Once again please turn your attention to the photo above.

My brain said yes to more randomness and no to actually being productive. Also there's a lot to unpack about this boy. General viewing but some headcanons will also he thrown in. Some my own others I've read. As always Livesies will be the base of all of this cause it's the most known version out there. It is set in stone people. But before we jump into this I would just like to say....I can no longer read the word flattery correctly because of Sky Flaherty. Yes this is a real problem I have.

Anyways let's get into what you're all really here for.

Deep Dive

Albert is first newsie to appear after Race. He's a bit tried and grumpy that, and I quote, "the most beautiful dream, my lips is still tingling". Naturally Race teasingly asks if it's a pretty girl, to which he responds with "a leg of lamb". Honestly I wouldn't question it, cause it seems like he really was dreaming about food (or possibly saving himself more teasing). He then steals Race's cigar, thus starting off Carrying the Banner. He replies with "if you can find her" when Henry mentions he's going to surprise his mother. According to him papes ain't moving like they used too. You get the idea. Throughout the number we see him singing and dancing around with the rest of the boys, though he tends to stay close with Race, indicating they are indeed good bros (which is also the only friendship we see among the background boys). Like the other boys he checks Katherine out when she first appears. And may I mention his face is kind of adorable in that moment? He wishes he could "catch a Breeze" translating to the fact he wants to catch a break from whatever troubles real life throws.

Upon arriving at the gate he's the first one to announce the trolley strike. Then he points out to Oscar that he's cracking the heads of defenseless workers. It shows that Albert is sort of a common sense guy. I get the vibe that he wouldn't soak someone if they couldn't defend themselves, or he won't attack unless someone comes at him (more on that later). Next Albert scene is one of my favorites. "You have a very interesting face, ever think about gettin' into movin' pictures?" "Sure by a ticket they'd let anyone in!" This line alone shows just how much of a practical joker he really is. And off t he record I love the way his voice sounds.

When then prices go up he's the first one to notice. It kind of mirrors him reading the headline at the beginning. Form this I see that he is observant. More than he lets on or he rally has no clue whatsoever that he is. At Jacobi's he's sitting on top of the table on the right side. And may I add he also looks adorable in this scene. Apparently he likes seltzer so...use that information as you wish. Again when Katherine comes he he definitely checks her out again, he leans over a bit and gosh his arm muscle is good looking. I HAVE NO SHAME! You should know this well by now. After that there isn't much notable Albert moments until the second act.

Ok so we see he has a bruised eye and his upper arm is bandaged up. He's also carrying around a stick. Why? Better he can. He mentions how "Delanceys are spreadin' a story he took it on a lamb first sight of the cops." When Les cuts in he replies with "take it down short stop I'm just reporting the news". There's a lot to unpack there. Especially the way his voice sounds. The "first sight of the cops" line, comes off as a matter of fact. Does he believe that was the case? No, because he was there and saw how everything came undone, he's simply stating what he heard and nothing more. As the next line, "I'm just reporting the news" shows. The way his voice sounds is obviously in a teasing way, but for the quickest second you can kind of see a smile of a smirk. It's a bit lighthearted but also could have a "ah shut it" undertone. Along with showing the whole him and little kids thing (more on that later).

Next up is a personal favorite moment of mine, and it's the erster bit. While Race is going on his little rant it's Albert he has the most interactions with. Of course there's also the side grab thing and he just looks so done with Race's nonsense.

*sips water*

*clears throat*

NOBBIN WITH ALL THE MUCKY-MUCKS I'M BLOWIN MY DOUGH AND GOIN DE-LUXE

If you didn't sing scream that in your head what are you doing with your fansie life?

He also does the stick dance thingy. Umm...after that there isn't really any Albert moments I can think of off the bat so let's jump into the other stuff.

Personality

Albert comes off as someone who loves to pull pranks and jokes on the other boys. He can be chaotic and loud at times, but on the other hand he also gives off chill laid back. He's also blunt, sarcastic, and overall has no filter whatsoever ever. I've always said that he was definitely based off of Skittery when the musical was being created. I think he's a bit on the stand-offish side when it comes to strangers but once he warms up he's alright for the most part. It really depends on the day. He's the cool big brother that little kids love being around, but he's more like "get these tiny humans away from me." Secretly though he does like little kids, but will never admit it and instead take it to his grave. Hurt them he will throw hands. Maybe a bit of a softie on the inside, it just takes a special kind of person to pull that out. (Yes that is going to be an Alblyn one shot...eventually). Kind of a big talker and depending on the moment if he can live up to it. Definitely isn't a in the feels kind of person. Instead he tries to rather lighten the mood rather than comforting someone. He can be a bit of a flirt as well. As mentioned before both times when Katherine pops in, he checks her out. And again, he makes the cutest face.

It's stated on the back of his trading card that he has a father and two older brothers. Of course just like Henry Buttons and Elmer he lives at the Lodging House. Now my headcanon for this is that unlike the other three boys, his place is farther away. So like Henry, Buttons and Elmer can pop in and visit their family a few times a week, Albert would kind of have to plan ahead. Set a date, time and know for sure his folks will be there. I see him as seventeen, but somewhere among the youngest of that group. Which only adds onto the cool older brother persona. See I think his brothers are much older than him, so he's the literal baby of his family, he's not used to being the older one, so he acts cool and tough to....umm I have no idea what the word I'm looking for is. So hopefully you get the idea.

It also goes without saying this boy is strong. He literally isn't wearing any sleeves (which by that stander of the time period, he's considered shirtless). I feel like if there was even the smallest chance of a beat down happening, Jack would call Albert in to help with that. And since Mush's trading card says he "considers himself Jack's muscle" then we can assume they're parried up whenever that kind of trouble comes to their door. So, I guess that's a headcanon of mine. Use that information as you will. He can and will throw hands if someone gets on his bad side, or messes with his girl. Throughout the musical he pats the boys a lot on the shoulder, back, etc. So I think that's how he shows he cares, or whatever.

Friendship, brotherhood, whatever you want to call it. Obviously Race is at the top of that list. They're the first two newsies we see and have an understanding of who they are. Crutchie might be another one, after the Delancey's take away his Crutch, Albert is the one who carries him into the Distribution Center. As mentioned in the last analysis, Mush might be close as well. And even though this next one is more among the fandom than the show, Jojo is in there too.

Headcanons

One of my all time favorite Albert headcanons has to do with the iconic backwards cap. Now, I read somewhere the reason why he wears it like that is to hide the color of his hair because he hates it. Another one I read has to do with him not having a nickname. Reason for this is because he doesn't want to get close to the boys for whatever the reason. But that doesn't stop the nickname train. Al, Albie, Albo, and Red to be exact.

However, one of my own headcanons is that if anyone, calls him Bert, he will absolutely lose all control. *cough* Race does this cause he's an annoying thing *cough*. If if wasn't obvious enough I am a firm believer that he is a baseball boy. King of the skate park and a lover of all things that has to do with aliens. I also like to think while he does have a good sense of humor, it can get a bit dark at times. He's into scary movies/stories (Jack never put him in charge of bedtime stories for that reason).

In a modern setting, he'd be seen in three different ways. The class clown, one of the jocks (due to being on the baseball team, duh) and the guy all the girls just swoon over because I feel like he might give off a bit of a bad boy rep. But obviously that isn't the case. And ya know, it's high school, people get labeled, but Albert doesn't care. It doesn't phase him. (Though he kind of does enjoy the girls swooning thing). However, once he finds his dram girl, none of that matters.

In middle school, I see him having a bit of an emo/punk phase in a way. He wasn't fully that per say, it's more along the lines of dressing in black with the whole "I don't care" attitude. Lots of beanies. Race would steal and hide them. Feister would steal and wear it (because as mentioned before, she's a bit of a mini Albert and would try to shadow him during that time).

A couple of songs I think Albert would jam out too would be, Sugar We're Goin' Down, by Fall Out Boy, Mr. Brightside by The Killers, Good Girls by 5SOS, and Live While We're Young by 1D.

And that brings us to the end of that. At least what I have to say, next up, a mini thread of some my favorite Albert posts from Tumblr. There would be more but I reblog so much Albert content I didn't get to the bottom fast enough.