7 WALKIE-TALKIE SHOUTIE

CHAPTER 7 WALKIE- SHOUTIE Alexander closed the notebook. "There's no manta x-ray," said Rip. "We'd see slime everywhere." "Good point," said Alexander. "But there is definitely something weird going on." He squinted up at the menu. "That clearly looks like a warning to me. And what does that jagged arrow mean? I feel like I've seen it before.

"Maybe the cafeteria workers haven't figured out the new menu," said Nikki. "Grown-ups always have trouble with computers." BZZZT! A second later, the screen changed back. Sort of. TODAY'S MENU Cheesy banana shrimp-loaf Pickles & cream Garlic sherbert "Noooo."' Rip shouted at the screen. "Go back to snickerdoodles!" The three friends got their trays and took a seat. Alexander used his fork to draw a zigzag arrow on his cheesy banana shrimp-loaf.

Just then, a woman in a gray suit rushed into the cafeteria, cheerful as a tombstone. It was Principal Vanderpants. she was yelling into her walkie-talkie. We're losing power to the lights, the escalators, and the snack machines! You're the electrician— fix the electricity!" The voice on the other end sounded scared. "Yes, ma'arn. I'm on the roof. Your power levels are down to three percent. But, uh, I'm not sure where the electricity is going." "Well, figure it out!" said Ms. Vanderpants. "The Star show is tomorrow, and it had better go off without a hitch!" She marched out of earshot. "Wow, did you hear that?" asked Alexander. "Yeah!" said Rip. "Our new school has snack machines!"

"No, shrimp-loaf!" said Nikki. "The part about the school having electrical problems." Alexander pushed his tray aside. "It's not just the school that's having problems," he said. "This morning, my dad's car battery died. And before that, my alarm clock stopped working." His jaw dropped. "My clock! It flashed the same jagged arrow as the lunch menu!" "Hmmm..." said Nikki. "I guess that arrow could be a warning." "Big deal," said Rip. "I got five warnings per day in kindergarten." The three friends returned their trays and began the long walk up to class.