Take Two! Read Online Free Page A

dilemma, Stewart,” Mr. Lynch said dryly, referring back to his ledger. “Miss Wathom, why don’t you
     switch places with him for today – until we can find a permanent solution.”
    “A
permanent solution
caused her problem in the first place!” I blurted out.
    Why do I do it?
    The whole class busted out laughing again, even Maggie. But Mr. Lynch’s bow tie was twitching from the surge of anger rushing
     to his face. Just when I thought he was going to hang me by my thumbs for my outburst, the classroom loudspeaker crackled
     and burped, and Principal Futterman’s voice broke through.
    “Welcome back, students! I trust you’ve all had an exciting summer and are eager to dive headfirst into the three
R
s: reading, writing, and arithmetic.”
    Mr. Lynch stood at attention staring up at the loudspeaker, as if Futterman was the President of the United States.
    “Wait, that’s actually only two
R
s. Am I right, Judith?” Futterman mumbled.
    “That’s right, Dan, because you read it wrong,” we heard his secretary say. “It’s rithmetic, not arithmetic. It’s a time-worn
     saying.”
    “Rithmetic?
That’s not even a real word. What kind of example are we setting?”
    “With all due respect, next time write your own darn speech!”
    You tell him, Judith
. I couldn’t help cracking up.
    “Anyway, students,” Futterman said over the sound of crumpling paper, “we’ve got a super year ahead of us with plenty of exciting
     things planned. But right now Miss Van Rye, head of the newly sanctioned Arts Committee, is chomping at the bit with some
     news to share.”
    “Good mor –!!”
Miss Van Rye’s booming voice rattled the speaker. “Oh, too close? Sorry. How about now? Testing, testing. She sells seashells
     by the seashore, she sells –”
    “While I’m still young,” Futterman interrupted.
    “Too late,” his secretary called out in the background.
    “Good morning, munchkins,” Miss Van Rye said. “After the smashing success of last year’s play,
The Castle of the Crooked Crowns
, it’s clear that Buttermilk Fallians are culture-starved and hungry for more, more, more. So this year wehave something truly exciting planned: a big, splashy Broadway musical! But that’s not all. The Fenton High drama club, woefully
     overlooked for years, is hitching their wagon to our star. That’s right, kiddles – we’ll be teaming up for a theatrical extravaganza,
     the likes of which this town has never seen! Oooh, it’s so thrilling I can hardly stand it!”
    My thoughts exactly! Darlene’s too, I’m guessing – she screamed full out.
    “Performances will be at the high school in December, but the jury is still out as to which musical will be chosen. One thing
     we know for sure: We’re going to need plenty of triple threats. So all you supertalents out there, now’s your chance to strut
     your stuff! The sign-up sheet will be posted outside the main office at the beginning of next week. Back to you, Dan –
err
, Principal Futterman.”
    Microphone fumbling… grumbling… rumbling. Then back to the Head Honcho.
    “On a completely different note, it’s our turn to host the Slam-Dunk Basketball Tournament in April. Go, Fireballs!” Futterman
     cleared his throat. “As some of you may have heard, Claymore Middle School in Lotustown hosted last year and it really put
     them on the map. But I think we’ll be rubbing their noses in it when they get a load of the brand-spanking new Mascot 2000
     digital scoreboard that’s just been delivered to our gymnasium.”
    All the jocks in the room cheered for that news flash.
    “However, due to some minor cutbacks, the new uniforms that were promised have now been scrapped.”
    The cheering went sour and Danny “Pig” Piglowitz lined a spitball at the loudspeaker.
    “Apparently theatrical extravaganzas don’t come cheap,” Futterman added. “My hands are tied, guys, but believe me, if I had
     my druthers…”
    Buzz. Burp. Click
.

Chapter 4
No