“You won’t need it where we’re going, Carlos. We’re totally skipping the subway.” He looked confused as I pulled the now scorching Triple T Token out from under my shirt. A few flames shot out from the middle.

“What IS THAT?” Carlos’s eyes were fixed on my chest.

Zoe came down from the steps. “It’s a little thing that causes a whole lot of trouble.”

“She means excitement,” I said. “And I think we’re gonna get Loopy back today!” Golden elevator doors rose from the sidewalk at the bottom of our brownstone steps.

“Here’s the portable elevator you’ve always wanted, Carlos.”

Carlos’s jaw dropped open.

I pulled the token from the chain and clasped it between my palms.

Remember to be specific.

“Take us to the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty . . .” I began, glancing over at Carlos, who was looking down at his wheels, concern all over his face, “. . . and let Carlos go everywhere we go.”

A golden coin slot, shaped like the Statue of Liberty’s torch, rose up from the ground, right in front of the doors. I flipped the token up into the air. It turned around and around before finding its way like it always did into the slot. I pulled my hands apart. The doors opened.

“Here we go!” I yelled. “This is better than the subway elevators, Carlos. I promise!”

“RADICAL!” Scratchy revved his scooter and rode it in.

“You’re going to freeze in those shorts, Arcade!” Zoe wrapped herself up in her puffy jacket and stepped in.

But Carlos held up. “You know we . . . uhhh . . . got a . . . uhhh . . . a test in Dooley’s today, right?”

I swiped a hand in the air. “No worries. We’ll be back in plenty of time. Come on, this will be fun.” I ran over behind Carlos’s chair and pushed him in.

*  *  *

“My phone still works, for now.” Zoe said. “Look! He’s posted another picture.” She showed it to me. It was a different sign. This time it said “67 steps to the top of the Pedestal.”

“Here’s a Statue of Liberty fact, you guys.” I read the small print on the sign in Loopy’s post. “In very strong winds, the Statue of Liberty can sway three inches, while her torch can sway almost six inches.”

“Let’s hope it’s not windy then,” Zoe said, snatching her phone back.

The elevator stayed still this time, but loud sloshing sounds came blaring from the speakers. Then a horn. It sounded low and long, like it was coming from a ferry.

“Water! Nice,” Carlos said. “I like to swim.”

But I asked for the pedestal. Please let us be on the pedestal when this thing opens.

Ding!

I closed my eyes.

*  *  *

“We made it, Arcade! Whatever you said did the trick!” Zoe runs from the elevator, looking . . . a little younger?