From The Journals of Katherine Plumber

August 14th, 1900

 Sweat, tears, even alcohol you could smell in my tiny hotel room that was above a saloon in the small town of Ossining. Still in my orange skirt and multicolored blouse from the day I arrived here. My bed is surrounded with papers, some of which Father sent to me after arriving home. Yes, I sent him home because I didn't need him. And, yes, I've had Bernard over every day to help since I need it. Okay, maybe I just don't need Father. Bernard is doing this on his own accord, for his own reasons. Father would just do it to do it and 'help me', when we all know he's doing it to save his reputation and will go back to hating Jack the second I marry him.

I woke up to pounding on my door, the sun shined into the window as I opened my eyes. The first thing I saw were papers surrounding me in bed. At first the pounding blended in with the music downstairs, but second the music stopped and it continued, I shot up. I saw the time and groaned, "Bernard! It's too early for this shit." I muttered, slurring my words since I had a few drinks the night before as I stood and stomped over to the door. However, when I opened it, it was not Bernard. I gasped at the sight of Brienna, Vanessa and Jo, "Oh my God. Girls!" I smiled softly, quickly hugging them tight, "Why are you here?"

"Your Father said you might need these." Vanessa said, holding one of my suitcases.

"And Darcy got you these." Brienna said, handing me a folder.

"What are these?" I asked.

"I think they're different reports." She said.

I nodded, "Come in. It's probably not big enough but-"

"I grew up with 3 guys, it's big enough." Vanessa said.

"Ise grew up with 70! It's big enough." Jo said.

"I grew up with a bunch of Bowery dancers, it's plenty of room." Brienna chuckled.

"Okay, then." I giggled, walking back over to bed and sitting down.

The girls walked in, their faces changing to disgust very quickly, "Kathrine, what is that smell?" Vanessa asked.

"Smells like da Newsies afta' New Years." Jo muttered.

"Katherine, were you drinking?" Brienna asked.

"Yeah. It was only a few drinks, though! It's fine." I said.

"A few, huh?" Vanessa asked, seeing all the empty bottles beside my bed.

"It's not a big deal." I muttered.

"Katherine, it is. I've seen the effects of alcohol first hand." Brinna said.

"I think we all have." Vanessa said.

"You can't be drinking like this, it's not healthy." Brienna said.

"Look, it's helping me right now. Okay?" I spat, "Enna, what would ya do if Darcy was innocently sentenced to death and had no idea about your unborn child? What would any of you result to to numb the pain!?"

They all went silent, looking to each other, "Unborn child?" Jo asked.

I sighed, looking down as tears formed in my eyes, "I'm pregnant." I muttered.

"Oh, Katherine." Brienna said, rushing over to hug me.

I sobbed into her shoulder as the others joined us, "Jack will never know! My son won't ever know his Father!"

"That's not true. Katherine, we're gonna get Jack outta this mess." Vanessa said.

"Just like wes' done every otha' time." Jo smirked.

"This is different. There is no good and bad, just good with different opinions." I said.

"So we change their opinions. You're a persuasive writer, Kath." Brienna said.