City of Orphans

At the Roof Garden Dance Hall, a man eating alone in the corner has the air of a classic gangster and a Colt pistol concealed in his pocket. He wears a fancy watch that he continually checks, obviously waiting on someone who is late, and he holds a photograph of Bruno. The man and Bruno had an altercation once before, and he is withholding turning Bruno in for theft in return for a favor. Bruno is angry that he is being blackmailed, but the man reminds him of what his fate could be if he were caught and arrested. He tells him to keep the money he stole from the newsies saying it was a poor effort. He begins to discuss the power of the newspaper in the community. Whoever controls the paper holds a lot of influence; therefore, he must control the newsies. His boss wants control of The World to control the narrative about himself. The police have been bought off, and all that is left is the paper. They plan to meet again tomorrow at 10 o’clock. The man is cruel to Bruno. He leaves in a cab headed for the Waldorf Hotel.