The Lesser Kelly

Chapter 12: I make and Adult man look like a fool

"Mornin Gents!" I slammed the pape down onto Pulitzer's desk.

Jack, followed me into the office, clearly trying not to laugh.

"You and Your Brother are behind this! We had a deal!"

Jack grinned "And it came wit a money back guarantee." He tossed the stack of money on to the desk.

"Oh and tanks fa da lesson on da powers a da press." I added.

"Emerson Kelly, I believe you were absent at our last encounter."

I scoffed "Yeah I was kinda busy takin cara da guys you paid to 'ave busted up."

One of his assistants grabbed the pape, quickly reading through it.

"Did you read this boss? These kids put out a pretty good paper!"

Jack draped himself dramatically over the arms of one of the velvet chairs in the office, ever unable to sit correctly. 

"Written by my daughter no doubt." Pulitzer glared at the paper.

"Oh I would sign her before anyone else does." Jack said.

"I demand to know who defied my ban on printing strike material!"

I feigned shock "Wes ya loyal employees, we would neva take our business elsewhere." 

"That old printing press in the cellar!"

Pulitzer looked at me "Your older brother is a fool, I gave him the chance of a lifetime and yet he turned it down."

"And how exactly, Mister Pulitzer make him a fool?"

"Because Mr. Kelly anyone who does not act in their own self interest is a fool."

"So what does that make you?"

I turned to see Davie and Spot enter the office.

"This all began to sell more papers, But now your circulation is down 70%. Why didn't you just come talk to us?"  He took my hand discreetly as he spoke.

"It's cause guys like Joe don't talk to nobody's like us." I said.

"But ya know, a very wise reporter told me, bein a boss don't mean ya got all the right answers, just the smarts enough to recognize the right ones when he hears it."  Jack got up from his chair and motioned for Pulitzer to follow us to the window.

Outside the square was filled with kids. Everyone had a sign, and was singing in harmony.

Spot pulled off his hat "Take a look down there Mister Pulitzer, if ya aint figured it out we got ya surrounded."

We all waved down at them and the mass of people waved back.

"New York is closed for business. Paralyzed, ya can't get a pape or a shoe sign. You can't send a message, ride an elevator, or cross da Brooklyn Bridge, hell, you can't even get outta ya own building. So whats your next move?" I dropped Davies hand, crossing my arms and looking up at Pulitzer.

He just looked back at me for a moment dumbfounded.

Then a man ran into the room, "Sir the mayor is here, along with your daughter and you'll never believe who else!"

The mayor entered with Governor Roosevelt behind him.

"Joseph, Joseph, Joseph, what have you gotten yourself into now?"

"Governor Roosevelt! Wait till you hear my explanation-"

"Thanks to Miss Medda Larkin, bringing your daughter to my office I already have a thorough grasp of the situation. Graphic Illustrations included. 'Bully' is usually the expression I employ to show approval, but in this case I just mean 'bully'." A finger was jabbed at Pulitzer's chest. "And is this the boy of whom you spoke?" he turned to Jack "How are ya son? I'm told we once shared a carriage ride."