NeuroQueersies ~ The Diverse Story of the Newsies' Strike

Chapter 8 ~ Seize the Day - A Reprise

Wow I am being really creative with titles this time around haha.

This chapter is going to be fun if I write certain parts right.

Enjoy! :)

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Open the gates, and seize the day.

Don't be afraid, and don't delay.

Nothing can break us, no one can make us, give our rights away...

Arise and seize the day...

They're ready.

Here they are, after everything that went down yesterday, and are back for more.

Yesterday was chaotic, and they lost Crutchy in the process. But this is for them. For all of them.

Now is the time for them to prove that they are worth listening to.

They link arms, forming one line, ready to strike.

A wagon moves past them, making them all flinch and/or jump up.

It's a wagon carrying papers.

Shouting after it, they chase it all the way to the circulation center, ready for a fight again today.

Except, this time when they reach the circulation center, everyone stops cold, for right in front of them, are their replacements.

The two sides stare at each other, neither moving a muscle. This goes on for a few more moments, the tension in the air rising.

"Alright, everyone," David calls out nervously. He doesn't want anyone to get hurt. "Remain calm."

A moment of silence. Two moments of silence. Three.

Jack shouts, "LET'S SOAK 'EM FOR CRUTCHY!"

A beat.

"YEAH!" all the newsies shout, and rush forward.

Oy vey. David just stands there, done with everything, as newsies push and shove around him. Seriously--these people do not understand what personal space is.

It gets very chaotic very quickly.

David has no idea what's going on around him. He just hopes that no one gets too badly hurt--that applies to anyone; whether his friends, or these scabbers. Althought he seems to be the only one who has this opinion.

Suddenly, gates open, and everyone rushes forward, assuming it's another line of scabbers.

But it's not. It's much worse.

"Aw, Jack!" Race cries out. "Jack! Jack, it's the crib!" and he runs the other direction, as do others.

These guys are mean, emotionless, and apparently don't have a problem with treating striking kids the way they treat striking adults.

David's blood turns cold. This was not supposed to happen.

The newsies all fall back, nervous. They all know as well that this wasn't supposed to happen.

And the police aren't going to stop it.

Denton and Katherine are outside the brawl, very very concerned.

"Aren't you going to stop them, sir?" Denton shouts up to the policeman on the horse.

"Just move along, mister," is all he gets in reply.