Pet show

Chapter 8 Pet show " You being a monkey at the pet show could be trouble, " Claudia said. " Ha! " I said. " Trouble is my middle name. " My sister almost laughed. Then she stopped walking. “ Maybe we should go home, Clyde. " " But we're almost there, " I said. I could see the pet show up ahead.

It was Saturday morning. Claudia and I stood on the sidewalk and watched people and their pets head into the large building. I was excited. And I bounced. But I had not yet changed into the monkey me. Claudia thought it would be best to wait until later. " You really think you can win, Clyde?" Claudia asked. “ Of course, once the judges see what I can do, " I said. " Like stand on my head. And do flips. And maybe I'll even talk. "

" Clyde! " Claudia yelled. " Just kidding, " I said. " But what if someone finds out your secret?" Claudia asked. " They won't, " I said. " What if you can't change back from a monkey to a boy?" she asked. I looked at my sister's worried face. " We don't know how the change works, " she said. “ What if something bad happens?" I paused to think. Claudia is smart and likes to look ahead to what might happen. But so do I.

" What if everything goes as planned?" I asked her. “ And I win? And we finally defeat Roz and Chopper?" Claudia almost grinned. “ But something bad could still happen, " she said. " What are you talking about?" Roz asked as she stepped in front of us. “ You're not going to chicken out, are you?" " No, " I said. Chopper looked at me and growled. He was like a nightmare I wished would go away. Forever!

" So, where's your monkey, Claudia?" Roz looked at me and chuckled. " I mean, your other monkey. The smart one. " Chopper grinned. Roz laughed harder as she led her dog inside. We headed into the building. In the huge center room we saw lots of fancy pets. " Wow! " Claudia said. “ Some of these animals must be worth lots of money! " I looked at a fancy cat. Then I looked for a place to change. “ Come on, Claudia! " I said.

" I'm still worried something bad might happen to you, " Claudia said. " I can't back out now, " I said. I sneaked into a side hallway to change. I thought of exciting things. Like summer vacation! Banana pudding! Defeating Roz and Chopper! " Is it working?" Claudia asked. My head started spinning. My heart raced. Faster. And faster. I sneezed. “ A-CHOO! "