Free Dunces Anonymous by Kate Jaimet Page B

too.”
    Magnolia took it from Josh’s hand. It was a photocopy of a page of a book. In the top right-hand corner was written in small type: Oakview Public School Official Rule Book . Magnolia skimmed down the page to the lines highlighted in yellow and read aloud.
    â€œRule number one hundred and thirteen-b: All school clubs shall be open to all students, regardless of age, gender, religion, race, ethnicity, physical or mental disabilities or socioeconomic status.”
    â€œWhat’s a socioeconomic status?” said Wang.
    â€œBeats me,” said Josh. “Whatever it is, I guess Stacey’s got one. But in any case, this rule says we have to let her into the club.”
    Magnolia turned the paper over in her hands. Then she handed it back to Josh. “Well, what are you going to do about it?”
    â€œMe?” said Josh.
    â€œOf course, you. You’re the president, aren’t you?” Magnolia demanded.
    â€œYeah, but…” Josh trailed off.
    â€œI hate to mention this, guys,” Wang piped up. “But we also have to figure out what to do about the Binkles.”
    â€œSheesh!” Magnolia flopped backward on to the sofa cushions. “I’ve never seen a club with so many problems! I bet if Stacey knew how many problems we have, she wouldn’t even want to join!”
    Josh paced over to the window. Then he turned around and looked at Magnolia. “Wait a minute. Say that again.”
    â€œI said,” Magnolia huffed, “that if Stacey knew how many problems we have, she wouldn’t even want to join the club.”
    â€œThat’s it!” Josh exclaimed. “All we have to do is convince Stacey that she doesn’t really want to join the club!”
    â€œBut how?” said Wang.
    â€œYeah, how?” said Magnolia.
    â€œI’ve got an idea,” said Josh. “A couple of years ago, my mom joined this political party. But she quit because she said there were too many scandals. Maybe we could have, you know, a scandal.”
    â€œA scandal!” Magnolia jumped from the sofa. A scandal had dramatic possibilities. Once, in Young Hearts Afire , there was a huge scandal when the chief surgeon, Dr. Deirhart, was accused of stealing money from the hospital’s charity fund. The scandal only cleared up when the doctor proved that the hospital’s chief accountant was the true culprit.
    â€œI know,” she said. “Josh could steal all the money from the club’s bank account!”
    â€œThat’s illegal!” Josh protested. “Besides, we don’t have a bank account.”
    â€œOh, yeah.” Magnolia slumped back onto the sofa.
    â€œMaybe you could beat up a kid in the schoolyard!” Wang suggested, sketching a few punches in the air.
    â€œWang! I’m not going to beat up anybody!” Josh looked at Wang like he was crazy.
    â€œOkay, forget that.” Wang lowered his fists with some disappointment. A moment later, he perked up again. “I know! How about a l-o-o-o-ve scandal?”
    â€œA love scandal?” said Josh.
    â€œYeah!” Wang’s eyes grew wide. “What if someone caught you two kissing in the schoolyard?”
    â€œKissing?!” Magnolia threw up her hands in disgust. “How come I always have to kiss someone?”
    â€œYou don’t really have to kiss! You just have to look like you’re kissing. For the camera.”
    â€œThe camera?” Josh said doubtfully.
    â€œSure!” said Wang. “I’ll take a picture, and then we’ll write something up and send it in to the Rapsheet . It’ll be great!”
    â€œHow do we know they’ll put it up on the website?” Magnolia asked.
    â€œNo problem. The guy who runs it is a Capulet,” said Wang.
    â€œI don’t know, you guys,” said Josh.
    â€œWell, I think it’s a good idea!” said Magnolia. “Besides, it’ll prove to Emmett Blackwell