Book 2-Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

     On the fifteenth of October Alex, Lee, Fletch, Lee, Chet and Glenna, their families and all the friends they could contact, along with Mr. Wells, Mrs. Books and Scarlet,  went to see Dawn's performance as "Cory" in "Barefoot in the Park."  Everyone laughed when the actor playing the role of Paul Bratter, Cory's (Dawn's husband in the play) tripped on a loose thread from a rug and fell clumsily onto the sofa.  The pratfall wasn't in the script but the audience didn't know that of course.

     The actress playing Dawn's mother dribbled grape juice, posing as wine, down her front while attempting to daintily take a sip.  These incidents and others that occurred, although not scripted, could have, and just added to the charm of the play and at the end the audience gave the cast a standing ovation.  And to everyone's surprise Lee applauded louder and longer than any of them.

     Chet wasn't too happy about the kissing scenes that took place between Dawn and her leading man, even though they were relatively tame considering it was teens doing the kissing.  Dawn managed to sooth him by saying, "I'm just an actor playing a part."  Then she whispered something in his ear, and Chet suddenly looked a good deal more cheerful.

     Mr. Sullivan, drama teacher and director of the play was beside himself with glee.  He congratulated his cast with handshakes and hugs and told them all what a fantastic job they had done.  When the audience had settled down he took center stage, the cast standing behind him, and announced that the next play was to be "Oklahoma" and would be presented just before Thanksgiving on the twentieth  day of November.  Mr. Sullivan said that try-outs would begin in the morning and urged his students to get a good night's rest.

     As the group was heading to their cars, Glenna told her friends that she was going to try out for the part of "Lori" the leading female part.  "But this is a musical,"  Fletch said.  "I didn't know you could sing."  Glenna giggled.  "Well, a girl doesn't tell her boyfriend everything."  "I'm sure you'll get it,"  Dawn told her best friend. "I'm trying out for "Addle Annie,"  Dawn said laughing.  Everyone laughed with her not sure if she was serious. 

     The students in industrial arts class had graduated to tool boxes which they were cutting to size themselves, using the big industrial saws.  All of them were a little apprehensive not wanting to cut off a finger or two.  But their teacher Mr. Caldwell assured them they could do it, and he would oversee their work.  After a few minutes  Alex got the hang of it, and was very proud of himself.

     The boys had taken their bird houses home and Alex had given his to his mom who had hung it in the large maple tree in the back yard.  "Thanks Alex.  I love it," his mother said, ruffling his hair.  "What are you working on next?"  "Tool boxes,"  Alex said. Janeen made a face, then said, "Good.  A present for your father too."  Alex nodded and grinned at her.

     The "Buzz" that Mr. Clouse had created surrounding the North Side Detectives had nearly died away.  Alex and his friends were grateful, as telling other students, "We're not doing that anymore," can get very irritating.  Alex wondered if Principal Fuller had had his chat with Mr. Clouse.  Alex didn't think Mr. Clouse seemed very happy these days.  He was often moody and cranky.

     Alex and his friends had more homework this year and he and the others were struggling to keep up with it all.  Dawn and Glenna as always managed to keep up with the homework while taken on drama classes and acting in plays.  Dawn wasn't kidding about the part of Addle Annie.  She said it was an interesting character and after all one had to know how to play all sorts of parts if they wanted to be a working actor someday.

     Alex didn't think the group would have the time to investigate a case if one did fall into their laps.  They were all so busy.  Alex, Lee and Fletch had ball practice and ball games to attend, Lee with his football and Fletch and Alex with basketball.  The detectives hadn't been to the shack since the "Tower Mystery."

     Alex wondered how secret the shack still was since they all had been seen there by Detective Burns at the end of their last case.  Of course it was possible that he just thought the group was there because that's where the crooks were, and he didn't know the shack was there.  It was pretty much concealed by all the brush and trees.

     Thanksgiving was upon them without Alex and his friends realizing it.  And so was the play "Oklahoma."  Glenna had gotten the lead role of "Lori" and put to rest forever the doubts of anyone her abilities as a songstress.  She wowed the crowd with her solos and duets with her leading man who played the role of "Curly."

     Alex thought that Glenna really had a career in this field should she choose to.  "She can do anything!"  Fletch said, applauding with the rest of the audience as the curtain came down.  "I'm so lucky," he said, Alex grinning at him.  (Fletch and Glenna had been dating since the seventh grade.

     Before the audience was dismissed Mr. Sullivan announced that the next presentation would be the "Music Man on April second.  He explained that the great lapse between this play and the next one was due to the two vacations coming up, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and there wasn't enough time to prepare for production until after the new year.

     Another event that Alex and his friends were looking forward to was obtaining their driving permits, which would take place after the new year also.  All of them were taking driver's education classes when they returned from Christmas vacation after the second of January.  If all went well, they would have their licenses before school stared the next fall.

     Alex spent his Thanksgiving holiday working on mounds of homework.  He was trying to split his time between homework, basketball and his friends.  And of course his time with his friends was the one of three that got cut short.  Ironic, Alex thought that he didn't get to spend time with them until he went back to school after Thanksgiving.

     The five teens met outside the high school on the front steps.  Chet soon joined them.  "Got all the homework done?"  Lee asked Alex with a smirk.  "I did,"  Alex said proudly.  "I think it's a sin for teachers to give homework over the holidays,"  Lee said with a scowl.  Dawn nodded in agreement as she looked for something in her bag.

     "I actually finished mine too,"  Fletch said munching on a biscuit he'd brought from home.  "Have you guys given any more thought to what Mr. Clouse said about our....capers?"  Alex asked them.  He'd been thinking about Mr. Clouse quite a lot during his vacation.  He had asked his father if he'd talked to Principal Fuller and his father told him Mr. Fuller was going to have a talk with Mr. Clouse, and not to worry about it.

     But Alex had a feeling that the group's troubles with Mr. Clouse wasn't over with.  "When have we had the time to worry about that?"  Lee asked incredulous.  "I mean with all the homework, football, Dawn and Glenna's plays...."  Lee trailed off.  Dawn and Glenna gave Lee a, "You said it!" look in agreement.  "I know, I know.  But I don't think we've heard the last of Mr. Clouse."

     Lee rolled his eyes at Alex.  "What are you saying Alex?"  Fletch asked him while chewing on another biscuit.  "Well it's the lie he told about knowing Mr. Wells that bothers me the most.  I just wonder if it's worth investigating further,"  Alex said with a shrug.  "Look.  I admit it's exciting solving cases and everything.  But where's the crime here?  It's just a guy on some sort of ego trip."  Lee ended.

     Alex turned to Dawn.  "You're being awfully quiet.  What do you think?"  "I think Lee is right,"  Lee gave her a stunned look.  Dawn smirked at him.  "Well, you're right sometimes.  Alex. If this guy does something horrible, I'll be right behind you doing something.  But I don't have time in my schedule to investigate bad behavior."  Dawn ended with an apologetic smile at Alex.