Chapter 22

22 FRANK AND WATSON SIT AT THE LABORATORY WORKBENCH, FACING Frank's laptop screen. "We are so sorry to hear you didn't win the Science Prize, sweetie." Frank waves a hand. "Ah, don't worry about that, Mom. The science is more fun than any prize. And just this morning I sold a magnetic levitation idea to a cool skateboard company and paid off Grampa's deed, so we can keep

the store." "You sold a magnet?" says Mary Einstein. "For Grampa's steed?" Frank laughs. "I'll explain it all when you get home." Grampa Al pops his head in Frank's laboratory door. He calls, "Hi, Mary! Hi, Bob! Everything's copacetic. Now if you will excuse me, I've got bigger fish to fry." "Huh?" says Watson. "What does that mean?" "I'm making us dinner. Bye, Mary! Bye, son!" Grampa Al disappears into the kitchen. Bob Einstein appears next to Mary. "We're back in the country, sport. So I'll be able to

help you with your next invention!" "Oh gosh, Dad. That is... uh... great." Klink wheels up to the workbench. "Are you being sarcastic?" "Wow," says Bob. "Did your Shop-Vac just say something?" Klink beeps. "Uh, more to explain when you guys get home. See you soon. Bye!" Frank closes his laptop. He stacks his papers. Watson wipes down a shelf. He organizes some tools. Klink sits silently, his LED lights pulsing ever so slightly. "Man, Edison sure was mad," says Watson. "Mmm-hmm," agrees Frank, looking through his science encyclopedia. "He is going to be your enemy for life."

"Uh-huh," agrees Frank, drawing a doodle. "And that ape is not going to be your best friend either." "Yeah." It is suddenly very quiet in Frank Einstein's lab. Watson picks up a copy of Klank's favorite Captain Underpants book. He frowns. "Einstein, sometimes I think you are a robot. Don't you miss Klank? He was a good guy." Klink powers up. "A robot cannot be good or bad. Klank was a robot." Klink blinks once, then twice. "But I would like to try to understand his jokes again." Frank looks up from his science book. "So our next subject is Energy. Here's what I'm thinking." Watson stares at Frank. "Are you kidding? Klank blew himself up for us, and all you can

think about is—" There is a knock on the door leading out to the backyard. "Oh, wait. Just a second." Frank gets up from the workbench. A voice on the other side of the door says, "Knock, knock." "Who's there?" asks Frank. "Little old lady." "Little old lady who?" Frank swings open the door. Klank clomps in and booms: "I did not know you could yodel!" "Klank!" yells Watson. "Ha-ha-ha," beeps Klink. Klank plods over to the workbench and wraps his aluminum flex arms around Watson, Klink, and a smiling Frank.

"Hugs! Give Klank hugs! Klank give hugs! Klank hugs give! Hugs Klank give!"