7 Chapter 7

Chapter 7 "If you have time, Mr. President, the children have prepared questions," said Mrs. North. "Well, I hope I'm prepared to answer them," said the president. "Now that I've met your class, I'm sure they will be very interesting questions." Mrs. North had the students take turns coming to the front of the room. They would go by rows. Marvin sat in the fourth seat of the second row. He counted the people ahead of him. He would be ninth. Judy Jasper was first. Mrs. North told her to first say her name and then ask her question. She reminded her to speak loud enough for everyone to hear. "Judy Jasper!" shouted Judy, causing the president to

jump back. "Not quite so loud," said Mrs. North. "Judy Jasper," said Judy. "When you were in the third grade, did you know you would be president someday?" "When I was in the third grade, Judy," said the president, "I don't think I even knew there was a president. I was more interested in playing with my friends." Judy started to return to her seat, but the president called her back and shook her hand. Stuart was next. "Stuart Albright," he said. "What if you don't like white? Can you paint your house a different color?" The president laughed. "The White House doesn't belong to me. I live there, but it belongs to all of the citizens of our country. And I don't think they'd like it if I painted it blue with yellow polka dots. Do you, Stuart?" Stuart's mouth dropped open. "Uh, I, uh, um, it's okay with me." He shook the president's hand and hurried back to his

seat. Marvin practiced his question in his head. What are you doing about pollution? He wondered if he had to say his name first, since the president already knew it. Marvin Redpost. What are you doing about pollution, Mr. President? He had to remember to call him Mr. President. Clarence was next. "I have a two-part question," he said. "Okay," said the president. "Do you have a dog?" "Yes." "Does your dog know you're the president?" The president laughed. "You know, Clarence, I've been asked lots of questions, but I don't think anyone has ever asked me that before." He thought it over, then said, "I don't think my dog cares if I'm president. I've had Pickles for twelve years. She has always made me feel as if I was the most special person in the whole world. Even before I was president." Clarence shook the president's hand. "Casey Happleton. Are you doing anything to get rid of pollution, Mr. President?"

Marvin felt a stab of disappointment. Now he had to think of another question. "I'm trying," said the president. "The problem is that everyone causes a tiny bit of pollution. Everybody thinks their little bit doesn't make any difference. But when you put all those tiny bits together, you get a big problem." Casey nodded. "Ask your other question!" said Melanie. "Only one question each," said Mrs. North. "But she's got a question I bet he's never heard before," said Melanie. "Well, let's hear it," said the president. Casey looked at Mrs. North to see if it was okay. In the classroom, Mrs. North was still the boss. Not the president. Mrs. North nodded. Casey took a breath. "Do I have to say my name again?" "No, I know you're Casey Happleton," said the president. Casey smiled. She took another breath. jmkfho. "If a spaceship lands in my backyard and a little green man says, 'Take

me to your leader,' should I take him to you? And how do I do that?" Everybody laughed. "I think you should take him to Mrs. North," said the president. Everybody laughed again. Mrs. North laughed the loudest. Casey shook the president's hand. Marvin practiced his war question. Marvin Redpost.

Are we going to get into a war anytime soon, Mr. President? Marvin Redpost. Are we… It was Travis's turn. "Hi, I'm Travis. Do you hate people who didn't vote for you?" "No. What really bothers me, Travis, is when people don't vote at all. It makes me think they don't care about their country." "Oh, good," said Travis. "Because my parents voted. They just didn't vote for you." The president shook his hand. "Patsy Gatsby," said Patsy. She was the first person in Marvin's row. "Are there ever days when you wish you weren't president?" The president had to think a long time before answering that one. "I know there are days when other people wish I wasn't president," he said. "Like Travis's parents," said Patsy. The president smiled. "It's not an easy job, Patsy," he said. "There are times when it would be nice to take a hike, or just watch TV, or something. But I don't think I've ever wished I wasn't president. I feel very proud to have been elected to serve the citizens of this country."