01-WAKE UP! WAKE UUUUUUP!

Geronimo Stilton THE CURSE OF THE CHEESE PYRAMID

WAKE Up! WAKE UUUUUUUP! It was just before dawn in the middle of winter. The moon shone down over the mouse holes of New Mouse City. I was fast asleep under my comfy, cozy blankets, snoring away. Suddenly, the phone rang. I stumbled out of bed, sinking my paws into my new cat-fur rug. It was so soft. I had bought it last weekend at The Fur Mart with my uncle Nibbles. It was expensive, but worth every penny! Still half asleep, I stared down at the fluffy carpet. Then I picked up the phone.

"Hello! Stilton speaking, Geronimo Stilton," I mumbled. A strangely familiar voice shrieked back at me. "WAKE UP!" it cried. WAKEUUUUP My ears were ringing like church bells at Christmousetime. "W-who... w-what... who is it?" I stammered. But the mad shrieker had already hung up. I glanced at the alarm clock. RANCID RAT HAIRS! It was six o'clock in the morning! I dove back under my covers and continued snoring. I woke up again at eight o'clock. I called a taxi to take me to the office. I arrived at nine o'clock sharp.

Oh, yes, I forgot to mention that I run a newspaper. It is called The Rodent's Gazette. It is the most popular newspaper on Mouse Island! I'd like to say the paper's a success just because of me. But I have lots of help. Still, I'm the big cheese at the office. As I was saying, I got to work at nine o'clock sharp. I opened the door to my office wide... ...and found myself snout-to-snout with my grandfather William Shortpaws— also known as Cheap Mouse Willy. Grandfather William is a tough-talking mouse. Everyone at the office is afraid of him. That's because he is the founder of The Rodent's Gazette!