"Lighten up!" Davey returned. "No one died."
"Oh, is that what you're aimin' for? Go on, call me a coward. Call me a quitter. Ain't no way I am putting them kids back in danger."
"We're doing something that's never been done before! How can that not be dangerous?"
"Specs brought me note from Crutchie at the Refuge. I tried to see him. Went around back and climbed up the fire escape. They busted him up so bad, he couldn't even come to the window. Now what if he don't make it? Are you willin' to shoulder that for half a penny a pape?"
"It's not about the pennies! You said it yourself. My family wouldn't be in the mess we're in if my father had had a union. This is a fight we have to win!"
"If I wanted a sermon, I woulda shown up for church."
--
Jack (spoken):
There ain't no way I am puttin' them kids back in danger.
Davey:
Tell me how quitting does Crutchie any good.
Jack didn't answer.
Davey:
Exactly. So...
Davey (sung):
Here's how it goes:
Once we win, and we will be winning, make no mistake-
Jack:
We'll be what?
Davey:
We're already winning.
Jack:
Right!
Davey:
And we'll tell 'em straight out they let Crutchie go or they keep getting pounded!
Jack:
Dave, what the hell- did they bust up your brains or somethin'?
Jack:
As I recall Dave, we all got our asses kicked. They won!
Davey:
Won the battle.
Jack:
Come on!
Davey:
Jackie, think about it: we got them surrounded!
Jack:
Here's what I think: Joe's a jerk, he's a rattlesnake!
Davey:
You're right. And you know why a snake starts to rattle?
Jack:
No, why?
Davey:
'Cause he's scared.
Jack:
Sure.
Davey:
Go and look it up, the poor guy's head is spinning.
Why would he send for the goons- an entire army?
Dozens of goons and the cops and-
Jack:
You know you may be right...
Davey:
Thank you, God!
Jack:
If he wasn't afraid-
Davey:
Exactly.
Jack:
Huh.
Davey and Jack:
He knows we're winning!
Davey, Katherine, Ellie and Les:
Get those kids to see we're circling victory and watch what happens!
Davey, Ellie, Jack, Katherine and Les:
We're doing something no one's even tried,
And yes, we're terrified, but watch what happens!
Jack:
You can't undo the past,
Davey:
So just move on
Davey and Ellie:
And stay on track
Les:
Stay on track
Davey, Ellie, Jack, Katherine and Les:
'Cause Humpty Dumpty is about to crack!
Katherine and Ellie:
We've got faith,
Davey:
We've got the plan,
Les:
And we've got Jack!
Jack, Ellie, Davey, Katherine and Les:
So just watch what happens: we're back!
With that, we did the newsie handshake, and Davey grimaced slightly. Get used to it, bud.
Les (spoken):
And I've got a date!
Jack smacked Les with his cap, which caused Les to push Jack as Davey rolled his eyes at Les's comment and Jack's actions.
YOU ARE READING
The Last Rose of Summer
Historical FictionIn 1899, two aspiring reporters get caught up in one of the biggest events of their time; a newsboy strike. Eleanor, Ellie, and her friend aim to be more than vaudeville reporters, and when opportunity comes their way, they immediately jump on it...
