NEWSIES:
Strike! Strike! Strike! (etc.)
(JACK climbs down and stands in front of the World doors and faces the crowd of newsies. DAVID comes up to greet him)
JACK:
We gotta get word out to all the newsies of New York. I need some of those..... uh, what'dja call 'em?
DAVID:
Uh, ambassadors?
JACK:
Yeah. Okay, you guys, you gotta be amb*stards (the NEWSIES snicker) and go tell the others that we're on strike.
KID BLINK:
Say, Jack, I'll take Harlem. (Exits)
RACETRACK:
Yeah, I got Midtown. (Exits)
MUSH:
I got the Bowery, Jack. (Exits)
CRUTCHY:
Hey, I'll take the Bronx. (Grabs another NEWSIE and exits)
JACK:
All right. And Bumlets, and Specs and Skittery, you take Queens.
BUMLETS:
All right. (He and SPECS and SKITTERY exit)
JACK:
Pie Eater! Snoddy! East Side! Snipeshooter, you go with 'em. (They exit) So, what about Brooklyn? Who wants Brooklyn? (The NEWSIES fidget and avoid looking at JACK) Come on, Spot Conlon's territory. What'sa matta? You scared of Brooklyn?
BOOTS:
Hey, we ain't scared of Brooklyn. (The NEWSIES mumble agreement) But Spot Conlon makes us a little nervous.
JACK:
Well, he don't make me nervous. So you and me, Boots, we'll go to Brooklyn.
BOOTS:
(Nodding) All right.
JACK:
(Throwing his arm around DAVID's shoulder) And Dave can keep us company.
(The NEWSIES laugh)
DAVID:
(Shrugging off JACK's arm) Sure, just as soon as you bring our demands to Pulitzer.
JACK:
(Pointing at himself, then to the World building) Me? To Pulitzer?
DAVID:
(Sarcastically) Well, you're the leader, Jack.
(Various NEWSIES shout words of encouragement. JACK thinks for a moment, then steps into the crowd and pulls LES out)
JACK:
Well, maybe the kid'll soften him up.
(JACK and LES enter the World Building. The NEWSIES cheer)
NEWSIES:
Strike! Strike! Strike! (etc.)
(The NEWSIES go off in different directions. BRYAN DENTON enters and approaches DAVID)
DENTON:
Hey, what is the strike? What's going on?
DAVID:
We're bringing out demands to Pulitzer.
DENTON:
What demands?
DAVID:
The newsies' demands. We're on strike.
DENTON:
(Smiling) I'm with the New York Sun. I'm Bryan Denton. You seem like the kid in charge, what's your name?
DAVID:
(Uncertain) David
DENTON:
David. David as in David and Goliath? (DAVID snorts a little. DENTON gazes up at the World building) You really think old man Pulitzer's going to listen to your demands?
DAVID:
He has to.
(JACK and LES are thrown out the door of the World building)
WORLD EMPLOYEE:
Out, hooligans!
JACK:
Well, so's your old lady! You tell Pulitzer he needs an appointment with me! (Points to himself and makes a fist)
LES:
Yeah!
(Tibby's Restaurant- JACK, DAVID, LES and DENTON are sitting in a booth, eating lunch)
JACK:
So this snooty mug says to me, (Making his voice high-pitched and mocking) 'You can't see Mr. Pulitzer. No one sees Mr. Pulitzer.' Real hoity-toity, you know the type?
LES:
(Looking up from his soup and nodding enthusiastically) Real hoity-toity.
JACK:
So that's when I says to him, 'Listen, I ain't in the habit of transacting no business with office boys. Just tell him Jack Kelly's here to see him now!' (JACK bangs his fist on the table, causing some silverware to clatter)
LES:
That's when he threw us out. (JACK hits him lightly on the shoulder as DAVID laughs at them)
DENTON:
Does he scare you? You're going up against the most powerful man in New York City.
JACK:
(Placing his hands on his chest) Oh yeah, look at me. I'm trembling.
DENTON:
(Smiling at JACK's arrogance) All right, keep me informed. I want to know everything that's going on. (He hands a business card to DAVID)
DAVID:
(Scanning the business card) Are we really an important story?
DENTON:
Well, what's important? Last year I covered the war in Cuba. Charged up San Juan Hill with Col. Teddy Roosevelt, that was an important story. So, it the newsies' strike important? (He pauses and stares hard at JACK) That all depends on you.
(DENTON gets up and a WAITER puts his jacket on for him)
JACK:
So my name's really gonna be in the papers?
DENTON:
Any objections?
JACK:
Not as long as you get it right. It's Kelly, Jack Kelly. (DENTON nods and turns to leave) Oh, and Denton? (DENTON turns once more) No pictures.
DENTON:
(Laughing) Sure, Jack.
DAVID:
I've never been to Brooklyn, have you?
JACK:
Really?
BOOTS:
I spent a month there on night.
(DAVID laughs)
JACK:
Here, watch this.
(JACK and BOOTS lean over the side of the bridge and scream at the top of their lungs)
DAVID:
So, is this Spot Conlon really dangerous?
(BOOTS and JACK laugh as if this is extremely funny. The boys get to Brooklyn. There are a lot of tough looking BROOKLYN NEWSIES swimming, smoking, and hanging around)
BROOKLYN NEWSIE "SWIMMER":
(Hoisting himself out of the water and standing in JACK's way) Goin' somewhere, Kelly?
(JACK pushes past him. DAVID and BOOTS follow)
SPOT CONLON:
(Perching on a pillar near the edge of the dock) Well, if it ain't Jack -be-nimble, Jack -be-quick.
JACK:
I see you moved up in the world, Spot. Got yourself a river view and everything.
(SPOT and JACK stare at each other challengingly. JACK looks a little nervous. Finally, SPOT jumps down and the two boys spit in their hands and shake. JACK claps his hand on SPOT's shoulder. SPOT puts his cane into his belt)
SPOT:
Heya Boots, how's it rollin'?
BOOTS:
(Holding out a handful of marbles) Hey, I got a couple of real good shooters here.
(SPOT takes the marbles and takes out his sling shot)
SPOT:
Yeah. So ah, Jacky-boy, ah. I've been hearing things from little birds. (He fits a marble into his slingshot)
JACK:
Yeah?
SPOT:
(Aiming the sling shot) Things from Harlem. Queens. (He shoots the marble and it breaks a wine bottle, which spills. DAVID looks from the broken bottle to SPOT. BOOTS licks his lips nervously) All over. They been chirpin' in my ear. Seems like Jacky-boy's newsies is playing like they're going on strike.
JACK:
Yeah, well we are.
DAVID:
(Stepping in front of SPOT) But we're not playing. We are going on strike.
SPOT:
(Getting in DAVID's face, mocking him) Oh yeah? Yeah? (Scornfully) What is this, Jacky-boy? Some kind of walkin' mouth?
(DAVID sputters in anger. JACK puts his hand on his shoulder)
JACK:
Yeah, it's a mouth. But a mouth with a brain, and if you got half a one, you'll listen to what he's got to say.
(SPOT sits down, crosses his arms, and looks at DAVID expectantly)
JACK:
Go on, tell him.
DAVID:
Well, we started the strike, but we can't do it alone, so we've been talking to newsies all over the city.
SPOT:
Yeah. So they told me. But what'd they tell you?
DAVID:
They're waiting to see what Spot Conlon is doing, you're the key. That Spot Conlon is the most respected and famous newsie in all of New York, and probably everywhere else. And if Spot Conlon joins the strike, then they'll join. And we'll be unstoppable! So you gotta join us, because..... well, you gotta!
SPOT:
(Nodding at JACK) Well, you're right, Jack. Brains. (SPOT stands and bangs his cane threateningly on the dock) But I got brains too. And more than just half a one. (Shaking his cane at JACK) How do I know you punks won't run the first time some goon comes at'cha with a club? How do I know you got what it takes to win?
JACK:
Because I'm telling you, Spot.
SPOT:
(Shaking his head) That ain't good enough, Jacky-boy. You gotta show me.
RACETRACK:
Double down, boys! Ah-hah! (He collects money from the NEWSIES)
KID BLINK:
(Wearily) Racetrack.
(JACK, DAVID, and BOOTS enter)
RACETRACK:
Jack. So, where's Spot?
JACK:
He was concerned about us being serious. You imagine that?
RACETRACK:
(Smoking a cigarette) Well, Jack, maybe we oughtta ease off a little, ya know?
KID BLINK:
Without Spot and the others, there ain't enough of us, Jack.
MUSH:
Yeah, maybe we're moving too soon. Maybe we ain't ready, ya know?
JACK:
(Imitating them) Ya know?
SKITTERY:
I definitely think we should forget about it for a little while.
JACK:
Oh, do ya?
SKITTERY:
Yeah.
RACETRACK
Yeah, I mean, without Brooklyn..... ya know?
JACK:
Hey, what's the matta? Spot was right, is this just a game to you guys?
SEVERAL NEWSIES:
Jack.....
JACK:
(Sadly) Heya, Crutchy.
CRUTCHY:
Hey, Jack.
DAVID:
Open the gates and seize the day
Don't be afraid and don't delay
Nothing can break us
No one can make us
Give our rights away
Arise and seize the day!
Now is the time to seize the day
NEWSIES:
Now is the time to seize the day!
DAVID:
Send out the call and join the fray
NEWSIES:
Send out the call and join the fray
DAVID:
Wrongs will be righted
If we're united
DAVID AND NEWSIES:
Let us seize the day!
DAVID:
Friends of the friendless, seize the day
NEWSIES:
Friends of the friendless, seize the day!
DAVID:
Raise up the torch and light the way
NEWSIES:
Raise up the torch and light the way
Proud and defiant,
We'll slay the giant
Let us seize the day
Neighbor to neighbor
Father to son
One for all and all for one!
GROUP 1:
Open the gates and seize the day
GROUP 2:
Open the gates and seize the day
GROUP 1:
Don't be afraid and don't delay
GROUP 2:
Don't be afraid and don't delay
NEWSIES:
Nothing can break us
No one can make us
Give our rights away
Neighbor to neighbor,
Father to son
One for all and all for one!
JACK
Anybody hear that?
NEWSIES
No!
JACK:
So what're we gonna do about it?
NEWSIES:
Soak 'em!
(The NEWSIES run to the circulation center. Several SCABBERS are buying papers. The NEWSIES and the SCABBERS have a stand off. 3 SCABS join with the newsies, but then a BIG SCAB comes up against JACK. He tries to get by, but the NEWSIES keep pushing him back)
RACETRACK:
Is he a newsie or what? (He pushes the SCAB away)
DAVID:
Race.....
KID BLINK:
(Getting in the SCAB's face) Back off.
DAVID:
Blink!
(The SCAB faces JACK angrily. JACK begins to lose his temper)
DAVID:
Now Jack, just don't.....
(JACK knocks the papers out of the SCAB's hands. The SCAB is ready to fight him when suddenly, JACK pushes him down. A riot breaks out between the NEWSIES and the SCABS. The NEWSIES grab their papers, rip them up, and throw them into the air. JACK climbs up and presses his face against the window of the distribution center, blowing raspberries at WEASEL and the DELANCEY BROTHERS)
MORRIS:
I'm gonna crack your dome!
(The tearing of newspapers continue. A delivery cart is pushed onto its side. WEASEL calls the cops, who enter, blowing whistles)
JACK:
Cheese it! Hey, cheese it, it's the bulls!
(All the NEWSIES run, except CRUTCHY, who doesn't notice)
RACETRACK:
Crutchy! Scram! Scram!
(CRUTCHY starts to leave, but is blocked in by COPS. He turns to find the DELANCEY BROTHERS behind him)
OSCAR:
(Spreading his arms wide in fake friendliness) Heyyy!
CRUTCHY:
Oh, hey, guys-
(OSCAR knocks his crutch aside and they drag him away. DENTON has been watching all of this. That night- JACK and DAVID walk to the Refuge. JACK has a rope in his hands)
JACK:
So here it is. The Refuge. My home, sweet home.
DAVID:
How can you be sure they sent Crutchy here?
JACK:
How can I be sure the Delanceys stink? It's just how things work, ya know? An orphan gets arrested, Snyder makes sure he gets sent straight here, so he can rehabilitate him, ya know? The more kids in the Refuge, the more money the city sends to take care of them, the more Snyder sticks into his pocket. He's here.
DAVID:
So how come you brought the rope?
(A carriage driven by NUNS exits the Refuge. JACK and DAVID hide in the shadows. As the GUARD talks with the NUNS, the two boys sneak by. On the roof, DAVID lowers JACK, who has the rope tied around his waist. JACK gets level with the window)
JACK:
Gently. Gently, Dave. Steady..... that's good. That's good!
(JACK knocks on the window. TEN PIN opens it)
TEN PIN:
Cowboy. You miss the joint?
JACK:
What do ya say, Ten Pin? You got a new guy in here. Crutchy.
TEN PIN:
The gimp? I'll get him for ya.
JACK:
(Muttering) Gimp.
TEN PIN (to Crutchy):
Hey Crutchy, it's Jack.
JACK
Hey Crutchy.
(With the help of a BOY, CRUTCHY limps to the window)
CRUTCHY:
I don't believe it. What are you hanging around here for, huh?
JACK:
What do you mean what am I hangin' around here for? Hey, you know who's on the roof?
CRUTCHY:
Who?
JACK:
Dave.
CRUTCHY:
(Peering out the window up at the roof) Is that Dave? Heya Dave, how ya doin'?
DAVID:
Shhh!
JACK:
Listen, Crutchy, go get your stuff. We're gonna get you outta here.
CRUTCHY:
Well, actually..... (glancing over his shoulder) I ain't walking so good. Oscar and Morris kinda worked me over a little, you know?
JACK:
They hurt you? (CRUTCHY nods sadly) Listen, don't worry about it. Me and Dave, we can carry you outta here.
CRUTCHY:
(Shaking a finger at JACK) Hey, I don't want nobody carryin' me. Never, you hear? Hey, Dave! You know, they still talk about how Jack rode outta here on that coach.
DAVID:
Oh, yeah. Teddy Roosevelt's, right?
CRUTCHY:
You already heard the story. (Grinning and shaking his head in amusement)
DAVID:
You mean it's true?
CRUTCHY:
Of course.
(BOYS in the Refuge hop out of their beds and stand up straight as the door opens)
CRUTCHY:
Cheese it!
(SNYDER enters and inspects the room. JACK swings to the side of the window, out of sight. As SNYDER is about to look out the window, CRUTCHY grabs his arm)
CRUTCHY:
Mr. Warden Snyder, sir. You know, I was thinking. I'd just like you to know that when you were taking a nap this afternoon.....
(CRUTCHY leads SNYDER away from the window and JACK leaves. The next morning- PULITZER, WEASEL and SEITZ are inside PULITZER's office)
I don't think they're just going to go away, Chief.
WEASEL:
(Raising his hand meekly) Mr. Pulitzer, sir, just give me the means and I'll take care of them for ya.
PULITZER:
I'll give you whatever means you require. I want this nonsense done with once and for all.
SEITZ:
Chief.....
PULIZER:
(Pointing and shouting) Shut your mouth, Seitz!
(WEASEL and SEITZ leave. PULITZER looks out the window to the square where the NEWSIES have gathered)
NEWSIES:
Open the gates and seize the day
Don't be afraid and don't delay
Nothing can break us
No one can make us
Give our rights away
Arise and seize the day
(The NEWSIES block the entrance to the World building. A delivery cart rushes through. The NEWSIES and the SCABS have another stand off)
DAVID:
(Trying to keep the NEWSIES under control) All right. Everyone remain calm.
(An angry silence follows as the NEWSIES and the SCABS eye each other)
JACK:
Let's soak 'em for Crutchy!
(The NEWSIES cheer and charge towards the SCABS, who retreat without a fight. They open a large door and big MEN with clubs and chains come out)
RACETRACK:
Jack! Jack, it's a trick!
(The MEN form a circle around JACK so none of the NEWSIES can help him. The gates shut and DENTON can't get in to help)
OSCAR:
Heya Jacky-boy.
(JACK faces a man with a chain. Outside, DENTON tries to get in, and CAPTAIN MCSWAIN guards the gates)
DENTON (to MCSWAIN):
Aren't you going to stop them, sir?
MCSWAIN:
Just move along, mister.
(Just as all hope seems lost for JACK, and the NEWSIES are getting beaten badly, a bunch of BROOKLYN NEWSIES appear on the rooftops, including SPOT)
SPOT:
(Twirling his sling shot) Never fear, Brooklyn is here.
MUSH:
It's Brooklyn!
(The NEWSIES begin to retaliate and get an advantage over the MEN, the BROOKLYN NEWSIES using their sling shots. RACETRACK throws his hands in the air and sits on a ledge.....)
RACETRACK (to a GUY):
Hey, I give up. All right, all right. I give up.
(.....then kicks the GUY in the family jewels)
JACK:
(Waving his arm at the rooftops) Hey, Spot!
(SPOT grabs a clothesline and swings down, kicking a few MEN in the back. He and JACK spit-shake. The NEWSIES hit the SCABS. First RACETRACK, then JACK, KID BLINK and another. SKITTERY gets hit by a MAN and falls back. NEWSIES catch him)
DAVID:
(Shouting in SKITTERY's ear) Are you all right?
(Before SKITTERY can answer, the NEWSIES push him up and he punches the MAN back. SPOT opens the gates and the BROOKLYN NEWSIES join. They force the MEN back. The NEWSIES cheer and tear the remaining papers. DENTON enters with his camera)
DENTON:
Jack! Boys! Freeze! Freeze!
JACK:
All right, guys. (Grinning)
(DENTON takes the picture. JACK is the only one ready for it. The others all have weird expressions on their faces. The picture turns black and white and appears on the cover of the New York Sun under the headline 'The Children's Crusade: Newsies Stop the World'. The next day- The NEWSIES are in Tibby's. DENTON enters with the paper)
Hey fellas.
NEWSIES:
Oh, hey, man! Hey, let me see that (etc.)
DENTON:
Hey, hey! (Slapping the paper in front of JACK) Big time.
BOOTS:
What'cha got there, Jack?
SPOT:
(Looking over JACK's shoulder impatiently) Hey, where's me picture? Where's me picture?
MUSH:
(Pointing at JACK's picture and laughing) Look at that, Jack. You look like a gentleman almost.
JACK:
(Brushing MUSH's fingers away) Will you get your fingers off my face?
SPOT:
Where does it say my name? Where's my name?
JACK:
Will you quit thinking about yourself?
BOOTS:
Hey, what is that? That all about us?
DAVID (to Denton):
You got us on the front page!
DENTON:
You got yourselves on the front page. I just got to make sure you stay there.
SKITTERY:
So what? You get your picture in the papes, so what's that getcha, huh?
MUSH:
(Hitting Skittery on the shoulder) What are you talking about?
JACK:
Shut up, boy. You been in a bad mood all day!
SKITTERY:
I'm not in a bad mood!
RACETRACK:
Glum or dumb, what's the matter with you? (He pushes SKITTERY's face away) You're in the papes, you're famous. You're famous you get anything you want! (Slapping the table) That's what's so great about New York.
MUSH:
A pair of new shoes with matching laces
RACETRACK:
A permanent box at Sheepshed Races
SPOT:
A porcelain tub with boiling water
KID BLINK:
A Saturday night with the mayor's daughter!
RACETRACK:
Look at me
I'm the King of New York!
Suddenly
I'm respectable
Staring right atcha
Lousy with stature
JACK:
Nobbin' with all the muckety-mucks
I'm blowin' my dough and goin' deluxe
RACETRACK:
And there I be
Ain't I pretty?
RACETRACK & JACK:
It's my city
I'm the king of New York!
BOOTS:
A corduroy suit with fitted knickers
LES:
A mezzanine seat to see the flickers
SNIPESHOOTER:
Havana cigars that cost a quarter
DAVID:
An editor's desk for the star reporter!
NEWSIES:
Tip your hat
He's the King of New York
DENTON:
How 'bout that?
I'm the King of New York!
NEWSIES:
In nothing flat
He'll be covering
Brooklyn to Trenton
Our man Denton
KID BLINK:
Makin' a headline out of a hunch
DENTON:
Protecting the weak
RACETRACK:
And payin' for lunch
DENTON:
When I'm at bat
Strong men crumble
RACETRACK:
Proud yet humble
DENTON & RACETRACK:
I'm/He's the King of New York
NEWSIES:
I gotta be either dead or dreamin'
'Cuz look at that pape with my face beamin'
Tomorrow they may wrap fishes in it
But I was a star for one whole minute!
Starting now
I'm the King of New York!
DENTON:
Ain't ya heard?
I'm the King of New York!
NEWSIES:
Holy cow!
It's a miracle
Pulitzer's crying
Weasel? He's dying!
Flashpots are shooting bright as the sun
I'm one highfalutin' son of a gun
Don't ask me how
Fortune found me
Fate just crowned me
Now I'm King of New York!
Look and see
Once a piker
Now a striker
I'm the King of New York!
Victory
Front page story
Guts and glory
I'm the King of New York!
JACK:
So, let's have some ideas.
DAVID:
Well, we gotta show people where we stand.
JACK:
Yeah, so we gotta stay in the papes.
DENTON:
My paper's the only one printing any strike news, so far.
JACK:
So, we should do something that's so big the other papers'll feel stupid if they try to ignore us. Like a rally. A newsie rally with all the kids from all over New York. It'll be the biggest, loudest, nosiest blow-out this town's ever seen!
NEWSIES:
Yeah!
DAVID:
We'll send a message to the big boys
RACETRACK:
(Jokingly) Yeah, what message?
(A WAITER brings a tray of cokes. Each NEWSIE grabs a glass)
JACK:
There's a lot of us, and we ain't going away. We'll fight until damn Doomsday if it means we get a fair shake.
DAVID:
Hey, guys. (Holding up a glass) To our man Denton.
NEWSIES:
Our man Denton!
(The NEWSIES lift their glasses in a toast. In the Refuge- CRUTCHY knocks on SNYDER's door and enters)
CRUTCHY:
Heya Mr. Snyder. How was your supper?
(As he begins to put SNYDER's dinner plates on a tray, CRUTCHY notices SNYDER looking at the New York Sun, particularly at JACK's picture)
CRUTCHY:
Hey! That's Jack. He looks just like himself.
SNYDER:
You know this boy?
CRUTCHY:
(Realizing his mistake) No!
SNYDER:
(Getting up and moving closer to CRUTCHY) You have a famous friend, this Jack. Do you know where he lives?
CRUTCHY:
(Backing away from SNYDER) I never heard of him, honest! It's this brain of mine, it's always making mistakes. It's got a mind of its own.
(SNYDER stares hard at CRUTCHY. CRUTCHY avoids looking at SNYDER and finishes clearing his plates away)
CRUTCHY:
Can I get you anything else, Mr. Snyder? (SNYDER holds the newspaper under CRUTCHY's face) Good-bye, Mr. Snyder.
(CRUTCHY exits. That night at the Lodging House- Some NEWSIES are painting signs for the rally. DUTCHY's sign says 'Strike')
DUTCHY:
So, did I spell it right, Kloppman?
KLOPPMAN:
(Carefully reading the letters) That's very good. Very good.
(SNYDER enters and starts looking through KLOPPMAN's sign-in book)
KLOPPMAN:
(Shutting the book) Excuse me. Eh, can I help you?
SNYDER:
You have a boy who calls himself Jack Kelly? I wish to see him
KLOPPMAN:
Jack Kelly? Never heard of him. (RACETRACK and KID BLINK look up from their card game, alarmed) Never heard of him. Hey, any of you boys ever heard of Jack Kelly?
SPECS:
That's an unusual name for these parts.
(JACK enters, but SWIFTY stops him and points SNYDER out to him, telling him to keep quiet)
RACETRACK:
Oh, you mean Jack Kelly! (Getting up and smoking his cigar cockily) Yeah, he was here. But he put an egg in his shoe and beat it.
(The NEWSIES snicker. BUMLETS points at SNYDER and laughs loudly. As SNYDER glares at him, JACK ducks behind his back, making fun of him)
SNYDER:
I have reason to believe he's an escaped prisoner, possibly dangerous.
(JACK pretends to look hurt)
KLOPPMAN:
Oh, dangerous? I better look in my files. Here, this way, please.
(KLOPPMAN distracts SNYDER and JACK dashes for the stairs. The NEWSIES hold up signs to hide him)
RACETRACK:
Give to the Newsies Strike fund, mister?
(SNYDER hands RACETRACK a coin. The next morning- SARAH wakes up and looks out the window. She sees JACK asleep on the fire escape)
SARAH:
Did you sleep out there all night?
JACK:
(Waking up with a slight start) Yeah.
SARAH:
Why didn't you wake us up?
JACK:
Well, I didn't want to disturb nobody. (He walks over to the window) Besides, it's like the Waldorf out here. Great view, cool air.
SARAH:
Go up on the roof.
(JACK leaves so SARAH can get dressed. As he waits on the roof, he boxes with some stockings hanging from a clothesline and steals a tomato from a plant. SARAH enters with a tray)
SARAH:
Are you hungry?
JACK:
Yeah.
SARAH:
Good. I made you breakfast.
(She lays a cloth on a table and sets out the food and milk)
SARAH:
Papa's so proud of you and David. You should hear him talking about Jack Kelly, strike leader, who occasionally takes his meals with us.
JACK:
Well, this is one strike leader who's gonna be very happy when it's all over, and I can get out of here and go to Santa Fe. I mean, there's nothing for me to stay for, is there? (SARAH looks at him but says nothing) You know, you should see Santa Fe, everything's different there. It's all bigger. The desert, and the sky, and the sun.....
SARAH:
It's the same sun as here.
JACK:
Yeah, it just looks different.
SARAH:
I should..... get ready for work.....
JACK:
Sarah? (She looks up) I'm just not used to having with I stay or whether I go matter to anybody. I'm not saying it should matter to you. I'm just saying, well, does it? Matter?
(SARAH smiles shyly and JACK smiles and takes a drink of milk, never taking his eyes off her. In PULITZER's office- PULITZER, SEITZ and SNYDER talk with the MAYOR and the POLICE CHIEF)
Of course, the city is very concerned that this..... event doesn't get out of hand. But..... Chief?
CHIEF:
We can't just charge in there and break it up, Mr. Pulitzer. We've got no legal cause.
MAYOR:
(Pointing at PULITZER) Legal cause!
PULITZER:
Would the fact that this rally is organized by an escaped criminal be cause enough, Mayor?
MAYOR:
Escaped criminal?
PULITZER:
A fugitive from one of your prisons, Mayor. A convicted thief. Been living at large for some time under the alias of Jack Kelly. What's his real name?
SNYDER:
Sullivan. Francis Sullivan. Your honor. I would have caught him before now, but.....
PULITZER:
You know Warder Snyder, don't you, Mayor? I believe you know him because you appointed him.
MAYOR:
(Eyeing SNYDER suspiciously) Yes. Well, if this boy's a criminal, then the Chief can quietly arrest him.
PULITZER:
No, no, no, no! Not quietly! Not quietly! I want an example made. I want this rabble he's roused to see what happens to those who would dare to lead. They should see justice in action, Chief.
MAYOR:
Arrest him at the rally?
PULITZER:
By the way, Mayor, a few friends for cards tonight. Newspaper friends. Billy Hearst, Gordon Bennett. Perhaps you'll join us. Talk about the upcoming election.
MAYOR:
(Grinning) I'd be honored.
JACK:
Carryin' the banner!
NEWSIES:
(Standing up and cheering) Carryin' the banner!
(Meanwhile, in PULITZER's study- PULITZER, WILLIAM HEARST, and a few other NEWSPAPER MEN are playing cards. PULITZER is introducing the MAYOR to everyone)
PULITZER:
You know Gordon, Mayor. Mr. Bennett of the Tribune. Mr. Taylor of the Times. Of course, you know Mr. Kkkkk! (PULITZER makes a strangling noise) Hearst.
MAYOR:
(Laughing) Of course.
PULITZER:
This is a new member of our little group, Mr. Gammon. He just came back from Europe. Mr. Gammon owns the, ah..... the New York Sun.
(Irving Hall- Onstage, JACK is giving a speech. The NEWSIES cheer at various parts)
JACK:
So, we've come a long way, but we ain't there yet and maybe it's only gonna get tougher from now on. But that's fine, we'll just get tougher with it. But also, we gotta get smart and start listening to my pal David, who says 'stop soakin' the scabs'.
RACETRACK:
What are we supposed to do to the bums, kiss 'em?
SPOT:
Hey, any scab I see I soak 'em. Period.
DAVID (to the cheering NEWSIES):
No, no. That's what they want us to do. If we get violent, it's just playing into their hands.
SPOT:
Hey, look. (Making a fist) They're gonna be playing with my hands, all right? 'Cuz it ain't what they say, it's what we say. And nobody ain't gonna listen to us unless we make 'em.
(NEWSIES in the crowd take different sides and start to argue)
JACK:
You got no brains. Why we starting to fight each other? It's just what the big shot's wanna see. That we're street rats! Street rats with no brains, with no respect for nothing, including ourselves! So, here's how it's gonna be. If we don't act together, then we're nothin'. If we don't stick together, then we're nothin'. And if we can't even trust each other, then we're nothin'.
KID BLINK:
Tell 'em, Jack!
JACK:
So, what's it gonna be?
RACETRACK:
We're with you, Jack.
JACK:
So, what do you say, Spot?
SPOT:
(Thinking for a moment) I say that what you say..... is what I say.
(They spit-shake. All the NEWSIES cheer. The curtains open and MEDDA enters. The cheering gets louder.)
MEDDA & NEWSIES:
High times, hard times
Sometimes the living is sweet
And sometimes there's nothing to eat
But I always land on my feet
So when there's dry times
I wait for high times and then
I put on my best
And I stick out my chest
And I'm off to the races again!
MEDDA:
Hello, newsies. What's new?
(Outside, the POLICE are gathering, along with the DELANCEY BROTHERS. SNYDER enters)
MEDDA:
So your old lady don't love you no more
So you're afraid there's a wolf at your door
So you've got street rats that scream in your ear
MEDDA & NEWSIES:
You win some, you lose some
My dear, oh.....
High times, hard times
Sometimes the living is sweet
And sometimes there's nothing to eat
But I always land on my feet
So when there's dry times
I wait for high times and then
I put on my best
And I stick out my chest
And I'm off to the races again
MEDDA:
I put on my best!
NEWSIES:
I put on my best!
MEDDA:
Ah, yes, and I stick out my chest
NEWSIES:
And I sticks out my chest
MEDDA:
And I'm off
NEWSIES:
And I'm off
MEDDA:
And I'm off
NEWSIES:
And I'm off
MEDDA:
And I'm off
ALL:
To the races again!
DENTON:
Excuse me. Aren't you Warden Snyder? Bryan Denton of the Sun. How do you do, sir?
(DAVID sees SNYDER and tells SPOT, and instructs SARAH to leave)
DENTON:
(Pushing to keep SNYDER away from JACK) I heard about your wonderful work with the children and I wondered if I might get an interview with you.
(DAVID rushes through the crowd to JACK)
DAVID:
Jack! Jack! It's Snyder!
JACK:
What?
DAVID:
It's Snyder. Right there!
(DENTON tries to distract SNYDER once more, this time with his camera)
DENTON:
Let me get that correct. That's Snyder, as in snide? Smile, sir!
(He takes a picture, and the flash blinds SNYDER for a minute, then he blows his whistle)
JACK:
(Kissing MEDDA on the lips roughly) Medda, thanks. I gotta run.
(Cops come in and the NEWSIES scatter. JACK takes SARAH's hand and pulls her through the crowd. RACETRACK gets MEDDA to safety and start to leave)
MEDDA:
No! Stay with me!
(A huge MAN kicks RACETRACK in the stomach and punches him out. MEDDA breaks away from her MAID and BODYGUARD and slaps the MAN)
MEDDA:
No! No! For God's sake! He's just a child! Can't you see that? Racetrack!
(MEDDA is pulled back and RACETRACK is dragged away. JACK and DAVID get SARAH and LES to safety, then turn back to fight. Everywhere they go, they are surrounded by POLICE. By Medda's swing, they meet up with SNYDER. DAVID sits on the swing)
DAVID:
Push me!
(JACK shoves DAVID, who swings forward and kicks SNYDER in the face)
DAVID:
Get out of here! Go!
(JACK runs as DAVID, SPECS, SKITTERY, and ITEY hold SNYDER off. JACK and KID BLINK meet on the stairs)
KID BLINK:
Jack! Are you all right? Come on.
(JACK and KID BLINK run outside, but are blocked by POLICE on horses. KID BLINK grabs the nearest POLICEMAN and pulls him off the horse)
KID BLINK (to Jack):
Beat it!
(JACK runs back inside. KID BLINK gets hit with a club and is dragged away. JACK starts to run up the stairs, but a MAN meets him at the top and punches him in the chin. JACK falls back and is caught by POLICE. The next day- the NEWSIES, except for Jack, David, and Les, are in court)
All rise. All rise. Court is now in session. Judge E.A. Monahan presiding.
MONAHAN:
Are any of you boys represented by council?
NEWSIES:
(Muttering to each other) Council? What the hell's a council?
MONAHAN:
No? Good, that will move things along considerably.
SPOT:
Hey, your honor, I object!
MONAHAN:
(Glaring at SPOT) On what grounds?
SPOT:
(Solemnly) On the grounds of Brooklyn, your honor.
(The NEWSIES burst into snickers and giggles. MONAHAN bangs on his desk)
MONAHAN:
I fine each of you five dollars, or two weeks' confinement in the House of Refuge.
(The NEWSIES protest at the unfairness of this)
RACETRACK:
Whoa, whoa, your honor. We ain't got five bucks. We don't even got five cents. Hey, yer honor, how 'bout I roll you for it. Double or nothing?
(The NEWSIES laugh)
MONAHAN:
All right. Move along, move along.
(DENTON, DAVID and LES enter)
DENTON:
Your honor, I'll pay the fines. All of them.
DAVID:
(Dashing over to the NEWSIES) Hey, you fellas all right? Where's Jack?
DENTON:
Look, we've got to meet at the restaurant. Everybody. We have to talk.
MONAHAN:
Pay the clerk. Move it along.
(JACK is lead in, handcuffed)
JACK:
(Grinning at his friends) Hey fellas!
RACETRACK:
Hey, Cowboy! Nice shiner! (to Kid Blink) Jack's fine.
JACK:
Hey, Denton. I guess we made all the papes this time. So, how's my picture look?
DENTON:
None of the papers covered the rally. Not even the Sun.
(JACK looks at DENTON funny)
BAILOFF:
Case of Jack Kelly: Inciting a riot. Assault. Resisting arrest.
SNYDER:
(Approaching the judge's desk) Judge Monahan, I'll speak for this young man.
JACK:
You two know each other. Ain't that nice.
MONAHAN:
(Clearly annoyed with SNYDER) Just move it along, Warden Snyder.
SNYDER:
This boy's real name is Francis Sullivan. His mother's deceased. His father's a convict in the state penitentiary.
(JACK looks over at DAVID, who is clearly hurt. DAVID hangs his head)
SNYDER:
He's an escapee from the House of Refuge, where his original sentence for three months was extended to six months for disruptive behavior.
JACK:
Like demanding we eat the food you steal from us.
SNYDER:
Followed by an additional six months for attempted escape.
JACK:
Attempted? Last time wasn't an attempted escape. Remember, Snyder? Remember Teddy Roosevelt and the carriage? Remember Roosevelt and the carriage?
SNYDER:
Therefore, I ask that he be returned to the House of Refuge.
JACK:
What? For my own good, right? Move it along? (MONAHAN looks at JACK warningly) For my own good and for what he kicks back to you.
SNYDER:
I ask that the court order his incarceration until the age of twenty-one, in the hope that we may yet guide him to a useful and productive life.
MONAHAN:
(Banging his desk) So ordered.
LES:
No!
(JACK is led away. SNYDER follows, then turns and smiles at MONAHAN)
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