#west side story anybodys

[sl-newsie]

Cool Your Jets- Ch. 1: Welcome Home (Riff x newcomer)

People say that as long as you’ve got a home then life will provide.

But what can you say when life doesn’t provide a home?

“Here we are. Your apartment should be two blocks down.”

“Thanks.” I sigh as I tip the driver. After I heave my chest outta the trunk I begin my walk into the West Side. Ever since mom and dad passed, life has been a series of clean’n out old junk, sign’n papers, and be’n forced to move on. I never could’ve afforded my old house in upstate New York, so I had to find cheap rent in the city. Fortunately I found an apartment in a Puerto Rican community. When I agreed to the rent the owner was very surprised and asked it I’d prefer a different neighborhood, but all I cared about was a safe place to stay.

As I walk down the block, I notice a lotta Puerto Ricans give’n me strange looks as if I’m not supposed to be here.

A Puerto Rican shop owner actually comes up and asks if I’m lost.

I shake my head. “No, I’m looking for this address.” I show him a scrap of paper with my new home scribbled on it, and immediately his face lights up.

“Vámonos! This way.” He leads me to a tall building swarming with Puerto Rican women hanging laundry and children playing in the street.

“Thank you sir!” I wave as I look around. Not bad for a city life.

I drag my chest inside and begin climb’n the stairs, earning a few strange looks from passing Puerto Ricans. After a while I begin to realize that I’m the only white girl here.

I find the right floor and am about to open my apartment door when-

“Ay, mi querida! What are you wearing?” A voice behind me asks.

I turn and come face-to-face with a Puerto Rican lady look’n me up and down.

“Where did you get this? It’s hideous! I must burn it!”

I lean back a little, unsure about my need for personal space. “Um… It was the only thing in my mom’s closet that would fit me.”

“Tsk tsk. Mi querida I must insist you come with me so I can make you something much more wearable.” She takes my arm and ushers me into the apartment across the hall towards a room filled with scraps of fabric.

“Anita! ¿Dónde está mi vestido?” Someone calls.

A younger Puerto Rican girl runs into the room. She’s very short, almost as tall as me, and very beautiful. But she seems sad.

When she sees me, her eyes light up.

“Anita, quién es?”

I frown, unable to understand. “Um, I’m sorry but I don’t speak Spanish…”

Anita simply nods. “Maria, this is… I’m sorry, what's your name?”

“Marilyn Jackson.”

“Maria, this is Marilyn Jackson. Please try to speak English around here so she feels welcome. She moved in across the hall and I’m making her an actual dress. Not this scrap of burlap you see. Here.” She hands me a dressing gown. “Put this on and take that disgrace off so I can take measurements.”

I awkwardly take the gown and go into a nearby bathroom to change. When I come out, the two Puerto Ricans seem to be arguing.

“But Anita, es no-”

“English, Maria.”

Maria rolls her eyes. “Anita, why is she here? This is a Puerto Rican neighborhood.”

“The landlord offered me a better deal, and I’m tight in cash as it is.” I wring my hands togedda nervously.

Anita sighs. “Por supuesto, of course the rent would be cheaper for you Americans living with us.”

My eyes widen as I get her drift. “No, no- it’s not- I don’t mind living here, honest! I think this apartment is very homey and I’m sorry if I offended you.”

Maria nods. “Estoy impresionado. I’m impressed. It’s very rare for an American to apologize to us-”

“Maria!” Anita scolds.

“It’s true, Anita! You’ve seen how those Jets treat us!”

“The Jets and Sharks squabble over nothing. All I care is that Bernardo comes home safe. Here, mi querida. Try this.”

She hands me a flowy sea green dress- one far more elegant than any dress I’ve ever worn. I take it to the bathroom and slip it on. It’s a perfect fit- loose enough to breathe but tight enough to outline my feminine curves, and I luv how graceful it is.

When I step out, Anita starts clapping.

“Bravo, mi querida! You look stunning!”

Even Maria is impressed. “Wow Anita, that has to be your best one yet.”

I do a twirl and fall in luv with it even more. “Thank you so much, Anita! This is without a doubt the best dress I’ve ever worn! How much?”

She scoffs and waves the subject away. “No charge. Consider it a welcoming gift to the city! I can tell you’re not used to this, right?”

I blush and look at the floor. “That obvious, huh?”

“Si. So what brings you here?” Maria asks.

At first I don’t wanna say why, but these people have already been so welcoming…

“My- my parents died, and I had to move here to find work. I’ve lived in the upstate country all my life, so I’m gonna have to get used to this.”

Both women’s faces drop each share a knowing expression.

“I know how you feel, Marilyn. I took care of my papa up until he died, and all I have is Bernardo, mi hermano. My brother. If you ever need help, we’ll always be here.”

I shake my head slowly. “Thank you so much, but you’ve already done enough by welcoming me here. Back in the country everybody knows everybody, so it’ll be nice to have already met some friends. Amigos, if you will.”

Maria laughs. “You will need to practice your Spanish, mi querida! Don’t worry, I’ll teach you! Just wait until the Jets meet a white girl who can speak Spanish!”

The Jets?

I begin to ask what that is, until the door burst open and a Puerto Rican boy rushes in, panting heavily.

“Anita… es Bernardo… Los tiburón son batalla otra vez…” He pants.

Both women’s eyes widen and they each share worried looks.

“Cómo está mal?” Anita asks.

“Igual como siempre,” The man answers.

Both look relieved at this, and then remember I don’t speak Spanish.

“The Sharks, my brother’s gang- they’re fighting again,” Maria explains.

My eyes widen. “Gang? As in street gang? Jesus, what have I gotten myself into?”

“What did you expect? Come to the city and go about without running into trouble?” Anita points out.

“Only watch out for the Jets- but if you’re not like us then they might leave you be.” Maria scoffs.

I squint. Must be another gang.

“Thank you so much, for everything. But I’m afraid I have to unpack now and go shopping for dinner.” I pick up my old dress and begin to walk out.

“Quién es esta?” The man asks.

“Pepe, this is Marilyn Jackson. She’s a country girl who moved in across the hall, and she speaks little Spanish so please try to remember that.”

He grunts. “Why should I care about an American girl who can’t speak it?”

Anita glares at him. “Because this chica is very polite and deserves the same respect as all of us.”

He rolls his eyes. “Whatever. I’m joining Bernardo in the fight- we’ve heard the Jets are going to wreck the painting.”

Unsure what to make-a this, I keep walking to my apartment door.

“Hold up, Marilyn! Would you want to join us for dinner?” Maria asks.

“I’m sorry Maria, but I’ve got enough chores to do as it is. Maybe another time.” I give a wave, close the door, and slump against it. Then I take in my surroundings: cramped bathroom, tiny kitchen, drafty bedroom with a rickety bed.

Welcome home, Marilyn.

[rainbow-filmnerd]

Frankie- Stein is voiced by Anybodys from West Side Story?!?!?! They were easily one of the best parts!!!! Them and Ariana DeBose

Yes!!! I've never seen the movie, but seeing a clip of Anybodys knowing that's also g3!Frankie is WILD.

I also found out that iris is also in FOP: A New Wish! Ze voice a character named Winn, who is also non-binary.

[transhetanybodys]

Platonic love triangle where Anybodys and Riff both think they're Tony's best friend and fucking hate each other because of that send tweet

[tonymarias]

do your thing tony

[hearts4shii]

Anybodys deserved a girlfriend 😕

[microsofttothemax]

misc doodles

[brat-pack-it-up-boys]

Sometimes I wonder why I am the way that I am and then I remember I went through a phase where I was obsessed with shipping Anybodys x Action from west side story.

The 1961 version

Let that sink in for a minute

[scottyzoomz]

Tony and Anybodys

SO LIKE CAN WE TALK ABOUT TONY AND ANYBODYS RELATIONSHIP?? I'VE BEEN YAPPING ABOUT THIS AND I HAD NEVER SEEN ANYBODY TALKING ABOUT IT.. (wss 2021) did you see how HAPPY ANYBODY WAS WHEN HE SAW TONY IN THE GYM?? THE WAY HE RAN TO HIM?? They're sibling coded. I swear to god, this is not a ship i just see them as siblings. and i can see Tony being a bit confused but also supporting Anybodys for his identity and using his preferred pronouns, love it so much. Around the holding cell, before Gee Officer Krupke " I oughta be a Jet! Tony told me.. " AUGUDAH Like fuck you A-rab he's a guy i dont know what you're talking about here man. He aint no girl he's a MAN. Much more manlier than YOU. Anybodys trying to drag Tony away from Riffs body because Schrank was boutta be there:(( IT HURTS AGUSDAHGAH Anyways. Anybodys and Tonys relationship is so underrated like they're siblings.

[pridebicons]

Hey, could I please have an icon of Anybodys from the 1961 West Side Story with the transhet flag (https://lgbt-pride.fandom.com/wiki/Transhet)? Thanks!

like/rb if using + credit

[ohnoitsjesster]

“I’m gay” “I’m straight” Okay????? I drink? And I smoke?? And I inhale??? Why can’t I be male????????? Like everybody else????

[could-transition-save-him]

Anybodys from West Side Story (the original version I think)

Reasoning:

He says “why can’t I be male” in his song that was cut from the play, Girls Ain’t, and the entire song is basically him lamenting that he wasn’t born male and saying that he doesn’t feel like a girl. The lyrics of the song and a link to it will be the last part of the propaganda. There’s a scene in the 1961 movie where he tells Riff that he’s gonna need every man he can get in reference to himself. He is explicitly called “buddy-boy” when he is accepted into the gang by Ice, and he very clearly is extremely euphoric about being called a boy. He then responds by saying “Thanks, Daddy-o!,” which, to put it in casual terms, functions to confirm and build on the dudebro-ness of this interaction. Even after he literally put himself in extreme danger to save Tony from himself several times (getting him out of the rumble, spying on the Sharks, looking for him in Shark territory, and trying to get him to stop calling out for Chino), he immediately stopped trying to help him after he called him a girl. The fact that Tony used ‘you’re a girl’ as his default break glass in case of emergency insult to get him to stop trying to help him indicates that he knew that it would hurt him very deeply, and I don’t think a cis girl would get so upset about being called a girl that they would stop trying to help someone who is clearly very important to them (as a friend) despite putting themselves in extreme danger for that person several times in the past just because they called them a girl, especially if they were stubborn enough to obsessively attempt to force their way into a friend group where most of the members hate them with the passion of a thousand suns for months or even years. Basically, the possibility of getting arrested by the cops or killed by the Sharks didn’t deter him from helping Tony, but being called a girl did. He literally says “I ain’t no goddamn girl” in the 2021 movie.

submitted by @choppedupnotkilled

[sl-newsie]

Cool Your Jets- Ch. 2: Meet the Jets (Riff x newcomer)

After I finish unpacking my few possessions from my chest I decide to go out to pick up some produce for an attempt at making dinner. A few blocks down I find a Puerto Rican marketplace with a wide variety of vibrant-colored fruits and vegetables. I find some tomatoes, peppers, apples, bananas, and even cave in for a fresh pineapple as a treat. I think my foist day’s going well…

“Stop! Stop right there!”

A police siren blares past as I walk further away from the Puerto Rican neighborhood, and I know I’ll probably regret it but curiosity’s get’n the best-a me. I quickly follow the source-a the commotion to a part of town that appears… literally torn apart. Construction workers and equipment are scattered everywhere around crumbling buildings. Lovely.

“Hey you! Stop!”

I look around but the yell is not directed at me. Instead I follow it to an alley where two big groups of boys seem to be facing off- a group of whites and a group of Puerto Ricans. I keep my distance, and soon the cops and the Puerto Ricans leave, which leaves the white boys and a detective.

I cautiously peek out from behind a brick pile and see some boys crowd’n around a shorter boy, one with- a nail in his ear?!

“Whoa whoa whoa! What happened?” I step in front-a the officer, set down my grocery bag, and examine the boy’s ear. “Ouch. That’s godda hurt. Hold on a sec-” I reach into my purse, pull out some gauze, and begin to wrap his ear.

“Why not just yank it out?” A boy asks.

“Because if you just yank it out, then the bleeding will increase and only make it worse.” I say as I finish up. “You need to keep it in place until he can get to a medical professional.”

Anodda boy scoffs. “Girly, we don’t got enough dough to see no doctor. Just let us handle it and don’t worry your pretty little head over it.”

At this I whip my head to look at a boy with a tank top and gray vest, and notice he’s got dark paint stain’n his hands.

“Who are you?” I ask coldly.

“Who are you, girly?” He snickers. “I know a pretty goil when I see one, and I ain’t ever seen you before.”

I press my lips togedda and try to recover. “Name’s Marilyn Jackson, just moved from upstate. First day here and I’m already caught up in trouble. So I ask again: who are you?”

The guy tilts his head and cocklily struts up. “Riff, leader of the Jets.”

I squint. There’s that name again. “The what?”

“The Jets. The biggest gang in the West Side.” Anodda boy calls. 

“The greatest!” Riff nods. 

Oh. Great.

“So girly, what brings you to the West Side?”

“Dead folks. You?” Blunt, straight, and to-the-point.

Riff seems taken aback, but regains his posture. “Sorry for the loss, doll. Lot’ve us here got dead folks, so we get it. We’s here to keep the West Side clear of all them PRs.”

“Huh?”

“The Puerto Ricans.”

I gape. “Why? What’s so wrong with them?”

One boy laughs. “They’ve been take’n our turf, that’s what’s wrong.”

“There’s enough territory for everyone. Hell, out west there’s land that hasn’t even been built on! So don’t go tell’n me there’s not enough room. The Puerto Ricans I’ve met so far are the nicest people I've ever known! ” I sneer, which gets a chuckle out’ve Riff.

“Wow, girly. You got some bite to ya. Last time I saw somebody talk to Action like that they got a black eye.”

“Why don’t he do that now?” I dare.

“‘Cause my boys know how to treat a lady.”

I grunt. “I ain’t no ‘lady,’ Jet Boy. I’m just a goil look’n to make a live’n.”

Riff goes to say someth’n, but then the Jet called Action says: “C’mon, Riff. You told us Tony’d be at the dance, so go tell ‘im!”

“Cool it, Action. Foist we gotta introduce the newcomer,” Riff smirks as he places a hand behind my back to walk me forward. A gesture that makes me stiffen and my heartbeat skip.

“This here’s Action, Ice, A-Rab, Mouthpiece, Diesel, and you’ve already met Baby John.”

Each Jet snickers and after the brief introduction I hear a wolf whistle behind me. Riff jerks his head and sneers at the one called Ice.

“You want a lesson in manners, Ice? You know the rules.” He offers a hand, to which I respond with a raised eyebrow. But eventually I take it. “Sorry ‘bout that, doll. Normally the Jets are on their best behavior.”

“I gotta say, in the country we know how to treat each odda.” I smirk.

He smirks. “So, you’re new here. I could take you on a tour, if ya want.”

“You’d do that? What a gentleman,” I snicker. “Luv to take the offer, but I gotta get home for dinner.”

Riff smiles. “Got a hot date?”

I roll my eyes. “Oh, yeah.” I hold up my grocery bag. “Hot date for one.”

“I’m surprised- pretty goil like you could get a guy real quick-”

“Hey, Riff!”

A skinny blonde girl comes up and wraps her arms around his neck to kiss his cheek. When she sees me her eyes narrow and her smile falters.

“Who’s the newbie?”

Me being the mature one, I stick out my hand in greeting. “Hi, I’m Marilyn. I just moved here from upstate and I was get’n groceries when I… had the opportunity to meet the Jets.”

She shakes my hand and gives me a pointed look. “I’m Graziella. And for the record, he’s all mine.” She taps Riff’s chin.

I hold up my hands. “Hey, I don’t wanna tussle, I’s just try’n to live a life that ain’t mine. So hi, goodbye.”

I pick up my bag and begin walk’n back, and I realize now just how off my grammar is. Wow, only one day and I’m already talk’n like a city goil.

“Hey wait!”

I turn and see Mouthpiece trotting up.

“Unless you’re gonna threaten me too or act as if I’m a crazy hick, then leave.” I point him away.

“Now don’t be like that. Grazi’s really a nice goil-”

“A smiling bitch is more like it,” I mudda.

“Just hear me out! Would you wanna go to the dance tonight?” The blonde asks.

I stiffen. “Dance?”

“Yeah, the Dog Days dance. It’s tonight at the school gym and… I wanted to ask ya.”

I grunt. “Yeah, so you punks can toss me around too.”

“Hey! We ain’t-”

I bite my lip. “I’ll consider it, but I’ve already had a hard day. Ya know, have’n to get through the grief of lose’n my parents and move’n to a big city all alone. So excuse me if I wanna have a quiet evening alone to go with it.”

I ignore Mouthpiece’s scrambled woids and continue to walk back to my new home. Leaving the crumble’n buildings and see’n hear’n the familiar Spanish chatter makes me feel safe, and when I get back to my apartment I come across some Puerto Rican boys headed for Anita’s apartment- ones that look very familiar.

“Hey! You’re the Sharks leader. I saw you guys earlier.”

The one called Bernardo gives me a sharp look. “You live here? Why? You’re not like us-”

“Leave her alone, Bernardo!” The door opens and Maria comes out with her hands on her hips. “She’s not like them. She’s from out of town, so she’s new here, same as us.”

“She was with those Jets!”

Maria looks at me and I wave it off. “I saw some cops clear off a fight and they happened to see me.”

“What did you think of them?” Maria asks.

“Well… They’re a bit rambunctious compared to back home-”

“A bit rambunctious?! Those punks hate us just because we want turf of our own!” Bernardo gets in my face.

“Bernardo! Leave her alone!” Maria shoves him away. “Anita’s all ready for the dance and we’ve been waiting!”

She drags him and the other boy inside, leaving me in an empty hallway. So I head inside my apartment and begin to cook up some vegetables.

“Knock knock.”

“Jesus!” I nearly drop my plate. I look over at the window by my bed and see a head poking in.

“Riff?”

It is Riff, standing on the fire escape!

“What the Hell-?!” I scream, then remember where I am and lower my voice. “What the Hell are ya doing here?!”

“Will ya let me in foist?”

I gawk. “No! I ain’t gonna let some creep I just met into my house- I mean apartment!” I dig the 22-pistol outta the kitchen drawer and cock it. “Now tell me why you’re here!”

Riff’s eyes go wide and he holds up his hands. “Jeez, doll! Put that thing down before ya kill somebody!”

“Oh, please. I’m from the country- I learned to shoot a gun when I was 5. Now tell me, Riff-”

“You remember my name!” He smirks.

“Why are you here?!” I scream.

There’s a knock on the door. “Marilyn? Are you ok?”

I set the gun down and go over to crack the door open.

“Yeah, Maria I- um, just burnt my hand!”

“Ay! Are you hurt?”

“No, no I’m fine! Um… I hoid someone say there’s a dance tonight?”

She nods eagerly. “Si, si! I’m so excited! I normally don’t go to social events but for some reason this one feels special!” Maria grins.

“Could I go too, or is it through invitation?”

“No, anyone can come. It’s a social mix event, but you hardly know anyone. Do you have a date?”

“No. But what does that matter? Back where I’m from I’d go to dances by myself all the time, and still have just as much fun. Girls would dance in groups and not give a guy a second thought!”

“I guess so. If you feel comfortable.”

“Then it’s settled. Tonight I’m going to my foist city dance!”

“Ok- see you there!”

I wave a good-bye and shut the door, only to find Riff sitting on my bed!

“Hey!” I grab the gun and hold it steady. “Get off-a there!”

“Hey, I don’t wanna intrude. I’s just wonder’n if you’s go’n to the dance tonight.”

“Foist of all, how do you know where I live? Second, why the Hell do you care? And third, how do you know where I live?!”

“I know ‘cause I sent Baby John to follow you. Why the heck’re y live’n with a bunch-a PRs? Second, I care ‘cause I want you to feel welcomed here. Thirdly, see foistly.”

I groan. “Real mature, Riff. Spy’n on me, huh? I’s live’n here ‘cause it’s cheap and the neighborhood ain’t a demilitarized zone. The Puerto Ricans are people just like you and me, and they’ve helped me get settled. It’s sweet you want me to fit in but I got bigger problems than that, such as pay’n rent. But if you must know, I will be there.”

His eyes light up. “Really? That’s great! I know Grazi was be’n a bit rough on ya, but she don’t bite.”

I grunt as I go on fix’n my dinner. “We’ll see. But just- please leave and let me eat in peace.”

Riff strides over and plops down on the chair opposite me. “I mean it, Marilyn . I know what it’s like to lose your folks, so if you ever need to talk about it-”

“I’ll think of you last. Now will ya leave?”

“No, I really mean it. If you need to talk about it, just hunt me down.”

“Not if you hunt me down foist, Jet Boy. Now shoo!” I usher him out towards the window and just before he heads down the ladder he looks up with hopeful eyes.

“So you’ll be there?”

“Yes. Now go!” I roll my eyes.

“See ya soon, beautiful.”

I shut the curtains before he can see my blush. Beautiful? He’s gotta be kidding!

[talesofsymphoniac]

The scene in the new West Side Story where the Jets accept Anybodys as a guy is always hilarious to me because it literally is "Diversity win! This racist murderous gang has a trans guy!"

[transhetanybodys]

Heartwarming! Trans man narrowly gets accepted into xenophobic gang that harassed him up until now and is going to attempt to rape a woman five minutes from now.

[itsgrapes-exe]

should I make a sondheim fans discord server

[idkaguyorsomething]

this is the anybodys/chino dynamic to me

(IMAGE ID: three images. The first one is two sketches of people standing side by side. The first person is glaring and has their arms folded while being labeled “actual sunshine” and the second person is smiling brightly enough that a halo is emanating from their head while being labeled “dangerous”. The second image is of Anybodys from West Side Story 2021. The third image is of Chino from West Side Story 2021)