Chapter 9: The Deal
Vinny is teaching Jake's class. Jake and his friend Nick are talking during this lesson. "I hate him." Jake told Nick. "Hate who?" Nick asked. "Mr.DiMiranda." Jake explained. "Did he give detention you again?" Nick asked. "No. Him and my sister were over for dinner last night and things got out of hand." Jake said. "What happened?" Nick asked. "First my dad found out I got two days detention and grounded me for the weekend. Then my sister Sarah and Vinny started to agrue again. My dad then grounded Sarah for the weekend and I lost my temper with Vinny and yelled at him." Jake explained. "Isn't the skateboard competition this weekend?" Nickasked reminding Jake about it. "I forgot about that. Now, I hate Vinny even more." Jake said. "Dude, this is your year or was your year." Nick explained. "I know. I have to find a way to get to the skateboard competiton without my parents knowing." Jake said. The bell rang and class was over. "Jake, I need to talk to you." Vinny said as Jake was walking out the door. "I don't want to be late for class and get detention today. Oh wait, I already have detention today thanks to you." Jake said as he walked out the door.
In detention there are a few students there plus Jake. "Detention's over you can all go now." Vinny said as he walked in the door. Everybody got up and went to leave. "Jake, sit down." Vinny said. "I have nothing to say to you." Jake replied. "I have something to say to you." Vinny told him. "What is it?" Jake asked. "Why do you and your sister Sarah hate me?" Vinny asked. "It's why do you hate me and Sarah." Jake replied. "I don't hate you." Vinny said. "What about Sarah?" Jake asked. "She's annoying at times but, that doesn't mean that I hate her." Vinny replied. "Why do you always argue with her then?" Jake asked. "Me and your sister Lorraine argue everyday and we don't hate each other." Vinny explained. "That still doesn't answer my question about Sarah." Jake said. "Sarah hates me for some reason and always argues with me. I don't start it I only defend myself. Like last night at dinner, I didn't say two words to her and she got on my case about giving you detention." Vinny explained. "Did you do anything to her?" Jake asked. "No." Vinny replied. "She wouldn't hate you without a good reason." Jake said. "I'll make a deal with you." Vinny told Jake. "I'm listening." Jake replied. "I heard that there's a skateboard competiton this weekend. And I heard that you are the favorite to win the competition." Vinny told him. "Correction I was the favorite. I'm grounded this weekend remember." Jake explained. "Here's the thing your dad has a football game at Jefferson tomorrow at one. The competition starts at twelve and Jefferson is an hour and half away." Vinny stated. "What's your point?" Jake asked wondering where Vinny was going with this. "Let me finish. Your dad won't be back until five, five thirty and won't get home until six. The competition should be over before that. So, I'll take you to the competition if and only if you find out why Sarah hates me. Deal?" Vinny said extending his hand. "Deal." Jake said as he shook Vinny's hand. Jake now realizing Vinny isn't as dumb as he thought made his first business deal of his life. Now, the real task is getting Sarah to talk about why she hates Vinny.