“ Here goes everything,” Spitfire sighed as she knocked on the door. There was a sound of 10 or 15 little footsteps coming towards the door. When the big door swung open Spitfire smiled at the old face that greeted her.
“ Porter?” The old Swedish woman said with a smile. There were at least a dozen tiny kids behind her with the same comforting smile.
“ Porter!” The children who gathered around the door cried out. Spitfire smiled as she entered her old home… “Sanctuary Orphanage”.
************************
“ Where is she?” The old woman asked. The two sat by a fire that gave the only light in the run down orphanage. They sat in torn up chairs while a crowd of underfed , sick children sat around them.
“ You know how she is Ms. Hapsah,” Spitfire held a now sleeping child in her lap, “ Something about her past makes her refuse to except it, ya know?”
“ Is a shame,” Ms. Hapsah sighed, “ I miss her…” She looked up at Spitfire, “ I miss you too Porter. I miss your playful natures and kind smiles.”
************************
“ I miss you too,” Spitfire smiled looking down at the child asleep on her, “ I miss all of you.” She looked up at the steps that led up stairs to the bedrooms. They were falling apart…but it was home.
“ You make an old woman proud,” Ms. Hapsah laughed slightly and the laugh turned into a terrible cough that caused the old woman to sit up straight as she tried to breath. Soon the cough died down and she laid back in the chair. Spitfire almost couldn’t look at the deteriorating old friend who had raised her after her family left her there.
**********
“ Alright,” Chance was sweating bad now, she had maybe a dollar left to her name, and Action stood there grinning…with all her money. They had gone from Craps to poker now, “ best 50 outta 51.”
“ Oh come on kid,” the bartender called out, “ you got nothin’ left.”
“ Your wrong!” Chance called back, “ I still got one last good hand…just have to find it in the deck.” The room laughed at her but Action just smiled.
“ Kid,” Action smiled, “ I don’t care who you think yer related to, you got nothin’ left, and I got papes to sell tomorrow,” Action picked up her money, “ Its over…you loose.” Action took the money and headed outside. Chance stood there a moment until a rage rushed over her and she bolted out the door. She flew into Action at full force , knocking Action forward a little. Action stood there silent and motionless. Than she straightened herself up. She slowly turned to Chance.
“ Chance, kid, who ever the hell you really are,” Action smirked, “ Don’t do this. You don’t want what I got waitin’ for ya.”
“ Try me,” Chance yelled out, “ Everyone know’s Action Monroe ain’t nothin’ but a lousy coward who left New York the moment everything got to hot for her.”
“ Oh dat is so it,” Action jumped on Chance and began beating the god out of her. The two wrestled on the ground feverishly until a hand tried to pry them apart.
“ hey break it up guys,” Spot said pulling Acton to her feet. When he saw who it was he shook his head, “ Should have known.”
“ Ya know what Conlon,” Action said breathing hard, “ Shut up.” With that she punched him and those two began to fight soon the swarm of people who had gathered around Chance and Action now broke out into there own fights as the Brooklyn leader and Action Monroe had it out for what ever reasons they now had. Chance sat up and watched the fighting all around her as her nose bled and her eye swelled along with her lip. Through the crowd she saw a familiar face trying to catch a glimpse of what was going on. She didn’t call out to him…because at that moment he saw her and came to help her up.
“ Chance!” Blink said loudly over the fighting. He put one of her arms over his shoulder and dragged her out of there.
*****
“ Hold still,” Blink said trying to wipe the blood from her nose.
“ I’m holdin’ I’m holdin’!” Chance responded. She looked around ….where were they? “ Blink, what is dis place huh?”
“ It’s the old theatre….the one where Medda Larkson used to preform. It shut down before you hooked up with the Bronx.” Blink answered.
“ oh,” Chance sighed, “ so what was you doin’ there huh?”
“ Where? At Crap Game Alley?” Blink still cleaning up Chance’s face.
“ yeah there.”
“ I was just thinkin’ bout stuff and ended up there. I’d ask why you were there but I know the answer to that one.”
“ Yeah….so what was you thinkin’ about anyway?”
“ Just stuff.”
“ What stuff?”
“ The kind o’ stuff a kid like you don’t need to get involved in.”
“ what is with everyone callin’ me kid? First Action, then the bartender, and then this one really weird lookin’ guy with a broken nose-“
“ Hold up,” Blink looked at her weird, “ Did you say Action? As in Action Monroe?”
“ The one and only.” Chance shrugged.
“ Uhuh.”
“ She’s the one who did this to me. Hell if Spot hadn’t jumped in and she hadn’t decked him then I might not be alive.”
“ Lordy, I should have known…so when did she get back?”
“ I dunno…rumor has it that she got back just in time for the meeting today…wasn’t you there?”
“ Nope.”
“ Why not? Aren’t you for this alliance thing anyway?”
“ Nope”
“ Why? It would cut down on the fightin’ around here.”
“ Just cause…” Blink shrugged. He was finished now, “ Alright…you want me to walk you back to the Bronx?”
“ Naw” Chance looked around again at the theatre in awe, “ I think I’ll stay here.”
“ Alright, “ Blink smiled, “ Take care of yourself okay?”
“ yeah yeah.” Chance rolled her eyes.
“ Good night kid,” Blink stopped himself, “ I mean Chance.”
“ Thanks Blink.” Chance smiled. Soon Blink was gone and Chance was left alone with the stage. She walked around looking at as hard as she could. It gave her this feeling…something about this place was special.
******
“ Die,” Action said out of breath as she and Spot continued to hit each other.
“ You first,” Spot was just as out of breath as she was. Something must have happened while she was gone because suddenly Monroe could fight…and good too.
“ Naw, I insist.” She decked him with all the power left in her…and as he fell to the ground she fell on him. The two just sat there for a moment, completely exhausted and unsure as to why they were fighting. People around them were still beating each other as well. Suddenly the sound of the Bull’s whistle was heard and the moment was over. Action jumped up and Spot did too. They looked at each other for a moment and then Spot did something he never thought he would ever do, he grabbed Action by the hand and drug her with him away from the bulls.
“ Come on,” Spot pulled her down an alley with him and the two took off.
******
“ Alright,” Spot said as they stopped outside the Bronx house.
“ Alright what?” Action said rubbing her jaw.
“ Yer home…er what ever.” Spot shrugged.
“ Oh….” Action did a slight nod towards him.
“ So good bye and all that jazz.” Spot turned to walk away.
“ Yeah .” Action started to go inside.
“ you know I really can’t stand you!” Spot yelled turning back towards her.
“ Well there’s not your everyday random thought.” Action smirked turning back towards him.
“ I just thought I’d let you know that you can’t just run away one minute and expect everything to be the same the next.” Spot shrugged.
“ Everything is the same Conlon,” Action said as she sat down on the steps, “You still can’t stand me, I still play craps, Shiner still drinks, Baby Doll Blue is still young, Skweeks is still ornery, and Sinner’s still the smart, quiet one.”
“ That’s not what I mean,” Spot continued, “ things have changed. I’ve changed, Shiner don’t drink more then one a week, Baby Doll Blue ain’t so young anymore, Skweeks is a leader and Sinner’s a liberal. People have changed even if you don’t get it yet.”
“ Spot shut up,” Action rolled her eyes.
“ You’re just some over done legend little orphans try to be like.”
“ Just shut up alright?” Action was standing now.
“Look at yerself Action,” Spot shook his head, “ Yer hardly sober, yer beat up and probably broke.”
“ Only cause Chance picked my pocket when we was fighting.” Action retorted.
“ I guess things for you really haven’t changed huh? Still a nobody tryin’ hard to be a somebody.” With that Spot turned and walked slowly back to Brooklyn.
Action pulled out a cigarette and lit it. She watched it burn for a second then threw it to the ground. It wasn’t worth it…neither was he.
*****
The next morning came too soon for everyone. Especially for a certain young Irish man who was at all used to his surroundings.
“ Hey Donavan!” Race yelled for the third time as he stood outside on the steps waiting, “ Hurry it up already!”
“ I’m sorry Race,” Donavan came running out with his hat in his mouth while buttoning his shirt.
“ That’s okay kid,” Race sighed, “ So you ready?”
“ Sure,” Donavan put his hat on his head and smiled. He liked America.
*****
" Donavan," Race asked as they walked, " just how does you know Action anyway?"
" Well it's a bit of a long story," Donavan smiled.
" So you and Action were uhh….ya know?" Race hinted around to the rumor surrounding Actions latest adventures in Ireland.
" No I'm not sure I do," Donavan didn't understand what exactly Race was talking about.
" Oh come on, you can tell me," Race kept it up.
" Tell you what?"
" About you and Action and all that happened in Ireland…if you know what I mean."
" Well if I knew just what you were implying then I could tell ya, but if you can't just come right out and say then I'm sorry." Donavan gave his kind Irish smile and the two continued on their way.
******
" So Monroe, " Shiner asked as she Jack and Action sat at the bar, " what was it like there?"
" Like where?" Action starred at her full glass of beer, thinking about everything.
" Ireland…ya know dat place you were at for how long?" Jack said laughing at Action's absent-mindedness.
" It was green," Action said looking up at them, she turned back to her glass, "really green."
" wow….ya know yer really good at describing things Action." Shiner laughed as she took a drink.
" What would you do if one mornin' I woke up and decided to stop drinkin' and smokin'?" Action asked more to herself then her two friends with her.
" I would have to say who are you and what have you done with my friend." Jack answered taking a drink.
" You don't think I could do it do ya?" Action turned to them. They suddenly realized just how serious Action was, " You don't think I'm strong enough to say fuck it and give it up do ya?"
" No its just that Action Monroe wouldn't be Action Monroe if she were sober all da time, or didn't have a cigarette wit her at all times…its who you are." Shiner said looking at Action weird.
" Yeah," Action said throwing money down on the counter and pulling out a cigarette as she stood up to leave, " I guess yer right." She put the cigarette to her mouth and walked out.
" Did that seem in the slightest bit strange to you?" Shiner said watching Action leave.
" Yeah," Jack sighed, " makes ya wonder just what did happen in Ireland."
********
" Spitfire!" Chance called over to her friend from across the road and got no response, " SPITFIRE!" Chance called a little louder, still nothing. Chance saw a rock on the ground near by to where she was standing. She picked it up and threw it at Spitfire, only she missed and hit the rather rich man buying a newspaper.
" Shit," Chance tried not to laugh. Spitfire had seen Chance and after selling the paper headed over to her friend.
" Oh that was smooth Chance, REAL smooth." Spitfire rolled her eyes.
" Thanks, I try." Chance gave a smart ass answer.
" So where'd ya get the shiner? From your loving sister?" Spitfire asked looking at Chances injuries.
" I got in a bar fight, and I won." Chance smirked.
"Yeah lemme tell you how believable that's not."
" Hey stop it wit da attitude already," Chance gave Spitfire a look as the two walked down the streets together, " can't ya tell I's had enough already?"
" I went home last night," Spitfire said in a serious tone.
" Why'd ya do that?" Chance had an anger in her voice and wouldn't look Spitfire in the face.
" Because I care about them…and they care about me. All the kids miss us and they were all asking about you and -"
" Well that's great for them," Chance wouldn't let her finish.
" You got another letter," Spitfire pulled out an envelope from her pocket, "If you want I'll read it to you?"
" I don't care. It's a free country do what ever ya please. Don't bother me none." Chance kept a cold look on her face and starred forward.
" Okay," Spitfire opened it up, " Dear-"
" If the name ain't Chance then don't read it to me," Chance stopped her from saying that name.
" Okay," Spitfire started to read again, "Dear Chance, How are you? I hope everything is well there. We sure do miss you being with us. Your father and I are so proud of you for staying in New York to go to that wonderful academy. I do hope you enjoy living in the Boarding house. The way you described it in your last few letters, made it sound like it's a castle. All is well here. Your fathers business is booming out here in California. We hope that you will find the time to come and visit us. We love you. Signed with love, Mother and Father."
" So what's all dis about me writing to them Spitfire?" Chance said pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.
" Well somebody has to tell them how you are, hell you never do." Spitfire rolled her eyes at Chance's behavior towards the love of her parents.
" Yeah well fuck it, right?" Chance said still looking away, " Parents…who needs 'em?"
" Everyone." Spitfire answered as she folded the letter up.
" Okay well who wants them?" Chance smirked as she shrugged. She turned her back to Spitfire.
" I do," Spitfire said in a sigh. Chance hadn't heard her, or maybe she just ignored her friends need to be wanted by someone-anyone- like she always did.
***
" Spot," Blink shook his head, " I don't know what to do."
" I dunno, get her drunk and take her advantage of her." Spot shrugged, he was shooting with his sling shot.
" WHAT?" Blink couldn't believe the advice he was given.
" I'm just teasin'" Spot laughed, " I don't know what to tell ya, ya know?"
" Yeah well the getting her drunk idea isn't exactly a good one." Blink smirked.
" Wait a sec, " Spot looked amazed, " Did you smile?? Is it possible that Mr. Misery smiled?"
" It is a slight possibility," Blink rolled his eye.
" Cheer up," Spot shrugged, " Things have away of working out."
" I hope yer right Spot…for da sake of everyone involved in this thing." Blink gave Spot a serious look.
" I take it we ain't referrin' to da lovers quarrel no more 'eh?" Spot had been avoiding this question from everyone.
" Nope," Blink watched the leader give a long sigh, " So what do we do about it Spot?"
" War is war, and New York ain't New Jersey," Spot started to leave and he felt a chill, " hey Blink, make sure you dress warm …winter can be harsh around here." Blink new as the leader left that the last thing he was talking about was the weather.
****
" All I'm sayin' is…" Patches thought for a minute, " hey what were I sayin'?"
" Somethin' to divert attention to yer palming da deck," Fool pointed out as the three sat playing poker.
" Oh yeah," Patches said shrugging. She then thought about what had just happened, " hey it weren't that obvious!" she turned to Moe, " were it?"
" Actually," Moe didn't want to finish that statement, which is why she was extremely relieved when Blink and Sinner busted through the door that lead to the roof the trio of terror sat cheating at cards on.
" Sinner listen to what I'm trying to say here! At least give me a chance to explain!" Blink pleaded. All eyes landed on Blink at that moment.
" Blink I am not about to get in yet another argument with you!" Sinner yelled back at him. The trio's heads turned quickly to face her.
" But if you'd just let me explain-" Blink tried to finish, and at the sound of his voice all heads turned to listen to him speak.
" There is nothing to explain!" Sinner yelled back. The trio once again moved their heads towards her. Then something weird happened. Blink and Sinner both turned slowly to their newly acquired and unseen audience. Moe, Patches and Fool just sat watching.
" Is there anything in particular you guys are up here for?" Sinner said politely through her teeth.
" Nope." Patches answered, leaning on her hand for support.
" oh," Sinner smiled, and then gave a vicious look , " THEN LEAVE!" She ordered. Her finger thrust out towards the door. The three had no hesitation in leaving the fight.
******
" Is it just me or do we get kicked out of there a great deal?" Fool asked kicking a rock across the street.
" yes it is you and I wish you'd stop it." Patches smirked.
" a Ha a ha, " Moe gave an extreamly sarcastic laugh, "sorry it just wasn't funny."
" Shut up!" Patches waked Moe on the head with her hat.
" Man I'm bored." Fool said kicking another stone. They all watched it silently as it rolled over to none other then Knuckles Crawford… one of Jersey's meanest. He had about four goons standing behind him and a smart ass grin to back there fists up.
" Well you did say you was bored." Patches laughed nervously.
" Yeah well now I'm running." Fool said as they all turned and took off. They split up as the Jersey boys followed them, clubs ready.
********
It was an interesting area of town. A part Donavin had never seen before. Race had gone off to meet Skweeks somewhere and he was left to wonder. Things looked just as normal or abnormal as where he had been hours before. There were trees and kids playing on the streets, vendors who seemed to over guard their merchandise as he walked by and apartments that lined the streets just as coldly as earlier. Nothing struck him as unordinary. Well nothing except the big group of snarling boys who waited viciously up ahead.
" Sweet Mary and Joseph, " Donavin said quietly. These boys were big. He gave a slight grin to them and turned around…turned around right into Julio, "Sorry, I uh didn't see you standin' there." He turned back towards the other goons and laughed a little at his luck. Then, in a sudden jerkish movement he darted off towards an alley, but they followed like blood hounds hungry for a hunters kill.
***
Action thought about how oddly cold this warehouse was. She'd been cold like this too many times before. This kind of cold fear usually came after the sound of a gun firing off.
" I told him not to go no where," Race said a bit adgedtated with Donavin.
" Yeah well don't worry bout him. Da little createns said they saw him walk into Jersey like it meant nothin'. Like it were just some normal step. He didn't realize it was like walking into a room of vampiers with you wrists already slit," When those words left Spitfires mouth the whole group stopped and turned slowly to look at her, "What?"
" Do you have any idea how incredibly morbid dat was?" Baby Doll asked. " Well I read dis book about how they rip into peoples-" Blink's hand flew over Spitfires mouth.
" Enough with vampiers kay?" Blink said letting go of her mouth as she nodded.
Action moved hurriedly with the group. Something wasn't right here. It was a dark where house with a strange smell to it. It could have been anything. Like a bum who'd fallen asleep and hadn't had a bath in a couple of years. It could have been anything. But it wasn't.
Action stood with a burning rage at the site of it…at its currosive smell. She heard gasps and shrieks behind her but the image only burned its way into her mind with all the others she'd seen. He looked so innocent lying there. The moon had cast a perfect light on him. There was blood everywhere, on the walls, on the floor… it matched all the others stained years before. His white shirt was torn a part his boots had been stollen right off his feet. She wondered how long they'd waited before taking them. He looked like a child who'd fallen asleep on a dirty, cold stone floor. Like a lost lamb awaiting the shepperd to take him back to his flock. She wondered if he suffered. Maybe he'd hit his head and been out cold while they killed him. Maybe there was a God and he'd left long before they mangled his innocent Irish body. Maybe he'd gotten some good hits in before he fell. Maybe in the end, lying there half-dead and in unbelievable pain he let go of what ever it was keeping him here and went home.
" Action, " Skweeks placed a hand on her friends shoulder. Action turned with a rage in her eyes Skweeks had never seen before.
" Find me Conlon." That was all Action said. That was all that needed to be said.
*******
"OUCH!" Patches screamed, " Will ya watch what yer doin' Chance!"
" Sorry, sorry." Chance said stepping back.
" Next time I'll go to a real Doc." Patches said rubbing where her new bandage was.
" Oy," Moe sat up from the couch Chance had found in the backstage area and set on stage for resting.
" Hey look who decided to wake up." Chance laughed.
" My head feels like it hit a brick wall er somethin'" Moe said rubbing trying to focus her eyes.
" Well it did slap pretty hard into some brick fists." Fool was wearing a sling and lye sprawled out on the floor.
" Boy they thrashed yous guys pretty bad." Chance laughed. Spitfire burst through the doors at that moment…chalk white and out of breath.
" CHANCE!" Spitfire yelled.
" What?" Chance said lookin' at her friend weird.
" There's been an accedent." Was all Spitfire said.
***********
" We can't just sit around and let them pick us off one by one." Snaps pleaded with the Brooklyn leader who sat high above him on his perch on the docks, "They got Manhattan and the Bronx, anyone could be next."
" So what?" Spot said polishing his cane, " Someone got soaked, whoop-d-do and laddie -" He stopped at the site of her. He'd never seen this look on her face before.
" Can we talk?" Action said starring straight through his tough exterior. She found his soul and with her stare and he knew it.
" Talk." Spot shrugged.
" Let me refrase dat for ya Conlon," Action had an insane look on her face, " Get yer scrawny little non allianced ass down from that perch and talk to me…now." With that Action went to a less crowded part of the bridge to wait for him. Snaps and the rest of his boys watched him. There was a slight hesitation…but it wasn't to think about his rep like all the other times. It was the 'what the hell am I about to get involved in here' hesitation. He jumped down and made his way to where she was at.
" So whats the dice, huh? Who do you owe?" Spot said without thinking.
" Listen up jack ass. I didn't come here to beg fer nothin'. I'm through with all these damned New York politics and I am through with giving a damn about what happens to me if I piss a half wit like you off. People are dyin' and yer too fuckin' stubbern to do anything about it. Now I suggest you swallow that foolish pride of yours and join up with the rest of new York to keep these piss ants from knockin' off anymore of my friends or so help me God it will fall on your head Conlon." With that Action headed back the way she had come. Conlon sat there wondering who'd died and done this to her. The kid never gave a damn about anyone before, maybe she had changed.
*****
" Look," Skweeks was exhausted. It was a long day and things were getting harder as all of New York gathered in the bunk room of the Bronx again. Brooklyn was missing, " What happened today to Donavin could happen to any of us at dis point. We have to end this now."
" You suggestin an all out territory war?" Turtle from Harlem asked.
" Yeah I am. We can't let this go on anymore. Its now or never, once and for all we gotta end this before more people die with out a fightin' chance." Skweeks voice was strong and leader like. Blink knew he had no choice but to join. Not for Sinner or Manhattan but because he knew it was right. This thing wouldn't end until they had an all out war over it. Mush knew it, Jack knew it, and Race knew it too.
" She's right," His voice caused every head in the room to turn to the door. Spot Conlon cracked a bitter smile, " Brooklyn's in."
" So's Harlem" Turtle called out.
" And Manhattan, " Blink said looking at Sinner. She smiled at him for a moment. There were Newsies from all over shouting that they were in. Spot walked silently to Skweeks and whispered, " Where's Action." Skweeks gave him an awkward glance and told him.
******
" So I thought you were givin' this up Monroe?" Shiner said handing Action another beer.
" Nothin's forever in this town." Action said taking a drink.
" That's for damn sure," Spot said walking up and sitting beside her. Action slowly turned and acknowledged Spot, then went right on drinking.
" So yer right, I'm a screw up Spot. So screwed up that someone's dead now." Action had no emotion.
" No," Spot shook his head, " yer a hell of a lot stronger then I ever gave you credit for."
" I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me." Action smiled bitterly.
" God yer agitatin'." Spot said in frustration.
" Well I think that's the second nicest thing so we're on a roll here." Action was not sober and could have cared less at this point. In her mind she had killed Donavin.
" Look Monroe," Spot sighed, " I wasn't gonna let you know this cause you gotta way of disappearin when things get weird. Look when you were gone I….Gosh this is really hard for me….I missed you… a lot. I mean you , you got this spark about ya. I Used to hate it but I guess its special. What I'm tryin' to say is, " Spot looked up at Action who was passed out face first on the table, he laughed slightly, " What I'm trying to say is yer out cold." Spot put money on the table and through her over his shoulder.
*****
" Looks like I win again boys," Chance smiled deviously. The players left their money at the table and departed, swearing under their breath. Then Chance heard something.
" Yep we chased him down into the warehouse, you know the one, where we chase them all into just before the kill. He put up a fight but he was quick to the floor, he didn't cry though, just muttered things about Irish courage." Chance heard a rather tall, tough guy from across the way say. She listened quietly to the grotesque bragging. She'd heard about this earlier from Spitfire but this was absurd.
" Chance Monroe!" The bar tender yelled. Chance looked up quickly, he had her drink waiting there.
"Monroe?" the tough guy stood up. Chances eyes couldn't resist a look into his.
" hey Dice? What you lookin' at?" one of his goons asked. Chance stood up. She made a motion for the door, she'd get a drink somewhere else.
" Hey you related to Action?" Julio asked. Chance took a deep breath and turned towards him.
" Yeah." Chance shrugged turning to him.
" How bout a round o' cards." Julio smiled viciously.
" That's okay, I may got one last good hand left, but it ain't in that deck. " Chance Started to leave again.
" Kinda like The Irish jerk right?" Julio sneered. Chance stood there, fists balled up, " What was his name? Darwin er Dublin? Well who ever he was tell Action she's next."
" no," Chance said turning back around to him, " I got a better idea." With that, out of no where, Chance pounced on Julio. This caused all of his boys to pull her off. They held her while Julio went to punch.
" Oh shit this is gonna hurt," Chance winced, awaiting it.
" Touch her and we braeak you right here right now." Jack called from the doorway. With him stood the leaders of all around New York, including Spot Conlon.
" Fine, " Julio backed down. They threw Chance to the floor.
" Tell yer pals in Jersey we're declarin' territory war…three days from now neutral grounds. Winner takes all. Rules are, no fightin' till then." Jack's face was hard and tough. Blink helped Chance to her feet.
" You got it Cowboy." Julio smiled.