Newsies- VA Edition

Chapter 2- Carrying the Banner

Paul quickly ran downstairs, running over the steel catwalks of the abandoned building him and the other Newsies called home, clothes hanging from brass bars to dry, old shelves fashioned into bunk beds.
Chris put on his red vest and placed his hat atop his head. "Hey Regan, Kat, Alex, Ray, ya heard Paul, get a move on" he said fastening his belt. "I had the most beautiful dream last night, why my lips are still tinglin" Regan said making a kissy face towards the sky. Chris nudged Ray and laughed, "a pretty boy?~" chris asked Regan to which she replied "oh yeah, a real leg-a-lamb" she swooned. Chris, soon shifted his attention to Logan, who had walked in with a cigar "Hey! That's my cigar!" Chris yelled at him snatching it back. "I stole a nada, hey look it's bath time at the zoo!" Logan said pointing at ray who's hair was still wet from the hose he used to shower. "I thought I'd clean up and surprise my mother" Ray shot back. "If ya can find her!" Regan laughed to which everyone yelled back "WHO ASKED YOU!?".

Kendall, moved over to the railing "hey guys can ya gimme a hand? I need a new sellin spot" she asked. "From model ally to the harbor, there's easy pickings guaranteed" Ray assured her. Maili joined in the conversation "try any banker bum or barber, they almost all knows how to read". Paul walked down the stairs and joined them only to be wacked in the back of the head by maili for waking her up "it's a crooked game we're playin, one we'll never lose". Maili hit him again saying "yeah long as suckers don't mind payin, just to get bad news!"

All of them broke out in the song that went through their heads every day, the song that kept them going throughout their work day "Ain't it a fine life, carryin the banner through it aaaall, a mighty fine life carryin the banner tough and taaaall" as the lyrics rang through the building each Newsie was getting ready for the day, caps upon heads, vests over button downs. "When the bell rings, we goes we're we wishes, Wes as free as fishes, sure beats washing dishes what a fine like, carryin the banner through it aaaaall"

Paul and everyone raced down stairs, a lady was walking by the exit. She was wearing a purple dress, with a tie light purple tie tucked under her vest with a green squid logo on the pocket, short brown hair and glasses placed carefully of a small delicate nose. Paul's instincts kicked in, "well hello hello hello, mornin miss! can I interest you in today's news?" He asked her. "But the paper isn't even out yet" she said. "Oh well I would be delighted to deliver it to you personally" paul flirted. "Wha- no? I've got a head line for you. Cheeky boy gets NOTHING for his troubles" she said aiming her hands at the sky, the others all laughed as the girl walked off. "Well too bad for you Pelletier you struck out!" Logan teased.

Kendall walked up to Punzie "hey Punzie what's ya leg say, gonna rain?"
"Uuuuh no rain" Punzie said tapping her leg "Oh ho! Partly cloudy clear by evenin!" She predicted. Alex put his arm around Punzies shoulders "Haha! And the limp sells 50 papes a week, all by its self". Punzie looked annoyed, "gAH I don't need the limp to sell papes, I got personality. It takes a smile that spread like butter" she grinned "the type that turns all the guys heads". Chris chimed in "it takes an orphan with a stutter" he said as he shook Rays jaw. Regan covered Rays eyes "who's also blind". Kat covered Rays mouth "and mute". Maili then knocked Ray on the head "AND DEAD" she said with a laugh as the 3 ran off from an angry Ray.

The newsies continued to goof off in the court yard awaiting the circulation bell, Ray and logan engaged in a sword fight with some sticks they found on the ground. Maili, Chris and Alex were swappin mostly made up tails. Paul and Punzie both leaned on the gates waiting for them to open. The song still ringing through their minds "it's a fiiine life carryin the banner". Regan eventually got tired of waiting "HEY! What's the hold up? Waiting makes me antsy, I likes livin Chancey!", Paul knocked her over the head "quiet, the Sisters are comin" he said as he and the others stuck out their hands for the nuns who deliver scrap food to them on the daily. "When are you going to let us see the inside of your church young man? It's been months" one of the Nuns asked from the other side of the gate. Paul responded "Uh I dunno sister, maybe god'll be merciful and speed up the process if ya keep bringin offerings", the nuns eventually walked off.

Suddenly, a man walked up a flight of metal stairs inside the gates that lead to a chalk board, and began to write. "Hey look! They're puttin up the headline!!" Alex yelled in excitement as everyone rushed over to the gates to see. "Oh I hope it's really bloody, with a big picture" Maili hoped. The man with the chalk took his sweet time, writing out the days head line "Trolly Strike Enters 3rd Week". All the newsies groaned, "Trolly strike again!?" Punzie complained. "We need a good Assassination!" Regan yelled. "How bout an Earthquake or a war!?" Paul complained. "How about a crooked Politician?" Chris suggested. To which everyone responded "Hey nitwit that ain't news no more!!" 

Suddenly a Loud bell rang through the air, as the gates opened. Paul noticed the gates and yelled to everyone "ALRIGHT YA BUMS HERES OUR HEADLINE. NEWSIES ON A MISSION, KILL THE COMPETITION, SELL THE NEXT EDITION! NOW LETS MOVE" he said leading the others towards the exit. Suddenly two boys stood infront of the group each with a smug look on their face "well well well what have we here Rain?" One asked, "I believe by the smell, the sewer backed up Teags" the other responded. "The Delancey Brothers" logan groaned. The two moved out of the way. "Hey Teagan word on the street is you and ya brother got some cash for beating up some of those trolley workers chris accused. "Yeah so? It's honest work and I take care of the one to takes care of me" Teagan said with a grin. "Ya mean busting the heads of innocent workers?" Ray shot at them. "Well ain't you a smart one!" Rain said shoving Ray. "Yeah! Ya lousy crip!" Teagan said stealing Punzies crutch and pushing her over. Paul became outraged "HEY THATS NOT NICE TEAGAN" he said snatching the crutch back and Chris and Ray helped Punzie Up. "Gettem Paul!" Chris cheered on. "How'd you like it if I knocked out that bum leg of your own eh?" Paul asked. "I ain't got no bum leg" Teagan said confused. "Well ya do now!" Paul said using Punzies crutch to whack both the brothers in the knee making them fall over as the other Newsies ran off carrying Punzie with them. "Just wait till I get my hands on you! Rain threatened. "You'll have to catch me first!" Paul yelled as he ran off with the others all yelling at the top of their lungs "WELL ALL BE OUT THERE CARRYIN THE BANNER!"