The Mysterious Case of the Allbright Academy Read Online Free PDF Page A

twenty years ago, but he was always here on opening day to welcome the new batch of ‘wonderlings.’ Sadly, he’s not well enough to do that anymore, and we miss his wit and wisdom here at Allbright. However… ”—here she smiled to indicate a change of subject to something more upbeat—“Dr. Gallow is still very much with us. He continues to serve as the president of our board of directors and titular head of school. I don’t say this just because he’s my boss”—she paused here so we could laugh—“but he is one of the brightest, most dedicated human beings I have ever met. It is an honor for me to introduce him to you this morning. Dr. Gallow!”
    Everybody clapped as a handsome gray-haired man came out onto the stage, shook Dr. Bodempfedder’s hand, and took his place behind the podium.
    â€œGood morning,” he said, adjusting the microphone and pushing his glasses up on his nose. He gazed out at us in silence for a moment, taking in our collective wonderfulness, like Midas admiring his gold. Then he smiled very broadly and got started. (In case you’re wondering, his teeth weren’t quite as nice as Dr. B’s, but they were pretty nice all the same.)
    â€œIt’s always such a thrill for me to welcome new students on opening day,” he said. “I know how much work went into bringing you here—a rigorous talent search on the part of our staff and board members, and an equally rigorous testing and admissions process for you.” (A polite titter of laughter from the students.) “And the results, as always, are spectacular. The talent here in this room, the promise of greatness to come—well, it just blows me away!”
    Those adjectives were really piling up thick, I thought: talented, brilliant, smart, incredible, bright, gifted, exceptional, amazing, extraordinary, spectacular. Cheez! There was no end to it! What hope was there for somebody like me, who could more aptly be described as average, ordinary, regular, typical, or normal? I wondered if J. D. was thinking the same thing. Maybe that was the reason for the origami—to take his mind off the sea ofexcellence we were nearly drowning in.
    â€œThere are, of course, plenty of other fine schools in this country,” Dr. Gallow was saying. “They too attract bright students—some of them as bright as you—who will get into the top universities and professional schools, and then spend their lives working in well-paid, prestigious professions. But here at Allbright, we expect something greater from our graduates. We hope you will think beyond an easy life of wealth and success. We hope you will choose a life of service. When I look out at your young faces, I see more than just a room full of talented children. I see the future of this country.
    â€œToday America leads the world—but it may not lead it much longer. Did you realize that forty-two nations have lower infant mortality rates than we do? We’re forty-eighth in the world in life expectancy. Our high-school students score below average, worldwide, in math, science, and problem-solving skills. How long before we join all those other great countries—Egypt, Greece, Rome, Spain, England—who once led the world and then fell behind and became irrelevant? Will China or India soon surpass us, to become the new superpower? Not if I can help it! That’s the very reason Dr. Planck and I founded this school—to find you, the best and the brightest young people in America, and prepare you to take your place in the ranks ofthis country’s leaders. And when the torch is passed to you, be ready, be bold, be dedicated! Our future is in your hands!”
    Wild applause. J. D. tore off another tiny square and began methodically folding it into a pineapple.

4
    A fter Dr. Gallow’s rousing speech we were divided into groups by class. Zoë and J. D. stayed in the theater with