Lou-Ny-Ben Malcolm and Dandy played the game three more times Each time Dandy breezed through scoring big Malcolm slunk like a mouse barely getting by His highest score came when he imagined the musical notes were evil spirits that he whap sent flying off the stage But even those scores weren’t all that great When it was time for Dandy to leave he did the V arms again From now on 10
I’m the King of Rock Malcolm rolled his eyes Are you going to tell people that it was your adoring fans that ripped out a hunk of your hair Dandy’s hand flew up to the bald spot Maybe I can shave a design into it Or cover it with your Rock Star crown Dandy nodded That’s not a bad idea That’s a terrible idea Dandy Yeah I guess you’re right But he still seemed to be gloating over his Rock Like a Star talent Later he said as he strutted out the door Malcolm packed the video game back into the box Much later He’d barely closed the lid when his 11
sister Cocoa stormed in Mom Mom She was dressed in a tangerine-colored shirt lemon-yellow striped skirt and purple ankle boots The boots matched the lavender streaks in her hair What’s wrong Malcolm asked Fashion disaster She stomped over and pinched him with her raspberry-colored nails The only disaster will be what I do to you if you don’t hush Ow He rubbed his arm Mom Mom she screamed again Malcolm’s mom peeked her head around a door They’d both learned a long time ago that Cocoa’s shrieks were never an emergency What is it his mom asked 12
Cocoa bounced on her toes with excitement I need eighty-five dollars Ha Malcolm said Cocoa scowled at him Shut it Their mom stepped in Why on earth do you need eighty-five dollars Cocoa continued to bounce You’re not going to believe this Malcolm bounced on his toes while clapping his hands You’re going to buy a one-way bus ticket to the loony bin Yes she answered clapping her hands Wait what You’re really going to the loony bin She was practically springing out of her 13
