Stray on Strike

Brooklyn's Here!

Newsies from every corner or New York pile into the theater. It's amazing that just because Brooklyn is in on the strike now, that every one else wanted to be a part also.

The newsies from all over New York are waiting impatiently for Brooklyn to come. And you won't believe how many people asked to see Jack. Davey and I had to tell people he was running late. Which he was. I don't know what's holding him up, but he would never just not show up. That is not in Jack Kelly's book. He's my best friend I should know. If he isn't here soon something is horribly wrong.

Newsies from Flushing, Richmond, Woodside ,and The Bronx are piled in the box seats. Midtown, Harlem, Queens, West Side, The Bowery, and The East Side are scattered about in the house of the theater. Then there is us Manhattan, standing on the stage. Each section of New York has a homemade sign made out of wood or a in Harlem's case a bed sheet.  And not to mention all of signs that say 'STRIKE' in bold, big letters.

I rush over to Davey and he gives me a worried look. "Stray, what do we do?" He says this referring to Jack not being here. See we had a plan that Jack was going to do all of the fancy speech talking. But since he isn't here and the people are getting restless, we have to do something.

"Either you or me is gonna have to babble to these guys." I say messing with my new skirt flatting it out. I look down at my old dusty brown shoes and then I look up at Davey waiting for an answer. He stutter and holds out his hands trying to come up with an answer. "Maybe we can hold off till Jack gets here."

I put my hand on his shoulder. "Davey have you seen these guys they're restless. And you don't know Brooklyn like I do. Spot Conlon and Brooklyn, they wait for no one." I speak honestly and his eyes grow wide. He becomes nervous. Sure he has talked in front of the guys. But that's only Manhattan and we are his friends. It's different when it's people you never met and you have to convince them to be on your side. I understand why he is freaking out.

I turn around and look at the painting that Jack did. Hats off to him. It's incredible. Well it's doesn't make you feel like puppies and butterflies. It makes my blood boil. Pulitzer's foot stepping down on us newsies.  Medda thought that it would be a good idea to have it in the middle back of the stage

Man I love Medda. Remember that I time I said she was like an Aunt to the Newsies. Well I was wrong she is a Fairy Godmother to us. Or me at least. I still can't believe she let us use the theater for the Rally. God Bless her. That's all I'll say.

Speaking of the lovely lady, I see Medda walking up to me and Davey. "You two better figure somethin' out quick. I hear chanting coming down the street."

"Yup that's Brooklyn for ya." I say putting my hand on my hip. Medda laughs and was about to say something but she is cut off by loud hollers and shouts. All of us know exactly what is coming next.

Davey looks at me worried. I tell him to breathe and he tries to stand tall and look official. Because for now he is the leader of the Newsboy Strike.

Brooklyn charges the stage and I look around to see Vic and Clyde. But before I could even catch a glimpse Spot Conlon stands straight in front of me.

"Hello Spot."
"Hey, Stray."

Now that our serious moment is over Spot and I laugh. And without a second to catch my breath he picks me up and spins me around. Spot sets me back on the ground. Davey looks like he just had a heart attack.

"It's been to long Spot." I say when he sets me down.

"You're telling me. Ya know it isn't heathy to be apart from a beauty like yous for ta long." Spot says. That only make me laugh more.