[14]

                                    

                                          
A/N: Sorry it's so short
                          
Newsies of all kinds crowded outside Pulitzer's office, holding strike signs and singing. Ruth stood near her uncle's office, with the governor and her cousin. She was staring out a window outside at the newsies. She waved as she saw Racetrack and Mush, and they waved back. Racetrack took his cigar out, and blew her a kiss. She dramatically caught it, and pretend to faint. 
"Now is the time to seize the day
Stare down the odds and 
Seize the day
Minute by minute that's how you win it
We will find a way
But let us seize the day." The newsies sang.
                          
Katherine tapped Ruth on the shoulder, making her spin around. "You really like him, don't you?" Katherine smiled. 
                          
"I do. I really do." Ruth smiled sheepishly. "And what about you and mister Jack Kelly?" Ruth teased, making her cousin blush and laugh.
                          
-
                          
"Have a look out there, Mr. Pulitzer. In case you ain't figured it out, we got you surrounded." Spot smirked, looking out another window in the office. 
                          
"New York is closed for business. Paralyzed. You can't get a paper or a shoe shine. You can't send a message, ride an elevator, cross the Brooklyn Bridge- you can't even get out of your own building. So, what's your next move?" Jack dictated. 
                          
"Mr. Pulitzer, the mayor is here, along with your daughter, niece, and... you'll never believe who else." Bunsen quaked. 
                          
"Good morning, Mr. Pulitzer, I think you know the governor." The mayor stroked into the office, Katherine, Ruth, and the governor following at his heels. 
                          
"Governor Roosevelt!" Pulitzer shot up from his chair. Ruth smirked, a feeling of great joy running through her as she watched her uncle scramble to his feet in fear.
                          
"Joseph, Joseph, Joseph... What have you done now?" Roosevelt chuckled. 
                          
"Wait until you hear my explanation-" Pulitzer tried to defend himself, but he was cut off. 
                          
"Thanks to Miss Medda Larkin bringing your daughter and niece to my office, I already have a thorough grasp on the situation- Graphic illustrations included! 'Bully', is the expression I usually employ to show approval, but in your case, I simply mean 'bully'!" Roosevelt said, appalled by the man in front of him. 
                          
Roosevelt them turned to Jack. "And is this the boy of whom you spoke? How are you, son? I was told we once shared a carriage ride." He beamed. 
                          
"Pleasure's mine, Mr. Governor." Jack marveled. 
                          
"Well, come along, Joe. Don't just stand there letting those children sing... endlessly, give them the good news!" The governor looked out the window at the newsies. Ruth quietly chuckled, earning an amused look from Roosevelt. 
                          
"What good news?" Pulitzer rose an eyebrow. 
                          
"That you've come to your senses and rolled back prices. Unless, of course, you want to invite a full state-centered investigation into your employment practices?" Roosevelt inquired. 
                          
"You wouldn't." Pulitzer scoffed. 
                          
"After the pressure you wielded to keep me from office, I'd do it with a smile. Come along Joseph? There is one thing worse than a hard heart, and that's a soft head. Think of the happiness you'll bring those children." Roosevelt said, but when he saw the angry look on the man's face, he turned to Ruth and Katherine. "He doesn't do happiness, does he?"
                          
"I saw him smile when a kid missed a trolley and fell." Ruth recalled. 
                          
"Mr. Kelly, if I may speak to you alone?" Pulitzer said loudly, trying to get the conversation off himself. 
                          
"Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground. You can do this." Roosevelt placed a hand on Jack's shoulder, before they all left the room, leaving Jack and Pulitzer alone.
                          
"I cannot put the price back where it was. I'm sorry, I can't, there are other considerations." Pulitzer sighed. 
                          
"I get it, Joe. You use the same face in front of all these folks. I ain't stupid, but I'm a constituent with a legitimate gripe!" Jack snorted angrily. 
                          
"What if I reduce the raise by half, and get the other to do the same? It's a compromise we can all live with." Pulitzer tried to argue, but only riled Jack up more. 
                          
"But... you eat our losses. From now on, every pape we can't sell, you buy back full price." Jack bargained. 
                          
"That's never been on the table! And what's to keep newsies from taking hundreds of papers they can't sell? My costs will explode." Pulitzer fought. 
                          
"No newsie is gonna break his back carryin' around papes he can't sell; but if he can take a few extra and have with no risk, he might sell those and then your circulation will begin to grow." Jack began to raise his voice. 
                          
"It's a compromise we can all live with." He said mockingly. 
                          
Pulitzer paused, "That's not a bad head you got on your shoulders."
                          
"Deal." Jack spat in his hand, and held t out. 
                          
"That's disgusting." Pulitzer grimaced. 
                          
"Well that's just the price of doing business." Jack smirked. 
                          
Pulitzer reluctantly spit-shook back, making Jack beam with happiness and pride. 
                          
The strike was finally over.