“Now I’m afraid to go back! What’s going to happen? What will the tests be? Will I pass, or will I turn out like the Badger brothers? What if I’m NOT the right kid?”

Zoe puts her hand on her hip. “You ask too many questions.”

“Hey, Arcade?” Doug rubs his belly. “Can we get some food?”

“Sure, Doug.” I chuckle and grasp the token between my palms. “We need food.” Then I pull it off the chain and drop it into the golden coin slot.

Chapter 10
Shrimp Break

When we stepped out of the elevator, I expected to see Flames splashing and squawking in Doug’s bathroom. But this time was different.

We were standing in a fish market.

“Yes! Arcade, you did it! Cha-ching! Early dinner time.”

Zoe’s jaw hung open. Mine too. Usually the token takes us right back where we started.

“Please tell me we’re in New York City.” I backed out of the market and checked the sign. Empire Fish Market. I recognized the familiar New York City skyscrapers with scaffolding surrounding them. “Whew!” I walked down to the corner to check for street signs. “OH, NO!” Zoe and Doug caught up to me, and they both looked up. Waaaaay up.

“Hey, isn’t that the Empire State Building?” Doug laughed.

“Right back where we started!” Zoe stomped her foot and pounded her legs with her fists.

“And now neither one of us has a backpack,” I said.

“Or money,” Zoe added.

“Money? You need money?” Doug was still gawking at the Empire State Building. “I got money.”

“You do?” Zoe blew out a breath. “Good. How much?”

Doug reached into his shorts pockets and pulled out three crumpled, one-dollar bills. “I keep subway money in all my pants, just to be safe. How much do you need?”

Zoe frowned. “Three times that much if we all want to ride the subway home.”

“What about food?” Doug gulped and patted his stomach.

“Maybe you should use that three bucks for a hot dog,” I said.

“LIVINGSTON AND BAKER! HOW NICE TO SEE YOU!”

The booming voice was unmistakable. I had listened to it every school day for the last six weeks of sixth grade. Mr. Dooley. He walked toward us, carrying an Empire Fish Market bag.

“AND YOU ARE ZOE, CORRECT?” Mr. Dooley tipped his newsboy cap toward Zoe.

Zoe smiled. “Yes, we met the day of the career expo. How are you enjoying your summer, Mr. Dooley?”

“OH, SUMMERS ARE GLORIOUS! THIS ONE IS HOT, BUT AT LEAST I’M NOT HAVING TO PUT UP WITH THE SMELL OF SWEATY SIXTH GRADERS IN THE CLASSROOM.”

Seriously, I think his voice had gotten louder during the summer!

“AND WHAT BRINGS YOU YOUNG PEOPLE DOWN TO MIDTOWN THIS WARM AUGUST DAY? DID I JUST SEE YOU RUN OUT OF MY BROTHER’S FISH MARKET?”

“Your brother’s fish market?”