Hidden ( A Newsies Fan Fiction)

Chapter 3: Undercover

Julie Spear stood in a dark alley staring at her refection in a dusty, old, cracked mirror. That day, as she walked through the streets of Manhattan, she had decided what she would do to earn the money to feed herself. She was going to become a newsie. 

The newsies were a bunch of poor orphans and runaways; kids who needed money, so that they could eat. They were all in situations similar to Julie's. They earned the money by selling newspapers on the side of the streets, like that one boy she met did. The problem was, there were no girl newsies.

Of course, the natural solution to this slight complication was to disguise herself as a boy. "Piece of cake," Julie thought. She would be an undercover newsie!

She was now dressed in a loose-fitting, worn out newsie outfit, complete with gray, faded cap. She tucked her ponytail into her cap, and examined herself.  Staring back at her, was a strange boy she had never seen before. She smiled. Her transformation was complete.

Early the next morning, Julie checked her reflection in the old mirror. She smudged some dirt across her cheek and scowled at her reflection. She hoped no one would be able to call her bluff. She took a deep breath and set off.

Soon enough, she arrived at the distribution center. She looked around, seeing the piles of newspapers. There seemed to be thousands of them. She also noticed the older, heavier man who was seated at a table, handing papers to a sixteen year old boy in a newsie cap. This must be Wiesel, she decided. She had heard about him from the boys in the refuge. 

Wiesel was the one who the newsies bought their papers from. None of the newsies were terribly fond of him, and he, in turn, did not like them. Maybe this was due to the fact that the newsboys had taken to calling him Weasel. He hated this, which is probably why they all insisted upon calling him that.

There were already a couple of newsboys there when she arrived. She ignored them and purchased her papers from Weasel. She turned, crossing her fingers that none of them would try to talk to her. She had no such luck.

"So we's gotta newbie, I see," a tall, dark haired boy of about seventeen said. "Jack Kelly. And who would you be?" 

"Er.... Michael Chase," Julie replied. Jack nodded and turned toward a boy who was leaning against a wall, smoking a cigar. 

"This is Race." He gestured to another boy, this one tall with large glasses. "Specs." He continued to point at the others. " Mush, Romeo, Finch."  When he got to the last newsie, Julie drew in a sharp breath. It was the boy she had met the previous day.

"And this 'ere's Crutchie," Jack finished. Crutchie smiled.

"H'llo," she muttered. She turned back to Jack. "So, where do you suggest I start?" she asked.

He grinned and turned to the others. Race laughed and steeped forward. He started to sing. "From Bottle Alley, to the harbor, there's easy pickens guaranteed." Julie laughed.

Jack turned toward her and sang, "Try any banker, bum, or barber. They almost all know how ta read!" Everyone laughed. It was obviously a joke they had shared before.

" Thanks for that piece of advice. I shall treasure it always!" Julie grinned and bowed.

"Good luck on your first day!" Crutchie smiled, cheerfully. Julie waved and set off.