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Post by Jack Kelly on Jan 10, 2019 14:04:09 GMT -5
Jack had ultimately decided that he would make the trip to Queens after a quick meal, figuring that it would be best to go when not on an empty stomach so that he wouldn't have to worry about timing it so that he could grab something when he came back. It had been a relatively long meal as far as Tibby's went, but it had been crowded with people who wanted something warm to match the cool weather outside. Either way, now he had finished things up and was more than ready to head out to Queens to talk to Rip.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 10, 2019 14:09:54 GMT -5
Spot didn't want to search all of Manhattan. He would just go to places Jack usually was at. If he wasn't in any of those places... it meant that he had already gone to Queens. However, it was just Spot's luck. Jack was coming out Tibby's as Spot passed the stature in the square.
"Jack!" he called out, not wanting to miss his chance even for a moment though it was obvious that Jack was in no hurry.
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Post by Jack Kelly on Jan 10, 2019 14:11:43 GMT -5
"Jack!"
The Manhattan leader was definitely surprised to hear Spot's voice again, considering he had been off when he had last seen them and curfew was bound to be approaching within an hour or two. Was something wrong?
"Spot... what's wrong?" There was an expression behind Spot's eyes that made it obvious that something had happened, though he didn't know what it could be. Had Thunder said something?
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 10, 2019 15:48:41 GMT -5
"Spot... what's wrong?"
Spot licked his lips, unsure of where to start. It was all so complicated... and he was still angry and hurt. He didn't know where to begin.
"Let's talk somewhere quiet like."
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Post by Jack Kelly on Jan 10, 2019 15:50:27 GMT -5
"Let's talk somewhere quiet like."
Jack was a bit alarmed by this, but he nodded a bit. If he was extra nice, Kloppman might let them use his office for a bit to talk. It wasn't the first time that Jack would have discussed something in there, and it was a shorter walk than other places where people could walk in on them.
"Let's go back ta the lodgin' house." He suggested, though there was a sinking feeling that he got that perhaps things were going to be complicated this time.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 10, 2019 16:01:20 GMT -5
"Let's go back ta the lodgin' house."
Spot just nodded. He knew it was best to wait to talk about things and avoid being overheard. It was probably technically to late. He and Lacey hadn't exactly been quiet while arguing, and there were bound to have been a few newsies within hearing range.
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Post by Jack Kelly on Jan 10, 2019 16:03:14 GMT -5
Jack wasted no time in beginning to walk with Spot back towards the familiar lodging house. The fact that he was being so quiet threw Jack off just a bit, but he didn't want to say anything and make it worse.
When they arrived, he did his best to explain to Kloppman that there was something serious going on, and he had been more than willing to offer the boys his office to speak about things in. So Jack led Spot inside, shutting and bolting the door shut behind them.
"What happened?" He finally asked.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 10, 2019 16:10:28 GMT -5
"What happened?"
Now that was a good question. Spot was still trying to figure out what had happened... how Lacey got such an idea into her head. He took a sudden interest in an old stain on the wall, trying to avoid Jacks questioning eyes.
"It's Lacey," was all he could really begin with. "She went ta Queens or somethin' and seems ta think I'm..." He trailed off, not even wanting to repeat the accusations.
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Post by Jack Kelly on Jan 10, 2019 16:12:25 GMT -5
"It's Lacey."
Jack wanted to be relieved that it seemed to just be troubles with his girlfriend, though there was something behind Spot's voice that seemed to suggest that the problem was a bigger one than just something like that.
"She went ta Queens or somethin' and seems ta think I'm..."
He frowned a bit. Lacey had been to Queens? Did she not know how dangerous it was for a Brooklyner to show up there?
"She seems ta think you're... what?" He was almost afraid to ask, but he had to know if he was going to try to help.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 10, 2019 16:18:49 GMT -5
"She seems ta think you're... what?"
Spot clenched his fists, still feeling the same anger and hurt he had felt earlier. "She think I lied ta her about Rip." It wasn't really an answer to Jack's question, but it did show the tip of the iceberg so to speak. "Someone told her something..."
That's as far as he could get right now. He was just so upset. He couldn't begin to explain his feelings.
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Post by Jack Kelly on Jan 10, 2019 16:20:25 GMT -5
"She think I lied ta her about Rip."
Jack bit his lip. So that was what this was about.
"Someone told her something..."
He furrowed his brows. "Who? What did they tell her?" There wasn't much that Jack could do without Spot giving him the full picture, but it was becoming obvious that he might be too worked up to do so.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 10, 2019 16:25:08 GMT -5
"Who?"
"I don't know!" he snapped but quickly sent an apologetic look to Jack. He wasn't angry with his friend... he was just hurt. And hurt people snapped.
"What did they tell her?"
There was no way around this. He had to say it no matter how much it hurt and angered him. "They said I murdered someone," he said bitterly.
How could someone say that? And who on earth was this person? What did they have against him?
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Post by Jack Kelly on Jan 10, 2019 16:26:40 GMT -5
"I don't know!"
Jack didn't flinch. Spot was worked up and had every right to snap, Jack just needed to know whatever he did.
"They said I murdered someone."
His eyes widened a bit. Someone from Queens had said that? And Lacey had believed it? "And... she believed them over you?"
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 10, 2019 16:33:00 GMT -5
"And... she believed them over you?"
"Apparently," was Spot's still bitter reply. "She thinks I'm lyin' ta her."
Well, that wasn't all. She didn't like that he wasn't telling her everything. But couldn't she see? He knew, he knew if he told her, she would get herself into trouble. He didn't want that for her. What was between him and Rip was between him and Rip. Lacey did not need to be a part of it. She needed to stay away and stay safe.
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Post by Jack Kelly on Jan 10, 2019 16:37:22 GMT -5
"Apparently. She thinks I'm lyin' ta her."
Jack frowned a bit. He didn't know too much when it came to couples, but he had more or less experience when it came to things like this. He had always been a bit more of a womanizer, but he had found Sarah and she had become a part of his life that he hadn't known that he needed. It didn't, however, mean that things were always bound to be perfect.
"And I'm assumin' that ya told her that ya weren't." He cleared his throat. It was just a bit weird trying to give Spot relationship advice, but he didn't want something like this to be a reason for Spot to just give up on the relationship altogether.
"Take tonight off. Don't talk ta her tamorrow, maybe not even the next day. Take some time for yourselves to cool down," Jack advised, chewing on his bottom lip, "But don't give up. If ya love one another... you'll just be more miserable if ya don't fight ta try making things work. But if ya really don't think you can be happy together anymore... ya can't wait ta tell her. You've gotta say it soon."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 10, 2019 16:44:38 GMT -5
"And I'm assumin' that ya told her that ya weren't.'
Spot's eyes met Jack's for the first time since they met in front of Tibby's. He shot the Manhattan leader an annoyed look. "Of course I did."
"Take tonight off."
Spot was about to retort, but Jack continued.
"Don't talk ta her tamorrow, maybe not even the next day. Take some time for yourselves to cool down."
He nodded slowly. That seemed reasonable enough... he knew it wouldn't be pretty if he met up with her again anytime soon.
"But don't give up. If ya love one another... you'll just be more miserable if ya don't fight ta try making things work. But if ya really don't think you can be happy together anymore... ya can't wait ta tell her. You've gotta say it soon."
Spot took interest in the stain once more. He wasn't sure about his feelings about love right now. He appreciated Jack's advice. After all, the guy knew more about relationships and girls than he did, but it wasn't exactly the kind of advice he wanted or was looking for in this moment.
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Post by Jack Kelly on Jan 10, 2019 16:46:51 GMT -5
"Of course I did."
It was a tough situation. Jack didn't like seeing someone whom he considered to be a friend of his in a place where he was so obviously down on himself and his feelings, but it wasn't going to be a pretty situation if they tried talking to one another too soon. He and Lacey were both going to need time.
"Good luck." Jack bit his lip. Hopefully, everything would turn out alright.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 10, 2019 16:49:11 GMT -5
"Good luck."
Spot snorted softly. "I need a lot more than luck..."
He still didn't know who told Lacey all that... or what all the guy said. Why would Lacey believe him over Spot? He didn't understand. He had alot of digging to do. And perhaps, it was finally time to discuss what had happened all those years ago.
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Post by Jack Kelly on Jan 10, 2019 16:50:28 GMT -5
"I need a lot more than luck..."
Jack shook his head. "You'll be fine. Arguments are bound ta happen... I think you'll find that ya know how ta get through it when the time comes."
At least, that was what Jack hoped.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 10, 2019 17:01:02 GMT -5
"You'll be fine. Arguments are bound ta happen... I think you'll find that ya know how ta get through it when the time comes."
Spot glanced over at Jack. "I sure hope so..."
This wouldn't be something easily solved like the past squabbles he had with Lacey. This one was much bigger... it could really break things.
But he wasn't going to think about that right now. He needed information on how to find whoever that was that had spoken to Lacey even if it meant going to Queens himself. He had to get some sort of idea... he had't been through Queens in years, so he wasn't sure what the boys were like.
"What's Queens like these days?" He had a vague idea of the answer, but it wouldn't stop him. He needed to get to the bottom of this. He adjusted his cap and tugged on the brim before tucking the key that hung around his neck, out of sight.
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Post by Jack Kelly on Jan 10, 2019 17:03:35 GMT -5
"I sure hope so..."
Jack nodded a bit. He did too, for Spot and Lacey's sake. Something told him that if things ended this way, they were bound to be messier than just a breakup.
"What's Queens like these days?"
He frowned almost instantly. "Spot." He didn't like the question, especially knowing that there was some unknown person out there who was spreading rumors about him. He didn't want Spot doing anything stupid. "It ain't safe for you."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 10, 2019 17:07:59 GMT -5
"Spot."
He knew exactly what that tone meant. He knew Jack too well, but even that tone wouldn't stop him.
"It ain't safe for you."
"I know." Spot knew that better than anyone, but he had to know. He had to get to the bottom of things even if it meant going into Queens. "Just answer the question."
While he might not go in tonight, Spot did plan on heading into Queens as soon as possible. This business was going to end once and for all.
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Post by Jack Kelly on Jan 10, 2019 17:10:32 GMT -5
"I know."
Jack could already tell that there was nothing that he would be able to do to stop Spot, but Jack was incredibly worried about what this could mean. If Rip found out that he was there, the fight could end up happening much sooner than they had been prepared for.
"Just answer the question."
Letting out a sigh, Jack ran his fingers through his hair. "It's tense over there... It ain't gonna be safe if you're tryin' ta go alone. Rip's got plenty of people out on watch these days."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 10, 2019 17:14:45 GMT -5
"It's tense over there... It ain't gonna be safe if you're tryin' ta go alone. Rip's got plenty of people out on watch these days."
Spot nodded. It sounded as if things hadn't changed too much since the times he had been through Queens. It meant that he would have to be careful more careful than he had ever been as a bird.
"Thanks, Jack."
This time... he'd be prepared. Queens wouldn't catch him off guard this time. He just had a few things he needed to do to prepare for that trip to Queens, but first he'd check things in Bronx and Harlem to see if he could find anything on anyone who knew more about Queens. The two quieter boroughs were close to Queens. Surely someone there would know something about the boys there and who would spread such news to Lacey.
He tipped his cap at Jack and headed out, giving a slight nod to Mr. Kloppman as he passed by. There wasn't much time to ask around Harlem and Bronx. He'd just pop by Harlem and then head back to Brooklyn just right at curfew.
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Post by Jack Kelly on Jan 10, 2019 17:16:35 GMT -5
"Thanks, Jack."
Jack nodded a bit in reply, though he couldn't shake the feeling of worry. This wasn't going to end well. Spot could be risking his life heading into Queens... and he didn't know what to do to help. He just watched him leave in silence before heading up for the night. He'd have to head to Queens early the next day.
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