Ch7-Bye, Pelé

SEVEN Bye, Pele "I'm so glad!" shouted Annie. "Come and squeeze in here with us to watch! Everyone has gone crazy!" Jack climbed up onto the bench and stood between Annie and Roberto as they watched the happy celebration on the field. The president of

Mexico presented a giant trophy to Brazil, and Carlos Alberto, the captain of the team, lifted it high above his head. "Yay, Brazil!" shouted Roberto. "Yay, Pelé!" "Did the Ring of Truth ever glow?" Jack asked Annie. "When you were watching Pelé up close, did you learn a secret of greatness from him?" "No, not yet," Annie said. "Yay, Pelé!" "Not yet?" said Jack. "Then when?" "Don't worry," said Annie. "We still have time." She pulled the ring off her finger. "Here, you can wear it again." Jack slipped the ring back onto his finger. But what's the use? he thought. We lost our big chance. How can we ever get close to Pelé now? Followed by hundreds of photographers and TV cameras, the Beautiful Team was marching around the field. Confetti and streamers floated down from the stands. Firecrackers were whistling and popping over the stadium. Flag bearers waved huge green, yellow, and blue Brazilian flags. A band was playing. Annie and Roberto clapped in rhythm to the music. Trying to hide both his worry and his

disappointment, Jack clapped with them. "They're leaving now!" said Roberto. Police were leading Pelé and all the other Brazilian players off the crazy, crowded field. TV cameras, reporters, and a mob of fans followed the World Cup champions. "We should follow the team, too," Annie said to Jack. "Want to?" "We have to," Jack said sharply. "We still have a mission to accomplish, remember?" "Come with us, Roberto!" said Annie. "Let's all follow the team! Pronto!" They climbed down from the bench and started running across the huge green soccer field. The parade of fans and players was leaving by the farthest exit. "We'll catch up to them outside the stadium," said Roberto, running alongside Jack and Annie. "If I could get even twenty feet from Pelé, I would be happy forever!" "Me too!" said Annie. "Jack and I have a question for him!" No kidding, thought Jack.

Jack, Annie, and Roberto hurried through the exit, leaving Aztec Stadium and heading into the parking lot. "Over there! They're getting on a bus!" said Roberto. Not far away, fans and media were swarming around a bus. Photographers were snapping pictures, one after another, flashbulbs blazing. TV reporters were shouting questions at the team. Supporters were cheering and waving flags. "Hurry!" cried Jack. They all ran faster, but before they could get to the bus, it pulled away from the crowd. Police pushed fans out of its path so it could leave. "Good-bye!" said Annie. "Good-bye, Pelé!" Roberto yelled. Jack, Annie, and Roberto watched the bus move out of the giant parking lot of Aztec Stadium. Well, there goes our chance to accomplish our mission, Jack thought dismally. There will be no reason to journey to Camelot now. It'll be the first time we've ever failed. "Don't worry," Annie said to him, as if she'd read his mind. "I'll bet the team's headed to the

city. Let's go back there and look for them." "Okay. I guess that might work," said Jack, trying not to give up hope. "I heard on the radio they were all going to a banquet in Mexico City tonight." "Cool!" said Annie. "Someone's bound to know where that banquet is. Then maybe we can use our magic mist to get into the party." "What? Like, make a wish to be the greatest party crashers in the world?" said Jack. Annie laughed. "Whatever it takes," she said. She turned to Roberto and asked, "Roberto, can you help us get back into the city?" "Of course! I owe you everything!" he said. "Not really," said Jack. "Everyone deserves a good birthday." "Thank you, Jack!" said Roberto with a big grin. "Come with me!" Jack and Annie followed Roberto away from the giant concrete building, through the crowded parking lot, and toward the tramline. "Whoa!" said Annie. Thousands of people were waiting to board the trams. "We will have to wait many hours to get

one," said Roberto. "Is there another station nearby?" Jack asked. "Yes, but it will be just as crowded," Roberto answered. "What do you think we should do?" Annie asked. "I have an idea," said Roberto. "My great-aunt lives in a neighborhood north of here. Near her house, there is a bus stop. Want to give it a try?" "Sure," said Jack. "We don't have another choice." He and Annie followed Roberto away from the tram station. Clouds had moved back in. A soft rain fell as they walked along a road crowded with cars leaving the stadium. Horns were blaring and drivers were shouting at each other. "This way," said Roberto, and he led Jack and Annie away from the busy road into a run-down neighborhood. They passed St. Anthony's Church, a junk store, a Laundromat, and a beauty shop. Then Roberto led them down a dirt path between rows of stucco houses. In the light rain, families sat on front porches. Several were listening to portable radios. The