“ Oh come on,” Action pleaded as the big drunk, Irish man took a swing
at her head. She ducked it
and tried to run out of the fight, but they were now surrounded by
hecklers and betters of the fight
that had broken out when Action was caught up to her old tricks again.
Donavin smiled slightly from
across the room. Something about that girl had fire, a fire of the likes
he had never seen in
Ireland…the fire that comes from America.
“ Oh shit,” Action yelled painfully as she received a hit in the gut
that brought her to her knees.
Donavin cringed for her and sat his beer down on the bar. This had gone
far enough.
“ Jeremy,” Donavin, tapped the big burly Irish man on the shoulder.
Jeremy whirled around and
Donavin ducked to escape the blow that had been thrown in drunken rage.
The crowd laughed, “ I
wasn’t meanin’ ta startle you none. I was just hoping that you’d leave
the lady alone for a beer. If
that’s alright with you Action?” Donavin said looking down at her
crumbled body.
“ That’s fine, go ahead” Action said in a painful whisper as she tried
to stand up. When she pulled
herself up she nearly screamed, “ I think I was better off on the
floor.”
****
“ So what ya do that for?” Action asked as she and Donavan left the
bar.
“ Yer American, I figured you would need all the help you could get
against an Irishmen.” Donavan
smirked. Action gave him a sideways glance and went back to holding her
side.
“ So you know of any other bars they’d let me in at?” Action asked.
“ Why? Are ya in no hurry to go back to the one we just came from?”
Donavan was enjoying being
a smart-ass.
“ Somethin’ like that.” Action grumbled back.
“ As a matter o’ fact I do. But just what are ya willin’ to do for a
drink?”
“ Excuse me?” Action stopped and gave him a murderous look.
“ No!” Donavan realized what it sounded like he had said, “ No, it
weren’t to be taken like that.”
“ Maybe I ain’t dat thirsty after all.” Action started to walk the
other way.
“ What about a place ta stay? Do you need one ?” Donavan had said the
magic word.
“ Alright,” Action turned back, “I’m interested.”
“ There’s a room above the tavern , I know the owners and I’m sure
they’d be glad to give ya
lodgin’s.”
******
" I'm talkin' about revolution lads! Ireland by every right is
ours...we just have to be willin' to fight
for it!" With that the room of the tavern filled with cheers. Action and
Donavan took a seat close to
the door so not to disturb the meeting that was going on.
" Three hours of walkin' up hills for this place?" Action asked
quietly looking around.
" shush!" Donavan was listening to the man up front.
" Don't tell me yer actually listening to dis revolution shit ?"
Action couldn't believe what she was
hearing. These people were talking about war, not some street fight in
the middle of Manhattan, but
real war with real death.
" Ireland is my land I'm willin' to die for her! Who is with me?!"
As the man screamed this from on
top the bar counter every Irish man in there raised his hand saying
'Aye', including Donavan. With
that the room was filled with music and the beer was being poured as
proud Irish men filled their.
bellies with beer and their minds with dreams of a revolution. Soon the
man who had started all this
was standing at their table.
" Tom!" Donavan said standing up and giving him a hug.
" Donavan my boy! I haven't seen you in quite a while, how have ya
been?" Tom slapped
Donavan on the back.
" As best an Irish man can do in an English mans country." Donavan
answered. Tom smiled.
" We hope to change that, that we do. Are you with us?" Tom asked.
" Always have and I always will." Donavan smiled and Action rolled
her eyes, " oh," Donavan
pointed to Action , " this is a friend of mine, I was wonderin' if you
could put her up for a while...just
until she can go back to America."
" So you'r interested in goin to America huh?" Tom asked her.
" Actually right now I'm more interested in a drink." Action smarted
back.
" Oh, well in that case what Irish song will you be singin?" Tom
smirked.
" Excuse me?" Action didn't understand what was going on here.
" Oh, well don't ya know the custom?" Tom laughed.
" No...what about it?" Action was worried about what she was going
to have to do to get a drink.
" Well in Ireland its a tradition that anyone who isn't from Ireland
and who wants to drink in a
tavern they have to sing an Irish song, or tell an Irish story, or
recite somethin' Irish." Donavan said
as Tom walked back up to where he had been.
" I didn't agree to dis." Action said threw clentched teeth.
" Are ya thirsty or not?" Donavan retorted.
" Excuse me everyone!" With that the room grew silent for Tom, "we
have a special guest from
America with us...which means we get to have some entertainment."
Everyone started laughing and
cheering it on, " Are ya ready ....uh what's your name lass?"
" Monoroe, " Action said standing up. She pulled out her two dice
and kissed them.She held her
head high and walked over, " Action Monroe."
" Your real name lass?" Tom laughed.
" Oh I ain't even going threw this again, " Action mummbled, " Dat
its me real name.."
" Sounds Irish enough, have at it." Tom held out his hand gesturing
to the top of the bar counter
where he had been. Action climbed up and took a look around the room.
" Here goes everything." Action sighed. She tried to remember
something Irish...anything.....then it
came back to her, " The Irish are the luckiest-" With that the room
cheered, " Or so I've been told,
because at every Rainbows end, they find a pot of gold." everyone
laughed an quieted down to hear
the rest, " So somewhere deep inside me I must be Irish too, for waiting
at my rainbows end, I found
all of you!" The room cheered and laughed as Action was handed up a
beer, she held the glass out
and everyone grew quiet again, " Bless yer little Irish heart, and
everyother Irish part!" The songs and
merriment countinued as Action kept on drinking as she stood on the
counter.
" So when do we strike first." Donavan asked Tom in the midst of
everyones excitement.
" 3 days from now in Doublin. The place will be swormin' with
important English men for the Sait
Patrick's day cellibration, and we'll be waiting for them." Tom replied.
" And your sure Action can stay with you and Mellony here?" Donanvan
said glancing at Action
who was finishing her third drink and being handed a fourth.
" Just as long as she's with us." Tom nodded.
" HEY TOM!!!" Action yelled holding up her glass, " I've got one for
your revolution, May God
Bless those who are with us, and turn the hearts of those who aren't, "
Everyone cheered again, " or
may he trun their ankles so we can tell who they are by their limpin'!"
Action took down the glass,
"To your fight! May you win it! and may I get the hell outta here." She
was handed another glass and
soon hoisted up on two Irish men’s shoulders and paraded around the room
in a moment of glory.
*****
" oy, " Action sat up out of her bed, " what hit me." She rubbed
her head and slowly recalled the
night before where she drank, and drank, and drank untill Donavan and
Tom had to drag her up to the room above the tavern because she couldn't
walk anymore. Action slowly stood up and headed
down the steps back into the bar.
" Oh, if it isn't sleeping beauty. " Tom laughed as he whiped down
the counter. There was a
woman standing behind the bar with him drying glasses.
" Now Tom that's no way to treat a guest after you've gotten them so
liquored up that they can't
even walk to their own room!" she playfully hit him with her drying
towle and came out from behind
the counter, " My name is Mellony Flanagin, I'm Tom's wife." She held
out her hand and Action
accepted it.
" Hi I'm Action. Trust me its my real name." Action said shaking her
hand.
" Well its nice to meet ya." Mellony had a kind smile, which left
Action wondering how she could
love an ambitious smart ass like Tom.
" Same to you, " Action smiled back, then directed her attention to
Tom, " I was wonderin' if I
could do some work around here ya know? Pay you back for the room and
everything."
" Well that sounds like a fine idea, except one thing." Tom
shrugged.
" What's that?" Action asked unsure.
" The room's free as long as long as you do one favor for me." Tom
said as he began to put the
glasses back up where they belong.
" Okay name it." Action smiled at the thought of free anything.
" I'll be tellin' you when the time comes. Just give me your word
for now." Tom turned to her.
" Okay. " Action shrugged.
*******
" Its called craps...." Action tried to explain to the customer that
sat a drinking his beer on her shift
but he didn't get it.
" Do all Americans gambol and drink as much as you?" The man finally
asked.
" Shut up and drink yer beer." Action rolled her eyes and walked off
to the other side of the
counter. The door of the tavern entered and a little girl and boy came
running in calling for their
parents. Action watched them carefully as they ran to Tom.
" Dah! Dah! " The little girl jumped into his arms as he stood up,
now holding her in his arms.
" What is it Katie? Jacob pickin' on you again?" Tom giving a look
to the small boy that stood by
him.
" Awe Dah, she broke my toy!"The young boy pleaded.
" I didn't mean to." The little girl cried on his shoulder.
" Oh , Jacob look what you made Katie do? You've got your little sister
cryin her eyes out." Tom looked down at his son. The little boy rolled
his eyes and sighed.
" Come on Katie, its okay, you can help me buy a new one." Jacob
said looking at his feet.
" You hear that, he said is okay?" Tom smiled as his little girl
looked up at him with a tear covered face, "oh don't cry none lass, its
all better now.... Give yer dear ol' dah a smile?" Tom stuck his bottum
lip out at his daughter and she began to laugh," that’s a good Katie,"
Tom sat her back down on the ground next to Jacob, " Jacob, here's 25
cents take your sister and go get a new toy.”
“ yes dah,” Jacob smiled taking the money. His father patted him
on the head and the two children headed back out to play. Action
realized she had been starring and shook her head and went to another
customer. Soon the door of the tavern opened again and this time Donavan
came in to the bar in a rush.
“ heya Donavan how goes it.“ Action called out.
“ Good, an yerself?” Donavan said sitting down across the
counter from her.
“ Not bad, I got a job.” Action smiled.
“ I see."
“ Tom they got Roger. They heard about him being involved and
they…they’re gonna killed him Tom! Right in front of his wife and kids!”
Donavan was out of breath.
“ God have mercy!” Mellony had heard this and was immediately grabbing
her a coat and heading out the door.
“ Mellony wait you can’t go its too-” Tom went to stop her but she was
already gone. Action stood there in disbelief . She her self had only
heard the gunshots that killed her father but to have actually had to
see it….those poor kids.
“ Donavan, follow her, make sure nothin’ happens.” Tom ordered. Donavan
obeyed but Action stopped him.
“ No dice…don’t go. I will.” Action said as she stared to go..
“ You can keep me company then,” Donavan said blocking her. She gave him
an eerie glance and the two headed out the door after Mellony.
******
“ Thomas Flanagin, don’t you going tellin’ me whats dangerous and
what’s not!” Action was a woken by the sound of Tom and Mellony fighting
below her. They had come in an hour ago and it was late now, “ You talk
of your revolution and a better Ireland for your wee ones. But how is it
going to be better for them if they don’t have their dah here to enjoy
it with them! Tom how long do you think it will take them to realize
your involved? How long till I’m watching you be gunned down with Katie
and Jacob?” Mellony was sobbing now.
“ Mellony , can’t give up! This is my land and I will fight for it. I
can’t let my children grow up like I did. Nothin’ will happen to me, I
promise it!” Tom hugged Mellony and then their was silence.
Action sat there for a moment. And remembered her father always
promising he would always be there for her no matter how bad things
were. But he died…just like Tom would.
******
The next day was filled with hushed meetings and such. Action sat threw
them remembering all Mellony had said about a man’s pride. After one of
the meetings Donavan approached Action.
“ Top o’ the mornin’ to ya Action.” Donavan seemed beyond excited.
“ Donavan, its 2 in the afternoon…..whats so mornin’ about that?”
Action was disgusted with his attitude. He had no clue what he was
getting into. He looked like he hadn’t been in a street fight a day in
his life. How was he going to hold out in riot or a revolution none the
less.
“ Just a sayin, didn’t mean for you to bite my tongue off for it.
What’s put you in such an ill mood today huh?” Donavan liked Action, he
always had. The last thing he wanted was for her to be mad at him.
“ Nothin’” Action rolled her eyes.
“ oh, “ The two were now outside walking, well Action was walking at a
fast pace while Donavan tried to keep up. A thought came into Donavan’s
head just before they reached a stream, “ than maybe this’ll cheer you
up.” Before Action could say anything Donavan kissed her, and Action ,
being angry at him, shoved him .
“ Damn it Donavan what was that?” Action was completely shocked he had
done that.
“ Well in Ireland its called a kiss, but I don’t know what Americans
are callin’ it.” Donavan laughed.
“ You don’t get it do you? Donavan if you go threw wit this you will
die. Along with Tom and all dose other morons.” Action was really going
to let him have it.
“ I’d rather die than see Ireland go on like this!”
“ Than don’t watch it. Come to America with me…you’ll love it”
“ I used to think so myself but I owe it to Tom to-“
“ To die? NO you don’t owe nobody nothin’.”
“ Are all American girls as stubborn as you?”
“ Are all Irish guys as pig headed as you?”
“ I’ll be seein you Action.” With that Donavan stormed off.
*****
There was to be one last meeting that night….but it didn’t work out the
way it was supposed too. The tavern was filled with cops as Action,
Mellony, and the children stayed silently hidden up stairs. They sat and
listened to the screams and gun shots bellow them until there was
silence.
“ Okay, we’ll just wait till we’re sure they left okay?” Action said to
Mellony who sat trying not to cry for the sake of her children.
Suddenly, they smelled smoke, “ Oh shit.” Action said turning to
Mellony, they were burning the place down, “ Okay change in plans, take
them and climb down from the window…its not that far don’t worry.”
“ Where’s dah? “ Katie asked Action.
“ Don’t worry bout him Katie, alright.” Action said as she led them to
the window.
“ I’m scarred mommy!” Katie cried looking down.
“ Katie we haven’t got any time for this be a big lass and don’t cry.”
Mellony tried to comfort her.
“ Here, “ Action pulled out her dice and gave one to Jacob and the
other to Katie, “These are for good luck kiss them just before you go
down and you’ll be fine trust me.” With that Action headed down stairs.
********
“ Oh God,” Action said the place was in flames and she recognized all
the faces of the Irish men that lay before her.
“ Action,” She heard Toms voice across the room and went to him. He was
bleeding badly, “ Action now I need that favor.”
“ I’ll save you don’t worry. Favor or no, “ Action went to pick him up.
“ NO, “ Tom stopped her, “ that’s not it. I want you take the money and
the gun from behind the bar, and get my family the hell out o’ Ireland.
Take them to America with you.”
“ Alright, “ Action went behind the bar and got the money. The place
was now absolutely covered in flames. She went back to Tom and tried
once more to help him, “Come on, there’s enough money for 5 of us to
go…”
“ NO get out of here while you still can .” Tom ordered.
“ No not without you,” Action kept trying, “ I can’t let you burn in
here.”
“ I said go lass!” Tom cried. Action looked at him helplessly, “ Now
take the gun and-“
“ God Tom please don’t ask me to do this..” Action said crying.
“ If you don’t I’ll only suffer more,” Tom begged. Action held the gun
up to him, “ And don’t tell them I was still alive?” Action shook her
head yes.
“ Good bye Tom,” Action closed her eyes and pulled the trigger. With
the noise of the gun shot she fell to the ground on her knees. Making no
sound what so ever. She would have stayed there had Donavan not have
grabbed her. She turned around when she felt his hand on her shoulder.
“ Come on,” Donavan pulled her up and they headed to an exit. The fire
had spread to it already, “ Damn, we’ll have to try up stairs come on.”
They ran up the steps quickly and to the window.
“ Donavan how?” Action asked before she climbed out.
“ I was late to the meeting. Now lets go come on” Donavan and Action
climbed down slowly to Mellony and the children.
“ now what ?” Mellony asked holding Katie tightly in one arm and
grasping Jacob’s hand with the other arm.
“ Now we go to America, “ Action sighed, “ New York ta be exact.”
“ Sounds like a plan to me.” Donavan said watching the tavern burn.
******
The Bronx lodging house was crawling with all sorts of girl newsies
who, for one reason or another, needed the place to stay.
“ Hey ,” Moe said standing up from the poker game on the steps outside,
“ How many aces you got?”
“ Depends, how good are you at fightin’? “ Patches smirked.
“ Uhto,” Fool sighed. This was not going to be good.
“ Excuse me,” The three turned towards the voice they heard. She looked
like your normal New Yorker, but more. Her eyes looked like they had
seen a thousand lifetimes worth of pain. She had an old tank top
undershirt on with a pair of pants and held a hat at her side. Beside
her stood a boy who looked no older than her holding a little boy who
looked about 7 and beside him stood a strong mothering woman who held a
little girl who looked about 4 or 5, “ But could you tell me if
Skweekers McCain is here?”
“ Yeah she’s upstairs, who wants to know.” Patches said trying to look
intimidating.
“ Monroe,” Action smirked “ Action Monore. Tell her I’m back. And I
ain’t goin’ nowhere for a long time.”
