4. Bad Sulu

CHAPTER 4 BAD SULU Sulu didn't seem to know that he had just undergone a groundbreaking transformation. He didn't act any different. He just wandered across the top of the plastic rolling cart sniffing everything around him, only stopping occasionally to scratch his ears or rub his whiskers. But poor Sulu was in for a big surprise. "Sulu," said Melvin, "I am your commander, and you will obey my orders. I want you to demonstrate your new powers for the class. Do a super-bionic jump across the room." Sulu did not respond.

"Sulu!" said Melvin sternly. "Crush that plastic rolling cart in your bare paws!" Sulu did not respond. "SULU!" Melvin shouted. "Go outside, pick up a car, and throw it across the parking lot!" Sulu did not respond. Finally, Melvin reached into his book bag and took out a red Ping-Pong paddle he had designed especially for this occasion. "Sulu," he said angrily, "do as I say, or you're going to get a good spanking!"

This time, Sulu did respond. When he saw the Ping-Pong paddle he became very frightened, and his little hamster instincts took over. Sulu jumped into the air, grabbed the Ping-Pong paddle in his right paw, and then yanked Melvin onto the plastic rolling cart with his left paw. The children finally stopped thinking about ketchup packets and toilets for a moment and settled in to watch the show.