Chapter Text
Context
(most of the newsies are based on the livesies characters except for the characters not included and it follows the broadway storyline.)
Before the strike the Jacobs were behind pay and were struggling. Mayer had been injured and fired, Esther and Sarah were the only ones in the family of 5 bringing in money for the family. Les and David had not been in school but it was decided that they were going to sell newspapers.
That night they had earned a lot of money but also brought home another boy named Jack Kelly. He was the Newsies’ charismatic leader. Sarah and Jack talked a little bit but Jack was kind of flirting the whole time which she shut down quickly because she could see the look that David was giving his selling partner all night. Let’s just say, David would be selling with him for a while.
But what Sarah didn’t tell her family is that she was laid off. Her mom would be heartbroken. Sarah had tried to find a decent way to earn money but nobody was hiring.
~Chapter 1~
I watched David come back in through the window, to the fire escape where him and Jack were talking . Mother was a laundress. Father was injured so he was bed bound (according to mama), even though it was only his arm.
Mama nor papa knew I had been jobless since last night on her way home from work. I just wasn’t good with a needle and string and it had cost me from making money.
David, my twin brother, was the only person I turned to. I didn’t know how to originally but we share a room and he knows when something is off.
After dinner I walked into our room and sat in my bed, trying to come up with an excuse or a solution for my problem. David had confronted me after he had put away the dishes and silverware. He sat right next to my right side on the thin mattress and looked at me with his soft eyes that we shared.
“Sarah, I know when you are upset and, supper was a struggle for you, tell me what is bothering you”
I just looked at him. I had no idea what to say or how to possibly explain what had happened. My eyes began to water slightly.
“I got fired” a tear threatened to fall down my cheek
“Oh Sarah” David hugged me and I couldn’t hold back the tears. They streamed out of my face and soaked into David’s shirt.
“What am I going to do?” I sobbed. My words came out muffled but could be clearly heard.
“We can think on it tonight, just relax, we will find a solution.” Davey had stood up and got ready for the night, shut the door and sat back onto the bed, where he had sat before.
“I’m scared, they are going to be so disappointed” I mumbled and covered my face with my hands
“Not if they don’t know. We can go looking after I sell” David put his hand on my shoulder and rubbed his thumb along it.
“Thanks, David” I calmed my breaths and got up to get ready for sleep.
When I laid back down an idea popped into my head. One that was very dangerous and could cost me my life.
“Hey, David” I broke the silence of the night.
“Yea?” I couldn’t see him but I could tell in his voice that he sounded on edge from my tone.
“What if I sold newspapers with you?” I held my breath waiting for his reaction
“That’s a terrible idea” I can tell he sat up quickly from the creaking from his bed. But to be honest he didn’t sound that against it.
“But think about it, I’ll dress up in your clothes, keep my head down and stay in the crowd, no one will notice me” I exclaimed “it’s a great plan, come on”
I almost see the look my brother was giving me through the pitch black. He sighed then groaned like he was actually considering it. After a long time of silence he finally spoke,
“You have to stay in the back and if anything gets too out of hand, you have to leave and stay out of the spotlight. Oh and don’t talk, you don’t want to sound like a girl” he paused “how are you going to cover up… your chest?”
“I’ll just find a strip of cloth or some old bandages in the cupboard” I suggested
“This is a horrible idea” his voice was somewhat muffled, he was probably rubbing his face with his hands. “We can figure it out in the morning, I’m too tired right now”
“Good night” I crawled under the covers and had instantly fallen asleep thinking about the following day. I was almost excited to see what David did since he had been told to find work.