The bird of Manhatten

Chapter 20 - in which there is a rally and court is held

July 1899
At many places in Manhattan, New York City
Magpies P.O.V.

"We'se gonna have a rally tonight an' I want all of ya in ya best clothin' foa dat. Oh, an' take a bath. All of you.", Jack announces, as we'se back at da Lodge House. "Ya too, Mags. Wear a dress or somethin' like dat. An' ya the first for the tub."
"Why a dress?", I ask. Beside da fact I really don't like ta dress up, I don't even have somethin' ta dress up.
"Because I say so.", Jack simply answers.
"An' if I don't wanna?"
"Do it, or I'll soak ya."
"Ya'd never soak me, Cowboy."
"Damn, ya right... den I'll... um... Oh, yes. I's gonna ground ya, if ya don't."
"What?! Ya can't ground me. I have ta sell."
"Den ya sell wit' me..."
"I's not sure if dat's how groundin' works."
"... Foa two weeks. An' ya have ta stay in da Lodge House foa da rest of da time. So, no visits in Brooklyn or anywhere else."
I jus' star at him in disbelieve. "Ya wouldn't do dat."
"Oh yes. I would."
"I don't even have somethin' ta wear."
"What 'bout da dress Mrs. Jacobs gave ya?"
"Damn.", I mutter under my breath.
"What was that?"
"I can't wear a dress, Jack. I can run in it."
"Ya won't have ta run. Now go bath and change."
"Ya WoN't NeEd Ta RuN.", I imitate quietly, walkin' ova ta da bathroom.
Da water's cold, like always, givin' me goosebump all ova my body.
I wash my hair and body, get outta the tub quickly, so dey other can bath too.
I walk ova ta my bed an' get da my box from under my bed.
We all have like a box under our beds, where we store everything. Books (if we have some), shoes (if we have more than one pair), photos, memories, an' clothes.
I open my own box an' take out the dress. Well, the blouse an' the skirt.
Then I close the curtains an' get dressed.
I takes me like two eternities 'til I's closed all of them damn buttons.
Relieved I's finally done I let myself fall onto da bed.
"Mags?", Jack askes on the other side of the curtain. "Ya done?"
"Yeah. Just one minute."
I stand up, dust the skirt, tuck my hair behind my ear and step out.

The rally's a real success.
Everyone's joinin' in Medda's songs. Everyone's happy and jolly.
Eventually Jack an' Spot ask for silence. Dey want ta say somethin'.
Jack thanks everyone foa comin' and joinin' da strike and Spot makes, well... back up.
"Davey. Come on say somethin'.", Jack says, lookin' at his friend.
"Me?", Davey askes. He looks pale.
"Yes, ya. Go out there and kill it."
"Please kill me.", he mumbles.
Then he steps forward, clears his throat and says: "Look at us. A union. A symbol of unification, a product of the unity of the United States. It is important that we stay unified, so that our union is united, and our unity will be freedom. The unity of our union shows the unification of our unions
united union. United. Unified. United we stand. Amen."
I has to cover my mouth, so I won't laugh. Jack looks confused, but then smiles and nods.
"Yes. I couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks Davey."
The show wit' Medda continues. Everyone's singin' on the top of their lungs an' dancin'.
Jack an' Medda's dancin' arm in arm.
I smile. It's been a long time since somethin' like that happened.
Nothing can stop us anymore.
I's so happy.
We'll win this. I jus' know. I can feel it.
We'll get Crutchie out.
We'll get da price back down.
We'll get a better life.
We'll...
My happy thoughts is interrupted by Davey, who nudges me.
"Snyder!", he yells.
I freeze in fear.
No. It can't be. Not now.
I look ova ta him. Denton tries ta stop him. When I look back at Davey, he's gone. I search foa him in the crowd and find him talkin' ta Jack.
Mine an' his eyes meet.
We have ta go.
Now!

Jacks P.O.V.

I's almost high with joy, when Davey's suddenly standin' next ta me.
"Hey, Davey.", I yell.
"Jack! It's Snyder!"
"What?", I ask. It's too loud ta understand him.
"It's Sny-" He comes nearer and yells I my ear: "It's Snyder!"
I freeze. But Davey's right.
Dere he is. Da spida. Right next ta Denton, who tries ta distract him.
My eyes wander of and search foa Mags in da crowd. I find her still sittin' at da table.
Our eyes meet.
We have ta go.
Now!
She stands up an' makes her way, hidden by da boys, ta da exit. Hopefully, Snyda didn't notice her yet.
Suddenly there's bulls everywhere.
An' I run.