Aldo's Fantastical Movie Palace Read Online Free PDF Page A

screenplay? You’re writing a fantasy screenplay?
    â€œThat’s actually kind of cool,” she whispered and looked back up through the iron bars. “I’ll, um … I’ll keep it safe for you.”
    She nodded, tucked the stack of papers safely beneath her arm, and walked toward the Movie Palace.
    Mom’s truck clinked by. She slowed, grinned, and waved. Q saluted her from the back, and Grif, standing, gave his brother’s head a whack. No wonder they’d been banned from the bus last year. Chloe shook her head and joined Mom in the lot.
    â€œWell?” Mom opened up her arms.
    â€œI hate it here.” Chloe dropped her gaze. “I want to go back to Rochester.”
    Mom squinted and brushed the hair off Chloe’s face.
    â€œForget it. Just heard the blind kid say it, and it felt about right to me too.”
    Mom pursed her lips, and Chloe continued. “Same old. Same name.”
    â€œIf you want to move to Rochester, I’ll help you pack,” Grif jumped down and winced. “I tell you, that old man started something —”
    Mom froze him with a glance.
    â€œDo you know I had to stand in every class like a dunce?”
    â€œAbout time they put you in the right place. You get one of them dunce caps to wear?” Q grinned.
    â€œInside, you two. I asked you to help on opening night, not to drive customers away. And Grif, that old man is your grandfather.”
    Chloe tossed her backpack into the truck and slammed the door.
    â€œMaybe Nick will end up being a friend.” Mom unlocked Aldo’s and they stepped inside. The dank, cool air enveloped Chloe. Safe at last.
    â€œDoubt it. Nick’s worse than the others. He talks short and angry.” Chloe stared down at the screenplay. “I just don’t think —”
    â€œHe’s been through a lot.” Mom exhaled long and slow. “Don’t give up on him.”
    Whatever. I never started with him
.
    Chloe cranked the handle of the hot dog heater to activate the motor. “I have enough problems at school. I don’t need more.”
    Mom nodded. “I’m sure you’ll figure it all out. I did invite Nick’s family to dinner Friday, so try to make nice by then.”
    Chloe stopped cranking. “You didn’t.”
    â€œThey’re new to the neighborhood. You know how your father likes to be hospitable.”
    â€œTo everyone but me!” Chloe ran up to theprojection room, set down Nick’s play, and lifted reel one into place.
What do you think? Should we invite Nick over? Let’s ask Chloe how she feels
. “A little courtesy would help around here!”
    A cough echoed from the theater seats. Chloe glanced out the window. Mr. Simonsen.
    â€œYou all right up there, Chloe?”
    â€œYeah, sorry.” She clicked the reel and dimmed the lights. “Never better.”
    Dinner with Nick. That’s a real horror movie waiting to begin
.
    She slumped to the floor and Streak jumped onto her lap. “Been waiting for me? Sorry. I’ve been cleaning up after Nick.” Streak licked her front paw. “Don’t worry, you don’t want to know him.”
    Chloe peered up at the screenplay, thought for an instant, and reached for the stack. Soon the sheets spread out over the entire projection room floor.
    â€œStreak, there has to be some order to these, but I can’t figure it out.” She picked up two papers and glanced back and forth. “There’s hardly any description of this world. It’s all dialogue. Where do these river dwarfs come from? And here, what’s a Calainian?”
    She held a sheet in front of Streak, who curled up and closed her eyes. “Take these guys who liveunderground. He calls them Quints. I have no idea what they look like or —” Chloe bit her lip and grabbed a pen off the counter. “Quints. Sounds like Quenton. They’d be short and fat.” She scribbled a