3 DIAL H FOR HOARSELY

CHAPTER 3 DIAL H FOR HOARSELY SWISH? The Emergency Room doors opened as Alexander and Rip entered the old hospital building, which was now their school. A tall man with tall hair was leaning on the front desk. He was putting on a pair of sneakers. "Mr. Hoarsely!" Alexander called. "Worm monsters are attacking Stermont!" "Maybe," Rip added. "SHHH!!" Mr. Hoarsely said, looking around.

"I know there are monsters here, but the worms—" "Right the worms!" said Alexander. He gave Rip an I-told-you-so look. "I'm sorry," Mr. Hoarsely said. "I need to make an announcement." He picked up a microphone. "Testing..." he said. The speaker on the wall was silent. He flipped the switch to INSIDE. "Good morning, students." His voice sounded shaky. "Since it's such a rainy and, uh, wormy day, we'll be having gym indoors."

"Okay, Mr. Hoarsely," said Alexander, "what about these megaworms? If we don't stop them before the sun comes out, they'll—" "Look," Mr. Hoarsely said, putting a whistle around his neck, "I'll see you in gym class. I really need to—" "Eep!" Mr. Hoarsely jumped. He picked up the phone. "Stermont Elementary, no longer Stermont General Hospital. May I help you?" Alexander whispered to Rip, "Gym class? Wait isn't Mr. Hoarsely the school secretary?" "Yeah," Rip said, "but he's also the gym teacher, the nurse, and a bus driver. The school is saving money by—"

"WHAT?! NO!" Mr. Hoarsely screamed into the phone. "I'm not going to fight you!" Alexander glanced at Rip. Rip shrugged. "NO!" Mr. Hoarsely lowered his voice. "Um, could you hold?" He pressed the HOLD button. "Boys," Mr. Hoarsely said, staring dead ahead, "get to class." He hunched over the phone and returned to his call. "But if sunlight hits those worms, Stermont is toast!" said Alexander. Rip shook his head and dragged Alexander toward the elevator. The sky outside was still cloudy. For now.