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Post by snake eyes on Sept 9, 2009 16:36:35 GMT -5
Snake Eyes sat on a bench kicking his feet. He roamed around Queens all morning, but had gotten bored so he decided to wander. Later he found himself at the Harlem Train station. He wasn’t going anywhere though. He just found that he liked sitting and watching all the different people.
He saw one man he could tell was a rich just by the clothes he wore, the bright gold watch chain that hung from his pocket, and his huge full belly. Snake Eyes chuckled to himself as one lady got of a train. She had the funniest hat on. Feathers and flowers all over the place; she was a site to see. A nice family boarded the train. He sighed as he saw two bother side by side. He missed his brother. Quickly he stopped himself from thinking about him so that he wouldn’t start to cry. Snake wondered if any of the trains were going to Connecticut where he was from. It didn’t matter anyway; he would never have enough money to go home. Plus what good would it do him; he wasn’t even sure anyone was there.
Snake Eyes stood up and began to walk. The only problem was that the crowd was going one way and him the other. “’scuse me…” he said struggling to push past the people. No one seemed to notice him. Someone’s elbow brushed his head knocking his brown cap to the ground. He bent to pick it up, and was almost pushed down by the passing crowd.
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Post by Goldie on Sept 10, 2009 18:17:16 GMT -5
Goldie Freeman climbed off the train. People avoided her eyes and hurried on. Up until the Mason-Dixon line she had rode in the Colored car, then she was able to switch. She could tell many people weren't happy. Goldie walked towards the luggage claim, ready to grab her rugged baggage.
But she stopped, a boy was going to be crushed by the crowd. Goldie rushed over to him, and yanked him up by the arm. "Are ya alright, youngin?" She asked, her Southern drawl apparent. She gazed at him with kindness, she knew what if felt like to be pushed around.
"I hope nun of these here people hurt ya bad..." Goldie murmured, picking up his fallen hat, shaking it off, and putting it on his head. Goldie smiled and brushed her short hair out of her face.
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Post by snake eyes on Sept 11, 2009 15:33:57 GMT -5
"I hope nun of these here people hurt ya bad..." Goldie murmured, picking up his fallen hat, shaking it off, and putting it on his head. Goldie smiled and brushed her short hair out of her face.
Snake Eyes was thankful the kind lady had stopped to help him up. If she hadn't the crowd surly would have trampled him. He adjusted his hat properly. He then tried to brush the dirt off himself, but it only made him dirtier being that his hands were filthy.
He caught several people around them staring. For the first time he took notice that the girl was African American. It didn't matter to him though. Ever since the day he was born Snake Eyes had been taught to treat everyone equal and as you wanted to be treated.
Snake Eyes stumbled as another person bumped his shoulder. He hated being so small that no one noticed you, but this nice girl had noticed him. Not only that; she had helped him.
"Thank you for saving me," Snake Eyes said reaching out to shake the young womans hand. "My name is Todd, but most people call me Snake Eyes. Not that there are many people who talk to me," he said giving a sad little grin.
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Post by Goldie on Sept 11, 2009 16:39:19 GMT -5
Goldie smiled kindly and brushed some dirt off his shoulders. She tilted her head and brushed another piece, then satisfied she stopped. She looked around, where were the boys parents, she wondered? She pushed it out of her mind and focused as he stumbled. She caught him around the elbow and helped steady him.
"Thank you for saving me," Snake Eyes said reaching out to shake the young womans hand. "My name is Todd, but most people call me Snake Eyes. Not that there are many people who talk to me," he said giving a sad little grin.
"Ya are certainly welcome, young man." Goldie curtsied a little, then shook his hand. She was secretly glad he didn't spit into his hand-she had seen some boys do that when she visited her cousin in Chicago, and it slightly disgusted her.
"My name is Georgia Rae Freeman, but ya may call me Goldie. Snake Eyes, huh? Like in them gamblin' games? My mama caught my oldest brother playin' those gamblin' games when I was young, she beat him so hard." The memory brought a smile to her face. "Now, why won't people talk to ya, ya seem rather nice. Granted, I've only known ya for a few minutes..." She shrugged but smiled anyways, nothing could upset her today-she had been accepted not only as a maid, but she'd been accepted into college!
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Post by snake eyes on Sept 11, 2009 17:20:02 GMT -5
"My name is Georgia Rae Freeman, but ya may call me Goldie. Snake Eyes, huh? Like in them gamblin' games? My mama caught my oldest brother playin' those gamblin' games when I was young, she beat him so hard." The memory brought a smile to her face. "Now, why won't people talk to ya, ya seem rather nice. Granted, I've only known ya for a few minutes..." She shrugged but smiled anyways, nothing could upset her today-she had been accepted not only as a maid, but she'd been accepted into college!
Snake Eyes just laughed. "I used to like gambling, but the thing is I have the worst luck- that's how I got my name- so I stopped wastin' money and gave up on the gambling. Besides I know my brother wouldn't like it if I gambled too much," Snake eyes frowned thinking of Levi. "Well it just seems as though every other young kid like me has got a friend already and I get pushed to the side. Then, ya got the older boys that don't got time to bother with me. So I wander around playing this here harmonica," he pulled the old harmonica out of his pocket and smiled.
"Ya comin' or ya goin'?" Snake Eyes asked Goldie as he pointed to the train.
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Post by Goldie on Sept 11, 2009 18:31:44 GMT -5
Snake Eyes just laughed. "I used to like gambling, but the thing is I have the worst luck- that's how I got my name- so I stopped wastin' money and gave up on the gambling. Besides I know my brother wouldn't like it if I gambled too much," Snake eyes frowned thinking of Levi. "Well it just seems as though every other young kid like me has got a friend already and I get pushed to the side. Then, ya got the older boys that don't got time to bother with me. So I wander around playing this here harmonica," he pulled the old harmonica out of his pocket and smiled.
"Ooo, I know what cha mean, them girls back home never wanted to talk to me, they thought they was high and mighty, ya know?" Goldie said indignantly, thinking of one girl in particular. "My grandpappy had a harmonica like that. I remember him sittin' on the porch teachin' Mason-that's my brother-how to play. Ya any good, boy?" Goldie asked, excited.
"Ya comin' or ya goin'?" Snake Eyes asked Goldie as he pointed to the train.
"I'm comin' and I'm comin' to stay." Goldie nodded proudly. "See, I'm gonna go to college here, and I'm also gonna work as a maid to some rich old lady. I'm the first person in my family to be accepted to college. Especially a college up North. My family's from down South, ya see, and there ain't many opportunites. Even less then up here. My dream is to run my own buisness, I don't know what yet.
"But one day...I'll have my own store and I'll be makin' my own livin'." She sighed dreamily, thinking of her bright and glorious future. "What about ya'll? What's your dream?"
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Post by snake eyes on Sept 11, 2009 19:31:43 GMT -5
My grandpappy had a harmonica like that. I remember him sittin' on the porch teachin' Mason-that's my brother-how to play. Ya any good, boy?" Goldie asked, excited.
"My brother taught me how ta play. He always said I was good, and a few other folks around the city told me the same. Sometimes when times get real tough I stand on the street corners in Queens and play for money," Snake Eyes said smiling. He was quite friendly and talkative if given the chance to be.
"But one day...I'll have my own store and I'll be makin' my own livin'." She sighed dreamily, thinking of her bright and glorious future. "What about ya'll? What's your dream?"
Snake Eyes stared at the sky thinking for a moment. He'd never been asked a question like that before. Part of his mind- the still young and childish part- screamed that having lots of money for games and toys was his dream, but then the other side- the more grown up side- kicked in. "My dream? I guess just to find my brother, and show him the city. He'd like it here. He likes people, and business," Snake Eyes smiled as he pictured his older brother's warm smile.
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Post by Goldie on Sept 11, 2009 20:46:40 GMT -5
"My brother taught me how ta play. He always said I was good, and a few other folks around the city told me the same. Sometimes when times get real tough I stand on the street corners in Queens and play for money," Snake Eyes said smiling. He was quite friendly and talkative if given the chance to be.
"Ain't that a little dangerous, standing on the streets?" Goldie asked, concern crossing her face. This boy reminded her of Giles or Noah or Gabriel or Jasper, he younger brothers. She couldn't imagine her brothers on the streets day after day, they seemed permanently fixed on the farm.
"My dream? I guess just to find my brother, and show him the city. He'd like it here. He likes people, and business," Snake Eyes smiled as he pictured his older brother's warm smile.
"Oh, where is your brother? That's a stupid question innit? If ya knew where he was ya wouldn't be lookin' for him," Goldie shook her head. "That's a nice dream. You're a self-less kid, ya know?"
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Post by snake eyes on Sept 12, 2009 17:06:55 GMT -5
"Ain't that a little dangerous, standing on the streets?" Goldie asked, concern crossing her face. This boy reminded her of Giles or Noah or Gabriel or Jasper, he younger brothers. She couldn't imagine her brothers on the streets day after day, they seemed permanently fixed on the farm.
Snake Eyes saw the concern in her expression. "Not ta me they ain't dangerous. The streets of this city are my home. I sleep on 'em every night and spend my whole day roamin' them," he assured her.
"Oh, where is your brother? That's a stupid question innit? If ya knew where he was ya wouldn't be lookin' for him," Goldie shook her head. "That's a nice dream. You're a self-less kid, ya know?"
"I don't know for sure, but I think he is back up in Connecticut somewhere. That's where I'm originally from. I'll find him someday," Snake eyes said more to reassure himself than anything. 'Self-less' Snake eyes repeated in his mind. He'd never been called that before, and it took him a moment to understand what she meant. "Oh thanks," he replied, "Where does this lady live that you'se got ta work for?"
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Post by Goldie on Sept 12, 2009 17:57:38 GMT -5
Snake Eyes saw the concern in her expression. "Not ta me they ain't dangerous. The streets of this city are my home. I sleep on 'em every night and spend my whole day roamin' them," he assured her.
"That still sounds dangerous to me. Sleepin' and livin' on the streets..." She shook her head. "Never heard of such a thing."
"I don't know for sure, but I think he is back up in Connecticut somewhere. That's where I'm originally from. I'll find him someday," Snake eyes said more to reassure himself than anything. 'Self-less' Snake eyes repeated in his mind. He'd never been called that before, and it took him a moment to understand what she meant. "Oh thanks," he replied, "Where does this lady live that you'se got ta work for?"
"Conneticut? This is the furthest I've ever been up North. I went to Chicago once, but that's a different story. I do hope ya find your brother, kid." Goldie said. "Ya are certainly welcome." Goldie thought for a moment. "Well, she's one of them rich ones, ya know. I imagine someone fat and old, with beady eyes who'll order someone to whip ya if ya don't polish the grapes just right." Goldie grinned. "She's lives near Madison Avenue, in one of them mansions that takes entirely too much space. I have the address somewhere, but..." Goldie shrugged. She had been losing a lot of things lately. "In reality, I'm just glad she accepted my application. That way, I can work and go to school at the same time."
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Post by snake eyes on Sept 12, 2009 19:08:04 GMT -5
"That still sounds dangerous to me. Sleepin' and livin' on the streets..." She shook her head. "Never heard of such a thing."
"There are lots of kids just like me that sleep on the streets of this here city. Mainly all newsies," Snake eyes told Goldie.
"Well, she's one of them rich ones, ya know. I imagine someone fat and old, with beady eyes who'll order someone to whip ya if ya don't polish the grapes just right." Goldie grinned. "She's lives near Madison Avenue, in one of them mansions that takes entirely too much space. I have the address somewhere, but..." Goldie shrugged. She had been losing a lot of things lately. "In reality, I'm just glad she accepted my application. That way, I can work and go to school at the same time."
Snake Eyes wrinkled up his nose, "I hate people like that. Like ya said though; it is good she accepted ya." He looked around. The crowd of people was disappearing, but another would come as soon as the next train rolled in. Now where was that stupid dog. Snake Eyes knew Mud had fallowed him, but he couldn't see him anywhere. Oh wait, there he was sniffing at a suitcase. Snake Eyes whistled. Mud's ears perked up and his tail started wagging. "Here boy," Snake Eyes called. The little Jack Russel pranced over to the boy's side
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Post by Goldie on Sept 12, 2009 20:55:38 GMT -5
"There are lots of kids just like me that sleep on the streets of this here city. Mainly all newsies," Snake eyes told Goldie.
Goldie frowned. How sad! "That's horrible. Boys and girls like ya on the streets. Someone needs to take care of that..." Goldie told him.
"I hate people like that. Like ya said though; it is good she accepted ya." He looked around.
"I don't have an opinion about them either way. As long as I get my pay for my day's work." Goldie said, shrugging. "Oh God! Is that a dog? I'm kinda scared of dogs. One bit me when I was very little, been terrifed ever since," She backed up a step as the dog came to him. "At least it's a little, little one." She said, sighing.
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Post by snake eyes on Sept 13, 2009 8:51:35 GMT -5
"Oh God! Is that a dog? I'm kinda scared of dogs. One bit me when I was very little, been terrified ever since," She backed up a step as the dog came to him. "At least it's a little, little one." She said, sighing.
Snake Eyes bent down to pet Mud, "I would be scared too, but you don't have to worry about Mud here; he won't bite I swear. He's the friendliest critter I know. When I first got here, and had no clue which direction to head in I followed him, and he led me strait to the newsies. After that day he started following me." The dog sniffed Snake Eyes' hand. He felt bad that Mud had frightened the girl. "Ya wanna pet him? He'll like ya if ya scratch his ears," Snake Eyes smiled, and picked up the small dog. The dog was a dirty little thing. Covered in dirt the name Mud suited him well. Snake Eyes-just like every other 11-year-old- didn't notice the dirt.
Another train was coming down the tracks already. A crowd gathered by the tracks preparing to get on board. Snake Eyes watched. He wondered where the people were going and why. He watched as some people climbed off the train. Maybe just maybe his brother would get off of one of the steam trains someday. He could picture it. He'd be sitting, waiting, watching, and then he'd see Levi climb from the train and they would run to each other and hug. Snake Eyes was snapped out of his day dream when the dog tried to lick his face. He chuckled as the whiskers brushed his cheek.
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Post by Goldie on Sept 13, 2009 14:16:49 GMT -5
Snake Eyes bent down to pet Mud, "I would be scared too, but you don't have to worry about Mud here; he won't bite I swear. He's the friendliest critter I know. When I first got here, and had no clue which direction to head in I followed him, and he led me strait to the newsies. After that day he started following me." The dog sniffed Snake Eyes' hand. He felt bad that Mud had frightened the girl. "Ya wanna pet him? He'll like ya if ya scratch his ears," Snake Eyes smiled, and picked up the small dog. The dog was a dirty little thing. Covered in dirt the name Mud suited him well. Snake Eyes-just like every other 11-year-old- didn't notice the dirt.
"Oh, well I guess it couldn't hurt too much," Goldie said, sighing lightly. She reached out only a slightly shaking hand and hovered above the dog. Then she closed her eyes and began to scratch behind its ears. She opened one eye, then the other. "Yeah, he's dirty, but nice." Goldie smiled.
Goldie noticed him look at the train, she looked back too. "I think I know what it means to be waitin' for somethin' that might never come. Everyday I worry that my family will be attacked by the people back home. I dread the day I ever see the Freeman name in a paper." She shook her head. "Though I guess what you're waitin' for is happy, huh?"
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Post by snake eyes on Sept 14, 2009 15:03:47 GMT -5
"Oh, well I guess it couldn't hurt too much," Goldie said, sighing lightly. She reached out only a slightly shaking hand and hovered above the dog. Then she closed her eyes and began to scratch behind its ears. She opened one eye, then the other. "Yeah, he's dirty, but nice." Goldie smiled.
Snake Eyes smiled as Goldie petted the dog. He sat him lightly back on the ground and watched as he trotted away. "See I told ya he was nice," Snake Eyes said.
Goldie noticed him look at the train, she looked back too. "I think I know what it means to be waitin' for somethin' that might never come. Everyday I worry that my family will be attacked by the people back home. I dread the day I ever see the Freeman name in a paper." She shook her head. "Though I guess what you're waitin' for is happy, huh?"
"Yeah it's happy; not probable, but happy," Snake Eyes sighed, "But your family...will they be alright? I don't want 'em to get hurt or nothin'...I know how it is to lose people dear to ya."
"When's this lady ya got to work for expectin' ya?" Snake Eyes asked.
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(c)Street