Chapter 1: The Alley
"How was your day at the tracks Race?" Jack asked as their paths collided. He just dropped Sarah off from a date that proved to be restless. He wanted to get his mind somewhere else.
"I'm telling you Jack, I don't know why I keep going." Race said as he threw down the last of his cigarette. "I'm going to stop going." He announced with determination. Jack just looked at him.
"No you won't." Jack said. It hadn't been the first time Race declared this. "You'll be back at the tracks by the end of the day tomorrow. You love it too much to give it up." He said as he gave Race a pat on the back.
"You're right Jacky-boy. The tracks are in my blood. But if I don't profit soon it will be over for good."
"Sure Race." Jack said giving him a knowing smile. They walked in silence enjoying the rare moment when New York is silent.
As they walked to the lodging house the peaceful silence was interrupted a voice in the alley came up to.
"Joshua, all I want to do is go home." The girl said. " I have had enough of this." The newsies stopped walking and stood in the shadows. They knew they shouldn't listen but it was hard not to.
"O come on we haven't even gotten to the best part of the night." Her boyfriend said. He wasn't dressed like a newsie but his suit suggested he came from the middle class. He pressed his body against hers and let his hand roam down her body.
"No Joshua." She said. His body moved back slightly not prepared for her push. "I don't want this, I'm done with you having your way." The girl said. "I'm done with it. I just want out."
"What?" he asked in a low tone stepping forward. Her tiny frame was forced further against the wall.
"I don't want to see you anymore." She tried to hold eye contact. There was silence once more.
"Fine." Joshua said after awhile. " If that's what you want then fine. But trust me Lynn." His face was an inch from hers'. "You're going to regret leaving me. And when you realize what you lost don't bother crawling back to me. You'll never find another guy who wants you. Because who wants to be with trash." He stared at her for a moment and turned on his heel. As he left the alleyway the girl let out a huge breath of relief.
Race and Jack just stood in the shadows waiting for somebody to make the next move.
She stood there not knowing what to do next. She pushed herself off the wall and slowly made her way to the opening of the alley. She stopped on the sidewalk and slowly looked around. As she looked to her left and she made eye contact with Race and Jack. Nobody dared to move or speak. Her blonde hair a slight mess and her blue eyes fill with tears but she didn't dare let them break the barriers. She lowered her head and started to make her way the direction Race and Jack had come.
"We should probably get a move on. I suspect Kloppman is going to close the door soon." Jack said break the silence once the girl was out of view.
"You're right Jack. Sleeping on the streets don't sound that good tonight especially after the tracks." Race said trying to lighten the mood. They both head for the lodging house neither one speaking a word the rest of the way. Both mutually agreeing to never bring up the event they had just witnessed.