Toss-Penny Parker

monkeeness66@dunnahoe.com

Full Name: *A boy leaning the back of a chair against a wall greets you* Heya, kid! *He grins and sets the chair back properly on the ground* *Raising his hand in front of his face, he spits in his palm and extends it out to you* *After spit shaking, he sits back in the chair and looks you over* I'm Jacob Parkeh *he shrugs* but da rest a da guys call me eiddeh Toss-Penny 'r' Parkeh. *He smiles and winks, extending his arms and cracking his knuckles* Da goils call me Irresistible. *He laughs* Naw, dey jist call me whateveh. *Puts his hand to his ear so you can repeat the question* Oh, why Toss-Penny? Well, *he holds up his hands, showing off the scars on his knuckles* I play a lotta games wit' da uddeh boys ta keep me occupied when I'm not sellin' papes. Ya know, ta stay outta trouble. I usually play toss-penny, and am quite da pro at it. But dese scars're from knuckle busteh, anuddeh game I frequent. *He grins smugly and folds his arms over his chest*

Age: *Puts his right hand to his head and carelessly scratches his head, ruffling his hair like a dog* Eh, would ya buy eighteen? *Catches your doubtful look and smiles sheepishly* Didn't t'ink so. I'm seventeen, though, really. *Puts his hands up in defense* I'm serious. *Pulls out a folded picture from his back pocket* See? *Points to the little boy on the front* Dat's me at age seven. *Turns over the photograph. It says in ink, "Jacob Parker, age seven - 1894." He folds the picture back up and puts it back in his pocket. He beams* See, I toldja. Always trust a Parkeh. *Lightheartedly* Well, most a da time.

Appearance: *Tilts his head as he thinks aloud* I dunno, 'bout 5''0" I s'pose. Me eyes're - they're - uh. *He grins at you foolishly. You answer for him that they are greyish-blue.* Yeah, dat's right. I jist sorta... fergot... dat's all. Where was I? Oh, yeah, me looks. *He lifts a strand of his hair* I'm de only boy 'ere wit' blonde hair. *Smiles, somewhat proudly* I guess dat's kinda special 'r' summin'. *His hair is slightly over his eyes* It sorta gits in me way when playin' toss-penny an' I gotta aim, but I'd neveh cut it shorteh. *He leans the chair up against the wall again, in thought. He sighs* I's thin, I guess, but I's seen woise. Me ma always tried ta feed me right, sayin' I's gotta be healthy. *Shrugs* I guess I'm healthy, den. *Looks down at his knuckles* Oh, yeah, 'sides me knuckles. Dey all busted up from playin' games wit' me chums, but what a way ta go, eh? I've had some fun times wit' dese suckehs. *He looks at you again and smiles, as he often does. He looks so young despite his height because of his baby face, making him look at least a year younger.*

Background: *Sighs* Well, e'ryone got's a story ta tell, ya know? Me own story ain't much, but I don' mind tellin' it. I know dat I ain't as bad off as some people, though, so I's try not ta sound too pitiful *smiles quietly.* Let's start at da beginnin', shall we? Most a da kids 'ere are eiddeh orphans 'r' runaways. Not me, I know who me parents are an' I wuddn't give 'em up fer anythin' in da woild. I been a newsy me whole life, see, puttin' a few extra bucks in fer me pop. Dis is da foist time I been in a lodgin' house wit' uddeh newsies. Me parents're still alive, but dey were put in debtor's prison wit' all de uddeh families dat couldn't pay off dey debts. Da joiks in charge actually let me stay 'ere an' be a full-time newsy ta pay off me pop's debt. It ain't like it was his own fault, anyway. We's was doin' fine till we's was robbed. *he glares.* *Mumbles* If I eveh find out who did it, dey betteh watch dey back. *His expression softens* I dunno, sometimes I wondeh why someone would do such a t'ing. I mean, dey musta had a reason. What if dey needed da money more dan we did, ya know? *Shakes his head* Afteh seein' what I seen on da streets, I can't keep no grudge 'gainst nobody no more. *Chuckles warmheartedly* Must be getting' soft. *His face shadows over a little* But, yeah, once I pay off me pop's debts I'm outta here. *Looks around at the various other newsies walking in and out of the room* Really gonna miss it.

Relationships: *His face flushes briefly* Ah, well, I ain't got no goilfriend yet. *Winks* It's so hard ta pick outta all da ones competin' fer me, ya know? *He laughs and continues* Well, I guess y'kin say I enjoy a few a da goils comp'ny, but I ain't really serious wit' nobody. *Says thoughtfully* Dere's dat Demeteh kid. Aeva, I t'ink, is 'er foist name. Not 'xactly me type, but she kin be fun ta be 'round if ya know how ta handle 'er. She's da real unsociable kind, ya know? It took a while jist ta convince 'er ta go near me. *Shakes his head sympathetically* Poor kid always scared outta 'er wits. I guess ya kin say she's cute in 'er own way. Sorta mysterious an' unusual, ya know? *Scrunches up his forehead to think* Lemme see, dere's Flash, da leadeh of da newsgoils here. She's a jolly ta be 'round. *Grins* She wuddn't neveh admit it, but she's a gentle one; real sweet. Yeah, I guess I like 'er a lot, but dat don't say much - I like a lotta goils. Oh, yeah, and dat Belle goil - *whistles* - what a heartbreakeh! *He laughs good-naturedly - after making sure she isn't in the room.* I like 'em wit' spirit. She's jist playin' hard ta git, she knows she wants me. *He chuckles again, knowing very well that he's full of it.* Ah, well, ya take what ya kin get *shrugs.* I ain't been here too long, but I've made friends wit' most a da guys, too. I have ta hand it ta Chance, he sure knows his pokeh. *He grins* But he ain't got nuttin' on me in toss-penny. *Reflectively* Dat Tagalong's a nice kid when ya get 'im on his good side. Jist don' mistake 'im fer youngeh dan 'e is. I kin kinda undastan' where he's comin' at, ya know? He's got guts, an' I respect 'im fer it. *Realizes he's babbling, which is a habit of his, and blushes slighty* Sorry. What kin I say - I love people. *Sighs* Well, ya know 'bout Ma an' Pop in da debtor's prison, but I don't t'ink I mentioned me t'ree sistehs. Dey wit' me parents, dey wuddn't let dem outta prison fer some reason. Dey gotta woik in a factory all day ta help me bring in some a da money ta pay off, but as soon as it's night dey gotta be back in da jail. *Shakes his head* Dey won't even let me pop go out ta woik. It don't make sense ta me, but maybe I'm just a bonehead.

Other notes: Dere is one t'ing ya might find interestin'. I'm 'lergic ta cats. I's all right unless I touch 'em 'fore touchin' me eyes, 'cause me eyes get all itchy an' watery. *Pouts a little* It's not so fun, really, 'cause I like cats. Dey're so mysterious, ya know? *Grins broadly* Demeter's da only cat I kin get near wit'out havin' me eyes swell up like melons. *Sighs* Well, ya have a nice day, a' right? *He goes back to leaning in the chair, and notices Flash walk by. He hurriedly drops the chair to the ground and jumps up, running to follow her* Hey, Flash! Wanna play toss-penny? I'll letcha win dis time? *He turns his head to look back at you, a grin on his lips* Hard ta git *he murmurs before running after the girl.* *Even though Toss-Penny talks about girls as if they were there merely to amuse him, he has a great respect for the female folk. Especially since his sisters and mom have been in prison. He is always flirting, or at least likes to think he is, but has never actually had a girlfriend before. If there's one thing that bothers him, it's rudeness towards any of the Harlem newsies - mainly the girls. He'll defend any of them, even if they aren't on borrowing terms, simply because he feels a bondness among all of the Harlem sellers. Of course, his favorite game is toss-penny, and he sometimes travels far and wide just to get in on a good game. Because he is a newsy mainly for the hopes of bailing his family out of prison, he is often skipping meals and cutting back on drinking, smoking, and gambling in order to save money. He visits his family as often as he can, at least twice a week, and is frequently abroad to see them.*

Full Name:	A boy leaning the back of a chair against a wall greets you Heya, kid! He grins and sets the chair back properly on the ground Raising his hand in front of his face, he spits in his palm and extends it out to you After spit shaking, he sits back in the chair and looks you over I'm Jacob Parkeh he shrugs but da rest a da guys call me eiddeh Toss-Penny 'r' Parkeh. He smiles and winks, extending his arms and cracking his knuckles Da goils call me Irresistible. He laughs Naw, dey jist call me whateveh. Puts his hand to his ear so you can repeat the question Oh, why Toss-Penny? Well, he holds up his hands, showing off the scars on his knuckles I play a lotta games wit' da uddeh boys ta keep me occupied when I'm not sellin' papes. Ya know, ta stay outta trouble. I usually play toss-penny, and am quite da pro at it. But dese scars're from knuckle busteh, anuddeh game I frequent. He grins smugly and folds his arms over his chest
Age:	Puts his right hand to his head and carelessly scratches his head, ruffling his hair like a dog Eh, would ya buy eighteen? Catches your doubtful look and smiles sheepishly Didn't t'ink so. I'm seventeen, though, really. Puts his hands up in defense I'm serious. Pulls out a folded picture from his back pocket See? Points to the little boy on the front Dat's me at age seven. Turns over the photograph. It says in ink, "Jacob Parker, age seven - 1894." He folds the picture back up and puts it back in his pocket. He beams See, I toldja. Always trust a Parkeh. Lightheartedly Well, most a da time.
Appearance:	Tilts his head as he thinks aloud I dunno, 'bout 5''0" I s'pose. Me eyes're - they're - uh. He grins at you foolishly. You answer for him that they are greyish-blue. Yeah, dat's right. I jist sorta... fergot... dat's all. Where was I? Oh, yeah, me looks. He lifts a strand of his hair I'm de only boy 'ere wit' blonde hair. Smiles, somewhat proudly I guess dat's kinda special 'r' summin'. His hair is slightly over his eyes It sorta gits in me way when playin' toss-penny an' I gotta aim, but I'd neveh cut it shorteh. He leans the chair up against the wall again, in thought. He sighs I's thin, I guess, but I's seen woise. Me ma always tried ta feed me right, sayin' I's gotta be healthy. Shrugs I guess I'm healthy, den. Looks down at his knuckles Oh, yeah, 'sides me knuckles. Dey all busted up from playin' games wit' me chums, but what a way ta go, eh? I've had some fun times wit' dese suckehs. He looks at you again and smiles, as he often does. He looks so young despite his height because of his baby face, making him look at least a year younger.
Background:	Sighs Well, e'ryone got's a story ta tell, ya know? Me own story ain't much, but I don' mind tellin' it. I know dat I ain't as bad off as some people, though, so I's try not ta sound too pitiful smiles quietly. Let's start at da beginnin', shall we? Most a da kids 'ere are eiddeh orphans 'r' runaways. Not me, I know who me parents are an' I wuddn't give 'em up fer anythin' in da woild. I been a newsy me whole life, see, puttin' a few extra bucks in fer me pop. Dis is da foist time I been in a lodgin' house wit' uddeh newsies. Me parents're still alive, but dey were put in debtor's prison wit' all de uddeh families dat couldn't pay off dey debts. Da joiks in charge actually let me stay 'ere an' be a full-time newsy ta pay off me pop's debt. It ain't like it was his own fault, anyway. We's was doin' fine till we's was robbed. he glares. Mumbles If I eveh find out who did it, dey betteh watch dey back. His expression softens I dunno, sometimes I wondeh why someone would do such a t'ing. I mean, dey musta had a reason. What if dey needed da money more dan we did, ya know? Shakes his head Afteh seein' what I seen on da streets, I can't keep no grudge 'gainst nobody no more. Chuckles warmheartedly Must be getting' soft. His face shadows over a little But, yeah, once I pay off me pop's debts I'm outta here. Looks around at the various other newsies walking in and out of the room Really gonna miss it.
Relationships:	His face flushes briefly Ah, well, I ain't got no goilfriend yet. Winks It's so hard ta pick outta all da ones competin' fer me, ya know? He laughs and continues Well, I guess y'kin say I enjoy a few a da goils comp'ny, but I ain't really serious wit' nobody. Says thoughtfully Dere's dat Demeteh kid. Aeva, I t'ink, is 'er foist name. Not 'xactly me type, but she kin be fun ta be 'round if ya know how ta handle 'er. She's da real unsociable kind, ya know? It took a while jist ta convince 'er ta go near me. Shakes his head sympathetically Poor kid always scared outta 'er wits. I guess ya kin say she's cute in 'er own way. Sorta mysterious an' unusual, ya know? Scrunches up his forehead to think Lemme see, dere's Flash, da leadeh of da newsgoils here. She's a jolly ta be 'round. Grins She wuddn't neveh admit it, but she's a gentle one; real sweet. Yeah, I guess I like 'er a lot, but dat don't say much - I like a lotta goils. Oh, yeah, and dat Belle goil - whistles - what a heartbreakeh! He laughs good-naturedly - after making sure she isn't in the room. I like 'em wit' spirit. She's jist playin' hard ta git, she knows she wants me. He chuckles again, knowing very well that he's full of it. Ah, well, ya take what ya kin get shrugs. I ain't been here too long, but I've made friends wit' most a da guys, too. I have ta hand it ta Chance, he sure knows his pokeh. He grins But he ain't got nuttin' on me in toss-penny. Reflectively Dat Tagalong's a nice kid when ya get 'im on his good side. Jist don' mistake 'im fer youngeh dan 'e is. I kin kinda undastan' where he's comin' at, ya know? He's got guts, an' I respect 'im fer it. Realizes he's babbling, which is a habit of his, and blushes slighty Sorry. What kin I say - I love people. Sighs Well, ya know 'bout Ma an' Pop in da debtor's prison, but I don't t'ink I mentioned me t'ree sistehs. Dey wit' me parents, dey wuddn't let dem outta prison fer some reason. Dey gotta woik in a factory all day ta help me bring in some a da money ta pay off, but as soon as it's night dey gotta be back in da jail. Shakes his head Dey won't even let me pop go out ta woik. It don't make sense ta me, but maybe I'm just a bonehead.
Other notes:	Dere is one t'ing ya might find interestin'. I'm 'lergic ta cats. I's all right unless I touch 'em 'fore touchin' me eyes, 'cause me eyes get all itchy an' watery. Pouts a little It's not so fun, really, 'cause I like cats. Dey're so mysterious, ya know? Grins broadly Demeter's da only cat I kin get near wit'out havin' me eyes swell up like melons. Sighs Well, ya have a nice day, a' right? He goes back to leaning in the chair, and notices Flash walk by. He hurriedly drops the chair to the ground and jumps up, running to follow her Hey, Flash! Wanna play toss-penny? I'll letcha win dis time? He turns his head to look back at you, a grin on his lips Hard ta git he murmurs before running after the girl. Even though Toss-Penny talks about girls as if they were there merely to amuse him, he has a great respect for the female folk. Especially since his sisters and mom have been in prison. He is always flirting, or at least likes to think he is, but has never actually had a girlfriend before. If there's one thing that bothers him, it's rudeness towards any of the Harlem newsies - mainly the girls. He'll defend any of them, even if they aren't on borrowing terms, simply because he feels a bondness among all of the Harlem sellers. Of course, his favorite game is toss-penny, and he sometimes travels far and wide just to get in on a good game. Because he is a newsy mainly for the hopes of bailing his family out of prison, he is often skipping meals and cutting back on drinking, smoking, and gambling in order to save money. He visits his family as often as he can, at least twice a week, and is frequently abroad to see them.