Stray on Strike

Yes, she's my friend.

I walk in to Jacobi's Deli and all the guys are scattered across tables and chairs. I hope Katherine is listening in. I go over to Crutchie and Elmer and sit beside them. The owner who runs the joint comes out with a tray full of water. He passes out water to all of us. "And here we go? A glass of water for you, and one for you, and you, and you. And now, who's the big spender that ordered the seltzer?"

Kid Blink raises his hand, "That would be me." He says. Jacobi slowly walks over there with his old man legs. He holds out his hand for the payment, "And that'll be two cents." Kid Blink leans back, " Two cents for a glass of seltzer? Just gimme water."

Jacobi picks up an "extra" glass of water from the tray and hands it to Kid Blink. "How did I ever see that coming." He says sarcastically.

Davey sits down and raises his glass for a toast. "I say we launched our strike in the most auspicious manner."

All of us are quiet and Mush stands up to get the boys excited, "I dunno about that, but we sure scared the bejeezus outta Weisel!" I stand up and walk to the middles of the deli. And add my thoughts on the subject. " Did you see the Delanceys? They didn't know which way was up!"

Jack doesn't move and just asks, "So what's next?"

Davey stands up and walks over to me. He pokes me in the side to get my attention. "Well now we have to spread the word. Let the rest of the city's newsies know about the strike."

"Davey that's perfect." I say jumping up and play punching he's shoulder. He looks and giggles.

Jack stands up on the table. "You heard the man, let's go out and spread the word!"

Mush stands up, "I'll take Harlem."
Race follow after him, "Oh I got Midtown."
Skittery speaks up next, "I got the Bronx."
Buttons doesn't want to be left out, "I got The Bowery."

Jack takes leadership and commands the guys where to go. "Specs, you take Queens. Sniper, you take the East Side. And who wants Brooklyn?" Yikes! Listen not that we don't want to go. It's just that we are always asking Brooklyn for things. Helping me out of the Refuge. They won't help us with our silly little strike. No one says anything. Jack gets mad. "C'mon, Brooklyn, Spot Conlon's turf. Hey, Boots, you're tellin' me you're scared of Brooklyn."

Boots stands up on his chair. "I ain't scared a' no turf. Just... y'know, Spot Conlon makes me a little jittery." He sits back down nervously.

Jack sighs and points to Davey. "Fine, me and Davey'll take Brooklyn." Davey doesn't like the sound of that idea he awkwardly wiggles out of and walks towards the table that Jack is standing. I am just in the middle watching it all unfold. "Me? Why not Stray?"

I quiver. "No No No. Spots not gonna like it that we keep pestering. And it's not like I can sway his vote....I am taken."

Davey speaks so fast. "Now Jack-" But he was interrupted. I turn to see her. Couldn't see have waited until things were calm.

"Why is everyone so scared of Brooklyn?" Katherine says standing in the doorway with her notepad unfolded right to write. I should have warned her that the guys aren't going to talk right out of the bat.

Jack gets off of the table and stand about I would guess 30 ft away from her. "Where are you doing here?" Is this the wrong time to tell him that I invited her.

Katherine pops out her hip. "Asking a question. Have you got an answer?" I walk over to her and shake her hand. She does the same for me. Davey opens his mouth and gets that I already know her. Other without an education don't.