Chapter 5

Chapter 5 The Best Thing About Principal Ferris Is That He's So Unreasonably Reasonable. Harper and Theo sped through the halls toward Principal Ferris's office. Running would break the rules, so they power walked, swinging their arms and taking big steps to warm up. Now that most students had gone home for the day, the halls felt like big, empty ice caves. "Do you want to borrow my hat?" Theo asked. "You seem really cold."

"No, I'm fine, I—ACHOO!" Harper sneezed. "It's my fault for forgetting my sweater. And once we get the password from Principal Ferris, neither of us will need a hat. Right?" She stopped outside the principal's office door and smiled at Theo to show she was okay. He smiled back and nodded. "Right! Let's get that password!" Together, they pushed open the door. Principal Ferris's office was simple but intimidating. He had a pair of uncomfortable chairs for visiting students set in front of his giant desk, certificates on the wall commemorating his many achievements, and a wooden cabinet in the back

that was usually locked. Right now, it was open, and Principal Ferris was admiring his collection of pigurines (figurines of pigs in various silly poses) while upbeat old music played on a record player in the corner. He was humming along to the tune. "Um, Principal Ferris?" Harper said. "We don't mean to bother you, but—" "Come in, come in!" Principal Ferris sounded happy. He was always in a good mood when his pigurines were out. "Harper and Theo. You must have really loved your tasks yesterday. Looking for more?"

"Please, no!" Theo blurted out. Harper nudged him and smiled politely. "No, sir, we were hoping you could give us the administrator password for the air-conditioning. So we can warm the school up a little bit." Principal Ferris set down the pigurine he was holding (it was dressed like a matador) and turned to face them with a frown. "Why?"

"What do you mean, 'why'?!" Harper blurted out louder than Theo. Now it was Theo's turn to nudge her. "She means, um," Theo said, "surely a school as perfect as Ironsword should have a temperature to match. Right?" "I don't understand." Principal Ferris leaned against his desk and crossed his arms. "What could possibly be wrong with the cold?"

"Everything!" Harper could barely keep herself from yelling. This was not how this was supposed to go. Principal Ferris was all about order and keeping everything the same. He was supposed to want to fix it! "I can barely feel my fingers! Mop water in the hallway is frozen. Baron Sweetcheeks and Duchess Dimmples have piled wood chips on top of themselves as high as they will go to keep warm! This school is huge, and outside the doors it's a warm, sunny day. Running the airconditioning like this—"