Punk'd and Skunked Read Online Free PDF Page A

followed Alli and Corky to the terrace of Crumpet Hall. We sat down at a table with a white tablecloth and little china plates. Feldspar Pyritepulled out a chair and sat down with us.
    â€œAfternoon tea is an old school tradition started by the Pigges,” Corky said. “Pigges have been cupping for centuries.”
    Cupping ?
    â€œWe only have ten minutes and forty-two seconds,” Alli said, checking her clipboard. “Then I have to check you into your rooms.”
    Feldspar tossed back his head and sneezed. “Bad allergies,” he said. He wiped his nose with a five-dollar bill.
    My tongue rolled out, and I started to pant.
    A tall waiter in a white uniform brought a pot of tea and a tray of little sandwiches.
    Feenman grabbed a bunch of sandwiches before the waiter set the tray down. “Hey—these sandwiches don’t have crusts!” he cried.
    â€œWe don’t like crusts on our sandwiches,” Corky said, his stubby nose raised in the air. “Too crusty.”
    He grabbed the teapot. “I’ll pour,” he said. “Pigges always pour the tea.”
    Alli stared at her watch. “Eat fast,” she said. “I have a list of fourteen more things to do this hour.
    After that, I get really busy!”
    Feenman pawed through all the sandwiches. “Isn’t there any salami?”
    Belzer took a sip of tea, gurgled it around in his mouth, then tried to spit it on the ground. But he missed and spit it all over Crench.
    Crench let out a cry. He grabbed a cheese sandwich and smushed it into Belzer’s face. Feenman squeezed a fat glob of tuna salad into Crench’s shirt pocket.
    Feldspar leaned across the table to me. “Like to play croquet?” he asked.
    My buddies started to hoot and laugh. But I shut them up fast.
    â€œCroquet is our favorite sport,” I said. “We’re on the croquet team at Rotten School. We can’t get enough of it…the smell of the fresh-cut grass…the thwack of a mallet…thrilling!”
    â€œMaybe we could play a few rounds,” Feldspar said.
    â€œWe’d love to,” I said.
    â€œMaybe a dollar a wicket?” Feldspar whispered. “You know. A little bet to make it more fun?”

    I gasped. “Huh? Gamble?” I said. “Oh, no. We’re not here to bet on games. We have to concentrate on winning the contest.”
    â€œHow about we make it five dollars a wicket?” Feldspar said.
    Oh, wow. I didn’t want to bet on croquet. I had my eye on the five-thousand-dollar contest prize. But…I couldn’t pass up a bet.
    â€œWell…maybe,” I said.
    Feldspar reached into his shorts pocket and pulled out a deck of cards. “Here’s another game you might like,” he said. “It’s called poker. Ever play?”
    I shook my head. “Poker? No. I’ve only seen it on TV.”
    It was a white lie. I really didn’t want to get into a card game. It was gonna take all my brainpower to think up a new invention.
    â€œI’ll teach it to you,” Feldspar said, shuffling the deck like a pro. “Alli and Corky can play, too. Just a fun game.”
    â€œI think I can fit it in between eight and eight-twelve,” Alli said.
    â€œMaybe we’ll play for a few nickels,” Feldsparsaid. “Or maybe dollars. Just for fun. Meet me in the game room tonight.”
    This guy Feldspar Pyrite reminded me of someone I liked—ME!
    He hurried away. Alli and Corky went to talk to some friends.
    I turned to my buddies. They were pouring tea onto each other’s heads. “Cool it,” I whispered. “Did you hear what I told him? I told him we never played cards before.”

    â€œKnow why I told him that?” I said. “Because we don’t have time for cards. We’ve got five thousand dollars to win. Start thinking about an invention,guys. Have you ever heard of an emergency ? This is it!”
    They