The Newsboy Strike of 1899

The Bottom Line

They may not be so lucky tonight...

.

"Jack Kelly, it's a pleasure to see you." Pulitzer drawled, leaning back in his plush chair."Please, take a seat."

Jack shook his head nonchalantly."Nah, been sittin' all day. Thanks, though."

Jack stood, cool and composed on the outside, but on the inside he was overcome with anxiety. He had simply gone to Pulitzer to see if he would actually talk to him. He expected to get the normal decline that he had always gotten, not allowance into the room.

"So, Jack, which side of you am I looking at right now?" Pulitzer grinned maliciously."The flirtatious newsboy, or the petty theif and escaped convict?"

Jack didn't flinch, hiding his surprise."What do you want, Joe."

"It's Pulitzer to you, boy." Pulitzer hissed."And I want you to call off your little rally."

Jack cocked an eyebrow."Rally?"

"Don't try and pretend you have no clue. My daughter, Katherine, told me everything." Pulitzer nodded towards the chairs resting in his room.

Katherine? It can't be...

The chair that was originally facing the window spun, revealing the reporter who had become so close to Jack and the boys in the past weeks. She had a look of complete regret, sorrow, and horror on her face. Her hair was disheveled, her eyes somewhat pink, and her bottom lip wavering.

"Jack-" She croaked, leaning forwards.

Jack held up a hand, looking away from her in betrayal. She whimpered, and Jack squeezed his eyes shut. Pulitzer began to speak once more."Yes, my daughter. She told me everything, Jack, and i'm not exactly content with this news. Call it off, and stay away from my family. You may not have your own, but that doesn't mean you can have mine."

Jack glared at Pulitzer."No."

Pulitzer sighed, resting his elbows on his desk."I'm afraid you were going to say this."

"I ain't gonna call it off." Jack growled, moving forwards to Pulitzer.

Pulitzer made a hand motion, and suddenly two hands were pulling Jack back, pushing him onto his knees. Jack tried to fight, but was pressed harshly on his neck in a way that made him see stars, so he stopped.

"Here's how it will go, Jack." Pulitzer stepped up from his desk, walking over to Jack."You can go to the rally, tell all those boys that this childish strike you have formed is useless, and get them all to work with the price increase, and I will give you twenty dollars in cash and a one way ticket to Santa Fe. That's where you've always wanted to go, right?"

Jack turned to Katherine, shooting daggers at her. She choked back tears, mouthing I'm sorry over and over again. Jack turned away from her, not being able to bear the sight anymore.

"Or, you could let the rally go on, and let those boys go against me. If you do, well, my friend here will tell you the rest."

Pulitzer stepped back, and out of the shadows of the large office, Snyder appeared. He gave a sickly smile, sauntering over to Jack and stopping in front of him. He slapped a hand on Jack's shoulder, and Jack held back his screams."Well, Jack, if it isn't the thief i've been looking for for years. If you don't stop the strike, you will end back up with me, and I will make sure you get the worst treatment of any boy who has ever stepped foot in my refuge. Even worse than your crippled friend. Charlie Morris, right? It's a shame really, that boy-"

"Shut up!" Jack screamed, turning red."You have no right to treat Charlie like that. Treat any of those boys like they's vermin! They're good boys in shitty situations, and you ain't helpin' them at all! You're just usin' 'em for money, you sick bastard! I bet-"

Jack was silenced by a palm of steel striking his face. He let out a shout of pain and anger, whipping his head back up to look at Snyder. The man's face was contorted together, and he was sneering at Jack."You stop the strike, or you get tossed in the Refuge for the rest of your pathetic life."

Pulitzer approached Jack."So, what do you say?"

Jack looked once more at Katherine, who was now crying silently in her seat. Suddenly, a faded figure appeared behind Katherine.

Jack was dreaming, because there was no way his father was standing behind Katherine.

And then his mother appeared.

And then Davey and Les and Sarah, Race, Specs, Romeo, Mush, Blink, Buttons.

And Crutchie.

With no cuts or bruises on his body, his clothes in perfect condition, and no crutch underneath his arm.

Yeah, he was definitely dreaming.

"Did I mention that we'll also let your friend, Charlie, out if you call the strike off?"

Suddenly, as if a match had been blown out, it was just Katherine. She changed her face into one of defeat, knowing that her father had given Jack his final push. Jack looked down, not able to meet anyone's eye.

"Alright," He finally managed to get out."I'll get them to call the strike off."

The hands holding him were lifted, and Jack stood up. Pulitzer nodded, hands clasped together in front of him."You will get your money and train ticket after you complete your task. Boys, show him the way out."

Jack's mind felt fuzzy the rest of the day.

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