The Slither Sisters

TWELVE





The next morning, Robert went to school early and walked the hallways with a stack of posters and a roll of masking tape, hanging advertisements every ten feet or so. Sometimes he heard kids reading the posters and giggling.

“Who the heck is Robert Arthur?”

“Beats me.”

“Never heard of him.”

Robert knew these were perfect opportunities to introduce himself. A real leader would turn around and shake hands and tell the kids exactly why they should vote for him. But Robert was afraid they would laugh or make fun of him or worse. The poster presented him as a valiant warrior, but after last night he felt more frightened and inadequate than ever.

He was taping a poster in the boys’ bathroom when he was startled by a loud clatter of metal. He turned to see Howard Mergler struggling to push open the door. Howard had dropped one of his forearm crutches and was trying to retrieve it. The orthotic braces on his legs made it impossible to bend his knees. He looked like he was about to topple over.

“Here,” Robert said, grabbing the crutch for him.

“Thanks,” Howard said. “You would not believe how often that happens.”

Robert returned to taping his poster.

“So it’s true?” Howard asked. “You’re running for president?”

“It’s true. Nothing personal.”

“Let me give you some free advice,” Howard said. “Don’t say you’re going to give students better computer equipment. Or more nutritious school lunches.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m saying that, and no one listens!”

Robert laughed. “It’s too bad. Those are good ideas.”

“They’re great ideas. But who can compete with Cupcake Friday? That’s what Sarah Price is promising. Free cupcakes in the lobby every Friday. Never mind who makes them, or who pays for them.” Howard sighed. “People love her and they’re going to vote for her. We don’t have a chance.”

At lunch, Robert went to the library and told Ms. Lavinia about the giant snake. “It told me to drop out, and I think I should.”

Ms. Lavinia scoffed. “Now why would you listen to a snake?” She was pushing her wooden cart through a corridor lined with books and Robert hustled to keep up.

“Well, for starters, this snake was in my bed. And it was a hundred feet long. It was very persuasive.”

She absently plucked a book from a shelf and added it to the cart. “You can’t quit now. We’re running a great campaign. You just need to stick with it.”

“The election’s tomorrow. All I’ve done is hang posters!”

“That’s phase one of the plan. My husband will help with phase two.”

“Your husband?”

“Warren Lavinia. You can find him in the old lighthouse down by the waterfront.” She pulled a pink envelope from her pocket and handed it to Robert. “Give him these instructions and he’ll take care of the rest.”

“Can you come with me?”

“I wish I could. My brother forbids it. But you can take Glenn.” She thought for a moment. “And go as early as you can. You boys don’t want to be at the waterfront after dark.”