Rocket Power- "Election Affection"

Chapter 9

--After school on the way to Madtown--
Reggie: I can't believe I'm letting Otto be right by going to this thing...but I just have to know what his big plan is!
Twister: Yeah I know! I was trying to figure it out by thinking like Otto today, and I think I might have almost passed my math test instead!
Reggie: Now that's just plain weird.
Twister: What? I have passed a math test before.
Reggie: Yeah, maybe back in kindergarten when the problems were 1 plus 1 equals 2.
Twister: Hey!
Reggie: Sorry, I couldn't resist, but you're right, Twist, I totally beefed; we should be sticking together since that may be the only way we can get past Otto the Awful.
Twister: Eh, it's ok, Reg. Besides, I could never get mad at you.
Reggie (after trying to disguise a smile): Well then we could both get mad at Otto together because I don't think that him up there on top of that half-pipe with a megaphone, skateboard, and a billion posters is going to make us happy with him. Come on! (grabs Twister by the hand and starts to run)
Twister (as Reggie grabs his hand): Whoa! Um, ok, I guess I'm coming!
Reggie (weaving through the crowd of kids up to the front): Excuse us, coming through, sorry...
Otto (over the megaphone): Attention! Attention up here! This is Otto Rocket, the incredibly awesome dude that wants to be your President, and I'm going to make you an offer you can't refuse! But first...(skates down the half-pipe, goes up the other end, does a 360 Japan air, goes back to the other side, ending with a grind along the top of the pipe.)
Eddie (bowing and yelling over cheers and whistles): The Prince of the Netherworld bows to your greatness, succumbs to your will, and pledges to you his vote.
Otto: Thanks a bunch, Eddie, but there's no need to bow because I'm here to serve all of you guys. Everyone listen up! If you vote for me and Sammy I'll teach you how to become as great as me on the skateboard!
Sam (to himself): He's quick; that bribe worked for me, so he figures it'll work for everyone else. Not bad.
Twister (after seeing the look of loathing towards Otto in Reggie's face): Wait a minute, Otto-man! The rules say no gifts, and teaching tricks is definitely giving a gift!
Sam (a bit timidly): Actually, Twister, the rules have one extra key word in there- "purchase." They state "No candidate may purchase gifts to give in attempt to acquire votes."
Twister (with a confused look on his face): Huh? What does that mean?
Reggie (through gritted teeth): It means they can't buy anything to give since that would be buying votes. Instead they're giving a gift that can't be bought, which is technically not buying votes, but is the closest thing.
Twister: Oooh...hey I actually understood all of that!
Reggie: Well I hope you're also starting to understand that we're running against a bunch of cheaters that are stooping as low as to bribe their way into office. Otto I'd expect it from, Sammy not so much. But hey, it's the tough times like these that show what kids are really made of, and apparently Otto and Sam are made of slime. I say we get out of here, Twist, and go work on our speeches so we can win votes the honest way...and so I don't ruin our image by killing Otto in the next 10 seconds...
Twister (quickly wrapping his arms around Reggie from behind and walking her backwards away from Otto): Right, right, let's go to my house and get going on the speeches. The election is definitely not over yet. Catch you kooks later, much. (Turns Reggie around and softly but firmly takes her hand and leads her out of Madtown through the crowd.)
Sam (quietly to Otto): She may be right, Otto, you know. I mean—
Otto: --No, Sammy, don't let her get to you, that's part of her plan. I'm her brother, I know her. She's just jealous that she didn't think of this first. Not that she could ever skate as awesome as I can, but she's decent.
Sam: I'm not so sure, Otto.
Otto: Sammy, Sammy, Sammy, seriously, dude, let it go. She gave me the same look when I only borrowed her hockey stick, she does it all the time to me. We're not breaking any rules, so we're not doing anything wrong. Our friends want a president and vice-president that can do something for them, and we're doing stuff for them. Everything's fine.
Sam (lightening up a bit): Yeah, I guess you're right Otto.
Otto: Of course I am. Psyche! No, but I know I'm right on this one. (over the megaphone) Okay everyone listen up...

Otto's plan may win some votes, but will he ever be able to win back the trust of his sister and best friend?

A/N: This was supposed to have been uploaded and posted last night, but the site kept spazzing out on me, so I just went to bed instead. I don't think I'll be able to get the next one typed up today since I have 2 family parties today, but I'll see what I can do. =)