3. The Field Trip

CHAPTER 3 THE FIELD TRIP Jerome Horwitz Elementary School was having its big annual field trip to Piqua Pizza Palace. All of the kids had brought their permission slips and were lined up to get on the bus. George and Harold could hardly wait to eat pizza and play video games all afternoon.

"This is gonna RULE!" said George. "Yeah, if we ever get there," said Harold. "Hey," said George, "let's change the letters around on the school sign while we're waiting." "Good idea," said Harold.

So George and Harold ran over to the sign and began their, um, thoughtfulness. Unfortunately, the boys didn't notice a dark, foreboding presence lurking nearby in the bushes.

"A-HA!" cried Mr. Krupp. "I caught you boys red-handed!" "Uh-oh!" said George. "Heh-heh," laughed Harold. "Th-This is just a little joke." "A JOKE?!!?" yelled Mr. Krupp. "Do you boys think that's funny???"

George and Harold thought for a moment. "Well... yeah," said George. "Don't you?" asked Harold. "NO, I don't think it's funny!" yelled Mr. Krupp. "I think it's rude and offensive!" "That's why it's funny," said George.

"Oh," said Mr. Krupp. "You boys like to laugh, huh? Well, here's a good one: You two are officially BANNED from the school field trip! Instead of eating pizza, you'll spend the afternoon cleaning up the teachers' lounge! Isn't that funny?!!?" "No way!" said Harold. "That's not funny at all," said George. "That's cruel and unusual punishment." "That's why it's funny!" Mr. Krupp snarled.