Macdonald Hall #2: Go Jump in the Pool

Hold that pose

"Sir, we'd like to have a funny photo contest."

Mr. Sturgeon smiled thinly. "If you two boys exhibited this kind of creative thinking in class, you would undoubtedly be the finest students in the country."

"Thank you, sir," said Bruno.

"Actually, it wasn't meant as a compliment," the Headmaster replied. "However, before I give permission for this venture, I shall have to know all the details. For the talent show I was foolish enough to give you a free hand, and quite a few surprises cropped up."

"For us too, sir," put in Boots.

"I realize that you were not totally to blame. However — tell me about your funny photo contest."

"Everyone from both schools can enter," Bruno began, "at twenty-five cents per picture, black and white only. We'll display the entries on the wall in the dining hall."

"Mark Davies has agreed to do the photo developing at cost price," Boots continued. "And we'd like to ask Mr. Snow to judge the pictures and pick a winner and two runners-up."

"We decided on cash prizes," added Bruno. "Ten dollars for the winner, and five each for the other two."

Mr. Sturgeon thought it over. It was fairly creative, it appeared harmless, and it seemed safe enough even for Miss Scrimmage. He knew that most of his boys had cameras, and twenty-five cents was very reasonable.

"I shall agree on two conditions," he said finally. "One, that the photography lab must loan cameras to those boys who do not have them and who wish to enter. And two, that all photographs accepted and displayed must be tasteful and suitable for a school."

"Certainly, sir," Bruno assured him.

"Then we have permission?" Boots asked.

"You have permission," Mr. Sturgeon nodded. But when they left him he sat at his desk for a long time wondering if, perhaps, he were not getting a little soft.

* * *

When the door of room 107 burst open and Bruno and Boots barged in, Chris Talbot immediately reached for pad and pencil.

"What is it this time?" he asked wearily.

"A funny photo contest," Bruno replied. He and Boots filled in all the details while Chris made notes.

"I want posters everywhere," Bruno concluded. "Two for Scrimmage's and six for us ought to do it. The date will be two weeks from Saturday."

Bruno and Boots were about to leave when a terrific clattering noise from next door shook the room. It brought a big smile to the face of Boots O'Neal.

"That George and his typewriter!" Chris exclaimed in annoyance. "This goes on every day at the same time! It's like living next to a time bomb!"

"That's not a typewriter. It's a teletype machine," Boots explained. "He has to know whether Magneco is up or down."

"You're kidding!"

"I never kid about George," said Boots. "George is not funny."

"That guy is weird!" Chris exclaimed. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I have some posters to make."

* * *

The funny photo contest was received with an enthusiasm that even Bruno hadn't predicted — the faculty trip to town brought back two cases of film ordered by the students. Mark Davies recruited several helpers in anticipation of a heavy workload.

To everyone's surprise, especially the Headmaster's, the first entry was made by Mrs. Sturgeon. She entered the picture of her husband winning the door prize at the talent show. As Boots put it, "Everyone can forget first prize. That's the funniest picture I ever saw in my life!"