Newsies One Shots and Preferences

Another King

Word Count 1132

Another day another customer is how I've looked at it. My boss is completely incompetent so I often rely on tips. Unfortunately, Brooklyn isn't the best place to get tips as a shoe shiner, so I have to rely on my skinny paycheck. Every day I think about shining in Manhattan, but there is just something about Brooklyn. It definitely isn't the people though. People think they rule the world here, if I had a penny for every person who called themselves the King of Brooklyn, I wouldn't be shining shoes. People who think they are better than other people don't scare me, but they do scare my boss. One of the many kings of this borough just so happen to get his shoes shined for free. My boss doesn't live off of tips, so he doesn't know that paying customer is more likely to leave tips than freeloaders. Unfortunately, I usually shine this king's shoes, which is less money in my already shallow pockets. He isn't grateful either, like all of the kings he just treats others like pawns.
I have been shining the ungrateful king's shoes for over two months now. The same thing over and over again, I finish up my other customer's shoes, he cuts the line and sits in my chair. I ignore his flirty comments, and he leaves without a thank you. At least when other people don't leave tips, I get a thank you, but a king never thanks his servants. However today has not been my day, some children knocked over my polish completely drenching my shirt. On top of that my polishing rag seemed to of gone missing, leaving me to use my apron. This all happened before my least favorite customer arrives.
I notice him standing there tapping his foot impatiently, I know I have to finish this customer quickly. The man simply says thank you and leaves, giving me two pennies as a tip. The best part of my day is cut short by my least favorite king, Spot Conlon. Just get this over with, your day cannot get any worse after he leaves.
I grab my polish and immediately start to rub some on his shoe. Just as I am about to sit down on my stool some kid takes it from me. What kind of kid has something to do with my stool? Can this day get any worse? It is like the universe took that as a challenge.
I am now on my knees quickly shinning his shoes when I hear him speak, "nice to finally see you on your knees for me". Usually a comment like this I would let roll off my back, but not today. Instead, I stand up and begin to cause a scene. It will be a miracle if I don't get fired for this.
"You might think you are powerful but you are not. You are just some inconsiderate brat, who acts like he owns everything. I can't name the last time you thanked me, let alone paid me or this establishment for our services. We are not made to help you out, we are real people with human emotions, you piece of garbage. Let someone else shine your shoes for you because I won't do it anymore" I know I shouldn't be yelling at a customer, but it feels so nice to get it off of my chest. Spot however just sits in the chair still, waiting for me to get back to work. How dense is this boy's skull, "get out of my chair" I demand. I turn to look at my boss who doesn't seem mad, but rather terrified. Turning back to look at the so-called King of Brooklyn, but he looks ashamed.
"Let me buy you something to eat. We can talk about this privately" he says in my ear, sending a chill down my spine. I am only taken aback on how he didn't punch me in the jaw. To be fair I am surprised that he is showing any sort of empathy, but I am not going to allow my state of shock to let me forgive him for everything that he has done.
I start to yell again, not whispering as he did for me, "I would rather starve than spend another second with you" as I say this, hurt flashes on his face.
"Do as he says or you're fired?" my boss says, shacking behind the counter. I cannot afford to lose this job, I have to spend the rest of this awful day with my least favorite king. So much for my day getting better.
By the time we get to our destination, we have said nothing to each other. At this rate, I might leave this lunch with some of my sanity.
"Why do you hate me?" Did he seriously just say that? Did he even listen to a thing I said, I thought I was extremely clear.
"I thought I was clear," I say attempting to end the conversation but I decide to continue, "you would hate you if you met yourself". Maybe that was too harsh but it has to hold some truth for him to react how he is. No snarky comeback just silence. I know I should not be feeling sympathy for the worst person I know, but here I am. "Why does my opinion matter?" I ask, realizing that my words should have no effect on a king. It is extremely rare for a pawn to put a king in checkmate, but here we are.
"I care about you. Even if it doesn't seem that way," he simply says.
Taken slightly aback I can feel myself putting up more emotional walls, "you can't care about someone you treat as poorly as me".
I can feel my words cutting through him like a knife, and I feel bad. However, it is the only way I know I am going to get an honest answer. "It's complicated" is all he says.
"Look if you don't want to talk about it, that is fine. Just don't expect my empathy" this time I feel as though my truth needed to be said. Not that it didn't before, but I am not going to get stuck in the middle of this king's emotional crossfire. Yet again, my better judgment leaves my body as I feel his hand grab mine. Why don't I swat his hand away? I don't know, maybe it is the warmth it provides, or maybe I want to care about him. No matter the reason, what matters is I didn't swat his hand away.
"That's okay, but let me have today with you. Let us act like we like each other for the rest of the day"