Manhattans Queen and the Brooklyn King (A Spot Conlon love story)

Chapter 3

Beginning of the strike

"Boys let's go." I say walking into their room. I may only be 15, but they listen to me.

I walk past Racetrack as he's looking for his most recent steal. A cigar. I look over to see snipeshooter holding it in his mouth. I chuckle and point it out to Race.

"That's my cigar." He says angrily.

"You'll steal another." Snipes replies with a smirk.

As Race starts to go after him I pull him back. "Hey bummers we got work to do." I tell them annoyed

"Since when did you become me mother?" Specs asks as I hit him on the head.

"Ah, stop your bawling!" Crutchy says causing us to all shout back "Hey, who asked you?"

I chuckle and walk with Crutchy over to jack who's being pestered by Mush who is asking dumb questions.
"So how'd you's Sleep Jack?" He asks with a grin.
"On me back Mush" jack says tiredly causing mush to laugh.
"Hear that fellas? Hear what Jack said? I asked jack how he slept and he said on me back Mush" he laughs.

I roll my eyes with a smirk and go to get dressed.

Simple khaki shorts, white shirt, a button up over with suspenders. I slip on my brown, tattered shoes along with my hat over my short blonde hair. Due to the law that girls have to be in the work houses I cut my hair so I look more like a boy and when we are out the boys just call me ash.

I walk back over to Jack and Crutchy to hear Crutchy being worried about all the fake crips on the streets.
"I gotta find me a new selling spot where they ain't used to seeing me" crutch says.

"Try Bottle Alley or the harbor." Mush suggests.

"Try Central Park it's guaranteed." Race adds with a smile.

"Try any banker, bum, or barber." Jack sings as he puts on his cap.

"They almost all knows how to read." I finish.

"I smell money!" Kid Blink sings as he comes out of the restroom.

"You smell foul." Crutchy says after making the mistake of going in.

"Met this girl last night." Mush pops in randomly.

"Ah, move your elbow." Crutchy complains

"Pass the towel." Race Says eyes closed and hands out in front of him.

"For a buck I might!" Kid Blink says holding the towel up out of reach. I jump up and swipe it from his hand and hand it to Race.

"Ain't it a fine life carrying the banner through it all?"

"A mighty fine life carrying the banner tough and tall!"

"Every morning we goes where we wishes,

We's as free as fishes,

Sure beats washing dishes."

"What a fine life carrying the banner home free all!"

We all laugh with smiles as we run down the streets.

"It takes a smile as sweet as butter." Jack teases as he looks at me.

"The kind that ladies can't resist.

It takes and orphan with a stutter."

"Who ain't afraid to use his.
Fist!" I say to the boys.

"Summer stinks and winter's waiting,

Welcome to New York!

Boy, ain't nature fascinating

When you's gotta walk?