One substitute had a star tattoo one had a bird and the other had a frog Just like all the new substitutes they each had a long thin cell phone attached to a wristband As Josh walked past them one pointed at him When she spoke the bird tattoo on her cheek seemed to move Student please explain how the president is chosen Josh cleared his throat Um by election What is by election another sub asked We’re late to class Jenny said Josh walked quickly past them When they reached their classroom Josh flung open the door Late again Mr and Miss Stuard their teacher said Sorry Mr Ott Josh said hurrying to his seat Jenny slid into hers Josh was glad to see Mr Ott standing beside his desk He was new this year but everybody liked him 6
Now before I give you your vocabulary test I have exciting news Mr Ott said Josh leaned forward in his seat Mr Ott had been hinting they were going to do a special project the first semester The year before a teacher had someone bring in animals from the zoo every Friday and the class got to learn about them Another teacher turned the classroom into a kingdom with castle walls a king and queen and even a dungeon What could Mr Ott be planning First thing after lunch we will talk about our new project for the semester Josh glanced at Jenny She frowned They both hated waiting for things After the vocabulary test Mr Ott showed a movie about Egypt Hey Josh a voice whispered in the dark What Josh asked He knew it was Curtis Beamer Curtis always talked during movies 7
I bet we have more substitutes than regular teachers now Curtis said Josh leaned toward his friend Yeah And what’s with all those questions they ask I know Curtis said It’s like we’re on a game show Quiet boys Mr Ott said Josh leaned back He watched the clock instead of the movie Finally the bell rang for lunch He poked his sister’s arm as they hurried out the door What do you think the special project will be he asked Jenny grinned I don’t know but I bet it’ll be the best one yet After getting their food Josh and Jenny grabbed their favorite table Josh looked around the cafeteria The new substitutes were everywhere The regular teachers on lunch duty stood together talking But the substitutes walked down the rows of tables 8
stopping every few minutes to lean forward ask a kid a question speak into their phone and walk on to another kid Jenny chewed her food and mumbled Why won’t they leave us alone Hey stop spraying your food said Josh I’m going to smell like tuna all day Charlie Weatherby leaned across the table A substitute actually asked me questions through the bathroom door yesterday Eeew Jenny said Did you answer Charlie shrugged I didn’t even know the answer to tell him He asked when the first ship from Earth went into space Josh nodded These substitutes had lots of questions His cousin said they were the same at his school They didn’t really teach just asked questions Jenny finished her milk and said There is something scary and mysterious about them 9
