CHAPTER 15(sorry if the chapter thingis confusing, I just don't have titles for them)

After the lunch bell, the students of Henry Roscoe High School quickly filed into the cafeteria. Scott and Riley joined an arm-wrestling Jack and Robin at their usual table. Robin had Jack's arm pinned down flat.

"One…two…three! Ha, I won…again."

Jack winced and rubbed his forearm. "Who are you? Schwartzenegger in disguise?"

A familiar loud roar interrupted Robin in mid-punch.

"Cougar Radio!"

All four of them groaned.

"Hey, y'all. This is Janice Gervais with the Cougar Radio Lunchtime Report. But first, an announcement from your principal. Mr. Waller?

"Thank you, Janice," spoke the man's aging voice. "Whoever had the nerve to sketch a caricature of myself, accompanied by the words 'Principal Poo' in the middle stall of the boy's washroom facility can report to my office at once…if you wish to move on to the next grade! I am disgusted by this disrespectful behavior. I expect you to show me the same respect that you would your peers. Students, if you believe that a satirical cartoon will undermine my authority, you are wrong. Never bite the hand that feeds you! That is all."

Riley cautiously inspected the browning lettuce in her sandwich. "The hand that feeds us needs a visit from the Board of Health."

"Thank you, Principal Waller," continued Janice. "I'm sure everyone will think twice now before drawing anything on the bathroom walls. Moving on. Tomorrow, the Henry Roscoe High Cheerleading Squad will be holding a car wash to raise money for new uniforms."

"No way!" said Jack excitedly, along with all the other males in the cafeteria. "Hey, Scotty, guess where we're going tomorrow!"

"You overlooked one important detail, my friend. We don't have cars!"

Riley was looking furious. "I can't believe this!"

"Aw, don't worry, sis. Me and Scott can take our bikes."

"It's not about that, you idiot," she snarled. "The school band needs new instruments and equipment…an amp, a drum set, a sound system, a tuba…so they've held about 5 different fundraisers this semester!"

"So? That's good, isn't it."

"No! Hardly anyone showed up for any of them. And do you know why? Cougar Radio didn't advertise them! Last time I checked, they were required to promote all school events."

"Well, cheerleading and football are all anyone cares about in this school," said Robin, rolling her eyes.

"Exactly. They don't even need new uniforms. They got new ones at the beginning of the year!"

"I bet the captain of the squad had something to do with it," said Robin. "Ew, ew, the blue and gold clashes with my nail polish! Get it away from me!" she mocked in a high-pitched voice.

The other two burst into laughter, but Scott was silent, thinking.

Now this is the kind of scenario RFR would be talking about.

CHAPTER 16

(After School)

Scott pedaled his bike down Maple Avenue. It was a quiet little street, with a few small businesses lining the road. Scott was looking for one store in particular.

"Let's see…Clyde's Streetwear…The Green Leaf Café…aha! Radio Hut!"

He parked his bike on the sidewalk and walked into the tall brick building. Inside, the walls were lined with shelves, shelves displayed with various radios and gadgets, some new, and some that were older-looking.

He wandered over to a table and saw a tool-box with a built-in digital radio Beside it was a pair of headphones much like his dad's.

"Ahem. Can I help you, son?"

Scott turned around and saw a short, balding man who looked about forty. He wore a nametag that said, "Lloyd". Lloyd looked at Scott suspiciously, as if he hated it when teenagers came in because they always broke things.

"Um…well, I'm looking for a portable radio transmitter."

Lloyd frowned. "You? What would a kid want with a radio transmitter?"

Scott searched his brain for a lie. "It's for… a school project. Yeah. I'm doing a report on how the radio system works…I thought I could get some hands-on experience."

From the expression on Lloyd's face, Scott could tell he didn't believe him.

"I can tell you're up to something…but I can help you find what you want. Did you have a particular model in mind? Most of them are too expensive for a kid like you to be messing around with."

Lloyd was starting to annoy Scott.

"Look, I'm not going to throw it off a bridge or make fake police reports or anything. Besides, I'm looking for something simple. Maybe a used one."

Lloyd sighed and walked into a tiny room at the back. "I'll see what I've got…hmm…maybe this one. Yes, this one is fine. Hey, kid, help me with this, would ya?"

Scott helped him carry the giant piece of equipment onto the counter. The machine's slick black surface was covered in buttons and knobs.

"This baby is an XQRM-33. Manufactured circa 1999…. It's a basic FM transmitter...very simple to operate. An idiot could use it." Lloyd put extra emphasis on "idiot".

Scott was thrilled. "This is perfect…what does this do?" He pressed a large red button on the side and flipped the switched

Lloyd winced. "Easy, easy, kid! So, are you gonna take it? I'll let it go for…$500, no less."

Scott's happy bubble burst. He only had half of that.

"$250 is all I've got right now."

Lloyd didn't look sympathetic.

Scott sighed. How he wished he had gotten a raise in his allowance! "I'll pay the $250 now, and by the end of the week, I'll have the rest. Don't let anyone else take it!"

"Ok, kid. I'll hold it until Friday…but that's all. This is a real expensive 'project' of yours."

Scott pulled a wad of bills out of his wallet and handed it to Lloyd. It was worth it.