8. The Last Bullfight

8 The Last Bullfight Four days later, the applause was building at the Plaza de Toros in Mexico City. The great matador Carmen del Junco waved hello to her fans as red roses flew from the stands to dot the ground at her feet. An announcer's voice boomed over a loudspeaker. ".Y bienvenido Stanley Llano!" "That's me, Flat Stanley!" realized Stanley. He was stationed behind a wooden slat door at one end of the ring. He put on his biggest grin, pushed open the door, and trotted out. The crowd leaped to its feet. Carmen took his hand, and Stanley gave a dramatic bow. In his new satin spandex jumpsuit, he looked like a giant piece of shiny red paper folding itself in half. "You know, it is a myth about bulls and the color red," Carmen had said when she presented

the outfit to him as a present. "Bulls can't see different colors at all. It is movement that makes them charge."

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Carmen now took Stanley's other hand as the bull rushed into the ring. A hush fell over the crowd as everyone took their seats. Carmen winked at Stanley, just as she had before rescuing him on the steps of the Mayan temple. Then she grasped his other hand, lifted him off the ground, and gave him a little shake. The bull did not look very happy to see Stanley. Its muscles rippled. Its hooves thundered in clouds of dust. Stanley gulped and squeezed his eyes shut. Suddenly, a hysterical shriek pierced the air. "STOP THAT BULL!" I know that scream, thought Stanley. He opened one eye. With a shrug, Carmen calmly lifted him onto her shoulders and stepped

aside to let the bull pass. "YOU KEEP THAT BULL AWAY FROM MY SON STANLEY!" And then Stanley saw: His family was in the front row! Mrs. Lambchop was standing on top of a seat, waving her hands like a trapped octopus. Everyone in the arena was staring at her. Arthur looked the most horrified of all. "Mom? Dad? Arthur?" said Stanley. "What are you doing here?" "You think you can go away for a whole week without calling?" cried Mrs. Lambchop. "Your mother is right, son," Mr. Lambchop said. "We were worried about you."

Carmen shuffled slightly to let the bull pass again. "Of course, we were worried!" Mrs. Lambchop cried. "Our boy Stanley is about to get gored by a bull!" Arthur rolled his eyes. "Well, I think what you're doing is neat, Stanley," he said. "Thanks, Arthur," said Stanley. It sure was good to see his brother. "Mom, is it okay if I finish just this one bullfight?" said Stanley. "Please?" "Yeah, Mom. Please?" chimed Arthur.