girl dream coming true. They looked at me shocked, each one trying to process what just happened. Race just smiled.
"Hiya Firefly, dese are me friends, Skitt-" he began.
"I know all of them already," I smiled.
"How?" Mush asked, walking over to Spot and clapping him on the back.
"Long story," Spot answered before I could open my mouth. Spot and Mush began discussing things about Medda's party and the trouble with Queens. I just sat next to Racetrack and watched him cheat well at cards.
"So, your Spot's goil eh?" Skittery asked.
"Yes I am, and very glad of it," I smiled over to my new friend.
"Dat's new, he doesn't ever keep goils around much," Skittery said. My face fell, didn't keep them around? What? Was he playing me? Was he leading me on or something? My thoughts were portrayed on my face and Race interrupted Skittery's idiotic comments about how I would 'blow over like a passing storm'.
"I'm suah that he's serious bout you Firefly, he just lights up whenever youse are around, no pun intended doll. I've never seen dat boy smile so much in a year, let alone twenty-four hours!" Race laughed and slapped Skittery across the face. I brightened as Spot and Mush returned, Spot suggested we all go out for lunch. I said, "I'm paying," and every head turned to me.
"Show dem what you made, doll," Spot smiled proudly, "And only on yoah foist day!"
"Here you go," I pulled the five dollars out of my pockets and waved it around.
"How'd you do dat?" Mush was shocked, "You suah she's a new one? She's got more money than I'll make all week, you said she just started today!"
"I'm an actress, and when they see my pitiful face, all streaked with dirt and my leg all bandaged…those fancy-pants rich people just can't help themselves but give a poor orphan some money for food and a nice place to stay the night," I smirked. (Which was becoming more natural, Spot must be rubbing off on me) Then I remembered my 'bandage' and reached down to take it off and shove it into my dress pocket.
"She's a natural born newsie, youse are real lucky Spot," Kid Blink said. Spot nodded and stood. The rest of us followed suit and we headed to Tibby's, a local food joint; and newsie favorite. Everyone ordered and took their seats; I paid and received my change, an entire four dollars leftover from feeding all five of us. All it cost was a dollar! People are getting ripped off in the 21st century. I leaned forward and whispered in Race's ear, "Like I said, I'm sorta new. I'd love a tour, if you are up to it after lunch?" I put forth my request timidly.
"Suah, why not?" Race said through a mouthful of food.
"Race, don't talk with your mouth full. It's bad manners," I chided teasingly. After everyone had finished eating, Race led the way as we walked around the vast city. I was told where to shop, where to eat, how to get around the city in general. All too soon, the sun was setting on a perfect Wednesday afternoon. Spot and I bade our friends farewell and headed back over the Brooklyn Bridge. I assumed I'd make this trip pretty often, seeing as a lot of our friends lived in Manhattan. I ran up the stairs of the Brooklyn Lodging House (BLH for short) and slipped into my nightgown. I had found the nightgown in a chest of old clothes in the closet; I had also found some nice beggar's clothing and a green frock. It was a very handsome, expensive looking, party dress. Where did those old newsie girls get things like that? Of course, the girl's room was long abandoned and the dress slightly out of fashion nowadays. I flopped into my bed, my head racing with a scheme to sell tomorrow's papes. Spot came in and we chastely kissed goodnight. I liked this feeling, of safety and protection. Then I heard Books come in, I had almost forgotten about Lizzy!
"Liz, how was your first day?" I asked.
"Tiring," she sighed. "I met up with some of the older newsies and they taught me how to sell. We all had lunch at the Golden Goose, a pub not far from here," she said. Her voice was flat monotone, so I knew something was up.
"What happened Books? What's wrong?" I was concerned for my friend.
"Oh Jane, it's terrible! No one here likes me! No matter how many times I tried to make friends, everyone just ignored me, then I got lost…" her words of sadness spilled into a puddle of tears. "I w-want to go home!" she cried.
"Oh, Lizzy! I had no idea, I was so wrapped up in my own little world…I'm so sorry! Maybe you could sell with me tomorrow," I suggested.
"No Jane, I just want to get out of stinking Brooklyn!" she sobbed harder. I rocked her, sitting next to her with my arms around her shoulders; her tearful tremors made me regret my good day with Spot and Race. "I just want to go home," she sighed, wiping up her tears. Lizzy almost never cried, unless she was watching Les Miserables or Phantom of the Opera.
"I'll ask Spot if you can go to Manhattan. Race and Kid Blink are really nice, I met them today. You can sell with them, and there are several other orphaned newsie girls in Manhattan you can make friends with! It'll be fine, and I'll visit every week, I promise," I said.
"Really? If you think I'd like it better there," she shrugged, "I'll give it a try. And I expect you to visit like you promised!"
"I'm gonna go talk to Spot about it," I rose and padded to the top of staircase. Every eye in the room below turned to me. Crap, I'm still in my nightgown! I pretended I wasn't, and walked regally down the creaking wooden stairs. I walked to Spot's side and whispered in his ear, "Lizzy doesn't like Brooklyn too much. Do you think Manhattan would take her in? They are a lot friendlier, and they have girls," I said. Spot nodded and gave four sharp whistles. Catch appeared as if out of thin air and chirped out a happy, "Yes boss?"
"Can youse run to Manhattan real fast and ask if they could handle anudda goil?" he asked. Catch's face fell and he glanced up at me. "Not Firefly hea, Books isn't too keen on Brooklyn and Manhattan is the poifect place for her." Catch's smile returned and he ran out the door into the cool night air.
"Books could have waited until morning you know," I smiled turning to walk back up to tell her the good news.
"Any news dat my goil needs delivered gets delivered," he said, turning me back around to face him and standing up. "G'night Firefly," he said.
"G'night Spot," we kissed again, this time I pecked him on the cheek before going back up the stairs. Several whistles could be heard behind me, followed by several pained, 'Owch'-es. I turned around, several newsies rubbed the tops of their heads and Spot stood innocently, cane in hand. I laughed out loud and ran up the stairs before anyone else decided to get themselves hurt.
SPOT'S POV
I heard a slight creak and turned to look up the stairs. There stood Firefly wearing only a nightgown, a nightgown that barely covered her knees. I turned and saw Drop's astonished face. She walked down the stairs like she owned the joint, and came straight to my side.
"Lizzy doesn't like Brooklyn too much. Do you think Manhattan would take her in? They are a lot friendlier, and they have girls," she whispered. I whistled, and Catch was the first of my four junior birds that showed up. I gave him my message and he looked sadly at Firefly, mistaken about what 'goil' I was talking about. After reassuring him that his darling Firefly wasn't leaving, he ran off in self-accomplished glory: he was on a secret mission for me, Spot Conlon.
After saying goodnight one more time to Firefly, she went back up the old wooden stairs. I saw a few of my newsie boys whistle at her retreating figure, I whipped out my cane and hit a few of them over the head, not even that hard either. As they complained, she turned and glanced around. I smiled at her, the picture of innocence. She laughed and ran the rest of the way up the stairs.
RACE'S POV
Spot's bird, Catch, ran into the Lodging House panting. He ran up to the table and whispered urgently in Jack's ear. Jack nodded and said, "I don't mind, we've got plenty of bunks for the girls, tell Spot she can stay here," with that, Catch ran back into the cool night, barely even stopping to wave goodbye over his shoulder. How can a kid run like that for the seven miles to Manhattan from Brooklyn, pause for about thirty seconds, then run back? I bet he walked some of the way, but wasn't it dangerous? Of course, nothing is dangerous to one of Spot Conlon's birds, not with their deadly slinghshot skills. That's one of Spot's requirements, deadly aim with a slingshot; otherwise, forget being a bird.
"What's goin' on Jack?" I asked. "Is Firefly moving in wit us?"
"I don't know who dat is; an' he didn't give a name. Sorry Race," Jack went back to playing poker with Dutchy, Kid Blink, and Mush. I refocused my attention on sorting through my card deck, it was the best one in the three sets I owned. After making sure all the cards were there, I set them in the box and walked upstairs to stow them in my mattress. They were the most precious things I owned besides my old black cabby cap. Snipeshooter had already fallen asleep in the bunk across from mine. He was sort of like a little brother to me, even though I was two or three years his senior...he was almost as tall as me. I hid his cap under Blink's matress and went back down the stairs to watch the card game.
FIREFLY'S POV
I woke up to another clear, almost sunny Brooklyn morning. I sat up and stretched, my arms and legs tingling from sleeping in the slightly cramped bunks. I shook Books awake and whispered evilly, "Wanna wake up Spot?" she nodded, laughing quietly, and stood. I walked silently into the washroom and pumped a cold cup of water. I tiptoed into Spot's room (He was seperate from the rest of the newsies, him being 'King' got some perks) I leaned over his head, rubbing my hands together like a vaudville villain and cackled quietly. I dumped the freezing water on his face and watched him splutter awake, as soon as his eyes were clear enough to see vaugly...he jumped up and yelled, "When I catch you, I'm gonna soak you," Lizzy and I screamed and ran through the halls and into the bunkroom. I ducked behind another empty bunk and waited. "I'm gonna soak whoeva did that, ya scabba!" he yelled, stomping into the room. When the last of the water was wiped from his eyes, he looked around. I bravely stepped forward, "I think you are the one who is soaked Spot Conlon," I giggled. He squinted a final time and registered who the prankster was.
"Firefly, why you little," his words trailed off as he dove for me. I squealed and ran into the Brooklynite's room. I yelled, "HELP! SPOT'S GONNA KILL ME!" as loud as I could (Which is very loud) and several startled newsies shot out of their beds. It didn't bother me that half of them were shirtless, it's not like I hadn't been to the beach before. They had recognized the caller and a boy of about 6'3 stood in front of me, almost completely blocking me from veiw. I knew him as Grin, because he was forever smiling.
"What did you do Firefly?" he asked.
"She did this," Spot entered the room of confused and semi-annoyed newsies. Some weren't too keen on being woken so early. I saw most of them trying to hold back laughter as they saw that Spot's head and shoulders were soaking wet and he was nearly shivering. I laughed out loud, and was soon joined by Spot's loyal followers. He shot me a glare and walked over to Grin, "Relenquish da goil," he put his hand forward like he was asking for payment.
"Not until you promise you ain't gonna kill her," Grin said, serious.
"Why would I harm my goil? Do ya think Ise is stupid or sometin?" Spot was aghast.
"I dunno, you look pretty miffed," Grin said, shrugging.
"That's cause I is, now come on out Firefly," I squeaked, but stepped from behind Grin. Drop appeared next to Spot.
"Drop, go get me a cup of cold water from the washroom," he said, smirking dangerously.
"Spot Conlon, don't you dare!" I said, trying to duck back behind Grin's bulky form. Spot grabbed both my arms before I could escape, and held me tightly in front of him.
"If youse don't accept my toims dan youse is gonna be soaked. Now, youse have to be my date to Medda's pahty; alright?" he said, I could hear the smirk in his voice.
"Did you think I planned on going with someone else?" I asked.
"Youse and Race were gettin along pretty well da udda day," Spot said, I could feel him shruggin behind me. Drop returned with the water. "Thanks," Spot said.
"Fine, I'll go with you to Medda's party," I pretended to be dissapointed. Spot laughed and dumped the water over my head anyways. I gasped and blinked furiously, Spot laughed out loud and soon the bunkroom was filled with the laughter of all my new friends. Lizzy stood against the doorframe, smiling at me and laughing.
I am sure gonna miss having her here all the time, wishing for distraction from my saddened state...
I turned around and kissed Spot straight on, right on the lips. He just stared at me as I flounced out of the room. I could hear the taunts and catcalls of the boys behind me growing louder. I just walked into my room and changed into the beggar's dress. Time for another day of carryin da banner.
SPOT'S POV
I'm running, I can hear Firefly just around the corner. I stop running and tiptoe, but when I turn the corner, she's in someons elses arms. I lean in to see the face, but then they're kissing, and it feels like my heart is being ripped out. I just stand there dumbfounded...I call out, "Firefly!" she ignores me. "Firefly!" I call out a second time. She still ignores me, turning to face the stranger who took my heart. Then she looks at me and grins, evilly and angrily. Then something cold pours over my face and upper torso, I'm ripped from my terrible dream and into another horrid one. Someone poured water all over my face! I jumped up and tried to rub the water and sleep from my eyes. "When I catch you, I'm gonna soak you," I ranted. Two female screams were heard; Firefly and Books. As i stumbled around, looking for something to wipe my freezing top half with I yelled out, "I'm gonna soak whoeva did that, ya scabba!" I quickly ran into the girl's bunk. Firefly stepped forward.
"I think you are the one who is soaked Spot Conlon," she giggled, trying to cover her mouth with her hand.
"Firefly, why you little," I jumped forward, reaching for the hem of her raggedy nightgown.
"HELP! SPOT'S GONNA KILL ME!" she screamed shrilly as she ran into the newsies bunk room. A few disgruntled newsies woke up, among them was the morning person. Grin, she ducked behind him, terrified.
"What did you do Firefly?" Grin asked.
"She did this," I stepped forward into the room. The boys faces went from groggy, to desperatly trying not to smile or laugh out loud at my predicament. Then Firefly burst into toumultas laughter and my newsies followed suit. I walked up to Grin, who was about an inch or so taller than me, and built like an ox.
"Not until you promise you ain't gonna kill her," Grin said, perfectly serious.
"Why would I harm my goil? Do ya think Ise is stupid or sometin?" I was aghast.
"I dunno, you look pretty miffed," Grin said, shrugging.
"That's cause I is, now come on out Firefly," she squeaked, but stepped from behind Grin. Drop appeared next to me, ready for orders.
"Drop, go get me a cup of cold water from the washroom," I said, smirking dangerously.
"Spot Conlon, don't you dare!" Firefly said, trying to duck back behind Grin's bulky form. I grabbed both of her arms before she could escape, and held her tightly in front of me.
"If youse don't accept my toims dan youse is gonna be soaked. Now, youse have to be my date to Medda's pahty; alright?" I said.
"Did you think I planned on going with someone else?" she asked, suddenly innocent and mild-mannered.
"Youse and Race were gettin along pretty well da udda day," I said, shrugging slightly. Drop returned with the water. "Thanks," I said.
"Fine, I'll go with you to Medda's party," she pretended to be dissapointed. I just laughed and dumped the water over her beautiful gold-blond head anyways. She gasped and blinked furiously, I laughed out loud and soon the bunkroom was filled with the laughter of all my newsies. Ha ha, the tables had turned. Books stood against the doorframe, smiling and laughing at Firefly.
Suddenly, Firefly whirled around and kissed me straight on, right on the lips. I just stared at her in shock, as she flounced haughtily out of the room. Suddenly the boys around me were making kissy faces and calling out to Firefly, "I want one," and "Where's my wakeup kiss?" I turned to face them.
"Get ready, wese got woik to do...and rememba, hands off my goil. If Ise see any o' youse getting too friendly, you'll be out on the street, got it?" I announced. The room went dead silent as the boys nodded. Even though I wasn't the tallest, or strongest, I was the smartest. Knowledge is power... but it also helps to have a painful gold-handled cane. I smiled and sauntered into my room. Time for another day of carryin da banner.
No cliffies for my nice readers this time...but next chapter Medda comes in! Yay! And some actress friendship forms! If you want some great newsie action while I'm gone check out: The Future Is Calling, Maintain Conciousness, Differently the Same, or The Prize! Yay!