A Simple Request...

[Houdini]

Houdini knew that Race had said he would talk to Jack for her about her boys going to Irving Hall, but she was extremely impatient. She had been in the neighborhood, (picking something up from a friend) so it was only natural that her feet led her to the Manhattan Newsies Lodging House.

She walked briskly up to the door and flung it open uninvited. She had no shame upon walking right into the lodging house without invitation, and was very confident. She was comfortable there and didn't care that when she came blundering in everyone stopped what they were doing and stared.

"Oy! Jacky Boy!" she called as loud as she could. She sent a glare of death to a newsboy who was looking at her mockingly and he looked back at her as if she was some evil spirit.

"Jack Kelly! COWBOY!" she called again, this time louder. "I need ta talk to ya! If ya don't come down hea' I'm goin' up their!" She threatened.

[Jack Kelly]

"Oy! Jacky Boy!"

Oh, for God's sake, now who wanted him? Jack was feeling as if no one could do anything by themselves anymore. He rose from his card game and walked over to see Houdini. Again, he was expecting bad news...Harlem was in bad shape because of conflict over the leaders.

He nodded to her and approached her casually. "Houdini...anything wrong?" He would rather his newsies hear if there was something up. Otherwise there would be a bit of turmoil if they found out later vicariously.

[Houdini]

"Houdini...anything wrong?"

Houdini rolled her eyes, "Well, don't let me interrupt your card game..." she said sarcastically.

"First question," she began, "Can me boy's use Irvin' Hall?" she asked impatiently. She didn't wait for him to answer as she plummeted straight into the next question; "Also, I need to know who Manhattan's Backing in Harlem." she said, this time more seriously.

She noticed as a hush seemed to fall over the group of normally loud and obnoxious newsies. She put her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows expectantly.