11 Party Animals

CHAPTER 11 PARTY ANIMALS WELCOME Mrs. Green has done an awesome job decorating our classroom. It looks like a real swamp. There are big black spiders with crepe paper legs—wiggling on the walls. Jack-o'-lanterns with candles are glowing in the corner. And striped snakes made from toilet paper tubes are roll- ing around on the floor.

There are lots of funny signs like: LOOK OUT FOR ALLIGATORS!; WELCOME GHASTLY GHOSTS AND GRUESOME GHOULS FROM GRISLY GRAVES!; and CREEPY CRAWLING CROSSING!

Mrs. Green is in a cool costume, too. She's dressed like a baseball player. She has a uniform, a cap, and a bat. We all sit at our desks and she takes attendance. "Wolfman?" "Here," says Freddy, raising his paw. "Mr. Eyeball Hatchet Head?" "Here," says Eric, swinging his orb.

MEOW. Mrs. Green continues to do the roll call. "Count Dracula?" "Heeeere," shouts Randy, as he chomps his fangs. "Miss Witch?" "I'm here," squeals Penny, wiggling her fingers.

"Mummy?" "Here," moans Derek, still unwinding down the aisle. "Prima Ballerina?" "Here," sings Doris, raising her arm to look like a swan. HOW ABOUT A DATE? 1994.

"And our Angel?" "Here," I say, trying to flap my wings. Big mistake. A flutter of feathers fills the room. "Well, we're all here," says Mrs. Green as she closes her attendance book. "And how wonderful you all look." Eric swivels his eyeball around to survey the room. "Now, let's have our contest. Come up front, one at a time, and tell us a little about your costume. Penny, you'll be first," says Mrs. Green, pointing her bat.