Jack Kelly used his last paper to shield his eyes from the harsh glare from the late-day sun that was beating down on the streets of Manhattan. He watched as his fellow New Yorkers hurried about the streets, occupied with their personal triumphs and troubles. Jack had his own trouble to worry about. It was never supposed to be this way, he told himself. I shoulda been outta here a long time ago.

He never imagined back when he first became a newsie that it would still be his livelihood now at this age. It had always been a means to an end before; another day selling papes was another day closer to something better. Something better had meant Santa Fe for so many years, but now it meant… nothing. Jack spent a lot of time these days trying to fill in that blank in his mind, never coming up with anything worthwhile. Wiping the beads of sweat from his brow, he let out a big sigh.

What the hell am I gonna do with myself?

He let his mind wander while he walked the familiar route to Medda's place. What he really wanted to do was go back to the Lodging House and sleep right through the rest of this crummy day, but David had been insistent on meeting up here and today he didn't feel like putting up a fight. It was nearly six o'clock, just when Davey had said they should meet. Jack pulled the heavy door open and slinked inside. It was bizarrely quiet.

"Medda?" he called. Silence.

"Davey?" Nothing.

He passed through the second set of doors into the theatre, and was met immediately with screaming and cheers.

"Happy Birthday, Cowboy!"

"Hey, Cowboy!"

"Happy Birthday!"

Every newsie in Manhattan, as well as half of Brooklyn and a handful from other parts of the city were all standing in Irving Hall.

David pushed his way through to Jack.

"Happy birthday, Jack!" he grabbed his hand and shook it.

"This is why I had to come over 'ere, huh?" Jack stammered. Sarah came out of the crowd too, wrapping her arms around him.

"Happy Birthday, darling!" she said.

"Thanks," is all he could muster.

"I hope you don't mind, Jack. I mentioned to David that your birthday was coming up and he thought it would be nice to get everyone together to show you how appreciative of you we all are."

"I can't believe youse all kept quiet!" he forced his face into a grin. Medda appeared, throwing her arms around him.

"Aww, kid! You're all grown up now! Did you think I'd let them celebrate anywhere else? I have a great show for you tonight. My new girl should be starting the opening act any minute, and I've got a few new songs too!"

An endless string of newsies came up to greet and congratulate Jack. The music began and Medda's apprentice, a petite blonde soprano began her number to the sheer joy of the newsboys.

Jack tried to shake himself. The music was blaring in his mind, and his vision seemed to waver as he looked over the sea of his comrades that surrounded him. The heat from so many people in the room seemed to be choking him. He shoved his way through the crowd towards the back door and into the narrow hallway that led to Medda's dressing room, the costume closet and a storage room. Jack chose the storage room, yanking the heavy door open. He darted in and shut the door behind him quickly. Frantically he tugged at the bandana that felt like a tightening noose around his neck.

"Um, hello… Are you okay?"

Jack jumped at the voice and turned to see a young woman sitting at a desk in the corner. She was dressed in a simple white blouse and red skirt, with a paint-spattered apron tied over her. Her dark brown hair was pulled into a loose bun at the nape of her neck, and a few curly tendrils that had come loose were tucked behind her ears. Her dark eyes were bright and inquisitive and framed with long eyelashes. Panels for what looked like a new sign for Irving Hall were stacked next to her. She was surrounded by an array of paint tubes and brushes.

"I'm sorry ma'am, I had no idea anybody was back here."

"I was just working on this new sign for Miss Larkson. She told me the hall was closed for a private party tonight, and I thought it would be a good time to get some work done. You're sort of flushed, are you feeling alright?"

She stood and came a bit nearer.

"I'm fine, just a bit… I'm not sure. It's awfully warm out there."

"Maybe you should sit down," she gestured to her stool, "Hey, you're the boy I buy my paper from!"

He wiped his brow and squinted at her.

"Oh, you're the girl from 25th street, ain't you?"

"Yeah, you recognize me? I always wondered if you recognized the people you sell to. You must meet a hundred people a day, huh? I work for the art gallery. I'm Marie, Mister Peak's niece. His assistant. Both, actually. I'm sorry, but I don't know your name. Doesn't seem fit at all, does it? I see you nearly everyday." She held out her hand. Jack uncrossed his arms and shook.

"I'm Jack. Jack Kelly."

"Well jack, what's wrong? That's your party out there isn't it? There sure are a lot of people, aren't there?"

Jack remained silent.

"Oh, wait. Are you afraid of crowds? This is probably the wrong city for you then, ain't it?"

"You don't stop talking do you?" Marie's cheeks began to flush slightly.

"Oh, I'm doing it again. I'm so sorry. When I get nervous I talk. When I get excited-"

"Do you talk then too?" Her eyes narrowed as she frowned at him.

"I'm really sorry to have annoyed you. But seeing as it was my peace that you were disturbing, I figured I deserved some sort of explanation. You can't just run around, barging into rooms unannounced and expect people to not mind the interruption." She turned and sit back down at her desk, her cheeks flaming.

"Look, I didn't mean to get short with you. It's just been a real long day. I came back here for a moment of peace and quiet."

"You should stay far away from me then. I'm not so good at quiet." A smile crept across Jack's lips.

The door behind Jack opened, and David peeked his head in. "Oh there you are, Jack! We were all getting worried, thought you mighta took off. Sarah made you a cake. She's waiting to light the candles. What are you doing back here, anyway?" David peered in at Marie in the corner. She waved vigorously.

"My head was spinning a bit, so I went looking for a bit a' quiet, and ran into Marie here. You remember her? She buys her pape from us."

"25th street," she said cheerfully.

David squinted at her. "Yeah, you look kinda familiar."

"It's nice to meet you," her gaze shifted to Jack, "I hope you're feeling better. Enjoy your cake, Jack."

"You can join us if you want," Jack held the door for her to follow.

"No, I better keep working, but I guess I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"G'night, Marie." And he shut the door behind him. A minute later, she could hear a rowdy chorus of "Happy Birthday". She smiled and picked up her brush.