Chapter 18

18 WELL, HELLO!" SAYS T. EDISON FROM BEHIND HIS HUGE polished black desk. "What not-a-surprise to see you, Bert and Ernie. I'm sure you are here to congratulate me on my new invention, the Edison Antimatter Motor, yes?" Mr. Chimp, sitting just to the right of Edison, signs:

"Hardly," says Frank Einstein. "We are here for some answers." "Wonderful. What are your questions?" Watson scans the office. "Why do you have so many TVs? I bet you are spying on people. Like us!" "Mr. Chimp and I like to watch cartoons. Lots of them. All at the same time. Next question!" Frank walks around the office, counting his steps and measuring the room's exact dimensions. He checks the door. He notes the heating and air-conditioning vents. He listens to everything. He hears the deep hum of machinery behind the office doors. He leans

against a wall and hears a very faint rumba beat. He watches Mr. Chimp take out a small metal box, dip his stick-tool into it, and slurp a quick snack. A few ant legs drop on the desk. Now Frank is sure. "Where are Klink and Klank?" Edison raises his eyebrows in surprise. "What's a klink and a klank?" "My robots," says Frank without raising his voice. Frank pictures jumping over the desk, screaming at Edison, and slapping the goofy look right off his face. But then he pictures Mr. Chimp, with 98 percent of the same DNA but five times the strength of anyone fighting in the WWE, tossing him around and snapping most of the bones in his body without even breaking a chimp sweat. Frank takes the stick of gum out of his lab- coat pocket and calmly chews it.

"The smart robots you robot-napped from Frank's lab," says Watson, leaning threateningly over Edison's desk. Mr. Chimp signs, adding a short, barking "Hroo!" that needs no translation. "Smart robots, you say? How interesting. You two are quite the Pinky and the Brain. Or maybe Goofus and Gallant?" Watson backs away from the desk, but he can't take it anymore. "You stole the idea of Frank's Antimatter Motor! You are wrecking our town to build a thing that collides atomic particles! Where are you hiding Klink and Klank?!" Mr. Chimp looks from Watson to Edison, points one finger at his temple, and moves it in

a circle. Edison laughs. "Now there's that question again. OK, I guess I might as well tell you." Edison stands up. "A couple of robots did stop by last night. One that looked like a Shop-Vac, and another like a big trash can." "Yes! That's Klink and Klank!" Watson yells. "We talked for a bit. Had a nice chat about producing antimatter... cheaply. And then I sent them on their way." "Yeah, right," says Watson. "On their way where?" "Oh, to a friend's place. I think you and Frank's Grampa Al know him—Junkyard Dog. All the way on the other side of the lake." Edison makes a big deal of checking a brand- new, flashy gold watch. "And they should be having a smashing good time... right about... now. So sorry that you are too late to save

them." "You what?" exclaims Frank. "You gave them away to be smashed into scrap metal?" "Oh, no," says Edison. "I would never do something that crazy. I sold them. Got ten dollars." Frank grinds his teeth. He clenches his fists. He tenses every muscle. Then he shouts, "NOOOOOOOOO!" and runs right at Edison. Frank pulls back his fist, leaps over the desk, and is caught in midair by a strong, hairy arm. Watson jumps in, kicking and swinging crazily. Another strong, hairy arm wraps around his waist. Edison laughs a weird, panting laugh. "Throw them out, Mr. Chimp!" Frank and Watson struggle and flail and fight against Mr. Chimp. Watson kicks his legs helplessly in the air.