8. Practicing

8 Practicing That weekend was the longest day of my life. I kept on wanting to get back to school so I could work on the play some more! That's how come on Monday morning, I ran to my desk as fast as I could. Only I couldn't even stay in my chair that good. 'Cause I had excitement in my seat, that's why! Finally, the bell rang for school. And then wowie wow wow!

Mr. Scary took us to the auditorium to practice on a real, actual stage! And that is a dream come true! My heart was thumping and pumping when I walked up the steps. Then all of us sat down on the stage floor. And Mr. Scary got us started. "Boys and girls, we're going to begin with the very first scene, where Queen Isabella meets Columbus," he said. "Lucille and José? Will you come here, please?" José and Lucille hurried to the front. Then Mr. Scary stood them on separate sides of the stage. And they walked toward each other until they met in the middle. They said their lines. "Hello, sailor. My name is richie Queen Isabella," said Lucille. José did a bow.

"Hola, Queen Isabella. My name is Cristóbal Colón," he said. "I would like to look for a new trade route to China. Can I please have some money to sail the ocean blue?" Lucille pretended to think for a second. Then she fluffed her fluffy hair. And she pulled fake money out of her purse. "Okay. Here's some money," she said. "But please bring back the change." Mr. Scary quick raised his hand and hollered, "Hold it!" "I don't really remember the line about bringing back the change, Lucille," he said. "Is that something new you've added?" Lucille nodded. "Yes. My nanna and I thought of it over the weekend," she explained. "Nanna says that rich people always ask for the change. Or else how do you think they got rich?"

Mr. Scary stared at Lucille a real long time. Then finally, he said, "Let's move on." And he called for the actors in Scene Two. Scene Two is where Columbus picks out the sailors for his trip. All of the sailors ran speedy quick to the front of the stage. Then José stood on a box in front of them. And he said his next line. "Who would like to sail the ocean blue with me? Please call out your names," he said. And so the sailors called out their names. And guess what? One was named Sinbad! And one was named Popeye! And another one was named Captain Hook! I clapped my hands very happy. "This play is turning out better than I

thought!" I said. After that, it was time for the three ships. I quick grabbed Sheldon's hand. And I pulled him behind me to the front of the stage. And what do you know? I got there first! And Sheldon got there second! And May was last! I skipped all around her very springy. And I sang a happy ship song. It was to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell." The Pinta got here first! The Pinta got here first! Hi-ho, the derry-o, The Pinta got here first! Mr. Scary made a mad face. "Junie B., that's enough," he said. "For the very last time… this is not a race."

May stuck her nose in my face. "Yeah, Junie Jones. This is not a race," she said. "Not, not, not a race!" Mr. Scary bent down between us. "I'm talking to you, too, May," he said. "If you two can't get along, I'll find someone