Free Fabulous Five 023 - Mall Mania by Betsy Haynes

Mrs. Barry called
out, "Beth! It's for you!"
    Beth ran to the phone.
    "Beth? You don't know me, but I'm a ninth-grader at Wakeman.
My name is Jennifer Perkins, and I just saw you on TV and wondered if you'd
consider selling some of your earrings."
    "Oh!" Beth said, startled. Another commission! "Sure. I'd be glad to sell you some."
    "Great," said Jennifer. "Could you bring some
to school so I can choose?"
    "You bet," Beth said. Her head was spinning. She
was actually going to earn money selling her earrings! Breathlessly, she told
her friends the news. She was going to sell earrings to someone she didn't even
know.
    "It's incredible!" Beth added. "I can't
believe these people want to buy Junque Jewelry."
    "Why not?" asked Katie. "They know a good
thing when they see it. Besides, it's a bargain."
    "I think it's great," said Jana. "You'll be
able to pay back your parents even faster."
    "You're right," Beth said. "Talk about
miracles."
    The telephone rang again, and this time it was Kaci Davis,
who wanted a gold necklace and earrings made out of tangled fishing line.
    "Beth, we'll see you later," Jana said. "We
don't want to get in the way of a budding career."
    "Just think," Christie commented. "Wakeman's
own entrepreneur!"
     
    By lunchtime Beth had taken orders for over ten pairs of
earrings and several necklaces. Deciding she'd better get started on the work,
she hurried down to the basement. She met her mother coming up the stairs
carrying a laundry basket piled high with clothes fresh from the dryer.
    "You'll never guess what, Mom! All those phone calls?
They were from people who saw the show and wanted to order Junque Jewelry from
me!"
    Her mother's mouth fell open. "Wonderful!"
    "I'm going to be able to pay you back in a much shorter
time than I had thought," Beth said, beaming.
    Her mother laughed. "Well, Junque Jewelry to the
rescue!"
    "You said it," Beth said.
    Mrs. Barry started up the stairs.
    "Mom?" Beth called, just as her mother reached the
top.
    Mrs. Barry turned. "Hmmmm?"
    "Thanks," said Beth.
    "For what?"
    Beth smiled sheepishly. "For bailing me out with my
debts. I didn't say thank you before because I was too caught up in how
miserable I was going to be."
    Mrs. Barry smiled warmly at her daughter. "You're
welcome, honey."
    Just then the phone rang.
    "Don't you think you'd better get it?" her mother
asked, grinning. "It's probably for you."
    "Right!" shouted Beth. She maneuvered past her
mother on the stairs and hurried on up to answer the phone, calling over her
shoulder, "Make way for Beth Barry, ENTREPRENEUR!"
     
    Mr. Levine lifted his paper cup filled with root beer. "Congratulations,
folks, on our first month of productions. I think our first four shows were
excellent, and you all deserve this little celebration."
    The students in the Media Club cheered. They had met at
Pizza Perfect after the final shoot of the month. Friends were welcome, so Beth
had invited The Fabulous Five to join the group.
    "I can't believe a whole month has gone by!" said
Beth. "It went so fast!"
    Shawnie nodded. "It seems as if we shot the first show
just last week."
    "But on Monday," Mr. Levine went on, "it will
be time to get to work again on our next month of The Wakeman Bulletin
Board. All of you will have the opportunity to see Funny and Shane on TV—"
    "I'm going to be a star," Shane said with just a
trace of a smile.
    "I can't wait, " Melanie whispered to Beth.
    Beth squeezed Melanie's arm affectionately.
    "And," Mr. Levine continued, "I think they
will do a super job. Beth will be directing, Tim will operate the camera, Jon
will have the ecology segment, and Paul and Shawnie will be reporters."
    "Sounds like another great lineup," Jana said to
Beth.
    Mr. Levine heard her remark. "I agree," he said,
and looked around the room. "On that note, I'd like to adjourn. It's been
a great first month, gang. Let's keep it up!"
    The whole group burst into applause. Then the sounds of
chairs scraping the floor and talk and laughter