Beware the Fisj Read Online Free PDF

viewers.”
    “Sounds like a broadcast from outer space,” laughed Mr. Tupper. “The invasion of the fish people.”
    “Go ahead and laugh,” she grinned. “But I have to answer the phone. What shall I tell people?”
    “Make up something about atmospheric conditions, and tell them we’re looking into it,” said Mr. Tupper. “That’s what we’re going to do.”
    * * *
    Elmer Drimsdale’s alarm went off with an ear-splitting jangle at six o’clock Monday morning, waking up the three boys in 201 and probably half the dormitory as well.
    Elmer threw off the covers and bounded energetically out of bed. He inhaled and exhaled deeply, unable to do his customary deep knee-bends because of the lack of space.
    “The beginning of another day!” he announced brightly. “Time to tend to all my little friends.”
    A slipper whizzed by his ear. “Your little friends’ll be fine. It’s your big friends you’ve got to worry about,” growled Bruno from the depths of his pillow.
    Boots sneezed five times, signifying that he was awake for the day. Slowly he began to crawl out of bed.
    “Would you like to feed my goldfish?” Elmer offered generously.
    “No, thanks,” said Boots. “Maybe some other time.”
    “Perhaps you’d like to sprinkle a little sugar for my ant colony?”
    “Oh, all right,” sighed Boots. He took the sugar dispenser over to the terrarium, removed the cover and switched on the lamp. He sprinkled a little sugar on top of the sand. Instantly several dozen ants broke to the surface. He sprinkled a little more and more ants emerged. Boots watched, transfixed. “Hey, Bruno,” he exclaimed, without taking his eyes from the terrarium, “you should see this. A miniature riot!”
    “No, I shouldn’t,” mumbled Bruno, half asleep.
    “Here, you guys,” said Boots to the ants. “I’ll give you some more.”
    “No, no,” said Elmer quickly. “That’s enough for today.”
    “Yeah,” Bruno agreed. “Too much sugar will rot their little teeth.”
    “You know,” said Boots, “that’s really neat! I’m going to get me one of these.”
    “Spare me!” moaned Bruno.
    While Boots showered and dressed, Elmer began the long, careful process of watering his plants. Then he too got dressed. Bruno never stirred. Finally, at about 7:15, Boots and Elmer left for the dining hall.
    Just as the door clicked behind them, Bruno hopped out of bed and went straight to Elmer’s invention. He switched it on and watched with delight as the salmon materialized on the screen.
    “The Fish has arisen,” he announced in the deepest voice he could muster. “The Fish is everywhere. Beware the Fish!” He laughed with glee and switched off. This was the best new toy he had had for many a year.
    Bruno sighed wistfully. It was too bad Elmer’s PIT technology could not deliver its broadcasts beyond the little screen on the black box. Bruno would dearly have loved to make his fish jokes via TV to Mr. Sturgeon himself, without the Headmaster’s being able to find out it was him.
    Little did Bruno know that his message, along with the picture of Elmer’s salmon, had reached Mr. Sturgeon — and every other television viewer in the vicinity of Macdonald Hall — by means of the
Early Show
.
    * * *
    A class detention made Bruno and Boots late getting out of science class. It was after four when they strolled across the campus towards Dormitory 2.
    “Boy, was Mr. Hubert ever mad!” said Bruno. “Who set fire to the counter anyway?”
    “Who else?” replied Boots. “Old Butterfingers. But it was an accident.”
    “With him it always is,” grinned Bruno.
    The two boys entered the dormitory and walked down the hall to 201. When they opened the door an amazing sight met their eyes. By relocating some furniture and various experiments, Elmer had managed to set up an extensive chemistry laboratory. There was a long table. On it sat a hot plate, two alcohol burners, two Pyrex flasks, three dozen test tubes of various