#and by others i mean david cowboy hat man
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Vanto eyed him thoughtfully. “What about you, Commander? Why do you seek high rank?”
It was a question many had asked over the years. Thrawn had asked it of himself. The answer never seemed to satisfy the questioner. “Because there are problems that must be solved. Some cannot be solved by anyone except me.”
“I see.” [...]
Vanto had now asked the question. He was no more satisfied than anyone who had come before him.
Thrawn wondered if anyone would ever be satisfied. Or would ever truly understand.
—Thrawn (2017) by Timothy Zahn
#thrawn#morgan elsbeth#tales of the empire#star wars#swedit#toteedit#userbarriss#cohborikardok#*gffa#*tote#*thrawn#i love reading canon star wars books i love following canon and continuity across media UNLIKE OTHERS#and by others i mean david cowboy hat man#anyway!#this could've been so much worse!#i guess the appearance of rukh and pellaeon while thrawn's an ADMIRAL can be explained away!#funny how we always have to EXPLAIN STUFF AWAY!!!!!!!#i hate being a thrawn stan dfgsfgh
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Edit: The only playlists I've listened to fully are Milo's, Gavin's, some of Sam's, and Caelum's. So idk if some of these are cannon or not.
REDACTED HEADCANNONS
SHAW PACK EDITION
Milo Greer:
- I was convinced for the longest that he was Italian. So yknow what? Italian heritage. Boom.
- His ma taught him right, and I swear they both got OCD. If a dish isn't in the right spot, there's no telling how long the rant is gonna be- WHILE they fix said issue. (Example of this: Nylon socks.)
- I can see the couch being a comfort spot for Sweetheart & Milo- so here's a scenario:
Laying on the couch, watch something on the TV, Aggro laying by you two, candles lit, lights out, and cuddles. The house is warm- not too hot but not too cold. It's night already. And yall can continue this if u want in the comments.
- Date nights are kinda different with Milo. Like he doesn't stick to just one. He'd go on picnics, he'd stay in and watch movies, he'd go to arcades, he'd take Sweetheart to a nice dinner, ect.
Asher Talbot:
- Asher plays the guitar. Prove me wrong
- You cant tell me he hasnt ding dong ditched David before
- He's the kind of friend who sends friends songs that describe them or their relationship.
- He's wrote a song for Baabe for their anniversary
- Date night: Go to the movies, or the arcade.
David Shaw:
- David is the best- out of all the boys- to grill. They have a barbecue? David is stationed at the grill.
- I think after Inversion, David and Angel would take extra precautions. This means David would get extra security, check up on everyone, ect. Angel would be constantly paranoid for a long time. Both would ease back into their daily lives after abt 3 months of this.
- His preferred date night would probably include a nice dinner and then go home and watch movies
- He's not a fan of swimming.
Sam Collins:
- HE'S A HOZIER FAN
- This man can make tea with his eyes closed and hands tied behind his back. I swear if Tanks was sick or just in the mood for tea, they'd be in for a nice surprise. Even tho hes a vamp, he's amazing at making any kind of food or drink- but he specializes in drinks.
- Him and Tanks take to the more minimal kind if dates. Specifically like watching the stars, or going out for walks, ect.
- Yes i cannon this man to be country asf, but as a country girl myself, its not all over the top. He's obviously the flannel and cowboy hat type of guy, and hes got the accent, but have yall ever thought of him having being raised up on a ranch?
Before the whole Alexis ordeal, what if he was raised on a rach, had horses and other animals, ect. But when he was turned, what if he just decided to leave his old life behind, since he can't just go home? What if there are some of his attributes he keeps (since Dahlia is in Cali and is in the city) is to keep some of his old life with him?
Boom. Love some angst.
#redacted shaw pack#redactedverse#redacted asmr#redacted headcanons#redacted milo#redacted david#redacted asher#redacted sam#headcannons
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❛ how could you do that? i thought we were friends! ❜
❛ you betrayed us and still you think you can think you can just waltz back in here like nothing ever happened? ❜
❛ fuck you! this is all your fault! ❜
quotes from ;; @poohsources !!
word count ;; 1,147
Antonio "Racetrack" Higgins, Jack Kelly, Louis "Kid Blink" Balletti
“I’ll soak ya! Ya bum!” A voice shouted, being held back by multiple other boys. Antonio was beyond pissed. Jack betrayed them! His own friend! The leader of the Manhattan newsies! Betrayed them! He had all the right to be pissed off! For once, the boy hadn’t had a cigar held between his teeth, but damn right was he pissed off beyond recognition. Jack was a scab! Just look at him! With that stupid blazer, that stupid hat. Well- Race couldn’t call it stupid. He had the same hat on his own head.
His dark eyes were narrowed, continuing to spill out threats to Jack at the given time. Though Spot, or Sean, had stopped him eventually, spewling out his own threats, “Let me get my hands dirty.” He’d speak to Race, pushing the male slightly back. “C’MERE YOU DIRTY ROTTEN' SCABBER-!” He’d shout, trying his best to point his cane at the man he used to trust. This was just so fun. Wasn’t it?
It was aggressive. Spot was an aggressive kid, everyone knew this about him. He was a loud kid, a mean kid. It didn’t matter what, Spot was angry. But right now, he was definitely aggressive. Spot continued to try and get to Jack, being pulled back by countless of the other Newsies surrounding. “I’LL MURDER YA!” He shouted, being pulled towards the back. Eventually, Jack was.. Well, off selling his papers. He’d only stopped and gave up his scab facade when hearing the yells of a woman. Sarah Jacobs, David’s sister.
To say when Race, Spot and Blink had seen Jack again, it took a large portion of the boys to hold the three boys back so they didn't exactly murder Jack. Racer was the first to shout, violence held in the way he shouted. "How could you do that!? I thought we were friends!" He'd shout, narrowing his eyes at Jack. He was beyond pissed with Jack. Who wouldn't be? The three continued to be held back, either by someone's arms around their chest, being held back by the arms, or shoulder. For example with Racer. He had to be held back by the arms, people knowing he'd be swinging if he got free.
Spot had to be held by the chest, his cane he always carried around tightly held in hands. He had an annoyed expression on his face, his pale eyes narrowed at Jack as he stared at the boy. "You betrayed us and think you can just waltz in here like nothing ever happened!?" He shouted eventually, venom in his tone as he tried to get out of whoever was holding him, which resulted in one of his own Newsies, Sniper, being elbowed in the stomach. He didn't apologize, hell no. Spot hardly ever apologized to anyone.
Next on the list was Kid Blink. He was being held back by Mush, who had been holding him by the arms. Even with a singular bad eye, Blink had his target straight in his vision. The dirty blonde had his eye narrowed straight at Jack, annoyance laced in his tone as he soon enough spoke. "Fuck you, Jack! This is all your fault!" By all of it being Cowboy's fault, he meant all the newsies being either hurt or caught. That was his fault. And it was clear that Louis didn't trust him just yet.
Who would? Jack was JUST dressed like a scabber only a day ago! Blink had his expression remaining beyond pissed, Mush having not let go at all. He'd rather Jack not get murdered by one of the guys who can easily do that. Even if David had told them Jack was helping them again, it would take the three boys a while to really trust Jack again. Did he think he could just walk in here and think everything was going to be fine? It wasn’t. These three boys, mainly Race and Kid, trusted Jack with their hearts. But now look! Jack was coming back, even after being revealed to be working for Pulitzer! They all had the right to be pissed off. Hell, Mush understood the reason why Kid was prepared to kill ‘em. Him and Race had all the right. So did Spot.
Hell, the kid came all the way down here just to be left and betrayed by Jack! The king of Brooklyn had all the right to be beyond pissed at the leader of the Manhattan Newsies. As soon as he saw Jack dressed as a scabber, all the trust for that bastard had gone away. But now, here they all were. Well, at least here is where two of them were. Kid and Race kneeled down besides a window that appeared to be from a basement. In that said basement was David, Sarah, Jack and Denton. And it just so happened to appear that they were working on printing out a paper. The paper that spoke about the rally, that spoke about the strike. All of this. All of what these boys were standing for. Jack was trying to avoid eye contact with Race at first before hearing the boy speak.
“It’s good to have you back, Jack.” He commented, grabbing the papes that the cowboy was giving out and slinging them over his shoulder, like he had with every paper he sold during the early hours of the morning. A soft sigh escaped Jack, his shoulders falling as the breath he had sucked in finally released. He was nervous, especially when it came to his right hand man. Though, when Race and Mush had kneeled down to grab their papers, Blink still had that slight death glare on his face for a couple seconds. Unil Jack saw it form back into a smile. Which… surprised Jack, actually. He thought the kid was gonna’ kill ‘em at the third sight of him. And he wouldn’t have been surprised if so.
Taking a shaky breath in himself and grabbing the papers, he avoided eye contact for a moment or so before speaking up himself. “Thanks for comin’ back to us, Jack.” He spoke, giving a small nod to Jack, who’d only reply with a smile and nod. “It’s good to be back, Kid.” But Jack knew after all this was over, he’d be out of here. On that train to Santa Fe. It wasn’t until after the strike, with everyone celebrating, that everything happened. Jack was in the back of Teddy Roosevelt’s carriage, on his way to the train tracks. With Race in front of the line at the distribution gates trying to get their papes, it was a matter of time before someone called out with excitement in their voice.
“EVERYONE, IT’S JACK!” The voice called out, resulting in cheers. Jack was back, the boys were on goodish terms ,and Spot wasn’t gonna’ murder Cowboy.
Everything was back in order.
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Alright y'all today me and @cloudtastrophie were talking some Newsies opinions bc I love to pick ones brain. And she likes the Live version whearas I like the '92 version
So just a friendly reminder take these topics lightly
#1 ✨Sprace✨this was kinda similar to how I posted where we get Sprace and Ralbert (who she is more of a fan of BUT WE'RE BOTH DIE HEARTS FOR REDFINCH) but the movie gave us Sprace and the live gave us Ralbert
#2 Do you think Livesies Race is a gambler bc he don't give me the vibes as much as 92sies
Friend: "Livesies Race is more of a gambler to me because he is jittery like a gambler doing his tricks and being scared of getting caught"
Which I don't see that, I see that Race as a twink (I will die on that hill) but I can see where she is coming from although 92sies Race is so cool and collected he would seem more like one and also MAN'S talk about gambling not Livesies who is just like "yeah I gamble" (not really the line but you know what I mean)
#3 The different Santa Fe's
Friend:"I like the live version more because it's more heartbreaking and moves the story and gives character to Jack and how he like betrayed the Newsies"
I can totally see this and it's not bad bUT like fngnfnmrmdn, idk my brain is just so istched with 92sies and Christian rides a goddamn horse oK LIKE SIR- but I feel like I relate to it more for like no reason, I also pointed out the tumblr post (who I think was @i-didnt-do-1t ) about the lyric change and how much that means to the song (also I just really like the sounds)
#4 Outfit differences
This was like nothing, I just, idk wanted to pick her brain but she just said it was another way to identify the people on stage and in a movie you don't need that... Which fair idk, anyways lol
#5 ✨Gay ships✨
As mentioned we love Redfinch, but we also screamed about Ikeshot, Spromeo, Jomike Buttons and Elmer WE SCREAMED SO HARD I JUST CAN'T WITH THEM, there all so cute (also if anyone has one of crystals old art work about Hotshot mistaking Mike for being Ike and telling him something dirty PLZ GIVE)
Also shared how in 92sies some people ship Specs and Dutchy and friend said "fair, could see it" so true
#6 Jack and his bandana (along with David being very gay)
Told her about my bandana post and she found it kinda silly BUT IT'S SO TRUE, also talked how gay David is because look at that man
In the live version he is so gay but in the movie he has to be like worked on (if that makes sense) it just takes him awhile to accept
#7 ✨Grantaire and Enjolras✨
🤭 the gay boys from Les Mis bc we all know there so gay for each other
#8 Jack the artist vs. Jack the cowboy
Friend: "Kinda vibes with it but sees it more as Jack isn't into all that much of art"
I just like the thought of him being a cowboy or just having that, idk I don't mind that he's an artist BUT BRING BACK THE COWBOY
Shoutout to that one tumblr post that head canon Jack getting his cowboy hat stolen by the Delancys
Honorable mentions-
Davids character growth and him being use to the Newsies and getting comfortable with them towards the end of the movie
Jacks cowboy hat that we all miss and the line "go get them cowboy" along with just in general calling him cowboy
Blush and Newsbains were talked about
How much I love Blush
Told her about a Tumblr post saying Finch is a version of Skittery and makes sence
Just in general talked how gay it was BC YOU DON'T SPEND TIME WITH YOUR BESTIE LIKE THAT AND DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON BLUSH
Talked about how Teddy calls Denton Denty
How queen Medea is
#sorry not sorry#again take these all with a grain of salt#newsies#livesies#newsies musical#92sies#1992 newsies#1992sies#newsies 1992
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My Review of 92sies
Gotta remember this was made in the 90s by the classic Disney intro! 😄
Thank you Max for the great intro monologue! ‘Thank you Max, for that marvelous introduction!’ Hocus Pocus, anyone?
Gotta appreciate how much they were able to make a crammed set look like New York
Oh. My. God! Shirtless Mush is sooo cute! 😍
No wonder Skittery’s always angry- I’d be too if I was woken up early. 😤
Not even 5 minutes in and Jack’s called Cowboy 🤠
Where was Kloppman in Livesies? Really, where?
I wanna know how all the newsies characters were created. Was someone reading A Christmas Carol and was like ‘yes, we need teenage Tiny Tim!’
I noticed they have the same audio of the kid yelling ‘c’mon move it! move it!’ later at the end.
Why did they cut out the ‘takes a smile as sweet as butter?’ bit?
Aw Race does the sign of the cross! Is he Catholic?
At first I was confused about the woman singing in the background but over time I feel that she brings the idea that not all the newsies are orphans
Sorry but Race backing up from being threatened by a stick is hilarious
Jack is so much calmer in this version! No more angry Jack
Awww! Les is so cuuute! The way he just stares at Jack while he’s running is priceless 😊
Race and Jack show more friendship chemistry in the first 10 minutes than Jack and Race in Livies during the whole show
Already 92sies Les is so much better
It’s really hard to not picture Jack as Batman
Half the movie is watching all-a the newsies reactions in the background!
Headlines don’t sell papes, newsies sell papes- the entire plot summed up in one sentence. 🗞️
Properly shows how the newsies respect a lady by them removing their hats
‘What’s that deafening noise?’ Uh, that’s your employees doing their job?
I feel sorry for the guy shaving that Snider just shoves to the side when he runs up the stairs.
LUV Medda’s getup! All of it! Anne-Margret is so good! The way she talks to Les is so cute!
I have spotted the teleporting ventriloquist dummy guy!
I personally don’t ship Javid, but 92sies shows much better chemistry between Jack and David than Livesies.
‘Then you’ll be a real cowboy!’ ‘Yeah.’ What about a painter? Now where would you ever get that idea? 🤠🧑🎨
So it’s raining while they’re having dinner, then it stopped when they're on the fire escape, and the ground is dusty enough so when Jack does his Santa Fe ‘dance’ he doesn’t get all muddy? Huh.
Only thing about Sarah is that I feel her New York accent could’ve been better.
I wanna know who made the birthday cake. One of the cast or crew maybe?
I prefer Christian’s daydreamy version of Santa Fe. 🏜️
I’d like know what the people in the street are thinking, like ‘what the heck is this guy randomly singing?’
The streetlights make 92sies at night seem like a very cozy atmosphere
Why did they cut out the scene of Christian using a lasso? Learning how to use a lasso was a big deal for him!
What ever happened to the horse Jack technically stole?
Race and Jack’s friendship never gets old!
Pulitzer’s calculation behavior is… weird. Also why is he imitating Tevye’s If I Were A Rich Man dance?
Ok, we need a class where every newsie is pointed out and named so everyone knows who they are
What are the pedestrians thinking when the newsies start singing?
You’re a leader! Here Jack, have a stick! Now break it!
‘Em-bastards!’
Hey it’s Lone Star in a bowler hat!
Now I want to use ‘hoity toity’ every day.
Yeessss! BROOKLYN! But where can I find the music if it’s not in the soundtrack?! 🌉
‘I spent a month there one night.’ Uh what does that mean, Boots?
Why is Spot Colon’s slingshot never brought up in Livesies?
Ok when I first watched this I didn’t know what to expect from Spot Colon but I remember that as soon as I saw him I had a crush on him instantly. 🥰
People always make fun of Spot’s height, whether it be 92sies or Livesies. But being a short person myself and knowing other short people I can honestly say that short people definitely can be scary! Seriously I’ve scared more people than I can count even if I don’t mean to, so imagine Spot Colon intentionally trying to be scary! To quote Yoda: ‘size matters not!’ Spot Colon could kick everyone’s ass if he wanted!
I luv how all the other Brooklyn newsies are just waiting intimidatingly in the background for Spot to either give the all clear or the o-k to soak Davey.
How did numerous fan theories about Spot’s key get started? 🗝️
Seize the Day is on fire! I luv the quick footwork and acro work in the confined space even though the dance number could’ve been held in a bigger area.
Where did the newsies get tomatoes to throw at Wiesel? 🍅
How long did it take to clean up the torn newspapers after they got done filming that scene?
Huh, Jack actually cares enough to try to break Crutchy out? Also how does nobody notice Jack casually standing around with a rope?
It’s cute how Les and the younger newsies made homemade drums!
‘Never fear, Brooklyn is here!’ Oh my God yeessss! 😆
It’s over, Weasel! Brooklyn has the high ground! Star Wars, anybody?
The newsies picture looks like what every attempt at a family picture looks like, with everybody scattered and looking at different places.
King of New York, still my favorite! The way they had all these guys in this tiny room with all these tables, and yet still pull off a decent dance number! Just wow.
Crutchy your positivity is contagious, even though sometimes you gotta learn when to be sad.
Jack how on Earth can you fall asleep on a fire escape?
Nice rooftop backdrop! Wonder if Jack painted it… 🎨🤔😆
Jack still wants to leave, but at least on the rooftop he explains how he’s not used to growing roots anywhere and actually asks Sarah if she cares.
‘...others who would dare to leeee!’ What, Pulitzer?
I luv how the newsies dress up for the rally! Even though they’re poor they still know when to act ‘proper.’ Also Spot, you look great! 👍
Seeing Medda dance with all the is always fun to watch, especially with Blink and Race completely fawning over her.
Why is it that Davey and Spot immediately see that Denton’s pointing out Snyder but it takes Davey yelling in Jack’s face for him to see it?
Typical Race to gamble with a judge 🃏
They really make us hate Snyder. Even if you don’t like Jack (don’t know how someone could but whatever), you really feel bad for him when Snyder takes him back to the Refuge. 😣
How in the world does nobody notice the newsies hiding out around the refuge or when Davey rides on the back of the carriage? There’s cops literally 10 feet from them and they still don’t see a group of kids?
Even when Jack’s yelling he’s still less angry then Jeremy’s angry Jack.
All the Refuge gives you to sleep on is a rusty bed frame? Ouch!
‘We was beat when we was born.’ Yikes Jack got some dark thoughts. 😳
It doesn’t take going through a whole day sulking and getting yelled at by Katherine for 92sies Jack to change his mind, it only takes the Delancys beating up the Jacobs for him to finally say no.
Once And For All is catchier than the Livesies version
I like how they show all the different kids at odds and ends jobs, as well as how some kids back then didn’t know how to read.
Only thing is I wish they would’ve talked about the details with the deal with Pulitzer
Sarah doesn’t need to beg Jack to stay, Jack figures it out that he needs to stay.
Jack, how can you leave? You’re making Les cry! 😖😭
Now Mush is looking cute next to a lamppost 😍
I’m hearing the audio from the beginning!
Yes, Jarah is a relationship I can tolerate! It’s not toxic or annoying, and they don’t look like they wanna kill each other every scene.
Spot riding away in the carriage is perfect! ‘By, Spot!’ 🥰
Overall I’d want to know what the original newsies would think of this. I mean just imagine the ones from 1899 watching this and thinking ‘I don’t think we ever did this much singing and dancing.’
And now to take a moment for the 92sies who did not make it into Livesies: Snipeshooter, Boots, Bumlets, PieEater, Snoddy, Itey, Snitch, Swifty, Jake, Dutchy, Skittery, Snaps, Tumbler, and Flipper. They will be missed. Instead they will be replaced by new newsies that are far more stupid and annoying, but on the bright side are very good dancers. 😔
I feel like 92sies isn’t talked about as much because it’s more dated and not as recent. When people mention that current stars like Ben Cook are in Livesies then everyone talks about it like it’s the best thing since sliced bread. But when people say Christian Bale is in 92sies then they just say ‘oh yeah, he’s Batman’ and just leave it at that. Just because 92sies doesn’t have the A+ Broadway dancing doesn’t mean it’s not a good musical,
#Newsies#newsies 1992#1992sies#newsies broadway#Jack Kelly#sarah jacobs#Les Jacobs#david jacobs#boots newsies#skittery newsies#spot conlon#mush newsies#racetrack higgins#racetrack newsies#crutchie newsies#crutchy newsies#medda larkin#Christian Bale#max casella#anne-margret#snipeshooter#livesies#david moscow#short people unite#star wars#hocus pocus#disney#a christmas carol#batman#space balls
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indycar
🌹 = personal favourite 🎄= christmas collection
🍑 = spicy / smutty 🍂 = cozy collection
🌩 = emotional / angsty 💍 = wedding saga
marcus armstrong
gimme! gimme! gimme! ( a man after midnight) 🌹
summary: after graduating college and moving back home to sebring, florida to live with her parents, y/n becomes infatuated with the young man from new zealand who just moved in across the street
careful daughter (headcanons) 🌩
summary: she's always been the careful daughter. when she slips up on a final exam, marcus knows jsut how to make everything better. or, where he fell in love with a careful man's once careless daughter.
how will I know (cozy collection 2023) 🍂🌹
marcus has the hots for a barista at florida's trendiest cafe. it's not the pumpkin spice that keeps bringing him back. perhaps its the fact that he doesn't know how to ask her out that's holding him back.
patricio o’ward
sweet creature 🍑🌹
pato is in a romantic mood and wants to make love to his sweetheart around her favourite things. sweet nothings, books, and sunsets.
ghost brigade (the cozy collection 2023) 🍂
a walk with rocky and norbi turns into an hour spent looking at halloween decorations (and getting the crap scared out of them with animatronic spiders)
callum ilott
save a horse… (headcanons) 🍑
summary: indycar is in texas, and you know what that means. or, callum looks so delicious in that cowboy hat and his girlfriend- who grew up on a dude ranch and knows full well what the cowboy hat rule means- can't keep her hands off of him
santa stole my girlfriend (the christmas collection 2023) 🎄🌩🌹
his childhood best friend is back home for the holidays. they've always been close, and so many people have assumed they were a couple. but they're not. they were only ever just friends. so why does callum hate her new boyfriend so much?
colton herta
better than champagne 🍑 🌹
summary: she tastes better than champagne, and he can’t wait to unwrap his prize (and he’s going to make sure that she knows it, even at the most inopportune times)
warmer (kinktober 2023) 🍑
she's tossing and turning, too many thoughts keeping her awake. colton has a solution for that.
fast car 🌹
twelve months ago, they welcomed their son macklyn into the world. with the indy 500 just three weekends away, it's time to bring macklyn to the track for the first time.
kyle kirkwood
happiness for beginners 🌩🌹
a family tragedy brings y/n back to jupiter, florida where she reconnects with the last person she ever thought she’d see again, much less so in her home town: her ex-boyfriend kyle.
david malukas
slippery when wet (kinktober 2023) 🍑
she looks so good in her halloween costume, and all he wants is to bury his head between her thighs until she screams his name. even if it is in pato’s bathroom.
other
indycar drivers as romance book tropes
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1, 6, 12, 39
get asked things, dork (affectionate
welp, get your reading glasses out everyone
1: 3 things that shaped me into who i am
-1: luck. from the classic things like being born in a wealthy western country, being white (not inherently lucky but made me privileged/safer), having a relatively nice familly with no financial struggle, etc, to smaller stuff. like, it's a miracle i was never bullied in school. if it wasn't for that one person, maybe i would've died. i had free access to the internet since i was like 9, and somehow never stumbled on stuff that was inapropriate for my age
i consider myself quite lucky, despite all the hardships
-2: being trans. sorry to the people who think it's cringe when we make it our whole personnality, but it is litteraly so important. so central. i cannot fathom what i would be like if i weren't trans. that's just not the same person
-3: having weird ass parents. by that i mean that they're almost not like parents, more like... people i lived with that cared for me? i of course mean that in the sense that i don't have any special emotional attachment to them and all, but also that it doesn't feel like they raised me because they transmitted so little to me. my way of seeing the world, my hobbies, my fears, my political opinions, my general knowledge, my understanding of myself and others, my skills, i got them from, well, not them. the internet school, my friends, but not my parents. truly, i don't really know these people
6: best and worst part of being online
i've been here most of my life, so all the bad is just part of it. yes, that's where all the haters are. sure, all of the horrible things in existence can be found here. but that's also where my friends are. that's where community is. that's my only way of accessing at least 50% of what makes me happy. it has taught me so much about the world and myself, has held so many fulfilling experiences for me
if i had to choose 1 worst, i'd say transmisoginy i guess? i dunno, girl, i'm not even popular enough to get hate mail
12: a piece of advice i'd like to give
like i said in a previous post of mine i'm just 18. i'm like a baby. i feel like the least qualified person on earth to be giving advice. but i'll say one thing: advices are kinda bullshit. in essence they're opinions you think will be helpfull to someone else. but in my experience, they rarely are, especially when talking about life choices, mental health and the such. i watched hundreds of hours of self help videos, listened to people, went to therapy, and i felt like a fucking moron. i knew all the things, i had the advice, but it wasn't working. in the end, what helped me crawl out of the pit is time, love, and a bunch of stuff i'll never know about. find what works for you and ditch what doesn't; it's not because a piece of advice is true that it is helpful. searching for your solution will probably work better than just trying to apply the solutions others found
39: a youtuber i'm obssessed with
hard and specific
brennan lee mulligan? absolutely obssessed. a youtuber? not really
thegreatreview (he's french)? amazing youtuber. so fucking talented. obssessed? not really
dougdoug? obssessed by his entire cinematic universe for a while now. a youtuber? maybe 50%? it's all twitch streams highlights
john and hank green? ok i'll stop there
let's settle for brian david gilbert then, the man so nice they named him thrice. please buy his bed.
most well known for his Unravelled series on Polygon's channel, like the one about the sonic bible or the one about the smash bros osha violations, his personnal stuff is simply perfect, sometimes whimsical, like "i wish that i could wear hats" or "Pumpkin Cowboy", sometimes horrifying, like the one about the american healthcare system or "Teaching Jake about the Camcorder, Jan '97", often a mix of both, like "we like watching birds" or "earn $20K EACH MONTH by being your own boss". his comedic genius is at its best when it is also at its weirdest. he's also the guy who made the sibling dance song, i guess
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Bad Date
-- my first Luke Tillerson x reader fanfic because I love him --
"Please pick up, please pick up" you mumbled. You were sitting on a closed toilet in the bar's women's bathroom. Someone aggressively banged on the door.
"Baby, you almost done? Come baaaack, we were havin' fun" Your date drawls through the door. You were most definitely not having fun. Dave, or David or whatever his fucking name was had been nice until after his first beer. Then the crass remarks and unsavoury questions started and they didn't stop until beer five when they were replaced by unwanted physical contact. He had almost cornered you when you escaped to the bathroom.
"Please pick up" You begged but no dice. Rhett hadn't answered his phone and neither had Perry. Calling Royal was out of the question and you didn't want to worry Cecilia so your mind went to the only other person who would probably pick you up.
Billy Tillerson had always been nice, and you guessed he might do you this favour but it was nearing one in the morning and the land dispute had made it so you hadn't spoken too much recently. Still, desperate times and all that, you called his house number.
It rings and it rings and it rings. Then a click and someone lifts a receiver. Your date bangs on the door again and the door shakes. You don't let the person on the other end of the line speak.
"Billy, it's Y/n, I need a massive favour. I'm on a date, he's had beer and he's gropey and I am so scared. Please please please, can you pick me up. Please, I'm scared"
Your voice is shaky and you almost whisper it. Whoever heard your message breathes in and out a few times
"Billy, please"
"Is that him banging on the door?"
Not Billy. It's Luke, you think and all hope that someone might save you just fizzles away. He bangs again and you think Dave might break down the door, you whimper.
"Where are you?" He asks. Whichever one of the Not-Billy-Tillerson Tillerson brothers picked up the phone sounds tired and crabby.
"I'm at the --"
"No, I know the bar, I mean where are you hiding?" He cuts you off
"Bathroom"
"Okay, hold tight, I'll be there in ten"
You hear these words and you swear that you might kiss him when he gets there, whichever one he is.
The next ten minutes are the scariest moments of your life. Dave is now trying to break down the door and you don't understand why no one is stopping him. Can't they see? Can't they hear? Are they okay with this?
Ten minutes pass and nothing happens.
Eleven minutes pass and nothing happens
Twelve minutes pass and nothing -- the banging abruptly stops.
"Hey, you okay? Can you open the door please?" The voice sounds familiar and you're pretty sure it's the same person you had on the phone so you unlock the door with trembling hands. It's pushed open from the other side to reveal a tall blonde man with a tan cowboy hat, a blue shirt and jeans.
"Jesus, you look --" He says and Luke can feel himself cringe at his words. You look fucking terrified, that's what you look like. Your cheeks are wet with tears and you are shaking so badly he's not sure you can even walk to the truck.
Underneath all of that though, you looked nice. Clearly, you had been looking forward to the date, because you were dressed nicely in a green dress and high heels. You always looked nice -- not that he looked, of course -- but this was different to your usual farm clothes.
"Obviously you idiot", he thought, "obviously she looks nicer, this was a date"
He stretched his hand out and he practically had to drag you out of the bathroom.
"Do you want a drink to calm down?" He offers, but you refuse
"I just want to go home" You tell him, barely meeting his eye.
He wants to hug you, rub circles in your back and tell you "it's okay" and "you're safe now" but he doesn't because you are so fucking scared and it would make it worse. And he's not even sure you know which one of the Tillerson's he is anyway, which makes this all so much worse because he knows exactly who you are.
He guides you to the car, you regain a little confidence in the parking lot and by the time you climb in the car, your hands are steady enough to fasten your seatbelt by yourself.
The ride is largely silent and he realises halfway through that you have fallen asleep with your head on the window. He's not entirely surprised that something like that would take the energy right out of you but he can't help but feel a little happy that you trust him enough to fall asleep next to him.
"Raise your standards" he thinks to himself.
He parks the truck in the Abbott's driveway, half surprised that the lights are still on. He opens your door, unfastens your seatbelt and carries you bridal style to the front door. He shifts you a little so he can knock.
Cecilia opens the door, confusion and surprise etched on her face as she takes in the scene.
"Do you mind if I --?" He asks, almost pushing himself in. You're not too heavy for him but you are slipping and he needs to put you down. He drops you off on the couch.
"Is she okay? What happens?"
"She's okay. She fell asleep in the car" he says, removing his hat from his head and holding it in his hand instead.
"What are you doing here?" Rhett asks, walking in like he wanted nothing more than to cave his head in.
"Dropping y/n off"
"Why?"
"Bad date"
"And why did she call you? It ain't your job to look after her"
"Maybe she wouldn't have had to if you answered your damn phone. Because I can guarantee she wouldn't have called us as a first choice." He whisper-shouted
"Alright, that's enough. Thank you, Luke. That was very nice of you." Cecilia rubbed his arm a little as she tried to diffuse the situation. Luke took his leave and put the hat back on his head on the front porch.
You were not so sure how you got in your bed. But when you got out you were still wearing yesterday's date clothes. You took them off and jumped in the shower, and when you're back, Cecilia was waiting on your bed.
She wasn't your mom, or even a relative, really. Technically you were only Perry's family, as Rebecca's little sister. You lived with them before she went missing but the Abbotts had gracefully allowed you to stay with Amy and Perry.
"Luke Tillerson brought you home last night" she stated and you wondered how much he had told her.
"Yeah, I tried calling the boys but I got no answer."
"You could have called Royal. Or me"
"I know… I just --"
You didn't really know how to tell her that you are already far too indebted to them to call them to save you whenever you need saved.
"Are you okay?"
"I don't really want to talk about it, if that's okay?"
She nodded and stood up to leave.
"I made you pancakes"
You smiled a thank you smile, and got dressed.
The pancakes were good but you could have done without the deafening silence of everyone around the table. You didn't know what they're thinking and it stressed you out. In the end, you didn't even finish your plate, you just stood up
"I'm going for a walk," you said and left before anyone could stop you.
You ended up walking to the Tillerson house with the intention to thank Luke for the previous day. The cleaner said he wasn't in the house so you roamed around for a bit before finding him in front of the garage they kept the quads in. He was on his quad, scrolling through something on his phone.
You coughed.
"I just wanted to say thank you." You said when he looked up. Maybe it was the light, or just the fact that you were alone with him for the first time ever, but he just looked so handsome. Something brewed in your tummy and you could have sworn it fluttered when he smiled.
"It's alright. I wasn't going to leave you stranded like that" he said.
Of course. "Stupid girl, what were you hoping for anyway?" You thought, because for a brief second you wanted him to have saved you for the same reasons princes save princesses in fairy tales.
You stayed silent for a minute
"Do you want to have a go on the quad?" He asked, licking his lips.
"Oh, no thanks" you replied
"Scared?" He chuckled
"Yeah. Too loud, too fast. They're dangerous"
"You can wear a helmet if you want, I'll go slow."
"I'm alright. I wouldn't mind you wearing a helmet though." You didn't know where you got the bravery to say it, but you didn't regret it when he smiled a shy little smile
"Why's that?"
"I like your face, you should keep it safe"
He blushed.
"Billy! Can you get me my helmet?" He shouts at the barn behind him. Billy replied something but it's muffed and you don't hear.
"'Cuz I like my face, I'd like to keep it safe" He shouted, echoing your words. You share a smile and look at each other.
"Look, I get it if you're not ready after yesterday. But I would like to take you out to dinner"
#outer range#luke tillerson#luke tillerson fanfic#luke tillerson x reader#original fic#outer range fanfiction#outer range fanfic
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Advent Adventure
Slacktivist
A tent among us
This is from Anne Lamott’s “Advent Adventure,” from her old “Mothers Who Think” column on Salon.
Merry Christmas, blessed Solstice, happy Hannukah. Emmanuel.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
So I called my Jesuit friend,Tom, who is a hopeless alcoholic of the worst sort, sober now for 22 years, someone who sometimes gets fat and wants to hang himself, so I trust him. I said, “Tell me a story about Advent. Tell me about people getting well.” He thought for a while. Then he said, “OK.”
In 1976, when he first got sober, he was living in the People’s Republic of Berkeley, going to the very hip AA meetings there, where there were no fluorescent lights and not too much clapping – or that yahoo-cowboy-hat-in-the-air enthusiasm that you get in L.A., according to sober friends. And everything was more or less all right in early sobriety, except that he felt utterly insane all the time, filled with hostility and fear and self-contempt. But I mean, other than that everything was OK. Then he got transferred to Los Angeles in the winter, and he did not know a soul. “It was a nightmare,” he says. “I was afraid to go into entire areas of L.A., because the only places I knew were the bars.
So I called the cardinal and asked him for the name of anyone he knew in town who was in AA. And he told me to call this guy Terry.” Terry, as it turned out, had been sober for five years at that point, so Tom thought he was God. They made arrangements to go to a meeting that night in the back of the Episcopal Cathedral, right in the heart of downtown L.A. It was Terry’s favorite meeting, full of low-bottom drunks and junkies – people from nearby halfway houses, bikers, jazz musicians. “Plus it’s a men’s stag meeting,” says Tom. “So already I’ve got issues. "
There I am on my first date with this new friend Terry, who turns out to not be real chatty. He’s clumsy and ill at ease, an introvert with no social skills, but the cardinal has heard that he’s also good with newly sober people. He asks me how I am, and after a long moment, I say, ‘I’m just scared,’ and he nods and says gently, 'That’s right.’ "I don’t know a thing about him, I don’t know what sort of things he thinks about or who he votes for, but he takes me to this meeting near skid row, where all these awful looking alkies are hanging out in the yard, waiting for a meeting to start. I’m tense, I’m just staring. It’s a whole bunch of strangers, all of them clearly very damaged – working their way back slowly, but not yet real attractive.
The people back in Berkeley AA all seem like David Niven in comparison, and I’m thinking, Who are these people? Why am I here? "All my scanners are out. It’s all I can do not to bolt. "Ten minutes before the meeting began, Terry directed me to a long flight of stairs heading up to a windowless, airless room. I started walking up the stairs, with my jaws clenched, muttering to myself tensely just like he guy in front of me, this guy my own age who was stumbling and numb and maybe not yet quite on his first day of sobriety.
"The only things getting me up the stairs are Terry, behind me, pushing me forward every so often, and this conviction I have that this is as bad as it’s ever going to be – that if I can get through this, I can get through anything. Well. All of a sudden, the man in front of me soils himself. I guess his sphincter just relaxes. Shit runs down onto his shoes, but he keeps walking. He doesn’t seem to notice. "However, I do. I clapped a hand over my mouth and nose, and my eyes bugged out but I couldn’t get out of line because of the crush behind me. And so, holding my breath, I walk into the windowless, airless room.
"Now, this meeting has a greeter, which is a person who stands at the door saying hello. And this one is a biker with a shaved head, a huge gut and a Volga boatman mustache. He gets one whiff of the man with shit on his shoes and throws up all over everything. "You’ve seen the Edvard Munch painting of the guy on the bridge screaming, right? That’s me. That’s what I look like. But Terry enters the room right behind me. And there’s total pandemonium, no one knows what to do. The man who had soiled himself stumbles forward and plops down in a chair. A fan blows the terrible smells of shit and vomit around the windowless room, and people start smoking just to fill in the spaces in the air. Finally Terry reaches out to the greeter, who had thrown up. He puts his hand on the man’s shoulder. "Wow,” he says. “Looks like you got caught by surprise.” And they both laugh. Right? Terry asks a couple of guys to go with him down the hall to the men’s room, and help this guy get cleaned up. There are towels there, and kitty litter, to absorb various effluvia, because this is a meeting where people show up routinely in pretty bad shape. So while they’re helping the greeter get cleaned up, other people start cleaning up the meeting room.
Then Terry approaches the other man. “My friend,” he says gently, “it looks like you have trouble here.” The man just nods. “We’re going to give you a hand,” says Terry. “So three men from the recovery house next door help him to his feet, walk him to the halfway house and put him in the shower. They wash his clothes and shoes and give him their things to wear while he waits. They give him coffee and dinner, and they give him respect. I talked to these other men later, and even though they had very little sobriety, they did not cast this other guy off for not being well enough to be there. Somehow this broken guy was treated like one of them, because they could see that he was one of them. No one was pretending he wasn’t covered with shit, but there was a real sense of kinship. And that is what we mean when we talk about grace.
"Back at the meeting at the Episcopal Cathedral, I was just totally amazed by what I had seen. And I had a little shred of hope. I couldn’t have put it into words, but until that meeting, I had thought that I would recover with men and women like myself; which is to say, overeducated, fun to be with and housebroken. And that this would happen quickly and efficiently. But I was wrong. So I’ll tell you what the promise of Advent is: It is that God has set up a tent among us and will help us work together on our stuff. And this will only happen over time.”
(Copyright © 2000 Salon.com All rights reserved.)
Posted by Fred Clark on Dec 25, 2008
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Some Snippets from my ATWD Khinkali Series
https://archiveofourown.org/series/3240997
If you like Merab, Irakli and their friends from the movie you will luuuuv them in my fics on Archive of our Own. Here are some tasty bits:
Mum walked in scratching and yawning, wearing an old bathrobe over flannel pyjamas and with her hair disheveled.
‘Ah, the dead have risen,’ Grandma sighed. ‘You’re never up this early.’
‘I am now. I woke from the cold. The heating is off. Is there any coffee going?’
‘No. For your information, the electricity was cut off...Again.’
Grandma, a little more visible now in the growing daylight, raised her hands like a priest dispensing a blessing.
‘You should marry your Mr. Lasha, Teona. He’s rich. You’re his cleaning lady, but you like him and he likes you. Have him marry you, then you and I can both finally rest.’
‘I won’t, Mother.’
‘Why not?’
‘His wife wouldn’t like it for one thing.’
‘Ay, ay, ay, what years we’ve lived.’
(From ‘’Another Glorious Day in Tbilisi’)
The Scotsman carefully dissected the construction with his spoon, took a bite and then spat it out.
‘What’s this?’ he roared. ‘You call this cottage pie?’
‘Quite an audacious remark for someone whose home town is famous for its deep-fried Mars bars,’ Ninutsa scoffed.
The other students giggled. ‘Quiet!’ Aleko snapped in Georgian.
The blond man was alternately gagging and drinking water.
‘This was frozen an then reheated, right?’ he asked David. ‘It’s definitely not fresh. It’s hard as a rock.’
‘My father owns a construction company,’ Sopo said calmly. ‘It was the easiest thing for me to scoop up some debris from a demolition site…There’s real cottage in that cottage pie, sir, so it’s as authentic as anything.’
(From ‘Joining Forces’)
Irakli went to the counter and drafted a glass. The pompons of his mariachi hat were dangling in front of his glasses, blocking his view and thus causing him to spill beer onto the floor.
Merab walked past, nearly slipped in the puddle but managed to come to a screeching halt on the heels of his cowboy boots. He smiled and mopped up the mess. ‘Love,’ Irakli whispered, feeling his heart contract at the sight of the beautiful creature who looked so angelic in his embroidered Mexican jacket. Then he took the beer to Ioseb’s table.
‘Have you chosen a dish yet?’ he asked.
Merab’s father nodded, smiling now. ‘Yes. I’d like a Sloppy Ioseb sandwich. Sounds good to me.’
‘Oh yes!’ Irakli confirmed. ‘Sopo created it in your honour.’
‘My future daughter-in-law is a lovely lass,’ Ioseb said. ‘And I am glad that Merab is finally doing something useful with his life under your influence.’
Irakli cast a glance at Merab, who was now clumsily drafting beer and singing Pistolero to amuse the guests at the counter.
‘Useful?’ Irakli said to Joseb. ‘Well, I’m trying my best, and…’
Joseb pointed at the menu. ‘And oh yes, I’d like some Mexikhinkali and eggplant fritters for a main course…Thanks, son.’
(From ‘Not in a Million Years’)
David wound his way through throngs of people down a lane at the Eliava Bazaar until he got to his father’s car part stall.
‘Morning, son,’ Ioseb greeted him. ‘Do sit down. Could you spare your old man a fag? Business has been bad lately.’
David offered him a cigarette, lit up one himself and settled on a crate.
‘What brings you here at such an early hour?’ Dad then asked. ‘Some beef with your girl?’
David shook his head. No, there’s no beef between Sopo and me, he thought, if only it were so because it would mean we were living together at our little flat undisturbed. Everything I wanted from watching football on TV to inviting my mates over for drinks and making love to her has been impossible ever since Aleko moved in, but I won’t tell Dad any of this.
‘It’s something else then,’ Dad tried. ‘Money trouble?’
‘No.’ In fact, he and Sopo were making loads and had no time to spend it.
Now Dad smiled. ‘Ah! So you’ve done what any man should do before he turns twenty-five…By the way, Sopo is older than you, it’s ridiculous…Anyhow, did it finally happen?’
‘I don’t understand, Dad.’
‘Did she have a visit from the Holy Spirit?’
‘What?’
‘She in the family way?’
‘What?’
Dad angrily stubbed out his cigarette. ‘You dumb calf…Did you get her pregnant?’
David felt anger surge within him. He and Sopo had decided not to start a family until she had earned her PhD, which would be some three years down the road.
‘No, nothing of that kind,’ he sighed. ‘I’m just tired. Our tenant is a nuisance.’
(From ‘Expansion’)
Ready for some fun? Read all about the adventures of Merab, Irakli, David, Sopo, Mary, Ninutsa, Luka and...Aleko under this link:
https://archiveofourown.org/series/3240997
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burning house // javid (small town au)
A/N: I FINISHED IT !! inspired by an amazing anon ask i got !!
WARNINGS: implied child abuse, injuries, breakdowns, mentions of slurs (said by a queer character)
Read On AO3!
***
“We should make out.”
David’s head snaps to the left, eyes wide as he stares at Jack. Jack, who is nursing a Sonic sweet tea, still in a pearl-snap dress shirt and starched jeans. They’re still sitting in Jack’s truck in David’s driveway, having just left a wedding; one of Racer’s sisters, who Jack has known for ages. David didn’t really know anyone besides Jack, Racer, Albert, Kath, and Charlie, but it was fun.
It was fun, and now Jack wants to make out, and--
“I’m sorry, what?”
David asks, confused; he blinks a few times, trying to force himself to process what Jack had just said. Trying to will the flush in his cheeks to go away.
But then there’s Jack, looking at David through his eyelashes as he repeats, “We should make out.”
David freezes. Gulps, and his hands clench at his sides.
Jack stares at him for a few seconds, before that signature Kelly grin of his sinks into a smirk. “I mean, can you imagine what Snyder’d say? Old bastard would have a heart attack. It’s worth a shot, if ya ask me.”
One by one, the pieces start coming back together, and- oh. Oh, right.
They were talking about how much of an asshole Snyder had been at the wedding. Kept making inappropriate comments about some of Racer’s sister’s friends- college kids, no doubt having been raised in this very town. Those comments turned into drunken rants about women, and then the transphobia hit full force, and then Snyder went on a very loud, very homophobic tangent.
Directed at David.
Snyder had been thrown out of the wedding after that; a few of the older fellas in town dragged him out, just because he was ‘causing a scene’ at the reception. It wasn’t like they were defending David- no, they likely agreed with everything Snyder was saying- but at least they had the decency and respect not to ruin the wedding of a lovely young woman by spewing hateful opinions.
Jack and David had left soon afterwards, after congratulating the bride and groom and saying one last goodbye to Racer, Albert, Charlie, and Kath.
And now, here they are, in Jack’s shitty truck, eating greasy food and sipping on too-sweet sweet teas, talking about… making out.
“I… Okay, elaborate, because- because I don’t understand what you’re saying,” David admits, raising his brows. “You want to… make out with me, just to piss off Mr. Snyder?”
Jack nods, then tilts his head and beams at David. “We might get lucky- Davey, there’s a chance’ll drop dead if he sees it. Wouldn’t that be great?”
David can’t hold back his soft bark of laughter. “I mean, if you’re really okay with it, then I don’t see why not,” He admits, and gulps. “You… you are okay with it, right? Like, the whole--”
“Are you askin’ if I’m okay with kissin’ you, when I was the one to bring it up?” Jack raises a brow. “C’mon, Davey, use that brain ‘a yours. ‘Course I’m okay with it.”
David studies him, just for a moment, and sees the sincerity in those deep brown eyes… It’s almost disorienting, the way that Jack would so willingly give up his status around town just to prove a point, just to support David, just to make a bigoted man angry.
And, okay, maybe it doesn’t help that David has wanted Jack to kiss him for a while now. And, yeah, maybe David agrees because this might be the only chance he has to kiss Jack Kelly.
After a few moments of silence, David sucks in a deep breath and says, “That's the least heterosexual thing you've ever said, but… Okay. Tell me the plan.”
***
Kissing Jack is the easiest thing David has ever done.
There’s tongue, there’s teeth, there’s a formulated desperation in the way Jack balls his fist against David’s shirt, the way he presses their fronts together, the way one of his arms winds up and around David’s neck.
It feels so real, so right, but then Jack pulls away and turns his head and says, “Oh, sorry, Snyder! Didn’t see ya there.”
And then it’s a race to hop out of the bed of Jack’s truck, climb into the cab, and peel out of that church parking lot before Snyder has a chance to get a hold of them.
David’s heart is racing, but it’s not from the adrenaline of running from Snyder.
David’s heart is racing, and Jack Kelly’s kiss is the culprit.
***
Jack doesn’t talk to David at all after he drops David off at his house.
David sends him a few texts, but they all go unread, which isn't a very usual occurrence.
The next day, too, Jack is nowhere to be found at school; which is great , because David is alone for the most part, and David being alone means he gets shoved against the lockers by the Delancey brothers and is called every slur in the book. It doesn’t stop until Sean Conlon walks up and makes the other guys go away; David hasn’t really talked to him all that much, but he’s seen him at Jack’s rodeos and he knows that Sean knows who he is, knows that he's a friend of Jack's, so maybe that’s why he’s helping right now.
“Those assholes need to stop causin’ trouble,” Sean says as he shakes his head and helps David up. “You okay, man?”
“Yeah, I- I’m good, I think,” David sighs. “I’m used to that-- it’s fine, really. Thank you.”
Sean studies him for a moment, then frowns. “It ain’t fine and you know it,” He counters. “They give you anymore shit, come find me. I’ll set ‘em straight.”
Davit smiles sadly, and nods. “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind,” He says, then gulps. “Hey- uh… Have- have you seen Jack today?”
Sean looks up at him, brows furrowed, and he shakes his head. “Nah. He didn’t respond to my text this mornin’, either. Somethin’ happen between you two?”
“What do you mean?”
Sean shrugs, and rubs the back of his neck. “Well, y’all are a thing, ain’t ya? Caught kissin’ at the church.”
David’s eyes widen just slightly, and he gulps. “...How do you know about that?”
“I--” Sean pauses, and he takes in a deep breath. It must hit him that this isn't what he thinks it is; Jack and David aren't together, and what happened isn't what the rumors are saying… He frowns, and looks up at David. “Honestly, some ‘a the fellas were talkin’ about it this mornin’ at the feed store. It’s not a secret anymore. I’m sorry.”
“Everyone knows?"
Sean nods.
It takes David a few moments to register what Sean has said, but eventually, it hits him like a blow to the chest. David sucks in a deep breath and nods, hands clenching, and without saying another word, he hurries down the hall and out the side door that leads to the courtyard. He can’t- he can’t stay at school. Not today, at least; or ever.
Not until he finds Jack.
***
“Hey, this is Jack. Sorry I can’t get to the phone right now! Leave a message after the beep.”
David rubs his forehead, waits for the sound, and says, “Hey, it’s… me again. I know this is- this is my fourth time calling, and I’m sorry, I just… I wanna make sure you’re alright? So, uh, I guess, call- call me back when you get this. Or don’t; you don’t- you don’t have to, I just… I’m sorry.”
The line goes dead, and David drops the phone.
***
He doesn’t hear from Jack all weekend.
Not until Sunday, at least. David is lying in bed that evening, reading one of his books for class, when all of a sudden his phone lights up beside him.
He looks up from the page and gulps, seeing Jack’s name and number flashing across the screen. Part of him wants to ignore it, like Jack’s been ignoring him, but he can’t do that. He can’t. Not now, not after everything; if David ignores it, then what good will that bring to their friendship?
David grabs the phone and answers, sitting up. “Hello?”
“I’m outside,” Jack says, taking a deep breath. “Can- Can you come outside? I’m in the truck, I just--” He pauses, and David gulps. “I’m- I'm sorry, just… please , Davey...”
“I’ll be out there in a second,” David whispers, and hangs up the phone. He hurries to get dressed; all he does is put on a hoodie and change into a pair of sweats, and he quickly pulls on his Converse as well, before gathering his essentials- phone, wallet, house keys- and hurrying out of his room and down to the front door.
At least, he tries to.
“David, where are you going?”
David stops in his tracks and looks back to the voice- his mother, who is standing in the kitchen. He rubs the back of his neck. “I-... Jack needs me. He’s outside. He sounded shaken up about something, so…”
Esther frowns, and steps forward. “Is he alright?” She asks, concerned, but then she shakes her head. “No- it’s none of my business. Let him know he’s welcome inside, dear, and… Just- Just be back in time for school in the morning."
"Thank you, Ima," David says with a sad smile, before taking a deep breath and walking out the front door.
Just like Jack said, his truck is parked in the driveway. Jack himself had gotten out and is now leaning against the truck, his head down and his arms crossed and he looks so… so small . David walks a little faster.
He also notices, as he comes closer, that Jack is in unusual clothing for himself; David has only seen Jack in sweats and a hoodie a few other times in their six months of friendship, so seeing it now is… alarming. He's used to the cowboy getup; the boots, the jeans, the crisp button down and wide brim hat. But this, this is completely new territory. He nearly doesn't recognize him.
Nonetheless, David comes up to stand a few feet in front of him, biting his lip. "...Jackie?"
Jack doesn't look up. Instead, he takes a deep, shuddering breath, and his breath catches in his throat when it does so- he sounds like he's hurt, but he still doesn't take his gaze off of the ground before him. "Davey, I-- Just to clarify, we're still friends, and I ain't just- I ain't just dropping you, 'cause you're one of- one of the best friends I've ever had, but I- I can't… hang out with you in public anymore. And- And I know how bad that sounds, and I'm so sorry, I d-don't want to do this either, but--"
"What? Jack-- Jack, look at me," David cuts in, taking a few steps forward. That entire tangent is a lot to process. Jack can't see him anymore? He's never seen Jack like this; this is something new, something… scary. But Jack still refuses to look up.
David gulps, and continues moving until he's right in front of Jack, who in turn presses himself flat against the truck and winces . "Jackie," David whispers, then hesitantly brings his palm up to rest against Jack's cheek. Jack takes in a sharp breath at that, and then David gently guides Jack to tilt his head up, to look at David, and--
David’s eyes go wide. "Oh, my God , Jack…"
Jack shoots him a sad smile- but its not like he can smile very wide, with his busted lip and his black eye. They aren't exactly fresh wounds; Jack's lip is scabbed, and the coloration of his bruise says that it's at least a few days old… David gulps hard, covering his own mouth with his hand.
"I- I'm fine, really, just got into a scrape," Jack says with a forced chuckle, but David can see it- the pain, the sadness, the hurt- written all across his face. "I just- I've… been gettin' a lot of people askin' if I'm- if we're a thing, and they aren't- they aren't happy about it, and it- it would be best to lay low, 'cause I- I don't… I don’t know what else to do, and--"
"Who did this to you?" David asks, voice soft, as his hand- still on Jack’s face- tenderly moves from his jaw to his cheekbone. He doesn't mean to ignore Jack's comment, but… right now, this is more pressing than the judgement from the town.
Jack takes a sharp intake and shakes his head. "I told ya, it- it's nothin', alright? I'm fine, and the face ain't even- ain't even all of it, s-so--"
"Not all of it?" David asks, taking a step back just to look down at Jack. "What else is hurt?"
"Dave--"
"No, Jack. Show me what happened."
And Jack is standing there, teetering on the edge of running away and letting Davey see, but he eventually takes a few quick breaths, furrows his brows, and slowly pulls off the hoodie.
And instantly, David’s blood runs cold.
Jack's sides are littered with bruises. Huge ones, right below his ribs- and right on his ribs, which makes David think there's a reason that Jack looks like it hurts to breathe. There's also a few scrapes on Jack’s skin, which have been scabbed over, and he looks… a mess.
Jack's shaking now, and as David glances up from Jack’s torso to his face, he sees tears welling in his eyes. "Jack…" David whispers, sad and desperate, and Jack shakes his head.
"I-I'm fine, Davey, I- I- I just-" A shallow sob rips from his throat, which seems to surprise him, because his eyes widen and he covers his mouth, as if he were trying to stop it. But David can see that he can't control it, not as the next sob wracks his body, and David watches helplessly as fear shrouds Jack’s features. Jack looks near frantic now, but the tears have begun spilling over, and there's no way of stopping them anytime soon.
Between one moment and the next, Jack is on his knees, one hand supporting his weight while the other covers his mouth. He's shaking so violently, eyes shut tightly as he whimpers and tries to control his breathing, and David feels his heart shattering in his chest for him.
He drops to his knees in front of Jack, gulping. "Jack, I'm- I'm gonna touch you, alright?" He whispers, waiting a few moments, before he carefully and gently wraps an arm around Jack's torso. With barely any coaxing, Jack climbs into David’s lap and holds on for dear life; the sobs come harder now that his face is hidden within the crook of David’s neck, and they- along with the whimpers of pain, likely from his ribs- make David’s chest tighten.
"You're safe, you're okay," David whispers, as best he can, and focuses on gently rubbing Jack’s back. He shifts, moving from his knees to sit with his back against the truck, and Jack sinks further into his lap, fists balling the fabric of David’s hoodie.
This isn't fair. It's not fair at all, because David should have known the kind of backlash they'd be facing. David should have been able to see it coming; especially for Jack, the town's golden boy, the one that everyone loves, the last person they'd expect to disappoint the community.
And here Jack sits, broken down by fists and harsh words for something that David encouraged.
Jack doesn’t deserve this.
They stay like this for what feels like an eternity, as Jack has his release and David is there to pick up the pieces. This is wildly new territory; David has never once seen Jack cry, aside from the night that he had to get stitches after Dolly kicked his thigh, but… even then, Jack was laughing through the pain.
David can easily see, though, that this is a different kind of pain.
It takes a long while, but Jack eventually begins to calm down. The sobs are few and far between, now; there are still aftershocks, but for the most part, Jack seems to have gotten it all out of his system. He doesn’t move, though; he's still in David’s lap, still catching his breath, still holding onto him… David just wants to hold him, protect him for hours, but Jack shifts and David loosens his hold.
As Jack sits up, David frowns seeing the tear tracks on his cheeks. It's like David can’t hold back; he reaches up and wipes the tears away with the pad of his thumb, and Jack sniffles. "I-I'm sorry," Jack whispers, shooting David a sad, desperate smile. "That's ne-never happened before."
His voice is a broken thing, high and desperate and choppy and fragile, and David can't help but frown. "It's alright, Jackie, you don’t… You don’t have to apologize for that. Ever . It's okay, you're okay."
Jack nods, not quite believing David's words, but he climbs out of David's lap anyway. He pulls his hoodie back on a moment later, then looks down at his lap. "...I shouldn’t've kissed you," Jack whispers, which makes David turn to face him.
That's all the confirmation David needs. "This happened because of the kiss," He mumbles, gesturing to Jack’s bruises. "Did- Did Snyder do it?"
Jack doesn't answer for a long time.
He looks spacey and out of it, staring up at the stars in the night sky, until he slowly shakes his head. "No," He whispers, hands clenching at his sides. "Not directly, at least. He… He told my dad, and he… Dad didn't take it too well, s-so…"
David’s heart drops to his stomach.
"You… your dad- he did this to you?" David asks, voice soft, and he shakes his head as Jack nods. "Jack, you-- You have to tell someone, he can't just get away with--"
"Who am I s'posed to tell, Davey?" Jack asks, defeated. "Everyone already knows my dad's a piece 'a shit, and no one's done shit about it. He- he ain't ever been good, Davey," Jack frowns, and shakes his wrist- something he does when he's anxious. "The cops don't care, the judge don't care, and he- he's been like this for years, Dave, slappin' me around, but- but… this is the first- the first time it's ever, uh, been… been this bad." Jack frowns. "He said he ain't gonna put up with his son bein'... bein' a fag. I told him to shut the fuck up, and he, uh, started in on me. I shouldn’t've provoked him."
David shuts his eyes and covers his mouth, shaking his head as Jack’s words sink in. He gets it now, why Jack doesn't want to be seen with him for a while; and though it hurts, David would move to the other side of the country in a heartbeat if it meant keeping Jack safe.
"I… I am so sorry, Jack," David whispers, and reaches over to take Jack’s hand in his own. "None of this is your fault, and you don't- you don't deserve any of that, okay? Not at all. You… you know you don't have to put up with that, right? You- You can move out, come stay with us, and--"
"I ain't gonna put that burden on your folks, Dave," Jack whispers. "'Sides, I… I can't just leave the farm. I still have rodeos comin' up, and I gotta practice with Dolly, and- and it's almost calving season… My dad's too fuckin' drunk all the time to take care of shit like that. I have to stay."
David frowns, and rubs his forehead. Of course Jack wouldn't leave, he's far too stubborn for that, but… but at least the offer is there. "If you're sure," David murmurs, "but the offer still stands."
Jack nods and lets the silence stretch between them. Only for a few moments, though; soon, he squeezes David’s hand and turns to look at him. "Davey," Jack whispers, "I… I need you to promise something."
David looks into Jack’s eyes. "Anything," he whispers, the words heavy, but full of meaning.
Jack grins at David’s response, just softly, but his face falls as he glances away. "If you see my dad, run. Get the hell outta Dodge. Don't try to talk, don't try to give him shit for doing this, just- just run. I don't want somethin' to happen to you."
"Do you really think he'd come after me? Even if you stay away from me?" Davis asks, gulping. "You- you explained what happened, right? That you aren’t--"
"I tried, but I- I guess I wasn't convincing, so--"
"Convincing?" David asks, raising a brow. "You… had to convince him?"
"He tried 'beating the queer' out of me," Jack admits, and gulps harshly. "I- I guess it wasn't enough, 'cause I'm still…"
He trails off, but David picks up on the hint. "Oh, Jack…" He whispers, and looks away. "Are you--"
"I- I don't know yet," Jack sighs. "I… think I still like girls, and… and I ain't ever been with a guy, b-but… I just- I don't know, Davey, it's all t-too much."
David nods, and wraps an arm around Jack's shoulder. "It's okay not to know, alright? It… It was confusing for me too, at first. I'm right here if you ever want to talk about it, alright? I promise."
"Thank you," Jack whispers as moves closer, leaning into David’s embrace. He opens his mouth to speak again, but reluctantly shakes his head and rests against David’s chest in lieu of responding.
They sit there for a long while. The breeze has picked up- the grass sways, and the fields around the property and across the street seem to be teeming with life. David can hear livestock and insects all around them, but he chooses to focus on Jack’s breathing, on Jack’s soft sighs next to him.
Under different circumstances, David would love this. He would have loved holding Jack, and being so close to him, but now… Now all he wants to do is keep Jack safe and never let him leave his side.
David turns to look down at Jack, who has his eyes trained on the stars above. He watches him for a moment, before slowly nudging his arm. "Jack?"
"Hm?" Jack looks up at David, meeting his eyes.
"Stay the night."
Jack tilts his head, and raises a brow. "Davey, I--"
"Jack," David murmurs, frowning. "Please, just… stay. Let us take care of you."
Jack stares at him, just for a few moments, before slowly nodding. "...If you're sure," Jack says softly, and looks toward the house. "Your ma won't mind?"
David scoffs. "I think she likes you more than she likes me. She won't mind at all," He says with a grin, then stands up and holds a hand out to Jack. "They… They're gonna have questions, though."
"I know," Jack sighs as he stands, using David's hand, and he soon rubs his face. "I wanna- I wanna tell them, but… will they tell anyone else?"
"They might try," David admits, and rubs his arm. "They just wanna help. You can explain everything to them, just… just know that, no matter what, you'll be safe here with them. With us. Okay?"
"Okay," Jack murmurs, staring up at the house. With a sigh and a decisive nod, Jack takes David’s hand.
They walk hand in hand up to the house, up the front steps of the porch and to that heavy wooden door. They walk in, into the warmly-lit living room, into the warmth of the home, into the safest space in the entire town.
Jack looks at David and smiles. Mouths thank you, and turns to face Esther and Mayer.
All with David’s hand in his own.
#newsies#jack kelly#davey jacobs#david jacobs#javid#javey#small town au#newsies live#livesies#newsies 1992#92sies#spot conlon#esther jacobs#mayer jacobs#toursies#newsies musical#newsies broadway#jac writes
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A young girl, by will of her mistress
There is no right or wrong amount of fat in a chocolate, camisa gris oscuro it depends on how you make it.. Where do you shop? Everywhere. “The big ridgeback?”. Weak as they were, they would have taken three times their own number with them if Lord Ramsay had stormed the ruins. And meanwhile she would over-persuade her Frenchwoman (an old lady who was some sort of companion), for the latter was very good-natured. Meals are served to anyone who wants a plate, but monthly rations come with restrictions, including proof of citizenship, family size and social security numbers. Dickinson, a resident of Pittsburg, in company with a number of cotton-planters and slave-dealers from Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. “Have Emmett assemble his recruits,” he told Dolorous Edd. Detectives Sam Lawson and Jeff Kelley testified about the alleged shooting in a crowded courtroom. I wanted to fly to you today (I was free for half a minute) to give you a flying kiss, but I didn’t succeed even in that. Financial disaster lurked around every corner. The steel made a faint click against the stone. "There was a couple games when I just tried to force it too much and it didn't feel easy. My arches are terribleIt took until my 29th year on this earth to realize that I have feet that are incredibly flat. A young girl, by will of her mistress, was to have her freedom at twenty-one; and it was required by the will that in the mean time she should be educated in such a manner as to enable her to earn her living when free, her services in the mean time being bequeathed to the daughter of the defendant. Of the biggest factors for mining equity financing activity is recognizing the volatility of the sector, BMO Capital Markets banker Jason Neal tellsseems now that there are even more things that can add volatility like whether someone tweets something overnight that can impact gold prices. Root has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the State University of New York, Buffalo.. Joan was a severe tropical cyclone with maximum measured wind gusts of 208 km/h. She was surprised and almost cried at my going, though she had shown no particular affection for me all the while I was with her; on the contrary, she seemed rather colder to cizme din denimme than usual. "I hate it like poison, but as soon as we get the slag out of that drift, I know I'm back to the shaft again.". The following is a passage from their address:. Mostly, each team is playing only once per week. “You are not mistaken,” Natasha assented. It expected that additional money raised over the coming weeks will be used to preserve other items from the film.. That stat boggles the mind. Since its inception in 1973, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins has been dedicated to better understanding
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Falling For You
TIVATOBER 2020 // DAY 18
↳ prompt: Hayride - rated T (1,860 words)
summary: In which Tony just isn’t able to contain whatever he is "feeling".
A/N: To be completely honest, I had no idea what ‘hayride’ meant, so this is my take on a story surrounding an awful lot of hay haha oops features some confusing feelings and unfair libidos.
read it on AO3 💘
It wasn’t jealousy. It wasn’t. Maybe it was this annoying, almost familiar pang at the pit of his stomach, but if he lied to himself long enough, he could blame the barbecue sandwich he had for lunch and leave it be.
Tony looked down from the first floor of the barn to study the man again.
With his broad shoulders and sculpted arms, the farmer looked idly bored as he waited for them to search through the piles of hay, slouching against one of the pillars as he chewed on a straw. It had been a couple of hours since they were trying to find a missing slug that had accidentally pierced through one of the walls, its trajectory coming from another farmhouse miles away. So far, no luck.
It usually didn’t bother him. How some guys were more ripped than him, that was. It only meant that Tony was dedicated to his job, otherwise, he would’ve had the free time to bulk up as much as they did.
Though he had had the time to drive to the other side of town to get Sally’s special barbecue sandwich that morning but… It was worth it. That had been a hell of a finger-licking sandwich.
The guy glanced upwards again, and Tony puffed up his chest. He didn’t look away, and when a smirk started to twitch at the corner of his mouth, Tony made sure to put his hands on his hips, accidentally displaying his badge as he did so. He could show off his calendar figure all he wanted, but Tony was still the authority there. They both knew that.
The younger man was the first one to call off the staring match, and Tony felt a flicker of pride.
That’s right, cowboy. No one messes with a federal agent, and especially not with his girl.
Girl? Where did that come from? Gun, he meant gun.
Tony glanced at Ziva, scared that for a moment she could’ve read his mind. Half hoping that she had actually done, he suddenly felt like an idiot, because she continued to search for the missing slug, completely oblivious to the peacock fight happening right next to her.
The familiar discomfort flickered again inside his chest. It wasn’t annoyance, it wasn’t excitement, it was… nervousness? Worry, perhaps? But worry about what, exactly? He knew Ziva for years now, it shouldn’t matter what she thought of him by then. She was his coworker, and that was as far as they could go, and why was he even thinking about it? It wasn’t as if she would break any rules for him.
That woman was more dedicated to the job than anything, and their bickering was just how they communicated. It meant nothing. Yes, it was fun, and it had always felt strangely natural, but that was all it was. A game. Mindless banter just to pass the time, and he knew that. She didn’t really think about it, and he also knew that.
It confused him so much Tony had decided for some time now it was better to ignore it, whatever it was that she made him feel.
He eyed the farmer again, wondering what she had seen in him to respond so openly to his flirting earlier. Of course, Ziva had always been skilled in flirting with men - especially ones that could easily be intimidated by her - but it bugged him for some reason. Tony didn’t know exactly why, but with every guy she did that, he just wanted to punch them in the face.
It wasn’t jealousy. It wasn’t.
“It might not be too smart to use it here.”
Tony jumped a little, his heart beating faster as he turned to face her. He prayed that the heat he was feeling on his cheeks wasn’t visible. Then Ziva gave him an amused look, arching an eyebrow, and his heart did that weird thing when it went still and then started racing, tattooing the inside of his ribs.
“Use what?” asked Tony, clearing his throat.
Ziva cast him a sly smile. “Your laser vision,” she teased, motioning with her chin to the ground floor, “This is a haystack. It might catch fire while we’re still inside.”
“Ha-ha,” Tony returned the tight smile. “The air is too damp for that.”
Tony looked downwards again to eye the man with suspicion, narrowing his eyes when he caught him ogling Ziva again. “It’s always reasonable to assess the competition,” he said more to himself than to her.
“I like fall,” she stated, and he wondered if she had listened to what he’d said. “Sweater weather, yes?”
Ziva motioned vaguely in his direction, and Tony remembered he was wearing a gray sweater today. Did that mean she had liked his sweater? Oh, she would most definitely look good in it… real good.
Tony shook his head, tightening his jaw as he tried to calm down his confused libido. She was just talking about the weather, it was only small talk. His mind was putting words in her mouth, and suddenly Tony felt really frustrated. Couldn’t things be black and white, at least for once? A habit of speaking in riddles really screwed up his brain sometimes.
“What’s the point?” Tony whined. “It would only be good if money did grow on trees.”
Ziva frowned. “Why would money grow on trees?”
Tony glared at her. Not quite believing how oblivious she was, he huffed, “Sometimes I—”
His words were cut short when Ziva let out a strangled cry, and Tony turned just in time to see her disappearing down below, falling from the rather high first floor of the barn.
Rushing towards her, relief flooded him the same time something resembling anger started to boil inside his chest.
She looked a bit disheveled and wide-eyed in the arms of the young farmer, as if not quite believing she had fallen from so high and managed to get away with it. The man smiled broadly towards her, clearly proud of having caught her. Tony was certain now the heat in his cheeks was visible. He felt his whole face burn for that matter - the guy had no business holding her so tightly like that.
“Woah,” said the farmer. “I guess…” his smile widened, “You’re falling for me.”
“Oh, for God’s—” Tony wondered how long someone would take to discover a body there because right at that moment, he really wanted to kill the guy. That was already a crime scene anyway, it would make no difference.
Feeling his blood boil, Tony hastily took the stairs down, stomping his feet. “What?” he barked when both of them glared pointedly at his storming entrance. “No ‘Rapunzel, let down your hair!’ for me?”
Ziva sent the farmer an apologetic look as if to say thank you and then turned to him, her eyebrows shooting upwards to the barn’s roof. Tony didn’t miss how her hand had stayed for far too long on the guy’s chest, nor how they’d shared smirks between them when he’d let her to the ground. This was getting ridiculous, and even if he hated the color of the navy yard walls, Tony would pay a lot just to be there instead.
“Tony,” Ziva said with narrowing eyes, then gave up and sighed, “Don’t be too harsh on him. Johnny was just trying to help.”
“Johnny?” Tony huffed a perplexed laugh, “I thought you’d be calling him ‘dear’ by now.”
Ziva watched him for a moment, and any comeback he was expecting didn’t happen when she smiled to herself and started looking for the bullet again, going through the piles of hay.
The ache in Tony’s chest increased a thousandfold. Was she laughing at him? Could this woman be more confusing than she already was?
Then he remembered she had actually fallen from the first floor, and the fact that she was walking was a miracle by itself.
“You okay?” He tried to meet her eye but couldn’t, busing himself to search for that missing piece of evidence instead.
“Yes,” was her quiet reply.
The sirens inside his head started blaring. Had he done something wrong? He needed to learn how to control his reactions more. Was she actually okay? Or was she lying about what she felt like they were used to do? He wished he was the one who’d caught her instead. What was he thinking? He knew she knew how to take care of herself, but it was his job to have her back. And he failed once again, however minimum that had been.
“It would take less time finding a needle around here,” Tony tried to clear the air, hoping Ziva would forget the jealous incident.
Jealousy? No, not jealousy. More of a brotherly type of protection. Yes, that’s what that was.
“I thought we were meant to find a bullet,” she replied, glancing at him with a soft smile from where she was crouched down. A weight he didn’t know he was carrying disappeared, his chest hurting a little less. She seemed alright, considering.
“Sometimes I really envy your brain, David.” Tony offered a weak laugh, glancing at her with caution.
“At least I have one.”
“You think Dear John’s cowboy hat is big enough to fit his?”
Damn, it was amazing how sometimes his filter could fail him. As soon as the words left Tony’s mouth, he winced, cursing to himself. His brain felt like scrambled eggs, confusion making it impossible to block his own unconscious.
“He was right, though,” she said. “About falling.”
Tony’s heart fell, insecurities bringing a bitter taste to his tongue. Of course, she would make advances on the guy. Of course. It was too easy of a target and Ziva would be a fool not to enjoy that. Sure, he was known for having more dates than most, but he hadn’t had one in what felt like forever. He didn’t know what he was waiting for, but she sure wasn’t doing the same.
“For him?” asked Tony, a bit annoyed, trying to hide his disappointment. He just wanted to go home.
“In love.”
He frowned.
What?
Tony looked at her, finding Ziva already watching him. It was a different kind of look, cautious, almost curious. He wondered what she was thinking. If she had really meant what he was thinking she had… Damn, he knew exactly what that tingle in his stomach was about.
“And what… What do you mean by—” Tony stuttered, the way his heart was racing feeling really unfair.
She smiled, the butterflies inside his chest fluttering again at how her eyes sparkled.
“We should go,” Ziva said, showing the palm of her hand. “I found it.”
The missing slug felt like a Christmas present in mid-October, and when she stepped forward to press a soft kiss to his right cheek, Tony felt like it was really December.
Money didn’t grow on trees, but maybe this Fall wouldn’t be so bad.
Ziva bid the farmer goodbye and they left the barn behind, Tony managing to reach the car before a grin stretched across his face.
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RACETRACK: In 1899, the street of New York City echoed with the voices of newsies, peddeling the newspapers of Joseph Pulitzer, William Randolph Hearst and other giants of the newspaper world. On every street corner you saw 'em, carrying the banner, bringing you the news for a penny a pape. Poor orphans and run-aways, the newsies were a ragged army, without a leader, until one day when all that changed.
(The movie title appears. We see the outside of the Newsboys Lodging House. Inside, Kloppman, the owner, enters the bunkroom, finding the boys still in bed.)
KLOPPMAN: Boots! Skittery! Skittery! Skittery!
SKITTERY: Wha..I didn't do it!
KLOPPMAN: What do you mean you didn't do it? Will you get up? When you get up, it's time to get up! Snitch! Get up! Get up! Everybody's sleeping. They sleep their lives away these kids! The presses are rolling! Sell the papers, sell the papers! Come on, come on. You dreaming about selling papers?
JACK: Mmmmmm? What's the matta with you?
KLOPPMAN: What's the matter with me?
JACK: What's the matta with you? Wanna..go..back..to..
KLOPPMAN: Come on! (gives him a shove)
JACK: Get away from me, you're mad!
KLOPPMAN: Haha. Get up boy! Come on. Alright! Carry the banner! Sell the papers!
(Racetrack looks around for his cigar, noticing that Snipeshooter has it)
*Start Song*
RACETRACK:
That's my cigar!
SNIPESHOOTER:
You'll steal anudder!
KID BLINK:
Hey bummers, we got work tah do!
KID:
Since when did you become me mudder?
CRUTCHY:
Aww, stop your bawling!
NEWSIES:
Hey, who asked you?
MUSH: So, how'd you sleep Jack?
JACK: On me back Mush.
MUSH: Ha ha. Hear that fellas? Hear what Jack said?
I asked Jack how he slept and he said 'On me back Mush'
CRUTCHY: Jack, when I walk, does it look like I'm faking it?
JACK: No. Who says you're faking it?
CRUTCHY: I dunno. It's just there's so many fake crips on the street today, a real crip ain't got a chance. I gotta find me a new selling spot where they ain't used to seeing me.
MUSH:
Try Bottle Alley or the harbour
RACETRACK:
Try Central Park, it's guaranteed
JACK:
Try any baker, bum, or barber
SKITTERY:
They almost all knows how to read
KID BLINK:
I smell money
CRUTCHY:
You smell foul!
MUSH:
Met this girl last night
CRUTCHY:
Move your elbow!
RACETRACK:
Pass the towel!
SKITTERY:
For a buck I might!
NEWSIES:
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 fished
Sure beats washin' dishes
What a fine life
Carrying the banner home-free all!
(The newsies leave the Lodging House and head towards Newsies Square)
Summer stinks and winter's waiting
Welcome to New York
Boy, ain't nature fascinating
When you'se gotta walk?
Still, it's a fine life
Carrying the banner with me chums
A mighty fine life
Blowing every nickel as it comes
CRUTCHY:
I'm no snoozer
Sitting makes me antsy
I likes living chancy
NEWSIES:
Harlem tah Delancey
What a fine life
Carrying the banner through the slums
NUNS:
Blessed children thought you wonder lost and depraved
Jesus loves you, you shall be saved!
PATRICK'S MOTHER:
Patrick, darling
Since you left me, I am undone
Mother loves you
God save my son!
(Sung in counterpoint)
RACETRACK:
Just give me half a cup
KID BLINK:
Something to wake me up
MUSH:
I gotta find an angle
CRUTCHY:
I gotta sell more papes
VARIOUS NEWSIES:
Papers is all I got
Wish I could catch a breeze
Sure hope the headline's hot
All I can catch is fleas
God help me if it's not
Somebody help me, please..
(End counterpoint)
NEWSIES:
If I hate the headline, I'll make up the headline
And I'll say anything I hafta
'Cause it's two for a penny, if I take too many
Weasel just makes me eat 'em afta
(Sung in counterpoint)
1. Look! They're putting up the headline
They call that a headline?
I get better stories from the copper on the beat
I was gunna start with twenty but a dozen'll be plenty
Tell me, how'm I gonna make ends meet?
2. What's it say?
That won't pay!
So where's your spot?
God, it's hot!
Will ya tell me how'm I gonna make ends meet?
(End counterpoint)
NEWSIES:
We need a good assassination!
We need an earthquake or a war!
SNIPESHOOTER:
How 'bout a crooked politician?
NEWSIES:
Hey, stupid, that ain't news no more!
Uptown to Grand Central Station
Down to City Hall
We improves our circulation
Walkin' til we fall!
(Sung in counterpoint)
1. Still we'll be out there
Carrying the banner man to man!
Yes, we'll be out there
Soaking every sucker that we can!
See the headline
Newsies on a mission
Kill the competition
Sell the next edition
While we're out there
Carrying the banner is the...
2.Look, they're putting up the headline
They call that a headlin
The idiot who wrote it must be working for the Sun
Didja hear about the fire?
3.Heard it killed old man Maguire!
2.Heard the toll was ever higher
3.Why do I miss all the fun?
2.Hitched it on a Trolly
3.Meetcha Forty-Fourth and Second
2.Little Italy's a secret
3.Bleecker's further than I reckoned
2.At the courthouse
3.Near the stables
2.On the corner someone beckoned and I....
(The Delancey brothers, Oscar and Morris, enter.)
RACETRACK: Dear me! What is that unpleasant aroma?
I fear the sewer may have backed up during the night
BOOTS: Nah, too rotten to be the sewers.
CRUTCHY: It must be the Delancey brudders.
RACETRACK: Hiya boys!
OSCAR:(to Snipeshooter)
In the back, you lousy little shrimp.
(Oscar throws Snipeshooter to the ground. Jack goes to help him up)
RACETRACK: It's not good to do that. Not healthy
JACK: You shouldn't call people lously little shrimps, Oscar, unless
you're refering to the family resemblance in your brudda here.
RACETRACK: 5-1 that Cowboys skunks 'em. Who's betting?
JACK: That's right. It's an insult. So's this
(Jack knocks Morris' hat off his head. The Delancey's chase Jack around
the Square. David and Les enter and watch until Jack bumps into them.)
DAVID: What do you think you're doing?
JACK: Runnin'!
NEWSIES: (Sung in counterpoint)
1.It's a fine life
Carrying the banner through it all
A mighty fine life
Carrying the banner tough and tall
See the headline
Newsies on a mission
Kill the competition
Sell the next edition
What a fine life
Carrying the banner!
2.Would you look at the headline
You call that a headline?
I get better stories from the copper on the beat
I was gonna start with twenty but a dozen'll be plenty
Would you tell me how'm I ever gonna make ends meet
Hitched it on a Trolly
Meetcha Forty-Fourth and Second
Little Italy's a secret
Bleecker's further than I reckoned
By the courthouse, near the stables
On the corner someone beckoned!
Go get 'em Cowboy!
You've got 'em now boy!
(End counterpoint)
NEWSIES:
Go!
WORLD EMPLOYEE: These is for the newsies!
(The newsies line up for their papes, congratulating Jack on beating the Delancey's)
MORRIS: See you tomorrow, Cowboy
OSCAR: You're as good as dead, Cowboy
JACK: Oh Mr. Weasel.
WEASEL: Alright, alright! Hold your horses! I'm coming, I'm coming.
JACK: So, didja miss me Weasel? Huh, did you miss me?
WEASEL: I told ya a million times, the name's Wisel. Mr. Wisel to you. How many?
JACK: Don't rush me, I'm perusing the merchandise Mr. Weasel. The usual.
WEASEL: 100 papes for the wise guy. Next!
RACETRACK: Morning your honor! Listen, do me a favor, spot me 50
papes? I got a hot tip int the fourth, you won't waste your money.
WEASEL: It's a sure thing?
RACETRACK: Yeah. Not like last time.
WEASEL: 50 papes! Next!
CRUTCHY: Heya Mr. Wisel.
RACETRACK: See anything good this morning?
WEASEL: 30 papes for Crutchy! Next!
JACK:(to Les) You wanna sit down?
DAVID: 20 papers please. Thanks.
RACETRACK: Look at this, 'Baby Born With Two Heads'. Must be from Brooklyn.
WEASEL: Hey, you got your lously papes, now beat it!
DAVID: I paid for twenty. I only got nineteen.
WEASEL: Are you accusing me of lying kid?
DAVID: No. I just want my paper.
MORRIS: He said beat it!
JACK: No, it's nineteen. It's nineteen, but don't worry about it. It's an honest mistake. I mean, Morris here can't count to twenty with his
shoes on. Hey Race, will ya spot me 2 bits? Another 50 for my friend.
DAVID: I don't want another 50.
JACK: Sure you do. Every newsie wants more papes.
DAVID: I don't. I don't want your papes. I don't take charity from anyone. I don't know you. I don't care to. Here are your papes.
LES: Cowboy. They called him Cowboy.
JACK: Yeah, I'm called that and a lot of other things, including Jack Kelly, which is what me mudder called me.what do they call you kid?
LES: Les, and this is my brother David. He's older.
JACK: No kidding. So how old are you Les?
LES: Me? Near 10.
JACK: Near 10. Well, that's no good. if anyone asks, you're 7. You see, younger sells more papes and if we're gonna be partners, we wanna
be the best.
DAVID: Wait. Who said anything about being partners?
JACK: Well, you owe me 2 bits right? Well, I'll consider that an investment.
We sell together, we split 70-30, plus you get the benefit of observing me, no charge.
DAVID: Ah-ha.
JACK: (mocking) Ah-ha.
CRUTCHY: You're getting the chance of a lifetime here,
Davey. You learn from Jack, you learn from the best.
DAVID: Well, if he's the best, then how come he needs me?
JACK: Listen,I don't need you, pal,but I ain't got a cute little brudder like Les here to front for me. With this kid's puss and my God-given talent, we could move a thousand papes a week. So what do you say Les? You wanna sell papes with me?
LES: Yeah!
JACK: So we got a deal?
DAVID: Wait. It's got to be at least 50-50.
JACK: 60-40, I forget the whole thing.
(David holds out his hand. Jack spits on his hand and reaches for David, who pulls his arm away.)
JACK: What'sa matta?
DAVID: That's disgusting!
(By this time, the rest of the newsies have gotten their papers and are moving out into the street.)
JACK: The name of the game is volume, Dave. You only took twenty papes. Why?
DAVID: Bad headline.
JACK: That's the first thing you gotta learn. Headlines don't sell papes, newsies sell papes. You know, we're what holds this town together.
Without newsies, nobody knows nothing.
(A girl hurries past and the newsies take off their hats and make a few comments)
SPECS: Baby born with three heads!
(The newsies begin to yell out various headlines as the spread out over the streets. We go into Pulitzer's office where Pulitzer is reading the headline. Also in the room is Jonathan, Seitz and another World employee.)
PULITZER: 'Trolly Strike Drags On For Third
Week' and this so called headline drags on for infinity.
EMPLOYEE: News is slow, Mr. Pulitzer. The trolly strike's all we've got.
PULITZER: Well, that's all Mr. William Randolph Hearst
has too, but look how he covers the strike. Look! Look!
EMPLOYEE: We'll get a new headline writer, sir.
PULITZER: Steal Hearst's man. Offer him double.
SEITZ: That's how he stole him from us. It's not the headlines, Chief. The circulation wars are cutting into our profits because you spend as much as you make trying to beat Hearst.
PULITZER: Then we need to make more money. You do not penny-pinch when you're in a war, Seitz. Victory means everything. Now, when I created the world... what is that deafening noise?
JONATHAN: Just the newsies, sir. I'll go have them quieted.
PULITZER: Never mind the newsies. Where was I?
SEITZ: Creating the world, Chief.
PULITZER: There's lots of money down there, gentlemen.
I want to know how I can get more of it...by tonight.
(We are now in the streets of New York. Jack and David roam through the crowds.)
DAVID: Extra! Extra! Trolly strike drags on!
JACK: Extra! Extra! Ellis Island in flames!
DAVID: Wait, where's that story?
JACK: Thank you sir. Page 9. Thousands flee in panic. Thank you. Much obliged to you ladies.
DAVID 'Trash Fire Next To Immigration Building Terrifies Seagulls'??
JACK: Terrified flight of inferno!! Thousands of lives
at stake! Extra! Extra! Thank you sir. Extra! Extra!
(Les enters)
JACK: Hey, you start in the back like I told you? Ok, show me again.
LES: (coughs) Buy me last pape, mista?
JACK: It's heartbreaking kid. Go get 'em.
DAVID: My father taught us not to lie.
JACK: Well, mine told me not to starve, so we both got an education.
DAVID: You're just making up things. All these headlines.
JACK: I don't do nothing the guys who write it don't do.
Anyway, it's not lying, it's just improving the truth little.
(Warden Snyder enters and see Jack. Les re-enters)
LES: The guy gave me a quarter. Quick, give me some more last papers.
DAVID: Wait, wait. You smell like beer.
LES: Well, that's how I made the quarter. The guy bet me I wouldn't drink some.
JACK: Hey, no drinking on the job. It's bad for business.
And what if somebody called the cop on you?
DAVID: (pointing to Snyder) Is he a friend of your's?
JACK: Beat it! It's the bulls!
LES: All this over one sip of beer?
(Snyder chases Jack, David and Les through the streets, and into a building. They run up the stairs and get to the roof. Without stopping for a second, Jack jumps off the roof, leaving David and Les alone. Jack's head pops up and David and Les join him on a ledge just as Snyder enters.)
SNYDER: Sullivan! Wait til I get you back to the Refuge!
(Jack leads David and Les a little more, when David pulls him to a halt outside Irving Hall)
DAVID: I'm not running any further.
(Jack leads the two brothers inside.)
DAVID: I want some answers.
JACK: Shhh!
DAVID: Who was he and why was he chasing you? And what is this Refuge?
JACK: The Refuge is a jail for kids. That guy chasing me was Snyder, the warden.
LES: You were in jail?
JACK: Yeah.
LES: Why?
JACK: Well, I was starving, so I stole some food.
DAVID: Food?
JACK: Yeah, food.
DAVID: He called you Sullivan.
JACK: Well, my name's Kelly. Jack Kelly. You think I'm lying?
DAVID: Well, you have a way of improving the truth. Why was he chasing you?
JACK: 'Cause I escaped.
LES: Oh boy! How?
JACK: Well, this big shot gave me a ride out in his carriage.
DAVID: I bet it was the mayor.
JACK: No, Teddy Roosevelt. You ever heard of him?
MEDDA: What's going on there? Out! Out! Out!
JACK: You wouldn't kick me out without a kiss goodbye, wouldja Medda?
MEDDA: Oh Kelly. Where ya been, kid? Oh, I miss seeing you up in the balcony.
JACK: Hanging on your every word. So Medda.
MEDDA: Yes.
JACK: This is David and Les.
MEDDA: Hello.
JACK: And this is the greatest star of the vaudeville stage
today, Miss Medda Larkson, the Swedish Meadowlark.
MEDDA: Welcome, gentlemen.
JACK: Medda also owns the joint.
MEDDA: Oh, what do we have here? Oh, aren't you
the cutest little thing that ever was? Yes you are.
LES: (cough) Buy me last pape, lady?
MEDDA: Oh, you are good. Oh yes, this kid is really good. Speaking as one professional to another, I'd say you have a great future.
JACK: So, is it alright if we stay here for a little while,
Medda? Just until a little problem outside goes away.
MEDDA: Sure,stay as long as you like. Toby, just give my guests whatever they want.
ANNOUNCER: And now gents, the moment you've all been waiting for. The
sensational songbird. The Swedish Meadowlark, Miss Medda Larkson.
(Medda goes on stage. Jack, David and Les watch from backstage.)
MEDDA:
My lovey dovey baby I boo-hoo-hoo for you
I used to be your tootsie-wootsie
Then you said 'tooldle-dedoo'
I miss the hanky-panky
Each nighty-night til three
Come back my lovey dovey baby
And coochie-coo with me!
(After the show, the boys go outside)
JACK: So, you like that?
DAVID: Oh,I loved that. I loved it. It was great. She is beautiful. How do you know her?
JACK: She was a friend of me fadder's. Come on, Les, you wanna shine me shoes for me?
DAVID: Oh, it's getting late. My parents are going to be worried. What about your's?
JACK: Nah, they're out west looking for a place to live, like this.
(Pulls out a Santa Fe brochure)
See, that's Santa Fe, New Mexico. As soon as
they find the right ranch, they're gonna send for me.
LES: Then you'll be a real cowboy.
JACK: Yup.
(Fire and loud crashes are heard. The boys run and see a
riot breaking out. A group of men are beating up another man.)
DAVID: Jack! Why don't we go to my place and divi up. You can meet my folks.
JACK: It's the trolly strike, Dave. These couple of dumb-asses must not have joined or something.
DAVID: Jack, let's get out of here.
JACK: So, maybe we'll get a good headline tomorrow,
Dave. Look at this, he slept the whole way threw it.
(Jack picks up Les from the bench where he fell asleep. They enter David's house.)
ESTER: My God. What happened?
DAVID: Nothing, mama. He's just sleeping.
MAYER: We've been waiting dinner for you. Where have you been?
(David puts a pile of coins on the table.)
MAYER: You made all this selling newspapers?
DAVID: Well, half of it's Jack's. This is our selling partner,
and our friend. Jack Kelly, my parents. And that's my sister, Sarah.
MAYER: Ester, maybe David's partner would like to join
us for dinner. Why don't you add a little more water to the soup?
(He kisses her. She shoves him away playfully)
ESTER: Mayer!
(After dinner, they talk as Sarah clears the table.)
JACK: So, from wat I saw today, you're boys
are a couple of born newsies. Can I have some more?
SARAH: Yes.
JACK: So with their hard work and my experience,I figure we
can peddle a thousand papes a week and not even break a sweat.
MAYER: That many?
JACK: More when the headline's good.
SARAH: So what makes the headline good?
JACK: Oh, you know. Catchy words like maniac, or corpse,
umm..lovenest, or nude. Excuse me. Maybe I'm talkin' too much.
MAYER: Sarah? Go get the cake your mother's hiding in the cabinet.
ESTER: That's for your birthday tomorrow!
MAYOR: Well, I've had enough birthdays. This is a celebration.
DAVID: I'll get the knife.
SARAH: I got the plates.
DAVID: This is only the beginning, papa. The longer I work, the more money I'll make.
MAYER: You'll only work until I go back to the factory,
and then you are going back to school, like you promised.
SARAH: Happy birthday, papa.
MAYER: This is going to heal, and they'll give me my job back. We'll make them
(Les stirs, but doesn't wake up in bed.)
LES:
Come back my lovey dovey baby
And coochie-coo with me!
(David and Jack start laughing)
ESTER: And what is this David?
(The boys try to stop laughing, but can't.
Scene: LATER THAT NIGHT, on David's fire escape)
JACK: So, how'd your pop get hurt?
DAVID: At the factory. It was an accident. He's no good to them anymore, so they just fired him.
(Mayer appears at the window.)
MAYER: David, it's time to come in now.
DAVID: Alright. Jack, why don't you stay here tonight?
JACK: Ah, no, thanks. I got a place of my own. But you're family's real nice, like mine.
DAVID: See you tomorrow.
JACK: Alright.
DAVID: Carrying the banner.
JACK: Carrying the banner.
(David goes inside, leaving Jack alone on the fire escape.
He looks in the window and see the family together.)
JACK:
So that's what they call a family
Mudder, fadder, daughter, son
Guess everything you heard about it's true.
So you ain't got any family
Well, who said you needed one?
Ain'tcha glad nobody's waiting up for you?
When I dream on my own
I'm alone, but I ain't lonely
For a dreamer, night's the only time of day
When the city's finally sleeping
When my thoughts begin to stray
And I'm on the train that bound for Santa Fe
And I'm free
Like the wind
Like I'm gonna live forever.
It's a feeling time can never take away
All I need's a few more dollars
And I'm outta here to stay
Dreams come true
Yes they do
In Santa Fe
Where does it say you've gotta live and die here?
Where does it say a guy can't catch a break?
Why should you only take what you're given?
Why should you spend your whole life livin'
Trapped where there ain't no future
Even at seventeen
Breaking your back for someone else's sake
If the life don't seem to suit ya
How bout a change of scene?
Far from the lously headlines
And the deadlines in between Santa Fe
Are you there?
Do you swear you won't forget me?
If I found you would you let me come and stay?
I ain't getting any younger
And before my dying day I want space
Not just air
Let 'em laugh in my face, I don't care
Save a place
I'll be there
So that's what they call a family?
Ain'tcha glad you ain't that way?
Ain'tcha glad you got a dream called Santa Fe?
(Jack ends up outside the Lodging House. As he enters, he meets up with Racetrack)
JACK: Heya Race.
RACETRACK: Hey Jack.
JACK: How was your day at the track?
RACETRACK: Remember that hot tip I told you about? Nobody told the horse.
(Pulitzer, Seitz and Jonathan are sitting it Pulitzer's office.)
PULITZER: I know we need to make more money.
That's why we're here, to find out how to make more money.
JONATHAN: I have several proposals. First, to increase the paper's price.
PULITZER: Then Hearst outsells me and I'm in the poorhouse. Brilliant, Jonathan, brilliant.
JONATHAN: Not the customer's price. The price to the distribution apparatus.
SEITZ: Charge the newsies more for their papers? Bad idea, Chief.
JONATHAN: Very well. My next proposal, salary cuts. Particularly those at the top.
SEITZ: Very bad idea, Chief.
PULITZER: Wait. What do the newsies pay now? 50 cents for 100 papers? If you raise it to 60 cents..
JONATHAN: A mere tenth of a cent per paper.
PULITZER: Multiply by 40, 000 papers a day? 7 days a week?.
JONATHAN: It definitely adds up, sir.
SEITZ: If you do this, every newsie we've got will head straight for Hearst.
PULITZER: You don't know Hearst like I do, Seitz. As newspapermen, he and I would cut each other's throats to get an advantage. But as gentlemen, as businessmen, if also see eye to eye on certain things. Now, if we do it, Hearst and I, if we do it, then the other papers will do it.
SEITZ: It's going to be awfully tough on those children.
PULITZER: Nonsense, nonsense. It'll be good for them. Incentive, make them work harder, sell more papers. They'll look on it as an advantage.
(Outside the World building, the newsies have gathered. Jack joins them)
KID BLINK: They jacked up the price! You hear that Jack? Ten cents a hundred! You know, it's bad enough that we gotta eat what we don't sell, now they jack up the price! Can you believe that?
SKITTERY: This'll bust me, I'm barely making a living right now.
BOOT: I'll be back sleeping on the streets.
MUSH: It don't make no sense. I mean, all the money Pulitzer's making, why would he gouge us?
RACETRACK: Because he's a tight wad, that's why!
JACK: Pipe down, it's just a gag. So, why the jack up Weasel?
WEASEL: Why not? It's a nice day. Why don'tcha ask Mr. Pulitzer?
KID BLINK: They can't to this to me Jack.
RACETRACK: They can do whatever they want. It's their stinkin' paper.
BOOTS: It ain't fair. We got no rights at all.
RACETRACK: Come on, it's a rigged deck. They got all the marbles.
MUSH: Jack, we got no choice, so why don't we
get our lousy papes while they still got some, huh?
JACK: No! Nobody's going anywhere. They can't get away with this!
LES: Give him some room, give him some room. Let him think.
RACETRACK: Jack, you done thinkin' yet?
WEASEL: Hey! Hey! Hey! World employees only on this side of the gate!
JACK: Well, listen. One thing for sure, if we don't sell papes, then nobody sells papes.
Nobody comes through those gates until they put the price back to where it was.
DAVID: You mean like a strike?
JACK: Yeah, like a strike!
RACETRACK: Are you out of your mind?
JACK: It's a good idea!
DAVID: Jack, I was only joking. We can't go on strike, we don't have a union.
JACK: But, if we go on strike, then we are a union, right?
DAVID: No, we're just a bunch of angry kids with no
money. Maybe if we got every newsie in New York, but...
JACK: Yeah, well we organize. Crutchy, you take up for
collection. We get all the newsies of New York together.
DAVID: Jack, this isn't a joke. You saw what happened to those trolley workers.
JACK: Yeah, well that's another good idea. Any newsie don't
join with us, then we bust their heads like the trolley workers.
DAVID: Stop and think about this Jack. You can't just rush everybody into this
JACK: Alright. Let me think about it. Listen. Dave's right. Pulitzer and Hearst and all them other rich fellas, I mean, they own this city, so do they really think a bunch of street kids like us can make any difference? The choice has got to be yours. Are we just gonna take what they give us, or are we gonna strike?
LES: Strike!
BOOTS: Keep talking Jack, tell us what to do!
JACK: Well, you tell us what to do Davey.
DAVID: Pulitzer and Hearst have to respect our rights.
JACK: Hey listen! Pulitzer and Hearst have to respect the rights of the
working boys of New York! Well, that worked pretty good, so what else?
DAVID: Tell them that they can't treat us like we don't exist.
(Begin Song)
JACK: Pulitzer and Hearst, they think we're nothing. Are we nothing?
NEWSIES: No!
DAVID: If we stick together like the trolley workers then they can't break us up.
JACK: Pulitzer and Hearst, they think they got us. Do they got us?
NEWSIES: No!
DAVID: We're a union now, the Newsboys Union. We have to start acting like a union.
JACK:
Even though we ain’t got hats or badges
We’re a union just by saying so
And the World will know!
BOOTS: What’s to start somebody else from selling our papes?
JACK: Well, what’s wrong with them?
RACETRACK: Some of them don’t hear so good!
JACK: Well then we’ll soak ‘em!
DAVID: No! We can’t beat up kids in the streets. It’ll give us a bad name.
CRUTCHY: Can’t get any worse.
JACK: What’s it gonna take to stop the wagons? Are we ready?
NEWSIES: Yeah!
DAVID: No!
JACK:
What’s it gonna take to stop the scabber?
Can we do it?
NEWSIES: Yeah!
JACK:
We’ll do what we gotta do until we
Break the will of mighty Bill and Joe!
NEWSIES:
And the World will know
And the Journal too!
Mr. Hearst and Pulitzer
Have we got news for you!
Now the World will hear
What we’ve got to say
We’ve been hawking headlines
But we’re making ‘em today.
And our ranks will grow!
CRUTCHY: And we’ll kick their rear!
NEWSIES: And the World will know that we been here!
JACK:
When the circulation bell starts ringing
Will we hear it?
NEWSIES: No!
JACK:
What if the Delancey’s come out swinging’
Will we hear it?
NEWSIES:
No!
When you’ve got a hundred voices singing
Who can hear a lousy whistle blow?
And the World will know
That this ain’t no game
That we got a ton of rotten fruit and perfect aim
So they gave their word
But it ain’t worth beans!
Now they’re gonna see what ‘stop the presses’ really mean
And the day has come
And the time is now
And the fear is gone
BOOTS: And their name is mud!
NEWSIES: And the strike is on
BOOTS: And I can't stand blood!
NEWSIES: And the World will..
JACK: Pulitzer may crack the whip but he won’t whip us!
NEWSIES:
Pulitzer may crack the whip but he won’t whip us!
And the World will know
And the World will learn
And the World will wonder how
We made the tables turn
And the World will see
That we had to choose
That the things we do today
Will be tomorrow’s news
And the old will fall
And the young stand tall
And the time is now
And the winds will blow
And our ranks will grow
And grow and grow and so
The World will feel the fire
And finally know!
NEWSIES: Strike! Strike! Strike! (etc.)
JACK: We gotta get word out to all the newsies of New
York. I need some of those….what’dja call ‘em?
DAVID: Ambassadors?
JACK: Yeah, right. Okay, you guys, you gotta be
ambastards and go tell the other that we’re on strike.
KID BLINK: Say, Jack, I’ll take Harlem
RACETRACK: Yeah, I got Midtown.
MUSH: I got the Battery, Jack.
CRUTCHY: Hey, I’ll take the Bronx.
JACK: Alright. And Bumlets, and Specs and Skittery, you take Queens. Pie Eater! Snoddy! East Side! Snipeshooter, you go with ‘em. So, what about Brooklyn? Come on, Spot Conlon’s territory. What’sa matta? You scared of Brooklyn?
BOOTS: Hey, we ain’t scared of Brooklyn. Spot Conlon makes us a little nervous.
JACK: Well, he don’t make me nervous. So you and me, Boots,
we’ll go to Brooklyn. And Dave here can keep us company.
DAVID: Sure, just as soon as you delivery our demands to Pulitzer.
JACK: Me? To Pulitzer?
DAVID: You’re the leader, Jack.
JACK: Well, maybe the kid’ll soften him up.
(Jack and Les enter the World Building. The newsies cheer)
NEWSIES: Strike! Strike! Strike! (etc.)
(The newsies go off in different directions. Denton enters and approaches David.)
DENTON: Hey, what is the strike? What’s going on?
DAVID: We’re bringing out demands to Pulitzer.
DENTON: What demands?
DAVID: The newsies demands. We’re on strike.
DENTON: I’m with the New York Sun. Bryan Denton.
You seem like the kid in charge. What’s your name?
DAVID: David
DENTON: David. David as in David and Goliath? You
really think old man Pulitzer’s going to listen to your demands?
DAVID: He has to. (Jack and Let thrown out the door.)
JACK: Well, so’s your old lady! You tell Pulitzer he needs an appointment with me!
LES: Yeah!
(Jack, David, Les and Denton are sitting in a booth in Tibby’s Restaurant.)
JACK: So this snooty mug says to me, ‘You can’t see Mr. Pulitzer.
No one sees Mr. Pulitzer.’ Real hoity-toity, you know the type?
LES: Real hoity-toity.
JACK: So that’s when I says to him, ‘Listen, I ain’t in the habit of transacting
no business with office boys. Just tell him Jack Kelly’s here to see him now!’
LES: That’s when he threw us out.
DENTON: Does he scare you? You’re going up
against the most powerful man in New York City.
JACK: Oh yeah, look at me. I’m trembling.
DENTON: Alright, keep me informed. I want to know everything that’s going on.
DAVID: Are we really an important story?
DENTON: Well, what’s important? Last year I covered the war in Cuba. Charged up San Juan Hill with Col. Teddy Roosevelt. That was an important story. So, is the newsie’s strike important? That all depends on you.
JACK: So my name’s really gonna be in the papers?
DENTON: Any objections?
JACK: Not as long as you get it right. It’s Kelly, Jack Kelly. Oh, and Denton? No pictures.
DENTON: Sure Jack. (Jack, David and Boots start across the Brooklyn Bridge.)
DAVID: I’ve never been to Brooklyn, have you?
BOOTS: I spent a month there on night.
(Jack and Boots lean over the side and scream at the top of their lungs.)
DAVID: So, is this Spot Conlon really dangerous?
(The boys get to Brooklyn. There are a lot of tough looking boys.)
BROOKLYN NEWSIE: Going somewhere, Kelly?
(Jack pushes past him. David and Boots follow.)
SPOT: Well, if it ain’t Jack be nimble, Jack be quick.
JACK: I see you moved up in the world, Spot. Got a river view and everything.
(The two boys spit-shake.)
SPOT: Heya Boots. How’s it rollin’?
BOOTS: I got a couple of real good shooters.
(Spot takes the marbles and takes out his sling shot.)
SPOT: Yeah. So, Jacky-boy. I’ve been hearing things from little birds. Things from Harlem, Queens, all over. They been chirpin’ in my ear. Jacky-boy’s newsies is playing like they’re going on strike.
JACK: Yeah, well we are.
DAVID: We’re not playing. We are going on strike.
SPOT: Oh yeah? Yeah? What is this, Jacky-boy? Some kind of walking mouth?
JACK: Yeah, it’s a mouth. A mouth with a brain, and
if you got half a one, you’ll listen to what he’s got to say.
DAVID: Well, we started the strike, but we can’t do
it alone. So, we’re talking to newsies all around the city.
SPOT: Yeah, so they told me. But what’d they tell you?
DAVID: They’re waiting to see what Spot Conlon is doing, you’re the key. That Spot Conlon is the most respected and famous newsie in all of New York, and probably everywhere else. And if Spot Conlon joins the strike, then they join and we’ll be unstoppable. So you gotta join, I mean... well, you gotta!
SPOT: You’re right Jacky-boy, brains. But I got brains too, and more than just half a one. How do I know you punks won’t run the first time some goon comes at ya with a club? How do I know you got what it takes to win?
JACK: Because I’m telling you, Spot.
SPOT: That ain’t good enough Jacky-boy. You gotta show me.
(The boys go back to Newsies Square, where the rest of the newsies wait.)
RACETRACK: Jack. So, where’s Spot?
JACK: He was concerned about us being serious. You imagine that?
RACETRACK: Well, Jack, maybe we ought to ease off a little.
Without Spot and the others, there ain’t enough of us, Jack.
MUSH: Maybe we’re moving too soon. Maybe we ain’t ready, you know?
SKITTERY: I definitely think we should forget about it for a little while.
JACK: Oh, do ya?
SKITTERY: Yeah.
RACETRACK: Yeah, I mean, without Brooklyn… you know?
JACK: Spot was right, is this just a game to you guys?
(Begin Song)
DAVID: Open the gates and seize the day
Don’t be afraid and don’t delay
Nothing can break us No one can make us
Give our rights away
Arise and seize the day!
DAVID AND NEWSIES:
Now is the time to seize the day
Send out the call and join the fray
DAVID: Wrongs will be righted if we’re united
DAVID AND NEWSIES:
Let us seize the day!
Friends of the friendless seize the day
Raise up the torch and light the way
Proud and defiant
We’ll slay the giant
Let us seize the day
Neighbor to neighbor
Father to son
One for all and all for one!
Open the gates and seize the day
Don’t be afraid and don’t delay
Nothing can break us
No one can make us
Give our rights away
Neighbor to neighbor
Father to son!
One for all and all for one!
(The circulation bell begins to ring)
JACK Anybody hear that?
NEWSIES No!
JACK: So what are we gonna do about it?
NEWSIES: Soak ‘em!
(The newsies and the scabbers have a stand off. 3 scabs join with the newsies, but then a bug scab comes up against Jack. He tries to get by, but can’t. The newsies start soaking the scabs, who eventually run away. They tear up the newspapers. Jack starts making faces and blowing raspberries at Weasel, Oscar and Morris through the distribution window.)
MORRIS: I’m gonna crack your dome!
(The tearing of newspapers continue. A delivery cart is pushed
onto it’s side. Weasel calls for the cops, who enter blowing whistles.)
JACK: Cheese it! Cheese it, it’s the bulls!
(All the newsies run, except Crutchy, who doesn’t notice)
RACETRACK: Crutchy! Scram! Scram!
(Crutchy starts to leave, but is blocked in by cops. He turns to find the Delancey brothers behind him. They knock his crutch aside and drag him away. Denton has been watching all of this.
THAT NIGHT- Jack and David walk to the Refuge. Jack has a rope in his hands)
JACK: So here it is. The Refuge. My home, sweet home.
DAVID: How can you be sure they sent him here?
JACK: How can I be sure the Delancey’s stink? It’s just how things work, you know? An orphan gets arrested, Snyder makes sure he gets sent straight here, so he can rehabilitate him. The more kids in the Refuge, the more money the city sends to take care of them, the more Snyder sticks it in his pocket. He’s here.
DAVID: So how come you brought the rope?
(A carriage exits the Refuge. Jack and David hind in the shadows. As the guard talks with the nuns, the two boys sneak by. On the roof, David lowers Jack, who has the rope tied around his waist. Jack gets level with the window.)
JACK: Steady. Steady, Dave. That’s good.
(Jack knocks on the window. A boy around Les’s age opens it.)
TEN PIN: Hey. Cowboy. You miss the joint?
JACK: What do ya say, Ten Pin. You got a new guy in here. Crutchy.
TEN PIN: The gimp? I’ll get him for ya.
JACK: Hey Crutchy.
(With the help of a boy, Crutchy limps to the window.)
CRUTCHY: I don’t believe it. What are you hanging around here for?
JACK: What do you mean what am I hangin’ around here for? You know who’s on the roof?
CRUTCHY: Who?
JACK: Dave.
CRUTCHY: Is that Dave? Heya Dave! How ya doin’?
DAVID:: Shhh.
JACK: Listen, Crutchy, go get your stuff. We’re gonna get you outta here.
CRUTCHY: Well, actually, I ain’t walking so good. Oscar
and Morris kindda worked me over a little bit, you know?
JACK: They hurt you? Don’t worry about it. Me and Dave, we can carry you outta here.
CRUTCHY: I don’t want nobody carrying me, you hear? Hey, Dave!
You know, they still talk about how Jack rode outta here on that coach.
DAVID: Oh, yeah. Teddy Roosevelt’s, right?
CRUTCHY: You already heard the story.
DAVID: You mean it’s true?
CRUTCHY: Of course. Hey! Cheese it!
(Snyder enters and inspects the room. Jack swings to the side, out of
site. As Snyder is about to look out the window, Crutchy grabs his arm.)
CRUTCHY: Mr. Warden Snyder, sir. You know, I was thinking. I’d just
like you to know that when you were taking a nap this afternoon…
(Crutchy leads Snyder away from the window and Jack leaves.
THE NEXT MORNING- Pulitzer, Weasel and Seitz are inside Pulitzer’s office.)
SEITZ: I don’t think they’re just going to go away, Chief.
WEASEL: Mr. Pulitzer, sir, just give me the means and I’ll take care of them for ya.
PULITZER: I’ll give you whatever means you require.
I want this nonsense down with once and for all.
SEITZ: Chief…
PULITZER: Shut you mouth, Seitz
(Weasel and Seitz leave. Snyder looks out the window
to the square where the newsies have gathered.)
NEWSIES:
Open the gates and seize the day
Don’t be afraid and don’t delay
Nothing can break us
No one can make us
Give our rights away
Arise and seize the day
(The boys dance in the square and block the entrance to the World building.
A delivery cart rushes through. The newsies and scabs have another stand off.)
DAVID: Alright. Everyone remain calm.
JACK: Let’s soak ‘em for Crutchy!
(The newsies charge towards the scabs, who retreat. A
large door opens and big men with clubs and chains come out)
RACETRACK: Jack! Jack!, the Crib!
(the men form a circle around Jack so none of the newsies
can help him. The gates shut and Denton can’t get in to help.)
OSCAR: Heya Jacky-boy (Jack faces a man with a chain. Outside, Denton tried to get in.)
DENTON: Aren’t you going to stop them, sir?
POLICEMAN: Move along, mister.
(Just as all hope seems lost for Jack, a bunch of newsies appear on the rooftops, including Spot.)
SPOT: Never fear, Brooklyn is here.
MUSH: It’s Brooklyn!
(The newsies start to soak the Crib, the Brooklyn boys using their
sling shots. Racetrack throws his hands in the air and sit on a ledge….)
RACETRACK: Hey, I give up. Alright, alright. I give up.
(…then kicks the guy *you know where*)
JACK: Hey, Spot!
(Shots of Newsies punching the scabs. First Racetrack, then Jack,
Kid Blink and another. Skittery get hits and falls back. Newsies catch him)
DAVID: Are you alright?
(Before he can answer, the newsies push him back up and he punches the man back. Spot opens the gates and the Brooklyn gang join. They force the Crib back. The newsies cheer and tear some more papers. Denton enters with him camera.)
DENTON: Jack! Boys! Freeze! Freeze!
JACK: Alright guys
(Denton takes the picture. Jack is the only one ready for it. The others all have weird expressions on their faces. The picture turns black and white and appears on the cover of the New York Sun under the headline ‘The Children’s Crusade; Newsies Stop the World’.
NEXT DAY- The newsies are in Tibby’s. Denton enters with the paper.)
DENTON: Hey fellas. Hey, hey! Big time.
BOOTS: What you got there Jack?
SPOT: Where’s me picture? Where’s me picture?
BOOTS: What’s that? That all about us?
MUSH: Look at that Jack. You look like a gentlemen
JACK: Will you get your fingers off me face?
SPOT: Where does it say my name? Where’s my name?
JACK: Will you quit thinking about yourself?
DAVID: You got us on the front page!
DENTON: You got yourselves on the front page. I just got to make sure you stay there.
SKITTERY: So what. You get your picture in the papes, so what’s that get you, huh?
MUSH: What are you talkin’ about?
JACK: Shut up, boy. You been in a bad mood all day!
SKITTERY: I’m not in a bad mood!
RACETRACK: Glum and dumb. What’s the matta with you? You get your picture in the papes, your famous. Your famous, you get anything you want. That’s what so great about New York!
(Begin Song)
MUSH: A pair of new shoes with matching laces
RACETRACK: A permanent box at Sheepshed Races.
SPOT: A porcelain tub with boiling water
KID BLINK: A Saturday night with the mayor’s daughter!
RACETRACK:
Look at me I’m the King of New York!
Suddenly I’m respectable
Staring right atcha
Lousy with stature
JACK:
Nubbin’ with all the muckety-mucks
I’m blowin’ my dough and goin’ deluxe!
RACETRACK:
And there I’ll be
Ain’t I pretty?
RACETRACK & JACK:
It’s my city I’m the king of New York!
BOOTS: A corduroy suit with fitted knickers
LES: A mezzanine seat to see the flickers
SNIPESHOOTER: Havana cigars that cost a quarter
DAVID: An editor’s desk for our star reporter!
NEWSIES:
Tip your hat
He’s the King of New York!
DENTON:
How ‘bout that?
I’m the King of New York!
NEWSIES:
In nothing flat
He’ll be covering Brooklyn to Trenton
Our man Denton
KID BLINK: Making a headline out of a hunch
DENTON: Protecting the weak
RACETRACK: And paying for lunch
DENTON: When I’m at bat Strong men crumble
RACETRACK: Proud yet humble
DENTON & RACETRACK:
I’m/He’s the King of New York
NEWSIES: I gotta be either dead or dreaming ’Cuz look at that pape with my face beaming Tomorrow they may wrap fishes in it But I was a star for one whole minute! Starting now I’m the King of New York!
DENTON: Ain’t you hear? I’m the King of New York!
NEWSIES: Holy cow! It’s a miracle Pulitzer’s crying Weasel? He’s dying! Flashpots are shooting bright as the sun I’m one hifalutin’ sonuva gun! Don’t ask me how Fortune found me Fate just crowned me Now I’m King of New York! Look and see Once a piker Now a striker I’m the Kin of New York! Victory! Front page story Guts and glory I’m the King of New York!
(The newsies cheer and gather around a table)
JACK: So, let’s have some ideas.
DAVID: Well, we gotta show people where we stand
JACK: Yeah, so we gotta stay in the papes.
DENTON: My paper’s the only one printing any strike news so far
JACK: So, we should do something that’s so big the other papers’ll feel stupid if they try to ignore us. Like a rally. A newsie rally with all the kids from all over New York. It’ll be the biggest, loudest, noisiest blow-out this town’s ever seen!
DAVID: We’ll send a message to the big boys
RACETRACK: Geesh, I’ll give ‘em a message.
(A waiter brings a tray of cokes. Each newsie grabs a glass.)
JACK: There’s a lot of us, and we ain’t going away. We’ll
fight until damn Doomsday if it means we get a fair shake.
DAVID: Hey, guys. To out man Denton.
NEWSIES: Our man Denton!
(The newsies lift their glasses in a toast.
IN THE REFUGE- Crutchy knocks on Snyder’s door and enters.)
CRUTCHY: Heya Mr. Snyder. How was your supper?
(As he begins to put the plates on a tray, Crutchy notices
Snyder looking at the paper, particularly at Jack’s picture.)
CRUTCHY: Hey! That’s Jack. He looks just like himself.
SNYDER: You know this boy?
CRUTCHY: No.
SNYDER: You have a very famous friend, this Jack. Do you know where he lives?
CRUTCHY: I never heard of him, honest! It’s this brain of mine, it’s always making mistakes. It’s got a mind of it’s own. Can I get you anything else, Mr. Snyder? Good bye Mr. Snyder.
(Crutchy leaves, realizing his mistake.
THAT NIGHT- The newsies are making signs for the rally. Dutchy’s sign says ‘STRIKE’)
DUTCHY: So, did I spell it right, Kloppman?
KLOPPMAN: Very good, very good.
(Snyder enters and starts going through Kloppman’s book)
KLOPPMAN: Excuse me. Can I help you?
SNYDER: You have a boy who calls himself Jack Kelly? I wish to see him
KLOPPMAN: Jack Kelly? Never heard of him. Never
heard of him. Any of you boys ever hear of a Jack Kelly?
SPECS: That’s an unusual name for these parts.
(Jack enters, but Swifty stops him and points Snyder out to him)
RACETRACK: Oh, you mean Jack Kelly. Yeah,
he was here, but he put an egg in his shoe and beat it.
SNYDER: I have reason to believe he’s an escaped prisoner, possibly dangerous.
KLOPPMAN: Oh, dangerous? I better look in my files. This way please.
(Kloppman distracts Snyder and Jack exits. The boys hold up signs to hide him)
RACETRACK: Give to the Newsies Strike fund, Mister?
(Snyder hands Racetrack a coin.
THE NEXT MORNING- Sarah wakes up and looks
out the window. She sees Jack on the fire escape)
SARAH: Did you sleep out there all night?
JACK: Yeah
SARAH: Why didn’t you wake us up?
JACK: Well, I didn’t want to disturb nobody. Besides,
it’s like the Waldorph out here. Great view. Cool air
SARAH: Go up on the roof.
(Jack leaves so Sarah can get dressed. While he waits, he boxes with
some stockings and steals a tomato off a plant. Sarah enters with a basket.)
SARAH: Are you hungry?
JACK: Yeah
SARAH: Good. I made you breakfast
(She lays down a clothe and gets the food and milk.)
SARAH: Papa’s so proud of you and David. You should hear him talking
about Jack Kelly, strike leader, who occasionally takes his meal with us.
JACK: Well, this is one strike leader who’s gonna be very happy when it’s all over and I can get outta here and go to Santa Fe. I mean, there’s nothing for me to stay for, is there? You know, you should se Santa Fe, everything’s different there. It’s all bigger. The desert, the sky, the sun
SARAH: It’s the same sun as here
JACK: Yeah, it just looks different
SARAH: I should get ready for work
JACK: Sarah? I’m just not used to having whether I stay or whether I go matta to anybody. I’m not saying it should matta to you. I’m just saying, well, does it? Matta?
(Pulitzer is in his office with the Mayor, the Police Chief, Snyder
and Seitz. He is looking at the paper and has Jack’s face circled.)
MAYOR: Of course, the city is very concerned
that this event doesn’t get out of hand. But…Chief?
CHIEF: We can’t just charge in there and break it up, Mr. Pulitzer. We’ve got no legal cause.
MAYOR: Legal cause.
PULITZER: Would the fact that this rally is organized
by an escaped criminal be cause enough, mayor?
MAYOR: Escaped criminal?
PULITZER: A fugitive from one of your prisons, mayor. A convicted thief. Been
living at large for some time under the allis of Jack Kelly. What’s his real name?
SNYDER: Sullivan. Francis Sullivan. Your honor. I would have caught him before now, but..
PULITZER: You know Warder Snyder, don’t you mayor?
I believe you know him because you appointed him.
MAYOR: Yes. Well, if this boy’s a fugitive then the chief can quietly arrest him.
PULITZER: No, no, no, no! Not quietly! Not quietly! I want an example made. I want this rabble he’s roused to see what happens to those who would dare to lead. They should see justice and action.
MAYOR: Arrest him at the rally?
PULITZER: By the way, mayor, a few friends for cards tonight. Newspaper friends.
Billy Hearst, Gordon Bennett. Perhaps you’ll join us. Talk about the coming election.
MAYOR: I’d be honored.
(Newsies are gathering outside Irving Hall. Inside,
Jack, David and Spot are on stage. Jack quiets everyone)
JACK: Carryin’ the banner!
(The newsies stand up and cheer.
MEANWHILE- In Pulitzer’s study, men are sitting at
a table, playing cards. Pulitzer leads the mayor around the table)
PULITZER: You know Gordon, mayor. Mr. Bennett of the Tribune. Mr. Taylor of the Times. Of course, you know Mr. Hearst. This is a new member of our little group, Mr. Gammon. He just came back from Europe. Mr. Gammon owns the New York Sun.
(Back in the theater, Jack is giving a speech.)
JACK: So, we’ve come a long way, but we ain’t there yet and maybe it’s only gonna get tougher from now on. But that’s fine, we’ll just get tougher with it. But also, we gotta get smart and start listening to my pal David, who says ‘stop soakin’ the scabs’.
RACETRACK: What are we supposed to do to the bums? Kiss ‘em?
SPOT: Any scab I see I soak ‘em. Period.
DAVID: No, no. That’s what they want us to do.
If we get violent, it’s just playing into their hands.
SPOT: Hey, look. They’re gonna be playing with my hands, alright. 'Cuz it ain’t what they say, it’s what we say. And nobody ain’t gonna listen to us unless we make ‘em.
(Newsies in the crowd take different sides and start to argue.)
JACK: You got no brains. Why we starting to fight each other? It’s just what the big shot’s wanna see. That we’re street rats! Street rats with no brain’s. No respect for nothing, including ourselves! So, here’s how it’s gonna be. If we don’t act together, then we’re nothing. If we don’t stick together, then we’re nothing. And if we can’t even trust each other, then we’re nothing.
KID BLINK: Tell ‘em Jack!
JACK: So, what’s it gonna be?
RACETRACK: We’re with you Jack.
JACK: So, what about you, Spot?
SPOT: I say that what you say is what I say.
(The spit-shake. All the newsies cheer. The curtains
open and Medda enters. The cheering gets louder.)
MEDDA & NEWSIES:
High times, hard times
Sometimes the living is sweet
And sometimes there’s nothing to eat
But I always land on my feet
So when there’s dry times
I wait for high times and then
I put on my best
And I stick out my chest
And I’m off to the race’s again!
MEDDA: Hello, newsies. What’s new?
(Outside, the Crib and police are gathering. Snyder enters)
MEDDA: So your old lady don’t love you no more
So you’re afraid there’s a wolf at your door
So you’ve got street rats that scream in your ear
MEDDA & NEWSIES:
You win some, you lose some my dear,
Oh… High times, hard times
Sometimes the living is sweet
And sometimes there’s nothing to eat
But I always land on my feet
So when there’s dry times
I wait for high times and then
I put on my best
And I stick out my chest
And I’m off to the races again
MEDDA: I put on my best!
NEWSIES: I put on my best!
MEDDA: And I stick out my chest
NEWSIES: And I sticks out my chest
MEDDA: And I’m off
NEWSIES: And I’m off
MEDDA: And I’m off
NEWSIES: And I’m off
MEDDA: And I’m off
ALL: To the races again!
(The police block off the entrance to the theater. Denton sees Snyder and tries to keep him busy)
DENTON: Excuse me. Aren’t you Warden Snyder?
Bryan Denton of the Sun. How do you do, sir?
(David sees Snyder and tells Spot)
DENTON: I heard about your wonderful work with
the children and I wondered if I might get an interview with you
(David rushes through the crowd to Jack)
DAVID: Jack! Jack! It’s Snyder!
JACK: What?
DAVID: It’s Snyder. Right there!
(Denton tries to distract Snyder one more time. This time with his camera)
DENTON: Let me get that correct. That’s Snyder, as in snide? Smile sir!
(The flash blinds him for a minute, then he blows his whistle.)
JACK: Medda, thanks. I gotta run.
(Cops come in and the newsies scatter. Jack take’s Sarah’s hand and pulls
her through the crowd. Racetrack gets Medda to safety and start to leave)
MEDDA: No! Stay with me!
(A huge man kicks Racetrack in the stomach and punches him
out. Medda breaks away from her maid and slaps the man)
MEDDA: No! No! For God’s sake! He’s just a child! Can’t you see that? Racetrack!
(Medda is pulled back and Racetrack is dragged away. Jack and David get Sarah and Les to safety. Then turn back to fight. Everywhere they go, they are surrounded by cops or the crib. By Medda’s swing, they meet up with Snyder. David sits on the swing.)
DAVID: Push me!
(Jack shoves David, who hits Snyder in the face.)
DAVID: Get out of here! Go!
(Jack runs as David and some other newsies hold Snyder off. Jack and Kid Blink run outside and find they are surrounded by cops. One of them grabs for Jack, but Kid Blink shoves him away.)
KID BLINK: Beat it!
(Jack runs back inside. Kid Blink gets hit with a club and is dragged away. Jack starts to run up the stairs, but a man meets him at the top and punches him in the chin. Jack falls back and is caught by cops. THE NEXT DAY- the newsies are in court.)
BAILIFF: All rise. All rise. Court is now in session. Judge E.A. Monahan presiding.
MONAHAN: Are any of you boys represented by council?
No? Good, that will move things along considerably.
SPOT: Hey, yer honor, I object!
MONAHAN: On what grounds?
SPOT: On the grounds of Brooklyn, yer honor.
(The newsies crack up laughing. Monahan bangs on his desk.)
MONAHAN: I fine each of you five dollars, or two weeks confinement in the House of Refuge.
RACETRACK: Whoa. We ain’t got five bucks. We don’t even got
five cents. Hey, yer honor, how ‘bout I roll you for it. Double or nothing?
MONAHAN: Alright. Move along, move along.
(Denton, David and Les enter)
DENTON: Your honor, I’ll pay the fines. All of them.
DAVID: Hey, you fellas alright? Where’s Jack?
DENTON: Look, we’ve got to meet at the restaurant. Everybody. We have to talk.
MONAHAN: Pay the clerk. Move it along.
(Jack is lead in, handcuffed)
JACK: Hey fellas!
RACETRACK: Hey, Cowboy! Nice shiner!
JACK: Hey, Denton. I guess we made all the papes this time. So, how’s my picture look?
DENTON: None of the papers covered the rally. Not even the Sun.
BAILIFF: Case of Jack Kelly. Inciting a riot. Assault. Resisting arrest.
SNYDER: Judge Monahan, I’ll speak for this young man.
JACK: You two know each other. Ain’t that nice.
MONAHAN: Just move it along, Warden Snyder.
SNYDER: This boy’s real name is Francis Sullivan. His mother’s deceased. His father’s a convict in the state penitentiary. He’s an escapee from the House of Refuge where his original sentence for three months was extended to six moths for disruptive behavior.
JACK: Like demanding we eat the food you steal from us.
SNYDER: Followed by an additional six months for attempted escape.
JACK: Attempted? Last time it wasn’t an attempted escape. Remember Snyder?
Remember me and Teddy Roosevelt? Remember Roosevelt and the carriage?
SNYDER: Therefore, I ask that he be returned to the House of Refuge.
JACK: What? For my own good, right? Move it along?
For my own good and for what he kicks back to you!
SNYDER: I ask that the court order his incarceration until the age of twenty-one,
in the hope that we may yet guide him to a useful and productive life.
MONAHAN: So ordered.
LES: No!
(Jack is led away. Snyder follows, then turns and smiles at the judge.
LATER- The newsies sit in Tibby’s. Denton enters. They greet him)
DAVID: Why didn’t the Sun print the story?
DENTON: Because it never happened
RACETRACK: What do you mean it never happened? You were there!
KID BLINK: You wrote it!
DENTON: It’s not in the papers, it never happened. The owners decreed
it not be in the papers, therefore… I came to tell you fellas good bye.
DAVID: What happened? Did you get fired or something?
DENTON: No, I got reassigned back to my old job as the Sun’s ace war correspondent. They want me to leave right away. The owner thinks I should only cover the really important stories. Wish me luck fellas. At least half of what I wish for you. They don’t always fire. I would be black balled from every paper in the country. I’m a newspaper man. I have to have a paper to write for. This is the story I wrote about the rally. I want you to read it at least. This should cover it
(Denton pays the waiter and leaves. David crumples the story up and throws it on a table)
DAVID: We get Jack out of the Refuge tonight. From now on, we trust no one but the newsies.
(The newsies get up and leave. Les uses Denton’s article to wrap his unfinished hot dog in. THAT NIGHT- David, Les, Mush, Kid Blink, Racetrack and Boots sneak into the Refuge’s gates. Kid Blink had a rope.)
DAVID: That’s the window where we saw Crutchy
(They are about to move when they see Snyder leading Jack into a carriage.)
LES: It’s Jack!
MUSH: Where they takin’ him Dave?
DAVID: Only one way to find out. I’ll meet you guys at the square. Racetrack, watch him.
(David hides in the back of the carriage, which goes
to Pulitzer’s house. Seitz is waiting outside for them.)
SEITZ: Get him inside
(Snyder takes Jack’s arm and leads him in. David pulls out the pin that attaches the
horses to the carriage. INSIDE- Seitz leaves Jack in Pulitzer’s study. Pulitzer enters.)
PULITZER: Sit. Know what I was doing at your age, boy? I was in a war. The Civil War.
JACK: Yeah, I heard of it. So, didja win?
PULITZER: People think war is about right or wrong and not power.
JACK: Yeah, I heard of that too. I don’t just sell your papes, Joe. Sometime I read ‘em.
PULITZER: Power of the press is the greatest power of them all. I
tell this city how to think. I tell this city how to vote. I shape it’s future.
JACK: Yeah? Well, right now I’m only thinking about one future, and that’s mine.
PULITZER: So am I boy. I have the power to see you stay locked in the Refuge
JACK: And I have the power to break out again.
PULITZER: Or, I can see you released tomorrow, free and clear,
with more money in your pockets than you can earn in three lifetimes.
JACK: Are you bribin’ me, Joe?
PULITZER: No
JACK: Well, it’s been real nice chattin’ with ya, Joe. But I got to be goin’ now.
PULITZER: You listen to me, boy. You just shut your mouth and listen to me! You shut up and listen to me for once! No game I’m playing. You work for me til the strike’s over, and it will end, boy, make no mistake, with or without you. Then you go where ever you want to buy a ticket for. Away from the Refuge, these foul streets. Free. With money to spend and nobody chasing you.
JACK: We must have you scared pretty bad, old man
PULITZER: I offer you freedom and money just to work for me again. To your friends, I won’t be so kind. Now, you’re partner, what’s his name? David. I understand he has a family. What do you think the Refuge will do to him? And it will be you who put him there. And all the others, after all, you’re their leader. Go back to the Refuge tonight, think about it. Give me your answer in the morning.
(Jack leaves. As he is being taken outside, Snyder lets go of him for one second)
DAVID: Jack! Come on! Come on!
(Jack slides down the railing and jumps over it. He and David take off)
SNYDER: After him!
(The driver whips the horses, who take off without the carriage.)
SEITZ: Don’t worry. He’s got no place to go
(David and Jack run into an alley. Jack slows down)
DAVID: Come on! Keep running!
JACK: You shouldn’t have done this, Dave. They could put you in jail
DAVID: I don’t care
JACK: Come here. What about your family? What happened to them if you go in jail. You don’t know nothing about jail. Now, thanks for what you done, but you get out of here
DAVID: I don’t understand
JACK: I don’t understand either, but just get outta here!
DAVID: No!
JACK: Go!
(David turns slowly and walks away. Jack leans against a
wall. Suddenly, he’s leaning against a wall in the Refuge.)
JACK:
Santa Fe
My old friend
I can’t spend my whole life hidin’
You’re the only light that’s guidin’ me today
(Crutchy opens a little slot in the door. He has a potato)
CRUTCHY: Psst! Jack! Look! I snitched it off Snyder’s plate while I was serving him. It’s the biggest one. Oh, Mr. Snyder was eating good tonight. You know the stuff that we don’t ever get? He got potatoes, olives, liver, bacon, sauerkraut. And guess what I done to his sauerkraut, huh?
JACK: So, what’d it get ya?
CRUTCHY: Oh, anudder three months, probably, but you
can’t let ‘em get you, right Jack? That’s what you always said...
JACK: We was beat when we was born
(Crutchy frowns and closes the slot)
JACK:
Will you keep a candle burnin’
Will you help me find my way?
You’re my chance to break free
And who knows when my next one will be
Santa Fe,
Wait for me
(The newsies are picketing outside the World building.)
NEWSIES: Stop the World! No more papes! Stop the World! No more papes! (etc.)
(The police form a barricade. Some of the newsies start to fight amongst themselves.)
DAVID: Race! Help me! I need some help!
RACETRACK: Alright! I ain’t deaf!
SPOT: Hey, hey, hey! Break it up. Hey, Race, come here.
(Weasel leads Jack out. He’s in a new suit)
RACETRACK: What?
SPOT: Just tell me I’m seeing things. Just tell me I’m seeing things.
RACETRACK: No, you ain’t seeing things. That’s Jack. What’s he doing?
SPOT: He’s dressed like a scabber!
MUSH: Jack? Jack, look at me, will ya? Come on, it’s
me, Mush. Look at me. What are you doin’, Jack?
KID BLINK: This ain’t happening. This can’t be happening.
What are you doin’ Jack? Come on, what are you doin’?
BOOTS: Come on. What is this? Where’d you get them clothes?
WEASEL: Mr. Pulitzer picked them out himself. A special gift to a special new employee.
SPOT: He sold us out!
RACETRACK: I’ll give you a new suit! You bum! I’ll soak ya!
SPOT: Hey, hey, hey! Let me get my hands dirty. Come here you dirty rotten scabber! Traitor!
(Some newsies pull Spot away. David stares at Jack)
WEASEL: Aww. You wanna talk to him? Come on, come on. Sure. Got right ahead.
(David walks up to Jack)
DAVID: So, this is why you didn’t escape last night. You’re a liar! You lied about everything. You lied about your father being out west, ‘cause he’s not out west! You didn’t even tell me your real name!
JACK: So? What you wanna do about it Dave?
DAVID: I don’t understand you.
JACK: Oh, so let me spell it out for ya. You see, I ain’t got nobody
tucking me in at night, like you. It’s just me, I gotta look out for myself.
DAVID: You had the newsies..
JACK: Oh, what’d being a newsies ever give me but a dime a day and a few black eyes? You know, I can’t afford to be a kid no more, Dave. For the first time in my life, I got money in my pockets. Real money. Money, you understand? I got more on the way and as soon as I collect, I’m gone, I’m away. Alright?
DAVID: Well, that’s good. That’s good because we don’t need
you! We don’t need you! All those words you said, those were mine.
JACK: Yeah, but you never had the guts to put them across yourself, didja?
DAVID: I do now
(Dave starts to go back to the newsies, then turns to look at Jack again.)
JACK: What’sa matta? Got a problem?
(David rushes towards Jack, but Weasel and a few policemen pull him away.)
WEASEL: Maybe you’d like a new suit of your own, huh?
DAVID: Never! Never!
WEASEL: Get outta here! Get outta here!
DAVID: I’m not like you!
(The cops surround Jack so the newsies can’t get him. The newsies watch him go.)
SPOT: Traitor!
KID BLINK: You make me sick!
BOOTS: I trusted you!
RACETRACK: Seize the day, huh Jack?
LES: He’s foolin’ ‘em, so he can spy on ‘em or
something. Yeah, yeah, that’s it. He’s foolin’ ‘em!
RACETRACK: Yeah, he’s spying on then, kid.
(Sarah is going through a pile of lace. She finds Les’s old hot dog)
SARAH: Les. What is this?
LES: Savin’ it
(He takes the hot dog and leaves the article in Sarah’s hands. She looks at it.)
SARAH: David. It’s Denton’s article. ‘The Dark Truth; Why Our City Really Fears The Newsies Strike’ by Bryan Denton. ‘Last night I saw naked force exercised against mere boys, the newsies, who were…’
(David climes out the window, slams it, then storms off the fire escape.
THAT NIGHT-Weasel leads Jack to his new bedroom, the basement of the World building.)
WEASEL: One trick, Cowboy, and it’s right back to the Refuge. Please.
(He throws a dust covered sheet to Jack.)
WEASEL: Ah. You gonna be requiring anything this evening? Huh? No? Aww..tick tick. Well then, I ought to be saying good night. Remember, on trick and I go straight to Mr. Pulitzer.
(He exits, leaving Jack alone. MORNING- Jack goes to
collect his papers. Oscar and Morris come up behind him.)
WEASEL: Sleep well Cowboy?
OSCAR: Come with us Cowboy. We’re gonna go
fix you’re pal, Davey. Fix him so he can’t walk.
MORRIS: Shut up
(Jack starts to go after them.)
WEASEL: Ah! Lift one finger and it’s right back to the Refuge. Next!
(Jack picks up his papers and leaves. LATER THAT MORNING- Sarah is walking to work with Les. She has a basket full of lace.)
SARAH: Morning LADY: Good mornin’, dear.
(Oscar ‘bumps’ into her)
OSCAR: ’Cuse me, Sweetface.
(She continues to walk with Oscar behind her. Morris steps out in front of her.)
MORRIS: Where’s your little brother, Tootsie? Where’s little Davey?
(Sarah tries to get by, but the brothers push her around.)
LES: Leave my sister alone!
(He shoves Oscar. Morris holds onto Sarah while Oscar pushed Les into a puddle.)
SARAH: Stop it! Leave him alone!
(Oscar shoves Les into a pile of baskets. Sarah shoves Morris away.)
SARAH: You stupid ape.
(She punches him, but it doesn’t hurt him. She runs into the
alley. The brothers catch her. David sees Les and helps him up.)
DAVID: What’s the matter? Are you alright?
LES: I’m alright, I’m alright. Help Sarah!
SARAH: Run Davey!
OSCAR: Yeah, run Davey. We got the best part of your family right here.
(David tackles Oscar.)
SARAH: Let go of me!
(Morris throws her to the ground. Oscar punches David)
SARAH: Stop it! Les! Stop, you’re hurting him! No!
(Morris pulls out a pair of brass knuckles and puts them on.)
SARAH: Leave him alone!
(Oscar continues to punch David. Les runs to Sarah.
Jack is walking down the street near the alley.)
SARAH: Stop it! Leave him alone!
(Jack hears her cries and runs, dropping his papers as he goes. Oscar holds David as Morris gets ready to hit him with the knuckles. Jack comes up behind Morris and punches him. David gives Oscar an elbow in the stomach. Jack throws Morris into a box)
JACK: Get over here.
(Jack grabs Oscar)
JACK: Remember Crutchy?
(Jack head-butts him and he falls near Morris. Jack goes to help Sarah up)
JACK: You alright?
SARAH: Yeah.
(The hug briefly)
SARAH: David!
(Jack goes to David and checks him out before helping him up. Oscar and Morris finally get up.)
MORRIS: You’d better run, Cowboy. We’re gonna tell
uncle Weas. You’ll be back in the Refuge before suppertime!
OSCAR: Run, you lousy coward, run!
(Jack starts to go after them, but Sarah stops him. Les runs to the end of the alley.)
LES: Go one! Get outta here! Don’t come back! You hear me?
DAVID: What? You couldn’t stay away?
JACK: Well, I guess I can’t be something I ain’t.
DAVID: A scab?
JACK: No, smart.
(The four of them go to Denton’s apartment. Jack knocks on the door. Denton opens it.)
JACK: Did you mean what you wrote here? ‘Bout all these sweat shop kids listening to me?
DENTON: I don’t write anything I don’t mean. Come on in. I’m just packing a few things.
(They enter. David closes the door.)
DENTON: So, yes, I mean it. The city thrives on child labour. A lot of people
make money that way. They’re terrified that the newsies strike will spread.
JACK: Well, there’ really not much chance of that as long as they got the power
DENTON: Sometimes, all it takes is a voice, one voice. Then a thousand. Unless it’s silenced.
JACK: Why can’t we spread the strike? Have another big rally
and get the word out to all the sweat shop kids? Why not?
DAVID: What are we going to do? Print an ad in the newspaper?
JACK: No! We’ll do better than that. We’ll make our own
paper. We tell ‘em they gotta join us. Isn’t that a good idea?
DAVID: Yeah, it is. But what do we know about printing a newspaper?
JACK: Nothing, but our man Denton…
DAVID: Yeah, but our man Denton has something more important
to do. He’s going to be an ace war correspondent, right Denton?
DENTON: Alright. Where do we start?
(They sit at a table)
JACK: Alright, we gotta move fast. Now, we’ll need the newsies to circulate.
DENTON: There’s something else that we need. We need a printing press.
JACK: Just so happens I know a guy with a printing press.
(Jack, Sarah, David and Denton enter the basement of the World building.)
SARAH: You’ve been living here?
JACK: Shh. They’re right above us. Weasel catches us here, we’re all in the slammer.
(Jack uncovers a press)
DENTON: Alright! A Platen press. Looks like old man Pulitzer never threw anything away.
DAVID: Is it going to work?
DENTON: It better. We have a deadline.
(They start printing their papers.)
DENTON: This is the story you wanted to write, well tonight is the night that you can
JACK: Just get this done and by dawn’t early light you can finish the fight you began
DAVID: This time we’re in it to stay
SARAH: Think about seizing the day
JACK:
Think of that train as she rolls into old Santa Fe
Tell her I’m on my way
NEWSIES:
See old man Pulitzer snug in his bed
He don’t care if we’re dead or alive
Three satin pillows are under his head
While we’re begging for bread to survive
Joe, if you’re still counting sheep
Wake up and read ‘em and weep
You’ve got your thugs
With their sticks and their slugs
Yeah, but we got a promise to keep
Once and for all
Something tells me the tide will be turning
Once and for all
There’s a fire inside me that wont stop burning
Now that the choices are clear
Now that tomorrow is here
Watch how the mighty will fall
For once and for all!
(Jack hands bundles of papers to the newsies. Denton and Jack crawl out the window.)
DENTON: It’s awfully nice of Mr. Pulitzer to let us use his press
JACK: Yeah, I just hope I get to thank him for it someday.
(The newsies spread out and hand the papers to various work kids.)
NEWSIES: This is for kids shining shoes on the streets
With no shoes on their feet everyday
This is for guys sweating blood in the shops
While their bosses and cops look away
This is to even the score
We ain’t just newsies no more
This ain’t just kids with some pie in the sky
This is do it or die
This is war!
Once and for all
We’ll be there to defend one another
Once and for all
Every kid is a friend
Every friend a brother
Five thousand fists in the sky
Five thousand reasons to try
We’re going over the wall
Better to die than to crawl
Either we stand or we fall
For once
Once and for all!
(Denton is with Teddy Roosevelt, who has just read the Newsies Banner)
ROOSEVELT: Disgraceful, Denty. Those poor boys.
DENTON: I thought you’d feel this way, Governor.
ROOSEVELT: And I did nothing, until now
DENTON: Good.
(They shake hands and Roosevelt is handed his hat and walking stick.
LATER THAT DAY- The newsies have gathered around the Horace
Greeley statue None of the work kids have showed up.)
MUSH: So, when's the others coming, kid?
JACK: They ain’t coming. Ain’t gonna be nobody but us.
SNITCH: Come on, Jack.
SPECS: Have hope, Jack.
(Les walks away from the group.)
LES: When the circulation bell starts ringing, will we hear it?
RACETRACK:
Nah.
What if the Delancey’s come out swinging, will we hear it?
LES: No!
RACETRACK: That a boy!
WORK KIDS:
When you’ve got a million voices singing
Who can hear a lousy whistle blow?
And the World will know!
(Work kids come in from all directions. The newsies
cheer. Spot enters, leading in all of the Brooklyn kids.)
SPOT: Brooklyn!
NEWSIES & WORK KIDS:
The World will feel the fire and finally know!
(Everyone cheers. The newsies and Sarah make their way threw the crowd.)
WORK KIDS: Strike! Strike! Strike! (etc.)
(The newsies make their way to the front of the World Building.)
RACETRACK: Dear me. What have we here?
(Seitz and a group of policemen are by the entrance, looking out into the crowd. INSIDE- Pulitzer is at his desk. Seitz brings in Jack and David. Jonathan grabs his arm and whispers.)
JONATHAN: It’s awful. Everyone’s calling. Mr. Hearst, and Mr. Bennett, and the mayor in such awful language. The city’s at a stand still and they all blame the chief. It’s like the end of the World, only I didn’t say that.
(Jack and David go to Pulitzer’s desk, where Jack pulls out a copy of the newspaper.)
JACK: Extry, extry, Joe. Read all about it.
PULITZER: I promised that if you defied me, I’d break you. I’ll keep that promise, boy. Now, I gave you a chance to be free. I don’t understand. Anyone who doesn’t act in their own self interest is a fool.
DAVID: Then what does that make you?
PULITZER: What?
JACK: Oh, this is my pal, Davey. The Walkin’ mouth
DAVID: You talk about self interest, but since the strike, your circulation’s been down 70%. Everyday you’re losing thousands of dollars just to beat us out of one lousy tenth of a cent. Why?
JACK: You see, it ain’t about the money, Dave. It Joe gives in to nobodies like us, it means we got the power. And he can’t do that, no matter what it costs. Am I right, Joe?
PULITZER: I sent for the police. They must be here by now. Send them in, Seitz
JACK: I’m not going back to jail, Joe. Look out here. Right out here is where the power is.
(Jack opens the window. All the kids are still yelling Pulitzer covers his ears)
PULITZER: Close the window! Close the window! Go home! Go home! Go home!
JACK: I can’t hear you , Joe!
PULITZER: Go home! Go home to your mothers and fathers! Go home!
JACK: I don’t hear ya!
PULITZER: Now you listen to me!
JACK: Maybe you should listen!
PULITZER: No, no! You listen to me!
JACK: No! You listen!
PULITZER: Close the window and shut up!
JACK: There’s a lot of people out there and they ain’t just gonna go away. They got voices now and they’re goin’ be listen to. Putting them in jail is not going to stop them! That’s the power of the press, Joe.
(He closes the window. Pulitzer takes his hands away from his ears)
JACK: So thanks for teaching me about it.
SEITZ: Those kids put out a pretty good paper there Chief.
(Pulitzer picks up the paper and reads it.)
PULITZER: I ordered a printing ban on all strike matters. Now, who defied me? Who’s press did you use to print this on? Who’s?
JACK: Well, we only use the best, Joe. So, I just want to say, thanks again.
(Outside, Seitz’s opens the gates. David starts to come out, Jack is behind him.)
SPOT: Hey, fellas, they’re over here!
(The newsies gather around and start asking questions.
Jack bends over and whispers in Les’s ear.)
JACK: The strike’s over. We beat ‘em.
(Jack lifts Les onto his shoulders and look out towards all the children.)
JACK: We beat ‘em!
(The crowd cheers. All the newsies hug and pat each other on the back Weasel, Oscar and Morris put on their hats and leave. A paddy wagon pulls up. Snyder is sitting in the front seat with two cops.)
LES: Jack! Jack, it’s the bulls. It’s the bulls. Let me down!
SWIFTY: Down Jack. Get down!
KID BLINK: Hide Jack
DENTON: Jack, it’s over. No, no. You don’t have to run.
Not anymore. Not from the likes of him. Come on, Come on.
(A cop opens the paddy wagon and the kids from the Refuge come out. The last one
is Crutchy. A cop leads Snyder into the paddy wagon. Crutchy taps him on the back.)
CRUTCHY: Ah, remember what I told ya, Mr. Snyder. The first thing
ya do in jail, make friends with the rats. Share what you got in common.
(Snyder climes in. A police officer is about to close the door.)
CRUTCHY: Officer, may I please?
POLICE OFFICER: Sure kid.
(Crutchy hands his crutch to a kid. He slams the door and locks
it. He gets his crutch back and goes over to Jack and the others.)
JACK: Heya Crutchy.
DENTON: You won’t be seeing much of him anymore. Say goodbye Warden.
NEWSIES: Goodbye Warden!
(The paddy wagon pulls away)
CRUTCHY: Oh, Jack, you ought tah seen it! He comes stormin’ into the Refuge waving
his walking stick like a sword and he’s leading in this army of lawyers and cops.
JACK: Who comes stormin’ in?
CRUTCHY: You know, your friend. Him! Teddy Roosevelt
(the newsies are amazed)
DENTON: The Governor’s very grateful that you brought this problem to his attention. I said you might need a lift somewhere. He’d be happy to oblige. Anywhere you want. And this time, you ride inside.
JACK: So, can he drop me at the train-yards?
DENTON: Yeah, if that’s what you want.
(They make their way to Roosevelt’s carriage. Jack shakes his hand and climes in. Boots throws Jack a bag. David, Les and Sarah watch sadly. The work kids follow the carriage as it leaves, leaving the newsies alone. The circulation bell begins to ring.)
MUSH: Try Bottle Alley or the harbor
RACETRACK: Try Central Park, it’s guaranteed
CRUTCHY: Try any banker, bum or barber
KID BLINK: They almost all knows how tah read
BOOTS: Summer stinks
SKITTERY: And winter’s waiting
SPECS, BUMLETS & SNIPESHOOTER: Welcome to New York
SNODDY, PIE EATER, SWIFTY, ITEY & JAKE: Boy ain’t nature fascinating
NEWSIES: When youse gotta walk
(The newsies line up for their papers. David is first in line. He slaps down a coin.)
DAVID: Hundred papes.
MUSH: Alright Davey.
(The newsies hear cheers and turn to see the carriage returning. All the work kids are following.)
MUSH: Dave, he’s back!
JACK: Thanks for the advice, Governor. Like you
said, I still got things to do. Besides, I got family here.
(He gets out of the carriage and gives Les his cowboy
hat. All the newsies yell and talk at the same time.)
JACK: So, how’s the headline today?
DAVID: Headlines don’t sell papes, newsies sell papes.
JACK: Come here, Davey.
(Jack holds out his hand. David spits in his and shakes it. Sarah makes her way through the crowd. Her and Jack kiss. All the newsies cheer and yell. The carriage pulls away, with Roosevelt and Spot in it. Spot tips his hat and waves as he leaves.)
SARAH: Bye Spot!
JACK: Go back to Brooklyn ya hear!
(David, Jack, Sarah, Les and Crutchy follow the carriage. Denton shakes David’s hand, then goes to the side and starts writing. The newsies, with their papers, dance as they leave.)
GROUP 1:
It’s a fine life Carryin’ the banner
It’s a fine life Carryin’ the banner
It’s a fine life Carryin’ the banner
It’s a fine life Carryin’the banner
GROUP 2:
You got ‘em, Cowboy
You showed ‘em how boy!
You got ‘em Cowboy
You showed ‘em how boy!
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Choking Curiosity Ch 9
ftm reader x Michael Myers
read on ao3
The microwave clock says five-fifty am when Michael creeps into the house. He shakes the dew out of the mask’s hair and reaches for the kitchen towel to wipe off the latex.
The book is new. He saunters to it slowly, leaving it untouched other than plucking the note from the cover. Your request in writing is met with indifference, barely read, but his thumb rubs over the inking of your name at the bottom.
He’d seen it amongst your things, but this trinket he can keep. He pockets the paper, crumpling it in his grip, and picks up the book. Beginner’s Guide to American Sign Language.
Michael snarls under the mask. Past anger wells in his chest at the words, fighting to vent through his fingers. They tried to make him use sign language in Smith’s Grove. He never wanted to learn to communicate better, even if out of spite, it was what he could control. The only sign that really stuck was the middle finger.
Michael climbs the stairs with a harsh grip on the spine, sparing a glare towards your bedroom door and throwing the book into his room before him.
***
You wake up with purpose this morning and only spend half the amount of time as usual sitting in your bed before getting up.
Fussing with the bedhead in the mirror, you brush your teeth when a thought hits you. You haven’t seen your new roommate brush his teeth.
Ew.
You sigh. You’re going to have to get him a toothbrush and some deodorant, you can’t imagine being on the lam has left him smelling decent. You gag. He better not have touched your toothbrush.
The book is gone from the counter, which you count as a win. There’s no response to your note, but you’ll take what you can get. You just need to remember to study your book too, when you get back.
Thinking about the cookout, you stop short.
‘Was I supposed to bring a dish?’
You groan, hopefully they won’t judge you for bringing some chips and dip.
You get dressed what would be considered way too early, but you need to get gas anyway, and luckily you did because, as you leave your house, you see Abtin approach from his yard.
He gifts you a tomato from his garden, to your surprise, and begins to tell you how his plants are doing. He tells you he’s gonna cook the rabbit that keeps eating his cabbage if he catches it, in the way he jokes for shock value.
“So, hey, is that your brother I keep seeing behind your house? He keeps coming and going-”
You choke on your own spit.
“I’m just messing with you, I know what it is.” He laughs and slaps his knee. You don’t know what you would say if you could say something. What excuse could you give? You hope he doesn’t mean what you think he does, but you’re the only person he gossips to anyway.
You’re relieved when he moves on to critique the spray paint still out front, but at least Halloween is next month and then you’ll probably be able to paint the house.
In another ten minutes, you pocket your tomato and make it to your car to drive for the first time in probably two months. Hopefully you’ll have enough gas to make it to a station.
***
You’re lucky you filled the tank before leaving because you got lost twice trying to find the turn off indicated on the map. Finally, on another turn back, you see a faded red flannel tied around a tree, and upon closer inspection, an old dirt road hidden at an odd angle.
When the trees part into a wider clearing down the road, you slow to a stop in the drive of what appears to be a tricked out log cabin. Putting your car in park, you jump at a loud whack nearby, someone splitting logs in your peripheral.
Jake is wearing what looks like a cowboy hat, but you’re more enamored with the way his arms look in his sleeveless vest when he swings the axe. You close your mouth and remind yourself he’s spoken for. Stepping out of the car and grabbing the food you brought, he waves to you, then points to the cabin. Right on time you see Dwight and someone you don’t know lifting a wooden picnic bench, and you jog over to help because Dwight looks like he’s about to get squashed.
At its destination, the other man introduces himself as David and slaps hands with you, throwing his arm around Dwight. It’s almost surprising, the two of them look like a stereotypical high school nerd and bully, but David tussles his hair like an older brother.
After letting go, he pulls you over to where some logs are felled around a firepit to “grab a beer and meet the queers”. You laugh at the overtness of it, and again as a girl with red hair chucks a bag of marshmallows at his head when she hears him say it. Maybe finding someone like you isn’t a lost cause here.
“Hey!”, when David opens the cooler, you look up to see Laurie standing there pointing at you. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” you smile, glad to see a familiar face.
“I came with Meg and Claudette,” Laurie gestures at the two other women who nod to you.
“I’m Meg and this is Claudette, to be clear,” the girl with red hair clarifies and nods her head across from her, “and over there is Ace- and so help me, Ace, if you shoot that at me I will roast you over the fire.”
You turn towards who she’s speaking to and see an older man sitting in a blue, plastic kiddie pool struggling to fill a small water pistol while laughing.
“Here you go, mate.” David grabs your attention trying to hand you a beer.
“Oh, no thanks, I gotta drive home tonight-” you put your hand up, but he presses it into your palm.
“Come on, relax, just one won’t hurt. And if you get hammered, you can just camp out here like everyone else.”
It’s in your hand now and you nod at him, but you don’t want to reveal that you think beer tastes like shit.
Dwight returns with Jake and firewood in tow, Ace squirts the water gun at them ‘to cool Jake down’ and you duck out of the way as they drop the tinder into the pit.
“Hey, glad you came,” Jake says, dusting splinters from his hands.
“He brought chips!” You both hear David yell over from the table, presumably with his mouthful.
“Yeah, sorry I didn’t bring something better-” you start to apologize but he tells you not to worry about it, chips are great and you brought enough so that David can’t eat them all. David yells back that he takes that as a challenge.
You can’t remember the last time you’ve laughed this much.
It’s a warm enough afternoon that you don’t need to light the bonfire yet, and David gets the grill going while Jake runs back to his cabin to grab the meat. At this point you remember the tomato in your pocket, pulling it out and setting it on the table sheepishly.
“Nice tomato! I always bring a vegetarian option for everybody too, Jake keeps them separate on the grill for me.” Claudette smiles at you from across the table as she sets down some plates.
“Thanks, my neighbor actually gave it to me from his garden this morning before I left.”
The two of you talk, and you learn that planting marigolds with tomatoes is a great way to prevent pests and Claudette knows a whole lot about gardening because she happens to be a botanist.
Meg sits down next to her and listens happily for a couple of minutes before calling Ace over to challenge him to an arm wrestle.
“Don’t let him near the grill, everything he touches burns…” Meg whispers out of the side of her mouth as he walks over. You catch Laurie’s eye from where she’s standing with Dwight, Jake, and David at the grill, exiting the conversation before swiftly making her way over to you.
“I’m gonna show (Y/n) where the bathroom is.”, her hand lands on your shoulder, you guess you have no choice.
You swing your legs around the bench and follow her off towards the cabin with a shrug. When you’re a few paces away from the group, she hisses to you under her breath without looking and you almost miss it.
“Have you seen him again?”
It takes a second before you register what she’s talking about, but you respond before you come to a full conclusion on what you tell her.
“No, not since the first time.” She opens the front door of the cabin and you avoid eye contact. You hope your body language reads ‘upset’ and not ‘hiding something’. “I don’t want to talk about it right now…”
Laurie lets it drop, but sounds irritated when she points out the bathroom. On the way back you whisper a ‘sorry’ and she responds with a ‘me too’. You scrunch your brows in confusion, but head over to the grill. She disappears from your side but a thirty seconds later a stream of water hits you in the side of the head.
You yelp in shock and duck, but Laurie keeps squirting the gun, catching Dwight in the crossfire.
“It’s on!” David yells, dropping the tongs on the grill and vaulting over the table after her. Laurie runs to the other side of the kiddie pool that you see Ace getting out of, holding a beer aloft.
There’s a stand off on either side of the water, broken by David launching over it and landing one foot in the drink to lunge at Laurie, only for her to jump out of his reach. Almost in slow motion, everyone watches as his one foot slips on the plastic and he goes tumbling down, soaking his pants and getting a face full of grass. Everybody has a good laugh while he climbs out with a flurry of curses and peels off his shirt.
Damn.
Jake calls over as he sets one huge plate of hot dogs and burgers on the table and follows it with one of corncobs and what’s probably the veggie patties that Claudette mentioned. Meg whistles at the sight of the food and starts serving hot dogs after passing the vegetarian plate to Claudette, everyone falling in at the table to eat.
***
You eat until you’re stuffed, unashamed as everyone else does the same. The sun is sinking in the sky now, casting a pleasant glow through the trees. Jake deems it enough to start the fire and you approach to watch curiously as he strikes flint onto the dry brush and blows on it.
When he’s finished he tells the group to keep an eye on it while he fetches the s’mores stuff.
“I thought we put it out right here-” Dwight turns toward the logs, confused, but Jake takes him by the arm to bring him along to the cabin.
“I brought it inside because the chocolate was melting.” Dwight seems to accept this and follows along.
When they're out of earshot, Meg leans in towards the log you’re sitting on from her own.
“Jake is proposing tonight! I think he’s doing it!” She squeals a bit in excitement and tries to look like she’s not watching when Dwight looks back before ducking inside.
You share in their excitement and join Ace in stoking the fire into a roaring flame. You watch the smoke dance and carry some ashes into the air and lean back happily. The sky is turning from purple to deep blue now. The light from the fire dances off the trunks of the trees, and you take in the nature of your surroundings as your friends chatter around you.
You squint at a shape between the trees and it moves behind a thicker trunk.
White mask.
***
Michael would never admit to himself of ever feeling jealousy, but a certain irritation of possessiveness grows as he watches. His stomach rumbles at the food, but it’s of little relevance to him.
He spots Laurie and his knife is already in his dominant hand. The strings are connecting what he’s seeing to the same feeling of what he saw watching the teenagers in 1978. This time Laurie is collateral. Funny.
All he has to do is wait.
He could go after the two that already diverged from the group, but he wanted you separated. He moves closer to where you will see him.
The firelight flickers over your form, creating a beautiful moving sepia of you that reminds Michael of the old photographs in the asylum. As you poke at the fire, it licks towards your fingers and that are drawn back sharply.
What sounds would you make when it touched you?
Your eyes had a dream like quality, observing the realness of your habitat, peering through rose-tinted glasses to only see the welcoming nature when surrounded by the lurking sharpness of it.
He may have felt smug when the illusion broke around his presence.
Michael moves out of your line of sight, but he humors over the way a human freezes like an animal in the headlights.
The annoying man who fell in the pool speaks. Michael doesn’t like the way he looks at you.
“Oi, (y/n), you look like you’ve seen a ghost, what’s got you bothered?”
You snap out of it quickly, looking towards him and then shaking your head.
“Um, yeah sorry, I’m just...cold. I’m gonna go get my jacket from my car, I’ll be right back.”
You skitter off nervously, Michael can see the confusion on some of the other faces.
You make it to your car before scanning the woods and spinning to check your blindspot, but you don’t need it, Michael is already walking toward you and you can see the way the orange of the distant campfire glints off of the knife he’s brandishing. You step back, you don’t want to be intimidated, but you fear for what he’ll do to your friends.
The car door stands between the two of you when you open it, pulling out your jacket without breaking eye contact. It’s seeming like you can’t escape him.
“How did you get here?”, you whisper, not knowing exactly where Jake and Dwight are.
You wait for an answer, and when you give up on one, he turns his head deliberately toward the backseat of your car and back to you.
You’re incredulous, the main question you don’t want to elaborate on is “how?”, but you wave it away to get to the point.
“Please.”, you don’t know what you’re appealing to, but you hope there’s some leverage you have in the way he sees the situation. “Please don’t hurt these people. I’ll-”
What will you do?
You don’t know, but you have to save them from whatever he’s planning.
“I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll-I’ll leave right now, okay?” He just stares at you. He twists his knife once.
“The car is open, I’ll go make an excuse to leave and be right be right back, I promise.” You hold up your hands placatingly.
You do a quick jog back to campfire and it looks like you return shortly after Jake and Dwight.
“So, what’d I miss?”, you hope you don’t enter as clumsily as you feel.
Jake and Dwight turn to you on the log and Dwight is wearing the biggest sheepish smile and looks like he cried a little bit. You can see the little gold band on Dwight’s left hand and smile back, issuing proper congratulations.
You force yourself to say it, feeling guilty for springing it on them during a sentimental moment.
“I wanted to stay for the s’mores, sorry guys, but I gotta get home.” Some sad ‘awws’ erupt from the girls and Laurie looks at you suspiciously.
“What, are you afraid of the dark?”, David jeers as you say your goodbyes.
“No, I just have work tomorrow.”, you grimace.
he responds with a hum of acknowledgement before laughing.
“Hate to see you go, but love to watch you leave.”
You give him a good natured punch in the shoulder before waving to everyone and heading out.
Approaching your car once more, you can see Michael’s silhouette in the backseat and gulp. Sliding in and starting the car like normal, you try not to look back, but in the mirror you see the shadowed eyes watching you.
It’s easy to imagine how vulnerable you are to him in the backseat. The ride home is awkward, but only for you.
#Slashers#slasher x reader#Michael Myers#michael myers x reader#male reader#trans writers#choking curiosity#alcohol tw#but its just a beer mention
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She Freak
Oh, boy, this is going to be a fucking delight. If the 1932 movie Freaks were Invasion of the Saucer Men, She Freak would be Attack of the The Eye Creatures. Freaks is a very troubling movie, but it does go to great effort to present the denizens of the sideshow as human beings who can be loving, greedy, heartbroken, or naïve as much as anyone else, and who find family in each other when the rest of the world rejects them – and must be very careful who they let into that club. The horror of the story is derived as much from their predicament as from the fate of Cleopatra. She Freak is… not like that.
A woman named Jade Cochrane works at a little diner somewhere in the south, quietly (and sometimes not-so-quietly) enduring sexual harassment from both the customers and her married boss. Wanting more out of life, she quits her job and goes looking for work at a passing carnival, which she figures will at least allow her to travel. From there she sets her sights on marrying Steve St. John, the owner of the freak show and the richest man connected with this community. Unfortunately for everybody around her, even this very moderate form of power corrupts Jade to the core, and after too much of her mistreatment, the sideshow stars take a horrible revenge!
The opening sequence is a bunch of carnival footage in which everybody looks bored, worryingly reminiscent of both Carnival Magic and MUZ. Even worse, quite a bit of it is shot by somebody sitting on a moving ferris wheel or other midway ride. I’ve never been able to enjoy midway rides because I get motion sickness (I can’t see J. J. Abrams movies in theatres for the same reason), so this was not a fun experience for me, even on my tiny laptop screen. It goes on way too long, and most of it doesn’t even have any credits over it. Crow would have fled to go throw up in a corner.
The moment I knew She Freak belonged on MST3K, however, is this shot:
What the hell does that sign say? YHJCY A+ FTJB? What does it mean? Is it an acronym? A secret code? An in-joke? A message to or from aliens? That would have fascinated Mike and the ‘bots. They’d have built a whole host sketch around that sign.
She Freak is tooth-rattlingly bad in many different ways. I don’t know what any of the people in it think they’re doing but it sure isn’t acting. It’s relentlessly padded, full of pointless footage of putting the midway up, taking the midway down, putting the midway back up again, and carnival-goers wandering around looking dazed. At one point we have to watch a stripper do her act, to a chorus of background hooting and applause that sure isn’t coming from the bored-to-shit audience we see. Most of the film feels like nothing is happening, and then what ought to have been the entire plot is crammed into the last fifteen minutes.
The one place where there is a glimmer of competence is in a couple of quite nice directing choices. There’s a scene where Jade leaves her new husband with his buddies and sneaks off to bang the guy who runs the ferris wheel, Blackie (don’t worry, he’s white. She Freak has a little person called ‘Shorty’, but to my relief it wasn’t tasteless enough to cast a character named ‘Blackie’ as an African American) that makes a very good use of shadows to tell us what’s going on in two places at once. Pity the film stock is so crappy it almost ruins it. I also liked how Jade’s scenes with Blackie have proper dialogue, while Steve woos her in a series of montages. Jade wants to spend time with Blackie, while her marriage to Steve is something she goes through the motions of and gets out of the way.
She Freak really has no right to tout itself as a remake of Freaks, for the simple reason that it isn’t even about the sideshow. The older movie had characters like Hans the dwarf and Daisy and Violet the conjoined twins, who were people with relationships and roles in the plot. In She Freak we never even see the sideshow that so upsets Jade in an early scene. There’s Shorty, the little guy in a cowboy hat who works for the carnival, but when we see him he’s acting like he’s Steve’s friend and assistant rather than one of the exhibits. An armless woman and a few people in funny makeup appear at the climax, but we’ve never seen them before and we have no idea who they are. Where the hell is the ‘Alligator Girl’ the banners promised?
It’s probably all for the best. If there had been any ‘unusual people’ with major roles in the movie it would doubtless have treated them in a disgusting and exploitative manner. But what’s on screen shouldn’t even pretend to be a remake of Freaks.
As the owner of the sideshow, Steve insists that he cares about his employees and considers them ‘human beings, just like you and me’. He tells Jade that many of them came from abusive homes, and that in his show they’re able to earn a living and be around others who won’t judge them. This is a reasonably noble sentiment, but what we are subsequently shown is somewhat at odds with it. Steve says his employees are also his friends, but he hangs out and plays cards with the other carnies, not with them. When Shorty tells him that Jade is cheating on him, Steve slaps him like he would a misbehaving child. This is not how people treat friends and equals.
You may have guessed where this is heading: in one of my favourite running complaints, yep, we have nobody to root for in this movie. We’re probably supposed to like Steve, but he’s bland and his actions don’t agree with his words insisting he’s a nice, compassionate guy. The character from whose point of view we see the events is of course Jade, but Jade is the villain of the movie and we’re watching it to see her hubris destroy her. That means the protagonists ought to be the sideshow people themselves, but since we never actually meet them, their revenge is meaningless. In this context they are not human beings, they are not characters, they are merely what Jade has been calling them all along: monsters.
(Shorty, by the way, is played by Felix Silla, who is the closest thing this movie has to a star. He was Cousin Itt on the Addams Family TV show.)
She Freak presents us with several reasons why we ought to dislike Jade. She’s introduced working at the greasy little diner, where she turns down a date first with a customer and then with her boss. The customer accepts this gracefully but the boss does not. The scene tries to show us Jade as an uppity bitch who thinks she’s too good for other people, but her boss is such a slimy toad that we have to take her side. She tells us how her mother married too young and lost any chance at her own dreams, and while Claire Brennan is a terrible actress, the story is one that inspires sympathy. When Jade seizes on the carnival as her chance for escape she becomes downright pathetic. I mean, how awful is your life if a travelling midway and sideshow seems like a step up in the world?
Of course, as the movie continues we find that Jade really is just a snotty bitch whose idea of ‘getting more out of life’ is having a rich husband to carry her bags when she goes shopping. She sees others only as what they can provide to her – Steve for money, Blackie for sex. This attitude blinds her to others’ true intentions. She is entirely oblivious to the fact that Blackie is an abusive bastard or that Steve honestly loves her. The lesson of the movie seems to be ‘beware of women who want more out of life.’ She should have known her place!
This is a pretty nasty attitude towards women but there are other female characters who are treated a bit better. Pat the stripper tried marriage and domesticity and didn’t like it. She seems to enjoy working at the carnival and is gregarious and kind-hearted. We’re invited to leer at her performance but she’s presented as much less trashy than Jade, who considers herself above such things. Pat continues to try to be a friend to Jade for as long as she can, and keeps giving her second chances long after it should be obvious that Jade isn’t interested in reciprocating her kindness. There’s also Olga the fortune-teller, who needed to support herself after her husband died. The three of them even manage to have conversations that pass the Bechdel test. In a movie called She-Freak that’s almost impressive.
The ending of She Freak is the only place where it really even seems inspired by Freaks. The sideshow employees take their revenge on Jade, and we see her on display in the sideshow, licking a snake and wearing some unconvincing Harvey Dent makeup. This is supposed to feel like justice, in that she has become what she most hated, but it’s been so watered down by the movie’s refusal to humanize the sideshow, or even to show us Jade interacting with them at all, that it has no power to horrify. It’s a big letdown after the opening scene that promised us a horrible freak that was once a human being. Why does her burned side have an elf ear?
Invasion of the Saucer Men was not a good movie, at all, but it still deserved better than Attack of the The Eye Creatures. It’s up for debate whether Freaks was technically ‘good’ but it was an ambitious film with much to say about how human beings treat one another and about the eugenics movement of the 1930s. In fact, the US National Film Registry considers Freaks one of the most significant films ever made, and it currently boasts a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. The fact that writer David Friedman claimed She Freak was a remake of Freaks just proves that, like the audiences who booed that film in 1932, he never bothered to understand it.
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