Dream Chasers-Newsies

Newsies (Duce)

"How long do you think before Pulitzer brings up the strike?" Davey asked me in a hushed voice.

While Mush was talking to Crutchie and his grandparents, Pulitzer was arguing with Hearst. Probably about whose company was more successful and making more money. Since no one was making an effort to acknowledge us, we were standing near the staircase a good few feet away from everyone else so they wouldn't hear us.

"There's no way he'll bring it up if Hearst is anywhere near. He's probably going to pull us away to talk about it after everyone leaves," I muttered.

That was the only thing I was dreading more than the actual dinner itself. Just then, we were interrupted by Crutchie's grandmother's laughter from across the room. She and Crutchie were talking to each other like they were old friends, and Mush was being attacked with questions about law school by Crutchie's grandfather.

"Mrs. Shell seems nice. It looks like she really cares about Crutchie," Davey said as he watched them intently.

"Yeah, it looks like she actually cares about him. I wonder if Crutchie will end up moving back to Germany with her."

"When was that a possibility? I mean, he wouldn't just leave Mush and everyone else like that, would he?" Davey looked over at me with a puzzled expression.

It was so cute how he cared about the other newsies like family, even though he had only known them for a few months.

"I doubt he would just leave. You know how he and Mush are, they're practically inseparable."

"Sorry to bother you young man, but could I steal Duce for just a moment?" said Hearst as he made his way over to us. Davey looked over at him and put on a convincing smile.

"Of course Mr. Hearst, take your time. I was about to go and get some fresh air anyway," Davey walked past the staircase and took a right towards the back door that led to the garden.

"So, Duce, long time no see, no? I believe we have some catching up to do, you've grown up nicely! How have you been?" Hearst wrapped his arm around my shoulder and patted my back. He lingered there for a while as I stood still, not making any effort to return the gesture. When he eventually pulled away, I noticed that his breath reeked of alcohol even though it was still early in the night. I forgot how much I hated being around him.

During my early years here, Hearst would often be around to discuss business and other things with Pulitzer, and whenever he was over I did my best to avoid running into him. I could never quite place my finger on what it was, but something about him set me off, almost like he was dangerous. As a child, I often noticed how he would always look at me as if I was something he could obtain. Like a prize.

"I've been well, and what about you? I've heard your newspaper sales have been up lately," I chuckled awkwardly.

"That they have my boy! That they have..." his laugh trailed off and he suddenly became more serious. "Now, your father told me that you've joined those... newsboys, was it?"

"Yes, sir. I've been living with them for a little over three years now."

"Ah, I see... and I've heard that you lot are having a strike against your fathers company?" This happened every time Hearst opened his mouth. He had tried to get information on my father's company a few times prior to this, but after it had happened the first couple of times, I had gotten pretty good at avoiding his questions.

"Nothing has been finalized yet, so you most likely just heard some rumors," I said cautiously. I mean, not all of that was a lie. Nothing had been finalized, and I would most likely end up trying to negotiate with Pulitzer about the price of papers before we left the mansion.

"I'm afraid we'll have to finish our talk another time if that's alright," I reached out for his hand to shake it. "I should go get David for dinner."

"Yes, yes, you go do that..." he muttered to himself, like he was deep in thought.

"Oh, and Duce?" He called to me as I was beginning to walk away, "if you'd ever wish to return to a more... civilized lifestyle... I'd be more than happy to take you in."

What the hell was this man thinking? Saying something like that in such a public place, and in my fathers house no less. Suddenly, all of the warnings I had picked up about him over the years fell into place. Even though he knew I was only nineteen, he had the audacity to ask me something like that. I dug my rails into my palms as I tried my best not to yell all the insults I could think of at him and simply replied with:
"I'll consider it."

"Atta boy!" He said a little too loudly. "I'll see you at dinner then!"

I just smiled and hurriedly walked away. Even as I walked away, I could feel his eyes burning into my back like a predator would keep an eye on its prey. As soon as I turned the corner and was out of sight from the guests, I ran to the garden to try and find Davey.

I ran down a long hallway past the kitchen, where there were at least half a dozen chefs scrambling around trying to get to things, and took a right at the end of the hall and kept running until I reached two large glass doors that lead to the garden.