Save the Berry Farm

by darraq

When a berry farm in Elwood City is going to be closed down to make way for a new resort, the kids, with the help of some new friends, must help the workers keep the farm open. Also, Marina hangs out with Buster after her inseparable best friend is away for spring break, but later, there is a feeling for more than friendship between the two...

8. Chapter 8

It is now Wednesday, March 15. The kids are working on their ideas separately. Alex, Murray, and Ovejita are making flyers to send out, while Arthur and Francine are
making posters to promote the farm, while Buster and Marina are on the library's computer doing contact e-mails to their friends, classmates and other city-goers to visit
the farm. On Thursday, March 16, they all met up again at the Sugar Bowl.

Arthur: Hello, guys. What ideas did you guys decide yesterday on how to save the berry farm.
Alex: We think we should advertise the farm by handing out flyers.
Buster: We went on the computer and contacted as many people in Elwood City as we could.
Francine: We all made posters to promote the farm.
Arthur: Those are all great ideas. We think we should combine our efforts!
Murray: Yes, it would be a good plan!
Ovejita: Fantástico! ("Fantastic!")
Marina: I hear it's spectacular!

Everyone then socialized with each other. Alex wanted to talk to Marina, since he isn't sure he's seen her at his school before, even though she was a grade above
the others.

Alex: Hello there, Marina, I suppose you a new student at Lakewood Elementary, since I haven't seen you there yet.
Marina: (laughs) Yes, I've recently transferred to Lakewood, from Mighty Mountain, the rival school.
Alex: (a little stunned) Wait, what?!
Marina: I said, I used to go to Mighty Mountain Elementary School before transferring to Lakewood.
Alex: (amazed) Wow, that's amazing!
Marina: You don't mind that I used to be in a rival school?
Alex: When our school had that huge fire sometime ago, your school opened up to all of us. So no, I don't mind.
Marina: I've heard about that. (solemnly) I'm really sorry about what happened to all of you at Lakewood.
Arthur: Thank you, Marina.
Francine: I'm glad we got through that event.
Buster: It's too bad the berry farm might close down for good, though.

Alex then thought of a way to save the farm. Suddenly, he had a plan...

Alex: I have another idea. Murray, Ovejita and I will go to the mayor's office at town hall and see what we can do
Francine: Well, I guess we had better be getting ready to campaign for the berry farm. Let's go!

Everyone walked out of the Sugar Bowl, and got ready to fight to save the farm.

Meanwhile, Alex, Murray and Ovejita were heading to City Hall to see the city's Mayor Hirsch. After several hours of waiting in the lobby, they were finally called up
to state their case to the mayor. After explaining the situation to Mayor Hirsch, the trio then asked if the farm could stay in business.

Ovejita: Que pasa? ("What's happening?")
Mayor Hirsch: Well, if the building company has the permit for the farm, I would have to sign it to make it official.
Alex: Oh.
Hirsch: However, there is a way that the farm can stay open.
Murray: What is it?
Hirsch: On the last day of spring break, the farm would have to sell everything that's in the store. If that happens, I might not sign it over to the building company. But it's unlikely that is going to happen.
Alex: (smiles) I think you'll be very surprised. Thanks for the advice, Mayor Hirsch!

The trio then walked back home to continue their campaign work for the rest of the day.