14

Three days and four nights. That's all the time Adams had been allotted to make magic. A day and two nights had passed and Adams felt he was sinking. The first night was a total waste all thanks to Ben forcing him to go on Jefferson's date. The day after that, he had accomplished a respectable amount of tasks. And he had spent that whole night on the phone with James Wilson, hoping that talking to him without Dickinson around might make it easier to persuade him. But it didn't. Through the course of the evening, Wilson hung up on him five times, burst into tears seven times, and threatened to never do anything Adams said four times, the last of which worried Adams the most. But fortunately for the pitiable little protagonist, the next day brought slightly more pleasant results.

"John!" Ben shouted. Adams jumped up and looked around, frightened by the booming sound of Ben's voice.

"Whoa… Did I fall asleep?"

"Yeah. Into your kidney pie." Adams looked down at the slab of organ sitting on his plate that now was indented with the shape of his face. He picked up a paper napkin and cleaned himself up.

"Sorry. I didn't get much sleep last night."

"What? On the phone with Abby?"

"No. James Wilson." Ben stared at him, desperately hoping that Adams would elaborate.

"Ok… That's a little questionable. Are you trying to steal Dickinson's minion?"

"No! It wouldn't be worth it. I just wish that there could be a way to persuade him to do something without the permission of his god."

"Don't give up now, John. Just stay focused."

"I'm trying, Ben! But look how little time we have left!"

"Well, Thomas Jefferson finished the petition last night. He's going to have it read today after school."

"That's good. But we still have six people to win over! All that work yesterday and only one of them decided to vote with us." Just as Adams said this, the weak figure of George Read slowly crept up behind them.

"John Adams," he squeaked. Adams looked at him. "Yesterday… I had a little chat with Senor McKean… He brought it to my attention that perhaps I was wrong to side against you." He swallowed and dabbed his forehead with a napkin.

"Are you ok, George?" Ben asked. "You look ill."

"I'm fine. Just a little traumatized."

"From what?"

"Well… I'd rather not get into it. Anyway, I just thought you should know that you have my vote. Please leave me alone now. And make sure Senor McKean leaves me alone too… Please!"

George Read slugged away and Adams and Ben gave each other guilty glances.

"What's done is done," Adams muttered, taking a sip of iced coffee.