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Post by aqua on Aug 17, 2008 17:19:58 GMT -5
"You said Prince is around here a lot?"
Aqua looked back at David, and then looked back around the Front Gate. "Yeah, she is usually." She kept looking around for Prince then heard someone behind them say something.
"You could say that. Can I help you David?"
Smiling at David, Aqua turned around and said, "Heya Prince, how's it rollin'?" I noticed Prince was wondering why David was here, since he never usually was in Queens...so she turned around expectantly waiting for David to answer Prince.
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Post by davidjacobs on Aug 17, 2008 20:49:31 GMT -5
"Yeah, she is usually."
David nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets and squinting up at the Journal building. He hoped Prince wandered along soon. Things were already looking pretty grim.
"Can I help you, David?"
Speak of the devil. “Hello, Prince,” David said, turning around. “I was hoping I could talk to you about the price hike.” He thought it would be best to get straight to business. “I wanted to know how your newsies are taking it. Has there been any muttering about a strike?” He carefully didn’t mention Jack. There was no need to rehash painful memories.
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Post by Prince on Aug 18, 2008 0:31:54 GMT -5
She figured as much. Davey had never really been much for small talk had he? Preferred to get straight to the point. He had always been smart like that.
"Nothin' much," she said rather flatly. Something was obviously ticking her off, and most likely it was the price hike. "From what I hear around here they... they just been makin' due, whether they like it or not. Frankly, I'm not sure that I'm opposed to them doin' that. A honest livin' is an honest livin', and prices are bound ta go up sooner or later, and we may just need ta face the fact that there ain't too awful much we can do about it. Not too awful much anyone can do about it," she added. It was her recently formed opinion, and she had her reasonings for it.
"And what about you Davey? And what about Manhattan for that matter. I'm a bit outta the loop as far as strike matters are concerned," she stated. "I'm a bit outta the loop period." Maybe that was her reason for being ticked off. Who knew, except for Prince herself.
In reality, the reason she was angry was a bit more in depth than the simple price hike, or seeming being uninformed. Her reason for anger was because she was sure they'd been beat, because somethings were inevitable, whether she or anyone else liked it or not. And maybe she was starting to come to terms with that.
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Post by aqua on Aug 18, 2008 13:58:47 GMT -5
“I was hoping I could talk to you about the price hike.”
Aqua was suprised, she didn't know that David was very straight out with conversations like this, but she decided to just stay out at let David do what he needed to do. Being grateful for bringing him here, it was best to not say anything.
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Post by davidjacobs on Aug 20, 2008 10:29:30 GMT -5
"From what I hear around here they... they just been makin' due, whether they like it or not. Frankly, I'm not sure that I'm opposed to them doin' that. A honest livin' is an honest livin', and prices are bound ta go up sooner or later, and we may just need ta face the fact that there ain't too awful much we can do about it. Not too awful much anyone can do about it,"
David nodded. “I know what you mean, Prince. I just worry about the kids who can’t make it. The ones who can’t buy papers.” Sure, most kids would survive somehow, but then there were the kids who would be reduced to stealing and the kids who would just end up half-starved, dying in a gutter somewhere. “There has to be something we can do for them.” He ran a hand wearily through his hair. It had been a long day. “Maybe we can get the cost of the lodging houses lowered or organize some sort of meal program for the kids who can’t afford to eat.” David looked up at Prince. “I’m not saying anything will work for sure, but we have to do something, don’t we?”
"And what about you Davey? And what about Manhattan for that matter. I'm a bit outta the loop as far as strike matters are concerned. I'm a bit outta the loop period."
David winced at Prince’s sharp tone. Animosity already. Great. “I’ve only heard a little, but except for Spot, it seems that most of the leaders are cautious about striking. I’m not sure myself yet; I just know that something has to be done.” He glanced over at Aqua, but the girl was just watching him quietly, waiting for him to make his point. “First of all, we have got to talk to Pulitzer and try to negotiate. Then…” He shrugged. “Then your guess is as good as mine.”
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Post by Prince on Aug 21, 2008 23:44:31 GMT -5
"There has to be something we can do for them. Maybe we can get the cost of the lodging houses lowered or organize some sort of meal program for the kids who can’t afford to eat. I’m not saying anything will work for sure, but we have to do something, don’t we?”
"Davey, we can do all sorts a things..." she sighed slightly. She looked a little defeated. "If we ask the owners of the lodgin' houses to lower prices then they lose money, the houses can't stay together, let alone open, and b'fore anyone can do much about it they'll be condemned and we'll be out on our ear faster than a blinkin' eye." She sighed and shook her head. "As for the meal program? You find me a place or someone who'll fund somethin' like that... and maybe you'll have somethin'. The thing is everything costs money Davey. Kids like us who make a few cents a day?" In all honesty, Prince was beginning to think kids like them would be better off in an orphanage, or in a factory than on the streets peddling papers. "Our chances is runnin' out, jus like our options."
It was a little sad really. Prince used to be rather optomistic, and idealistic. Seems recently she developed a sense of realism and times changing, people changing. Most likely, she, like the other leaders, and many of the other children in New York were growing up and realizing the world is even harder than they had thought... which was all together upsetting, considering the world hadn't been the best to them already.
“First of all, we have got to talk to Pulitzer and try to negotiate. Then… your guess is as good as mine.”
"So... Spot wants another strike, but Dodger and Jack want nothin' to do with it huh?" she thought about it. It was an odd yet interesting situation. She wasn't sure how to take it. Especially since Jack and Davey had been so critical in the strike the first time around.
Prince thought about what Flanna had said about the Thieves being in town... and how they were looking for young and innocent children to prey on. So kids would stay newsies, and starve on a strike, or starve on a price hike... but the way she saw it, a strike would keep them together if nothing else, it would unite them, while dodging the situation would simply tear them apart. Her logic was running on high that day it seemed. "I think I'd strike Dave," she said looking him straight in the eye. "If Jack or Dodger, or Spot or anyone wants ta know what my opinion on the matter is? You tell 'em that if we're striking that you've got Queens in on it for sure," she wanted to keep her kids united, and this would be the best way. "And if we ain't gonna strike, you tell them to come ta me themselves with their reasonin'." While she was at it, she wouldn't mind speaking to Spot either. She was torn between uniting the newsies, and times and people changing, and speaking to Spot might help her get her mind together, she figured. She looked at Davey, and looked at him expecting an interesting response.
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Post by aqua on Aug 23, 2008 9:44:11 GMT -5
(OOC: Go ahead and post for a while, Aqua is only watching.  ) |
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Post by davidjacobs on Aug 23, 2008 10:45:18 GMT -5
[OOC: All right, sounds good!]
David kicked angrily at a patch of dust at his feet. “You’re right, Prince,” he said. “And that’s the problem. It all comes down to money – every damn thing.” He sighed, running a hand across his face. “But kids can’t eat money, Prince. They can’t sleep under it.” David knew his other ideas were hopeless idealism. The only thing that would help the weaker newsies survive was lowering the price of papers. It was the only way.
“We need to negotiate first,” he said. “We need sympathetic faces and a way to get our cause out to the public. Pulitzer won’t want his name dragged in the mud, so we have a chance, but if that fails…” he trailed off, the word “strike” trapped just behind his lips.
You tell 'em that if we're striking that you've got Queens in on it for sure. And if we ain't gonna strike, you tell them to come ta me themselves with their reasonin'."
David smiled for the first time in hours. “Thanks, Prince,” he said. “I’ll tell them. The newsies have to stick together, right?” If they did have to strike, David was glad he would have someone like Prince at his side.
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Post by Prince on Aug 24, 2008 11:59:29 GMT -5
"The newsies have to stick together, right?"
"Exactly," Prince said with a nod. "And since I can't do it alone..." which was annoying to her, "you gotta keep me informed though Davey," she added, meaning every last word. "If we go talkin' to people, startin' things, or doin' something and I don't hear about it, ya can bet I ain't gonna be too happy with youse. And people who I ain't happy with," though it was a rarity, "ain't welcome in Queens, undahstand me?" she asked. The last thing she wanted to do was get blamed for being uninformed when it seemed half the girls of New York, and almost all of the young ones were in her borough. She had them to think of and look out for too. That's why she knew Dave was right, the price hike was gonna hurt the younger kids, and all she could do for now was lend 'em money from her own pocket until they could pay her back, which is what she'd been doing, and keeping record of it too.
"You got plans for this negotiation?" she asked, "or were ya just gonna go in there guns blazing, screamin' and hollerin' until Pulitzer put down his newspaper ta look at ya, an then not listen?" She knew that would be the hard part... getting the old man who was so set in his ways to listen to a bunch of 'lowest class' kids.
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Post by aqua on Aug 24, 2008 13:43:07 GMT -5
"And people who I ain't happy with, ain't welcome in Queens, undahstand me?"
Looking up from the ground at this comment, Aqua took in a breath and was hoping she wouldn't kick David out. Somehow, just in these few hours, Aqua has formed a good bond of friendship with David, and she doesn't want him out of Queens.
Taking her mind of the subject, she glanced at David and smiled a smile that said, 'We can get through it...somehow.'
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Post by davidjacobs on Aug 24, 2008 21:51:21 GMT -5
"If we go talkin' to people, startin' things, or doin' something and I don't hear about it, ya can bet I ain't gonna be too happy with youse. And people who I ain't happy with ain't welcome in Queens, undahstand me?"
“Ah.” David pulled at his collar, feeling suddenly warm and uncomfortable. “Yes, Prince, understood.” He knew Prince had a lot on her mind these days; David could relate. “I’ll tell you as soon as anything important happens, I promise.” The last thing he needed was Prince alienated from the rest of the newsies in New York. Queens was not an independent kingdom, nor was Manhattan or the Bronx or even Brooklyn – though Spot Conlon might think otherwise. “We’re looking for newsies with kind faces and ways with words, do you know any Queens newsies that fit that description?”
"You got plans for this negotiation?" she asked, "or were ya just gonna go in there guns blazing, screamin' and hollerin' until Pulitzer put down his newspaper ta look at ya, an then not listen?"
David chuckled, though he could feel himself almost choking on the laughter. “Well, guns-a-blazing would be exciting, but probably counterproductive.” He ran a hand through his hair, making his curls stand up in wild tufts. “But I think we need to show Pulitzer and his minions the cutest most well-spoken kids we have in our ranks. Let him see the sort of kids that will end up on the front page if he keeps starving us.” He balked when he realized what he had said. “Starving the newsies, I mean.” He wouldn’t starve, even if the price of papers quadrupled, and that made him feel guiltier than he could say.
'We can get through it...somehow.'
David smiled at Aqua. “Exactly,” he said. “We’ll make it through if we stick together.”
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Post by Prince on Aug 25, 2008 15:08:56 GMT -5
"Well spoken? Not so much," she couldn't think of too many Queens newsies who'd go in on this. "Though, recently we had a girl come back ta Queens, Flanna. She's a strong individual, and smart too. She'd be able ta help ya out... if she's willin' to cooperate. Chances are this is gonna hurt her too."
When Dave said cute she knew just who to recommend. "Davey, you want cute, innocent, and partially pathetic at times," she wasn't gonna lie, at times it was true, "you've come ta the right place. Queens is home ta some of the youngest kids in New York. One little boy, name's Jem, he lives in the Queens lodging house. Now, he can stand and look cute for days, but ya gotta watch him, sometimes the kid says stuff b'fore he thinks it through..." she figured she'd warn Dave ahead of time. "But there are all sorts of little kids around here... there's a whole set a sisters, with their youngest about... 6 or so I think? And a few factory kids, but... well that wouldn't do ya much good I guess. You tell me if, where, and when you want these kids, and I can probably get at least one of 'em to lend ya a hand, if ya want it that is. Might even be able ta get a few tears outta 'em," she added with a smirk. Prince was all for helping the cause when she was informed and knew what was going on. In fact, she'd do more than her share if asked too... so long as you kept the girl in the loop!
"Gotta hand it to ya Davey, if you're the one gonna be in charge this time... ya got my support."
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Post by aqua on Aug 25, 2008 23:48:41 GMT -5
"there's a whole set a sisters, with their youngest about... 6 or so I think?"
Aqua's head snapped up. "Sisters? Is dat Connie,Patches, Butterfly, Rainbow, Chatter and Angel?" Connie was one of Aqua very best friends, and she deffinatly thought that if they used Rainbow, Butterfly and Chatter, it would be a crying fest.
Smiling at David brightly, she remembered how Butterfly came up to her and said that she held hands with David's little brother, Les.
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Post by davidjacobs on Aug 26, 2008 0:07:52 GMT -5
"Though, recently we had a girl come back ta Queens, Flanna. She's a strong individual, and smart too. She'd be able ta help ya out... if she's willin' to cooperate. Chances are this is gonna hurt her too."
David nodded, committing the name to memory. “Flanna, got it.” As much as they needed sweet faces to present to the public, some good, strong, stubborn newsies would be needed behind the scenes to help with the scheming. Prince herself would fit that role pretty well. She was one of the toughest people David had ever met.
"Davey, you want cute, innocent, and partially pathetic at times," she wasn't gonna lie, at times it was true, "you've come ta the right place. Queens is home ta some of the youngest kids in New York. One little boy, name's Jem, he lives in the Queens lodging house. Now, he can stand and look cute for days, but ya gotta watch him, sometimes the kid says stuff b'fore he thinks it through..."
David grinned. “Cute, innocent, and especially pathetic is exactly what I’m looking for,” he replied. “The more pathetic, the better.” He smirked humorlessly as he listened to Prince describe Jem. “Sounds a lot like Les,” he said dryly. “Do you think he could manage to look starving and homeless in front of some big shots? There’s nothing planned yet, but that’s what we’re going to aim for.”
"Gotta hand it to ya Davey, if you're the one gonna be in charge this time... ya got my support."
David felt himself blushing and tugged his hat down low on his head to hide it. “Thanks, Prince,” he said gruffly. “I appreciate that.”
"Sisters? Is dat Connie,Patches, Butterfly, Rainbow, Chatter and Angel?"
David blinked at Aqua, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the names. “Connie, Patches, Butterfly – did you say Rainbow?” David shook his head; there would be time to learn names later. “They sound perfect,” he said. “Poor starving little girls are even better than poor starving little boys.” He scowled, cursing his runaway mouth. “For this, I mean,” he amended. “Not in reality. Any starving kid is – Oh, you know what I mean.”
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Post by aqua on Aug 26, 2008 0:18:13 GMT -5
Aqua saw David blush, and she laughed a little bit. She thought it was so cute that teenage boys still blush, but it was normal, everyone did it once in a while.
“Connie, Patches, Butterfly – did you say Rainbow? They sound perfect, Poor starving little girls are even better than poor starving little boys. For this, I mean, Not in reality. Any starving kid is – Oh, you know what I mean.”
Widening her eyes, Aqua started to giggle at how much David babbled. Now, she really understood why Spot named him the Walkin' Mouth. She stopped laughing, but smiled at him to let him know she was just joking.
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(c)Red
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