CHAPTER 2: THEATER IN CRISIS
The next day Sadie showed Schroeder and Lucy around town. Schroeder, having been there before, knew the area well. Also along for the ride was Tate. Lucy thought that Sparkyville was a small town. This town made Sparkyville look like a metropolis by comparison. They soon got to their destination: the town's amphitheater. It was not quite in disrepair, but needed work. And a greedy tycoon wanted to buy the theater from the city to turn it into a strip mall.
"This theater has been here for years," said a sad Sadie. "We're tryin' everything t' protect it."
"We're plannin' a 4th of July fundraiser," added Tate. "Plus we started a petition t' stop th' construction of the strip mall."
"Will you need our help at all?" asked Schroeder.
"Would ya, cuz?" said Sadie.
"Sure we can help," said Lucy. "If we can get enough signatures to declare this a historical monument, AND raise enough funds to ensure its future, I think we can be successful. I can help with getting folks to come to this fundraiser. Schroeder, would you be able to perform?"
"I'll need a piano to play on," said Schroeder.
"It'll be provided, cuz," said Sadie. "Besides, I need someone who can tickle th' ivories. And I know you can do that. I got a bluegrass band together, an' the fellers were talking 'bout needin' a piano player."
"Well I can help out while I'm here," offered Schroeder. "But I can also help in finding the right replacement when I do go back home."
"I 'preciate that, cuz," Sadie replied.
"How much money do you need to raise?" asked Lucy.
"I say 'bout $50,000," said Tate. "We have raised nearly half of that, but we'll need more than that."
"Plus the signatures we already have will need t' include at least two thirds of th' town," added Sadie.
"Good grief!" said Schroeder. "We'll need to work real hard to save this place."
"We can do it, babe," assured Lucy. "With us helping out, we can't lose." At that moment, the tycoon who wanted to buy the theater showed up. Sadie took notice.
"That thar's the snake who wants t' make this a strip mall," Sadie whispered to Schroeder and Lucy. "His name is Slick Riddle. Rumor has it that he has a brother named Ted Riddle who lived in Hawaii and tried t' buy out all th' resorts in Honolulu."
"He didn't go by 'Tiki Ted' by chance, did he?" asked Lucy.
"How'd y' know, Lucy?" asked a surprised Sadie.
"We met Tiki Ted last year when we went to Hawaii ourselves, Stretch," said Schroeder. "He tried to buy the resort Lucy and our friends were staying at which belonged to our friend Frieda's uncle Ralph. I was checking out Amadeus Conservatory of Music which was based in Hawaii while Lucy and the rest were at the resort. But it turned out that Ted was working for someone who was the true person buying out the resorts, which turned out to be the father of one of the kids staying at Amadeus with me."
"And now as it seems we have to deal with Ted's brother now," sighed Lucy.
"Well hopefully Slick isn't crooked like his brother," said Tate. "Rich and non-caring, yes, but hopefully not a crook." And they watched as Slick talked to some folks about the planning of the strip mall. The teens were going to make sure that the theater was saved from demolition and be preserved for history.
NEXT CHAPTER: THE OL' SWIMMIN' HOLE