12. Things Get Worse

CHAPTER 12 THINGS GET WORSE Word spread quickly throughout the office that George and Harold had been suspended. The teachers rushed out to cheer and laugh at the two boys. "You're in big trouble now," chuckled Miss Anthrope. "I can't wait to call your parents and tell them the news!" "Let's take their desks outside and chop them up!" cried Ms. Ribble. "Let's throw a party in the gym!" shouted Mr. Meaner.

"NOOO!" cried George. "Whatever you do, DON'T open the door to the gym!" "We can do whatever we like," snarled Mr. Meaner as he dashed over to the gymnasium door. "Look, I'm opening the door!" He quickly opened the gym door. "Now I'm closing the door," he said.

"Now I'm opening the door again, and now I'm —AAAAAAAAAHH mmblemble gluh!" An evil toilet had stuck its mouth through the door, snapped Mr. Meaner up, and swallowed him whole! "Flusssssh! The Talking Toilets then pushed their way through the open gymnasium doors and spilled out into the hallway. "YUM, YUM, EAT 'EM UP!" the toilets bellowed. "'YUM, YUM, EAT 'EM UP!"

The teachers couldn't believe their eyes. They screamed and ran for their lives. Only Mr. Krupp, Ms. Ribble, and George and Harold remained, frozen in fear. They watched, paralyzed, as the Talking Toilets came nearer and nearer. Finally, Ms. Ribble pointed at the toilets and snapped her fingers. "Go away," she cried. "Go away this minute!" But the toilets didn't listen. They moved closer and closer.

Finally, Ms. Ribble turned and ran. Mr. Krupp, however, just stood there in a daze. George and Harold looked up at him. "Uh-oh," said Harold. "Did she just snap her fingers?!!?" "Yep," said George. "Now we're really in trouble." And George was right, for at that moment, Mr. Krupp had begun to change. A silly, heroic smile came over his face as he stood defiantly before his foes. "I'll put a stop to you vile villains," he said fearlessly. "But first, I need some supplies!!!"

Mr. Krupp turned and dashed to his office. George and Harold ran after him. "Why did Ms. Ribble have to snap her fingers?!!?" cried Harold. "Why?!!?" "Never mind that," cried George. "Mr. Krupp is turning into Captain Underpants! We've got to pour water over his head before it's too late!"