In Which Blink Gets "Scouted" and We Meet...Bob

"Heya guys, I wantcha ta meet someone. He's me new friend." Everyone in the Lodging House bunk room looked up at the sandy-haired kid standing in the doorway with his hands behind his back and a huge goofy grin plastered on his face. Silver mumbled to herself, "I swear...if dose eggs hatched an' he's intraducin' us ta anuddah chicken...I'm killin' 'im." Blink's grin faded as he said, glaring at Silver, "I hoid dat Sil, but don' worry, I don' trust any of you'se wit any of me chickens anymore anyways. yer awways tryin' to go at me chickens, but once Herbie jr., Baxter, Winkie, and Sam are born, I'm keepin' a close eye on dem." Blink looked around the room, when his one good eye fell upon Diamond. She was literally on the ground, clutching her stomach and laughing, "You actually named dose friggin' thins awready? How do ya know dey're all male chicks? Ya have dat talk about da bees an' da boids wit 'em yet?" Diamond stood up and fixed her hat as she muffled a few more giggles, "So...where's this uh...friend you had wit ya?" Blink shifted feet as his smile returned and he produced a cardboard cut-out of a stick figure about the size of his arm.

"His name's Bob!" In two seconds flat, Diamond was back rolling around on the ground and Spot was calling out above the commotion, "Anyone gotta match? If da chicken could fry...why not Bob?" Everyone started laughing, then Blink burst into tears and flew down the stairs with Bob cradled tightly in his arms.

Race stuffed his hands into his pockets as he shuffled his feet while he walked down the street with Diamond by his side. "I wondah what evah happened ta Blink. Evah since dat incident wit uh...Bob...he's dissapeared, and wit dose [dang] chicken eggs too." Diamond just shrugged her shoulders and continued walking. She was too busy thinking about the guy she met that morning while selling her papes. He was really nice and gave her an extra nickel for the pape he bought. Diamond sighed as she remembered how nice he was even after she said that she already had a guy (who she was hopelessly devoted to) and that her brother was real important and could soak 'im in a second. He was one of those rich fellas, yet he knew the newsie street slang. He'd be the perfect friend, which was virtually impossible, only if Race could understand along with her brother, Spot. Race continued talking, "It's been at least two weeks since we's seen 'im. I wondah if he's- what?" Diamond had stopped short in front of one of the fanciest restraunts in New York. "Diamond, sweeti, we's can't afford dat, we's goin' ta Tibby's, remembah?" Diamond shook her head and motioned inside, "It...it's Blink...and..is that...who's he with?" Race peered in the window and shrugged, "I dunno..."

Just then Silver and Spot came around the corner, nearly bumping into Race and Diamond. Spot smiled, "Oh hey guys. Whatcha up to?" Diamond ignored her brother and continued staring through the window. Silver raised an eyebrow and snapped her finger in front of Diamond's face, "Hey you! Snap outta it!" Diamond blinked and looked at Silver, "Huh? Oh...sorry." Race frowned and looked through the window again.

"Do you know him?" he pointed at the young man sitting with Blink and...Bob. Diamond shook her head violently and cleared her throat, "Nope. Neva saw him in my life..." Silver rolled her eyes and glanced through the window. "Hmmm..he's cute." she shrugged and turned back to Diamond, grinning, "Hey if you dont wanna know him..can I know him?" Spot crossed his arms and frowned, "Hey!" Silver snickered and slipped her arm around Spot's waist, "So whats da idiot doin with da cute guy?" She had resorted to simply calling Blink the idiot awhile ago. Race shrugged, putting his arm around Diamond's shoulders, "I dunno. We could find out..." Spot nodded and headed for the door. Silver grabbed his arm and turned him to face her, "We're gonna get kicked outta dere." Race sighed and scratched his head. Diamond frowned. Silver smiled suddenly and slapped Spot's chest with her hands. Spot stumbled back and coughed, "What was dat for?!?!" Silver grinned, slapping him again. "Its gettin all da dust outta yer shirt." she explained as Spot was engulfed in a cloud of dirt. "See you look cleaner awready." Or maybe she was just having fun beating the [heck] out of him... Race looked at Diamond wearily as she turned toward him. A slow smile spread across her face and she slapped her hands down onto his chest." Oof." He stepped back slightly, rubbing his chest. "Not so hard!" She giggled and proceeded to beat him like a dirty rug.

About an hour later the boys looked cleaner then ever, slightly bruised, and ready to make an impression. Spot straightened his shirt and stood in front of Silver, "Whatta ya think?" Silver smiled and nodded, "Very nice." The four smiled as they walked into the restaurant. Immediately a man came up to them and narrowed his eyes in their direction, "May I help you?" Silver rolled her eyes at the hoity-toity looking man and opened her mouth to say something when Diamond thought of something. She glanced over to Blink and waved. "Hey Bob!" she called. Race raised an eyebrow. Blink looked up immediately, "Diamond? Guys? Hey! Ova heah!" Spot shrugged and walked over to Blink, the "cute" guy, and...Bob. Race looked skeptically at Diamond and Silver, then sighed and followed Spot over to the table. Spot groaned slightly as he approached Blink, then plastered a smile on his face. The "cute" guy stood up and smiled slightly at Spot, as Race, Diamond, and Silver came up behind him. Blink grinned wildly and jumped up, throwing his arms around Spot. "Spot! I thought I'd neva see you again! Bob missed you!" he cried, holding up the little cardboard figure, as Spot pried Blink's arms off of him. Silver rolled her eyes. "Blink...you were gone for two weeks. And where were ya by the way? An who...is...dis?" Silver flashed the "cute" guy a smile. Spot frowned at Silver and put his arm around her waist, eyeing up the "cute" guy. The "cute" guy put his hand out to Spot, and waited for him to shake. "My name is Herbert Armani," he said. Spot looked surprised and whispered to Silver, "Just a matta of chance dat his last name is written on his suit?" Silver crossed her arms and whispered back, keeping an eye on the "cute" guy.

"If dat aint an alias I dont know what is...he must be up ta somethin...an what does he want wit Blink???" Diamond raised an eyebrow and muttered to Race, "Did he say Herbert?" Race nodded and whispered back to her, "Yeah...dat would make him...Herbie?" Blink's eyes widened and he gasped, "Herbie?!?!" Herbert cleared his throat and straightened his jacket, "Yes, well my mommy calls me that." Race snickered lightly and muttered, "His mommy?" Blink grabbed Herbert's arms and shook him, "Herbie!" Blink's smile faded as the thought of his dead piece of lunchmeat. (can you tell who's writing this part?) Blink sniffled and took a deep breath, "Moment of silence for my dear sweet Herbie. May he rest in peace..." he said as he bowed his head. Silver put her hand over her face and groaned. "I don't believe dis..." Blink wiped a tear from his cheek, shooting Silver a nasty look. Diamond put a hand on Blink's shoulder, prying him away from Herbert.

"Blink...dont harass da nice man..." she batted her eyelashes at Herbert and grinned. Race narrowed his eyes at Herbert, pulling Diamond back over to him. Silver sighed. "Okay okay okay...whateva. But what does dis "nice" man want" she said, sweetly smiling at him again. Blink opened his mouth to answer but realized he didn't have an answer to give. He turned to Herbert with a questioning look on his face. Herbert cleared his throat and shifted his weight, "Well um...you have the look." Diamond raised an eyebrow, "Da look? Da look of what?" Silver smirked, "A one-eyed idiot?" Race elbowed Silver lightly, swallowing a laugh. Blink frowned, "Hey! Dont make fun a me! I just happen ta have da look." Blink tilted his head at Herbert, "Da look for what?" Spot eyed Herbert suspiciously, waiting for his reply. Herbert swallowed and loosened his tie a bit, "So, guys...why don't ya show me where yer all stayin'? I can explain later, seeing as it's kinda uh...complicated story." explained Herbert with a hopeful look on his face. Blink jumped up, "GREAT IDEA! Den you can see da eye-patch dat was on me poor departed chicken...dat SOMEONE moidered." He glared at the 4 newsies beside him. Silver put her hands up in defense, "I awweady told ya! I was wit Spot! And don' even ask him cuz he was wit me!" Race backed up, "Don't even Blink...I was on da odda side of da room. Besides, if I was gonna kill anyone, it woulda been you...Seeing as ya clobbered me ovah da head wit a manorah!" Blink looked ta Diamond and waited for her to say something. Diamond shook her head, "Ya know I's wouldn't hoit da chicken! Besides...I loved that chicken. Herbie-"

Blink stopped her midsentence requesting another moment of silence for the dead poultry. Diamond cleared her throat and in her cutest voice continued talking, "As I was sayin'...Herb- umm....the chicken was a dear friend of mine. We's had many happy times tagether. Remembah da time he played along wit our little joke an' you thought he was an alien?" A tear streamed down Blink's cheek as he rembered all the fun times he had with his "best friend." He sighed, "You're right Diamond, he was a good friend."

"Hey, sorry ta interrupt here...but are we gonna go or what?" Herbert looked at the 5 newsies before him and waited for a response. Spot clenched his teeth together, "Ya." It was clear that Spot already had a thing against (as Silver put it) the "cute guy." Spot, Silver, Race, Diamond, Herbert, Blink, and...Bob headed out of the restraunt and down toward the Lodging House.

Just as the group reached the Lodging House, Blink stopped and put his hands up in the air. (Well...as best he could, since he was still holding Bob that is)

"Guys! I jist remebered sumthin'! Here...take care of Bob fer me will ya? I'll be right back." Blink handed the piece of cardboard to herbert and took off down the street.Spot leaned against the side of the building and kept a close eye on Herbert as he seemed to be inching his way closer to Silver.

"So...Silver...how long has Blink had Bob?" Herbert asked with a sly smile upon his face. Silver shrugged and answered about two weeks, then continued talking about how he's so dumb and how he had a chicken named Herbie. Herbert seemed to be engrossed in the story, but Spot could tell that wasn't all he was interested in....

"So, where do ya think Blink scampered off ta?" asked Spot, so conveniently walking between Silver and Herbert. Silver shrugged and made her way over to Diamond leaving Spot and Herbert alone. Spot glared at Herbert and said through clenched teeth, "You bettah stay away from Silvah, I's jist warnin' ya." Herbert looked at Spot and flashed a smile, "How do you know I'm not using her ta get to you?" Spot gave a confused look to Herbert and smiled at Silver as she looked in their direction.Silver looked right past the two guys to see Blink carrying 4 cages, one of them balancing on his head.

"Hey guys! I'm back, did'ja miss me? How was Bob? Did he behave all right? You've gotta meet the new chickens. They're really cute and well-behaved and jist great ta have around. Ya wanna see 'em? I couldn't jist leave 'em in da alley, dat's why- " Diamond slapped her hand over Blink's mouth and drew in a deep breath.

"Blink, calm down. They are ONLY chickens, and...Bob is cardboard, besides...he's being taken care of by Her-...your friend." Blink grinned, "Thanks Diamond, but dey ain't jist chickens, dey're me friends. Ya wanna see 'em?" Diamond shook her head no and offered to take one of the cages for Blink.

"Ya actually put yer pets in cages? I navah thought I'd see da day." Race began to examine the cages. "Blink, do you know dat dere's doggie dorrs on dese cages? Da things can git in an' out whenevah dey want."

"Of course I know dat, I can't confine dem to one place, dey got freedoms too." Spot sighed and took a cage. The cage had an imitation gold plaque that said "Herbie Jr." on it, hung above the doorway. Inside were three satin blankets, and expensive looking food and water bowls, complete with the chicken's name engraved in them. Spot shook his head and looked at the others cages. They looked expensive, but weren't quite as extravegant as Herbie Jr's. He decided to ask later...if he asked at all.

Herbert walked into the bunk room, and seeing all the newsies around him, smiled and offered his hand to each of them. Spot walked in next and placed Herbie Jr. on Blink's bed...well, kinda threw him is more the word to use here. Silver came in next, also holding a cage. She somehow got roped by Diamond into helping the idiot. She had a strong temptation to just throw the friggin thing out the window instead of putting in on Blink's bed as Spot had done. Besides...what kind of name was Winkie??? Diamond walked through the door carrying Baxter. Even though the chickens [ticked] her off...and she had little urges to strangle their scrawny necks, Baxter was kinda cute...for a chicken that is. She put Baxter down gently on her own bunk and walked over to Silver and Spot. Blink was next, carrying Sam. He gently placed Sam down and looked around the room making sure his chickens had gotten there safe, even though they all came together.

All the chickens were accounted for, and everyone was there, to his knowledge anyway. Just then Blink remembered something, "WHAT ABOUT BOB?!?!" Race walked through the door as Blink was asking about his cardboard friend and got some even stranger looks than the others had already gotten. He somehow managed to get stuck carrying...Bob. Jack jumped down from his bunk. "Woah woah woah...what da [heck] is dis, a pettin zoo?" he asked, looking around at the caged poultry, cardboard figure, and the "cute" guy. Silver sighed, exasperated, "Finally! Somebody sees my side a dis whole conspiracy!" Race raised an eyebrow flinging Bob down on a bunk, "Conspiracy? You're so dramatic, Sil..." Silver shot Race a nasty look and leaned her elbow on Spot's shoulder. Blink, still trying to balance a cage on his head, rushed over to Bob and cried, "Race!!! Don't treat Bob so harshly! He's a good fighta ya know! He could soak ya!" Bookmark looked up from the book she was so intently reading and stared at Blink. Blink, who was now holding the cage handle in his teeth and trying to comfort Bob, raised an eyebrow, "What?" Bookmark jumped down from Jack's bunk and shook her head, clicking her tongue at Blink. Herbert was now looking quite pleased, seeing the intelligience level he was dealing with. Blink grinned at Bookmark and shoved Bob towards her, "Give im a kiss." Diamond and Silver raised an eyebrow and swallowed a laugh, watching Bookmark. Jack crossed his arms, staring Bob down. (if thats at all possible...) Spot looked at Jack and rolled his eyes, "It's a cardboard box, Jack..." Bookmark glanced back at Jack, then at Blink again, then at...Bob. Diamond elbowed Silver and whispered, "She's gonna do it! She's too nice ta say no..." Silver smirked and crossed her arms, "I wouldn't expect a steamy love scene." Spot muttered, "Ya neva know..."

Herbert glanced around the bunkroom, leaning back against a wall. "This is perfect." he thought to himself. "Too easy...these kids are practically into porno..." (if ya havent guessed what Mr. Armani scouted Blink out for yet think...late night HBO. Minus the TV of course.) Bookmark smiled sweetly at Blink, "Uh...Kid...not ta offend...Bob or anythin..." Blink frowned and he put his hands over...Bob's "ears", "Shhhh! you'll hoit his feelins!" Jack, who was starting to become visibally annoyed with the idea of his girl doing anything with or to a piece of cardboard, raised an eyebrow. Just as Bookmark was about to give in and "pleasure" Bob, Mush and Skip came walking into the bunkroom. Mush stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Bookmark all puckered up, with Blink grinning like the fool he was, or is for that matter. Herbert stood up straight and grinned at the fine specimen standing in front of him. He was thrilled to death. He had originally just wanted Blink, but he could see that he could probably use each of his friends too. Skip took one look at the scene before her and walked over to Silver and Diamond, "Okay whats da story dis time?" Silver shrugged, motiong around the room, "Nothin new. Da idiot's just causin trouble again."

"Yeah, besides da new chickens he toined a cardboard box inta well...Bob an he's tryin ta get Bookmark ta kiss im." Diamond added.

"But da idiot did do SOMETHIN right...he brought home dat." Silver grinned, pointing to Herbert. She giggled and waved to him. Herbert groaned slightly and waved back, trying to look flirty. He wanted these kids and was prepared to do whatever neccesary to get them. Skip nodded, approvingly and giggled, "Very nice..." Spot elbowed Race and nodded in the girl's direction. Race narrowed his eyes at Herbert and muttered to Spot, "Whatta ya say we have a liddle "tawk" wit Herbie?" Blink jerked his head up, catching the end of Race's question. Upon hearing the name of his deceased chicken he gasped and looked towards the ceiling, "Moment of silence!" He folded his hands and looked down at the floor, first glancing at each of them to make sure that they were showing their respect. Everyone looked around and groaned slightly. Behind them came a squeal.

"What adorable chickens!" Silver turned and groaned. A slightly smaller

Blink with longer hair and a dress was clapping her hands and fussing over the chickens. Silver put her head on Diamond's shoulder and wailed, "Now there's two of 'em! Why'd she come back? Why?!"

"Missy!" Blink ran over and hugged his sister, totally forgeting about his "moment of silence". Herbert looked at Blinks sister and smiled again. She was as perfect as her brother....

"I came home!! And of course, I brought Skittery with me!" Missy beamed and tugged on Skit's sleeve.

"So dey's a bunch a chickens. What's so great about dat? Huh?" Skit scowled at the chickens. "Rotten, doity, filthy chickens..." Blink gasped, and Silver cheered. Race and Spot snickered at Blink as he ran to the defence of his beloved chickens.

"They are clean, and well behaved! So you take that back! You....you.....you....meanie!" Skitery stared at Blink. Silver and Diamond burst out laughing. Startled, Blink stared at them.

"Whats so funny? Whatcha laughin' at?" Silver shook her head and kept laughing. Herbert stared thoughtfully at the new kid. Hm...something dark for him. The kid looked pretty [dang] depressed.....as for his brians, they ranked with the rest of them. The dumbest were Blink and his sister, Missy, it seemed. Perhaps it ran in the family. That Mush kid, not he had possibalitys. He could go far with a body like that. And the girls, well, there was always something for girls..…

Race slapped Spot's chest in an attempt to get his attention.

"What the [heck] ya doin' dat fer? Ya evah hit me again an' I'll soak ya...ya lousy bum" Spot mumbled and then cursed at Race under his breath. Race nodded in the direction of Mr. Amani, who seemed rather interested in young Missy. Spot sighed in agreement, knowing exactly what Race was talking about, and the two headed over to have a little chat with Herbert.

"Heya fellas! Is it always dis much fun here? All dese animals and FINE-looking possibilities- err...people." Herbert adjusted his tie and cleared his throat after noticing his small mistake in words. Spot and Race glanced at each other and then pulled Herbert out into the hallway away from everyone else, blocking him from escaping anywhere.

"All right, spill it mistah. Whattya want wit all da goils? Dey ain't inta dat stuff- why don't cha try Medda fer dat?" Race stared at Herbert waiting for a response. Herbert chuckled and backed up a bit, "Hey fellas, is dat what yer worried about? Don't worry...dere's places fer you guys too. Actually," said Herbert inching in a bit closer and lowering his voice, "I was looking at Blink, and den you guys ta start off wit...the goils are jist an extra." Spot pushed Herbert back against the wall and took out his slingshot and aimed it right in his face, "I suggest ya take yer scrawny chicken-[butt], git it da [heck] outta here, an' leave us alone."

At the word "chicken," Winkie came hobbling out of the crowded room in seek of refuge from Blink. Race looked down, picked up the chicken and threatened Herbert with it. (Hey, if Spot could have a weapon, why couldn't he?) Herbert nodded, but couldn't help thinking of how good the dumb idiot would be in his "enterprise." Oh well...he'd just have to get Blink in secret and not let it get around to these two. Just then, Blink came bolting out of the room yelling for his missing chicken, and saw the small group in the corner.

"GUYS! RACE! You found my Winkie!!" Blink ran over to the small chicken Race was holding and snatched it from his hands, cradling the "poor defenseless" chicken. Blink looked up from petting his chicken and said with a concerned look on his idiotic face, "Were you guys trying to go at my chicken? Were you trying to go at my Winkie?!?!" Spot picked his head up and glared at Blink. His little conversation with Herbert had put him in a bad mood, and he could think of nothing better then seeing a dead chicken in his hands. Blink yelped at the look in Spot's eyes. He knew that look. He had seen it from Silver many times. He dodged behind Race, sheltering Winkie under his arm.

Just as Spot was about to lunge at Blink and his friggin chicken, Herbert interrupted. "Excuse me, Blink...there was actually a matter that I wanted to discuss with you." He looked at Spot, Race...and Winkie, and added, "Alone." Race shot Herbert a nasty look and muttered curses under his breath. Suddenly the sound of a chicken in pain came from the bunkroom. Blink's ears perked up and he gasped. "Dats Herbie! Dats Herbie Jr!" he cried. Herbert sighed impatiently. "I'm sure Spot and Race can go make sure everything is alright..." he nodded to them. Spot grit his teeth, but nodded slowly, walking into the bunkroom. Race followed him, Winkie waddling behind. Missy squealed, "Oops! I think I stepped on it!!!" Herbie Jr. was in fact flying around the bunkroom sqwauking like mad. Silver and Diamond laid across their bunks kicking their feet and laughing hysterically, while Mush, Skip, and Jack chased the chicken all over the room.

Bookmark had been assigned by Blink to watch...Bob, and was ordered not to move from the chair she was sitting on since Bob had to sit in her lap. "He isnt happy unless he's in someone's lap...," she mocked Blink under her breath as she shook her head at the little cardboard figure sitting before her. "Unbelievable..." she muttered. Skip finally grabbed Herbie Jr. by his back feathers and pinned him on the ground. "Got him!" she yelled. Mush and Jack ran over to her, trying to calm the chicken down. Silver wiped tears from her eyes and gasped for air, "Why doncha sing it a lullaby, Jack?!" she jumped off of her bunk and shook her head. Race sighed, walking over to Diamond. He was getting rather annoyed at the way things were going. Diamond sat up, giggling.

"Heya Race. Where's da idio--I mean Blink?" she asked. Spot rolled his eyes, putting his arm around Silver. "He's in da hall tawkin wit Mr. Armani..." he said, exchanging a [ticked] off look with Race. Silver grinned, "Oh you mean da cute guy?" Spot grit his teeth, "Whateva." Diamond motioned to Missy. "Hey she's awmost as dumb as Blink..." Race put a hand over his face. "Great...least she's betta lookin." Diamond elbowed Race in the ribs and frowned.

Blink looked excitedly at Herbert, "Really? Wow, dat sounds like fun! Is it really like dat? I get neat toys ta play wit too?" Herbert groaned at the idiocy of the kid in front of him, but managed to fake a smile and look real happy for Blink. "Of course you do! But that's not all, you get to meet a lot of new people...men and women!" Blink's jaw dropped in amazement, "It's really dat good? What about de otha fellas? Can't dey join too?"

"Hmm...you really look out fer yer friends don't cha? I would ask dem...but dey don't have 'da look' " Herbert tried to explain "the look" to him, and told Blink not to let his friends know about thier little secret. Blink nodded and agreed to keep it a secret, but then his face fell, "But...." Herbert raised an eyebrow, "the chickens? You're kidding right? OK OK...I'll take the chickens too...." Herbert rolled his eyes and muttered, "Kinky...." Blink grinned and hugged Herbert tightly. Suddenly, Blink's grin faded and he looked teary-eyed. "but...but...What about Bob?!?!?" he cried.

Missy followed Sam around the room with her hands clasped behind her back and her head down intently watching the small chicken.

"What does she think she's doin'?" Silver asked outloud in a random, spur-of-the-moment question. Blink looked up from his conversation with Bob and smiled, "I think she's tryin' to get in touch wit' her chicken-nine self." Silver groaned, "It figures, who knew someone could be so stupid?" Race laughed and motioned to Missy, "I betcha 10-to-1 there's something even stupider reasoning behind this." Diamond elbowed Race, "Whattya mean? What could possibly be more idiotic than getting 'In touch with your chicken-nine self'?" Diamond buckled over laughing as she imitated Blink's serious-ness of the situation. Missy looked up as Diamond was imitating Blink, "I have reasoning behind this ya know. I'm not doin' dis fer nuthin'."

"Oh [gosh], I don' even wanna know, but it's too intriguin' not ta know. What's yer reasonin' Mis?" Silver asked as she threw her hands up in the air in disbelief.

"Well...me an' Herbie...." Missy started, but waited a moment for remembrance of the departed chicken, "Umm, we kinda used ta be tagetha." Herbert, who was standing in the corner, butted in on the conversation, "You...YOU USED TA BE WIT DA CHICKEN?!?!" Missy shrugged and looked around at all the shocked faces before her, "Well, ya...before Skittery here. Ain't dat right Skit?" Skittery looked over from the corner at Missy grinning goofily at him, "Ya ya ya, dat's right Mis." With a huge smile, Missy continued, "The was also before someone killed him, we weren't tagetha afta dat." Race's mouth dropped, "Ya gotta be kiddin' me! Tagetha wit da chicken...." Race shook his head and muttered, "Are ya sure ya weren't wit 'im after he was killed?"

"Well...now dat ya mention it, i'm not sure...we mighta been." Missy started tapping her forehead with her little pinky...the beginnings of her "thinking ritual." A long, drawn-out groan fell from the assortment of newsies as they watched Missy try and think of whether or not she was with the chicken after it died. Race elbowed Spot, "Can't I just tell her it's not possible ta be goin' out wit somethin' afta it's dead?" Spot looked up at Race, who was standing next to him beside the bed, "Sure ya can, only if I can tell her it's not possible ta be goin' wit a chicken in da foist place." Race snickered, but was soon shot a nasty glare from Blink as a sign to be quiet during his sister's "ritual," but Blink only recieved a nasty glare back from Race and Spot. (although Race did shut-up) Missy pranced around the room with her finger glued to her forehead. She danced in a circle flailing her free arm up and down and "bucked" periodically like a chicken. Herbert yelled at the top of his lungs, "STOP!! STOP!! JUST STOP THE INSANITY ALREADY!"

The room fell completely silent as Mr. Amani stomped to the middle of the room and pushed Missy off towards Skittery.

"If you kids don't stop dis nonsense, yer all drivin' me nuts! What's with these friggin' chickens in the foist place?" Blink opened his mouth to explain but was quickly silenced when Herbert picked up Herbie jr. and pointed it at Blink, "You...just...no...don't." Silver tapped Diamond on the shoulder, "Whattya think he's plannin' on doin? If he's gonna kill da chicken I ain't stoppin' him." Diamond shrugged and whispered back, "I dunno, but if he's plannin' on leavin', I'm gonna stop 'im. We can't let a cute guy like dat get away from us." Herbert waved the flailing chicken in front of Blink's face as Blink watched in horror as his poor chicken squawked pitifully. Skip jumped up from her seat next to Mush on the bunk, "I've had it! I don't care about these friggin' chickens and i don't care much for Blink either, but that [dang] squawking is driving ME nuts!" Herbert looked at the skinny figure yelling from the side of the bunk. Have I ever heard her talk? Who the [heck]l is she anyway? He shook his head and put down the chicken for the sake of...well...the chicken.

"That's it, I'm leaving. This isn't a newsie lodging house, It's a newsie nut-house!" Silver and Diamond exchanged glances and jumped up, scurrying over to Herbert who was now well on his way towards the door. Silver jumped in front of the door, blocking his escape-route while Diamond yanked and pulled on the back of his vest trying desperatly not to let him go. Silver flung her arms out in an attempt to keep Herbert from leaving and Diamond, noticing her efforts were having no effect what-so ever, resorted to clinging to the bottom of his leg, whining and pouting for him not to leave. Race's eyes flared, "What da [heck] are you two doin?!?!" The girls just ignored him and continued whining.

"Puh-LEASE don't leave!" Diamond cried. "We will do...ANYTHING" Silver tugged on his arm. Herbert looked at them both and raised an eyebrow. He thought for a minute about taking them with him. He didn't want his day to be a TOTAL waste and they did seem to be the most normal of the group, but from what he had seen today his idea of normal was completely distorted forever. Bookmark nudged Jack and glanced at Spot. "Hey Jack ain't he gonna do anything about dis?" Jack rubbed the back of his neck and put his arm around her. "3...2...1."

"Dats it!" Spot shouted. He stomped over to Herbert and glared at him. "You just don't get it do ya?" Blink, who never liked it when Spot was mad for any reason, clung Herbie Jr. to his chest. He cradled Bob in his other arm, whispering in his ear, "Don't worry Bob, Spot won't hoit ya." Race narrowed his eyes and grabbed Herbert's collar. "Why doncha tell em why yer here, Herbie? Huh?" He let go of Herbert's collar and sighed, realizing the mistake he had made by saying his name. Blink's head snapped up at what he thought was the mentioning of his poor dead chicken. "Oh Herbie!" he wailed, throwing himself dramatically on the bed. Bookmark rolled her eyes, "We know...we know...moment of silence for da dead bird." She dropped her head, nudging Jack to do so also. Blink sat up suddenly and shrieked. "Bob!!! Oh my [gosh] look what's happened to you!" he cried. In his dramatic attempt he had flung himself right on top of the little cardboard figure and it was now looking extremely deformed. Bob's head was hanging quite limp and his arm was bent backwards. It also looked as though his left eye had fallen off. The chicken, on the other hand, seemed to be fine. Herbie Jr. jumped off Blink's lap and waddled around the room clucking happily. Spot and Race drew their attention back to Herbert. "So come on Her--Mr. Armani...tell em why you're really here." Spot said, trying to look threatening and succeeding quite nicely. Herbert looked at each of the newsies, resting his eyes on the girls.

"Look...da reason I took Blink ta a nice lunch an all was because I wanted him ta work for me..." Blink looked up suddenly and dried his tears. "Oh yeah...I meant to tell ya. Bob and I can't start until afta Winkie's birthday." he explained. Spot rolled his eyes and shot Blink a nasty look.

"Don't worry about it now, Blink. Ya ain't gonna be workin for Mr. Armani." he said, glaring at Herbert once again. By now, Diamond and Silver had become extremely suspicious, and we're inching their way away from "the cute guy." Herbert sighed and muttered, "I'm a pimp." he looked down, feeling somewhat ashamed. Silver and Diamond looked at him, slightly stunned. "You're a what?" they asked in unison. He cleared his throat. "A pimp." The girls exchanged glances and moved away from him, hiding behind Race and Spot. Race looked at them and shook his head. Missy giggled.

"A pimp? Whats dat? Can I like...be one too?" Jack raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth to say something, but Bookmark just smirked and shook her head. Herbert jumped slightly and swallowed. "Get what, Spot?" he managed to squeak. Race shook his head, and walked over to them, joining Spot in intimidating Mr. Armani. Silver put her hands on her hips and frowned.

"You two leave da cute--er...I mean Mr. Armani alone!" Diamond removed herself from Herbert's leg and stood up. She stood beside Herbert and stuck her tongue out at Race and Spot.

Skittery looked at Missy and sighed. He really never had the strength to argue with her because it was completely pointless. She was far too dumb to try to make her see things his way so he had given up quite awhile ago. Missy grinned an idiotic grin identical to her brother's. "So can I? Huh huh huh?!?!" she begged. Skip rolled her eyes, "Missy ya have no idea what yer tawkin about..." Blink crossed his arms and stuck out his bottom lip. "If SHE gets ta work for Mr. Armani and play with all da fun toys an meet all da new people how come I can't?" he whined. Spot groaned and looked at Missy then back to Herbert. "Okay everybody just shut up for a minute!" he snapped. The bunkroom fell completely silent and everyone stared at Spot. He let out a slow breath and nodded to Herbert.

"I wanna tawk wit you." Silver whispered, "Whatta ya gonna do Spot?" She glanced nervously at Race. Spot ignored Silver and ushered Herbert out into the hallway. Race and Diamond exchanged a glance. "He won't kill im." Race assured her. "Least I hope not..." he added. Silver bit her lip and strained to hear what was going on in the hallway. Suddenly Blink stood up, waving Bob in the air.

"Dis is all fine an dandy but...WHAT ABOUT BOB?!?! Look at im!" he whined, shoving him in Jack's face. Jack took Bob from Blink and turned him over in his hands. "Whatta ya want me ta do about it?" he asked. Blink whimpered. "I dunno...but...FIX IT!" he wailed. Silver poked Blink and growled.

"Shut up would ya?!?! I'm tryin ta hear!" she inched closer and put her ear up to the wall. Blink rubbed his shoulder and tears welled up in his eyes. "Sorry..." he muttered. Bookmark groaned slightly and walked over to Blink. "Awww...don't cry, Kid. I'm sure Bob will be fine..." she looked up at Jack and shrugged. Jack rolled his eyes, looking at the piece of cardboard in his hands. "Oh brotha..." he muttered. "I thought I told ya ta leave Herb. Quit yer entaprise and git outta here."

Herbert Amani looked at the short, menacing newsboy in front of him. There was no way he was getting out of it this time, he'd better just follow Spot's command and leave.

"Spot...listen, there's a lotta potential in dat bunk-room. Why don't cha let them decide instead of you decidin' for them? You seem ta do that a lot ya know." Spot's eyes flared, "Decide for them? I'm the leader of Brooklyn, not Manhatten...I'm da most respected an' famous-" Herbert interrupted Spot in mid-sentence, "Ya...So I've heard, but do you really think that means all dat much ta me? I came here ta get someone, and this isn't about ta be just a waste of my time." Herbie jr. waddled between the two as Spot was about to take a step forward, right where Herbie was until Mr. Amani noticed him there. Herbie jr squaked pathetically as he was yanked from the ground by Mr. Amani in a last attempt to save himself from Spot. Spot glared at Herbert...then at the chicken...then contemplated killing the both of them right then and there, but just took out his cane instead for more intimidation. The chicken looked at the cane and began to tremble...obviously thinking he was about to get hit. (C'mon! He's gotta have SOME feelings in that small brain of his!) Spot placed the cane right below Herbert's neck and asked again, "So are ya leavin'...or do I have to personally show you out?" Herbert looked around for an escape, but to no avail, "It...It's this brain of mine...it's always makin' mistakes. It...It's got a mind of it's own!" Spot glared at Herbert, "So ya leavin' or not?" Herbert nodded and waited for Spot to turn his back and then pelted him in the back of the head with the frightened chicken. Spot turned around, swinging his cane, and slammed it into Herbert's chin and mysterioulsy resulting in a black eye, as the chicken stumbled away from the brawl looking like he was drunk making his way back to the bunkroom.

Spot walked in the bunkroom behind Herbert with his arms crossed and watching his every move.

"Heya Herbert, nice shinah!" Race snickered and got evil looks from everyone in the room. They were clearly angry after finding out about Herbert's business. Herbert cleared his throat and began to speak, "UH...I gotta apologize and then i gotta leave. Spot's kinda makin' me." Spot poked Herbert in his back as he looked down to see Herbie jr. go to the bathroom on his shoe. Mumbling, Herbert continues, "So...basically, I'm sorry," he started, flinging the chicken a good few feet away, "and if anyone really wants to come with me they can, if not, I'm gone, I'm out, all right?" Blink looked down at the ground, wanting to go with Herbert, but saw Spot and decided against it. Blink looked at Bob, whispered in his ear...then...Bob whispered back to him.

"Bob wants to go!" Blink held up the cardboard figure with the newly taped on head and badaged arm. Herbert narrowed his eyes at the stick-figure, then looked back to Blink, "Sorry Blink, you and...Bob are a pair...along with the chickens, I couldn't possibly split you up." After a few more moments of silence, Herbert turned to walk out the door when Spot noticed Missy doing and silent form of her "Thinking Ritual." (still thinking of what a pimp is)

"Hey, Amani! One last thing before ya go...." Spot shouted out.

With Herbert Amani gone, and having taken Skittery and Missy with him, the Lodging House was back to normal, well...as normal as it can be with four chickens running around, Blink, and...Bob.

"So...when's Missy comin' back? I kinda miss my sista." Blink asked Jack a few weeks later.

"I dunno Kid, I'm surprised she hasn't been sent back already...." Bookmark continued Jack's sentence, "Ya, kinda hard to believe Herbert's put up wit her dis long." Blink tilted his head and looked at Sam, "I think Sam misses her too...ya think I can train him to be a tracking chicken, and he can go see if he can track her down and bring her back?" Race sighed, "I don't think so Kid." Blink shrugged, "Maybe I should just go find her myself then."

"NO!" Everyone cried out in unison and groaned as the chickens awoke from their slumber and began travelling around the room pecking at everything and anything.