AN: First of all, please forgive the fact that this is so long coming. I've been so busy with work I haven't had anytime to think about writing. Secondly, forgive that it's so short. It's mostly filler and the real plot movement will begin in the next installment which will be coming very soon, I promise!

Sadie woke far before the sun, yet again, the next morning. It was a habit of hers to wake early – it gave her a better chance at getting her fair share of time in the washroom. Today, more than ever, she wanted to make sure that she looked presentable. In fact, she wasn't even planning on selling today. Instead, she was going to focus all her energy, and some of the looser girls' makeup, on dressing herself up to the nines.

Ringing her wet hair out over the basin, she padded her way to the coal stove that sat at the far end of the bunkroom and lit it up, sliding some hair irons into the coals to heat while she dressed into her best Sunday dress. It was as she slipped into her nicest shoes that the rest of girls began to stir in their beds, responding to Mrs. Winthrop's shrill alarm from down the stairs.

"Get up, ladies! Time for morning prayer before you step out! Up, up, up!"

Sadie rolled her eyes and finished the last lace on her shoe, swinging her legs back to the floor and heading back to the stove. Race was scheduled to meet her here when he finished selling around noon, and together they would make their way to meet Medda at the Dance Hall. Sadie felt her stomach twisting into knots at the mere thought of what she was preparing to ask of a woman she'd never even met. Even still, she swallowed past the lump in the base of her throat and made her way back to the washroom, elbowing the girls out of her way as she focused her attention on her own reflection once more.

"Jesus, Sadie! S'at you?" Race pushed his hat off his brow and squinted his eyes to get a better look at the girl that was making her way down the front stoop of the Girl's Lodging House. Sadie only smiled and held out her arm for him to take, letting him lead her to the town trolley, which he even paid for as they boarded together. "I wouldn'ta even recognized ya, Sade. Ya look …" Racetrack paused and looked the girl at his side over once more. "Ya look real nice." Sadie smiled again and nudged him with her shoulder.

"A real pig's ear into a silk purse, eh?" She teased and tossed some of her curls back over her shoulder as she brought a hand up to fix the coal that lined her eyes. She felt distinctly out of her element as she noticed some of the other working boys on the trolley eyeing her, but she forced herself to smile at them coyly and tightened her grip on Race's arm until they stepped of the car in front of Medda's place.

"Well, here we are." Race looked up at the grand marquee that framed the entrance to the theater, proclaiming Medda's name in large swooping letters next to a flattering likeness of the matron herself. "Now, are ya gonna tell me what you wanted to come down here for or not?" Sadie let her lips twist up into a smirk and shook her head.

"Not."

The seats and tables inside were already crowded, and Race wrapped an arm around Sadie's shoulder protectively to keep her from getting jostled by the rambunctious boys that had filled the establishment to the brim. She was grateful for the gesture, and squeezed herself closer to Race's side as they made their way to the front row where none other than Jack Kelly was seated. And next to him… Sadie grimaced at first but forced her face into a pleasant expression as she and Race sat down at the table.

"Sadie. S'at really you?" Spot raised an eyebrow as Race pulled her seat out for her. Sadie rolled her eyes and scooted the chair in.

"Yes, Conlon." She kept her words clipped and immediately turned to Race, pleading with her eyes to lay her case before Jack who would have the final say in whether or not she got backstage tonight.

"So, Cowboy, Sadie here wanted to meet Medda." Race started slowly, lighting up a cigar and taking a few puffs before continuing. "She's never even been to a theata' before! Real uncultured this one, figured you'd be the one to introduce her to the nicer side'a New York." Sadie had to hide the offended glare behind her hand, knowing that Race was only trying to win Jack over to her side. The Cowboy seemed to think it over for a long moment, using Race's cigar to light his own smoke before speaking up.

"S'fine. I'll get her back there."

Sadie breathed a sigh of relief. She'd expected Jack to voice an objection which would have led to a long exchange of words between himself and his second in command. This was turning out to be much easier than she'd thought. She relaxed in her chair and let Race buy her a drink, which sipped at as she watched the performance that was taking place in front of her eyes.

Race hadn't been lying, Sadie really had never been to a theatre, and this was the first time she'd ever seen a performer that didn't work on a street corner. She was absolutely in love. It seemed to her that this was the most glamorous life that anyone could ever aspire to. And more than that, all the boys seemed to fall at the feet of the women that danced around the stage – even Spot grew quiet when Medda took the stage.

This was everything Sadie wanted.

It was late when the show ended, and Sadie was glad for the few drink she'd tossed back, for they'd calmed her nerves to the point she was almost positive she could petition Medda. Jack was finally pushing away from the table, a heavy bit on the tipsy side himself, and he nodded to the rest of the group to follow him the stage entrance. Sadie took hold of Race's arm and let him lead her after Jack.

Backstage was bustling even though the show was over. Some performers were celebrating, some were already practicing for tomorrows show. And in the middle of all of them stood the red headed ring leader – Medda herself, the Swedish Meadowlark. Sadie swallowed hard as Jack brought them all up to her. She was so nervous suddenly, in fact, that she didn't notice Jack was introducing the two until it was almost too late.

"…is Sadie." He was saying, nodding at Sadie, who looked up immediately and smiled at Medda.

"Pleasure, ma'am." Medda smiled and gave a little curtsey before making her way over to Sadie, tilting the girl's head up with an apprasing eye.

"Oh no, love. The pleasure is all mine." She was still searching Sadie's face, and the girl swallowed hard, waiting for the next words. "You're very pretty." Sadie blushed furiously and turned her head away, murmuring a soft thank you. Medda chuckled and took a step back, ready to turn to her dressing room. Sadie's chance was about to disappear and she took a deep breath and steeled her nerves.

"Medda, ma'am. May I talk ta ya… privately?" She folded her hands in front of her and straightened her shoulders up. The older woman smiled and nodded, holding the door to her dressing room open for her, allowing her inside before shutting it behind her.

"How can I help you, my dear?" Her voice was light, and sophisticated, everything that Sadie's wasn't, but she was positive, positive, with this woman's help, she could learn.

"I came to ask you about a job, Miss Medda."