Molly
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Posts: 18
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May 28, 2007 16:50:55 GMT -5
Post by Molly on May 28, 2007 16:50:55 GMT -5
She grinned sincerely as he rambled and her doubts began to fade, if only a little.
"This all sounds just fine," she said, turning her smile on him. "I suppose I'll go shopping tomorrow, then." She nodded and returned to the lobby, grabbed her bag, and made for the stairs.
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Sheridan
Junior Member
Don't reach for the stars....reach past them
Posts: 80
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May 28, 2007 16:51:27 GMT -5
Post by Sheridan on May 28, 2007 16:51:27 GMT -5
"Hello?" Sheridan O'Flaherty knocked on the still-open door, looking around. A ledger was lying on the desk, open, two nickels laying on the page. She could easily sneak over, grab the ten cents, then turn and run. But she'd been taught better than that.
"Hello?" she called again, anxious, tears springing to her eyes. This was her last choice. If this place wouldn't accept her as a boarder, then she'd end up sleeping backstage at the Irving Hall again, like she'd done only weeks before. It was uncomfortable, sleeping on piles of stiff, itchy costumes and props that poked into her back, giving her pains the next day.
Glancing behind her at the hustle and bustle of the New York street, Sheridan leaned against the doorjam and silently allowed the tears to trickle down her face. Here she was, only seventeen and a month, and she'd already been kicked out of the house she shared with her grandparents.
Swallowing back the sobs that were threatening to really tear from her throat, Sheridan straightened up and tried yet again. "Hello?"
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May 28, 2007 16:51:49 GMT -5
Post by Daniel on May 28, 2007 16:51:49 GMT -5
Daniel appeared at the doorway, a bit out of breath and pink in the cheeks. "Sorry," he said in between breaths. "I was out back in the alley throwing out some crates." He whipped off his cap, ran a hand through his hair to push it off of his forehead and then slipped the hat back on. He crossed the floor to his counter and put on a warm smile as he asked, "How can I help ya?"
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Sheridan
Junior Member
Don't reach for the stars....reach past them
Posts: 80
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May 28, 2007 16:52:17 GMT -5
Post by Sheridan on May 28, 2007 16:52:17 GMT -5
Sheridan looked this boy over from head to toe. He was the owner? Don't be picky! she told herself. This is the last place in the general area you haven't tried, and if this doesn't work....
She didn't want to think of what would happen if it didn't work.
So she picked up the single bag she had full of clothes and her most prized possesion, a single book that used to belong to her mother, and gently took a step inside. The floor was slick with wax, but she was used to this; many a time had she walked out onto the stage and the cleaning ladies had just waxed or washed it, causing her or a fellow actor to take a spill. Throughout the weeks of performances and rehearsals, they'd managed to learn how to keep their balance.
She carefully made her way to the counter, gripping onto it once she'd reached it. "Y-you wouldn't happen to have any beds free?" she said quietly, nervous. The last two places she'd tried said straight to her face that they didn't accept Irish lodgers.
Please don't let this be that kind of place.
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May 28, 2007 16:52:43 GMT -5
Post by Daniel on May 28, 2007 16:52:43 GMT -5
Did they have any beds free? HA! If only she knew....
"You're in luck ma'am. We currently have a great deal of beds free." He opened his ledger and turned to the correct page. He scribbled in the day's date on a free line and then turned the book around to face her. "Fee's a nickle a'night. Just sign your name right there." He watched as she came nearer. "And don't worry...I know I look about fifteen. But I'll be twenty five in three months, and I do know what I'm doin'...for the most part."
How true was that really? He didn't know.
He sensed her trepidation and tried to maintain a warm smile and steady conversation. "Name's Daniel Quinn. This used to be my grandfather's pet project. I've just reopened it. If you need anything just see me and I'll handle it." He paused, considering the slight lilt she had to her voice when she spoke earlier. "Where're you from? If you don't mind me askin', that is."
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Sheridan
Junior Member
Don't reach for the stars....reach past them
Posts: 80
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May 28, 2007 16:53:04 GMT -5
Post by Sheridan on May 28, 2007 16:53:04 GMT -5
Sheridan placed a nickel on the ledger. "Originally from Dublin. Then I was brought here and stayed with my grandparents for four years after my mother died. Signed up with an acting troupe a month ago, and my grandfather kicked me out." At this, she scowled. "Said, 'No damned actor is living under my roof, even if it is my granddaughter.'"
Laughing bitterly, she glanced up at Daniel. "I'm sorry. I'm still ranting about that. I don't mean to trouble you with my problems." Grabbing the pen, she signed her name with a flourish in the spot he'd indicated.
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May 28, 2007 16:53:30 GMT -5
Post by Daniel on May 28, 2007 16:53:30 GMT -5
"Nah, you're not troubling me. I feel sorry for ya though. That seems rough. My father's kinda the same way. Always wanted all of us to find respectable positions. I think he doesn't think what I'm doing now is very respectable. My mother's on my side though. This place belonged to her father. I guess she thinks by keeping it going, I'm keeping him alive in some fashion. Ah well...onto business, shall we?"
He turned the ledger to read what she had written. "Sheridan from Dublin, eh? My parents are from Kerry. That's not too far from Dublin. Not too close either. Well, how about Room Three - it's just up one flight of stair and then down the hall on your left. It's empty now. Might like having the place to yourself for a while. Lots of space and everything."
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Sheridan
Junior Member
Don't reach for the stars....reach past them
Posts: 80
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May 28, 2007 16:54:03 GMT -5
Post by Sheridan on May 28, 2007 16:54:03 GMT -5
"Kerry?" Sheridan's eyes sparkled. "My father was from there." She picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. "That's why we left Ireland in the first place....my mother couldn't handle having his parents nearby."
She looked at Daniel, smiling. "Thanks so much for this. You have no idea how much this means to me."
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May 29, 2007 19:47:52 GMT -5
Post by Hannah on May 29, 2007 19:47:52 GMT -5
Hannah impatiently pushed a loose curl from her face, unable to hide the irritable look from her clear blue eyes. She was generally an easy going person, but she'd been walking all day, looking for a boarding house and so far had been out of luck. If they weren't too expensive they were full, and if they weren't full, they had questionable patrons.
Hannah couldn't help but begin to doubt the existance of a boarding house that would match all her needs.
She pushed the wooden door open, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the light of the Lobby. Glancing around, she looked to identify who she would need to talk with to ask about a room.
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May 29, 2007 20:15:53 GMT -5
Post by Daniel on May 29, 2007 20:15:53 GMT -5
Daniel had just seen Sheridan off when he heard the door swing open. He had to stop himself, for his mouth nearly dropped open with awe. He'd been convinced that no one would ever come to his house and he'd have to chalk it up as another failure on his list. And now....two in one day. He had no idea what to make of his good fortune, but he was so very grateful for it.
"Can I help you?" he said to the newcomer.
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May 29, 2007 20:37:12 GMT -5
Post by Hannah on May 29, 2007 20:37:12 GMT -5
Hannah smiled at the man, stepping up to the desk, "Yes, please... I was just wondering if you had any available rooms?" She hesitated a moment, her face coloring slightly with embarrassment. She didn't know what it was, but she always tended to get embarrassed when talking to new people... which made her babble on even more.
"It's quite alright if you don't, I'll understand. I've been all over this city for the past week, and it seems it's impossible to find lodging."
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May 29, 2007 21:14:11 GMT -5
Post by Daniel on May 29, 2007 21:14:11 GMT -5
Rooms they had. But, if progress kept up at this rate, soon they wouldn't. Daniel grinned widely at such a pleasing thought....though he wondered about the male/female ratio. Why were so many young ladies flocking to the house in droves?
"Rooms we have, ma'am," he told her, writing the date in a blank line as was his custom and then shoving the ledger across the counter toward her. "Fee's a nickel a night. Meal's the same. Sign your name on that line and we'll get you into a room."
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May 29, 2007 21:25:59 GMT -5
Post by Hannah on May 29, 2007 21:25:59 GMT -5
Hannah grinned, her relief clearly plastered across her face. "Oh thank goodness. If I have to walk one more step in these shoes, I think my feet will fall off." She picked up the pen, scrawling her name across the line, as she introduced herself, "My name's Hannah, by the way. Hannah Brooks. This will be beautifully convenient, actually. I work just down the street, at Miss Adam's Hats."
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May 29, 2007 22:37:45 GMT -5
Post by Daniel on May 29, 2007 22:37:45 GMT -5
"Ah, I know the place. Walked by it many a'times." He paused and tipped his cap to her, "Daniel Quinn. Pleased to make your acquaintance. If you ever need anything, here is where you can find me. And if I'm not at my post, just holler and I'll come a'running. You'll be in Room Four. Just up the stairs, down the hall, and to your right. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
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May 30, 2007 8:58:09 GMT -5
Post by Hannah on May 30, 2007 8:58:09 GMT -5
"Oh, no, thank you. I can manage." Hannah smiled at him once more, before stooping to retrieve her small bag, and following his directions up the stairs.
She really was relieved to have found a place so quickly. Daniel seemed nice enough, and she could only hope her fellow boarders would be the same. Or at least, if they weren't they would simply leave her be. Hannah smiled wryly at her own thoughts, as she disappeared onto the second floor. She couldn't help but think things were looking up for her.
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