10. The Next Big Thing

10 The Next Big Thing Professor Armpit had told me the art world was really fast-moving and competitive. He warned me about spies. But so what? I finished my twenty pieces of artwork over the weekend. They were ready for my big one-man show. People could spy on me all they want. Soon, I would be a bazillionaire.

The professor told me to meet him at Ella Mentry School on Monday morning, and he would take me to the gallery to set up for my art show. I decided to do it up right. I dressed in all black. My mom got me a beret and a cape to wear. "Bonjour," I said to everybody as I glided into Miss Banks's class. "Oh, knock it off, Arlo," said Andrea. "You don't speak French." "Are you back at school for good, A.J.?" asked Emily. "Oh no," I told her. "I won't be going to school anymore. I just came in to clear out my desk. Professor Armpit is picking me up for my one-man show. Then I'm going to go shopping for a speedboat. This afternoon, I might buy the Super Bowl. Do you want my autograph?" Andrea had on her mean face. She looked really mad. "You're a faker, Arlo!" she said. "I saw

you picking garbage out of a dumpster to make your fake art." "So it was you who was spying on me," I said. "That's right," Andrea replied. "You're not a real artist. You just think you can nail two things together and pretend it's art." "You're just jealous," I told her. I stuck out my tongue at Andrea, and she stuck out her tongue at me. "I'll get you," she said. "You and what army?" I asked her.*

I didn't care what Andrea had to say. I was an artistic genius, and she was just some kid who wishes she was rich and famous like me. I was going to say some more mean stuff to her, but you'll never believe who walked through the door at that moment. Nobody! You can't walk through a door! Doors are made out of wood. Didn't

we go over that in Chapter Three? But you'll never believe who walked through the doorway. It was Professor Armpit! "Bonjour!" he announced. Little Miss Brownnoser got all up in his face, of course. "Professor Pitt," Andrea said, "may I show you some of my art?" Professor Armpit rolled his eyes. "Is it another painting of flowers?" he asked.

"No," Andrea replied. "Is it cute puppies or butterflies?" he asked with a sneer. "No." "Well... okay," he said with a sigh. "I'll have a look. But be quick about it, young lady."