The Accidental Keyhand Read Online Free PDF Page A

stake.
    â€œOh, how exciting!” cried Mr. Kornberger, throwing back his cloak and taking hold of the hilt of his sword.
    â€œExcellent!” said Marcus.
    â€œThat’s crazy,” said Lavinia, giving Marcus an irritated look. “None of us know anything about real fencing. We’re actors. We wear costumes. We use fake swords and entertain tourists.”
    â€œI know some moves!” objected Dorrie indignantly.
    Mr. Kornberger beamed at her. “And the name of the rogue who will face you?”
    Dorrie took a deep breath. “Tiffany Tolliver.”
    â€œMaybe not so excellent,” said Marcus.
    â€œTiffany’s going to the Junior Olympics!” screeched Lavinia.
    Mr. Kornberger raised his sword encouragingly. “What Dorrie lacks in actual sport-fencing experience, she’ll make up for in dramatic flair!” He lowered his sword and cleared his throat. “But Lavinia, why don’t you run across the street and get the library’s copy of Fencing for Dummies . Oh! And ask Amanda for Classic Swashbuckler Films of the 1930s by Derwood Honeycutt. That ought to be an inspiration.” He turned to Dorrie. “What time is your appointment with destiny?”
    â€œUh, Tiffany said three o’clock,” said Dorrie, hoping they were talking about the same thing.
    â€œBut that’s just when the Melee starts,” complained Lavinia.
    â€œSo, go watch the Melee!” cried Dorrie.
    â€œNever,” said Lavinia.
    For an hour, Dorrie practiced with Tiffany’s sword while Lavinia read sport-fencing rules out loud; Mr. Kornberger leafed through Mr. Honeycutt’s book, exclaiming over pictures of actors brandishing swords on ship decks and castle drawbridges; and Marcus and Justin shouted out random pieces of often-contradictory advice. This seemed to irritate Moe, who threw himself against the sides of his cage so that it rocked on its wheels until Rosa calmed him by wedging a half-eaten turkey drumstick through the cage’s bars.
    â€œGod’s dentures,” said Mr. Kornberger, catching sight of his watch. “It’s 1:45! I have to pick up my mother at the racetrack.” He crammed his feathered hat down onto his curls and saluted Dorrie smartly. “I to the bookmobile and you to the ramparts! If I don’t get back in time to cheer you on, just put lots of spirit in your attack and have a good time. Oh, and feel free to vocalize. No rules against that, and I think vocalization really releases the swashbuckler within.”
    â€œAaargh, me hearty!” Marcus crowed, clapping Dorrie on the back.
    Dorrie was glad Mr. Kornberger had no idea what was riding on the bout. As soon as he disappeared, she told the others.
    â€œOkay,” said Marcus. “You should have talked to Mr. Kornberger’s mother first, because I don’t think you understand this whole betting thing. You’re supposed to have at least a fifty-fifty chance of winning before you agree to a straight win-lose bet like that.”
    Dorrie fixed him with a furious glare and slung her duffel bag over her shoulder. “I think I do have a fifty-fifty chance of winning!”
    â€œA hundred percent chance!” wheezed Rosa stoutly, puffing on her inhaler again.
    ***
    At three o’clock, Dorrie, Marcus, Lavinia, Justin, and Rosa, with Moe’s cage trundling along behind her, crossed the park. Rounding the back corner of the bathrooms, they emerged into a little hardscrabble area out of the traffic of festival visitors. Tiffany was already there, sitting on a picnic table with her friends on either side of her and another sport fencing sword balanced carelessly over her shoulder.
    She got to her feet. “Let the no-rules bout begin.”
    The Academy students shifted uneasily and exchanged glances.
    Dorrie’s hands tightened around the strap of the duffel bag. “A no-rules bout?”
    â€œUnless you’re too scared,” said