10 GREEN LIGHTNING

CHAPTER 10 GREEN LIGHTNING The next morning, everything seemed to be back-to-normal. Alexander met Rip and Nikki in the school lobby. The lights were working, the escalators were working, and Mr. Hoarsely was working. "Maybe we were wrong, guys," said Nikki, as they rode up the escalator.

"Yeah," said Rip. "Maybe the screwy stuff yesterday was just plain old electric problems." "You're right," said Alexander. "Everything seems normal. But how could stuff all over town just fix itself overnight? And besides, what about those messages we saw? A monster must be to blame!" Rip and Nikki shrugged as they headed into class. "Hello, dearies," said Dr. Tallow. "Take your seats." As Alexander sat down, he heard a rumble of thunder. Everyone turned to look outside. The sky was perfectly blue. And cloudless.

Then— FLASH! —a streak of green lightning filled the sky. The students sat up straighter. Green lightning? thought Alexander. "Well, that's odd," said Dr. Tallow. There was another flash. The boy next to Alexander jumped. "There, there," said Dr. Tallow. "Don't be scared," She opened a cabinet and pulled out a poster. "I'll teach you how to stay safe from lightning." She tacked the poster to the wall.

LIGHTNING IS FRIGHTENING! STAY INDOORS when you see lightning! HEAD FOR SHELTER when you hear thunder! NEVER TAKE A BATH during a thunderstorm! Take it from me, Linda the Lightning Rod! "What's a lightning rod?" Alexander asked. "It's a metal pole that attracts lightning," said Dr. Tallow. "Benjamin Franklin invented it! Lightning strikes the rod instead of striking the house. Then the electricity flows safely through the rod, down to the ground." There was another rumble of thunder. But still, no clouds.

"Lighting rods protect houses. But do you know what can protect you from electricity?" Dr. Tallow continued. "Rubber! Here, feel it!" She passed around a pair of rubber gloves. "Rubber blocks the flow of electricity." "Maybe they should just build rubber houses," said Rip as green lightning filled the sky. BZZZT! The lights in the room flickered. Dr. Tallow looked at the clock. "Let's head up to the planetarium. I really want you to see the Star Show, and I'm worried we may have more electrical problems heading our way." More electrical problems? thought Alexander. He looked around. Then he stuffed the rubber gloves into his backpack.