Free [Janitors 03] Curse of the Broomstaff by Tyler Whitesides Page B

“It’s almost time.”
    “On behalf of the Organization of Janitor Monitors, I wish you luck.”
    “And I say thanks,” said Spencer. “On behalf of education’s future.”
    “Until next time,” Min said. Without waiting for a response, he hung up the phone. Spencer grinned.
    “What did he say?” Penny asked, taking her cell phone from Spencer and tucking it away.
    “In ten minutes, me and Daisy are going through the front doors,” Spencer explained.
    “Okay.” Penny nodded. “Bernard and I will come in through the back, meet you in the hallway.”
    “No.” Spencer shook his head. “You two have to wait in the truck and watch out for the Pluggers.” The giant Extension Toxites were probably still behind. But Spencer didn’t know how long it would take the Pluggers to travel from New Forest Academy, and he didn’t want to be taken by surprise again.
    “I’m not sending you in there alone!” Penny clearly didn’t want to miss out on the action.
    “We belong in there!” Spencer said. “We’re kids. It’s the middle of the school day. If you and Bernard go in armed, the office staff will be all over you.” Spencer took a deep breath. “We’re going to do this the old-fashioned way. Just me and Daisy, some latex gloves, and a food fight.”
    “Where are we going to get the food?” Daisy asked.
    “That’s Aaron’s job. He’ll be in the cafeteria.” Spencer clapped his hands. “We’re losing time. Let’s go.”
    In a moment everyone was standing on the sidewalk next to the garbage truck. Bernard didn’t have much to say about the plan, but Penny was spewing precautions and safety tips.
    Even though Spencer wanted to go unarmed, Penny filled their pockets with vacuum dust. She produced two latex gloves from a pouch on her Glopified janitorial belt. Spencer and Daisy felt significantly safer as they pulled them on. As long as they each wore a glove, no one would be able to catch them.
    “Give me your coats,” Bernard said. When the kids hesitated, Bernard explained, “You don’t want to look like you just blew in from Kansas.”
    “But we are in Kansas,” Daisy said.
    Bernard beckoned for the coats again, and Spencer and Daisy handed them over.
    “Wait!” Daisy suddenly seemed to remember something important. She clambered into the garbage truck, and Spencer saw her reaching behind the seat for a moment. When she emerged from the cab, an old familiar friend dangled in Daisy’s grasp.
    It was Mrs. Natcher’s hall pass, Baybee.
    “You brought Baybee?” Spencer raised an eyebrow.
    “I put her in the duffel bag,” Daisy said. “I couldn’t leave her behind! What if something happened to her?” Daisy tucked Baybee under one arm. “Besides, if we’re going to go wandering through the halls of Triton Charter School, then we’d better have a hall pass.”
    Spencer rolled his eyes. “It doesn’t really work like that. Baybee isn’t exactly a universal hall pass. Outside of Welcher Elementary, she’s just a doll.”
    Daisy’s forehead wrinkled as she contemplated this. But it was Penny who cut in.
    “Actually, I think it’s a good idea.” Penny reached into her belt. “It’s one more way to sneak in some weaponry.” She snatched Baybee and turned the plastic doll upside down. With a swift jerk, Penny pulled down the diaper. Spencer looked away, embarrassed. Daisy gasped.
    A razorblade sword extended from Penny’s other hand. Before anyone could stop her, she spun the blade around and sliced a gash in the doll’s bottom.
    “Penny!” Daisy was distraught. “That’s toy torture!”
    Penny closed the razorblade and dropped it back into her belt. At the same time, she withdrew a chalkboard eraser. Lining it up, Penny gave a push, sliding the dangerous eraser through Baybee’s bum and out of sight. Then she pulled the diaper over the cut and handed the doll back to Daisy.
    “If things go wrong in there, just pull out the eraser and detonate it,” Penny