9 THE RUBY SCORPION

CHAPTER 9 THE RUBY SCORPION After eleven verses of "The Drills on the Teeth," The bus finally came 10 a stop. "We're here!" said Mr. Plunkett. "Grab your gear and head inside." The Stermont Museum looked like a cross between a bank and a haunted house. Alexander, Rip, and Nikki followed their classmates into the lobby.

The room was big, cold, and dark. A green glow came from an enormous clock on the second floor. Colorful banners hung everywhere.

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"Okay," said Mr. Plunkett. "Put your sleeping bags over by the gift shop— next to that mean- looking soldier statue." The statue's head slowly turned to face the group. Everyone gasped. "Actually," said the statue, "I am not a statue. I am a guard." She flashed a badge. Ms. Sargent looked Mr. Plunkett up and down. "My job is to protect Stermont's greatest treasures— and to make sure there's no funny business tonight." She glared at Mr. Plunkett's gopher slippers.

"Funny business?! Me?! Never!" said Mr. Plunkett. "And with Dr. Bopp and Mr. Hoarsely here— wait!" He looked around. "Where is Mr. Hoarsely?" The students stared back in silence. "Oh, brother," said Mr. Plunkett. "He is always wandering off. Let's just start the tour BDNG! COGKOO! Mr. Plunkett looked up at the balcony. Like I said, let's—" The students covered their ears. "What you're hearing is the world's second- largest cuckoo clock," Ms. Sargent said. "It's three stories tall. You'll notice—" "Clocks schmocks!" yelled Rip. "Let's see the Ruby Scorpion!"

Ms. Sargent gave Rip a look that could wilt lettuce. "Fine," she said through clenched teeth. "Follow me." She led the group to a round room. The room was empty except for a small, glass dome holding the scorpion-shaped red gem. Its eyes seemed to move in the twinkling light. "Oooooh," everyone said. They squeezed in for a closer look. Alexander got separated from Rip and Nikki. Ugh, he thought. The scorpion's cool and all, but there's no need to shove.