All Friends Check-In (The Suite Life of Zack & Cody)

13. Poor Little Rich Girl

While reading one of my books in the lobby, I noticed on every newspaper's front page that Mr. Tipton had gone broke from borrowing too much money from the bank to invest in a diamond mine. Nothing but dirt turned up.

One of the elevators opened, and London came out screaming. She ran up to Uncle Marion, who informed her that Mr. Tipton had to stay in hiding and couldn't send for London. My uncle also told her that the bank suggested that she move out of the hotel to rent her suite to someone who could pay for it. London contacted her friends, including a former stepsister, to see if she could stay with either of them until things returned to normal.

Later, London's wardrobe was sold to help pay off Mr. Tipton's debt. Carey purchased a white fuzzy coat that she found cute, but returned it to London. 

"I wish we could have her stay with us," I sighed when it became clear that neither of London's friends were willing to let her stay with either of them just because she was broke and that they were getting back at her for the times she didn't help them out.

"The apartment is too small for three people, Marley," Uncle Marion reminded me.

Carey offered to have London stay in the suite with her and the twins. It wouldn't have worked out anyway since Carey slept on a fold-out couch and the twins shared a room.

"Maddie, would it be possible for London to stay with you for a while?" Uncle Marion asked the former.

"No, not possible. Love to. Can't. Coming!" Maddie remarked sassily. 

She started to walk away when I grabbed her arm.

"No one called you," I pointed out.

"If memory serves, since your sister moved out, don't you have an extra bed?" Uncle Marion added.

"My sister didn't move out," Maddie shook her head.

"Well, that's odd. I distinctly remember you dancing around the lobby singing: ♪My sister got a groom. I got my own room. What?♪"

My uncle had an excellent memory and was a great dancer.

"Oh, that sister," Maddie remembered that her sister had moved out of the house because she had gotten married.

"Come on, Maddie. London's got nowhere to go. And it would be the right thing to do," Zack suggested.

"How sweet, Zack," Carey commended him. "Maybe you are Cody."

It turned out the twins were convinced that they were switched at birth. I hoped it would end soon, otherwise I might end up talking with the wrong twin.

"I guess a few days couldn't hurt," Maddie told the rest of us and nodded to London. "London, you're welcome to stay with me."

"Thank you so much, Maddie," London smiled at me. "I'm going upstairs to get my things."She was about to head for the elevator, but paused, remembering that most of her things had been sold. "Wait a second. I don't have anything." London leaned onto Maddie's shoulder, crying.

"That's not true. You've got all of us to help you pull through this," I assured the sobbing heiress.

"There, there," Maddie patted the side of London's head.

The next evening, London helped babysit the twins. I ended up hanging out at the suite to assist her. When attempting to make grilled cheese sandwiches, she forgot to remove the plastic from the cheese slices and pull out the bread. The smoke alarm went off, and the twins opened the window and pulled out the fire extinguisher.

To keep things simple, the twins and I showed London how to put together a bowl of cereal. She liked it.

A few days later, the twins' birth certificates arrived. I can only hope Zack and Cody would come to their senses and be themselves again.

"Here it is, special delivery from Children's Hospital," Uncle Marion informed Carey as he handed her an envelope.

"Mr. Moseby, don't you and Marley wanna find out if Zack is Zack and Cody's Cody?" Carey wondered.

"Is there any chance those footprints might say you got the wrong twins at the hospital? And that your real ones are nice, quiet, and polite?"

"Absolutely none."

"Ciao."

I gave Carey and the twins some space and went to one of the couches where London and Maddie ate peanut butter sandwiches. It turned out London enjoyed it.

I overheard the twins cheering when it became clear that they were themselves. Now I wouldn't have to worry about addressing the wrong twin.

On the newspaper's front page, oil had been struck on Mr. Tipton's diamond mine. When it became clear to London that she was rich again, she hugged Uncle Marion and me in glee. I noted Maddie felt bummed out and guessed she enjoyed London's company for the past few days.

Next thing, London remembered lunch plans with Maddie and included me. The three of us ended up going to a fancy restaurant.