Free Ghost at the Drive-In Movie by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page B

young man approached. He wore a greasy apron tied around his waist and he slouched a little. He had brown hair that nearly covered his eyes. He half-smiled at them.
    “Hey,” he said. “You must be those kids from Greenfield. Hey. I’m Joey.”
    Uncle Flick scowled. “He means ‘hello,’ not ‘hey,’” he told the Aldens. “Joey is my nephew. He lives nearby in Oakdale and he works here at the snack bar when he’s home from college.”
    The children waved at Joey. “Hello,” Henry said.
    “Hey,” said Joey. Then he turned around. “Gotta go back to work,” he mumbled as he walked off. He seemed either unfriendly or shy. It was hard to tell which.
    First Uncle Flick drove the golf cart over to the snack bar, where he brought out two bags of popcorn for the Aldens. They each told him thank-you as they took handfuls. The popcorn was hot and fresh and with just enough butter.
    “You’re welcome,” he told the children. “We’re proud of our popcorn here at the Diamond.”
    “What’s that little building in front of the snack bar?” asked Violet as the golf cart started up again.
    “That’s the projection booth,” said Uncle Flick. “That’s where the film projector is.”
    Just then the door to the booth opened and a young woman stepped out. She looked to be the same age as Joey Fletcher. She had short, boyish dark hair. She looked surprised when she saw Uncle Flick and the Aldens, as if she had been caught doing something she shouldn’t. But then she smiled and waved.
    “That’s Amy Castella. She runs the film projector,” said Uncle Flick. “Where are you going, Amy?” he called.
    “Oh, me?” said Amy, a bit nervously. “I wasn’t going anywhere. Just getting the movie ready! That’s all!” She waved again and went back inside the booth.
    “She’s always very busy before the show,” Uncle Flick told the children. “Maybe you’ll meet her later. Let’s see how the crowd is doing.” He steered the golf cart down another aisle.
    There were dozens of vehicles now—cars and minivans and wagons, and lots of families. Some people stayed in their cars, but many were sitting in lawn chairs that they’d brought and set up in front of their cars. They had radios so they could hear the movie. Everyone was enjoying the last bit of daylight on this late summer evening, and Uncle Flick waved hello to several families.
    “It feels like Greenfield Park before the Fourth of July fireworks,” Henry said.
    “There are even dogs here!” Benny said as they passed a minivan where a happy-looking beagle leaned its head out the window.
    “Yes, we allow them here, as long as they’re well-behaved and don’t run free,” said Uncle Flick.
    “That’s so great,” said Jessie, who loved dogs. “You can’t watch a movie with your dog at a regular theater.”
    “Wow,” Violet said suddenly, “Look at that car!”
    They saw a large red car decorated with blue and white balloons. The car was shiny and looked brand new. There was a sign on the hood that said BRING YOURSELF TO BRINKER’S AUTO! In front of the car was a man in a suit jacket the same color as the car. He smiled a very big smile when he saw the golf cart and its passengers.
    “Kids, this is Dan Brinker,” said Uncle Flick. “He sells cars and his business is right across the road from here. Dan, this is Jessie, Henry, Benny, and Violet Alden—they’re here visiting from Greenfield with their grandfather.”
    “Pleased to meet you,” said Dan. “I just love coming here and meeting new people and showing off the latest deals at Brinker’s Auto. Because what’s a better place for car lovers than a drive-in movie theater? I love cars, too. And I love this theater. I love popcorn!”
    “So do we!” said Benny. “Want some?” He held out one of the bags of popcorn.
    “Why, thank you,” Dan said. He reached out and took a big handful. “Thank you very much.” He took another handful, and then another.
    “Dan comes here