Molly Moon & the Monster Music Read Online Free PDF Page A

doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
    â€œIs he your dad?” asked Gerry.
    â€œNo,” Chokichi replied, half laughing. “He’s our manager.”
    â€œHe’s putting you down,” said Molly, “so that you think you’re so bad that no one else will ever manage you. It’s because you’re so good that he’s doing it. He doesn’t want you to leave him.”
    â€œYa think so?” said Toka, the small, muscular one. “Because he real mean just then. I don’t likeperforming anyway. An’ his meanness make me want to kit.”
    â€œTo kit?”
    â€œHe means quit,” explained Chokichi.
    â€œWell, he’s wrong,” Molly assured Toka.
    The band boys looked at one another and perked up a little.
    â€œThanks for coming, Micky,” said Hiroyuki. “And this your sister, Molly?”
    Micky nodded. “And this is Gerry.”
    â€œHi, guys,” said Hiroyuki.
    Chokichi and Toka got up and shook hands with their guests formally. “Hi,” they echoed.
    To break the embarrassed silence, Hiroyuki passed Gerry the paper he was holding. It was cleverly folded into the shape of a small elephant. “Here, for you. It baku . Special Japanese spirit creature. It have trunk and tusk of elephant but feet of tiger. It eat bad dreams.”
    â€œWow!” said Gerry. “Thanks. Does it work?”
    â€œWork for me.”
    â€œThat lady said the word baku after your manager thumped her. What does it mean?”
    Hiroyuki laughed. “No, she said baka, means ‘idiot.’ Poor Miss Sny. Mr. Proila is so mean to her.”
    â€œYou’re really good at folding paper!” Gerry said.
    â€œIt called origami in Japan. That nothing,” said Chokichi. “Look there.” He pointed to Hiroyuki’s dressing table where an array of little animals stood. The children went over to admire them.
    â€œWow, they must have taken ages,” Micky said admiringly.
    â€œNot so long.” Hiroyuki laughed. “They magic animals—called henge . I make before show tonight. Calm my nerves.”
    â€œI’ll order up some drinks and more snacks,” said Toka, slapping his knees. He went over to the phone.
    â€œNice room you’ve got here,” said Molly, walking across to one of the pinball machines. She felt in her pocket for some change. Her fingers closed around the gold coin in its black pouch and she couldn’t resist pulling it out to have a look at it.
    â€œOh, you don’t need money for them.” Chokichi laughed, joining Molly. “You just press that button.” His eyes fell upon the gold coin. “Wow! What’s that?”
    Molly showed the coin to him, tossing it lightly in the air so that he saw both its sides but not letting him touch it. The coin landed in her hand, musical note up. A very strong feeling suddenly gripped her. She really, really did not want Chokichi to touch hercoin.
    â€œIt’s nothing,” she said nonchalantly.
    â€œLooks like it’s for people who love music, with that note etched on it,” said Chokichi.
    â€œI suppose it is.” Molly put the coin in its black pouch and quickly slipped it back into her pocket. “Is this the thing to pull?” she said to Chokichi to change the subject, pointing at the pinball machine. She pulled back the starter mechanism and let it go.
    A small steel ball ricocheted around the obstacle course inside the machine. Gerry came over to see what they were doing.
    Molly stood aside to let him take over the paddles. “So how long are you here?” she asked Hiroyuki.
    â€œTill midday tomorrow. Then long flight back to Japan. And you?”
    â€œNot sure yet.” There was a pause. “How come that horrible man is your manager?” Molly asked.
    Hiroyuki sighed. “Mr. Proila discover us when we young. Our parents are poor.” Absentmindedly he picked up a piece