The Plan

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The next day had begun.  A plan would be devised.

David and I had arranged to meet at his house to talk things over.  Presently we were in his bedroom with the door shut in case anyone should hear us.

"So, what did you come up with?" I asked, placing my hat on the bed.  It was very satisfying to let my hair fall down my neck, seeing as it was always up in the hat.  But now that David knew about me, it was all okay.

"I thought about it all night," he said, "and I've decided that the best thing to do is rally the newsies together."

My eyes widened.

"How many of them?" I asked excitedly.

"As many as are willing." David confirmed softly.

I was sure there would be tons willing.  After all, after the strike everyone knew Jack Kelly - even if it were just by name.  This seemed like a good idea.

"We'll have to spread the word," I said, "should we both?"

"Yes, then after we've told a few newsies, they'll pass it on." David explained.

It seemed simple: tell a newsies or two, and begin a chain.

"I'm in." I said with a blatant smile.

David smiled too.

"Let's go."

-

We had decided to go our separate ways; David going to Queens, and myself going to Brooklyn.  There were a lot of newsies in Brooklyn; I hoped to win them over.

I soon could see the bridge.  The same bridge I had walked across a few days ago.  I took in a deep breath for confidence, and made my way there.

The first thing I saw was a boy perched up somewhere on top of the bridge.

"Who goes there?" He said, pointing the slingshot at me.

A slingshot.

It was the same exact boy from before... Spit?  Shot?  Dot?

"I'm here with news from Manhattan." I said sternly, "I only ask for your ears."

I saw more newsies pour out onto the bridge from behind it.

"Then speak." Spot said, covered in a shadowy layer.

I did.

"Brooklyn," I began, "our brothers.  Just today one of our own, a newsie called Jack Kelly," I paused as gasps rose from the mouths of the crowd, "has been held captive by the Delancey brothers and will be until tomorrow."

Laughs rose up now, horrible mocking ones.

"And you just can't wait till tomorrow?" One said.

"Oh no, poor Jack?  What'll he do?" Another chuckled.

"LISTEN!" I shouted with all my strength.  "I'm not finished."

"He'll only be there tomorrow because that's the day they're taking him to court."

Loud whispers began amongst the Brooklyn newsies.

"Yes, yes court," I said, "on unfair charges, I might add."

"What are these charges?" Spot asked coldly.  I still don't think he knew who I was.

"They say he stole papes from Weasel, and had this phoney photo to boot!".

"The nerve!" I heard someone shout.

"Jack would never." another agreed.

"SO," I said loudly to get their full attention, "we, the Manhattan newsies ask your presence - we'd like you to join us back in Manhattan to protest this!"

Cheers went up.  They seemed into it.

"SILENCE!" Spot ordered from his perch high up.  "Listen, spokesman, if you think mere protests will mean anything to them, you're wrong.  The way I sees it, there's only two ways to get 'im free.  Either we bust 'im out, or we come up with evidence of his innocence."

The crowd remained silent.

"Clearly you didn't witness the strike," I said sarcastically, "Don't you guys remember?  It's one for all and-"

"ALL FOR ONE!" The crowd cheered.

Finally, Spot hopped down.

"Alright, we'll help 'ya, but only for Jack, and only if we does it my way."

"What is your way?" I asked.

"I'll rally my guys, we'll be there - on time," he began, "but we gotta get some evidence to put up against theirs.  We can have numbers, sure, but we gotta have proof, too."

The crowd seemed to agree, and I didn't blame them.  I guess in all the excitement David and I forgot how simple it actually was.

"We're-"

Spot paused as he spun around to face me.

"Babyface," he started grinning, then his expression became dark,

"It's you."

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