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don’t deny... CHANGE WORLD “And it came back with the money guar- “Cause guys like Joe don’t talk to nothin’s like
t h e the anteed.” Jack says as he throws the bribe money us.” Jack replies. “But a very wise reporter told me
on Mr. Pulitzer’s desk.
a real boss doesn’t mean you have all the answers,
just the brains to recognize the right ones.”
LEW YUEN TENG Mr. Pulitzer is shocked, as he thinks
back to how this all started. He had raised the “And to not deny them before listening,”
prices of the newspaper with his own inter- Katherine adds.
It’s 1899: the Newsies of New York, led “In the words of union leader Jack Kelly, est in mind, but instead, he had caused a
by their union leaders Jack Kelly and Davey we will work with you. We will even work for citywide strike. He had sent out goons and Mr. Pulitzer looks down at The Newsies
Jacobs, are going on strike against the behe- youbut we will be paid and treated as valuable cops, and even bribed Jack, which had failed. Banner in his hand and turns to look at his daugh-
moth Joseph Pulitzer, chairman of “The World” members of your organization.” Jack reads aloud. ter, Katherine, standing by Jack and showing her
newspaper, due to his unfair treatment of them. Yet, his mind is fixed, as he denies coop- support towards the Newsies. He can’t get his mind
* erating with those of a lower-class than him. He over the fact she had written the paper against him.
* refuses to believe that the world is changing He had given her a comfortable life, even let her
as the new generation stands up for their rights.
The next day, Mr. Pulitzer walks furi- become a reporter at The Sun as she wished. Yet,
Katherine, a reporter from “The Sun” news- ously into his office where the phone is ringing she stands by them, helping them write their story.
paper, meets up with Jack, as she proposes the idea incessantly. He sits down and sees a copy of The “Have a look out there, Mr. Pulitzer. In
of The Newsies Banner newspaper to start The Newsies Banner on his desk. case you haven’t figured it out, we’ve got you sur- For the first time, he wondered if he had
Children’s Crusade, which invites all workers to sup- rounded.” Jack says, gesturing towards the office made a mistake after all. He realized he had been
port their cause in striking against unfair treatment “I’m sorry, Mr. Pulitzer will have to call window. Mr. Pulitzer looks down and sees hundreds denying the fact that the world was changing. His
from employers. of Newsies and workers gathered at Newsies Square. denial had been holding him back, even limit-
you back.” his secretary, Hannah says before ing his choices. Now he realizes that no matter

* “What do you think? The strike was your hanging up the phone and looking helplessly at “New York is closed for business. You can’t how much he tries to deny the situation, he knows
idea. The rally was Davey’s. And now my plan will Mr. Pulitzer. “The entire city is shut down. And get a paper or a shoe shine. You can’t even leave your he has no choice but to listen and compromise.
take us to the finish line. Katherine tells Jack as she everyone is blaming you. They’re all calling to own office…” Jack continues.
continues. “With this banner, the strike stops being complain that their workers are on strike, the *
just about the Newsies. We’ll be challenging our publishers, the manufacturers,...…” she says. “I made you the offer of a lifetime.
entire generation to take a stand and fight for what How could one be privy to not act in his “Mr. Kelly, if I may speak to you...alone,”
they believe in. It’ll be a general citywide strike.” Suddenly, Jack barges in with Katherine own self-interest?” Mr. Pulitzer ignores Jack, Mr. Pulitzer says reluctantly.
and Davey. but Davey interrupts. “What’s that make you?
“The Children’s Crusade?” Jack asks, slightly This all started because you wanted to sell (Adapted from Disney Newsies: The Broadway Musical)
amazed as Katherine hands Jack her written paper. “You! You’re behind this! We had a more papers, but now your circulation is
deal.” Mr. Pulitzer says threateningly. down seventy percent. Why didn’t you come
talk to us?”

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