The Back Tables

[Administrator]

These tables are used mostly by newsies, and traveling leaders.

[Queenie]

Queenie sat at one of the booths near the back of Tibbys, waiting for her food. Drumming her fingers on the table, she looked around at the restaurant. It wasn't crowded, thank god, but it wasn't empty. It was that moment before lunch time, the one where people were just starting to come in. This was the easiest time to get lunch, without the long wait. Besides, she had finished selling early, so this was basically a treat, since she was getting Red Velvet cake for lunch, instead of a good meal that she probably should have bought instead.

Looking around again, she couldn't help but wonder what her other newsies were doing, since, after all, they were different from other newsies. Well, if you could say Bronx was the same as any other borough, they were crazy. Queenie loved her newsies dearly, and wished she had at least brought one of them with her. Her stomach growled from hunger and her fingers drummed the table faster, waiting for food to finally come. To say she was hungry was an understatement. After all, what fun was waiting when you were a hungry sixteen year old who lived paycheck to paycheck?

[Cat]

Cat was tired of walking the streets. His papers were sold and he had already did his stealing for the day. He looked at Tibby's. It was the afternoon and he did skip lunch so he entered the surprisingly empty restaurant. He made his order. It was just a club nothing real fancy. He looked for a place to sit and his eyes fell on Queenie.

He walked down to her. "Oh it is such a delight to see you today. So what is on?" He had never had a thing for American slang. A few cat references here and there. He took a set across from her. "So why are you all the way out here in Manhattan?" Cat was out there doing what he was best at, stealing. He had pick pocketed someone and got some jewelry. Today was a good day and a reason he was in a good mood. "My day today has been very good. Well seeing you here has made my day even better." He could never resist flirting with Queenie it was just an instinct. He did wonder why she was surprised by his advances. He only flirted with her and Tootsie. Tootsie was taken at the moment.

[Queenie]

Oh it is such a delight to see you today. So what is on?"

"Hey Cat," Queenie said, "Not much, just grabbin' some lunch is all." Most of the time Cat was an ok guy, but he flirted. A lot. She wasn't one to flirt, so it was always awkward for her to reply to things he tried to flirt about. It was flattering, but also just a tad bit awkward when you ended up being the one he was flirting with. Flirting wasn't her forte, chess was. Talking and chess. But... the fact that someone actually thought she was prety made her day, somewhat.

"So why are you all the way out here in Manhattan?"

Shrugging, she replied cooly, "Was hungry, didn't want to waste any money in Bronx so I thought, hey, why not 'Hattan?" Queenie looked around for her waiter, still drumming her fingers against the table. Service was slow today, she noted. Most days were, but it seemed today was fairly busy, which was no problem until it started getting on her nerves. Then, she had issues. Other than that, she was somewhat patient with waiting for the food that would come.

"My day today has been very good. Well seeing you here has made my day even better."

"I'm flattered," she mumbled, looking down abruptly. Thankfully, the waiter finally came, and she thanked him, then took her fork and took a bite of the cake she had waited for. Taking a bite, she made sure to avert her eyes away from Cat. "So," Queenie said, "No selling for you today? Just picking pockets?" How anyone could pick pockets for no reason but pleasure astounded her, but it didn't bother her. Every newsie had picked a pocket at least once in their life. She knew the birds of Brooklyn did, to help them get information.

[Cat]

"Me too I don't think I've been here before." He likes American. It taste so different from what his mom and family cooks at home. He looked around the place surprised it took so long just for a sandwich. More customers were coming in and their chatter was slowly rising. He looked at Queenie. He wondered why she was always so shy when he complimented her. It was strange, but something about her was so attractive that he couldn't stop. He tried think of something else to talk about besides her looks and stealing.

"Oh yeah, some change in scenery is nice every now and then. I hate having a routine, it just makes the day mundane and boring." Queenie looked impatient, but you couldn't blame her service was slow. "What did you order? I just ordered a sandwich. You would think such a thing would be done in mere minutes." He too was growing impatient his hunger was growing too.

Queenie's cake came. It looked delicious. "All my words are the truth for a woman as beautiful as yourself." He wondered if Queenie would start acting shy again. He thought it was weird, like she'd never been called pretty before. "Oh, actually both today and some extra." Whenever he talked about stealing he got a smile on his face. The papers sold out around 10:30. I always go to Manhattan for my fun. I got bracelet want it?" The bracelet was gold, a type an older woman would wear. Finally, his sandwich came. "Gracias...I mean thanks." Spanish would slip out few times in his conversation. He took a bite out of sandwich.

[Queenie]

"Oh yeah, some change in scenery is nice every now and then. I hate having a routine, it just makes the day mundane and boring."

She nodded, it was nice having a newsie who had a vocabulary, and not the colorful kind. "Routine to me, is nothing more than a trance that most fall into just to have something to do, instead of finding something extraordinary to do." That was a bit of wisdom Queenie had, and she mostly shared her wisdom with other leaders, but she had to prove that she had a vocabulary too, and more than a colorful one that didn't count for anything.

"All my words are the truth for a woman as beautiful as yourself."

"Thank you," she replied quietly, looking down at the cake, "that's kind of you to say." Queenie hoped that someone else would come along and join them, before this got too awkward for her. It wasn't that she didn't like Cat, she liked a lot of people, but flirting wasn't her thing, no matter how flattering the compliments were. She was different like that, which probably explained why she could talk to some boys, but not flirt with them.

"Oh, actually both today and some extra."..."The papers sold out around 10:30. I always go to Manhattan for my fun. I got bracelet want it?"

"No thanks," she replied after taking a bite out of the cake, "I already have enough jewelry as it is." She held up her right hand, clad in rings and bracelets. Queenie always wore jewelry, it was her thing. Heck, if she honestly wanted to she might have worn every single piece of jewelry she had, but didn't. If she did, then she'd find a way to make it all look nice, otherwise the jewelry would look bad. She was just a jewelryholic at times, if she liked something enough. But she didn't want a stolen bracelet.

[Cat]

After hearing her wisdom he couldn't help, but compliment her. "I can see why your our leader. So many of the other newsie have a less that spectacular vocabulary. If it wasn't for my accent I could be ab english professor." He laughed. "I'm kidding, I hated learning English. There were so many rules. I couldn't put up with the niños either." He always liked that Queenie thought differently than the other girls. "But that is true. We are given quirks at birth they work can work for us or against us. I hope my babbling is boring you."

Queenie was quiet again at her compliment. He wondered if she was feeling awkward or just playing hard to get. It was common knowledge that she heard voices, but Cat found difference to be a good thing. He wanted to ask how she was single. Cat could be oblivious, but he knew better than to ask a girl something like that.

At first he thought she was declining because it was stolen, but he saw her collection of jewelry. "What and assortment of trinkets and jewelry. Good think your one of the few I'd never steal from." He looked at all the of the shiny objects, but he felt no urge to steal. It was true whenever he respected a person enough he wasn't able to take anything from them. Fear was also sufficient as in Spot's case. "Oh well off to the pawn shop with you." He said twirling the bracelet. He sat it down amd took another bite of his sandwich. After he was done chew, he wiped the mayo of his lips and said, "America knows how to make sandwiches."

[Queenie]

"I can see why your our leader. So many of the other newsie have a less that spectacular vocabulary. If it wasn't for my accent I could be ab english professor. I'm kidding, I hated learning English. There were so many rules. I couldn't put up with the niños either."

Queenie nodded, replying, "I bet it's nice when you know someone who speaks the same language as you. But when you think about it, while most of the people I know, including myself, are monolinguistic, you, on the other hand, can speak two languages. That's pretty good in my book." It was a simple compliment, she tried to compliment people sometimes. She wished she could speak another language, that would be great. Maybe it was because it would give her a bit of an advantage.

"What and assortment of trinkets and jewelry. Good think your one of the few I'd never steal from. Oh well off to the pawn shop with you."..."America knows how to make sandwiches."

She listened to him ramble about going to the pawn shop, but paid no mind to it. Queenie just wasn't into stealing like Cat was. Sure, it probably was very thrilling for him. But not for her. It just wasn't her thing to steal. Maybe it was cause it just never struck her fancy. Taking another bite of cake, she savored it. It wasn't everyday you got cake for lunch. Maybe it was just her, but if she could, she would have cake everyday for lunch. A different cake for each day. Yep, that would be great.

"Yea, Tibby's tends to have the best sandwiches in all of New York," she replied, her thoughts elsewhere. She was starting to become a mother hen, now that Singer and Robin were hanging out more. Not that she didn't trust Brooklyn, but... Robin was her kid, practically. Her baby. And what now that her and boys... her little Robin was growing up. Soon enough she wouldnt want to be around little ole Queenie. She could always hang around the older kids, but... She liked Robin a smidge better than the others.

[Cat]

Cat nodded his head at Queenie's compliment. It was nice to be able to communicate more with other people. He could remember all the writing and pronunciations he had to go through. He decided that in the end it was worth it. It was true he only knew a hand full of people who could speak different languages. "Thanks for the compliment Queenie. You are just do intelligent and graceful. Sorry i should be bombarding you with compliments like this. You must be embarrassed." He started to catch on that she didn't like his many compliments, so they seized for now anyway.

He was proud with his yield of his stealing. it was an art style to him that paid off both literally and figuratively. He put it back into his pocket and took another bite from his sandwich. This was very delicious. His family wasn't very big on sandwiches, but they liked to cook traditional food. This was a nice break from the norm. "Yeah you're right. This is good I will come here more often." He too was thinking of his family. He didn't just steal for the fun of it. He helped out his family who had a hard time adjusting to America. Some of his money would go to help them out. He stated to do the math in his head of how much he could get out of it. "mmmm..."

[Queenie]

"Thanks for the compliment Queenie. You are just do intelligent and graceful. Sorry i should be bombarding you with compliments like this. You must be embarrassed."

"Your welcome," she replied, ignoring the compliment after it. Queenie lately, it seemed, was gathering a view... admirers, mostly boys. Personally she was starting to get a bit annoyed with it. in truth she was one of those girls who would be quite content with being alone. Maybe she'd get a bodyguard or something. Maybe. But that was not the most likely thing on earth. That, and you had to pay for bodyguards. That was one thing she would not do, pay for a bodyguard.

"Yeah you're right. This is good I will come here more often."

She nodded, taking another bite, "Would come here more, if I could. Got a borough to run." Queenie liked Tibbys, there was good food their at a good price. She wished Mario's in Bronx was a bit cheaper. That, and she'd been talking to their owners, so hopefully she could work out a deal with them, and getting that done would seriously help her and the other Bronxies. They wouldn't have to walk so far to get a lunch, or even pay a whole lot of money to just get a drink of water.

[Cat]

Queenie acted really shy when ever Cat gave her compliments. He found this to be a good trait and make him want her more. He knew not to press his luck so he would try to cut back on the compliments. He wondered just when will she give in and go on a date with him, then it struck him. It may of counted, but they were alone eating together and talking. This would go up as a date in his mind. A smile came to his face, but he knew better than to say anything. He just looked at Queenie for a moment. "What is going on so far in the borough Queenie?"

"Yeah running a whole borough must be a stressful job. That is why it was put in your capable hands." He knew that you had to be tough to be a leader of a borough. "Each of the leaders have a trait that just distinguishes them from the crowd. They also have this air that just says leadership." He was telling the truth of course. He wondered how the leaders were how they turned out. He knew either they were born that way or they just developed into leaders. "Queenie how did you get to be able to take care of a whole borough? Does it come naturally or is it just something you plan?"

[Queenie]

"What is going on so far in the borough Queenie?"

"Eh," Queenie shrugged, "Nothing, really. There isn't much going on lately, what with all the drama going on. Seems Brooklyn's got more problems than us. Not that I dont blame 'em, they're a messed up bunch. From what I've heard they saw the Staten Islanders playing Tag, and were confused by it. Guess they dont get a childhood like all of us." That was a rumor she heard from someone in Queens. It kind of made her pity the brooks, never playing games like Tag or Hide and Seek. Maybe it was just because of where they live.

"Queenie how did you get to be able to take care of a whole borough? Does it come naturally or is it just something you plan?"

Looking at Cat, she raised an eyebrow, "Leading isn't planning. It's strategizing as you go along. It's tiring, but it's a job. It's a bit natural, you just have to find the leader in you. Everyone can be leader, it's just a matter of finding the right time to speak out." Queenie liked being leader, but that was because she had gotten used to it. Yelling at kids was just one of those things that you did after a while. Not like they couldn't handle it. It wasn't like she pushed the kids off the roof or anything, they knew better.

[Cat]

"Wow Queenie I didn't know that there was so much depth and so many complexities to being a leader. That is the precise reason you are able to keep the crazies, like me organized. You are so stern and command, yet look good doing it." Cat gave Queenie a smile. He finally caught on to the fact that Queenie hated his compliments, but he liked the look on her face. He figured he couldn't get in trouble for telling the truth.

A smile came to his face when he thought about Tootsie. Queenie and Tootsie had been two girls Cat was basically drooling over. "So how's the Tootsie-Bear situation? Have they kissed and made up or are they still separated?" It was obvious what his intentions were. He knew Queenie really wanted them back together, but Cat couldn't help himself. This was a once in a lifetime chance for him. "I don't think they have a chance of getting back together if they haven't already..."

[Queenie]

Queenie shrugged at what he said. "You guys make me want to pull my hair out, bang my head against a wall a few times, but your my newsies. I wouldnt trade you lot for anyone else, honestly. That, and I dont think anyone else could handle you guys fairly well. You'd get them into an asylum by the end of the day, not that our lodge aint like one already, we're just more sophisiticated than an asylum." Well, they were a bunch of crazies. No joke about it, but they were a very smart brood of kids.

Sighing, she pushed the empty plate away, crossed her arms and leaned them on the table, looking Cat dead in the eye, "Cat. I know what your thinking. Yes, they're seperated, but I would rather you NOT try to get with Tootsie. She's in a fragile state at the moment, breakable. And I WONT let you try anything on her. I would rather you try someone else. Ok?" Queenie didn't want Tootsie to get hurt, and Cat could hurt her, that was why she was trying to keep Cat away from Tootsie, so she wouldn't get hurt.

[Cat]

Cat couldn't help but laugh a little at what queenie said. It was so true. "Looks like you were meant to take charge of this lunatic bunch of newsies. I'm not saying a little insanity is a bad thing. You know I believe that our crazy antics spices up our borough. Brooklyn is known for being tough and we are known for being 'eccentric' as I put it. The rest I'm not so sure about." He shrugged, because he couldn't think of a distinguishing thing from the other boroughs. "You know Queenie the asylum maybe painted better. As for sophistication, you do have a point."

Cat could tell be the look in Queenies eyes that she didn't want him to mess with Tootsie for awhile. For most girls, Cat would just move on, but Tootsie was different. He had thought that he was developing genuine affection for her, but his reputation as a flirt would be hard for him to shake. He understood what Queenie was going for, but still couldn't help himself. He nodded at Queenie making it known he understands. "What do I do if she gives me signs or something. Even though I'm a flirt it is still possible for me to....never mind." Cat wasn't one for deep conversations nor expressing his feeling so he just stopped himself before he said anything more.