'we look as bad as each other. Stop complaining and get out here.' Gemma stepped out of the cubicle.

'You look the part.'

'You are so lucky you didn't laugh.' Gemma was stood wearing brown trousers with stripy suspenders and the weirdest hat she'd ever seen all for one reason. She was appearing in the school production of 'now or never.' A play written by the drama teacher, directed by the drama teacher. Choreographed by the drama teacher and starring Gemma as a boy.

'This is too humiliating Kate, I don't think I can do this?'

Kate looked at her puzzled she was making such a fuss of this performance and yet in the last one she didn't care. For god's sake she was dressed as a squirrel named Cyril last time but she didn't care.

'This isn't just because of the costume is it?'

'No,' Gemma replied and then reluctantly added. 'there's a talent scout in the audience tomorrow and, well I've got my fingers crossed you know.'

Kate smiled this was just like her friend to start acting like this. Normally as cool as a really cool thing Gemma could go to pieces when her future was mentioned.

'Your going to be fine.' Kate was always there to reassure and she could step into any role at any minute, but acting wasn't her thing.

'Hey girls making a fashion statement?'

'Shut your mouth Lisa it's for the show tomorrow.'

'I know I'm selling tickets Mr Hughes says I have a way with words.'

'You certainly do Lisa.' Scowled Gemma.

Lisa was in the year below but it didn't matter, she couldn't act or sing as half as well as Gemma or do sport as well as Kate but somehow she managed to get on the girls nerves all the time. Today was the dress rehearsal and tomorrow the opening night. Gemma knew all her lines and where to stand and every thing . But she had to impress this talent scout she just had to or she'd have no hope. This wasn't entirely true but she really wanted to start her career as soon as possible. She closed her eyes and was soon fast asleep.

'Come on Gemma.' Was the call she received .

The usual was heard that morning. 'Get up and sell the papes.' Kloppmann had yet to come with anything more original than that. Snitch was up first and in the wash room washing his face. Then Jack walked in.

'y'know Snitch I reckon in while you'll be shavin' too.'

'really' Snitch's face beamed with pleasure Jack never complemented him before. 'yeh, in like ten years.' Said Skittery. Snitch scowled he should've known it would end up with ridicule, it always did. Snitch was crushed he hated being treated as one of the kids. He was just as old as Mush but Mush got respected. Why? He couldn't understand it, probably had some thing to do with the fact that Kid Blink and Mush sometimes sold together. Maybe he should be partners with someone. Nah he worked on his own, best way. He had to prove he was just as grown up in some way.

'If you don't shift your scrawny behind we are gonna be late.' Said Racetrack a perky 18 year old Italian.

'Ok, ok I gottem' said Specs a tall dark haired lad.

Specs lost his glasses every morning.

'Now who put dem in der?' he asked but the others were oblivious to his questioning.

The Newsies arrived at the distribution centre Snitch's head still buzzing with ideas. As they were queuing up David and Les arrived. Les was now Ten but he was still able to pull off being seven if he had to.

'Heya Davey, Heya Les.'

Even Les gets more respect than I do and he's ten thought Snitch as he collected his papes and left to find his spot.

Gemma stood in the spot light on stage and waited for the others. She was starting to feel sick with worry.

'ah Gemma here first?' came the arrogant voice of her drama teacher. 'yes sir I am, my form rooms closest you see.'

'ah yes. Now are you aware that an agency rep will be coming along.' 'Yes I am aware sir and I wish I wasn't it makes me feel sick.' 'You'll be fine.'

'Thank you sir.' These were the first kind words Hughes had said to her. At that moment the rest of the cast and crew came in.

'I just wanted to say one thing' said Hughes when they had all congregated.' And that's this is MY play and I don't any of you to mess it up.'

The girls didn't know whether to laugh or not.

'Thanks Sir that's just what we need.' Said Kate.

'That's all now come back tonight with you best acting boots on.'

The class departed and Kate caught up with Gemma on their way to the canteen. 'That was really strange. Hughes was complimentary.'

'No I don't believe that are you sure you heard him right? Come on I want Chips and more chips.'

'I'm really not that hungry.'

Gemma sat down and eye her sandwich she really didn't fancy it. 'I just don't fancy it that's all.'

Kid Blink called that because of the eye patch on his left eye started chewing on his sandwich.

'Y'know Mush, d'reckon we could do any better if we tried.' 'Hey?' mumbled Mush.

I sold 40 papes today but do you reckon I could do better?' 'What like 50 papes?'

'No like changing our lives?'

'I don't wanna change mine.' Said Mush with a grin. That was the thing about Mush however much in trouble he was he was always happy.

There was a loud of shouting outside the two rushed out to see Oscar and Morris Delancy challenging Jack and Jack being Jack accepting.

'Any time Oscar you know that.'

After a brief reconciliation between the three, the Delancy's gave up and left, 'Well dat was easy I guess dat means I win.' Jack said and the Cowboy walked into Tibby's Gemma walked into the dressing rooms. It was 6 o'clock the show started in an hour and a half but it was a ritual for Gemma to be there early. She didn't mind being alone either. She stood in the wings for a while and then walked on stage and delivered her first line 'Do you mind we're sleepin' back there.

Suddenly the sound of clapping came from the auditorium as Gemma looked a man walked down the aisle. She blushed.

'Sorry I didn't know any one was here'

'That's ok, Steven Giles' he said introducing himself.

'Gemma Morgan.'

'I know,' she looked at him. 'I work for Giles and Thompson Agency's' She nodded. 'Your playing Ben right?' she nodded again.

'Your here early.'

'I like to get a feel for the place. Also I have to meet Mr Hughes. But your here too. Only time you could get a lift?'

'No it's like a tradition for me to be here so early. It's just something I do.' 'I see' said Giles and he walked back up the aisle and way.

Gemma walked offstage wondering if there first meeting had been good. The show hadn't even started and she was so tired. Snitch walked past Tibby's on his way to the boarding house. He was really tired and just wanted a rest he decided to sit on a bench for a bit he soon found an empty one.

'Hey Snitch' Bumlets came up to him. 'You fancy comin' to Tibby's wiv me an Duchy?'

'No thanks I'm beat.'

'Suit yourself?' said Bumlets and walked away.

Gemma was alone as far as she knew in the dressing room checking her costume, In the mirror.

'I look like a fool' she said

'That's half the fun,' said a cheery voice behind her, it was Kate dressed similarly to Gemma.

'It's not supposed to be fun,'

'Sh, can you hear that?'

'Stop trying to scare,'

'I'm not, listen,'

They could both hear a low moaning noise and the low roof of the dressing room began to sag,

'Oh my God,' said Gemma but before they could move the roof came crashing down on top of them. As the dust settled the figures of the two girls could barely be seen under all the rubble.

For a day in June it was cold thought Snitch when he noticed this figured, dressed it would seem as a newsie but crying, or laughing. No definitely crying.

He walked over 'Err s'cuse me, it ain't my business but-'

'Oh my God.' Said the figure as she looked up.

'hey missy are you ok?'

'No, I don't know where I am.'

'Well. I'll tell you that, this here is New York.'

'What, New York? It can't be.'

'Your accents kind weird.'

'I'm from England. Manchester in England.'

'No not heard of it. That's Manchester, not England, I heard of dat. 'Ok, ok' she said trying to get herself together.' What date is it.'

'June 16th, 1900.'

'No it's the 16th June 2000.'

'No it ain't Missy, It's 1900 I'm sure of dat.' Said Snitch.

'But I don't understand.'

'What is der to understand?'

'A minute ago I was at my school in Manchester getting ready for the show.' School, thought Snitch, trust him to meet an educated girl, Still he thought he can't just leave her outside.

'Hey kid.' He said 'you got any money?'

'Not American money' said Gemma. Searching her bag. 'my bag' she said aloud 'why is that here too?'

'probably cos you brought it.'

Gemma scowled 'I'm not really here I'm supposed to be in England.' 'No money? What's dat den?'

' Oh it's fake, it's stage money'

'Stage money?' Snitch repeated. 'Oh your an actress.'

'Not yet but if the talent Scout sees me tonight.'

'Tonight?'

'In the show.'

'In Manchester?'

'Oh no.'

'Listen come wiv me to da lodgings, Kloppmann will sort you out.'

'Kloppmann?'

'Yeh, he owns da joint. Looks after us Newsies.'

'Newsies?'

'Do you hafta repeat everything I say. 1900, 1900. Gemma said in her head. New York 1900, 1899 New York news boys strike.

'are you the News boys that went on strike?'

'Yeah.'

'We did about it in History.'

'Well I dunno 'bout History it only happened last year.'

'No it happened over 100 years ago.'

'No, it didn't you really need to get some sleep.'

'Your right my heads ringing.'

'Listen I'll pay your board tonight and we'll sort you out in the morning.' The two of them walked off.

'Don't forget your bag.'

'Oh yeah.' She picked up the bag. 'Who am I kidding. I'll use my mobile to ring Kate and she'll sort it out.'

She brought out her Nokia 3210 form the Bag.

'Damn no signal.' Snitch jumped away

'What the hell is dat?'

'A mobile phone.'

His faces was blank, 'a telephone that I carry around with me.'

'And dey ave them in 2000?'

'You mean you believe me?'

'What else is der to believe? I mean it's not like any one would want to make this story up and I know nothin' 'bout time travel 'n' stuff. Kloppmann'll know or maybe Davey, he's a walking mouth.'

'What's your name?'

'Snitch' It was Gemma's faces turn to blank. 'I told on my brudder when I was little and da name stuck.'

'Do all newsies have nicknames?'

'Yeah, what's your name?'

'It's Gemma'

'Dat's no good, what do your friends call you?

'Um Gemma, my teacher once called me daydreamer.'

'Daydreamer. I like it. Come on then Dreamer lets go see Kloppmann. Ok, thought Gemma or Dreamer as I shall now call her. Your obviously dreaming very, very vividly. Or you are dead. No I don't think so. But I can't be dreaming I can feel things you can't in dreams. Her story she thought was made less believable was the fact she was dressed like a newsie. She was being led into a building where a scary looking man was stood.

'Snitch.' He barked 'who is this?'

'Dis is my new pal Dreamer, she's a little confused as to where she is and why an I wondered if you could help?'

'yeh, is the talkin' mouth around?'

'He's outside with Cowboy.' Said Snitch 'I seen him.'

'Go get him.'

'the walking mouth' entered the building his dark curly hair flopping into his blue eyes.

'Kloppmann, Snitch said you wanted to see me.'

'Yeh.'

Dreamer was asked to repeat the whole story and she did with no lies or added bits she wanted to stick to the truth. The truth was all she had. Improvisation was not her forte.

When she had finished. Davey looked up 'I dunno about you Kloppmann but I'm inclined to agree with Dreamers story.' 'Snitch take her upstairs find her a bunk she looks beat.'

'Thank you Sir.'

'It ain't sir, It's Kloppmann.'

'Sorry.'

Snitch lead her up the stairs into a room of at least 15 boys. They all silenced as she walked in.

'Hey Snitch you got yourself a goil?' said the Italian lad who was playin' cards wiv a blond wiv an eye patch and a curly haired kid.

'Dem are Racetrack, Kid Blink and Mush.' Said Snitch.

'Hello.'

'Hello?' said Mush mimicking her 'no one says Hello round here, where you from kid?'

'England and don't ask me how I got here because I don't know.'

'Hey kid, how much is Snitch payin' yer to say yer wiv him.' Said a tall kid with messy hair.

'Shut up Skittery, I'm called Spec on account of me spectacles.' Said Specs with a grin.

'Over der is Snoddy, Pie eater and Swifty.'

'I'm Jake nice ta meetcha.'

'You too.'

'that's Snipes and Boots down there. Oh and Dutchy, Bumlets and Itey is over der.'

'Well hi all of ya.'

'Oh yeh, I nearly forgot, dis is Daydreamer. Dreamer for Short.' All the Boys greeted her.

'Der's a spare bunk over here.'

'Thanks Snitch' she said. 'I really appreciate it.' She smiled 'I hope we ain't to noisy.'

'I think I could sleep through a rolling stones concert the way I feel.' 'Rolling what?'

'I'll tell you in the morning.' She said as she rolled over and fell fast asleep.

'So Snitch what's the deal wiv Dreamer?' asked Kid Blink.

'There's no deal I found her in the street and asked if she was ok and she started crying.'

'You have a way wiv the Ladies hey Snitch.' Said Mush and All the Newsies laughed . But Snitch didn't care for that moment he was the centre of attention for the first time and he loved it.

'I'm tellin' ya Davey, sommit ain't right.' Said Jack after taking a long drag on his cigarette.

'So, it gets the Delancy's off your back.'

'Yeh, but I'm curious y'know I can't help wondering why dey fled.

'So ask them when we go to sell tomorrow.'

'Y'think? Asked Cowboy. Stubbing out his cigarette.

'Yes, listen. I said I'd get Les home early tonight.'

'Oh sure, sure.'

'Bye Cowboy,' Les chirped over his shoulder.

Cowboy walked inside and upstairs. The Newsies were quieter now, Race and Kid Blink were still up.

'Heya Cowboy.'

'Heya Race, Hey, who's dat in da bunk at da back.?'

'Dreamer,'

'Who?'

'Snitches friend, claims to be from the future.'

'oh yeh?' said Jack acting if he heard this sort of thing all the time.' What year?'

'2000.'

'2000 huh? Nice and even.'

'Give da kid a chance Jack, she sounded pretty scared and Kloppmann seems to believe her, so does Davey. And der da cleverist people we knows.' 'I'm goin' to sleep. I'll see dis Dreamer in da mornin''

'She's gonna be a newsie I reckon.'

'Den good luck to her. Night Kid, Night Race.'

'Night Jack.'

The next morning bright and early before Kloppmann came in Snitch was awake, sat up in bed staring at the bunk opposite.

What are you doing here? He thought watching Dreamer breath lightly all her Brown hair distorted on the pillow and her Brown eyes hidden from view.' Then he heard the familiar sounds of Kloppmann's feet on the stairs.

'Here goes another day.' He said to himself and got up ready to be the first in the washroom.

Dreamer awoke a little bewildered, where was she? Then she remembered 16th June 1900, no it's the 17th now. Things were really weird, she figured she'd wake up and be in Manchester. She rolled over and looked up.

'Heya kid, you ever sold papes before?'

Now which one were you?, she thought Not Kid Blink, Mush? Race? Oh just ask it's quicker.

'No I haven't.' She was about to ask,

'I'm Racetrack, although you can call me Race.'

'Thanks,' she said getting up. 'I was havin' difficulty remembering your name yesterday is still a bit blurry.'

'Dat's ok,' said Race, 'So kid d'you need someone to sell wiv?'

'Dat's ok Race. She's wiv me.' Said Snitch. He had found Dreamer and he didn't want the older boys to have her.

Down at the Distribution Centre Jack's full attention was on that of the obvious absence of the Delancy's. He pondered momentarily on the possibility of them being in jail. That was until Dreamer, Snitch and the others came round the corner.

'Well if it ain't little Miss time traveller.' 'Well if it ain't Jack Kelly a.k.a. Francis Sullivan strike leader.' Retorted Dreamer, she was so glad she listened in History.

Jack was really taken a back. 'How did you know dat stuff, you neva met me. Did you tell her?' But from the look on the Newsies faces he could tell they hadn't 'WE did a whole thing about it in History in 1998, We had pictures we did a whole essay on you Jack.'

'Yeh right,' said Jack 'Dat was a lucky guess.'

'Fine I'll prove it to ya, all the stuff in my bag. I will I'll prove it tonight.'

Jack Grunted and walked off.

'Stay here Dreamer' said Snitch 'I'll get da papes den I'll teach you how ta sell 'em.'

'Ha, you give lessons? Not likely.' Said Kid Blink as he winked his single eye at Dreamer she smiled and he walked off.

'Hey Blink wait up.' Said Mush running, tripping on a boot lace and hitting the floor.

'Are you ok?' she asked him as he lay on the floor.

'Yeh, um Crutchy can I borrow da crutch?' The Newsies laughed even harder. 'You wouldn't trip if you did your laces' said Dreamer and Mush blushed 'I can't do em proper.'

'I'll teach ya.' She said stooping down she helped him up and then did up his laces for him. Dreamer could see she'd just embarrassed Mush and everyone was looking.

'What' she asked 'this is a show of friendship in the future.'

All the newsies nodded and started to do up each others laces.

'Thanks for dat.' Said Mush 'I know what you did.' She grinned

'Well we are friends yeh?'

'yeh.' He nodded

'come on Mush.' Shouted Blink 'New York needs it's papes.' From where she was stood she could see all the Newsies waiting to collect their newspapers. Racetrack walked towards her.

'Heya kid, lookin' forward to bein' a newsie?'

'I guess that I-'

'Come on Dreamer.' Snitch was sick of her talking to the others.

'oh, see you later Race.'

Racetrack watched them go.

The two walked for a bit

'Dis is me spot.'

'Lovely what do we do now?' asked Dreamer looking around.

'Sell papes. Shout the headline or a headline.'

A headline.'

'Yeh, read a pape make a headline better sell 'em and run.'

'Nice one.'

'What headlines do you get in 2000?'

'Umm Earthquakes. Crisis's and M.P's doing stuff they shouldn't.'

'Well today's ain't dat bad.'

'Nude corpse in Brooklyn.' Read Dreamer.

Snitched blushed a little.

'D'you wanna try sellin' these?'

'Yeh, sure.'

They spent half an hour and had only sold a few papes between them. 'I'm sick of this.' Said Dreamer. 'You know how do sing?

'No, why?'

'I do. And I know millions of songs and singers not even born yet. You just keep selling.'

'Are you sure.'

'Listen,' she said 'I dunno if I'm dead or dreamin' so I may as well enjoy myself.

She jumped onto a step and started to sing. By the time she had finished the first song half of Snitches papers had been sold. She decided that the crowd around them would enjoy a bit of Robbie Williams. She picked up her fake guitar and sang.

'Ha, you give lessons? Not likely.' Said Kid Blink as he winked his single eye at Dreamer she smiled and he walked off.

'Hey Blink wait up.' Said Mush running, tripping on a boot lace and hitting the floor.

'Are you ok?' she asked him as he lay on the floor. 'Yeh, um Crutchy can I borrow da crutch?' The Newsies laughed even harder.

'You wouldn't trip if you did your laces' said Dreamer and Mush blushed 'I can't do em proper.'

'I'll teach ya.' She said stooping down she helped him up and then did up his laces for him. Dreamer could see she'd just embarrassed Mush and everyone was looking.

'What' she asked 'this is a show of friendship in the future.'

All the newsies nodded and started to do up each others laces. 'Thanks for dat.' Said Mush 'I know what you did.' She grinned 'Well we are friends yeh?'

'yeh.' He nodded

'come on Mush.' Shouted Blink 'New York needs it's papes.' From where she was stood she could see all the Newsies waiting to collect their newspapers. Racetrack walked towards her.

'Heya kid, lookin' forward to bein' a newsie?'

'I guess that I-'

'Come on Dreamer.' Snitch was sick of her talking to the others. 'oh, see you later Race.'

Racetrack watched them go.

The two walked for a bit 'Dis is me spot.'

'Lovely what do we do now?' asked Dreamer looking around.

'Sell papes. Shout the headline or a headline.'

A headline.'

'Yeh, read a pape make a headline better sell 'em and run.' 'Nice one.'

'What headlines do you get in 2000?'

'Umm Earthquakes. Crisis's and M.P's doing stuff they shouldn't.'

'Well today's ain't dat bad.'

'Nude corpse in Brooklyn.' Read Dreamer.

Snitched blushed a little.

'D'you wanna try sellin' these?'

'Yeh, sure.'

They spent half an hour and had only sold a few papes between them. 'I'm sick of this.' Said Dreamer. 'You know how do sing?

'No, why?'

'I do. And I know millions of songs and singers not even born yet. You just keep selling.'

'Are you sure.'

'Listen,' she said 'I dunno if I'm dead or dreamin' so I may as well enjoy myself.

She jumped onto a step and started to sing. By the time she had finished the first song half of Snitches papers had been sold. She decided that the crowd around them would enjoy a bit of Robbie Williams. She picked up her fake guitar and sang. 'Your takin' me places. I should never have been.'

Snitch signalled to her that all his papers had gone. She finished the song. 'Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you for you attention. I have been day dreamer.'

She took off her hat and bowed, a few people put money in her hat. 'oh ok thank you,'

'wow you were amazing.' Dreamer just smiled 1900 wasn't that bad. As usual Kid Blink and Race were the first in Tibby's

'Race.' Said Blink rubbing his good eye 'what do you make of da Dreamer goil?' 'I have no idea.'

'I mean why make up da story jus' to be a newsie. But den she is an actress Snitch said so, but she says she can prove it.'

'Why don't we wait until tonight and see what she comes up with.'

'sure.'

'oh boys it was amazing,' Snitch said as he fell into Tibby's 'she sang and got a crowd an' I sold 40 papes, more dan ever.'

'Dreamer sings too.'

'Like an angel.' Said Snitch.

'Where is she now?'

'Went back to da boardin' house for a minute.'

Dreamer walked in she checked first to see if she was in the right place and when she saw the others she grinned hugely.

'I hear ya been singing.'

She blushed noticeably.

'A bit I guess.'

'A bit, you were amazing.'

'Go on, sing somethin''

'I dunno.' Said Dreamer ' I know you lads I don't know the crowd out there.' 'Aw go on Toots,' said Blink affectionately and Snitch scowled, although it went unnoticed by all.

'Oh ok, I'll do one by the Honeyz.'

'Da who?'

'You don't know them there a 2000 band,' she stood up and started.

Dreamer sang and the boys watched. Blink did especially. Race was watching him. Dreamer ended the song .

'Wow.' said Blink.

'I told ya she was good.'

'There I did it, I sang for you, now give us some of that sandwich I'm hungry.' 'You can have your own, thanks to you we made loads of money today.' 'What can I say I'm born performer.' he smiled but she turned back to Blink. Only Race saw the look on Snitch's face and realised what might happen between the three of them.

'Heya Boys.'

Boots and Snipeshooter walked in.

'Heya Boots, Snipe's you met Dreamer right?'

'Only briefly, hey how are ya?'

'Fine thanks.'

'Budge up den.' Said Snipes and Dreamer moved nearer to Blink. Snitch brought her sandwich to her.

'Thanks Snitch' she grinned 'So you guys ready to put Jack's nose out of joint this evening, because I'm telling you, when I show him the proof he'll be laughing on the other side of his face.' The Newsies didn't respond. 'Sorry I forgot he was your leader.'

'S' ok Dream. I t'ink we all need a bit of proof.'

'Yeh, well not all of us,' said Snitch.

'Yeh but you'll believe anything.' Laughed Blink.

'Hey that wasn't nice was it?' asked Dreamer partly scolding him.

'Sorry Dream, Sorry Snitch.'

'Blink, I gotta tawk to ya a minute.'

Outside Tibby's Race lit his cigar. 'Blink what's goin on?'

'What?'

'You apologised, you never apologise and da way you was lookin' at Dream when she was singin."

'What so I like her dat's all.'

'Hey fellas.'

'Hey Davey.'

'Hey any of you guys seen da Delancy's' asked Jack

'Nope.'

'Jack your getting yourself really worked up about this.' David was worried

'So? You got a problem wiv dat?'

'No, I'm just sayin.'

'Well don't ok?' said Cowboy and he pushed past them and went inside.

'Davey?'

'He's been like this all day.' Said David as he followed Jack.

'where was I?' asked Race

'Havin' a go at me about Dream.'

'I wasn't havin' a go atcha.'

'you was,'

'I'm just sayin' stay away from her.'

'Why?'

'for one she's too young.'

'Too years ain't no difference. What about that 16 year old you dated dat was a two year gap.'

'Another thing, we dunno who she is and where she's from. We don't know nothin.'

'We will tonight when she proves it' and with that Blink disappeared back into Tibby's. Race stubbed out his cigar and followed him sighing heavily.' Later on all the Newsies had congregated in the bunk room in a circle around Dreamer, 'Ok' she said silencing the room. 'I will now prove all. Here are my school books with my name Gemma Morgan clearly written in my hand writing.' The Newsies nodded.

'My diary that has 2000 on the front. I doubt they've even thought about these yet. And all my arrangements are in here. March 22nd Rehearse for play. Proves I was supposed to be in a play.'

'If you from the future show us stuff that ain't been invented yet.'

Continue