9 In the Hot Seat

CHAPTER 9 IN THE HOT SEAT I have a sinking feeling as the carnival draws near. Mom drives me to school in the van. I'm taking 42 towels. I bought a fluorescent bathing suit so the rescue helicopter can spot me in the water. And I have three sets of water wings. THERE HE IS. OVER HERE! DROP THE HUNK ROPE.

We pull right up to the carnival. I step out of the van and into a row of lights. It's like Academy Award night. I slowly walk down the aisle. All eyes are on me. I come to our booth, which we finally named, "The Big Dipper." GOOD LUCK, SON. STAND BACK! LET HIM THROUGH. CAN I HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH? HE'S SO BRAVE. MY HERO.

I take off my bathrobe, put on my three sets of water wings, flex, and climb the ladder to the chair. It's high up here. I'm fair- in-height. THE CHEERS HAVE STOPPED.

I can see over most of the carnival. Penny's selling tickets like crazy. Freddy's eating pie. And Randy's counting jelly beans. There are a lot of people in a long line, looking up to see me drown. All my friends are at the front of the line. Eric is the first to try. He misses the mousetrap completely. ONE, PLEASE. DON'T CROSS THAT LINE. DRAT! GRRRR. MEOW.

WHY ME? LET'S GET IN LINE.

Derek and Doris get closer, but I am still high and dry. Freddy tries with blueberry pie all over his face. He misses, too. Then the rest of the third grade takes a shot. I was smart to use ping-pong balls. I'M RUNNING OUT OF MONEY. I WON'T MISS THIS TIME. HUBIE'S GOING DOWN. LET ME AT HIM ONE MORE TIME. MISSED AGAIN!