Flower Cart

[Administrator]

Need to buy some flowers for a special someone? Want to a place to sell some papes guaranteed to be busy?

[Warden Snyder]

Usual patrol, nothing too interesting going on. He was looking for people causing trouble, small children stealing apples, anything, as usual. And watching out for particularly important people as well. As he glanced around corners into allies he would usually just see a cat or two, someone homeless, or old trash cans scattered about, nothing too interesting. The good news was, the weather was nice enough to day to go out walking. Which meant that all the trouble makers would be out causing trouble. Perfect day to catch someone doing something wrong.

Spotting the flower cart he walked over to it and glanced down at the flowers. He quickly however turned on his heel and walked past. Flowers had no point. They whither, die, and only last a while. What was the point? He walked down the street keeping eyes peeled as usual, and whistle in his hand. He kept his hands in his pocket, and he was prepared to blow it at a moment’s notice. Which would instantly send any police man in the area to him to his defense, and to his assist. So, he was prepared for anything. His eyes seemed to shift without even needing him to turn his head, or at least not much. He believed he could see just about everything, and that was the way he liked it.

[Collin Russiani]

Particularly important people. Well, Collin certainly fit that bill, unless Snyder forgot him. Which he really didn't think he would, not ever probably. And it made him smile even as he purposely turned down the street, walking towards the other man with a smirk on his face, partially shadowed by his new hat. The Warden had chased him up and down New York more times than anyone could probably count, and had only managed to catch him a few times. He would be the first to admit that he'd been caught by Snyder a time or two in his day. But he'd never managed to hold him. Collin, or rather Red, was quite adept at weaseling through even the smallest of loopholes. And, for all his bravado, and police whistle, Snyder's work was nothing but loopholes.

There were other reasons to hate him, of course, not all of it had to do with the newsies as a whole. Some of it was quite personal, though Collin wasn't out to entirely humiliate the man. Not today. Maybe tomorrow. Today was just... him saying hi. And that's exactly what he did when he got close enough, tipping his hat back a little, amused smirk still in place. "Good day, Warden."

[Warden Snyder]

"Afternoon," the Warden said as he nodded his head to the passerby. Then suddenly stopped. Past images began flashing through his head of that annoying smile, that flashing red hair... but different hat. He stopped and instantly turned around to catch a look at the back of him. And he was correct, he'd know it anywhere.

"Pardon me," he called after him. The warden knew his name... well at least what the newsies called him. They would always call it to him as he was getting close to somewhere safe, or calling out for help, or any of the other things one might call out for when their leader was present, as well as the Warden. Oh he knew of all the Newsie leaders, they were spoken of enough, but all the same... didn't mean he'd caught them all. One or two, always seemed to slip out. For example, Snyder had never been able to catch Prince, but he was on his list, and unfortunately Boxcar, a former Bronx leader had managed to evade him in the years he was leader as well. Course... it was difficult when it seemed that the boys did nothing wrong, he had no reason to chase them.

But Red? He'd caught Red more than once. But the kid kept getting out. "Red." he simply said. Though it wasn't the kind of welcoming Red had received elsewhere in New york by far. The impressed tone wasn't there, the amazed feeling of a friend returning, ghostly absent. When Snyder called to him it was nothing but a statement... and a challenge.

[Collin Russiani]

It was really quite a surprise when the Warden passed right on by, with nothing more than a simple nod, and Collin bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing himself silly. He'd done much the same years ago when he was a leader, often causing diversions for the newsies because if there was anyone Snyder was guaranteed to chase around for hours, it was Red. He made sure to give him plenty of reasons to, and every one of his diversions had worked. It was something he was immensely proud of.

Ah. There it was. "Can I help you, Warden?" He grinned, turning on his heel and pushing the cap back even more. Oh yes he knew his name. At least the only one he'd ever been privileged to learn. Collin might give him his real name, to taunt him with the fact that he had never, ever, actually feared him or what he could do, but he most likely wouldn't. It was a secret he'd kept for a long time. Snyder had no idea who he really was. Just the ghost from Brooklyn.

"Snyder." He smiled at him pleasantly. "Out for a stroll? Lovely weather we're having. Oh! Have you seen any good films lately?" It was obvious he was taunting him, rocking back on his heels like the runaway he was. He could go from a standstill to running in seconds, if he wanted to, but he didn't, just stood there, rocking back and forth and grinning.

[Warden Snyder]

Yes, that annoying smile. That annoying, taunting smile, and those green eyes. Good thing the boy had turned around, or he would have blown the whistle on him there and then. He stared straight into Red's eyes and didn't shift at all. Didn't sway, but held his ground. He wasn't smiling, he didn't find this amusing in the least. Who did this child think he was messing with. If he was trying to distract him from something, it wasn't going to work. He would keep looking over his shoulder this entire conversation. He wasn't letting this kid get the best of him anymore.

"I haven't seen you lately, boy," he said sizing him up. He looked a little to clean, and dressed a little too nicely for Snyder to not ask questions. Oh yes, Red was a very important person to Snyder, one of the most important, but at the same time, he had to watch it. It had been a very long time, hence the reason he was wary of simply blowing the whistle and having every cop on the block on him at once. "Where have you been?" It was a very serious question. And he expected an honest and serious answer. What he wanted to know is where he'd been hiding. After all, depending on how old red was now, it wasn't going to be the refuge anymore, now it was Jail... and the Warden believed that he would be just fine with this one behind bars for a while, a good long while.

[Collin Russiani]

Hey, hey now. What was wrong with his eyes? They were a perfectly acceptable pair of green eyes. Pretty and everything. Snyder was just jealous. Or, you know, it could just be the fact that he'd never really gotten to see them for long before all he got to see was Collin's back, disappearing through twists and turns, leading him deeper and deeper into Brooklyn. And that. Oh that had always been the best. His boys, and girls, could always take care of the man, and that's where he usually led him. There were times he escaped through Manhattan, or the Bronx, but he never, ever, led him through Queens. It was too risky. But he wasn't running now, he was standing facing him, amused whereas Snyder wouldn't so much as crack a smile. Not unless Red was in handcuffs. Which he was not.

"Likewise. I almost missed you." He frowned, rocking a bit more and letting his eyes travel down the other man critically. "You look like you're gaining a little weight, Warden, has no one led you on your daily exercises lately? I'll have to speak to someone about that." Dressed nicely? These were his throwaway clothes practically, comfortable casual clothing that he had for walks, but he supposed it counted as nicer than his usual newsie gear. It was certainly cleaner. "All over the place. Jersey, Mass, Philly." He smirked and shrugged a shoulder, eyes glittering under his cap. "I own McGinty's pub now, down in Brooklyn. Maybe you've heard of it." Oh, Collin was certainly old enough to be put in Jail, no refuge for him, but it wasn't going to happen.

[Warden Snyder]

At the insult Snyder took a step forward. A warning, in his mind... the unfortunate fact, probably nothing but a joke to the other. However, the Warden was not playing games, or telling Jokes, and he was not in the mood for his antics. However, he had to stop when Red said that he owned the pub in Brooklyn now. Snyder thought it must be a lie, but the more he thought of it, the more truthful it could be. The boy was always running around Brooklyn, and Snyder was not a fan of going into Brooklyn alone. Even he knew that it wasn't that safe down there. Especially for a lone lawman.

Damn... can't arrest a business man, and he wasn't pleased that he couldn't either. When he'd been a newsie, no one would have cared beyond the other newsies, of course. But now that he had obligations as an adult people would notice he was gone and ask for charges and explanations. He'd have to start doing a little digging, and finding out about Red. There would probably be kids in Brooklyn who would know... he just had to get his hands on them, and from there he could probably handle the rest. He stared at Red. "Yes, I believe so," he said. He was civil enough to answer the boy's questions after all. What he wouldn't give to lock him up right then and there. Finally get some satisfaction out of the childish game that Red had been playing with him for years. He never was very fond of games.

[Collin Russiani]

Truthfully? It was a joke. It had always been a joke. Sure, if Collin broke the law there was the ever real possibility that he could get in serious trouble for it; he was an adult after all. In age, if not in actions. But he'd never feared Snyder and he certainly didn't fear him now. Hell, he'd lead him through the city now if he wanted to. Let him blow that whistle, it wouldn't do him any good. And what was he going to do? Walk into McGinty's and arrest him? For what? Antagonizing? Bullying? Oh the shit that would fly from Collin's mouth with that one. If they wanted to talk about bullying, he'd talk, and they wouldn't like what he said. He was an adult now, he wasn't just a newsie with no voice. He could be heard. And he would be. If it came to that.

Lone lawmen, sure, but Snyder? He wouldn't last three feet into Brooklyn, if he managed to make the first two. Those borders were pretty much closed to him unless he came with a group of police and even then, it wasn't all that safe. No, no he could not. Not without just cause, and Collin knew that very well. He wasn't giving the Warden any reason to get him arrested, though it took all the control he had not to tease him a little. He wouldn't be able to catch him, that was for sure."You should stop by for a drink sometime." He grinned, pleasantly enough, but he knew the other wouldn't do it. Not alone, at least. Grabbing Brooklyn kids to get to him? Oh he would kill the Warden for that one. If it ever happened.

[Warden Snyder]

The Warden had every intention to monitor that place.... he would notify the men who patrolled Brooklyn, the few who were tough enough to do so... and h=they'd make sure they'd notify him if there was any trouble breaking out in the bar. He knew he could catch this kid at something. Giving alcohol to children perhaps, unlawful organized fights maybe? Knowing the situation... there were too many options, and too many things that could go wrong. Red couldn't be there all the time... apparently. He'd find the weak spot and exploit it yet.

One way or another this kid would lose, he would see to it. You couldn't run forever, he knew it. "I just might do that," he said with a small smile on his face. "If that's your invitation." Perhaps he'd go look at this place himself... with a few other officers just so as not to go into Brooklyn alone, into a bar, filled with people who wouldn't mind a word with him.

However, just down the street Prince had been walking through Manhattan. It had been a long time since she'd ventured out, and she had been in a music store just a few short minutes ago. As walking down the street she spotted Red. She lifted an arm to wave to him but froze in mid step. Then backed up and ran around the corner as quick as lightning. She'd never run so fast in her life. She slammed her back against an ally wall and breathed heavily. She panicked. What was going on? What was Red doing? ...she hadn't seen the Warden in years... just the thought of what could happen right now was almost enough to make her cry... she hid in the alley way a few more moments trying to compose herself.

[Collin Russiani]

He could, certainly, but Collin was going to be expecting it, and he'd take the proper measures to make sure the Warden wouldn't find anything. He'd talk to his employees, talk to the kids that usually frequented the place. He didn't sell to minors, regardless, but he'd warn them about behaving if they thought they were being watched. And, it physically hurt, but he was going to have to tell Prince not to come to the pub. She could ignore him, of course, but it was a risk. A very big risk. She usually stayed in disguise anyway, unless they were in the back, but what happened if something slipped? What happened if she was exposed? Sure, among their own it wasn't a big deal. She just laughed it off, and those who didn't know already, found out, but he wouldn't, would not, allow her to be found out because of him.

He'd give himself to Snyder before that happened.

"Certainly. A drink on the house." Collin's smile never once slipped, and he leaned up on his heels a bit more. "But, Warden, I have to insist you not come to cause a scene. This is, after all, my place of business." Nice enough words, but there were plenty of people that would have words with Snyder if he tried to best Red in such a public, and well known, place. Newsie gossip was the fastest there was, and it would be all over the city before they'd even left Brooklyn. He opened his mouth to add to his comment when he saw her out of the corner of his eye and his heart leapt to his throat. He would have warned her, somehow, but she apparently saw because she was gone in an instant, faster than he'd ever seen her move, and he forced himself to stay calm, not to give anything away. Because if the Warden even tried to go in that direction he would have to do something drastic, and for once, Collin didn't have any plan whatsoever.

[Warden Snyder]

He didn't falter, the strange smile was still on his face. He simply nodded to the boy slightly. "Of course not. I wouldn't dream of it." The truth of the fact is that he was not going to be one to come and cause trouble. Why would he? Why would that be a good idea? He didn't want to get himself in trouble after all... but he was sure he could find come cop to go undercover. Besides, who was his great friend the judge going to believe, a former newsie, or him?

He made a mental note to write down some of these ideas. The truth of the matter is, McGinty's only had to screw up once, and so long as it was big enough, Snyder could get this boy yet. Even if there was a bar fight, or very loud fighting, or anything where the peace was disturbed... he could always... enhance the situation, perhaps improve it to his advantage. So long as the streets were safe, was truth really the goal? Perhaps they could even make it seem as though Red's place of business was a place where other business happened as well. He'd have to contemplate this later.

Prince finally got oxygen back in her body, but she had to make sure everything was still going okay. She couldn't just leave Red there to die... she couldn't, she wouldn't allow herself to be so heartless, not when he'd been so nice. She slid her head around the corner of the building and simply saw the two men still talking... wait talking? Why was red talking to the Warden? She kept watching.

"I'm sure I'll be around to visit some time or other... keep a table open for me," he said with a wider smile, slightly frightening in it's appearance. He started to turn around to go back to the patrol he'd been on. In the direction of Prince who was still hiding in the alley way, whose mind was reeling at the scene that was happening before her. She ducked back behind the wall when she saw the Warden move. Oh God... had he seen her?

[Collin Russiani]

It was a very sadistic smile, but it didn't hold up in Brooklyn, and Collin had been around the Warden for too long to let it bother him. He just grinned back and nodded. "I'm glad." Oh, of course, and he'd be nice and ready for any potential undercover men that seem to find their way into his establishment. He'd treat them well, make sure nothing happens, and they can go back to Snyder with a hangover and absolutely nothing to report on besides Collin's fine liquor.

Collin had always outsmarted him before. Why not again? Snyder could get them for every single misdemeanor, but without proof he couldn't really put Collin away for any real length of time. Even his good friend the judge couldn't make miracles happen. He could only stretch the law so far before it broke, and Lord have mercy on the Warden if it broke on Collin. Because he would take that man down any way he could. Legally... was what he'd aim for, but if it didn't work, well. There was always the law of Brooklyn to think about.

"Of course." He nodded, expecting it all to end, and glad of it too, so he could ask Prince what the hell she was doing. But then he saw her move, just a flash of a form he knew was hers, and for the second time he felt frozen. Before the instinct was to cause a scene, a diversion, but he couldn't. He couldn't, wouldn't dare. Not now. "Hey, Warden?" He purposely pitched his voice a little louder than normal, so Prince could hear. Just loud enough. "Just wondering... What's your plan? Do you plan on calling me Red for the rest of my life?" Move your ass, Prince.

[Warden Snyder]

Her eyes shot open. She could hear Red all the way down here... he was talking again. She could hear the tone in his voice... and she wondered why he was talking more? What more could there possibly be to say? However, she knew Red very well. She peaked out of the alley, barely at all.

The warden looked towards Red over his shoulder. "Would you care to tell me your name?" he asked as he turned to face the boy fully once more. He was a little confused at what Red's goal was. After all, he'd find the newsie's name out sooner or later. "Or would you prefer to tell me the names of some of your friends? Or would that go against one of your newsboy rules?" He did find it odd that he'd brought it up out of no where, but the Warden was growing irritated and impatient with the boy, and was ready for this conversation to be over so that he could get back to work, rather than loitering around here getting nothing accomplished.

When Prince saw the man fully turn around she ran. Fast. Down the street to the next corner block and didn't stop until she was at the Queens/Manhattan boarder... on the Queens side. Where she nearly collapsed being out of breath. Instead she just started walking quickly. This was why she never left Queens.

[Collin Russiani]

He was talking to give her the time to get away. If the Warden saw a newsie running from him he'd think it suspicious, and if he followed her... then they'd have to get drastic and Collin really didn't feel like getting drastic right now. So semi-drastic would have to do for the time being. Giving her enough time to run was the only goal here. And once he was sure Snyder was gone he'd double back to Queens and find her, shake her, and probably hug her until her ribs cracked. This was... actually... quite a scary moment.

"Come now, Warden, newsboy rules? You know you're the only reason we have rules at all. We were generally nice and happy before you came into our lives and brightened it up with sunshine and puppy dogs." As far as Collin was concerned, the only good thing that came from this man was the woman he was watching run away. And not a second too soon. She knew what he was doing. Good girl. "I'll give you one name, and you can do what you will. Is it mine, is it someone else? Who knows." He grinned, leaning forward on his heels. "Michael." He grinned before turning on his heel, moving off into the opposite direction, as easy as you please, his hands shoved in his pockets though the only thing he wanted to do was run, run and run until he got to Queens. And then quickly walk to wherever she was.