DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Horton Hears a Who! or any of the characters involved in this story.
JoJo and Tallulah decided to meet Monday after school for Tallulah's first tutoring session.
"Where should we meet?" JoJo asked as he and Tallulah walked to the front entrance. "My house is out of the question. We wouldn't accomplish anything with my ninety-six little sisters running around, disrupting the peace."
"You're right," Tallulah agreed. "Besides, I'm friends with some of your sisters and I don't want them to know that I'm a big dummy."
"Well, what about the library?" JoJo suggested.
Tallulah shook her head. "Are you kidding? Someone might see me there."
JoJo could feel himself getting more and more impatient. He had to tutor Tallulah somewhere with minimal distractions. He certainly didn't want to settle for studying at Mr. Gristmel's house. That would be too weird.
"Do you have any better ideas?" JoJo asked.
Tallulah didn't answer. She was watching a bird soar across the pale, winter sky.
JoJo sighed. Even though he found Tallulah to be annoying, it was better than sitting in detention and worse, being grounded from the observatory.
Suddenly an idea flew into JoJo's head. He stopped right before the flag pole.
"Why don't we study at City Hall in my dad's office?" JoJo asked Tallulah. "No one will spot us there."
Tallulah must have been whisked out of whatever daydream she was having because she looked at JoJo like he had a daisy growing from his head. "I don't know about that," she said, shyly. "Won't the Mayor be there?"
"Yeah," JoJo replied. "But he won't have time to bother us. He's way too busy with the community and stuff."
Tallulah still looked unsure. "I don't know, JoJo. I've never met the Mayor before. Is he scary?"
JoJo chuckled. "Hardly," he said. 'Except for when I'm late to dinner,' he forgot to add.
Just then, the mechanical school bus walked tall on its legs to the bus stop. A long hand extended from its side and scooped up a hand full of Who children, prepared to take them home.
Tallulah headed over to the bus before giving JoJo one last worried look.
"Don't worry about the Mayor," JoJo called. "You'll love him."
That evening Ned was sitting in his regular chair beneath all the council members. He wrung his hands frantically around the curl of his tie as Erhmann closed the meeting with a final statement to the citizens that were present.
"I believe that it is vital in our busy lives that we remember the great Whos that work hard to keep our town safe and happy," he said.
Ned's eyes remained on his lap. He could feel the burn on his back from Chairman VonFrood's jealous glare.
Erhmann continued. "We deeply hope that you continue to support our cause and be reminded of your heroic mayor. That being said, I present to you the new twenty who-dollar bill!" Erhmann held up the twenty who-dollar bill, sealed in a beautiful oak-brown frame.
The citizens applauded triggering a light blush to Ned's face. He stood on his feet tall with pride and purpose. He couldn't believe this was really happening.
"Congratulations, Mr. Mayor," Chairman VonFrood said through his teeth.
Ned turned around and bravely faced the Chairman. "Thank you," he replied as politely as he could.
The Chairman narrowed his eyes.
"What will you spend it on?" Sullivan asked Ned.
"Oh, I don't know," Ned said gazing at the bill in his hands. "Maybe on flowers for Sally. Or maybe a haircut..."
"Or maybe weight loss supplements for your fat load," Chairman VonFrood mumbled.
The council members were in complete hysterics as Ned tried but failed to cover his oversized bottom.
"Well, it's a suggestion," the Chairman gibed.
Ned wasn't about to let Chairman VonFrood succeed in ruining his moment. "Actually I'm feeling generous today," he said. "Maybe I'll buy a roll of duck tape for your big mouth!"
After that no one said anything. The meeting was now over and the citizens were dismissed.
"Please don't forget to join us again for the ceremony at the end of the month in which you are all invited to help us celebrate this historical occasion," Erhmann called out.
Ned bolted to his office with the framed bill tucked under his arm. The excitement from the meeting had him feeling a little tired. He was looking forward to some peace and quiet before heading home.
Ned placed the bill on his desk and sat down. He then pulled the bowl containing his pet fish, Finwick, closer to him.
"What do you think of my portrait on the big twenty? I mean, I'm not a big fan being Yuck VonFrood-green, but do you like it?" Ned asked Finwick. He didn't wait for the red fish to answer. "I really hope so."
After a few quiet moments, Ned had fallen into a light sleep. Suddenly, a loud knock sent him on alert.
Ned swiveled his head to the door. It was Ms. Yelp.
"Mr. Mayor, I'm leaving," she informed him.
Ned peered at the clock. It was almost five!
"I didn't realize how late it had gotten," Ned cried. He grabbed his suitcase and slung it on his desk next to Finwick. He started to shove the bill in his suitcase when Ms. Yelp stopped him.
"Mr. Mayor," she said firmly. "It's very important that you keep up with that bill until the ceremony."
"Oh," Ned said. "But I wanted to take it home to show Sally."
Ms. Yelp shrugged and then headed toward the door. "See you tomorrow," she called over her shoulder.
Ned knew that Ms. Yelp was right considering his full house and scattered brain. He scanned the walls of his office for a decent place to hang the bill but nowhere seemed fitting.
"Oh well," Ned said to himself. "In the meantime, I'll just keep you here."
Ned tucked the bill safely in the bottom drawer of his desk and then grabbed Finwick.
He hurried home feeling like the luckiest Who in Whoville.