Copyright 1998
Copyright 1998
I woke up first. Jax was fast asleep on the bunk next to mine. I sat up and stretched. I climbed out of bed and walked over to the washroom. I hopped into the shower and washed myself quickly. I stepped back out of the shower and dried myself off. I changed into my gray skirt and blue tank top. I grabbed the white button-down shirt and tied it round my waist. I ran a brush through my hair and pulled it back into a braid.
I walked over to the window and looked out. "Wow, it's beautiful," I said quietly; I was referring to the sliver of sunrise I could see. I walked over to my book bag and pulled out my camera. I grabbed an extera roll of film and shoved it into my pocket. I put the camera strap onto my shoulder.
I walked back over to the window and placed my hands flat against the frame. I slid the window upwards and made sure that it stayed into place. It did and climbed out onto the fire escape. I climbed the ladder to the roof.
I looked around for a minute. I glanced to the east and saw the sun rising over the Brooklyn Bridge. I grinned and walked over to the wall. I climbed up onto the ledge and knelt down. I took the lens cap off my camera and put it up to my eye. I changed the shutter speed and aperture to accomadate the amount of light. I focused and then advanced the film. I clicked the shutter and advanced the film again. I took a second shot. I was satisfied with my shots and replaced the lens cap.
"What's dat?" someone asked. I jumped and nearly lost my balance. He grabbed me so I wouldn't fall. "Wouldn't want'cha ta be fallin' now," he said with an air of whimsy.
"Thanks," I said, not looking at him, as he helped me off the ledge. Once I was standing flat on the roof again, I looked at him. "Spot, what're you doin' up this early?" I asked.
He smirked, the famous Spot Conlon smirk. "I likes tah watch da sun rise. It ain't as good a view as from me pier, but it's still perdy good," he answered with a shrug. "What is dat anyway?" He pointed to the camera dangling from my shoulder.
"It's a camera," I replied matter-of-factly.
"Dat's a camera!" He was quite surprised.
"Yup," I said.
"How's it woik?"
I grinned. "I'll show ya," I said, spying an interstingly painted wall over by the door. I took his arm and led him over to the wall. I pulled his hat off and dropped it on the ground.
"Hey!" he said, trying to snatch his hat back up.
"Spot!" I said and knocked his hat out of his hand. He looked at me; he was annoyed with me. "Now, hold still," I said and went a few feet away from him.
"Whatta ya doin'?"
I didn't answer. I just took the lens cap off and put the camera up to my eye. I fixed the shutter speed and aperture. Next I focused and then advanced the film. I clicked the shutter. Spot looked at me because of the unfamiliar sound. I advanced the film again and took a second shot. I replaced the lens cap, being satisfied with my shots again.
"Dat's it?" he asked.
"Uh, yeah, it's a pretty simple device," I explained.
"How come ya don't got no flash powdah?"
I smiled, almost laughed. "Cuz I don't need it. Flashes make everything look washed out, especially people. Besides, my film's sensitive enough. It doesn't need the extra light in the flash powder."
"Oh," he said.
"Well," I started and looked at my watch. "Everyone should be up by now. Come on; we better get back down there." I walked over to the fire escape. Spot followed.
We climbed down the fire escape to the window of the lower bunk room. I climbed in first and Spot came in after me.
"Hey ya, Spot, eoily mornin'?" Jack asked as we entered the room.
Spot shot Jack an evil look. "Ya knows I likes ta watch da sun rise. It cain't rise wit'out me, now, cain it?" he replied. I laughed. "What's so funny?"
I looked at him. "I'm gonna go see if Jax is ready," I said, slipping out of the room, still laughing.
"She's got ya, Spot," I heard Jack say as I climbed the stairs.
I ran into Jax on my way up. "Heya, Jax, ya ready?" I asked.
"Yup," she answered. "Takin' some pictures?" she asked, noticing my camera.
"Oh, yeah, I got some shots a Spot. I'm so glad I brought color, and beaucoup des films, too," I said with a smile.
"Yup, I gotta see those shots when we get back," she said with a grin.
My smile faded. "If we get back," I thought to myself. I forced a smile and spoke. "Uh, yeah; come on. Let's get down ta the lobby. The guys're waiting."
"Kay," Jax said, starting down the stairs. I followed her down to the lobby and into the street.
"Hey, you goyls ready?" Blink asked as we came into the street.
"Yup," Jax and I both replied.
"Let's go den," Jack said, standing up from his seat on the curb. All the guys, and Jax, started toward the circulation office.
I stayed a little behind, pulling my lens cap off. Spot lingered with me. I took a few shots. Then I ran ahead and stood in the middle of the street. I took several more shots as the guys came closer. Spot stayed with me the whole time. He was either fascinated with my camera.. or me.
We came to the circulation office a few minutes later. I went inside with the guys, but I didn't get in line. I wasn't planing on selling any papers. I just wanted to get some good shots of 1898 New York City.
After several minutes more, Jack, Jax, Mush, and Spot came over to me. I had been taking more pictures of the guys. Jax spoke first.
"Yer not gonna sell?" she asked, almost surprised. I shook my head. "How come? I thought you'd always wanna do this."
I shrugged. "I got some shots ta take," I replied.
"Oh, well, far be it fer me to be in the way of that," Jax commented sarcastically.
"Exactly," I said. She gave me an evil look. I stuck my tongue out at her.
"Okay, anyways, who's gonna teach me ta sell?" Jax asked.
Mush spoke up. "I'll help ya loin," he said. "If ya want." I smiled discreetly.
"Yeah, sure, okay," she replied. The two of them left to sell their papes.
"Whattah you'se doin' ta pass da time taday, Boidie?" Jack asked.
"Well, I was hopin' that Spot'd take me ta Brooklyn," I answered.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, when was ya gonna ask me dis?" Spot asked.
"Um, how's 'bout now?"
"Okay, sure, I'll take ya dere. Anythin' imparticuler ya wanna see?" he said.
"Yeah, but we'll get ta that later. Why don't we go before the light fades, and I hafta wait longer to get this shot," I answered.
Spot shrugged. "Awright. See ya later, Jack," he said, leading the way down the street. I started after him.
"Bring 'er back, Spot," Jack yelled after us.
Spot and I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. He had been quiet on our trek over to the bridge. I had taken a few shots of newsies on the streets, hawking the headlines. I think he was more fascinated with my camera than he was letting on.
"So, where d'ya wanna go?" Spot asked as I caught up with him.
"I need to go ta a place where I'm under the Brooklyn Bridge. But I need to see both the bridge and the Manhattan skyline. Can ya take me to a place where I can get a shot like that?" I said.
"Uh, yeah, I knows da poifect place."
Spot led me to a place where I could see the skyline and the bridge perfectly. I was very pleased. And I made sure that he knew it. I took the rest of the current roll of film, about five shots, of this view. I do like that view.
"Thanks so much, Spot," I said and hugged him.
Spot was rather surprised, but he hugged me back. "You'se welcome," he said quietly.
"Ahight, let's get back to wherever it is you sell," I said, stepping back from him. Spot nodded and led me to Prospect Park. Quite a good photo-op if you ask me.
"Right, now, ya wannah sell wit' me, er d'ya wanna take s'more a dem pictchas a yers?"
I smiled. "I'm gonna take some more shots. You do yer thing, 'n' I'll do mine. I'll stay on the other side of the street, so ya don't hafta worry," I said.
He nodded. "Awright, it woiks." He took his papes and went to his selling spot on the corner.
I shrugged and went to a bench in front of a store. I rewound the film carefully. I pulled the film out from my pocket and switched it with the roll I had just rewound. I shut the back of the camera and advanced the film a few times. I put the lens cap in my pocket and searched the scene before me. I stood up and went over to a lamp post. I leaned up against it and took a few shots. I took a few of Spot and one or two of a couple walking down the street. Also, I took several shots of various street vendors and of the park across the street. I had taken about half the roll when a man walked up to me.
"Excuse me, Miss, but are you, by chance, a photographer?" he asked.
I looked up at the man from my crouching position. I stood up to greet him. "Yes, sir, I am. May I help you with something?"
"Yes, actually, you can. I need a photographer for my company. I'm willing to pay you whatever you wish for the job. But I do need a good photographer," he explained.
I nodded. "May I ask what the job would consist of?" I asked.
"Of course, photographs of people, meetings, social gatherings, perhaps parties as well. We need to send photographs to our branch in Europe," he answered.
I nodded again. "Sounds pretty good." I looked across the street at Spot. He looked pretty preturbed. "Listen, sir, I haven't got much time right now. Could we get together tomorrow and discuss this further?" I asked.
"Certainly. My name's Jonathon Haldaway. Here's my card." He handed me a small piece of cardboard. "Could we meet for lunch tomorrow at Frank's Place?" I nodded. "Do you know how to get there?"
"I know someone who can show me where it is," I replied.
"Well, why don't we settle the payment option right now. How much do you want?"
I thought for a minute. "Supplies and two dollars a day, and, perhaps, an assistant," I said and looked right at his eyes.
He nodded. "Very well, Miss.. Miss..."
"Birdie Kelley."
"Very well, Miss Kelley. I'll see you at Frank's at one tomorrow then. Will I need to supply the assistant?" I shook my head. Jonathon nodded his head politely and walked away, putting his hat back on his head.
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir," I called after him.
As Jonathon left, Spot strode across the street towards me. "What was all dat about?" he asked seriously.
I grinned. "I got myself a job," I replied.
"Ya got yerself a job?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
I nodded. "Sure did. I'm meetin' him tomorrow fer lunch so we can discuss it further," I said. Spot looked annoyed. "Spot, what's wrong?" I asked, concerned.
"Nuthin'," he answered.
I put my hands on my hips. "Spot Conlon, I can tell when somethin's wrong. Now, are ya gonna tell me er am I gonna hafta get it outta ya some other way?" I was quite determined.
Spot looked at me. "It's jist dat it took me ferevah tah git a job dat pays, even if it is jist a newsie. You'se been heah fer one day 'n' ya gots a job awready," he complained.
I looked right back at him. "Spot, it's jist circumstances. Besides, yer job isn't so bad. It may not be the best job in the world, but it's at least a job. Where Jax and I come from people can't hold jobs until they're 16 or 17. And even then you need a permit. And ya can't hold a decent job till yer over 18. Spot, you really don't have such a bad job. Ya git ta know the city, 'n' ya git ta be around lots a people all day, every day. Me, I hafta go ta school every day back home. Granted I know quite a bit, but I'd still prefer to hold a steady job. Besides, people do respect you, Spot. You just don't know it," I said.
Spot looked at me and smiled. "How d'ya know dat?" he asked, a little suspicious.
I smiled. "That's my secret," I answered. "Now, are we gonna stand here all day, or are ya gonna show me how ta improve the truth?"
Spot laughed. "I'll nevah know how ya do dat."
"Better you don't," I replied. He was a little confused. But he shrugged it off and began teaching me the ways of the newsies.
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