Newsboys Strike from a Different Perspective
I'M FINALLY WRITING AGAIN AND I'M POSTING ABOUT THE STRIKE BUT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE QUEENS NEWSIES PLEASE ENJOY MY HEAPING PILE OF HOT GARBAGE
The Queens lodging house was busy. Kids were running everywhere to get ready for another day's work, and many of them were running over each other. Micky was among the traffic trying to find Dragon Fly.
He had already heard the news about the rising paper prices, and he thought he should let her know. Once he caught sight of her, he tugged on her sleeve.
“Dragon Fly, there's some bad news.”
She looked at Micky's worried expression, and she felt worry build. “Micky, what's wrong?”
“It's the pape prices. They went up ten percent. These kids won't be able to make their living.”
Dragon Fly felt her stomach fall. The kids in this lodging house already had trouble making rent. There was no way that they could stay with the rising prices.
“I don't know what we can do,” she said. “I guess we can help pay for the kids that can't afford their usual amount.”
Micky nodded. “Yeah. I just want to know what happened.”
Dragon Fly put her hand on Micky's shoulder before walking away. “I gotta get to work after the kids get their papers. Meet me at the circ gate in five minutes.”
Micky smirked. “You got it, chief.”
Dragon Fly walked out of the room and Micky put his head in his hands. He didn't know how the kids would react.
The kids were loud and angry when they saw the price change. Some of the younger kids, who were about six or seven, were crying.
Dragon Fly was trying to talk to the men at the circulation gate, but they were being smug, which was causing her to become annoyed.
Micky saw her and ran to pull her aside. “What are they saying?”
“They said that they raised the prices because the company is losing money. The price is the same everywhere.”
“I hate to say it, but we'll have to pay the difference for the kids today. We'll figure out what to do tomorrow.”
Dragon Fly nodded and handed Micky some money. “This should cover the difference for half of the kids. I really have to get going. I'll talk to you tonight after work.”
Micky took the money and went to the circulation gate to pay.
When Dragon Fly got back to the lodging house, she saw Micky still up. He was sitting at one of the tables. He lifted his head when she came in.
Micky scoffed. “Gee, thanks.” He took a deep breath. “Sales were hard today. The change is hard on a lot of the littles.”
Dragon Fly sat down by him. “I wish there was something we could do, but right now, we just have to roll with the punches.”
Micky nodded. “So how was work?”
“The usual, I guess.” Dragon Fly rested her chin in her hand. “My editor has denied the last three articles I've suggested.”
“Apparently I need to do something that hasn't been done before.”
“What about the everyday life of the average newsie?”
Dragon Fly shook her head. “They won't take that. No one out there is interested in a bunch of children.”
“Maybe you'll find a good story in the morning. It's late.”
“Yeah.” Dragon Fly stood and headed to her separate room. “Goodnight, Micky.”
When the next morning rolled around, the same routine started. Kids were everywhere getting ready, and Micky and Dragon Fly were trying to get everyone situated. They got to the circulation gate and helped the kids buy papers, then went off to the side.
“How much longer will this last?” Micky asked.
Dragon Fly shrugged. “All I know is that I'm going to be late for work if I don't leave now.” She walked off and left Micky alone.
He waved as she left and went to help one of the younger kids.
Dragon Fly got off of work early, so she stopped by the lodging house to see Micky. She ran into one of the kids, Jiffy, when she got to the stairs.
“Hey, Dragon Fly,” he said. “you're back early.”
“They let me leave early. Where's Micky?”
“Doing something in the back. Why?”
“I have something I needed to tell him. I heard some people at work talking about something.”
“Specs is here!” Tricky yelled.
Dragon Fly turned to see Specs at the door. “Hey, Specs. What are you doing here?”
“Jack sent me,” he said. “We're going on strike.”
“Is this about them raising the prices of the papers?”
Specs nodded. “We don't sell the papes until they put the price back. Jack sent me to ask you guys to join us.”
“I'd have to ask Micky first.”
“No.” Micky's voice came from the top of the stairs. “It's too risky.”
Dragon Fly turned to look at him. “Micky, just listen--.”
“Can I speak with you alone for a second?” Micky led her away from ear shot of everyone else. “Think about this before you go through with it.”
“No,” Micky said. “You're not. You could lose your job if this strike fails. You know the other boroughs won't even think of joining until Spot gives the word.”
“Then let's convince Spot.” Dragon Fly put her hand on his shoulder. “This is a fight for our rights. This is a fight for our kids. For every kid that sells papers on those streets.”
Micky thought before he nodded. “We're joining if we convince Spot, but only if Spot joins.”
Dragon Fly walked back to Specs. “We have to wait for Brooklyn. I'll see if I can convince Spot, but for right now, we're staying. Sorry, Specs.”
Specs nodded. “I understand. I'll tell Jack.” He left the lodging house and closed the door.
Dragon Fly stood at the door and watched kids go back to what they were doing. “I'm heading to Brooklyn. I'm guessing he's heard already, but it wouldn't hurt to try.”
“Maybe I should go,” Micky said.
“No offence, Micky, but Spot doesn't really like you. We get along, so I can try to talk some sense into him.”
Dragon Fly called Tricky over. “Can I borrow your bike?”
“Sure! Can I come with?” Tricky asked.
Dragon Fly walked out of the door and hopped on Tricky's bike.
It took longer than she thought it would, but Dragon Fly made it to the Brooklyn lodging house. She knocked on the door and saw Hotshot.
“Can I help you?” He asked.
“I need to see Spot. Where is he?”
He rolled his eyes. “He's on the pier. If this is about that strike, you can save it.”
“Thanks, Hotshot.” Dragon Fly hopped back on the bike and went to the pier. She saw Spot staring out at the sea.
Spot looked over. “Dragon Fly? Don't tell me you're here about the strike. Bronx, Flushing, and Manhattan have already come to convince me. I ain't joining ‘til I know they won't blow it.”
“Look, Spot, I'm close with the Manhattan kids. They stay true to their word. They'll pull through.”
Spot stayed silent for a second. “I'll believe it when I see it.”
Dragon Fly sighed. “If anything, Jack's too stubborn to let them quit.” She smiled when she got a smirk. “At least tell me you're considering.”
He nodded. “I'll join when they prove they can take the heat. Strikes shouldn't be taken lightly.”
“Got it. I guess I'm heading back to Queens.” Dragon Fly did a two finger salute. “I'll see you later.”
Spot returned the salute. “Bye, Dragon Fly.”
THIS IS THE FIRST THING I'VE WRITTEN AND POSTED SINCE THE HOLIDAY FIC SO I'M VERY RUSTY SO PLEASE DON'T GET MAD IF IT'S HORRIBLE I TRIED BUT FEEDBACK IS WELCOMED
Also should I write from the perspective of the Bronx?
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