Free Amos's Killer Concert Caper by Gary Paulsen

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    Duncan—Dunc—Culpepper was in his driveway washing his dad’s car. His best friend for life, Amos Binder, was helping him. Actually, Amos was holding the water hose over the top of the car while Dunc did all the work. Amos had more important things on his mind. He was rereading an article from the entertainment section of last week’s newspaper.
    â€œThe rock band Road Kill will be appearing two nights only, at the civic center.” Amos forgot about the hose in his hand and pulled the article closer. “This is perfect.”
    â€œHey, watch what you’re doing. You’re drowning me.” Dunc grabbed the hose. “Who cares about a sick rock band with a gross name like that, anyway?”
    â€œMelissa,” Amos said dreamily.
    When it came to Melissa Hansen, Amos lost all sense of reason. He was head over heels in love with her, and if Melissa liked something, Amos made a valiant effort to like it too. Except in the case of her favorite food, liver and onions. He just couldn’t quite bring himself to put liver to his lips, no matter how hard he tried. He finally gave up and figured that he would fake it until after they were married.
    Dunc turned off the water. “Those guys in Road Kill are warped. They dress like they raided a Dumpster, and they can’t even write a real song. Their last hit repeated the same line over and over all the way through the whole song. I don’t know about you, but I get a little tired of hearing ‘Whatcha gonna do about it’ after about the twenty-fifth time.”
    â€œCorrection.” Amos lowered the paper.“They only repeat that line twenty-three times, and then they say ‘uh-huh’ twice, right before they end the song.”
    â€œWhatever.” Dunc touched up a spot on the windshield. “I don’t know what Melissa sees in those guys. The lead singer, Raunchy Roy, looks like a porcupine with his hair sticking up like that.”
    â€œMelissa thinks the band is misunderstood. She thinks their songs have a deeper meaning than just the words.”
    Dunc stared at him. “Melissa told you that?”
    â€œNot exactly. I heard it from Tracy Stevens, who heard it from Lori Johnson, who heard it from—”
    â€œAmos. How do you know it came from Melissa?”
    â€œSimple. Heather Thomas heard it from Rachel Lackey, and she heard it straight from Buffy VanGilder.” Amos folded his arms, satisfied.
    Dunc scratched his head. “I know I’ll probably regret asking, but what does all this have to do with Melissa?”
    Amos rolled his eyes in unbelief. “Everybody knows that Buffy VanGilder is Melissa’s third-best friend.”
    â€œSo?”
    â€œSo if Buffy likes the band, then it follows that Melissa probably does too.”
    â€œAmos, sometimes your logic astounds me.”
    â€œMe too. Now what are we going to do about my problem?”
    â€œWhat problem?”
    â€œGee, Dunc, for a smart guy, you’re sure making me explain a lot of stuff to you today.”
    â€œSo humor me.”
    â€œIt’s like this. Road Kill is going to be in town for two shows. If Melissa really likes these guys and if I can get tickets, well—the rest will be history.”
    â€œSo what’s the problem?”
    â€œI called the ticket office. Tickets are going fast. They’ll probably be sold out soon.”
    Dunc frowned. “I still don’t get it. If you want tickets, why don’t you go buy some?”
    â€œThat’s just it. I can’t. You see, I loaned all my money to my sister.”
    â€œSince when do you loan money to Amy? I thought you said she never pays you back.”
    â€œShe doesn’t. But there was this little matter of the flood in my mom’s bedroom.”
    â€œWhat did you do this time?”
    â€œIt was mostly Amy’s fault. She was ironing her cheerleading uniform in my mom’s room when I heard the