Jesse in The Refuge

Chapter 5: The Newsies

Jesse stared like a deer in headlights, uncomfortable with the attention and caught off-guard by the question. "I'se Jack Kelly, so's who're you" the boy, still on his shoulder, piped up again, repeating his question. "I-I'm Charlie Morris" Jesse stammered out "You can call me Crutchie, though" he liked the nickname, it felt comfortable and representative. There were a few moments of silence then another voice spoke up; "Whatcha doin here, Crutchie? I ain't seen ya around before," this came out in an accusing tone from another boy, an unlit cigar dangling from his lips and a mess of dirty blonde curls on his head. With this comment came a chorus of suggestions and repetition of the same question from all the other boys surrounding them. "Yeah! Why's he here?" said one voice "I'se think I saw someone like 'im the other day" came another, "Ya think he's workin' fo' the Bulls?" asked a third, this caused a suspicious glance to grace over Jesse from the whole crowd, then they went back to yelling.

Over the uproar, Jack's voice came again "Quiet, fellas! Let 'im explain himself!" he waved an arm and the boys fell mostly quiet again, a few murmurs still lingering. Jesse glanced around then spoke; "I'se lookin' to be a newsie. Ya know how to find 'em?" he asked. Jack chuckled a little and looked over the boys "Well, ya came to the right place, bud. Can't ya tell we'se all newsies?" Jack said, waving an arm over all the boys. Jesse finally noticed they all had newspaper bags and their papers were lying everywhere. "Oh," he said quietly, being the impetus for an eruption of laughter from the boys.

After the laughing had died down some and Jesse was beet red, Jack took him to a chair to sit down and asked "so, whaddya want to know 'bout bein' a newsie?" Jesse hadn't really thought of this, he had just planned to come to New York and, well, be a newsie. "How's the pay?" he asked. "Whatevers ya can make from sellin' wit' a nickel thrown on top" Jack answered. "Youse can sell wit' me startin' out, wese can split the profits 60-40" He offered. Jesse mulled it over a little and figured since he was new to the whole crutch thing and had never sold a paper in his life that he shouldn't pass up the opportunity. He hadn't been prepared for his current situation so he didn't have a clear enough head to think of other questions. "okay, sounds like a deal" he said, as confidently as he could. "A'ight then," Jack said, spitting into his hand and holding it out to shake on it. Jesse repeated the gesture and they shook. "How's ya feels 'bout startin' now?" Cigar asked as a distant bell rang. All the boys leaped up to get their bags, hats and other various possessions then raced out the door, headed by Cigar, leaving only Jack and Jesse in the diner. The man came back, yelling at the two to clear out. Jack waved off the man and gestured towards the door, "Race's right, no reason not ta start now," Jack said. Jesse picked up his crutch and headed over, "sure, why the hell not?" he answered Jack. 

Once the pair was through the gate at The World, one of what looked like a pair of brothers spoke up "You're late, Kelly" he snarled as the other spotted Jesse and sneered "Who's the new kid?" Jack was unfazed by their bitterness, "Relax, Morris," Jack said suavely to the first brother, then addressed the next; "I'se helpin' out Crutchie here today," he said as he gestured in Jesse's general direction. Jesse shyly waved as his name was mentioned, neither brother returned the gesture, just scoffed and said "I don' care. Just come get ya papes an' start sellin'." Jack walked to the paper stand and slapped a couple coins on top of it "Fiddy papes" he said and held out a hand. He received his papers and tucked them into his bag then looked at Jesse "What ya standin' there for? Youse gotta get papes to sell em." Jesse blushed a little "I don' got any money" he mumbled. Jack groaned and turned back to the stand, slapping down another coin "thirty more papes" he grumbled. Morris handed over the papers and a paper bag then took the money box and retreated inside. Jack gave the papers to Jesse and continued walking, not waiting for Jesse to put his papers in his bag. "You really owe me now," Jack said, not turning around. Jesse struggled to catch up, muttering "sorry" as he followed.  

Once out of The World Jack turned back to Jesse and pointed a finger "Alright, so's sellin' papes ain't that hard. All youse gotta do is hold up a pape an' hawk a headline, it don't matter if it's true or not. The goal is sellin' all them papes. Shouldn't be too hard wit' that crutch there. Comes back here once ya do, I'll be waitin' for ya." Jack turned to leave then stopped short and turned back "Jus' stay away from 44th street, okay" Once Jesse had nodded Jack turned and disappeared to some unknown selling spot. Jesse quickly dismissed his questions about 44th street, limped off to another road and turned out to face the street. He tried to brace himself, he didn't know what for, and pulled out a paper. Without even saying a word, a woman came up to him, pity on her face, and bought a paper. Jesse smiled and pocketed the money guess this ain't going to be too hard after all he thought and pulled out another paper.