A.N.: Hey you guys! Welcome to the literary adventure that is Gandalf15 and my birthday extravaganza for the wonderful Jedi Annie Scrambler! We wanted to do something really special and wonderful… just like her!
Miss Heffenbacher, I found a rather interesting volume on vegetable related magic which I thought you might find interesting. I'm leaving town to visit family, so if you would like to pick it up, please come to my library at one o'clock this Saturday.
Saturday came, and Lisa was thrilled to have snagged a taxi from her house to Calvero's. It was raining like a hurricane was passing through, and she didn't want to be soggy in his library. As she hummed to the driver's radio, she wondered if any of the spells involved artichokes.
Mr. Ruiz, the hair care potion I was speaking about last week is highly confidential. I can only share the recipe with you in private under sworn secrecy. If you are still willing, please meet me in my library at one this Saturday.
Ironic that the day he's going to get hair tips, it's raining. He trenched his way from the community center to Calvero's, bitterly hoping that this potion worked miracles.
My dear Francine, I recently stumbled upon a volume about alchemy, the study of creating gold out of other materials, in my library. This is a most complex form of magic, but you are extremely capable and hopefully willing to assist. If you would like to help me attempt some of the spells, please meet me in my library at one o'clock Saturday. Your assistant is welcome as well.
Clad in a lab coat and goggles, Francine and a notebook carrying Gilda ("Because remember, Gilda, the difference between screwing around and science is writing it down.") sat in their warm, dry Tuber discussing what Francine would do once she figured out how to turn wordballs into gold wordballs.
Mr. Watson, while wandering through my brother Bandini's painting I found something of yours. I would come to your father's establishment except that I am currently suffering from a sprained ankle and cannot walk far. However, if you could come to my library around one this Saturday, I would be able to give it back.
Keith really hoped that whatever Calvero had of his was a jacket. He was soaked to the bone. When he'd left that morning for Paul's piano lesson, the sky gave no indication of pouring the entire Atlantic Ocean on him. Hopefully, Calvero knew an umbrella-creating spell.
Miss Ruiz, I would be delighted to perform at the Skeleckian embassy's Shrnalk party. In order to determine what routine I should choose, however, I shall need to discuss cultural sensitivities and preferences, as I am rather uncultured. Could we perhaps discuss this over tea in my library of spells at one this Saturday?
Clothes should always come in matching sets, Jessica decided. Nothing is better than not having to color coordinate everything you're wearing. She smiled at her duck-clad feet. Her rubber duck rain ensemble; which including an umbrella, rain hat, rain coat, and rain boots; was not the most professional thing she could be wearing to official Skeleckian business. However, she was dry and felt sunnier than Lisa, so it was worth it.
Young Master Barnes, I found a volume on barnacle-based spells which I thought you might appreciate. If you would like to borrow it, please come visit me at my library this Saturday around one.
"I'm singing in the rain! Just singing in the rain!" Marcus sang as he ran down the street. His mom had sent him to do a bunch of errands, but he had to go see Calvero first. Barnacle magic? How could he pass it up?
Mr. Spamboni, I know you are quite versed in all things technology, for your reputation proceeds you. Would you mind coming to my library this Saturday around one to test out a magical video game I am working on?
Manny had always wanted to be a beta tester for a video game, and this was his chance. Possibilities for how the technology and magic would interact dashed through his brain faster than he could process. Maybe Calvero would lend him a hand in creating a magical robot.
Mr. Rebus, on behalf of my brother Bandini, we apologize for your unpleasant trip in his painting. He has created a new one which he believes you will enjoy much more. Unfortunately, he was called out of town suddenly for a gallery opening, so he cannot be there. However, the painting is in my library. Please come at one o'clock this Saturday. The word's cappuccino.
It was about time someone apologized and tried to fix the situation, Danny thought as he stormed past a slow walking lady in a bright yellow rain getup. This was how things are supposed to go when someone hurts Danny Rebus. But no, no one was ever thoughtful enough to consider his feelings. Really, what had he ever done to them?
Miss Scrambler, your uncle and I were discussing a rather fascinating book regarding the similarities and differences between hypnotism and magic. I have recently found the aforementioned book as well as one I thought might interest you. If you could come pick them up this Saturday at one, I would be much obliged. Trust me, you'll like what's in there.
"This better be good," Annie muttered, tromping through the puddles. It was an extremely miserable type of day, the type of day that made her want to curl up in her room listening to vinyls and drinking chai tea. Yet here she was, out and about on a day when she should be at home.
If this book wasn't amazing, she would throw a fit.
Needless to say, when Annie found half of The Electric Company and Manny already in the library, a fit was thrown.
"Of course it's a trap! How could I be so stupid to think Calvero actually wanted to give Uncle Sigmund a book?"
"So wait, this isn't a Prankster trap?" Jessica clarified, looking between the two Pranksters.
"If it is, no one told me about it," Manny said.
"Well, why would Calvero want all of us to be in his library then?" Lisa wondered aloud.
Just then, the sound of arguing could be heard.
"What are you talking about?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about!"
"Yeah, you know exactly what she's talking about!"
"Thank you, Gilda!"
"Look, all I know is that I got a note asking me to come here and pick something of mine up."
Three more people entered the library: Francine, Gilda, and a completely soaked Keith.
"Great, just great," Gilda muttered under her breath upon seeing the others who were already in the library.
"Okay, so does anyone know what's going on?" Keith asked. The group all gave various confirmation that they had absolutely no clue why they were there.
"Should we just wait for Danny and Marcus to show up and then see what happens?" Lisa suggested.
Since no one could come up with a better idea, they spread out to various corners of the library. The Pranksters all sulked on one side of the room while Hector and Lisa sat in another discussing possible explanations of why they were all gathered there. Keith sat in front of the fireplace with Jessica pacing behind him, anxiously waiting for their small friend to arrive.
"I don't like it," Jessica muttered, "I just don't like it. This feels like a trap."
"If it is, Gilda's gotten a lot better at lying," Keith remarked, remembering the last time the Prankster-in-training had been tasked with tricking them.
"This whole situation just feels wrong. We shouldn't be waiting here like sitting ducks. We need to figure out what's going on!"
"Will you shut up?" Annie called across the library, "We have no idea what's going on either."
"Well, you can't blame her for being suspicious," Gilda pointed out, "This does feel like a prank."
"Sorry I'm late, Calvero!" came the voice of the youngest member of The Electric Company, "It's raining cats and dogs out there. Not literally but- oh hey, guys. What are you doing here?"
"Hi, Marcus," Lisa said sweetly, "No one knows what's going on."
"Huh, that's weird," the child remarked.
"Yep," Annie agreed, "Very weird."
"Cappucinno! Capuccino! Capucino!"
"Is that Danny?" Francine asked.
"What is he doing?"
"Capuccino! Capucino! Where the heck is this painting?"
"Rebus!" Annie called, "Get in here!"
"Why is everybody in here?" he asked in shock as he stared around the room.
"No idea," Manny muttered, not looking up from a text he was sending.
"Totally stumped," Gilda admitted.
"Even I can't figure it out," Francine stated in a bragging tone.
"What about you, Electric Company?" Danny, asked, turning towards the do-gooders, "Is this all some crazy plan of yours?"
The five teenagers in question stared at each other in shock.
"They're not denying it!" Danny pointed out in a very loud manner, "That means they're guilty!"
"Danny, why would we do this, man?" Hector asked, "Think about it: it makes no sense."
"So I'm crazy?" he screamed, looking very crazy as he did so, "I'm crazy for being suspicious?"
"No, Danny, nobody here thinks you're crazy," Lisa tried to use her most soothing voice, but Danny would have none of that.
"Sure, let's just start lying to him now. Crazy, stupid Danny won't be able to tell!"
Lisa started to back away in alarm when she ran into a bookshelf.
"Now look what you did!" Danny continued to scream, "You ruined the entire organizational system! We'll have to realphabetize the whole thing!"
It was then that poor, clumsy Lisa's foot tapped the edge of an open book. She felt suddenly nauseous as a bright light surrounded her.
POOF!
"Oh my god, where's Lisa?" Hector yelled. Danny backed away sheepishly.
"It's not my fault. I have no idea," he began stammering.
"It's a magician's library," Keith reasoned, getting over the shock, "Maybe it's a magic book."
"That does make sense," Annie admitted not particularly liking the fact that it did.
"Well, what books is it? It might give us a clue," Jessica asked. Tentatively, Hector picked up the book.
"Macbeth," he whispered. Danny gasped.
"Don't say the name!"
"I never read it," Manny said with a shrug.
"It's been awhile, and I don't remember the details, but it wasn't a safe place," Hector told them.
"Do we have to?" Annie asked.
"Yes," The Electric Company said in unison.
And, with that, they all jumped into the book.