Sabrina nodded. “Remember what we told you. Stay on your toes.”
“Hello!” the librarian cried as he appeared from around a shelf. He was holding a towering stack of books that reached several feet over his head. “It’s the Grimm sisters. You know, since the last time you were here, I was thinking how clever and funny your name is—the Sisters Grimm—oh, that’s fun. Like the Brothers Grimm—only girls.”
“Yes, it’s hilarious,” Sabrina said, forcing a smile on her face. “Do you need any help?”
“Everything is under control,” the librarian said, but his words did not reflect reality. With each step, the tower of books swayed back and forth. Convinced that the stack would topple over and crush them at any moment, Sabrina shuffled the group to the left, then to the right. It seemed as if no matter what direction they moved, the swaying books followed.
“I suppose you are hot on the trail of another mystery,” the librarian continued, unaware of the impending disaster.
“Are you sure you don’t need a hand?” Daphne asked.
“I’m hunky-dory!” the librarian claimed, but he was wrong. The top book in his stack slipped off. The librarian’s right leg darted out and the book landed on his foot before it hit the ground. He stood balanced on one leg, yet perfectly content. With one foot holding the book, the odd gentleman was forced to hop up and down on his free leg toward the information desk. Unfortunately, his hopping made the tower drift even farther, keeping Sabrina, Daphne, and Puck on the move to avoid the avalanche.
Just as the librarian reached the desk, a banana peel slipped out of his pocket.
“OH! I’m losing my lunch!” he cried.
Sabrina sighed, knowing full well what was about to happen. She’d seen the same thing the last time they had visited the librarian, except then it had been an orange peel. She watched helplessly as he stepped on the banana peel and went flailing forward, showering the children with heavy books and knocking them to the ground. Sabrina caught one right between the eyes and saw little stars explode in front of her face.
Puck managed to snatch his sword and bat the books away, then he brushed himself off frantically as if the books had been poisonous spiders. “Get them off me!” he shouted.
“Oh, my! Clumsy me,” the librarian cried as he struggled to his feet. He tried to help the children up but stepped on the banana peel again and lost his footing once more. This time he did a complete somersault in midair and landed flat on his back. When he got to his feet, Sabrina could see his true Everafter form. Hay sprang from the collar and sleeves of his red plaid shirt. A dusty old hat sat on his head, and his kindly face was nothing more than an old burlap sack with eyes, nose, and mouth crudely painted on it. He was the Scarecrow, made famous in L. Frank Baum’s Oz books. Watching the face, with its moving mouth and blinking eyes, was too much for Sabrina’s sensitive stomach, and like Puck, she suddenly felt nauseated. She had to avert her eyes when Scarecrow talked, just to keep her lunch in her belly. She knew it was rude, but not as rude as barfing all over the card catalog. She wondered if she’d ever get used to seeing such strange things.
Puck leaped into the air. His wings kept him high above the piles of books. He darted around the librarian like an annoyinggnat.
“You’re a scarecrow,” he said.
“Actually, I’m the Scarecrow, accomplished thinker, former Emperor of Oz, and head librarian of the Mid-Hudson Public Library.”
Puck eyed the man closely. “But you’re made out of hay, right?”
“Yes, and a brain. The great and terrible Oz gave it to me before he flew away in his balloon.”
“Someone gave you a brain?” Puck asked. “I’m actually jealous. Whose was it before you got it?”
“I’m not sure what you mean,” Scarecrow stammered.
“The brain! Oz had to have gotten it somewhere. I bet it was a deranged killer’s. Those are the easiest to get.”
The Scarecrow stifled a scream. “My brain was brand new!”
“As if!” Puck said. “I know Oz and he never bought anything that wasn’t on sale. I’m sure your brain is secondhand.”
The Scarecrow looked as if he might have a nervous breakdown, so Sabrina stepped in to change the subject. “We’re looking for a friend who is overseas. We have a street address and a flag but not a city or a country.”
“Well, you came to the right place,” the librarian exclaimed as he got himself under control. “Tell me about this flag of yours.”