Here's part 2 of the Newsies script.

Part 1 ~ Part 3

NEWSIES:

Strike! Strike! Strike! (etc.)


JACK:

We gotta get word out to all the newsies of New 
York. I need some of those….what’dja call ‘em?

DAVID:

Ambassadors?

JACK:

Yeah, right. Okay, you guys, you gotta be am-bastards 
and go tell the others that we’re on strike.

KID BLINK:

Say, Jack, I’ll take Harlem.

RACETRACK:

Yeah, I got Midtown.

MUSH:

I got the Battery, Jack.

CRUTCHY:

Hey, I’ll take the Bronx.

JACK:

Alright. And Bumlets, and Specs and Skittery, 
you take Queens. Pie Eater! Snoddy! East Side! Snipeshooter, 
you go with ‘em. So, what about Brooklyn? Come on, Spot 
Conlon’s territory. What’sa matta? You scared of Brooklyn?

BOOTS:

Hey, we ain’t scared of Brooklyn. It’s Spot 
Conlon that makes us a little nervous.

JACK:

Well, he don’t make me nervous. So you and me, Boots, 
we’ll go to Brooklyn. And Dave here can keep us company.

DAVID:

Sure, just as soon as you delivery our 
demands to Pulitzer.

JACK:

Me? To Pulitzer?

DAVID:

You’re the leader, Jack.

JACK:

Well, maybe the kid’ll soften him up.

(Jack and Les enter the World 
Building. The newsies cheer)

NEWSIES:

Strike! Strike! Strike! (etc.)

(The newsies go off in different directions. 
Denton enters and approaches David.)

DENTON: 

Hey, what is the strike? What’s going on?

DAVID:

We’re bringing out demands to Pulitzer.

DENTON:

What demands?

DAVID:

The newsies demands. We’re on strike.

DENTON:

I’m with the New York Sun. Bryan Denton. You seem 
like the kid in charge. What’s your name?

DAVID:

David.

DENTON:

David. David as in David and Goliath? You really 
think old man Pulitzer’s going to listen to your demands?

DAVID:

He has to.

(Jack and Let thrown out the door.)

JACK:

Well, so’s your old lady! You tell 
Pulitzer he needs an appointment with me!

LES:

Yeah!

(Jack, David, Les and Denton are sitting 
in a booth in Tibby’s Restaurant.)

JACK:

So this snooty mug says to me, ‘You can’t see Mr. 
Pulitzer. No one sees Mr. Pulitzer.’ Real hoity-toity, 
you know the type?

LES:

Real hoity-toity.

JACK:

So that’s when I says to him, ‘Listen, I ain’t 
in the habit of transacting no business with office boys. 
Just tell him Jack Kelly’s here to see him now!’

LES:

That’s when he threw us out.

DENTON:

Does he scare you? You’re going up against 
the most powerful man in New York City.

JACK:

Oh yeah, look at me. I’m trembling.

DENTON:

Alright, keep me informed. I want 
to know everything that’s going on.

DAVID:

Are we really an important story?

DENTON:

Well, what’s important? Last year I covered the war 
in Cuba. Charged up San Juan Hill with Col. Teddy Roosevelt. 
That was an important story. So, is the newsie’s strike important?
 That all depends on you.

JACK:

So my name’s really gonna be in the papers?

DENTON:

Any objections?

JACK:

Not as long as you get it right. It’s Kelly, 
Jack Kelly. Oh, and Denton? No pictures.

DENTON:

Sure Jack.

(Jack, David and Boots start across 
the Brooklyn Bridge.)

DAVID:

I’ve never been to Brooklyn, have you?

BOOTS:

I spent a month there one night.

(Jack and Boots lean over the side and 
scream at the top of their lungs.)

DAVID:

So, is this Spot Conlon really dangerous?

(The boys get to Brooklyn. There 
are a lot of tough looking boys.)

BROOKLYN NEWSIE:

Going somewhere, Kelly?

(Jack pushes past him. David and Boots follow.)

SPOT:

Well, if it ain’t Jack be nimble, Jack be quick.

JACK:

I see you moved up in the world, Spot. 
Got a river view and everything.

(The two boys spit-shake.)

SPOT:

Heya Boots. How’s it rollin’? 

BOOTS:

I got a couple of real good shooters.

(Spot takes the marbles and takes out his sling-shot.)

SPOT:

Yeah. So, Jacky-boy. I’ve been hearing things from
little birds. Things from Harlem, Queens, 
all over. They been chirpin’ in my ear. Jacky-boy’s newsies 
is playing like they’re going on strike.

JACK:

Yeah, well we are.

DAVID:

We’re not playing. We are going on strike.

SPOT:

Oh yeah? Yeah? What is this, Jacky-boy? 
Some kind of walking mouth?

JACK:

Yeah, it’s a mouth. A mouth with a brain, 
and if you got half a one, you’ll listen 
to what he’s got to say.

DAVID:

Well, we started the strike, but we can’t do it alone. 
So, we’re talking to newsies all around the city.

SPOT:

Yeah, so they told me. But what’d they tell you?

DAVID:

They’re waiting to see what Spot Conlon is doing, 
you’re the key. That Spot Conlon is the most respected 
and famous newsie in all of New York, and probably everywhere else. 
And if Spot Conlon joins the strike, then they join and we’ll 
be unstoppable. So you gotta join, I mean…well, you gotta!

SPOT:

You’re right Jacky-boy, brains. But I got brains too, 
and more than just half a one. How do I know you punks 
won’t run the first time some goon comes at ya with a club? 
How do I know you got what it takes to win?

JACK:

Because I’m telling you, Spot.

SPOT:

That ain’t good enough Jacky-boy. You gotta show me.

(The boys go back to Newsies Square, where 
the rest of the newsies wait.)

RACETRACK:

Jack. So, where’s Spot?

JACK:

He was concerned about us being 
serious. You imagine that?

RACETRACK:

Well, Jack, maybe we ought 
to ease off a little.

Without Spot and the others, 
there ain’t enough of us, Jack.

MUSH:

Maybe we’re moving too soon. 
Maybe we ain’t ready, you know?

SKITTERY:

I definitely think we should forget 
about it for a little while.

JACK:

Oh, do ya?

SKITTERY:

Yeah.

RACETRACK

Yeah, I mean, without Brooklyn…you know?

JACK:

Spot was right, is this just 
a game to you guys?

DAVID:
Open the gates and seize the day
Don’t be afraid and don’t delay
Nothing can break us
No one can make us
Give our rights away
Arise and seize the day! 

DAVID AND NEWSIES:
Now is the time to seize the day
Send out the call and join the fray 

DAVID:
Wrongs will be righted
If we’re united 

DAVID AND NEWSIES:
Let us seize the day! 

Friends of the friendless seize the day
Raise up the torch and light the way
Proud and defiant
We’ll slay the giant
Let us seize the day 

Neighbor to neighbor
Father to son
One for all and all for one! 

Open the gates and seize the day
Don’t be afraid and don’t delay
Nothing can break us
No one can make us
Give our rights away 

Neighbor to neighbor
Father to son!
One for all and all for one!

(The circulation bell begins to ring)

JACK

Anybody hear that?

NEWSIES:

No! 

JACK:

So what are we gonna do about it?

NEWSIES:

Soak ‘em!

(The newsies and the scabbers have a stand off. 
3 scabs join with the newsies, but then a big scab comes up 
against Jack. He tries to get by, but can’t. The newsies start 
soaking the scabs, who eventually run away. They tear up the newspapers. 
Jack starts making faces and blowing raspberries at Weasel, Oscar 
and Morris through the distribution window.)

MORRIS:

I’m gonna crack your dome!

(The tearing of newspapers continue. A delivery cart 
is pushed onto its side. Weasel calls for the 
cops, who enter blowing whistles.) 

JACK:

Cheese it! Cheese it, it’s the bulls!

(All the newsies run, except Crutchy, who doesn’t notice)

RACETRACK:

Crutchy! Scram! Scram!

(Crutchy starts to leave, but is blocked in by 
cops. He turns to find the Delancey brothers behind him.)

CRUTCHY:

Hiya boys!

OSCAR:

Hey!

(They knock his crutch aside and drag him away.)

Denton has been watching all of this. THAT NIGHT- 
Jack and David walk to the Refuge. Jack has a 
rope in his hands)

JACK:

So here it is. The Refuge. My home, sweet home.

DAVID:

How can you be sure they sent him here?

JACK:

How can I be sure the Delancey’s stink? 
It’s just how things work, you know? An orphan gets arrested, 
Snyder makes sure he gets sent straight here, so he can rehabilitate him. 
The more kids in the Refuge, the more money the city sends 
to take care of them, the more Snyder sticks it in his pocket. He’s here.

DAVID:

So how come you brought the rope?

(A carriage exits the Refuge. Jack and David hind 
in the shadows. As the guard talks with the nuns, the 
two boys sneak by. On the roof, David lowers Jack, who 
has the rope tied around his waist. Jack 
gets level with the window.)

JACK:

Steady. Steady, Dave. That’s good.

(Jack knocks on the window. A boy around Les’s age 
opens it.)

TEN PIN:

Hey. Cowboy. You miss the joint?

JACK:

What do ya say, Ten Pin. You got a new 
guy in here. Crutchy.

TEN PIN:

The gimp? I’ll get him for ya.

JACK:

Hey Crutchy.

(With the help of a boy, Crutchy limps to the window.)

CRUTCHY:

I don’t believe it. What are you hanging 
around here for?

JACK:

What do you mean what am I hangin’ around here for? 
You know who’s on the roof?

CRUTCHY: 

Who?

JACK:

Dave.

CRUTCHY:

Is that Dave? Heya Dave! How ya doin’?

DAVID:

Shhh.

JACK:

Listen, Crutchy, go get your stuff. 
We’re gonna get you outta here.

CRUTCHY:

Well, actually, I ain’t walking so good. Oscar and 
Morris kinda worked me over a little bit, you know?

JACK:

They hurt you? Don’t worry about it. Me and 
Dave, we can carry you outta here.

CRUTCHY:

I don’t want nobody carrying me, you hear? Hey, 
Dave! You know, they still talk about how Jack rode 
outta here on that coach.

DAVID:

Oh, yeah. Teddy Roosevelt’s, right?

CRUTCHY:

You already heard the story.

DAVID:

You mean it’s true?

CRUTCHY:

Of course. Hey! Cheese it!

(Snyder enters and inspects the room. Jack swings 
to the side, out of site. As Snyder is about to look out 
the window, Crutchy grabs his arm.)

CRUTCHY:

Mr. Warden Snyder, sir. You know, I was thinking. 
I’d just like you to know that when you were 
taking a nap this afternoon…

(Crutchy leads Snyder away from the window and 
Jack leaves. THE NEXT MORNING- Pulitzer, Weasel and Seitz 
are inside Pulitzer’s office.)

SEITZ:

I don’t think they’re just going to go away, Chief.

WEASEL:

Mr. Pulitzer, sir, just give me the means and 
I’ll take care of them for ya.

PULITZER:

I’ll give you whatever means you require. I want this 
nonsense down with once and for all.

SEITZ:

Chief…

PULIZER:

Shut you mouth, Setiz

(Weasel and Seitz leave. Snyder looks out the window 
to the square where the newsies have gathered.)

NEWSIES:
Open the gates and seize the day
Don’t be afraid and don’t delay
Nothing can break us
No one can make us
Give our rights away
Arise and seize the day

(The boys dance in the square and block the entrance 
to the World building. A delivery cart rushes through. The newsies 
and scabs have another stand off.) 

DAVID:

Alright. Everyone remain calm.

JACK:

Let’s soak ‘em for Crutchy!

(The newsies charge towards the scabs, who retreat. 
A large door opens and big men with clubs and chains come out)

RACETRACK:

Jack! Jack! the Crib!

(The men form a circle around Jack so none of the 
newsies can help him. The gates shut and 
Denton can’t get in to help.)

OSCAR:

Heya Jacky-boy

(Jack faces a man with a chain. Outside, 
Denton tries to get in.)

DENTON:

Aren’t you going to stop them, sir?

POLICEMAN:

Move along, mister.

(Just as all hope seems lost for Jack, a 
bunch of newsies appear on the rooftops, including Spot.)

SPOT:

Never fear, Brooklyn is here.

MUSH:

It’s Brooklyn!

(The newsies start to soak the Crib, the Brooklyn 
boys using their sling shots. Racetrack throws his 
hands in the air and sits on a ledge...)

RACETRACK:

Hey, I give up. Alright, alright. I give up.

(…then kicks the guy in the family jewels)

JACK:

Hey, Spot!

(Shots of Newsies punching the scabs. First Racetrack, 
then Jack, Kid Blink and another. Skittery get hits 
and falls back. Newsies catch him)

DAVID:

Are you alright?

(Before he can answer, the newsies push him back up 
and he punches the man back. Spot opens the gates and 
the Brooklyn gang join. They force the Crib back. The 
newsies cheer and tear some more papers. Denton enters with 
his camera.)

DENTON:

Jack! Boys! Freeze! Freeze!

JACK:

Alright guys

(Denton takes the picture. Jack is the only one 
ready for it. The others all have weird expressions 
on their faces. The picture turns black and white 
and appears on the cover of the New York Sun under 
the headline ‘The Children’s Crusade; Newsies Stop the 
World’. NEXT DAY- The newsies are in 
Tibby’s. Denton enters with the paper.)

DENTON:

Hey fellas. Hey, hey! Big time.

BOOTS:

What you got there Jack?

SPOT:

Where’s me picture? Where’s me picture?

BOOTS:

What’s that? That all about us?

MUSH:

Look at that Jack. You look like a gentlemen

JACK:

Will you get your fingers off me face?

SPOT:

Where does it say my name? Where’s my name?

JACK:

Will you quit thinking about yourself?

DAVID:

You got us on the front page!

DENTON:

You got yourselves on the front page. I 
just got to make sure you stay there.

SKITTERY:

So what. You get your picture in the 
papes, so what’s that get you, huh?

MUSH:

What are you talkin’ about?

JACK:

Shut up, boy. You been in a bad mood all day!

SKITTERY:

I’m not in a bad mood!

RACETRACK:

Glum and dumb. What’s the matta with you? You get 
your picture in the papes, your famous. Your famous, you 
get anything you want. That’s what so great about New York!

MUSH:
A pair of new shoes with matching laces 

RACETRACK:
A permanent box at Sheepshed Races

SPOT:
A porcelain tub with boiling water 

KID BLINK:
A Saturday night with the mayor’s daughter! 

RACETRACK:
Look at me
I’m the King of New York!
Suddenly
I’m respectable
Staring right atcha
Lousy with stature 

JACK:
Nubbin’ with all the muckety-mucks
I’m blowin’ my dough and goin’ deluxe! 

RACETRACK:
And there I’ll be
Ain’t I pretty? 

RACETRACK & JACK:
It’s my city
I’m the king of New York! 

BOOTS:
A corduroy suit with fitted knickers 

LES:
A mezzanine seat to see the flickers 

SNIPESHOOTER:
Havana cigars that cost a quarter 

DAVID:
An editor’s desk for our star reporter! 

NEWSIES:
Tip your hat
He’s the King of New York! 

DENTON:
How ‘bout that?
I’m the King of New York! 

NEWSIES:
In nothing flat
He’ll be covering
Brooklyn to Trenton
Our man Denton 

KID BLINK:
Making a headline out of a hunch 

DENTON:
Protecting the weak 

RACETRACK:
And paying for lunch 

DENTON:
When I’m at bat
Strong men crumble 

RACETRACK:
Proud yet humble 

DENTON & RACETRACK:
I’m/He’s the King of New York 

NEWSIES:
I gotta be either dead or dreaming
’Cuz look at that pape with my face beaming
Tomorrow they may wrap fishes in it
But I was a star for one whole minute! 

Starting now
I’m the King of New York! 

DENTON:
Ain’t you hear?
I’m the King of New York! 

NEWSIES:
Holy cow!
It’s a miracle
Pulitzer’s crying
Weasel? He’s dying!
Flashpots are shooting bright as the sun
I’m one hifalutin’ sonuva gun!
Don’t ask me how
Fortune found me
Fate just crowned me
Now I’m King of New York!


Look and see
Once a piker
Now a striker
I’m the King of New York!


Victory!
Front page story
Guts and glory
I’m the King of New York!

(The newsies cheer and gather around a table)

JACK:

So, let’s have some ideas. 

DAVID: 

Well, we gotta show people where we stand

JACK:

Yeah, so we gotta stay in the papes.

DENTON:

My paper’s the only one printing any strike news so far

JACK:

So, we should do something that’s so big the other papers’ll 
feel stupid if they try to ignore us. Like a rally. 
A newsie rally with all the kids from all over New York. 
It’ll be the biggest, loudest, nosiest blow-out 
this town’s ever seen!

DAVID:

We’ll send a message to the big boys

RACETRACK:

Yeah, I’ll give ‘em a message.

(A waiter brings a tray of cokes. Each newsie grabs a glass.)

JACK: 

There’s a lot of us, and we ain’t going away. We’ll 
fight until damn Doomsday if it means we get a fair shake.

DAVID:

Hey, guys. To our man Denton.

NEWSIES:

Our man Denton!

(The newsies lift their glasses in a toast. IN THE REFUGE- 
Crutchy knocks on Snyder’s door and enters.)

CRUTCHY:

Heya Mr. Snyder. How was your supper?

(As he begins to put the plates on a tray, Crutchy notices 
Snyder looking at the paper, particularly at Jack’s picture.)

CRUTCHY: 

Hey! That’s Jack. He looks just like himself.

SNYDER:

You know this boy?

CRUTCHY:

No.

SNYDER:

You have a very famous friend, this Jack. 
Do you know where he lives?

CRUTCHY:

I never heard of him, honest! It’s this brain 
of mine, it’s always making mistakes. It’s got 
a mind of it’s own. Can I get you anything else, 
Mr. Snyder? Good bye Mr. Snyder.

(Crutchy leaves, realizing his mistake. THAT NIGHT- 
The newsies are making signs for the rally. 
Dutchy’s sign says ‘STRIKE’)

DUTCHY:

So, did I spell it right, Kloppman?

KLOPPMAN:

Very good, very good.

(Snyder enters and starts going through Kloppman’s book)

KLOPPMAN:

Excuse me. Can I help you?

SNYDER:

You have a boy who calls himself Jack Kelly? 
I wish to see him

KLOPPMAN:

Jack Kelly? Never heard of him. Never heard of him. 
Any of you boys ever hear of a Jack Kelly?

SPECS:

That’s an unusual name for these parts.

(Jack enters, but Swifty stops him and 
points Snyder out to him)

RACETRACK:

Oh, you mean Jack Kelly. Yeah, he was here, 
but he put an egg in his shoe and beat it.

SNYDER:

I have reason to believe he’s an escaped prisoner, 
possibly dangerous.

KLOPPMAN:

Oh, dangerous? I better look in 
my files. This way please. 

(Kloppman distracts Snyder and Jack exits. 
The boys hold up signs to hide him)

RACETRACK:

Give to the Newsies Strike fund, Mister?

(Snyder hands Racetrack a coin. THE NEXT MORNING- 
Sarah wakes up and looks out the window. 
She sees Jack on the fire escape)

SARAH:

Did you sleep out there all night?

JACK:

Yeah

SARAH:

Why didn’t you wake us up?

JACK:

Well, I didn’t want to disturb nobody. Besides, 
it’s like the Waldorph out here. Great view. Cool air

SARAH: 

Go up on the roof.

(Jack leaves so Sarah can get dressed. While he waits, 
he boxes with some stockings and steals a tomato off a plant. 
Sarah enters with a basket.)

SARAH:

Are you hungry?

JACK:

Yeah

SARAH:

Good. I made you breakfast

(She lays down a clothe and 
gets the food and milk.)

SARAH:

Papa’s so proud of you and David. You should hear 
him talking about Jack Kelly, strike leader, 
who occasionally takes his meal with us.

JACK:

Well, this is one strike leader who’s gonna 
be very happy when it’s all over and I can 
get outta here and go to Santa Fe. I mean, 
there’s nothing for me to stay for, is there? You know, 
you should se Santa Fe, everything’s different there. I
t’s all bigger. The desert, the sky, the sun.

SARAH:

It’s the same sun as here

JACK: 

Yeah, it just looks different

SARAH:

I should get ready for work

JACK:

Sarah? I’m just not used to having whether 
I stay or whether I go matta to anybody. 
I’m not saying it should matta to you. I’m just saying, 
well, does it? Matta?

(Pulitzer is in his office with the Mayor, the 
Police Chief, Snyder and Seitz. He is looking at the 
paper and has Jack’s face circled.)

MAYOR:

Of course, the city is very concerned that this event 
doesn’t get out of hand. But…Chief?

CHIEF:

We can’t just charge in there and break it up, 
Mr. Pulitzer. We’ve got no legal cause.

MAYOR:

Legal cause. 

PULITZER:

Would the fact that this rally is organized 
by an escaped criminal be cause enough, mayor?

MAYOR:

Escaped criminal?

PULITZER:

A fugitive from one of your prisons, mayor. 
A convicted thief. Been living at large for some 
time under the alias of Jack Kelly. What’s his real name?

SNYDER:

Sullivan. Francis Sullivan. Your honor. 
I would have caught him before now, but..

PULITZER:

You know Warden Snyder, don’t you mayor? I 
believe you know him because you appointed him.

MAYOR:

Yes. Well, if this boy’s a fugitive then 
the chief can quietly arrest him.

PULITZER:

No, no, no, no! Not quietly! Not quietly! 
I want an example made. I want this rabble he’s roused 
to see what happens to those who would dare to lead. 
They should see justice and action. 

MAYOR:

Arrest him at the rally?

PULITZER:

By the way, mayor, a few friends for 
cards tonight. Newspaper friends. Billy Hearst, Gordon Bennett. 
Perhaps you’ll join us. Talk about the coming election.

MAYOR:

I’d be honored.

(Newsies are gathering outside Irving Hall. 
Inside, Jack, David and Spot are on stage. 
Jack quiets everyone)

JACK:

Carryin’ the banner!

(The newsies stand up and cheer. MEANWHILE- 
In Pulitzer’s study, men are sitting at a table, playing cards. 
Pulitzer leads the mayor around the table)

PULITZER:

You know Gordon, mayor. Mr. Bennett of the 
Tribune. Mr. Taylor of the Times. Of course, you know 
Mr. Hearst. This is a new member of our little group, 
Mr. Gammon. He just came back from Europe. 
Mr. Gammon owns the New York Sun.

(Back in the theater, Jack is giving a speech.)

JACK:

So, we’ve come a long way, but we ain’t there yet 
and maybe it’s only gonna get tougher from now on. 
But that’s fine, we’ll just get tougher with it. 
But also, we gotta get smart and start listening 
to my pal David, who says ‘stop soakin’ the scabs’. 

RACETRACK:

What are we supposed to do to the bums? Kiss ‘em?

SPOT:

Any scab I see I soak ‘em. Period.

DAVID:

No, no. That’s what they want us to do. 
If we get violent, it’s just playing into 
their hands.

SPOT:

Hey, look. They’re gonna be playing with my hands, alright. 
"Cuz it ain’t what they say, it’s what we say. And nobody
 ain’t gonna listen to us unless we make ‘em.

(Newsies in the crowd take different sides and start to argue.)

JACK:

You got no brains. Why we starting to fight each other? 
It’s just what the big shot’s wanna see. That we’re street rats! 
Street rats with no brains. No respect for nothing, 
including ourselves! So, here’s how it’s gonna be. 
If we don’t act together, then we’re nothing. 
If we don’t stick together, then we’re nothing. And 
if we can’t even trust each other, then we’re nothing.

KID BLINK:

Tell ‘em Jack!

JACK:

So, what’s it gonna be?

RACETRACK:

We’re with you Jack.

JACK:

So, what about you, Spot?

SPOT: 

I say that what you say is what I say.

(The spit-shake. All the newsies cheer. 
The curtains open and Medda enters. The cheering gets louder.)

MEDDA & NEWSIES:

High times, hard times 

Sometimes the living is sweet

And sometimes there’s nothing to eat

But I always land on my feet

So when there’s dry times

I wait for high times and then

I put on my best

And I stick out my chest

And I’m off to the races again!

MEDDA:

Hello, newsies. What’s new?

(Outside, the Crib and police are gathering. Snyder enters)

MEDDA:

So your old lady don’t love you no more

So you’re afraid there’s a wolf at your door

So you’ve got street rats that scream in your ear

 

MEDDA & NEWSIES:

You win some, you lose some

My dear ,oh…

High times, hard times

Sometimes the living is sweet

And sometimes there’s nothing to eat

But I always land on my feet

So when there’s dry times

I wait for high times and then

I put on my best

And I stick out my chest

And I’m off to the races again

MEDDA:

I put on my best!

NEWSIES:

I put on my best!

MEDDA:

And I stick out my chest

NEWSIES:

And I sticks out my chest

MEDDA:

And I’m off

NEWSIES:

And I’m off

MEDDA:

And I’m off

NEWSIES:

And I’m off

MEDDA:

And I’m off

ALL:

To the races again!

(The police block off the entrance to the theater. 
Denton sees Snyder and tries to keep him busy)

DENTON:

Excuse me. Aren’t you Warden Snyder? 
Bryan Denton of the Sun. How do you do, 
sir?

(David sees Snyder and tells Spot) 

DENTON:

I heard about your wonderful work with 
the children and I wondered if I might get an 
interview with you.

(David rushes through the crowd to Jack)

DAVID:

Jack! Jack! It’s Snyder! 

JACK:

What?

DAVID:

It’s Snyder. Right there!

(Denton tries to distract Snyder one more 
time. This time with his camera)

DENTON:

Let me get that correct. That’s Snyder, 
as in snide? Smile sir!

(The flash blinds him for a minute, then he blows 
his whistle.)

JACK:

Medda, thanks. I gotta run.

(Cops come in and the newsies scatter. Jack take’s 
Sarah’s hand and pulls her through the crowd. 
Racetrack gets Medda to safety and start to leave)

MEDDA:

No! Stay with me!

(A huge man kicks Racetrack in the stomach 
and punches him out. Medda breaks away from her maid 
and bodyguard(?) and slaps the man)

MEDDA:

No! No! For God’s sake! He’s just a child! 
Can’t you see that? Racetrack!

(Medda is pulled back and Racetrack is dragged away. 
Jack and David get Sarah and Les to safety. Then turn 
back to fight. Everywhere they go, they are surrounded 
by cops or the crib. By Medda’s swing, 
they meet up with Snyder. David sits on the swing.)

DAVID:

Push me!

(Jack shoves David, who hits Snyder in the face.)

DAVID:

Get out of here! Go!

(Jack runs as David and some other newsies 
hold Snyder off. Jack and Kid Blink run outside and 
find they are surrounded by cops. One of them grabs 
for Jack, but Kid Blink shoves him away)

KID BLINK:

Beat it!

(Jack runs back inside. Kid Blink gets hit with a club and 
is dragged away. Jack starts to run up the stairs, but 
a man meets him at the top and punches him in the chin. 
Jack falls back and is caught by cops. 
THE NEXT DAY- the newsies are in court.)

BAILOFF:

All rise. All rise. Court is now in session. 
Judge E.A. Monahan presiding.

MONAHAN:

Are any of you boys represented by council? No? 
Good, that will move things along considerably.

SPOT:

Hey, yer honor, I object!

MONAHAN: 

On what grounds?

SPOT:

On the grounds of Brooklyn, yer honor.

(The newsies crack up laughing. Monahan bangs 
on his desk.)

MONAHAN:

I fine each of you five dollars, or 
two weeks confinement in the House of Refuge.

RACETRACK:

Whoa. We ain’t got five bucks. We don’t even 
got five cents. Hey, yer honor, how ‘bout 
I roll you for it. Double or nothing?

MONAHAN: 

Alright. Move along, move along.

(Denton, David and Les enter)

DENTON:

Your honor, I’ll pay the fines. All of them.

DAVID:

Hey, you fellas alright? Where’s Jack?

DENTON: 

Look, we’ve got to meet at the restaurant. 
Everybody. We have to talk.

MONAHAN:

Pay the clerk. Move it along.

(Jack is lead in, handcuffed)

JACK:

Hey fellas!

RACETRACK: 

Hey, Cowboy! Nice shiner!

JACK:

Hey, Denton. I guess we made all the 
papes this time. So, how’s my picture look?

DENTON:

None of the papers covered the 
rally. Not even the Sun.

BAILOFF:

Case of Jack Kelly. Inciting a riot. 
Assault. Resisting arrest.

SNYDER:

Judge Monahan, I’ll speak 
for this young man.

JACK:

You two know each other. Ain’t that nice.

MONAHAN:

Just move it along, Warden Snyder.

SNYDER:

This boy’s real name is Francis Sullivan. His mother’s 
deceased. His father’s a convict in the state penitentiary. 
He’s an escapee from the House of Refuge where his original 
sentence for three months was extended to six moths 
for disruptive behavior.

JACK:

Like demanding we eat the food you steal from us.

SNYDER:

Followed by an additional six months for attempted escape.

JACK: 

Attempted? Last time it wasn’t an attempted 
escape. Remember Snyder? Remember me and 
Teddy Roosevelt? Remember Roosevelt and the carriage?

SNYDER:

Therefore, I ask that he be returned to the House of Refuge.

JACK:

What? For my own good, right? Move it along? 
For my own good and for what he kicks back to you.

SNYDER:

I ask that the court order his incarceration 
until the age of twenty-one, in the hope that 
we may yet guide him to a useful and productive life.

MONAHAN: 

So ordered.

LES:

No!

(Jack is led away. Snyder follows, then 
turns and smiles at the judge.)

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