Lizzie

Lizzie

“No.” Lizzie frowned. “I will not marry that… that THING you call a MAN!” She lifted up her skirts and got into her wealthy father’s face, it seemed she always got her way unless it had to do with men.

“You will marry him or you shall never go out. You will sit in a room with your dresses and your toys, you will never leave, you will have things brought to you each night, and you will never be happy.” Lizzie’s father threatened. He was a rich man, a very rich man, and he had a very unloving daughter.

“I do not Love him!” Lizzie protested pacing in a huff.

“You will learn to love him.” Her father countered.

Lizzie fumed and lifted up her skirts and stormed out. She grumbled as she headed down the hallway and slammed the door. Her father and herself had been having this fight for almost three years now, when he promised her hand to a ‘sleazy rich snob’ in her eyes. Because of her high status she always wore long flowing stuffy skirts, and she was always proper. She hated it. Her dream was to be free, free like… like the birds in the sky, or the fish in the sea. She wanted to be anything but rich and powerful. She especially hated being betrothed.

“Two weeks miss.” A servant of Lizzie’s said.

“hmm?” Lizzie had not understood.

“Two weeks. You’ll be married.” The servant girl noted as she laid out the next days clothes for Her. “Meredith came earlier. She wanted to know if you would like to walk together to the party.”

“Don’t remind me. Marriage is not something I want to think about. Tell her yes.” Lizzie said as she changed into her pajamas for the night.

“alright miss.” The servant girl said before bowing and leaving the room.

I have to get out of here! If only… if only I was free. Lizzie dazed into the night.
* * *
A dainty hand pulled a pearl white glove up tighter as Lizzie walked very upright down the street, Meredith rambled on next to her about how the world was becoming extremely corrupt if a girl couldn’t get a bath every day. Suddenly, as she was simply walking to the party, she saw a boy walking by with an angered look on his face as he kicked at the dirt. He had dirty blonde hair and a defiant chin, an eye patch on his left eye, and a billowing shirt on. He donned a red handkerchief around his neck, and breeches that came to mid calf, A vest covered his suspenders and his off white dirt smudged shirt. Somehow this struck a cord in Lizzie’s heart telling her he was perfect, she had to have him, it’s just the way it was. She stopped. “I’m going to buy a paper…” She interrupted her friend.

“But you did… earlier, remember, from that Italian boy with an attitude.” Meredith said with a puzzled look.

“no… you don’t understand… I just have to buy a paper. It’s only a penny.” She reached into her small purse and pulled one out. “it’s not too much.” Meredith shrugged and rolled her eyes.

Lizzie lifted her skirts slightly as she walked over to the boy to see the single paper in his hand. “Excuse me, but is that paper for sale?” She asked in the politest way she could think of.

The boy with the patch grunted and handed it to her. “Take it.” He simply said and kept walking.

“But, I haven’t paid you.” She said holding out the penny as she trotted to keep up with his stride.

“If you’se insist.” He said with a shrug taking the penny. Seeing her drop a dollar coin in his hand as well made him frown. “I’se don’t take charity.” He said flicking the coin back at her. It was more money than he would see in a very long time, but his dignity was too much to be bought.

Lizzie shook her head and flung the coin back at him so it landed in the dirt in front of his feet as he walked away. He stopped and kicked it into the gutter. Lizzie sighed as she made her way back to her friend, who was clapping sarcastically.

“Don’t even try to help the street rats.” Meredith said as they started to walk away again.

“’ey! Blink!” a female voice said rather loudly. Lizzie looked back over her shoulder at the boy, who was still walking the other direction. She then saw another newsy, a girl with reddish tinted blonde hair, that wasn’t even chin length, and a backwards newsy hat on (who had obviously been the one to yell) run up and put her arm around the boy’s waist. The girl had jet straight hair that was covered mostly by the hat and blue eyes that shined like a silver dime, She was also had noticeable dirt smudges across her face and shirt, as if she had been rolling in soot at one point. Lizzie scowled as she watched the two walk away arms around each other’s waists.

“Lizzie? Liz? Are you even listening to me?” Meredith asked as Lizzie turned back around.

“Hmm? Yes. Sorry.” Lizzie said, she wasn’t paying attention in the least bit, her mind was on how she could see that boy, who she suspected to be named Blink, again, and how she could ruin the life of his seemingly girlfriend.
* * *
“you’se ok?” Snatch, the redheaded newsy with a backward cap on asked her brother.

Blink shrugged as he wrapped his arm around her. “’eah. You’se know mom an’ dad died t’day.” He squeezed her waist.

“yeah. I say, dat as long as we’se togedder, it don’ matta.” Snatch said hugging him back as they kept striding quickly down the street.

Blink smiled and pushed the hat down on the front of his little sister’s head, so it covered her eyes mostly. “Y’know, you’se look jus’ like mom when you’se lookin’ ‘alf decent.” That made Snatch smile and pull her hat back on her head.

She poked him playfully in the side. “you’se too nice to yer sistah.”

“we’ll she’s de best.” Blink grinned again.

“Wo’ld ya stop makin’ me feel like I’se worth mored’an de dirt on me shoes?” Snatch said blushing.

“well, yer all I got.” Blink said as the two turned a corner and made their way through the alley ways.

“Wha’bout da guys? Dey’re ‘ere for ya, and dey always will be, you’se knows dat.” Snatch smiled.

Blink stopped suddenly and turned his sister to face him. He placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned into her face. “I wants ya to be more den a newsy.” He simply said.

Snatch blinked for a moment. “But… Blink…” she had become accustomed to calling him by his given newsy name rather than his real one “ I can’t leave, I’se just can’t. Me friends are ‘ere, what’ll Ritz think? And…” she stared off into a corner.

“You ‘ave to make it, Andrea, you’se ain’t bein’ a newsy for’evah” Blink called her by her real name in private sometimes.

“and what’s ‘bout you, huh? Whatter you’se gonna do?” Snatch put her hands on her hips after pushing him slightly in the chest.

“If I’se gotta be a newsy da rest of me life I’se will, but I’se promised Mom you’s’ll be mo’.” Blink said pushing her back.

“Dey kicked me outta school! Whaddya wan’ me ta do, Alan? Hmm? Change my name and leave you ‘ere?” Snatch said pushing attitude into her voice all the way now, and turning to face away.

“if ya gotta.” Blink sighed placing his hand on her shoulder.

“Dammit Alan. I ain’t leavin’ you ‘ere.” Snatch turned and hugged her brother who hugged her back in the alley. They turned, arms around each other again before trotting off toward Tibby’s.
* * *
Lizzie strode past the alley Snatch and Blink were in to see them hugging. She sighed and hung her head before trailing off with Meredith to the party. As they stepped up the steps, William, a tall, handsome, fun loving boy a year or two older then she was took her hand and lead her to the dance floor, and for the entire night they talked and danced, completely content with each other, but there was a nagging in Lizzie’s mind about the boy she had seen on the street.

“Lizzie, come, your father wants you home by eleven remember.” Meredith approached the two in deep conversation. Lizzie nodded and was escorted out by William who smiled and waved. She was about to step into the carriage as a red headed newsy girl crawled out from under the carriage and brushed against her skirt.

“What are you doing?” Lizzie asked looking down.

Snatch looked up, not expecting to have bumped into the girl. “nubbin’.” She deposited a bolt in her pocket.

“hand it here.” Lizzie held out her hand for the thing Snatch had slipped into her pocket.

Snatch simply glared and stood, she was taller than Lizzie, by about 2 inches. “I ain’t answerin’ to no scab.”

Lizzie rolled her eyes and stepped forward, still holding out her dainty hand.

Snatch stood her ground, knowing Lizzie couldn’t do anything to her, except maybe call the police, but they’d have to catch her first. She spit in Lizzie’s hand. “Dere!” she laughed and ran quickly out the gates, followed by the boy with the patch, Lizzie could barely hear the words they said to each other as they exited as quickly as possible.

“Didja get it?” Blink said.

“got it!” Snatch said before Blink grabbed her wrist and pulled her around the corner.

Lizzie shrugged and stepped up into the carriage. She now had dirt scuffed on her skirt from where the girl had brushed into her. “go driver.” She simply stated.

“ai” The driver commanded and the carriage gave a slight jerk before flying forward with the horses, carriage not connected. Lizzie sighed. She should have known. At this very moment she decided she must destroy the life of the redhead and find more about the boy with the patch.
* * *
Snatch laughed playing with the bolt in her hand as the horses ran by. Mush came from around the gates at that moment, a large smile on his face and pockets bulging.

“whaddya find, Mush?” Blink asked clapping his friend in the back.

“I’se got everyding from gloves ta money ta shoelaces!” Mush grinned, the three had gone in to pickpocket and make trouble.

The three strode away proudly before hearing a voice behind them.

“you three. Get back here.” It was female, and it was Lizzie.

All three turned before Blink yelled. “RUN!” and they jetted off, Lizzie in pursuit, well, trotting as fast as she could in her skirts. The three circled into an alley way and ducked behind a row of trash cans. They huddled for a moment before Mush shoved Blink into the small crevice behind the row. He then turned quickly and grabbed Snatch into a kiss, who was completely and utterly hating (and rather pissed off at) the tactics he was using.

Lizzie came rounding the corner to see two shadowy figures making out in the corner and frowned, it was unheard of to interrupt someone while they were doing something of this persuasion. So, she simply hung her head thinking it must have been the redhead and Blink, the boy with curly hair seemed to have disappeared. She walked away scuffling her feet back to the house gates.

Snatch pulled away at that moment and slapped Mush with a defiant hand. “Tell me when you’se gonna do dat next toime”

Mush simply shrugged and wiped his mouth off with his sleeve as Snatch stood. She helped her two friends. “Good kisser.” Mush stated as they walked out it caused Blink to burst into laughter he was trying to control.

“Yer not to bad yerself” Snatch joked,. Mush smiled and elbowed Blink in the side and giving suggestive eyebrow movements. “eh. Shut up Blink.” Snatch said reaching past Mush who was standing between them and whacking her brother in the head. “Dis is me break, gotta get back ta Manhattan.” Snatch said turning into an alleyway. “don’let Ritz know I’se was ‘ere, she’ll have me ass if she knew I’se was pickpocketin’ outside of me own territory.” She called with a chuckle, it was a known fact that Ritz didn’t like Snatch associating with Jack’s newsies but she had an excuse because she was Blink’s sister. She turned with a wave before running off completely.
* * *
Later that night Lizzie sneaked out of the house donning boy’s pants and shirt, a newsy hat, and suspenders. Inside the vest she had stolen from her father was ten dollars, which she knew was a lot, but she needed it for emergencies. She squirmed her way out of the house and down the street, determined to become a newsy of some sort.

Snatch hopped up the steps to her lodge house as she wiped sweat from her forehead late in the night. She was greeted by Shmitz, the attendant, with a wave and a smile before she trudged up the steps to the bunk room. She drowsily flopped on her back in her bunk to find something rather interesting underneath her. She turned to see a girl with blonde hair she had never seen before laying in her bed. “Who are you and what are you doing in my bunk?” She asked coldly of the scared girl who was staring wide eyed at her.

“She’s new.” Ritz said jumping down from a bunk.

"Well, ya co’lda told me somebody was in me bunk.” Snatch said standing slowly.

“you’se weren’t usin’ it. Anyways, I dought you’se’d be out till t’marraw” Ritz shrugged.

“Outta me Bunk.” Snatch said blinking tiredly and throwing her hat on a bed post. The girl stared at her wide eyed. “out, out! Newbies get da floor.” Snatch glared as the girl crawled out of the bed. Snatch pulled off her suspenders so they fell around her knees and started to unbutton her shirt. She sighed as she did so, that goil ain’t no newsy, she thought before crawling in. “Whass’er name kid?”

“Lizzie.” The girl peeped. Snatch stared at her before rolling over. Lizzie stood there before finding another empty bed to crawl into, She swore she had seen that girl before.

Ritz poked Snatch in the shoulder. “You’se’s gonna take ‘er ‘round tomarrah.”

Snatch opened one eye at Ritz. “yer mad y’know dat?” Ritz gave her a toothy grin.

“if anyding happens, yer in fer it.” Ritz smiled sarcastically and hopped back up onto her bunk.

“yeah..yeah… whateve…” Snatch said snuggling into her pillow and falling asleep. Lizzie gave an evil grin, it was the perfect opportunity to ruin the red head’s life and keep away from her father.
* * *
Ritz threw water into Snatch’s face as Shmitz walked started to yell about getting up. “eyya Snatch! Gets up. We’se got papes ta sell.”

“it’s too early ta be up.” Snatch whined crawling slowly out of bed.

“you’se say dat every mornin’!” Jen, a short girl with brownish blonde hair commented.

“’eah whateve.” Snatch said rubbing her eyes and moving into the wash room. She splashed cold water on her face and brushed out her greasy hair before pulling a suspender up over her undershirt and shoulder. Itching the back of her neck she strides back into the bunk room.

“C’mon people, get movin’!” Ritz yelled at the top of her lungs as Snatch buttoned up her shirt. Ritz came in pulling a bowler on her head and striding over to Snatch. “Gets da new goil.”

Snatch shrugged pulling her hat onto her head and walking over to push Lizzie off the bunk. She landed with a clunk on the floor and moaned. “Get up. We’se got papes ta sell.” Snatch threw a shirt at her and started down the stairs. “now.”

Lizzie looked around, unsure where she was for a moment. She grabbed the shirt and pulled it on before running down the stairs as fast as possible. She followed Snatch into the street.

Snatch came sliding around the corner with a smile. “Lizzie. Follow me.” She came creeping out of the alley very slowly with Lizzie close behind. She crouched over, and when the pretzel vender turned around she snatched one clear off his cart and bolted. Lizzie came quickly after, before grabbing Snatch’s wrist and whipping her around. “What was dat fer?”

“you’se can’t do that! It’s stealing!” Lizzie said giving a look sincearness.

Snatch smiled and took a bite from it. “why’s do ya think dey call me Snatch?”

Lizzie just shook her head. “you didn’t pay for it though.”

“’ey. You’se learn dat, out here, life ain’t fair. Live wit it.” Snatch said. “C’mon. we gotta gets ta da gates.” She ripped off a part of the pretzel and shoved it at Lizzie, who gave it a disgusted look at it before deciding that it was probably the only food she’d get for a while, and stuffed it in her mouth.

As they approached the gates of the Sun paper, Race yelled from the statue. “’eyya Snatch! ‘eard you’se got some action last night.” He said with a laugh.

“’eh. You’se wouldn’t know action if it hit ya in da face Race.” Snatch said throwing her face back in a flick. Race jumped down from the statue and sauntered over.

“who’se da newbie?” Race asked using his cigar to point at Lizzie.

“Eh, dis is Lizzie” Snatch said pointing her thumb back at Her.

“you’se don’ look like no newsy.” Race said circling Lizzie, who was getting rather nervous at being looked up and down like that. Getting around to the front he pushed her into the dirt with a smile. As she stood up it was noticeable that she had dirt all over her clothes. “now you’se look like a newsy.” Race laughed patting the hat on Snatch’s head.

“So what brings ya ‘round ‘ere?” Snatch asked, jamming her hands into her breeches.

“eh, jus’ lookin’ ‘round.” Race said. “want’d ta catch up witd me favorite goil.” He joked, punching her in the arm. Most of Jack’s newsies flirted with Snatch, just because she was their friend and because she was one of the only girls who would talk with them.

“eh, Shut up Race. How’er da ‘ead lines?” Snatch replied leaning a shoulder on Lizzie who glared and pushed it off. Snatch shrugged and put her hands back in her pockets.

“bad, like usual.” Race shrugged before a bell started to ring in the distance. “dats me call. Gots ta go.” Race said trotting off in the other direction.

“Say’s hi ta Blink for me will ya?” Snatch called after him.

“yeah, yeah, whateve’!” She heard from Race in the distance.

Snatch turned quickly and was about to start walking away when she found Lizzie standing in front of her. “Do ya mind? I’se gotta buy papes y’know.”

Lizzie shrugged. “did he have to do that? I mean, dirt isn’t something I particularly like.” She said as she trailed behind Snatch who was walking down the street towards the gates.

“yeah. You’se was too clean ta be a newsy.” Snatch grinned leaning over and puffing some dirt up into Lizzie’s face with a large laughing smile. Lizzie just stopped and wiped off her eyes.

"thanks. Thanks a lot. I really needed that.” Lizzie said blowing dirt off her lips.

“Aw, lighten’ up.” Snatch said lighting a cigarette and continuing to walk. Lizzie grabbed it from her mouth and threw it to the ground.

“that’s Disgusting.”

“’eh. Whateve.” Snatch said, she was already disliking this girl.

“Who’s Blink?” Lizzie asked.

“Dear me. You’se a little prier ain’t ya?” Snatch laughs. “’e’s of no concern ta ya.” They finally reached the gates and walked inside. “Gots any money kid?”

“Yeah.” Lizzie said blinking.

“Den you’se buy yer own papes taday.”

“oh.” Lizzie sighed as they moved up the line. Snatch threw a half piece onto the counter.

“Hundred papes.” She growled and took them quickly.

“twenty papers please.” Lizzie said and took her papers and headed down the stairs. Snatch was sitting on the edge of the platform.

“Only twenty papes? Tsk, tsk. I’m disapointed.” Snatch said shaking her head.

Lizzie cocked her head to the side in questioning.

“Da name of da game is volume kid. You’se only got twenty papes. Why?” Snatch asked.

“I don’t want any more.” Lizzie said. “anyway, the headline is horrible.”

Ritz sat down next to Snatch with a large smile. “headlines don’t sell papes. Newsies sell papes.” She said giving Snatch a high five.

“Yeah. An’ I ain’t sellin’ ‘em for ya.” Snatch said standing.

“Lets go People!” Ritz yelled as they headed out toward the streets. “Calf born with six legs! Get yer papes ‘ere!” she yelled out a headline. Lizzie frowned as she and Snatch walked down the street.

“Extry! Extry! Reads all ‘bout it! Inferno in Trenton! Big comflamigration!” Snatch yelled.

“wait. Where is that story?” Lizzie asked as they rounded a corner.

“page 6. Top.” Snatch replied yelling some more and selling a bunch of her papers in one long sweep. They sold papers for a very long time.

“its to hot out here!” Lizzie finally complained.

“well den ya shouldn’t a’become a newsy.” Snatch retorted, Lizzie was getting on her nerves.

“Don’t talk to me like that.” Lizzie said, The two were not on good terms at this point and Lizzie thought it was rather nice to ruin someone’s life for once.

Snatch grabbed Lizzie by the breast of her shirt and dragged her into an alley way. She slammed her against the wall and leaned in close to her face. “You get one ding straight, Scab. I’se talk to anyone anyway I wants ta, an’ if you want ta come outta dis alive, leave. Me. be.”

“Are you threating me?” Lizzie asked when Snatch dropped her to the ground.

“yeah. What’s it to ya?” Snatch gave a provoking stare.

Lizzie scowled and wrung her hands together as a skinny, blonde haired, ice eyed boy with a cane in his hand came around the corner. She started to charge at this moment and Snatch whirled. She stuck her hand up and blocked the first punch, ducked under the second, and whipped Lizzie’s legs out somewhere in the middle. Lizzie fell hard.

“I warned ya.” Snatch chortled at the girl who wasn’t finding the ground to be her favorite place. She turned and ran straight into Spot. “uh. Hiya Spot.”

He chortled at them. “hiya Snatch, what’s cookin’? He asked before slipping around her and helping Lizzie to her feet. “You’se gonna get yerself killed if ya keep blowin’ like dat.” He advised her.

Lizzie immediately started to brush herself off, and simply mumbled a “thanks” to him.

“Not much.” Snatch answered his original question.

Spot grinned and flicked his head up slightly. “Blink was wonderin’ if you’se commin’ ta tibby’s fer lunch.”

Snatch idly stuck her hands in her pockets. “eh, dunno. Gotta drag ‘er around.” She said, avoiding all real eye contact with him on account he scared the hell out of her.

Spot shrugged. “whateveh” he said before rounding the corner and disappearing.

“Who was that?” Lizzie asked.

“Eh, Dat’s Spot Conlon. You’se don’ mess wid ‘im, you’se don’ Talk to ‘im less ‘e talks to you foist, an’ you’se don’ eveh contradict ‘im, eidder.” Snatch replied walking out into the street.

“he don’t scare me.” Lizzie said following.

“’eah, you’se nevah been caught in a Brooklyn fight, eidder.” Snatch said kicking at the dirt. “Nevah go ta Brooklyn without back up, or permission fer dat mattah. Don’ go ta Jacks territory eider. You’se don’ wanna get soaked.”

Lizzie shrugged. “I could take them.” This caused Snatch to break into laughter.

“uh-huh. Yeah, Riiiight. Wid da way you’se fought back dere, I’se’d say you’se a easy target” Snatch said.

Lizzie just grumbled. “what’s Tibby’s?”

“Lunch.”

Lizzie just looked confused. “yeah… ok.” She obediently followed Snatch all the way through Manhattan.
* * *
There was an eruption of greetings from the group of Newsies crammed inside Tibby’s as Snatch came in with a large smile on her face and her arms open to receive the usual welcome of pats on the back and half hugs from the guys. She spun a chair around on it’s heel and sat down. Lizzie followed and sat tightly in a chair behind the relaxed Snatch, who are these newsies? And they’re all guys, how could these street rats be so… .

“So.. ah’s Snatch, What’s new?” Race asked putting some food in his mouth.

“Eh, not much. Tryin’ ta teach dis goil ta be a newsy.” Snatch flicked her head back at Lizzie before swiping a roll from the table and ripping a piece off. She stuffed it in her mouth and smiled.

Blink came in at the moment and was greeted with the same enthusiasm. He leaned on the back of Lizzie’s chair, making her stomach flutter. “Didjya guys hear? Da Mayor’s daugh’er ran away, it’s all over Hearst’s banner.”

“I havn’t been able to sell a pape all day!” Skittery said with a sigh, as Lizzie stiffened in her seat, They’re talking about me… she thought, biting her lip. What if they notice?

Blink tossed the Banner onto the table where Snatch picked it up. “Right ‘ere, says ‘de Mayor’s daudder, Elizdabeth, found ta be missin’ dis mornin’. Presumabadaly ran away in de night or was kidnapped. She’s 5’3” and long blonde hair. If anyone knows anyding please notify da police…” She read from the paper.

Lizzie tried to play it cool. “wonder where she went.”

“prolly was jus’ bein’ a dumb ass and joined da moonlighters.” Blink joked. He was immediately swatted by Mush who was standing next to him.

“Y’know, now I’se positive all you’se dinks about is gettin’ laid.” Snatch said shaking her head, many newsies snickered silently as Blink gawked at her.

He ruffled her hat on her head. “one’a dese days…”

“You’se gonna get laid instead of jus’ thinkin’ about it?” Snatch finished the sentence for him. The newsies erupted in laughter. He glared. “oh, you’se knows I’se just jokin’” She leaned over and poked him in the leg. He grabbed her hand and wrapped an arm around her neck, giving her a noogie.

“See how you’se like it.” He laughed as she squirmed.

“You little bugger! Y’know if we weren’t…” She started.

He just grinned. “yeah, yeah, I’se know.”

Lizzie watched, stifling a laughter at the two, which masked a want to kill Snatch and make off with Blink. When lunch was over, the Newsies all said goodbye and made off to their respective corners and routs, as Lizzie and Snatch were walking back, Lizzie had to ask.

“Who was that?” she pondered aloud.

“Who?” Snatch replied, continuing to take long strides as they walked.

“The guy with the patch?” She seemed rather innocent enough.

“Blink? Oh, he’s nobody.” Snatch didn’t give much thought to her answers.

“is he…” Lizzie said suggestively. Snatch rolled her eyes and turned to walk backward so she could face Lizzie. “don’t even dink ‘bout it.”

“why?”

“cuz then I’d have ta soak ya.” Snatch said with a light hearted laugh, though to Lizzie it implied that Snatch and Blink were definitely an item.
* * *
Lizzie awoke with a start. “GET UP!” Ritz yelled pulling the covers from the bed and throwing them to the floor. Lizzie’s body ached all over as she attempted to sit up. She moaned as she crawled out of bed and slowly moved into the wash room where Snatch was quick to throw water into her face.

“hurry up.” She glared at Lizzie who sputtered, causing the rest of the newsies to go up in laughter. Lizzie just grumbled and slowly got dressed. She rubbed some soot from her face and sighed as she stared at the mirror. The reflection showing back at her was not her own, it was one of a hard worked newsy. What was I thinking? My beauty, my… dignity! Being a newsy is worse than being rich! And I have no authority! But I can’t go back. Thoughts raced through her mind.

Snatch yelled at her to get going again.

“I’m coming, I’m coming.” Lizzie groaned sauntering down the stairs.

“You’se gonna move faster then dat? I do gotta sell papes ya’know.” Snatch said as Newsies ran past them. After a few minutes they finally made it to a booth with Nuns standing behind it. One of them handed pieces of bread to both Snatch and Lizzie. Lizzie slowly started to walk away as she munched on her roll. Snatch grabbed her by the shoulder. “We’se don’t steal from Nuns.” She growled in Lizzie’s ear.

Surprized Lizzie turned. “I wasn’t stealing!” She denied.

“den you gonna pay fer dat?” Snatch asked keeping a grip on Lizzie’s shoulder. “the nuns need their six cents.”

Lizzie gave her an annoyed look and placed the pennies in the hand of a nun who smiled and blessed her. Snatch smiled and turned Lizzie around and put her arm around her shoulder. “Aren’t you going to pay?” Lizzie asked.

Snatch grinned and laughed. “You paid for me.”

Lizzie glared, she had just been cheated out of three useful pennies.

“aww, don’t look so doom and gloom.” Snatch said tipping her nose with her finger. “I’se’ll pay ya back.” They came up to their gates and bought their papers. It was a rather slow selling day as Snatch led Lizzie around the city. First they tried Central park, but business was slow enough that even RaceTrack wasn’t selling there. Both girls had over half their papers left as they sold through the hot day. When lunch came around Snatch sighed as she held onto her last paper.

“what am I going to do with you?” She asked it, pondering ideas, she could rip it up and throw it around as if it were New Years, or she could use it as food, or better yet, she could sell it to that lady in the bright dress down there! Needless to say she opted for the last one. She shuffled up, hunched over and sneezed.

The woman turned around. “Are you alright?” She asked tipping Snatch’s face up.

“Would you buy… Medda?” Snatch asked.

“Snatch? How you doin’ girl? I’ve missed yer help backstage.” Medda smiled giving Snatch a hug. Lizzie came up behind Snatch with a raised eyebrow. “Who’s this?”

“Oh, Medda, Dis is Lizzie, she’s me partner, de walkin’ annoyance.” Snatch grinned. “And, Lizzie, dis is Medda, greatest star of all.”

“Yer sweet kid.” Medda smiled at Snatch, after introductions and a few minutes of chatter Medda put a hand on each of their shoulders. “Now do either of you have a paper I could buy?”

Snatch eagerly handed her last one to Medda before Lizzie could even pull one out. “here.”

Medda handed Snatch a penny. “I have to get back to the hall, but I hope to see you around there soon?” Medda asked Snatch, who nodded. Medda walked her saucy walk back to Irving Hall.

“ain’t she great?” Snatch asked as the two of them walked down towards Tibby’s.

“yeah, great. What am I going to do with the rest of these papers?” Lizzie asked, holding out the stack of ten papers she had left.

“Sell ‘em after lunch.” Snatch shrugged.
* * *
Snatch swung the door open to Tibby’s and stepped inside, her hand was grabbed by Specs who pulled her into his lap. He pecked her on the cheek.

“How’s ya doin’, beautiful?” He said wrapping his arms around her waist. She pushed him away.

“Just fine. Do you ever tire of flirtin’?” She tipped him on the nose with her finger.

“naw, none’a us do.” Spot answered for him. Lizzie watched this whole spectacle from her place at the door, she could see Snatch tense up a bit, but take a deep breath and relax before taking her seat from Specs’ lap to a nearby booth. Lizzie joined her after a few moments and sat across from her.

Lizzie leaned across the table. “what was that all about?” she asked quietly.

Snatch shrugged.
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