Macdonald Hall #2: Go Jump in the Pool

Is this considered our fault?

"According to Elmer Drimsdale, sir," said Bruno, "we have $2,550.90. Elmer says that's 10.2036% of what we need, leaving us still to collect $22,449.10."

Mr. Sturgeon smiled. "I would not presume to question the calculations of Elmer Drimsdale. Well, boys, I find it remarkable that you have actually managed to raise ten percent of the money in so short a time. And that does not include Anderson's jellybeans. A truck arrived this morning with another seventy-five pounds of them, representing second and third prizes in the Happy Elephant contest. One can only hope that none of the other students were quite as thorough as the Anderson boy."

"Well, sir," said Bruno reflectively, "every little bit helps. They say the first ten percent is the hardest. The other ninety should come easy as pie."

There was a low moan from Boots.

Mr. Sturgeon settled back in his chair. "May I take that to mean you have another brilliant scheme on the drawing board?"

"Yes, sir," said Bruno eagerly. "You see, we have lots of really good workers, but the ideas are coming only from Melvin and me. I was thinking of something like an Individual Effort Day when anyone from either school could set up a booth and make money any way he or she wanted."

"It would be really great, sir," Boots added as he felt Bruno's elbow in his ribs. "There would be a lot more kids participating."

"And we'd make a fortune," Bruno concluded.

Mr. Sturgeon thought it over. He had checked with the teachers and had been assured that all students were maintaining their standards. As a matter of fact, grades were a little higher and the number of misdemeanors lower. None of the students wanted to be assigned extra tutoring or punishment for fear of missing something to do with the fund-raising campaign. All things considered, the campaign had been very good for the school.

"I shall allow an Individual Effort Day," the Headmaster said at last. "However, you two will be the judges of what is and is not suitable. You are aware of the standards of Macdonald Hall. What date do you have in mind?"

"A week from Saturday, sir," said Bruno. "That gives everybody ten days to prepare."

"All right, then. Good day."

* * *

For the next ten days, Macdonald Hall became the strangest place around. The boys hardly talked to each other for fear of accidentally giving away their plans to someone else. Posters advertising Individual Effort Day were all over the Hall and Miss Scrimmage's too. The wood shop vibrated to the sounds of hammers and saws building booths and mysterious contraptions. Out of Elmer Drimsdale's room came strange noises. A whole new lingo sprang up.

"Get out of my room and close the door behind you!"

"Who took my monkey wrench?"

"That's my history notes you just poured all that grease on!"

"What the heck is Drimsdale doing?"

"If you steal my idea, I'll hit you with this board!"

"Turn up the radio so Kevin won't be able to hear what we're saying!"

"It took me five days to build what you just sat on!"

"Oh no! It collapsed!"

"Elmer, come out of there!"

A great deal of spying took place, and a great deal of counter-espionage as well. Outside Sidney Rampulsky's room, Pete Anderson was caught lurking in the bushes with a periscope. He got a crutch over the head for his efforts. When Mark Davies opened his closet door one night, there stood Perry Elbert with notepad, pencil and guilty face. Wilbur Hackenschleimer received a nasty black eye while peering through the keyhole into Rob Adams' room. Rob threw open the door too suddenly for Wilbur to get out of the way.