After watching a video about the Black Death at school, Arthur finds a spot on his arm and believes he has the plague.
Arthur and his friends were excited. Mr. Ratburn had announced earlier in the day that the class would be watching a video on the Black Death as part of their medieval project, and everybody cheered. It wasn't often Ratburn allowed television in school.
"I hear the Black Death killed the entire population of England," Francine said knowledgeably. "In three days!"
The Brain, who was sitting nearby, shook his head and held out a double page from a book he was reading, which was entitled Plagues of Our Time. "That's not correct. The Black Death only killed one third of the population of England, and that was over a period of three years, not three days."
"It sounds kind of scary, though," Arthur said nervously. "I mean, all those people dying from one disease…"
Muffy leaned over. "My great-great-great uncle caught the Black Death. Daddy said he was the only person to survive it!"
"That doesn't sound very likely, Muffy," The Brain said, still reading from Plagues of Our Time.
Muffy gasped. "You're just jealous!"
Mr. Ratburn switched off the lights. "Everybody quiet! The video's about to start."
The black screen of the TV suddenly blinked into a medieval scene. Peasant farmers were working in a field, and a short man wearing a brown cloak suddenly appeared.
"The black death has come to England," the man said in a strong English accent. "Everybody will die!"
At once the farmers dropped their pitchforks and ran off screaming.
Arthur watched anxiously as the beautiful medieval scene suddenly turned into a scene of turmoil.
"I think I'm gonna throw up," Buster said quietly. Arthur gulped nervously.
At last the video finished, and Ratburn switched on the lights. Everybody breathed a sigh of relief.
"For your homework tonight, I'd like each of you to write a report on the Black Death!" Ratburn said happily, and the bell clanged to signal the end of the day.
Outside, everybody was discussing the video they had just watched. "It was disgusting!" Francine wailed, unlocking her bike and putting on her helmet. "I've never been more close to fainting!"
Binky laughed stupidly. "I thought it was cool!"
Arthur laughed falsely. "Yeah, me too! I especially liked the…uh…fields."
His cheeks went pink. Francine wheeled off down the road. "Well I thought it was gross," she called back, before disappearing down the street.
"Shall we go to the library and see if they have the video there? We could watch it again!" Binky said enthusiastically, pulling his bag onto his back.
Arthur power-walked off down the road. "No thanks, Binky! Maybe another day!"
Later on, Arthur was sitting at his desk. A blank sheet of paper was laid out on the table in front of him. As Arthur bit the end of his pencil, Pal came into the room and jumped onto his lap.
"It's no use Pal!" Arthur said desperately. "I can't write about the Black Death. I don't want to think about it ever again!" Pal whined, and Arthur groaned, laying his head on the paper.
"I have to think positively about the Black Death, that's the only way I can write this report." Arthur told himself, and DW came into the room.
"What are you doing?" she said nosily, skipping around the desk.
"Go away DW!" Arthur yelled, straightening up and pointing to the door. "I have to finish this report by tomorrow!"
DW smiled and snatched the paper from the desk. "You haven't done a very good job, there's nothing on here."
Arthur scowled and yanked the paper back from her. "GO AWAY! MUM!"
DW quickly scampered from the room.
Arthur sighed and suddenly looked down at his arm. There on his skin was a red spot! He gasped and sprang up from his seat.
"But that means………I have the plague!" Arthur cried.