Night of the Living Dummy Read Online Free PDF Page B

morning.”
    “Just trying to help,” Lindy said. “You don’t have to be so defensive, do you?”
    Kris uttered an angry growl.
    “Was that your stomach?” she made Mr. Wood say.
    Cody laughed.
    “At least one person thinks you’re funny,” Lindy said dryly. “But if you want to do parties, you really should get some better jokes.”
    Kris let the dummy slump to her lap. “I can’t find any good joke books,” she said dejectedly. “Where do you find your jokes?”
    A superior sneer formed on Lindy’s face. She tossed her long hair behind her shoulder. “I make up my own jokes,” she replied snootily.
    “You are a joke!” Cody said.
    “Ha-ha. Remind me to laugh later,” Lindy said sarcastically.
    “I can’t believe you don’t have your dummy out here,” Alice told Lindy. “I mean, don’t you want to rehearse for the party?”
    “No need,” Lindy replied. “I’ve got my act down. I don’t want to over-rehearse.”
    Kris groaned loudly.
    “Some of the other parents are staying at the birthday party to watch Slappy and me,” Lindy continued, ignoring Kris’ sarcasm. “If the kids like me, their parents might hire me for their parties.”
    “Maybe you and Kris should do an act together,” Alice suggested. “That could be really awesome.”
    “Yeah. What an act! Then there’d be four dummies!” Cody joked.
    Alice was the only one to laugh.
    Lindy made a face at Cody. “That might actually be fun,” she said thoughtfully. And then she added, “When Kris is ready.”
    Kris drew in her breath and prepared to make an angry reply.
    But before she could say anything, Lindy grabbed Mr. Wood from her hands. “Let me give you a few pointers,” Lindy said, putting one foot on Kris’ folding chair and arranging Mr. Wood on her lap. “You have to hold him up straighter, like this.”
    “Hey—give him back,” Kris demanded, reaching for her dummy.
    As she reached up, Mr. Wood suddenly lowered his head until he was staring down at her. “You’re a jerk!” he rasped in Kris’ face, speaking in a low, throaty growl.
    “Huh?” Kris pulled back in surprise.
    “You’re a stupid jerk!” Mr. Wood repeated nastily in the same harsh growl.
    “Lindy—stop it!” Kris cried.
    Cody and Alice both stared in openmouthed surprise.
    “Stupid moron! Get lost! Get lost, stupid jerk!” the dummy rasped in Kris’ face.
    “Whoa!” Cody exclaimed.
    “Make him stop!” Kris screamed at her sister.
    “I can’t!” Lindy cried in a trembling voice. Her face became pale, her eyes wide with fear. “I can’t make him stop, Kris! He—he’s speaking for himself!”

 
    9

    The dummy glared at Kris, its grin ugly and evil.
    “I—I can’t make him stop. I’m not doing it,” Lindy cried. Tugging with all her might, she pulled Mr. Wood out of Kris’ face.
    Cody and Alice flashed each other bewildered glances.
    Frightened, Kris raised herself from the folding chair and backed up against the tree trunk. “He—he’s talking on his own?” She stared hard at the grinning dummy.
    “I—I think so. I’m… all mixed up!” Lindy declared, her cheeks bright pink.
    Barky yipped and jumped on Lindy’s legs, trying to get her attention. But she kept her gaze on Kris’ frightened face.
    “This is a joke—right?” Cody asked hopefully.
    “What’s going on?” Alice demanded, her arms crossed in front of her chest.
    Ignoring them, Lindy handed Mr. Wood back to Kris. “Here. Take him. He’s yours. Maybe you can control him.”
    “But, Lindy—” Kris started to protest.
    Lindy glared at her watch. “Oh, no! The party! I’m late!” Shaking her head, she took off toward the house. “Later!” she called without looking back.
    “But Lindy—” Kris called.
    The kitchen door slammed behind Lindy.
    Holding Mr. Wood by the shoulders, Kris lowered her eyes to his face. He grinned up at her, a devilish grin, his eyes staring intently into hers.

    Kris swung easily, leaning back and raising her feet