Chapter 5

The next day after breakfast, the Louds helped the LeBlancs and Audrey with their float. Joseph brought the base of the float out from the garage, and the Louds were ready to help.

"So how do we build a Mardi Gras float?" wondered Rita.

"We need a theme, and then decorate the float to express that theme." explained Mary.

"So what's your theme?" asked Lori.

"This year we're doing an ocean theme." Katie answered.

"Sounds pretty." complimented Leni.

"Yeah, but there's supplies we still need to get." mentioned Audrey.

"Since we already the big stuff here, Lynn can stay behind and help me." Joseph mentioned.

"And the rest of us can gather some more supplies." said Samuel.

"Sounds good to me." replied Lynn Sr.

"Sounds good to us, dudes." added Luna.

"Then let's go then." declared Lucas.

So while Lynn Sr. and Joseph stayed behind, the others left to pick up more supplies.

They didn't go into the city, but on the outskirts of it where there were many stores.

"What kinds of supplies do we need, Mrs. LeBlanc?" asked Luan.

"Lots of paint, cardboard, styrofoam, brushes, and any other art supplies." Mary answered.

"This is going to be cool." Lynn said, as she gathered some stuff.

"It's always fun decorating the float." Katie told her.

"And we'll see how we do in the contest." added Lucas.

"Contest, what contest?" Lincoln questioned.

"We didn't mention it? wondered Samuel.

The Louds shook their heads "no".

"Well every Mardi Gras there's a contest to see which float is the biggest, best looking, and has a great theme." Katie explained.

"Have you ever won?" Lucy piped up.

"No, we've always come in 2nd or 3rd." confessed Katie.

"Then who's come in first?" Lana wanted to know.

Meanwhile, Rita was helping Mary and Audrey.

"Mary LeBlanc." said a voice.

The three women turned around, and saw a man dressed in a white suit.

"Mr. Arthur Boulet." Mary replied.

"Shopping for Mardi Gras float supplies I see."

"Yes, we are."

"And who is this?" he asked, referring to Rita.

"I'm Rita Loud."

"Arthur, Rita is the wife of an old friend of my husband. He, her, and their kids are visiting."

"Well it's a pleasure, Mrs. Loud." Arthur said, offering his hand.

"Hello." Rita replied, shaking his hand.

"Well I must be on my way. Good luck with your float. Though the contest's already won."

He chuckled to himself as he walked away.

"That Arthur Boulet thinks he's so great." muttered Audrey.

"Now Audrey." said Mary.

"Who was that?" Rita wanted to know.

"That was Arthur Boulet. He's very rich and wealthy, and also happens to be the winner of the Mardi Gras float contest for the last few years." Mary explained.

"Not to mention he's a complete snob." Audrey remarked.

Rita could tell there was obviously some slight animosity between them all.

After they collected all the supplies, they headed back. They then began to work on the float. They cut out pieces of cardboard to look like waves, and attached them to the sides of the float. Then they added green pipe cleaners to act as seaweed, and glued on seashells.

Then they started painting the cardboard ocean blue.

"Whew, this is a lot of work." said Lincoln.

"Putting a float together often is." Samuel told him.

"But it's really worth it. Especially if we're going to beat Mr. Boulet." added Katie.

"Mr. Bo who?" asked Lynn Sr.

"Mr. Boulet, he's a very wealthy man in town. And every year he enters a float in the Mardi Gras parade too." explained Lucas.

"And he's won first place for the last three years." Audrey piped up.

"Yeah, we met him at the store." said Rita.

"Is he one of those snobby rich guys?" Lori.

"No, actually Mr. Boulet's a nice man." Joseph told her.

"Well that's a relief. Like it would be totally cliche, if he was snobby." Leni mentioned.

After finishing the painting they all went inside for a rest. Lucy decided to explore the house a bit on her own.

"I wonder what other creepy stuff New Orleans has?" she thought to herself.

"Quite a bit." piped up a voice.

Lucy looked up and saw Audrey.

"Oh, hello, Ms. Audrey."

"You want to see something both creepy and interesting follow me." Audrey told her.

She led Lucy into the living room, and on the mantle were six little dolls that looked like the LeBlancs and Audrey. Only they had needles poked in them.

"Whoa, are these voodoo dolls?" Lucy asked.

"You bet. Made them myself." Audrey replied.

"I've never seen real ones before, could you teach me to make them?"

"You bet."

That's chapter 5, plz review