It's Quiet Uptown

Davey and Snyder the Spider

Jack was smiling as he slowed to a stop, catching his breath. He had outrun the Delancey's and got in line back at the circulation gate for his papes. The Manhattan newsies slapped his back and complimented him on a job well done.

Mr. Weisel walked out into the yard, tailed by Oscar and Morris. "Papes! Papes for the newsies; line up."

Jack gave him a big smile as he approached the cart. "Mornin', Weasel, you miss me?"

"The name's Wei-sel."

"Ain't that what I said?" he asked, looking back at the boys. They snickered. "I'll take the usual."

"Hundred papes for the wise guy."

"How's it goin', Weasel?" Race asked, a smirk on his face.

"At least call me Mister." Weisel pleaded.

"I'll call you sweetheart if you spot me fifty papes." Race replied, leaning on the cart, giving him a wink.

"Drop your cash and move it along."

Race frowned and dropped his fifty cents into his hand. "Whatever happened to romance?!"

"Fifty for the Racer," Weisel called. "Next."

Crutchie hobbled up to the cart. "Good-mornin', Mr. Weisel."

Weisel smiled. "Fifty papes for Crutchie." he pocketed the money and motioned for the next newsie in line. "Hey, look at this! A new kid!"

"I'm new too!" the younger one said.

"Oh, don't worry kid, it rubs right off!" Race called.

"I'll take twenty newspapers, please." the older new kid told Weisel.

"Twenty papes for the new kid," Weisel said. The brothers handed him the papers and he started to walk off when Weisel called out to him. "Hey, hey, let's see the dime."

"Well, I'll pay you when I sell them." the new kid replied.

Weisel laughed. "Funny kid. Come on. Cash up front."

"But whatever I don't sell, you buy back, right?"

"Oh! Certainly!" Weisel replied, sarcasm dripping from his tone. "And every time you lose a tooth, I put a penny under your pillow." he laughed. "This kid's a riot. Come on, cough up the cash or blow. Come on, move it along. Albert! Let's see your money."

Albert studied Weisel's face. "You have a very interesting face," he said. "Ever think of getting into the moving pictures?"

Weisel's face had a glimmer of hope for a moment. "You really think I could?"

"Sure." Albert chuckled. "Buy a ticket, they let anyone in!"

The boys behind him laughed. The line went along, the boys paying for their papers. Through the quiet chatter, the new kid's voice called out to Mr. Weisel. "Sorry, excuse me, I paid for twenty, but you gave me nineteen."

"See how nice I was to the new kid?" Weisel says, looking at the Delancey's. They nod. "What do I get for my civility? Ungrounded accusations?"

"I just want what I paid for." he defended.

Oscar scowled. "He said beat it."

Jack had counted the kid's papers while he was talking to Weisel. "New kid's right!" he spoke. "Weasel, you gave him nineteen. I'm sure it's an honest mistake, on account of how Oscar can't count to twenty with his shoes on."

Oscar lunged at Jack but Morris held him back. Weisel hands the new kid an extra paper. "Here's your paper. Take a hike."

"Give the new kid fifty more papes." Jack bargained.