The King of Brooklyn // Spot Conlon

Late Night Visit

3rd Person POV

Things were usually calm for the Brooklyn newsies at night, it's not safe after dark so not many people are on the streets. Tonight however, the younger newsies are asleep and the older ones are up arguing.

"C'mon guys, this is ridiculous! I'm not stickin my neck out for some strike!" One of the boys yelled. It was becoming chaotic as everyone tried to get there opinion in. "Listen, we owe this to them. They came to us for help and Spot told them to show that they was serious, they did that!" Mops spoke up.

Mops had been Spot's second ever since he started running the Brooklyn newsies. Spot trusted him more than most people, and was even the one to give him his nickname when they were little kids. The Brooklyn newsies followed Mops with almost as much trust as Spot, so his opinion began to sway more people. The debate was starting to bug Spot, the way he saw it the decision was already made. He told Jack to show him, and he did. But sometimes he knew it was easier to let the newsies come to that decision on there own then try and force them.

Finally it seemed like a majority of the newsies were in agreement. "So give us your judgement Spot, what are we gonna do?" Bow asked. The eyes of the newsies turned to Spot, and he was silent for a moment before speaking. "I think you should all get to bed, cause we're takin a trip to Manhattan tomorrow." He decided. There was mostly loud voices agreeing with Spot, and only a few quiet grumbles of annoyance at the choice.

Once all of the newsies were in bed and mostly asleep, Spot and Mops headed outside to talk. They sat on the large pile of crates stacked to resemble a throne. "So Spotty, you here what happened today in after they caused all that chaos with the newspapers?" Mops asked. "Heard the bulls got called and they had to break it up. I had a lot of kids from other boroughs tellin me stuff, nothin to specific though." Spot answered. "Yeah well I guess one of their guys didn't make it, got taken to the refuge." He explained.

Spot couldn't help but feel a little guilty, if Brooklyn had been there that might not have happened. He knew it was necessary to make sure they were serious, but he didn't like knowing there was a newsie out there locked up. Spot thought for a minute before asking, "You know who it was? I'd hate for it to be some small kid in there locked up." He watched his friend think for a minute before he replied, "I can't think of the name, he wasn't too young thought. Got left behind cause he has a bad leg or somethin, wasn't fast enough I guess." They both sat for a moment before Mops stood up to go to bed. He gave Spot a pat of the shoulder before climbing down to go inside. Spot decided to stay for a minute, think things over. The fresh air always helped him think when he had a lot on his mind.

【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】

Sun's POV

As I arrive back on the docks I take some time to admire the water shining in the moonlight. I haven't been swimming since last summer with Speed and Jess, but maybe after we're done with the strike I'll drag them out to do it again.

I hadn't stopped to think that everybody was probably asleep by now, but since I'm here I decide to use the opportunity to take a look around and clear my head. Besides, if I do run into someone I have an invitation from the King of Brooklyn himself, right? As I approach the crates I notice someone is sitting at the top, and as I get closer realized it's none other than Spot Conlon.

Even though I should have learned my lesson before, the shining gold handle of the cane catches my eye. I decide to take the opportunity and attempt to grab it. At this point it's less about wanting it and more about redeeming my skills from when Davey got me caught earlier. I climb the crates as quietly as a can, which proves to be a challenge. Luckily he's seems lost in thought and I'm able to sneak up behind him. I slowly reach out to grab the gold end of his cane when suddenly a hand grips my arm tightly. He must not have been as distracted as I thought. I'm about to try and run but it's too late, I've definitely been caught... again.

Spot turns to look at me and I see the anger written all over his face, in this moment I can see how he got his reputation because he definitely looks like he's gonna give me a black eye. He squints his eyes at me and I watch as his face morphs from anger to annoyed confusion. He lets go on my arm with a light shove and opens his mouth to speak. "Either you've got some kind of death wish or it really is some kind of bad habit." He says shaking his head.

"Sorry, that was dumb. I just don't usually get caught, and I wasn't gonna keep it or anything I just thought it would be fun." I say looking away from him. "You do that to the wrong person and you're gonna get killed out here." He tells me. "Yeah, yeah. I get that lecture enough from Jack I don't need it from you too." I tell him with a smile. I can see him almost smile, but decide not to. Instead he starts talking again.

"So, Sunshine, what brings you to Brooklyn?" He asks me. I look into his bright blue eyes for a moment before answering. "You tell me Spot, you're the one who told me to come back sometime." I remind him. He considers for a moment before he speaks again. I notice that he seems to choose what he says carefully, must be cause he's always making decisions and deals for the newsies in Brooklyn. "You pick-pocket a lot Sunshine?" He questions. "You know its just Sun, not Sunshine. And yeah I guess I do, that's what I was doing to survive before I was a newsie. Now I just do it for extra money and stuff." I tell him.

"Whatever you say Sunshine." He says smirking at me, I give him a glare in return. "I heard one of your guys ended up in the refuge, he okay?" He asks me. I look at him for a moment, not finding the sarcasm I thought I would. Instead he looks like he genuinely wants to know. "Yeah, Crutchy, we were all so focused on getting out of there we didn't realize until it was too late. Jack is trying to get him out but I feel kinda bad about it, one of us should have gone back for him." I explain. I start to feel sad again knowing that Crutchy is stuck there. "You can't blame yourself for stuff like that, even if you would have gone back there's no way to know if it would have helped. For all you know you could have both got caught and Jack would be trying to break two of you out." He told me.

It's hard to connect the stories I've heard about Spot Conlon to the boy sitting next to me. I find that I actually enjoy his company. He gives good advice, and as the night goes on I realize behind the walls he puts up he's actually pretty funny. I'm reluctant to leave but I know if I'm not home soon I won't be able to get any sleep, and I realize I'm probably keeping Spot awake as well.

We both climb down the crates and begin to say goodbye. "So tell me Spot, did Manhattan prove that they're serious about the strike?" I ask. He looks at me briefly before answering. "Yeah, you don't have to worry. Brooklyn is gonna be there when you need us. Just don't say anything to the newsies or you'll ruin my chance for a dramatic entrance." He tells me with a wink. He turns to walk away and I decide at the last second to say something. "Hey Spot, the invitation to come back and visit Brooklyn still available? Or have you had enough of me?" I ask him.

"Oh don't worry Sunshine, your not gonna get rid of me that easy."