Newsies Rewrite - Javey Version

Rooftop Scene

Jack sprinted up that stairs closely followed by Les who was being pushed forward by David. About halfway up, as Jack jumped over a sleeping man, Snyder slammed open the door at the bottom of the staircase. Les glanced back at the sound, David bypassing him and grabbing his arm to drag him through the roof door, which Jack was already through. Jack glanced back and urged the Jacobs brothers to move faster. Snyder was quickly catching up. 

Jack swiftly made his way over to a rickety wooden beam that bridged the gap between 2 roof tops. David and Les followed him until he began to cross the makeshift bridge. David stopped dead in his tracks, pulling Les, who was attempting to cross the bridge with Jack. Luckily Snyder was slowed down by the steep, overcrowded stairs.

"C'mon, Snyder's a comin'!" Jack shouted from halfway across the bridge.

"Absolutely not, that looks like it's about to snap! We're no- LES!" David argument was cut short as Les broke free of his hold and ran towards Jack.

Jack shuffled so that Les was in front of him, "Nothings gonna happen to 'em Davey, c'mon."

David glanced between the roof door and Jack. Thankfully, Les had made it safely to the other roof top but David still didn't trust the weather wood. Jack shuffled towards David and streached his hand out. David stared at Jack's open palm when the rooftop door slammed against it's frame. Snyder scanned the rooftop until he spotted the boys.

"Sullivan!"

"Fuck, c'mon Davey, we gotta go!" Jack moved closer so he could almost grab David but he waited for David to take his hand.

"I don't Jack, it's not safe," David said as he frantically glanced between Jack's hand and Snyder, who was quickly approaching. Snyder hobbled towards them, his bad leg slowing him down significantly.

"Davey, I don' mean ta pressure ya anythin' but if we don' get off this rooftop, we's all goin' to The Refuge," Jack urged.

Once Snyder was about halfway across the roof, David grabbed Jack's hand. "Atta boy," Jack whispered to David, who blushed softly. Jack pulled David across the wooden beam. They hopped off, still hand-in-hand, right as Snyder reached the edge of the roof. Jack pushed the wood off the roofs right as Snyder was about to step on it. Snyder stumbled, cursing Jack's name, except, not the name David knew him by.

Jack pushed open a, surprisingly unlocked, rooftop door, revealing what looked to be the backstage area of a two-story theater. Jack waved at a few passing actors and dancers. Les looked around in awe, his eyes danced between the set rigs, the unused set pieces, and, mostly, the actor's costumes.

David pulled Les back, "Quit staring, it's impolite!"

"Chill Dave, it's their look, the whole point is ta get stares," Jack defended for Les.

Before David could argue further a woman's voice called from the level below, "Who's up there! No kids allowed in theater!"

"Not even me Medda!" Jack called back.

"Jack Kelly! It's too long! Where on Earth have you been? ... You aren't on the run again are you?" the woman, Medda, questioned.

"Ya know, here 'n there," Jack shrugged, "Ain't heard anythin' bout ya or da thea'er in da papes, how ya been Medda?"

"Been holding up as well as one can these days," Medda laughed.

"Ain't that tha truth!" Jack hollered, "Oh! Medda, it's my pleasure ta introduce, Davey and Les Jacobs!" Jack ushered to each brother as he said their names.

"Nice to meet you ma'am," David greeted. Les smiled, David smacked him upside the head for the improper greeting once Medda turned towards Jack.

"And this is Miss Medda Larkins, the greates' show on the Bowery in this day 'n age!" Jack declared.