In 1899, the streets of New York City echoed with the voices of newsies, peddling the newspapers of Joseph Pulitzer, William Randolph Hearst and other giants of the newspaper world. On every street corner you saw 'em, carrying the banner, bringing you the news for a penny a pape. Poor orphans and runaways, the newsies were a ragged army, without a leader, until one day when all that changed.
(The movie title appears. We see the outside of the Newsboys Lodging House. Inside- KLOPPMAN enters the bunkroom, finding the NEWSIES still in bed)
KLOPPMAN:
Boots! Skittery! Skittery! Skittery!
SKITTERY:
Wha..... I didn't do it!
KLOPPMAN:
What do you mean you didn't do it? Will you get up? When you get up, it's time to get up! Snitch! Get up! Get up! Everybody's sleeping. They sleep their lives away these kids! The presses are rolling! Sell the papers, sell the papers! Come on, come on. Hey, you dreaming about selling papers?
JACK:
Mmmmmm? What's the matta with you?
KLOPPMAN:
What's the matter with me?
JACK:
What's the matta with you? Wanna..... go..... back..... to.....
KLOPPMAN:
Come on! (Gives him a shove)
JACK:
Get away from me, you're mad!
KLOPPMAN:
Haha. Get up boy! Come on. Alright! Carry the banner! Sell the papers!
(RACETRACK looks around for his cigar, noticing that SNIPESHOOTER has it)
RACETRACK:
That's my cigar!
SNIPESHOOTER:
You'll steal anudder!
KID BLINK:
Hey bummers, we got work to do!
SPECS:
Since when did you become me muddier?
CRUTCHY:
Aw, stop your bawling!
NEWSIES:
Hey! Who asked you?
MUSH:
So, how'd you sleep, Jack?
JACK:
On me back, Mush.
MUSH:
(Laughing) Hear that, fellas? Hear what Jack said? I asked Jack how he slept and he said 'On me back Mush'!
CRUTCHY:
Hey Jack, when I walk, does it look like I'm fakin' it?
JACK:
(Throwing his arm around CRUTCHY's shoulder) No. Who says you're fakin' it?
CRUTCHY:
I dunno. It's just there's so many fake crips on the street today, a real crip ain't got a chance. I gotta find me a new selling spot where they ain't used to seeing me.
MUSH:
Try Bottle Alley or the harbor
RACETRACK:
Try Central Park, it's guaranteed
JACK:
Try any bank, or bum or barber
SKITTERY:
They almost all knows how to read
KID BLINK:
I smell money
CRUTCHY:
You smell foul!
MUSH:
Met this girl last night.....
CRUTCHY:
Ahh, move your elbow!
RACETRACK:
Pass the towel!
SKITTERY:
For a buck I might!
NEWSIES:
Ain't it a fine life
Carrying the banner through it all?
A mighty fine life
Carrying the banner tough and tall
Every morning, we goes where we wishes
We's as free as fished
Sure beats washing dishes
What a fine life
Carrying the banner home-free all!
(The NEWSIES leave the Lodging House and head towards Newsies Square)
Summer stinks and winter's waiting
Welcome to New York
Boy, ain't nature fascinating
When youse gotta walk?
Still, it's a fine life
Carrying the banner with me chums
A mighty fine life
Blowing every nickel as it comes
CRUTCHY:
I'm no snoozer
Sitting makes me antsy
I likes living chancy
NEWSIES:
Harlem to Delancey
What a fine life
Carrying the banner through the slums
NUNS:
Blessed children thought you wonder lost and depraved
Jesus loves you, you shall be saved!
PATRICK'S MOTHER:
Patrick, darling
Since you left me, I am undone
Mother loves you
God save my son!
(Sung in counterpoint)
RACETRACK:
Just give me half a cup
KID BLINK:
Something to wake me up
MUSH:
I gotta find an angle
CRUTCHY:
I gotta sell more papes
VARIOUS NEWSIES:
Papers is all I got
Wish I could catch a breeze
Sure hope the headline's hot
All I can catch is fleas
God help me if it's not
Somebody help me, please.....
(End counterpoint)
NEWSIES:
If I hate the headline, I'll make up the headline
And I'll say anything I hafta
'Cause it's two for a penny, if I take too many
Weasel just makes me eat 'em afta
(Sung in counterpoint)
1. Look! They're putting up the headline
They call that a headline?
I get better stories from the copper on the beat
I was gonna start with twenty but a dozen'll be plenty
Tell me, how'm I gonna make ends meet?
2. What's it say?
That won't pay!
So where's your spot?
God, it's hot!
Will ya tell me how'm I gonna make ends meet?
(End counterpoint)
NEWSIES:
We need a good assassination!
We need an earthquake or a war!
SNIPESHOOTER:
How 'bout a crooked politician?
NEWSIES:
Hey, stupid, that ain't news no more!
Uptown to Grand Central Station
Down to City Hall
We improves our circulation
Walkin' 'til we fall!
(Sung in counterpoint)
1. Still we'll be out there
Carrying the banner man to man!
Yes, we'll be out there
Soaking every sucker that we can!
See the headline
Newsies on a mission
Kill the competition
Sell the next edition
While we're out there
Carrying the banner It's a-
2. Look, they're putting up the headline
They call that a headline
The idiot who wrote it must be working for the Sun
Didja hear about the fire?
3.Heard it killed old man Maguire!
2.Heard the toll was ever higher
3.Why do I miss all the fun?
2.Hitched it on a Trolley
3.Meetcha Forty-Fourth and Second
2.Little Italy's a secret
3.Bleecker's further than I reckoned
2.At the courthouse
3.Near the stables
2.On the corner someone beckoned and I.....
RACETRACK:
Dear me! What is that unpleasant aroma? I fear the sewer may have backed up during the night.
BOOTS:
Nah, too rotten to be the sewers.
CRUTCHY:
Yeah, yeah, it must be (in a mocking tone) the Delancey brudders.
(The NEWSIES laugh)
RACETRACK:
Hiya boys!
OSCAR (to Snipeshooter):
In the back, you lousy little shrimp. (OSCAR throws SNIPESHOOTER to the ground. JACK helps him up)
RACETRACK (to Oscar):
It's not good to do that. Not healthy.
JACK:
You shouldn't be callin' people lousy little shrimps, Oscar, unless you're referring to the family resemblance in your brudda here.
RACETRACK:
5-1 that Cowboys skunks 'em. Who's bettin'?
NEWSIES:
Nah, bum odds.
JACK:
That's right. It's an insult. And so's this.
(JACK knocks MORRIS' hat off his head. The DELANCEYS chase JACK around the Square. DAVID and LES enter and watch until JACK bumps into them)
DAVID:
What do you think you're doing?
JACK:
Runnin'!
(Sung in counterpoint)
NEWSIES:
1.It's a fine life
Carrying the banner through it all
A mighty fine life
Carrying the banner tough and tall
See the headline
Newsies on a mission
Kill the competition
Sell the next edition
What a fine life
Carrying the banner!
2. Would you look at the headline
You call that a headline?
I get better stories from the copper on the beat
I was gonna start with twenty but a dozen'll be plenty
Would you tell me how'm I ever gonna make ends meet
Hitched it on a Trolley
Meetcha Forty-Fourth and Second
Little Italy's a secret
Bleecker's further than I reckoned
By the courthouse, near the stables
On the corner someone beckoned!
Go get 'em Cowboy!
You've got 'em now boy!
(End counterpoint)
NEWSIES:
Go!
These is for the newsies!
(The NEWSIES line up for their papes, congratulating JACK on beating the DELANCEYS)
RACETRACK:
Oh, that was great! Better than yesterday.
JACK:
(Throwing some punches into the air) You're too kind to me, Race. You're too kind.
MORRIS:
See you tomorrow, Cowboy.
OSCAR:
You're as good as dead, Cowboy.
JACK:
Oh Mr. Weasel.....
(He rings the circulation bell)
WEASEL:
Alright, alright! Hold your horses! I'm coming, I'm coming. (WEASEL shows up at the circulation desk)
JACK:
So, didja miss me Weasel? Huh, did you miss me?
WEASEL:
I told ya a million times, the name's Wisel. Mr. Wisel to you. How many?
JACK:
Don't rush me, I'm perusin' the merchandise, Mr. Weasel. (The NEWSIES laugh. JACK smacks a few coins onto the counter.) The usual.
WEASEL:
100 papes for the wise guy. Next!
(JACK sits down with his papers. RACETRACK is next in line)
RACETRACK:
Morning your honor! (Lighting a cigar) Listen, do me a favor and spot me 50 papes, huh? I got a hot tip in the fourth, you won't waste your money.
WEASEL:
It's a sure thing?
RACETRACK:
Yeah..... not like last time.
WEASEL:
50 papes! Next!
(RACETRACK sits down next to JACK with his papers. CRUTCHY is next in line)
CRUTCHY:
Heya Mr. Wisel.
RACETRACK (to Jack):
See anything good this morning?
WEASEL:
30 papes for Crutchy! Next!
JACK (to Les):
You wanna sit down?
DAVID:
20 papers please. Thanks.
RACETRACK:
Look at this, 'Baby Born With Two Heads'. Must be from Brooklyn.
(DAVID is counting his papers.)
WEASEL:
Hey, you got your lousy papes, now beat it!
DAVID:
I paid for twenty. I only got nineteen.
WEASEL:
Are you accusing me of lying, kid?
DAVID:
No, I just want my paper.
MORRIS:
He said beat it!
(JACK counts DAVID's papers.)
JACK:
No, it's nineteen, Weasel. It's nineteen, but don't worry about it, it's an honest mistake. I mean, Morris here can't count to twenty with his shoes on. (MORRIS glares at JACK and the NEWSIES laugh tauntingly) Hey Race, will ya spot me 2 bits? (JACK gives the money to WEASEL and pats DAVID on the shoulder.) Another 50 for my friend here.
DAVID (to Weasel):
Oh, I don't want another 50.
JACK:
Sure you do. Every newsie wants more papes. (JACK hands the fifty papers to DAVID)
DAVID:
I don't. I don't want your papes. I don't take charity from anyone. I don't know you, I don't care to. Here are your papes. (DAVID gives the fifty papers back to JACK)
LES:
Cowboy. They called him Cowboy.
JACK:
(Handing the papers over to MUSH) Yeah, I'm called that and a lot of other things, including Jack Kelly, which is what me mudder called me. An' what do they call you kid?
LES:
Les, and this is my brother David. He's older.
JACK:
No kidding. So how old are you, Les?
LES:
Me? Near 10.
JACK:
Near 10. Well, that's no good. If anyone asks, you're 7. (LES looks confused) You see, younger sells more papes and if we're gonna be partners, we wanna be the best-
DAVID:
(Interrupting JACK) Wait. Who said anything about being partners?
JACK:
Well, you owe me 2 bits, right? Well, I'll consider that an investment. We sell together, we split 70-30, plus you get the benefit of observing me, no charge.
DAVID:
Ah-ha.
JACK:
(Mocking DAVID) Ah-ha.
CRUTCHY:
You're getting the chance of a lifetime here, Davey. You learn from Jack, you learn from the best.
(The NEWSIES mumble agreement)
BUMLETS:
(Nodding) The best.
ITEY:
That's right, Davey.
DAVID:
Well, if he's the best, then how come he needs me?
NEWSIES:
Ooohhh.....
JACK:
Listen, I don't need you, pal, but I ain't got a cute little brudder like Les here to front for me. With this kid's puss (JACK pinches LES' cheek) and my God-given talent, we could move a thousand papes a week. So what do you say, Les? You wanna sell papes with me?
LES:
Yeah!
JACK:
So we got a deal?
DAVID:
Wait, wait. It's got to be at least 50-50.
JACK:
(Thinking for a moment) 60-40, I forget the whole thing.
KID BLINK:
That's fair.
NEWSIES:
Yeah, David, that's fair.... very fair..... (etc.)
JACK:
(Eyeing DAVID challengingly) It's fair.
(DAVID looks at LES, who nods enthusiastically. DAVID sighs and holds out his hand. JACK spits on his hand and reaches for DAVID, who pulls his arm away)
JACK:
What'sa matta?
DAVID:
That's disgusting!
(The NEWSIES laugh. By this time, the rest of the NEWSIES have gotten their papers and are moving out into the street)
JACK:
The name of the game is volume, Dave. You only took twenty papes. Why?
DAVID:
Bad headline.
JACK:
That's the first thing you gotta learn. Headlines don't sell papes, newsies sell papes. You know, we're what holds this town together. Without newsies, nobody knows nothing.
KID BLINK:
That's right!
(A GIRL hurries past and the NEWSIES take off their hats and make a few comments)
SPECS:
(Holding up his paper and shouting) Baby born with three heads!
(The NEWSIES begin to yell out various headlines as they head out into the street. Joseph Pulitzer's office in the New York World building- PULITZER is at his desk, reading that day's paper. Also in the office are SEITZ, Pulitzer's right hand man, JONATHON, a high-ranking World employee, and another WORLD EMPLOYEE)
(Reading the newspaper through a magnifying glass) "Trolley Strike Drags on for Third Week" and this so-called headline drags on for infinity.
EMPLOYEE:
The news is slow, Mr. Pulitzer. The trolley strike's all we've got.
PULITZER:
Well, that's all Mr. William Randolph Hearst has too, but look how he covers the strike. (PULITZER holds up a New York Journal) Look! Look!
EMPLOYEE:
We'll get a new headline writer, sir.
PULITZER:
Steal Hearst's man. Offer him double. (PULITZER throws the Journal onto his desk)
SEITZ:
That's how he stole him from us. It's not the headlines, Chief. The circulation wars are cutting into our profits because you spend as much as you make trying to beat Hearst.
PULITZER:
Then we need to make more profits. You do not penny-pinch when you're in a war, Seitz. Victory means everything. Now when I created the World..... (SEITZ rolls his eyes. PULITZER stops and listens for a moment) What is that deadly noise?
(SEITZ looks over at JONATHON)
JONATHAN:
Just the newsies, sir. I'll go have them quieted. (JONATHON starts to leave)
PULITZER:
Never mind the newsies. Where was I?
SEITZ:
Creating the World, Chief.
PULITZER:
(Looking out the window) There's lots of money out there, gentlemen. I want to know how I can get more of it..... by tonight.
DAVID:
Extra! Extra! Trolley Strike Drags On!
JACK:
Extra! Extra! Ellis Island in Flames!
DAVID:
Wait, where's that story?
JACK:
(Collecting money from PEOPLE) Thank you, sir… page 9. Thousands Flee in Panic! Thank you, much obliged to you, ladies.....
DAVIDL
'Trash Fire Next To Immigration Building Terrifies Seagulls'?
JACK:
Terrified Flight of Inferno! Thousands of Lives at Stake! Thank you, sir.....
(LES enters)
JACK:
Hey, you start in the back like I told you? Ok, show me again.
LES:
(Coughs pathetically) Buy me last pape, mista?
JACK:
(Laughing) It's heartbreakin', kid. Go get 'em.
(LES exits)
DAVID:
Our father taught us not to lie.
JACK:
Well, mine told me not to starve, so we both got an education.
DAVID:
You're just making up things. All these headlines.....
JACK:
I don't do nothing the guys who write it don't do. Anyway, it's not lying, it's just improving the truth a little.
(WARDEN SNYDER enters and sees JACK. LES re-enters.)
LES:
(Holding up a coin) The guy gave me a quarter! Quick, give me some more last papers.
DAVID:
Wait, wait. (Sniffs LES) You smell like beer.
LES:
Well, that's how I made the quarter. The guy bet me I wouldn't drink some.
(DAVID glares at JACK)
JACK (to Les):
Hey, no drinking on the job. It's bad for business. And what if somebody called the cops on you?
DAVID (to Jack):
(Pointing to SNYDER) Is he a friend of yours?
JACK:
(Looking over at SNYDER) Beat it! It's the bulls!
(DAVID, JACK, and LES run through the center of the boxing ring. SNYDER pursues them. A police whistle blows)
LES:
All this for one sip of beer?
(SNYDER chases DAVID, JACK, and LES through the streets and into a building. They run up the stairs, jumping over a SLEEPING MAN)
JACK:
Sleeper!
(At the top of the stairs, SNYDER pushes past a MAN with shaving cream on his face and a coffee cup in his hand)
SNYDER:
Move!
(DAVID, JACK, and LES reach the roof. Without stopping for a second, JACK jumps off the roof, leaving DAVID and LES alone. Then JACK's head pops up and he beckons to them. They join him on a hidden ledge below just as SNYDER enters.)
SNYDER:
Sullivan! Wait 'til I get you back to the Refuge!
(JACK leads DAVID and LES back down to the streets. They run a little further until DAVID pins JACK to the door of Irving Hall)
DAVID:
I'm not running any further.
(JACK nods and leads DAVID and LES inside)
DAVID:
I want some answers.
JACK:
Shhh!
DAVID:
Who is he and why is he chasing you? And what is this Refuge?
JACK:
The Refuge is a jail for kids. That guy chasing me is Snyder, he's the warden.
LES:
You were in jail?
JACK:
Yeah.
LES:
Why?
JACK:
Well, I was starving, so I stole some food. (JACK shrugs)
DAVID:
Food?
JACK:
Yeah, food.
AVID:
He called you 'Sullivan'.
JACK:
Well, my name's Kelly. Jack Kelly, you think I'm lyin'?
DAVID:
Well, you have a way of improving the truth.
JACK:
Yeah?
DAVID:
Why was he chasing you?
JACK:
'Cause I escaped.
LES:
Oh, boy! How?
JACK:
Well, this big shot gave me a ride out in his carriage.
DAVID:
(Sarcastically) I bet it was the mayor, right?
JACK:
No, Teddy Roosevelt. You ever heard of him?
(MEDDA enters, carrying a pink feather fan)
MEDDA:
What's going on there? Out! Out! Out!
JACK:
(Walking towards MEDDA) You wouldn't kick me out without a kiss good-bye, wouldja Medda?
MEDDA:
Oh, Kelly. Where ya been, kid? Oh, I miss seeing you up in the balcony.
JACK:
(Kissing MEDDA's hand) Hanging on your every word.
(MEDDA looks at him adoringly)
JACK:
So Medda.
MEDDA:
Yes.
JACK:
This is David, and Les.
MEDDA:
Hello.
JACK:
And this is the greatest star of vaudeville stage today, Miss Medda Larkson, the Swedish meadowlark.
MEDDA:
(Curtseying) Welcome, gentlemen.
JACK:
Medda also owns the joint.
MEDDA:
(Noticing LES and giving a little gasp) Oh, what do we have here? Oh, aren't you just the cutest little thing there ever was, oh yes you are! (MEDDA tickles LES' nose with her fan)
LES:
(Coughing pathetically) Buy me last pape, lady?
MEDDA:
Oh, you are good. (JACK laughs) Oh yes, this kid is really good. Speaking as one professional to another, I'd say you have a great future.
JACK:
So, is it all right if we stay here for awhile, Medda? Just until a little problem outside goes away.
MEDDA:
Sure, stay as long as you like. Ah, Toby, just give my guests whatever they want.
(MEDDA exits. TOBY, a clown bearing a basketful of candy, enters and holds out his goodies for LES. LES grabs as much candy as possible as DAVID stares after MEDDA. JACK picks out a piece of candy for himself and drags DAVID to the wings of the stage)
ANNOUNCER:
And now gents, the moment you've all been waiting for. The sensational songbird. The Swedish meadowlark, Miss Medda Larkson.
(MEDDA goes onstage. DAVID, JACK, and LES watch from the wings. LES chews on a licorice whip)
MEDDA:
My lovey dovey baby
I boo-hoo-hoo for you
I used to be your tootsie-wootsie
Then you said 'toodle-dedoo'
I miss the hanky-panky
Each nighty-night 'til three
Come back my lovey dovey baby
And coochie-coo with me
JACK:
So, you liked that?
DAVID:
Oh, I loved that. I loved it. It was great. She is beautiful. (JACK nods) How do you know her?
JACK:
Ah, she was a friend of me fadder's. (JACK sits on a shoe-shining chair and holds out his feet) Come on, Les, you wanna shine my shoes for me?
(LES sits next to him, placing a licorice whip in his mouth like JACK's cigarette, and completely ignores what JACK has just said)
DAVID:
(Looking at his pocket watch) It's getting late. My parents are going to be worried.... what about yours?
JACK:
Nah, they're out west looking for a place to live, like this. (Pulls out a Santa Fe brochure featuring a rodeo performer called Western Jim) See, that's Santa Fe, New Mexico. As soon as they find the right ranch, they're gonna send for me. (JACK puts the brochure in his back pocket)
LES:
Then you'll be a real cowboy.
JACK:
Yup.
(Fire and loud crashes are heard. JACK, DAVID, and LES run out to see a riot breaking out between the Trolley Union and trolley workers who have not gone on strike. JACK stands by and cheers them on. LES finds a bench and lies down tiredly)
DAVID:
Jack! Why don't we go to my place and divvy up? You can meet my folks.
JACK:
It's the trolley strike, Dave! These couple'a dumbasses must not have joined or something.
DAVID:
Jack, let's get out of here.
JACK:
(Throwing his arm around DAVID's shoulder) Maybe we'll get a good headline tomorrow, Dave. (JACK sees LES sleeping on the bench) Look at this, he slept all the way through it!
(JACK stomps out his cigarette, picks up LES, and throws him over his shoulder. DAVID leads them to his apartment building. They enter the apartment, where ESTHER JACOBS is washing dishes and MAYER JACOBS is sitting at the table. He has a broken arm. SARAH is sitting in a rocking chair and stitching a shirt. ESTHER notices LES)
ESTHER:
My God, what happened?
DAVID:
Nothing, Ma. He's just sleeping.
(ESTHER takes LES and lays him down on a bed in the corner, stroking his head)
MAYER:
We've been waiting dinner for you. Where have you been?
(DAVID puts a pile of coins on the table)
MAYER:
You made all this selling newspapers?
DAVID:
Well, half of it's Jack's. (DAVID returns to the doorway, where JACK is standing uncertainly) This is Jack, our selling partner and, uh, friend. Jack, these are my parents.
MAYER:
(Holding out his hand) Hello.
(JACK shakes his hand)
DAVID:
And that's my sister Sarah.
(SARAH looks up from her work and smiles shyly)
MAYER:
Esther, maybe David's partner would like to stay for dinner. Why don't you put a little water onto the soup?
(He kisses her. She shoves him away playfully)
ESTHER:
Mayer!
(After dinner, they talk as SARAH clears the table)
JACK (to Esther and Mayer):
So, from what I saw today, your boys are a couple of born newsies. (to Sarah) Can I have a little more, please?
SARAH:
Yes.
JACK:
So with my experience and their hard work, I figure we can peddle a thousand a week, and not even break a sweat.
MAYER:
That many?
JACK:
(Nodding) More when the headlines are good.
SARAH:
(Sitting next to JACK) So what makes a headline good?
JACK:
Oh, you know. Catchy words like, uh, maniac or corpse or, lessee… love nest. Nude.
(SARAH and JACK laugh. ESTHER and MAYER exchange looks)
JACK:
Sorry. Maybe I'm talking too much.
MAYER:
Sarah? Go get the cake your mother's hiding in the cabinet.
ESTHER:
(Throwing a washcloth at him) That's for your birthday tomorrow!
MAYOR:
Well, I've had enough birthdays. This is a celebration, eh?
DAVID:
I'll get the knife.
SARAH:
I got the plates.
(DAVID, SARAH, and ESTHER get up. DAVID takes a cloth and shines up the knife)
DAVID:
This is only the beginning, Papa! The longer I work, the more money I'll make.
MAYER:
You'll only work until I go back to the factory, and then you are going back to school, like you promised.
(DAVID looks disappointed. SARAH hands out plates and kisses MAYER on the cheek)
SARAH:
Happy birthday, Papa.
MAYER:
This is going to heal, and I'll get me back my job. We'll make it.
(ESTHER gives everyone a piece of cake. SARAH hands JACK a fork. DAVID sits down next to JACK. LES stirs in bed but does not wake up)
LES:
Come back my lovey-dovey baby
And coochie-coo with me
(DAVID and JACK look at each other and laugh)
ESTHER:
And what is this, David?
(DAVID and JACK try to stop laughing, but can't. We go to later that night on the Jacobs' fire escape, where DAVID and JACK are standing side by side in front of the window)
JACK:
So, how'd your pop get hurt?
DAVID:
At the factory. It was an accident. He's no good to them anymore, so they just fired him.
(MAYER appears at the window)
MAYER:
David, it's time to come in now.
DAVID:
Alright. Jack, why don't you stay here tonight?
JACK:
Ah, no, thanks. I got a place of my own. But you're family's real nice, Dave. Like mine.
DAVID:
See you tomorrow.
JACK:
Alright.
(DAVID and JACK shake hands)
DAVID:
Carrying the banner.
JACK:
(Laughing) Carrying the banner.
JACK:
So that's what they call a family
Mudder, daughter, fadder, son
Guess that everything you heard about it true
So you ain't got any family
Well, who said you needed one?
Ain'tcha glad nobody's waiting up for you?
When I dream on my own
I'm alone, but I ain't lonely
For a dreamer, night's the only time of day
When the city's finally sleeping
When my thoughts begin to stray
And I'm on the train that bound for
Santa Fe
And I'm free
Like the wind
Like I'm gonna live forever.
It's a feeling time can never take away
All I need's a few more dollars
And I'm outta here to stay
Dreams come true
Yes they do
In Santa Fe
Where does it say you've gotta live and die here?
Where does it say a guy can't catch a break?
Why should you only take what you're given?
Why should you spend your whole life livin'
Trapped where there ain't no future
Even at seventeen
Breaking your back for someone else's sake?
If the life don't seem to suit ya
How 'bout a change of scene
Far from the lousy headlines
And the deadlines in between?
Santa Fe
Are you there?
Do you swear you won't forget me?
If I found you would you let me come and stay?
I ain't getting any younger
And before my dying day
I want space
Not just air
Let 'em laugh in my face, I don't care
Save a place
I'll be there
So that's what they call a family
Ain'tcha glad you ain't that way?
Ain'tcha glad you got a dream called
Santa Fe?
(JACK ends up outside the Lodging House. He meets up with RACETRACK)
JACK:
Heya Race.
RACETRACK:
Hey Jack.
JACK:
How was your day at the track?
RACETRACK:
Remember that hot tip I told you about?
JACK:
Yeah.
RACETRACK:
Nobody told the horse.
PULITZER:
I know we need to make more money. That's why we're here, to find out how to make more money.
JONATHAN:
I have several proposals. First, to increase the paper's price.
PULITZER:
Then Hearst outsells me and I'm in the poorhouse. Brilliant, Jonathan, brilliant. (PULITZER puts his hand on JONATHON's shoulder and pushes him down onto a chair)
JONATHAN:
Not the customer price. The price to the distribution apparatus.
SEITZ:
Charge the newsies more for their papers? Bad idea, Chief.
JONATHAN:
Very well. My next proposal, salary cuts. Particularly those at the top.
SEITZ:
Very bad idea, Chief.
PULITZER:
Wait. What do the newsies pay now? 50 cents for 100 papers? If you raise it to, uh, what, uh..... 60 cents.....
JONATHAN:
A mere tenth of a cent per paper.
PULITZER:
Multiply by 40, 000 papers a day..... 7 days a week..... (PULITZER makes cash register noises as he calculates the figures)
JONATHAN:
It definitely adds up, sir.
SEITZ:
If you do this, every newsie we've got will head straight for Hearst.
PULITZER:
You don't know Hearst like I do, Seitz. As newspapermen, we would cut each other's throats to get an advantage. But as gentlemen, as businessmen, we also see eye to eye on certain things. Now if we do it, Hearst and I, if we do it..... then the other papers will do it. (PULITZER does a triumphant little jig)
SEITZ:
It's going to be awfully rough on those children.
PULITZER:
Nonsense, nonsense. It'll be good for them. Incentive, make them work harder, sell more papers. They'll look on it, they'll look on it as a challenge. A challenge.
(The Distribution Center- The NEWSIES have gathered. JACK joins them)
KID BLINK:
They jacked up the price! You hear that, Jack? Ten cents a hundred! Y'know, it's bad enough that we gotta eat what we don't sell. Now they jacked up the price! (OSCAR DELANCEY mocks KID BLINK on the other side of the circulation desk) Can you believe that?!
SKITTERY:
This'll bust me, I'm barely making a living right now.
BOOT:
I'll be back sleeping on the streets.
MUSH:
It don't make no sense. I mean, all the money Pulitzer's making, why would he gouge us?
RACETRACK:
Because he's a tight wad, that's why!
(The NEWSIES argue a little among themselves)
JACK:
Pipe down, it's just a gag. (Approaching the circulation desk) So, why the jack-up, Weasel?
WEASEL:
Why not? (Licks finger and holds it up to the breeze) It's a nice day.
(JACK walks away, disgusted)
WEASEL:
Why don'tcha ask Mr. Pulitzer?
KID BLINK:
They can't to this to me, Jack.
RACETRACK:
They can do whatever they want. It's their stinkin' paper.
(JACK sits down next to BOOTS and looks at him)
BOOTS:
It ain't fair. We got no rights at all.
RACETRACK:
Come on, it's a rigged deck. They got all the marbles. Okay?
MUSH:
Jack, we got no choice, why don't we get our lousy papes while they still got some, huh? (MUSH starts for the circulation window)
JACK:
No! (Stops MUSH) Nobody's anywhere. They can't get away with this! (Various NEWSIES yell at JACK and each other. LES enters, shoving people aside. He sits next to JACK)
LES:
Give him some room, give him some room. Let him think.
(JACK looks at LES. KID BLINK hands JACK his cigarette. JACK takes a smoke, and there is a tense silence as he thinks)
RACETRACK:
Jack, you done thinkin' yet?
WEASEL:
Hey! Hey! Hey! World employees only on this side of the gate!
(The NEWSIES yell at him to shut up. OSCAR makes a 'bring it on' gesture)
JACK:
Well, listen. One thing for sure, if we don't sell papes, then nobody sells papes. Nobody comes through those gates until they put the price back to where it was.
DAVID:
You mean like a strike?
JACK:
Yeah, like a strike!
(The NEWSIES scoff at him)
RACETRACK:
Are you out of your mind?
JACK:
It's a good idea!
DAVID:
(Sidling up to JACK and whispering urgently) Jack, I was only joking. Look, we can't go on strike, we don't have a union.
JACK:
But, if we go on strike, then we are a union, right?
DAVID:
No, we're just a bunch of angry kids with no money. Maybe if we got every newsie in New York, but.....
JACK:
Yeah, well, we organize. (He gets up and grabs CRUTCHY) Crutchy, you take for collection.
CRUTCHY:
Swell! (Holds out his hat to the other NEWSIES) Come on, guys, we're a union.
JACK:
(Walking away in excitement) We get all the newsies of New York together!
(Some of the NEWSIES follow Jack, but DAVID, KID BLINK, MUSH, and RACETRACK stay back uncertainly)
DAVID:
Jack, this isn't a joke. You saw what happened to those trolley workers.
JACK:
(Walking backwards and yelling back at DAVID) Yeah, well, that's another good idea. Any newsie who don't join with us, then we bust their heads like the trolley workers. (He smashes his fist into his palm and the NEWSIES agree enthusiastically)
DAVID:
(Catching up to JACK) Stop and think about this, Jack! You can't just rush everybody into this!
JACK:
Alright. Let me think about it. (Stopping at a statue of Pulitzer) Listen, Dave's right. I mean, Pulitzer and Hearst, I mean, they own this city! So do we think that a bunch of street rats like us can make any difference? The choice has gotta be yours. Are we just gonna take what they give us, or are we gonna strike?
(RACETRACK, MUSH, and KID BLINK look guilty. The NEWSIES stare at JACK as silence greets his speech)
LES:
(Thrusting his toy wooden sword into the air) Strike!
(The NEWSIES erupt in cheers. DAVID grabs LES and covers his mouth)
BOOTS:
Keep talking Jack, tell us what to do!
JACK:
Well, you tell us what to do, Davey.
DAVID:
(Sighing and thinking for a moment) Pulitzer and Hearst have to respect our rights.
JACK (to the crowd):
Hey listen! Pulitzer and Hearst have to respect the rights of the working boys of New York! (The NEWSIES cheer. JACK mutters to DAVID) Well, that worked pretty good. So what else?
DAVID:
Tell them..... that they can't treat us like we don't exist.
JACK:
(Climbing onto the pedestal of the statue) Pulitzer and Hearst, they think we're nothing. Are we nothing?
NEWSIES:
No!
DAVID:
(Placing his hands on the pedestal and calling up to JACK) If we stick together like the trolley workers then they can't break us up.
JACK:
Pulitzer and Hearst, they think they got us.
Do they got us?
NEWSIES:
No!
DAVID:
We're a union now, the Newsboys Union. We have to start acting like a union.
JACK:
Even though we ain't got hats or badges
We're a union just by saying so
And the world will know!
BOOTS:
What's to stop somebody from selling our papers?
JACK:
Well, we'll talk with 'em.
RACETRACK:
Some of them don't hear so good!
JACK:
Well then we'll soak 'em!
DAVID:
No! We can't beat up kids in the streets. It'll give us a bad name.
CRUTCHY:
Can't get any worse.
JACK:
What's it gonna take to stop the wagons?
Are we ready?
NEWSIES:
Yeah!
DAVID:
No!
JACK:
What's it gonna take to stop the scabbers?
Can we do it?
NEWSIES:
Yeah!
JACK:
We'll do what we gotta do until we
Break the will of mighty Bill and Joe!
NEWSIES:
And the world will know
And the Journal too!
Mr. Hearst and Pulitzer
Have we got news for you!
Now the world will hear
What we've got to say
We've been hawking headlines
But we're making 'em today
And our ranks will grow!
CRUTCHY:
And we'll kick their rear!
NEWSIES:
And the world will know that we been here!
JACK:
When the circulation bell starts ringin'
Will we hear it?
NEWSIES:
No!
JACK:
What if the Delanceys come out swingin'
Will we hear it?
NEWSIES:
No!
When you've got a hundred voices singing
Who can hear a lousy whistle blow?
And the World will know
That this ain't no game
That we got a ton of rotten fruit and perfect aim
So they gave their word
But it ain't worth beans!
Now they're gonna see what 'stop the presses' really means
And the day has come
And the time is now
And the fear is gone
BOOTS:
And their name is mud!
NEWSIES:
And the strike is on
BOOTS:
And I can't stand blood!
NEWSIES:
And the World will.....
JACK:
Pulitzer may own the World but he don't own us
NEWSIES:
Pulitzer may own the World but he don't own us
JACK:
Pulitzer may crack the whip but he won't whip us
NEWSIES:
Pulitzer may crack the whip but he won't whip us
And the world will know
And the world will learn
And the world will wonder how we made the tables turn
And the world will see
That we had to choose
That the things we do today will be tomorrow's news
And the old will fall
And the young stand tall
And the time is now
And the winds will blow
And our ranks will grow
And grow and grow and so
The world will feel the fire
And finally know!
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