Before the Artful Dodger

Because of a wallet

By this time in Jack's life, he was eight and felt rather fed up with teaching younger boys to sew, or unpick stitchings on handkerchiefs. In fact, he had an idea brewing in the back of his mind. Jack knew that Fagin would not let him out on the job until he was nine, which would be three months and four days. Not being able to bare it much longer, Jack thought out his plan in bed.

The day was bright, confident and open to all. Exactly the opposite of what the little, top-hatted boy was. He knew precisely what he was risking, and didn't much like it. But, it was either that or die of boredom, and Jack knew which he preferred. So on the hat went, and telling Fagin that he was going to see 'Punch and Judy', he rushed out.

"Oi, Charlie, where ya off to? Can I come?"

The boy standing next to Charlie, Sam, looked rather reluctant. But Charlie felt sorry for his little friend, and agreed to let him tag along.

A while later, the boys were wandering through the streets when Jack got a nudge from Sam.

"Wot is it?"

"Well, wot do ya fink? See that genl'eman over there? See 'is wallet?"

"Yup."

"Go get it, will ya? An' if yer get caught......we'll get to dat later."

"On it." The short boy sauntered up to a posh man, with a look of innocence on his face. Nobody was looking. The cost was clear. Jack reached up to the wallet. He grasped it in his hand. He pulled. The man turned around. Jack bolted.

"Stop! Thief!" the man yelled. Everybody turned around, started screeching and ran towards the eight-year-old. He rushed through the crowd, under meat-cutting tables and on barrels. Policemen tried to grab him, as did everyone else. But it was too late. Somehow, the boy who had been balancing on top of a barrel, seconds before, had disappeared into nothing.

"Hey," said Charlie turning to Jack. "Dat was amazin'. Even though yer was seen, ya dodged 'em well."

"Yeah," Sam joined in. "Yer was great, as good as Bill Sikes, if not be'er!" 

"Thanks." 

The trio were hiding behind a tall house, out of breath and grubby. But Charlie hadn't finished.

"We need to get ya back to Fagin, else-"

"Else wot, my dears? Wot would I do to you?"

"Nothin', Fagin, n- Fagin!" The two boys looked at Jack.

"'M sorry, Fagin, I was bored wiv unpickin' stitches all day."

"Save it, my dear. Give me the wallet, an' no more will be said. I saw all o' that. An' how do yer like this? I reckon yer could 'ave a new title"

"Wot would that be?" Asked Jack, already liking the sound of it.

"Well, my dear. How about the Dodger? The Artful Dodger."

💩'Ello me flash mates! Sorry for not updatin' sooner, but I been busy, pickin' pockets an' all that. Yer know the drill, comment an' stuff. Gotta get back to watchin' Pufnstuf, but I'll be back soon. So long, fair thee well, pip pip, cheerio, I'll be back soon! 💖💋