09-PROFESSOR ALRAT SPITFUR

PROFESSOR ALRAT SPITFUR In the airport, I read Grandfather William's instructions again. I had to interview Professor ALRAT SPITFUR. He had invented a new way to create energy. I wondered what it could be. I loved hearing about scientific discoveries. Then I could write about them in my paper. I was getting into a taxi when my cell phone rang. "Hello! This is Stilton, Geronimo Stilton," I answered. Grandfather's voice blew out my eardrum. "ROTTEN RATS' TEETH!" he shrieked. "Did you not hear one word I said, Grandson?! Am I talking just to hear my own voice?

Doesn't anyone listen anymore? If a tree fell in a forest and no one was around, would it make a sound?" I stared at the phone. I had no idea what my grandfather was babbling about. "You're on a budget!" he squeaked at last. "Forget the taxi, Grandson! Hire a camel! And don't forget to ask for a discount!" I haggled with a camel driver. Then I climbed in between the camel's humps. One thing you should know about riding a camel, it's just like being on a boat. I was soon seasick. Yes, I, Geronimo Stilton, got seasick on dry land! Oh, what a day!

I reached the laboratory an hour later. By that time, I looked like a tired lump of moldy green cheese. The lab was a CONCRETE building sitting in the middle of the desert. I lurched up the steps and rang the doorbell. And that's when it hit me. The most horrible SMELL you could ever imagine. I held my breath. It was unbearable. By the time the door opened, I was turning blue. A funny-looking rodent with red fur and thick glasses peered out at me. He wore a white lab coat and had a clothespin on his nose.

"Hey there! I'm PROFESSOR ALRAT SPITFUR," he squeaked warmly. He had to keep gasping for air because of the clothespin. "You must be Geronimo Stilton. I received a phone call from your grandfather William Shortpaws, also known as Cheap Mouse Willy. He must be some mouse!" "Yes, I am Geronimo Stilton. And you're right, my grandfather is some mouse," I gasped. "Some kind of crazy, wacko, infuriating mouse," I added under my breath. The professor pulled a clothespin out of his pocket. "You might want to wear this," he advised. "Now, come along. I'll show you around the LABORATORY." I realized the STENCH was getting stronger and stronger. I quickly stuck the clothespin on my nose.

Professor Spitfur led me into a stable. It was where they bred hundreds of camels. You wouldn't believe the stink! Professor Spitfur began to explain about his incredible discovery. "You do know about the formula for SUPERSONIC, SUPERSENSITIVE, superduper magnetic force, don't you?" he asked. As he spoke, I had to keep hopping back and forth. It turns out the professor wore dentures. Every time he opened his mouth, streams of ratspit shot out at me! I know I needed a shower after my flight, but this was ridiculous! Oh, what a day!