newsiesaskblog

[newsiesaskblog]

Crutchie and the Top Bunk

I keep seeing posts with people saying stuff like “If Crutchie couldn’t even come to the window, how was he on the top bunk Jack??????”

I dunno about you guys, but I imagine the reason might have something to do with the fact that Snyder is an abusive asshole who enjoys treating kids like crap.

I mean, think about it. Crutchie is practically dragged to the Refuge by his bad leg, where he gets roughed around some more by Snyder who keeps asking for information on the strike. Crutchie, of course, says nothing until Snyder decides to give his interrogation a rest for now. Crutchie is then stripped of any personal belongings and is told that he’ll be escorted to his bunk. He’s practically carried there by Snyder and another boy, he can hardly move after all. They get to the room, and looking around, there aren’t a lot of bunks open. There’s already at least three boys piled into each bed, and most of them don’t look eager to add another into their already crowded sleeping arrangements.

So Snyder decides to be a bit more horrible to the already suffering boy in hopes of making him give up the newsies plans and tells him he’ll be sleeping on one of the top bunks, to keep him “away from the vermin”.

And Crutchie’s face just goes really white as he realizes what’s actually happening, that he’s being punished further, but he doesn’t say anything because god knows Snyder doesn’t like “back talk”. So without a word, he limps over to the bunk and braces himself. Another boy, a bit taller than him, comes by to help. He doesn’t say a word, but he looks at Crutchie like he wishes he could do something. But instead, the boy boosts him up as quickly as he can so as to get it over with.

Crutchie nearly blacks out after he’s hoisted onto the top. His ribs and leg are screaming, his vision is blurry, and he wants to cry because Jack promised he’d never end up in a place as terrible as this and he doesn’t know how long he’s going to last. He hears Snyder over the ringing in his ears sneer something about being back to question him later, and how if anyone decides to take pity on the crippled boy and switch bunks with him they’ll find themselves sleeping in the cellar for a few weeks.

Crutchie sleeps fitfully after that, quick bouts of rest interrupted every time he shifts the wrong way and feels like he’s about to pass out from the pain. A day goes by, and the next evening he finds himself writing to Jack, though he has no idea how he’d even manage to deliver a letter from inside the Refuge. When he finishes, it’s back to trying his best to ignore the emptiness of his stomach and the aches from his wounds.

He cries out when somebody shakes his shoulder a few hours later, but stops when he’s told there’s a Jack Kelly at the window for him. In his excitement, Crutchie makes to climb down off the bunk and immediately regrets it when he suddenly can’t breathe. His vision tunnels, but amidst the pain he does catch a glimpse of a familiar face staring at him, horrified, through the metal bars of the window.

When he can manage to catch his breath and the intense throbbing in his leg dulls to an ache, Crutchie shakily retrieves his letter from the folds of his shirt, handing it off to the boy who’d helped him up during his first night. He watches Jack’s face as he’s told why Crutchie can’t come to the window, and feels a weight lift from his shoulders when the letter is pressed into Jack’s shaking hands. There’s a brief moment where Crutchie thinks Jack is going to read the letter right then and there, but thankfully he doesn’t, tucking it instead into his shirt pocket with care.

They make eye contact from across the room, both wishing they could be just a bit closer to the other. But in the end, there’s nothing either of them can do. Jack mouths “I’ll be back for ya’”, the tear tracks on his face glinting silver in the moonlight, and Crutchie smiles back as convincingly as he can and pretends just for a second that Jack really will be able to rescue him.

Then Jack drops out of sight from the window, and Crutchie breaks.

[newsiesaskblog]

alright kids WELCOME BACK TO DAY 2 OF REVIVING THE NEWSIES FANDOM

reblog this post of your blog has Newsies content cause I’m gonna sift through the notes later to reblog content from your blogs

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I don’t know if any of the Newsies are russian orthodox like me or part of a religion that celebrates Christmas today (Jan 7th) but if anyone is, merry Christmas!! 🎄

Jack: There might be a few kids who are! Remember, this is New York. Everyone comes from everywhere to live here, an’ they bring their traditions with ‘em. It ain’t crazy to think there newsies who celebrate as well! 

Crutchie: Ey, Jack. Don’t those twins celebrate today?

Jack: Ya’ talkin’ ‘bout Andrey an’ Roman? 

Crutchie: Yeah, those two! I’m pretty sure they mentioned somethin’ ‘bout takin’ the day off to go back home for the holiday.

Jack: I think you’re right, Crutch. Looks like there are some kids after all! Anyways, I hope you have a merry Christmas! Make the day a good one!

[newsiesaskblog]

Got it. And where should I find good things to write about here? ~Signa Mae

Race: Depends on how far you’re willin’ to go for a story, kid. Take Queens for instance. The Colombo crime family practically runs the joint down there. Ya’ wanna’ snoop around, find somethin’ interestin’? That place is a nonstop headline. Be careful though, they ain’t too fond of reporters. 

Spot: Downtown Brooklyn got one of the highest crime rates in New York. Plenty of places where people are willin’ to spill some secrets, if the pay is right. 

Specs: Maybe snoop around City Hall, see if the Mayor is up to somethin’. Of course, a crooked politician or two ain’t exactly big news no more, but it’s still a story. 

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Yes please! And my name? Signa Mae? Is it bad..? ~Signa Mae

Jack: What? It ain’t bad kid, not at all! Just thought it was interestin’ since it’s so unique, y’know? Sorry if it seemed like I was makin’ fun of it or somethin’. I’m better with my paints than I am with my words sometimes. But yeah, if ya’ need help let us know! An’ if you plan on doin’ a story down here, make sure it’s a juicy one! It’s always nice to get a headline that sells itself.

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What are Davey and Les's favorite Jewish traditions? (TRADITION!)

Davey: Well, seeing how Hanukkah not that long ago, why don’t we tell you some of our favorite holiday traditions? 

Les: Ooh, I’ll go first! Um, I like when my mom makes Rugelach to celebrate! It takes a long time for her to save up enough money to buy the ingredients, so it makes it even better when we eat.

Davey: My younger cousins and Les always ask if I’ll play the dreidel game with them, I just like to see how happy they get whenever I say yes. So I guess my favorite tradition is getting to spend time with my family. I also like reciting blessings, since it’s something my father taught me to do over the years. Now, I’m helping Les to learn them!

Les: I’m sad it’s January already, but I can’t wait until next year!

[newsiesaskblog]

Hey, just wanted to know how everyone's been doing lately. Personally, I'm doing fine, but my leg is acting up again and I'm stressed about shcool.

Jack: Life’s as good as it can get, kid. I got two jobs now so things ain’t as bad as they usually are cash wise. Me an’ my boys been sellin’ as much as we can, even found a couple new recruits. Romeo, Crutchie, an’ Elmer got into a fight with the Delancey’s last week, but they came out of it okay. That’s about all that’s happened around here lately. Hope things are lookin’ up for ya’ though! An’ watch that leg, don’t stress it too much.

[newsiesaskblog]

Hi guys! My name is Smarts. I just wanted to say hello and that I hope you all have a lovely week *blushes* especially you Race

Race: Nice to meet ya’ Smarts! Thanks for the well wishes, it’s real sweet of ya’!

Elmer: Hope ya’ have a lovely week as well!

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hey boys! how's it goin these days? and yes romeo, i'm askin you. -mell

Romeo: Wooooaaaahhh, skin’ me how it’s goin’? Y’know, if I didn’t know no better I’d say ya’ gotta’ crush on me or somethin’, Mell.

Specs: I’d say it’s “or somethin”.

Romeo: Will ya’ shut your trap? I’m tryna’ be romantical an’ what not here.

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Hey crutchie! I was just checking in with you to make sure that the rest of the newsies are respectful about your leg, that they don’t use language or actions that you find offensive! I certainly hope not and if they are, you can always come to me and you and I can soak em, that stuffs not ok. I hope you have a good day and that the headlines good! 💛

Crutchie: Headline’s always good, long as ya’ put the right spin on it. An’ most of the newsies don’t bother me about my leg too much. Couple of ‘em ask if I think it’s gonna’ rain later, but that’s it. Sometimes there’s a new kid or somethin’ who won’t stop runnin’ his mouth about me bein’ a crip, but they tend to shut up after they trip on my cane. Accidentally, of course. Anyways, you have yourself a good day too! Feel free to stop by any time. 

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Hello! I am a reporter for Connecticut and I was sent here on a premonition to just....*she shrugs* Report..! I’m still finding my way around New York and I was wondering if by any chance one of you guys could help! *her smile is wide and she is determined* ~Signa Mae

Jack: Signa Mae, huh? Don’t hear a name like that every day. But if you’re lookin’ for directions, you’ve come to the right place. Me an’ my boys know this city like the back of our hands. You tell us where ya’ need to go, an’ we’ll getcha’ there kid.

Katherine: And if you need any help reporting wise, let me know! It’s safe to say I’ve learned a thing or two about covering stories in this city since I started working for the paper.

[newsiesaskblog]

((Hey guys, my askbox has been pretty empty for a while. A lot of them are just name requests that I'm still working on because it takes a long time to come up with unique nicknames. Send me some stuff!))

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Hey Les! my brother is about your age and wants to meet you. Wanna meet him? He sure could use some friends. -Holly

Les: Of course I wanna’ meet him! I love makin’ new friends. Can I meet him now? Please, Davey? Please?

Davey: Sure, buddy. I don’t see why not, sounds okay to me. 

Les: Yay! Oh, wait! I can’t meet him without givin’ him a present! Ma said it’s rude an’ impolite not to. Wait right here, I’m gonna make him somethin’! 

Davey: Don’t be surprised if he brings the can of worms he collected yesterday, Ma said he couldn’t keep it in the house so he’s been trying to give it a “new home”.

Les: I’m done! This is for your brother, Holly. I hope he likes it! 

Tell him it’s from me an’ I can’t wait to meet him! Boy, this is exciting. 

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Hiya guys just wanted see how your all doing-Rain

Spot: It’s freezin’ an’ I’m pretty sure my face is about to fall off from the cold. Other than that, things are peachy.

Specs: Eh, ignore him. He don’t do too well with the cold, apparently. 

Jack: Yeah, who knew the big bad leader of Brooklyn couldn’t take a little chill, huh? He looks like a marshmallow with all the layers he puts on. 

Spot: Laugh all ya’ want, but none of ya’ are gonna’ be laughin’ when I’m the only one of ya’ left with all ten fingers an’ toes. 

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What would be your power ranger animals and colors? Open to all the Newsies from all over, Katherine, and even the Delanceys.

((Hey, I’m really sorry but I don’t know a lot about Power Rangers? I don’t want to characterize any of the boys or Katherine wrong and give answers that don’t make sense, but if you want to send me your own headcanons for what you think they’d be, I’m more than happy to post them on here for you! I’m sure there’s plenty of people who will want to hear them from someone who actually knows what they’re talking about.))

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We know Jack's reaction to finding out who Katherine was... How did the rest of the Newsies react? Hell, why not ask Oscar and Morris too, since they worked for Pulizter. Did they know?

Oscar: Nuh uh, I ain’t bein’ lumped into a question with those newsie idiots! 

Morris: Yeah, ya’ wanna’ hear our answers then you’ll just have to make do, alright?

Oscar: To answer your question, of course we knew. Unlike a certain group of chowder heads, we actually read the paper from time to time. 

Morris: Yeah, Katherine was in half the headlines her father was in. She’d always be standin’ to the side in the pictures near the staff. Plus her byline wasn’t too creative. No offense, but Plumber? Really? 

Oscar: Anyways, don’t bother yourself with those newsboys anymore. They don’t know nothin’! Ya’ want real smart answers? My brother an’ I know a thing or two. 

((Oscar and Morris are now open for questioning.))

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Hey race will you go out with me?

Race: Kinda’ datin’ this loser out in Brooklyn right now, so I’m gonna’ have to pass. Ya’ ever feel like goin’ out to mess with the Delancey’s or somethin’ though, then by all means let’s go out.