THE GIRLS WAY or THE HARD WAY
By. Freckles McLean

She looked both ways before crossing the busy street of New York. She
walked tall and strong with fearlessness flowing off her but inside she
was shaking. She was Freckles McLean. Leader of the Staten Island girl
newsies and she was on her way to see Spot Colon.

Freckles had her five "head officers" with her. Each of them had their
specialty in which they were in charge of to teach others. Each had a
number status, which told how much authority they held, and what their
rank was.

Head officer # 5 was Miriam Johnson a.k.a. "Rabbit". She was the head of
N.W.F, (newsie well fare) She was the motherly type, she mad sure no one
was starving and everyone was well clothed. Everyone needs a figure of
authority that they can get some compassion from and Rabbit was the
shoulder to cry on, the cut cleaner, and the good friend.

Head officer #4 was Brianne McKinley, A.k.a. "Captain". She was the head
of defense. If Rabbit was the good cop Captain was the bad cop. She
taught the girls how to fight and fight hard. Captain was the rock type,
the kind to kick you when you're down... But her methods worked on the
strong. The strong would get right back up after falling. And after
being screamed and pushed at for hours to run faster, punch harder and
block quicker- Those who survived the training with out breaking down
and giving up became Officers of Investigation. Those were the highest
officers with no status or rank. Only when you became an assistant head
officer or a head officer did you receive status as well as rank.

Head Officer # 3 is Brittany McKarter A.k.a. "Giggles". She's the
youngest Head Officer and is in charge of N.S.T, newsies selling
training. When we receive a new girl, Giggles is in charge of teaching
them whereto, and not to, sell. How to improve headlines to make a sale
and to show them around the lodging house.

Head officer #2 was Alison Meroe A.k.a. "Woodchuck." She's my Co.-Leader
and most trusted advisor. When ever I needed some information or details
on an important decision Woodchuck's on top of it.

Woodchuck's my brain, Giggles, my instinct, Captain, my fist, and
Rabbit, my heart. Without them I could not exist. Everyone wonders why
all this training and pre-caution is needed when you live in South
Beach, Staten Island and not the Bronx or Harlem. Well I tell them to
try being the only females in a male dominated profession and see what
they do.

But we couldn't stay in South Beach any more. They child crime rate may
not be high, but that was because of Rocks Drogue. He led the boy
newsies in Staten Island. 'Taught me everything I know. I was a newsie
of his since I was 7 he taught me everything he knew just like Bottle
Top taught him, Bottle Top also taught Spot Conlon. I was Rock's kid.
Unlike us girls in South Beach, Rocks chooses one newsie to teach the
new kid. I was the first girl newsie anyone had ever heard of and
everyone was against me joining. Even Spot sent a message to Rocks
telling him not to let me in, but he did for some weird reason Rocks
took me in and trained me him self.


~*~* Flashback *~*~


"Rocks, you can't be serious!"

"She's a girl!  Girls can't sell papes!"

"Yeah... It's against da law or sumtin!"

"Conlon's gonna kick our asses!"

"I made up my mind! Da kid stays! Any body want ta argue?!" Rocks
yelled. The tone in his voice told everybody that even if they wanted an
argument to shut up if they ever want to have another one.

"Okay, den," Rocks stated after a moment of silence. He grabbed me by my
elbow and led me into his private room after signaling to a boy with
glasses and curly hair to follow. He closed the door behind the strange
boy and sat me down in a chair.

"So what do ya think Dallas?" Asked Rocks.

"Well she's kind of scrawny and awful skinny. When's da last time ya ate
kid?" The boy I presumed was 'Dallas' asked me.

"Lunch.... Two days ago." I said timidly.

I felt inferior to the big guys. They could crack me like a twig if they
wanted to. I decided to play the meek, helpless little girl. I really
didn't have a choice. I wouldn't have stood up to one of these guys if I
had an army behind me. They gave off an aura of strength and authority
that demanded unworthiness.

"Here," said Rocks as he threw a piece of bread at me.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"Well who's gonna train her?" Asked Dallas as I ate quickly.

"I'll chose someone," said Rocks

"Dat might not be as easy as ya think," said Dallas

"Why, I can't waste any more time ta train her! I already spent two days
just thinking about letting her in! Dat bastard Conlon's gonna be down
here in two days trying ta kick her out. If she doesn't at least know
some basic skills and knowledge of the area, and fight breaks out when
Colon shows - she'll be helpless," Rocks established.

My face paled to this. Would this Spot Conlon really go that far to keep
girls from being newsies? Would he try to hurt her or throw her out to
starve?

Rocks noticed my expression and put on a smile. "Hey, kid, don't worry
about it. We're just tawkin' worse case possibility here," he said.

"Yeah, but we are gonna have to train yous pretty hard just in case,"
Dallas informed.

"If we can find someone," added Rocks

"I don't understand da problem," I said.

"Well no one's gonna wanna get on Conlon's bad side by training yous,
so..."
Dallas was cut off.

"I'll train her," Rocks decided.

"What?! " Exclaimed Dallas.

"I'll train her I don't mind being on Conlons bad side," Rocks said.

"But your da leada! Leadas don't train greenies, "said Dallas.

"A leada trained me, so now I'll train another," said Rocks with a
shrug.

"I hope you know what your doin'," Dallas sighed, then turned to me,
"And you beta appreciate this," he put in, glaring at me and making me
jump out of my skin at the sound of his voice. He walked out of the
room, leaving Rocks and me alone.

"Well, kid, get some sleep. Tomarrows gonna be a long day," he said
solemnly.


~*~*End of Flashback*~*~


Rocks taught me everything. He was training me how to lead and control
others like Conlon had him. Spot had tried to kick me out and talk Rocks
out of letting me stay from calling in favors to threats. None had
worked. Spot called off all favorable ties with Rocks afterwards. Conlon
had hated me ever since and so did all the Staten Island newsies whom
hated being in bad favor with Brooklyn... Especially Dallas.

Only Rocks was left as my companion and he was so cold her could barely
be called a companion, let alone a friend. When Rocks found a job at a
local factory he made plans to leave. I made plans to leave as well for
I knew that as soon as he left, Dallas would be in charge. And I would
be out any way, if not worse.

I left the day before Rocks. I got a job in a factory Eltingville,
Staten Island, but was fired when they had to cut down. I was sleeping
on the streets and half starving. I couldn't find a rock to hang on to,
I figured myself good as dead, but I couldn't avoid it.

I was wandering around the streets begging when a girl ran into me
running at top speed. We tumbled a bit before I got my head together and
tried to get up. Suddenly we were surrounded by a group of boys. The
girl had a terrified look on her face. They pulled her to her feet and
two boys held her arms and held her front of a boy with dirt all over
him.

"It wasn't very nice ta throw mud at me now was is Woodchuck?" asked the
boy astutely. He threw a punch catching her in the stomach. She doubled
over in pain.

"Hey!" I yelled. "Leave her alone!" I don't know where I found the nerve
or why I felt like standing up to this girl, but something in me called
out to help her.

"And what are you gonna do about it?" he laughed.

"Why don't you come ova here and find out?" I growled. He walked over
slowly and deliberately, stopping only three inches away.

"I don't see any thing happening," he said.

"Wait," I said as I lifted me knee to contact him in between his legs,
catching him so hard I lifted him off the ground an inch before dropping
him and watching him crumple up in pain. His boys immediately attacked,
outnumbering me 3 to 1. After thoroughly knocking the stuffing out of
me, they picked up their leader and walked off.

The girl ran over to help me sit up. "Wow, you took that really well.
Thanks," She said gratefully.

"No problem. I've gotten ten times worse in practice. Why were dey
chasin' ya?" I asked while wiping some blood from my lip.

"Some of Rova's boys were not acting in a gentlemanly fashion towards me
so I gave them what dey deserved," the girl said astutely.

"Is Rova da guy who is now unable to have children?" I asked with a
little chuckle.

"Yeah. He's da leader. Deyah just a bunch of idiot guys who t'ink deyah
special 'cause dey claimed a cornah ta call deyah own," the girl
informed.

"Deyah a cornah gang? ! Geese! I shoulda saved my energy. So, what's
your name Kid?" I asked her.

"Woodchuck... But my real names Alison," She said and stuck out her
hand.

"Whoa! Word to da wise; neva tell anyone your real name, but my names
Freckles, as far as any one knows anyway," I said. I stuck out my hand
and spat in it. She gave it a look before doing the same.

From then on we were always togetha. Partners in crime. We survived by
pick pocketing and swiping from food carts. We ran into other girls who
also were living off the streets and joined together. I trained them
like Rocks trained me. We became strong and kept getting bigger. Finally
we challenged the boys who were staying in the South Beach lodging house
and won. We organized after that and with new girls coming in and some
going out, we
Developed our rank system and was running smoothly, with roofs over our
heads and food in our bellies.

Everything was perfect until Dallas found out. The leader that we had
kicked out had gone to Dallas to join his newsies; Dallas had had his
eye on that territory for long time. Now all it was, was a matter of
kicking Freckles out. It was too easy. He began sending guys over into
her territory. Every day he sent more and more and when the girls tried
to push them out he just sent more boys. Finally the girls began to
fight back. All of Captain's training being put to the biggest test.
They struggled and were sometimes hurt but they prevailed. They were
happy in South beach but they couldn't stay their any longer. The city
didn't support girl newsies. They thought it was unrespectable and
dangerous for the future women of New York to include such improper
ragamuffin beggars who wouldn't even wear skirts. We wore pants like
men. No "Tom Boys" would be allowed in their society- in
South Beach any way.

The officials of South Beach discouraged people to buy from any newsie
they weren't sure were boys. Freckles girls couldn't sell enough to make
a living. Even after the city had stopped their business they closed the
lodging house. Our only choice was to move. No other lodging house would
accept girls so they had to move into one of the abandoned warehouses by
the docks in Brooklyn.

We had moved in and had been settled for about two weeks when a boy came
to me with a message from Spot Colon himself. It told me to go down to
the South Brooklyn docks at 1:00 and not to be late. I was scared to
death to go but as I had been taught a leader never loses face.

I walked down the Brooklyn streets with her Head Leaders behind me. We
could smell the water and new we were close

"How much further?" asked Rabbit.

"Only a couple more blocks," answered Woodchuck.

"We've been walking forever!" Giggles whined.

"It's only three miles from Gowans Bays to Butter Milk channel docks
where
Spot is," Captain sighed exasperatedly.

"Well... It feels like forever," said Giggles.

"Are you in a hurry to see Spot Conlon? "I asked.

"No....but it doesn't mean I like walking," Giggles replied.

"Some of our newsies have to walk this far and more every day so be
grateful for the experience of only having to do it once," Rabbit
lectured.

"Don't preach ta me right now I'm too tired, aright?" said Giggles.

"Tuff up Giggles, we've only been walking for 40 minutes," Captain
informed.

"Hey, look ova deyah! It's da Brooklyn Bridge!" Rabbit pointed out.

"Hey, look ova deyah! It's da Brooklyn Newsies!" Said Woodchuck in a
mocking tone. Everyone stiffed up and tried to look intimidating. No one
was more scared than I was. We walked on to the dock and started making
our way down. Some of the boys whistled, earning dirty looks from
Woodchuck. Others were topless from swimming, earning a sly eye from
Giggles and Rabbit. I stuck my chin up in the air and walked strongly
down the dock with my warriors at my back. I still had a childhood fear
of him and how much he hated me. He was Like the one fear you knew would
never face or get over. My challenge was to hold strong like a leader
should and remember he should never see my fear. I finally saw Spot
eating lunch, sitting on a crate with some really big guys. He looked up
and noticed me. His eyes widened slightly and he set his
Sandwich down.

"Hey Spot. You wrote?" I questioned, holding up the message.

"Hey Freckles. You've changed. What's it been? Six years?" he tried to
Recall.

"Not long enough. Now quite the chatter and talk so I can get back in
time for the evening edition," I said with more gore then I felt. Spot
looked me up and down in a way that made me feel invisible. I looked him
up and down. I saw a wiry build, a thin but muscled chest and slightly
built arms. As I look further up I hadn't seen anything intimidating or
over powering. I couldn't remember what had scared me so bad when I was
nine years old-then I
Reached his eyes and a chill went threw me. They were blue-gray, deep,
dark and powerful. Another shudder hit me when they met mine. I was
almost over come by their demeanor. They shot out power and status,
demanding respect and drilling holes into those more inferior. I tried
to hold my own in the stare down but was forced to look away when
another chill hit me.

"What the hell are yous doing in Brooklyn?!" he demanded.

"What's it to ya?" I said right back but not meeting his eyes.

"Brooklyn is my territory nobody sells here unless I say so," he
declared.

"Well den, its a good t'ing we're sellin' in South Brooklyn isn't it?" I
Said.

"South Brooklyn, North Brooklyn, any Brooklyn is still Brooklyn and I
Own it," he said.

"Are you gonna say anythin' important in the next few minutes? 'Cause if
not I gotta be goin'" I said turning around.

He turned me back around and held my shoulders catching my eyes with his
and not letting go.

"You're not going anywhere. Now shut up, sit down, and stop tawkin
back!" he ordered in a tone that meant don't argue. I slowly sat down
guided by his hands on my shoulders. He shot one look at my girls and
all promptly did the same except Captain who took extra long in her
sitting preparations. I turned around and gave her a glare. She sat down
making a plopping sound.

"Now, what made you t'ink dat I was gonna let yous move right in unda my
nose?" Spot snapped. I saw Spot looking at me expecting an answer but I
held my tongue. He looked at me harder almost making me shrink back but
I held still.

"Didn't ya hear me? Are you deaf or somethin'?" he blared.

"I thought you said ta shad up!" I yelled back.

"Don't get smart wid me. Now answer da question," he proclaimed.

"Well, actually, I didn't really t'ink 'bout you at all seein' as I've
neva asked permission from you in my whole life and I'm not lookin' ta
start now," I said. I knew I was digging myself into a hole by provoking
Spot but I knew he had already made up his mind whether we could stay or
not so I was going to hold on to my dignity as long as I could.

"Well maybe ya should 'ave. Maybe ya should a t'ought long and hard
before setting a foot in Brooklyn," he said.

"Where else were we suppose ta go?" I said softly looking him in the
eye.

I saw him take a deep breath.

"Come 'ere," he said motioning to me. I got up and my girls started to
follow but he shot them a look and they sat down. He began to lead me
away.

"Freckles?" I heard Giggle call.

"Stay deyah. I'll be fine," I called back. Spot lead me to the edge of
the beach under the dock far away from everyone else.

"Okay," He began.

"Okay what?" I asked.

"Your girls can stay," he stated. I thought of a million come backs for
the comment about letting us stay but settled for my true feelings.

"T'anks, Spot," I said

"Don't t'ank me now. Deyah are gonna be a few rules," he warned. Again a
million comments went threw my head but before I could shoot any out he
began.

"For starters; you check in with me and give me up-dates on any problems
or events that day. Even if one of the girls has a slight cold, I wanna
know," said Spot.

"Why, Spot, I didn't know ya cared," I joked.

"It's nothin' personal but I'm not gonna have a bunch of dead girl
newsies on my or Brooklyn's hands and dat's what will happen if your not
unda my protection." He explained.

" Spot, we can take good care of our selves! Don't get your shorts in a
bunch!" I laughed.

"I don't t'ink you realize how dangerous Brooklyn is, my dear Freckles.
Cornah gangs, newsies, and factory boys kill each othah ovah a lot less
down heyah and wouldn't take much ta do a newsgirl in who's tearin' up
some oddah guys reputation. One wrong step is all it takes Freckles," he
alerted.

"To a girl?" I asked suspiciously.

"Not every guy cares about hittin' a girl- especially in Brooklyn," said
Spot.

"And you, Spot?" I asked not wanting an answer.

"Only if I'm pushed and believe me, Freckles, you know how ta push. But
a lot a guys won't take as much from a girl. And don't t'ink I'm soft
for girls 'cause if you tug me da wrong way or any of me boys expect a
good slap in da face," he said menacely. I could feel myself shutter but
I knew I couldn't let this threat go by lightly or he'd walk all over
me.

"I'll take dat ta memory. Now you tell you're boys that if dey start ta
t'ink about being anyt'ing but a gentlemen 'round my girls and dey'll
find demselves singing soprano fer a few weeks, alright? Don't t'ink I'm
just going ta ignore dat behavior like when we were walking down da
pier. If you want me ta report everyday den I'll expect a little more
respect "I fired.

"You'll earn respect from my boys on your own. You don't need any help
from me," he assured.

"We'll, I'm glad your so eager ta help Spot, but if it's left up ta me
I'm gonna do it my way so I don't want no complains lattah. Now if
you'll excuse me, I have ta get back to da warehouse for da evening
edition," I said getting up. I had a feeling Spot's patients was growing
thin and I was rubbing some raw nerves. I wanted to get out of there
before he proved his earlier point.

"You sit down we got a few more rules to go ova," he ordered. I sat down
and gave an impatient sigh.

"Don't be in such a hurry, I'll be done soon. One, I don't want any of
da girls leavin' Brooklyn without you knowing and den reporting ta me.
Second I don't want any of da girls getting into
any...um...unrespectable situation," he stuttered. I almost broke out
laughing at the great Brooklyn leader; lost for word around this
sensitive subject.

"Got it. No nookie in da warehouse," I said. I let out a small giggle
when Spot slightly blushed.

"I mean it Freckles. It won't do Brooklyn's reputation no good if we've
got a bunch a pregnant newsies. It would be kinda hard ta hide a stomach
in boys clothing. Which brings me to number three; I want all your girls
in boys clothing, "said Spot.

"We already wear boys clothes," I shrugged.

"I'm mean full boy costume. Wrap a pillow case around your waists ta
even out your chest, wear an extra shirt ta hide da curves, and pull
your hair up in ta hats and cut it so deyah's not such an obvious
ponytail bump."

"Now dat's da first rule I heard come out a your mouth dat sounds like a
good idea! I may actually follow though on dat one Spot!" I said
brightly.

"You'll follow all da rules if ya knows what's good fer ya" said Spot
standing up.

I stood up also and we made our way back to the group where Captain was
busy yelling at one Brooklyn boy while the others watched slightly
snickering. The first and last thing Spot and I heard was Captain
yelling "YOUR MOTHA" and then the boy charged her. She moved to the side
and tripped him, sending him flying into Woodchuck who rolled him into
the water. I busted out laughing along with every one else on the dock.
The boy jumped out of the water and ran at Captain again catching her in
the stomach with his fist good and hard making her double over in pain
and lack of wind. She ducked his fist coming at her face and threw one
at his ribs while in her crouched position and then threw a strong leg
sweep to the back of his legs knocking him to his knees. Putting one
knee on the ground to steady her self she threw a punch as hard as she
could and connected squarely with his jaw.
I heard the slap of Captain's punch and almost saw stars for the boy who
had received it, remembering the one time I had been its victim. I have
no shame in saying Captain has the best right hook in the house. I'm
pretty proud of my own, but hers can throw a grow man into night-night
land.
The boy flew back and Captain was immediately on top of him throwing
deadly punches left and right and receiving them in her stomach and
ribs. When I saw the blood from the boys nose mix with that of Captain
lip I figured it was time to stop the fight before anyone was too sore
to sell tomorrow. I could already guarantee Captain would have some
trouble sitting up from the punches she was getting while she rearranged
the boy's face.

"CAPTIN! COOL IT!" I yelled. She immediately got off the boy.

One thing I admired about my girls they never caused me to repeat myself
and never second-guessed my judgment. They had the up most trust and
loyalty to my authority. It made me proud but scared. If I screwed up no
one would be their to catch my fall, our fall.

"Come on ladies, leave da nice boys alone. We have ta go catch da
evening addition," said Rabbit, standing up and dusting herself off. She
picked Captain up, and then her and Giggles helped her off the dock
while I waited back for Woodchuck.

"See ya tomorrow, Spot. Late around 7:00," I told him as Woodchuck and
me walked off.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Back at the lodging house all the girls were dying to know how the five
H.O.'s trip to Brooklyn had gone and why Captain had a fat lip. All the
buzzing and questions stopped as soon as Captain stepped out of the
bathroom... Well, at least quieted down to a whisper. The glare of the
injured newsie shut them all up. Nobody ever looked Captain in the eye
when she was upset unless they were a Head officer (or a H.O. for
short). If they did- they were subject to her wrath.

When Woodchuck and I entered the whispering volume lowered even more.
When I come home I'm tired and despise noise. I couldn't relax if there
were newsies chattering like monkeys all over the where house!

The warehouse now consisted of one bunkroom with a couple of broken down
bunk bed. Some girls slept on the floor others doubled up in beds and
basically used every thing they could for blankets. They made do with
what they could, Rabbit made sure they place was clean. Besides- the
only other option was the streets, so no one complained.

All newsies had a department they worked under. Every H.O. had about
seven footmen under them following their orders and caring out their
duties. All newsie get respect and status on their level of fighting. It
may not be fair, but not only is it the way things work in the
warehouse- it's the facts of life in New York. The most highly respected
footmen are the officers of investigation. They worked under the defense
department and kept me updated on every thing that happened in the city.
"A good leader should know what going on around them," as quoted
straight from Rocks. There are only three investigating officers but
they're the best at what they do. They can observe a situation, and even
a council meeting of any gang, newsie or other wise, report back to me
without ever being detected. I'll never figure out how they do it but as
long as they don't get caught I really don't care.

Not all of my girls are fighters because not all girls who are forced to
the streets were born to fight. Even with training, they never learn
more then how to defend themselves enough to escape a fight with their
lives. Those girls work under N.W.F, Newsie well fare. They clean the
bunkhouse, nurse other newsies injuries and keep the where house
supplied with every day needs like soap and anything else we can afford.
Other newsies who fall right in the middle are N.S.T or Newsie selling
trainers. Basically it's all in the title. We get a new kid, one of
Giggles officers teaches them to sell, one of Captain's officers teaches
them to fight and one of Rabbit's officers give them a bunk.

Woodchuck and I supervise. It's an easy job when everything was running
smooth.  But lately, with all the problems from Dallas and Staten Island
my job had become harder than ever. It's not every day you had to move
from one of the most secure places in New York like Staten Island to
Brooklyn. I mean, Brooklyn! I had to make that decision and follow
through. Now with Spot on my side and Dallas seemingly leaving me alone,
things are looking up. And maybe my job can finally go back to Normal.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next day I experienced the worst day of my life. My first day
selling in Brooklyn. The people in Brooklyn are nothing like Staten
Island. They are rude, mean, and cheap. I've never worked so hard to
sell a paper in my life! Even on my first day ever in Staten Island. I
was left with twenty papers unsold out of sixty. I'm going to lie my ass
off tomorrow and I don't care if it doesn't make any reference to the
real headline at all.

I made my way over to the docks to report to Spot. It was already dark
and as I approached the docks, the line of street lamps ended and I
walked by myself in pitch-black night with only moonlight to lead me. I
was pretty damn scared walking down the pier, just waiting for someone
to jump out at me.

"Hey!" Some one called scaring the hell out of me.

"WHAT!" I yelled as I jumped out of my skin.

"What do ya mean, 'what'? You're late!" Spot informed stepping out of
the
Shadows.

"Oh my G... What da hell is your problem? Don't do dat to a person!" I
said
Breathing heavily.

"What? Did I scare you?" Spot said with laughter in his voice.

"Shit yeah!" I yelled.

"Well ya shouldn't be walking around Brooklyn at night by yaself. Wha'
da
Ya thinking?" he asked.

"I'm thinking you told be ta be here," I reminded.

"I didn't say dis late," he clarified.

"Well I had ta finish sellin' me papes." I walked over to a crate and
sat
down.

" It took ya dat long?" he asked critically.

"Yeah, Spot. We can't all be selling experts like you, " I said
Sarcastically.

" Whatevah. What happened today?" he inquired.

"Nothin'. Deyah. Can I go home?" I requested.

"No! Listen; I've been hearin' t'ings from Staten Island," he informed.

"What t'ings?" I shrugged.

"Well it seems your pal, Dallas, is stirrin' up some trouble."

"What kind of trouble?" I asked questionably. My heart was pounding.
What the hell was Dallas up to and why was it important enough for Spot
to tell me about it?

"Well he don't seem ta like yous very much," he started.

"What else is new?" I scoffed.

"Shad up. He knows where you are and now, for some reason, he has da
idea dat he can come in here and take South Brooklyn," he informed
solemnly.

"Oh shit," I groaned. What was that man's problem ?  He kicks me out of
South Beach, he kicks me out of Staten Island, and now he wanted to kick
me out of South Brooklyn? Will it ever stop? !

"Yeah, 'Oh shit'," he agreed mockingly.

"Dis stops now! He's not gonna chase me all ova New York! He can't keep
taking ova every territory I get." I stated.

"Excuse me? You're in my territory. You're sellin' deyah wit' my
permission. But your damn right about him not takin' it ovah! Ain't no
scum from Staten Island gonna take ova a piece a Brooklyn and ruin my
reputation!" He declared.

"Woa! Dey may be scum, but dat has nothin' ta do with being from Staten
Island," I said defensively.

"All of you newsies from Staten Island come up here and give me trouble.
I don't know what is worse; loaning selling ground ta girls or losin' it
ya Staten Island!" Spot exclaimed.

"Always fun talkin' to ya Spot," I said getting up. Who the hell dose he
thinks he is? Oh, wow, Big-Mr. Spot Conlon doesn't want girls or Staten
Island cramping his style. Right now I didn't feel one bit scared or
threatened by him... I was almost ready to yell at him!…Almost.

"You sit down," he snapped, pulling me back down hard on my butt. That
good old fear was back again! Every time I worked up some backbone
towards him he always managed to do something to remind me just how far
bellow him I was. All it took was one glare from him to send me
whimpering into my corner. I just couldn't kick my feet at him, no
matter how much I wanted to.

"So what do ya plan to do about dis problem?" he inquired, drilling
holes in me with his eyes. Every idea I had about getting rid of Dallas
flew out of my head. I can't think when I'm shiting in my pants! I
opened my mouth to try and say something, but when I looked up at him
and got caught in his glare I could only shake my head and look right
back down at my shoes. He grabbed my chin…

Part two!