04-BUT I DON'T WANT TO GO

BUT I DON'T WANT TO GO I chewed my whiskers. What was wrong with this rodent? Were his ears filled with cheese? I opened my mouth to tell him my name was Geronimo, Geronimo Stilton, but it was no use. The tacky cuckoo clock had started SHRIEKING again (I guess it was broken). And Smoothie was already typing away like a madmouse at his computer. He spouted out names and times and dates. "Let's see, departure at seven twenty-five from Mouse Island, arrival at ten fifty-six at San Shabby Fur Island, then there's the three-hour transfer. he babbled.

I tried to stop him, but he IGNORED me. His eyes were glued to the computer screen. He reminded me of my nephew Slowpoke when he's playing a video game. There's no tearing that mouse away from his games. Meanwhile, Trap began reading aloud from a brochure. "Room with an ocean view... complimentary organic drink upon arrival... souvenir shop on the premises..." he rattled off. "This sounds

incredible, Cousinkins. And it says here the 'personalized' transfer is included in the price!" I was in a daze. I couldn't listen to both of them at the same time. Plus, my ears were still ringing from that SINGING SOMBRERO. Smoothie asked me something, and I nodded. I could not hear one squeak. At that moment, Smoothie FLICKED OFF his computer. He turned off the SINGING SOMBRERO.

Then he shook my paw. "OK, I did it!" he announced. "I've booked you a place, Gerattimo. You're flying out in two hours!" My stomach LURCHED. "Whaaat?" I stammered. "B-b-b-but I've decided I don't want to go." Smoothie stroked his whiskers. "Sorry, Gerattimo, no can do. You nodded when I asked you if you wanted to book," he explained. "Now pack your bags. It's all settled." Trap put his paw on my shoulder. "Don't make me look bad, Cousin," he said. "You're going on vacation, and that's all there is to it!" He turned to Smoothie and winked. Then they danced around the office.

HMMM. Something didn't seem quite right. Why was my cousin so interested in my vacation plans? I just couldn't put my paw on it. Oh, well. TWO MINUTES LATER, I had my paw on something else. It was a bill for my upcoming vacation. Smoothie snickered under his sleeve. Trap chuckled behind his whiskers. I stared at the bill. A long string of numbers danced before my eyes. INSTANTLY, I FAINTED.

Holey Cheese!