Fabulous Five 024 - The Great TV Turnoff

by Betsy Haynes

  "Tell us about the latest episode of Interns and Lovers you've written, Mel," said Christie.

  "I'm glad you asked," said Melanie, digging into her purse and pulling out a small spiral notebook. "The way I've got it figured out, see, is that Sylvia's convalescing now and Cal is spending all his time at the hospital with her. He doesn't realize it yet, but he's falling in love."

  "Something told me it would turn out that way," said Christie with a smile.

  "Katie," Mrs. Karl called, as the study period came to an end. "Would you drop this envelope off at the office for me?"

  "Yes, ma'am."

  As Katie hurried along the busy hallway, she saw Tony walking ahead of her with Bill and Scott. She felt a tug at her heart as the three boys laughed and jostled each other. Part of her wanted to tell Tony she missed him, but another part of her still felt that he was the one who owed her the apology. It was obvious that he was still angry at her, too.

  When Katie entered the office, Miss Simone was at her desk, looking totally frazzled.

  Mr. Bell was standing nearby with an exasperated look on his face.

  "Miss Simone, that was at least the tenth irate call I've gotten about the article in this morning's paper. Please take my calls from now on."

  Then, noticing Katie, he frowned. "Oh, hello, Katie. I didn't see you standing there," He turned and went back into his office.

  "Mrs. Karl asked me to give you this envelope, Miss Simone," said Katie.

  "Thank you, dear."

  Katie hesitated before leaving. "Miss Simone, was Mr. Bell talking about my mother's article that was in the paper this morning?"

  The secretary looked at Katie and smiled. "I'm afraid he was. It's part of his job to take flak, and he doesn't really mind it this time. He knows it's for a good cause."

  "Why is he getting so many angry calls?" asked Katie.

  "Some of the parents feel that the article was directed at them," Miss Simone replied, "and they think the school may have talked your mother into writing it. I think there are a few guilty consciences out there."

  Boy, Katie thought as she hurried to her next class. What a mess the turnoff was shaping up to be. It had sounded so simple at first. People would turn off their televisions for two weeks and find something else to do. But things had quickly become a lot more complicated.

  Katie squared her shoulders and stuck out her chin as she marched into her next class. One thing was certain—she wasn't going to give up on the TV turnoff. In spite of everything, it was a good idea.

  CHAPTER 12

  Katie looked around the crowded school yard in amazement. There were boys and girls with bicycles all over the place. Some of them, including Tony, Bill, and Scott, were seventh-graders, but there were kids from eighth and ninth grade, too. Even the McNatts were going to Adventureland. Then Katie noticed Laura McCall and her friends.

  "I can't believe it," said Katie. "Laura's here. She's actually coming."

  Jana shrugged. "I guess so."

  "Don't worry about Laura, Katie," said Melanie. "This has turned out great. Except for sports events and dances, it's one of the first things Wacko kids have ever done together as one big group."

  "Right," agreed Katie. "At least the first part of the plan is working. That doesn't mean everyone will go out for pizza together tonight, though. Laura will probably spend the whole afternoon inviting kids to her party."

  "If they all went out for pizza, Mama Mia's couldn't handle them, anyway," commented Christie.

  "There are a lot of other places for kids to go, like Taco Plenty and Bumpers," said Jana. "Maybe they'll want to do that instead of going to Laura's to watch TV."

  "We'd better get started," said Katie grimly. She got on her bike and pushed off. "Let's go, everybody!" she shouted.

  "Head 'em up, and move 'em out!" yelled Shane.

  Katie rode out of the school yard with a stream of bicyclers behind her and headed for the amusement park.

  At Adventureland, Jana, Melanie, and Beth went on rides with their boyfriends, while Katie went with Christie. She was having fun with her friend, but it felt odd not being with Tony. They usually went to places like this as a couple. Every once in a while she spotted him with Scott and Bill. Lisa was with them, too, but Katie noticed that Bill wasn't paying much attention to her.

  The Wakeman students were spread out all over the park and seemed to be having a great time. Kids waved to her from every ride she passed. Well, at least the TV turnoff accomplished one thing, thought Katie. It got everyone together to have fun. Then she saw Tony standing in line to go on the super Ferris wheel. Everyone but me, that is.

  But in spite of missing Tony, Katie found that the afternoon passed quickly.

  "Super idea, Katie," said Daphne Alexandrou when Katie and Christie stopped at the refreshment tent to get ice cream. "We ought to do this more often."

  "Yeah," chimed in Shelly Bramlett.

  Katie smiled with pleasure as she and Christie found seats at the table where Jana, Melanie, and Beth were sitting with their boyfriends.

  Glancing around, she saw Tony, Scott, and Bill sitting not far away. Near them were Max and Joe McNatt with some other eighth- and ninth-grade boys. They were wearing their red-and-gold Wakeman jackets. Kaci Davis and Kyle Zimmerman, another ninth-grader, were holding hands as they walked into the tent. Mona and Matt were talking nearby. Laura and her friends were there, too. The tent was full of Wakeman kids.

  Just then three boys wearing black letter jackets with large red B's on them walked into the tent carrying sodas. Katie watched as other Branford kids trickled into the tent after them.

  Uh-oh, thought Katie. This could mean trouble, especially if the principal of Branford Junior High told his students about Wakeman's challenge. She cringed as she remembered that Miss Simone had even sent copies of Wakeman's turnoff contracts to the other school.

  One of the boys wearing a Branford jacket nudged the boy standing next to him and said in a loud voice, "Hey, aren't those some of the Wakeman wimps over there?"

  His friend glanced around and said, "Yeah. I think you're right. Did you hear the big joke that they think they can beat us?"

  While both boys broke up laughing, some of the Wakeman students began grumbling among themselves.

  "Of course we can beat you!" Max McNatt yelled.

  "What are we going to do?" whispered Melanie.

  "I don't know," said Katie. "But if we don't think of something, this could turn into a fight."

  Suddenly Katie noticed four girls. They were cheerleaders whom she'd met after a Branford-Wakeman football game when she, Jana, and Christie had gone down to see Beth and Melanie on the field. Katie looked at Beth. "Recognize those girls?"

  "Yeah, they're Jill, Ruthie, Kristin, and Dina from the Branford squad. They're really nice."

  "Hey, you're right," said Melanie. "Let's say hello."

  "Well, I just had an idea," said Katie. "What do you think of this?" She bent closer and told them her idea.

  "It just might work," said Beth. "Come on. Let's find out."

  The Fabulous Five hurried over to the Branford cheerleaders and said hello.

  After they had chatted for a few minutes, Katie said, "We had an idea we wanted to talk to you about."

  "What's that?" asked Jill, the tall, dark-haired cheerleader.

  "You must have heard that Wakeman is having a TV turnoff like the one Branford had," Katie continued.

  "Right," said Ruthie. "Our principal told us about it. How's it going?"

  "Pretty well," answered Katie. "But we thought it would be fun if each school did cheers for the TV turnoff, just like we do at games. Maybe just a couple to stir up some excitement? Besides, if we get the crowd started having fun, it might keep fights from breaking out. Branford and Wakeman are pretty big rivals."

  "Hmm," said Jill, looking thoughtful. "That might work, and it does sound like fun. What do you think?" she asked, turning to the others.

  "Great," said Dina, a
short blond. "Let's do it."

  The other two girls nodded.

  "Most of the seventh-grade cheerleaders are here, plus a few from the varsity squad," said Jill. "We'll get our cheerleaders together, and you get yours. When you're ready, let us know." The four girls ran off.

  "I'll get Dekeisha and Mandy," offered Beth.

  "There's Taffy," said Christie. "I'll get her."

  "I'll talk to Kaci," volunteered Melanie. Then she frowned. "Laura and Melissa are cheerleaders, too. Who's going to tell them?"

  "I will," said Katie firmly.

  "You've got to be kidding, Katie Shannon," snapped Laura after Katie approached her with her idea. "That's the dumbest thing I ever heard of."

  "Yeah. Count us out," said Melissa."

  "Have it your way," replied Katie. "We just wanted to give you a chance to join in."

  "What are they doing?" Katie heard kids whispering as the two groups of girls lined up on one side of the tent.

  "I think they're going to do cheers," someone said.

  All the Wakeman and Branford kids were craning their necks to see. Kaci Davis had taken command of the Wakeman cheerleaders, since she was the captain of the varsity squad. She nodded to Jill that they were ready.

  Jill nodded back, and the Branford cheerleaders stood with their arms stretched out in front of them and their fists together. When Jill gave the signal, they began to cheer:

  We've got the spirit,

  We've got the pride.

  We've got the spirit,

  We're ridin' high.

  Go, Branford,

  Beat Wakeman.

  Show 'em how to win!

  They ended the cheer with spread eagles.

  All the Branford kids in the audience cheered and waved their fists in the air.

  Kaci waited until they quieted and then signaled the Wakeman squad to begin their cheer.

  Stand up, Wakeman Warriors,

  Stand up tall.

  Lookin' good, Warriors,

  Shout!

  Shout it out!

  Shout it out loud!

  The cheerleaders formed a low pyramid, which almost touched the ceiling of the tent.

  We can do it,

  We will do it,

  We'll do it every time.

  Beat Branford,

  Beat Branford now!

  The Wakeman crowd went wild, hooting and yelling. But we just kept a real fight from breaking out, Katie thought gleefully. Everybody is having a super time.

  Next the Branford cheerleaders got up again, and the students tried to make as much noise as the Wakeman kids had. Each time one of the squads did a cheer, the noise got louder. When the Wakeman cheerleaders were up, they shouted the cheer at the Branford kids, and when the Branford kids were cheering, they shouted their yell at the Wakeman crowd. Katie even heard Max and Joe McNatt cheering with the crowd, "Go, Wakeman! Beat Branford!"

  Then Katie saw Laura fuming at the back of the tent. Laura pulled her three best friends close to her and started talking to them and frowning in The Fabulous Five's direction at the same time. Uh-oh, Katie thought. Our troubles may not be over yet.

  CHAPTER 13

  Mama Mia's was bursting at the seams with Wakeman kids that evening. Four long lines were formed at the order counter, and the tables and booths were all filled. Small groups stood talking and eating slices of pizza. Katie was crammed into a booth with the rest of The Fabulous Five and with Randy, Shane, and Keith.

  She looked around at the crowd. The Fabulous Five had gone by Bumpers on the way to the pizza place, and it had looked crowded, too. Katie guessed that Taco Plenty and the other fast-food restaurants were also filled. If Laura was still having her television party, there couldn't be many people there. At least she hoped not.

  "Having the cheerleaders perform was a great idea, Katie," said Jana. "When I saw the looks on the Wakeman kids' faces, I knew they weren't going to let Branford beat us in the TV turnoff."

  "Even the McNatts are here," said Melanie. "I never would have believed that."

  "And look," Christie chimed in. "There's Tony sitting with Bill and Scott. They didn't go to Laura's party, either. Aren't you glad, Katie?"

  Katie shrugged. "Maybe they got their school spirit back today."

  "I don't think so," said Randy. "They decided not to go before this afternoon. Tony was all over Bill and Scott about going to Laura's party. He was unmerciful."

  "What?" cried Katie. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

  Shane nodded. "Tony was really on their case. I haven't seen him so carried away since Mr. Bell told him he couldn't wear an earring to school."

  Katie stared across the room at Tony. Were Randy and Shane telling the truth? Had Tony really been on her side all along? But why had he talked Bill and Scott out of going to Laura's party, she wondered, when he was so angry with her?

  As she was watching, Tony left his booth and went to stand in one of the food lines.

  Katie jumped to her feet. "Excuse me. I need to get out."

  Tony was concentrating on the list of pizzas and soft drinks and didn't notice Katie when she got in line behind him. Katie cleared her throat, but he still didn't notice, so she tugged on his sleeve.

  Tony turned around, looking surprised. "Oh, Your Honor."

  "Hi," Katie responded softly. "I just heard that you talked Bill and Scott out of going to Laura's party and breaking their TV turnoff contracts. Thanks."

  He smiled at her, and then the two of them stood there awkwardly for a few seconds. Finally Katie took a deep breath.

  "I'm sorry, I . . ." she began, just as Tony said the same thing. They stopped and looked at each other in surprise.

  "I'm sorry I was so stubborn," Tony said quickly.

  "That's exactly what I was going to say," said Katie. "I got angry instead of talking."

  Tony smiled and took Katie's hand. "I should have been able to see that you were upset over my watching baseball all the time, but by the time I did realize it, I thought you were organizing the turnoff to get back at me."

  Katie grinned. "I did want you to stop watching TV, but that's not why I was involved in the turnoff. Actually, the turnoff was my mom's idea, and I was just as mad at her for starting it as you were at me. But when kids at school started bad-mouthing her, I had to get involved. Now I'm glad I did."

  "Me, too," Tony said. There was a twinkle in his eye as he added, "Actually, since the turnoff, I've been reading about the games in the newspaper. Some of the write-ups are pretty good, and I haven't missed watching them on TV as much as I thought I would. And I've got to tell you, I've been reading all the stats, too, so now I'm really an expert on baseball."

  Katie groaned. "Oh, no. Now you'll never have time for me."

  Tony shook his head, looking more serious. "Yes, I will, Your Honor."

  She looked up at him and squeezed his hand.

  "I heard there was no one, but no one, at Laura's party Saturday," Beth said gleefully. The Fabulous Five were gathered at their spot by the fence on Monday morning.

  "I passed her when I got to school just now, and she stuck her nose in the air," reported Jana. "She's really mad."

  "Too bad," said Katie, grinning.

  As they were talking, Lisa Snow ran up. "Oh, Katie," said Lisa happily, "I wanted to tell you, my parents read your mother's article about families' not helping their kids with the turnoff. Boy, were they mad at first. They started raving about all the reasons why they shouldn't quit watching. My dad said there was no way he could miss the news, and my mother said she couldn't miss her programs, either.

  "But the more they talked, the more they said they could do without television if other people could. And guess what, they each started a book and couldn't put it down."

  "Super," replied Katie. "I'm glad to hear it."

  More and more during the rest of the week, kids came up to Katie and told her about the things they had found to do instead of watching TV. Some mentioned the list of activities
she had posted on the bulletin board. Others talked about doing things with their families. Geena McNatt said that Max and Joe had talked their father into digging out their fishing equipment, and she and her father and brothers had gone fishing together. They'd had so much fun, they were planning a two-day family fishing trip.

  Later that day Katie got a note saying that Miss Simone wanted to see her.

  "I thought you might be worrying about the phone calls Mr. Bell was getting from people complaining about your mother's article," said the secretary. "You should know that a lot of those people have called him back to apologize. They realize now that they should have been more supportive of their children's efforts not to watch television."

  Katie looked through the doorway into the principal's office. Mr. Bell was talking on the telephone and had a big smile on his face.

  "Thank you, Miss Simone. That does make me feel good."

  Katie held Tony's hand as she looked around the gym and watched couples dancing to the music of The Dreadful Alternatives. Crepe paper had been strung across the walls of the Wakeman gym, and there were long tables topped with soft drinks and trays of homemade cookies, brownies, and cake. The turnoff was finally over, and this was the party to celebrate its end.

  She couldn't help feeling a mixture of pride and relief. Pride that she had helped to make it a success, even though she hadn't been for it in the beginning, and relief that things could get back to normal now. She looked across the floor to where her mother was talking with Mr. Bell and Mrs. Karl. She was proud of her mother most of all. Willie had never backed down from something she believed in, and Katie had learned a lot about standing up to pressure during the turnoff.

  Jana and Randy and Melanie and Shane were standing next to Katie and Tony. No one was talking. Instead each couple swayed to the music and watched the crowd clustered around the room.

  Suddenly Beth hurried toward them. She was followed by Jon Smith, who was carrying a camcorder with a light on top. Wires ran down Jon's back to a battery pack that was attached to the belt at the back of his waist.