Chapter Four – Passwords
The next Thursday, Zack returned back to the hotel at 5:30. He had been hanging out at Tapeworm's, celebrating the fact that he was no longer grounded.
"Hello Zack," Maddie said as Zack walked over. "How are you?"
"Pretty good, sweet thang..." Zack replied.
"How's school? Are you still on the basketball team?"
"Yes. I got a D- on an English composition, but school's good otherwise."
"Oh, that's not good... Does Carey know?"
"Yes, actually. I tried to avoid her finding out, but Cody couldn't keep from bragging about his A grade on his composition, so mom found out when she asked me about mine. She grounded me for a week, and made me look for this stupid assignment notebook that I misplaced. I couldn't find it, so mom isn't giving me my allowance for two weeks."
"Oh. That stinks!"
"Yeah. Tell me about it."
"Actually, you're not the only one who is grounded."
"You're grounded? Why the heck-"
"No. I'm not grounded. London is."
"Hmm... Why is she grounded?"
"She didn't go to her father's memorial service?"
"Hmm... That's strange. Did she... like... forget about it or something?"
"No. She didn't forget about it. She purposefully didn't go. She went shopping instead."
"Oh," Zack said, walking back to his suite.
"Hello Zack," said Carey and Cody, as Zack walked into the suite. Carey was preparing dinner in the kitchen and Cody was siting on the couch.
""What are you working on, Cody?" Zack asked.
"The English essay on The Giver that's due tomorrow..." Cody replied, smiling.
"That's due tomorrow? I thought it was due next Tuesday! I wrote it down in my assignment notebook!" Zack said putting down his backpack, and getting out his assignment notebook. "Ahh... yes.. According to my assignment notebook, it's due next Tuesday!"
Darn it... Cody thought. I can't trick him. Oh well. "Oh, actually you're right... It is due on next Tuesday. I was trying to trick you."
"Hmm... Well it didn't work."
"I see that."
"Can I use the computer tomorrow?"
"Umm... Maybe... Why do you want to use it?"
"To type the English essay! Duh!"
"Oh, really?"
"Yup."
"Just so you know, you are not copying my essay!"
"I wasn't planning on it."
"Good. You're one of the reasons I keep a password on my account on here! I don't want you copying my assignments..."
"Yah. Well if you don't want me getting onto your account, I'd suggest changing your password."
"Why?"
"Because I know what it is."
"Yeah right. What is it?"
"It's really easy to remember: Barbara..."
"What?"
"B-A-R-B-A-R-A. Barbara."
"But how'd you know?"
"I basically just put in the name of every one of our friends, until I found a match."
"But how'd you know it was one of our friends' names?"
"Easy. I figured you'd use the name of one of your friends, since it's easy to remember. Plus, you maybe me smarter than I am, but you haven't got a clue about what a good password is."
"What is a good password?"
"One no one else will figure out."
"No really? I knew that already. What is a good password to use?"
"One that is all numbers. Random numbers that don't mean anything."
"But how am I supposed to remember it? That's not exactly easy."
"Actually, it is. Just write it down until you have it memorized."
"Ok, yeah... I'll think about it. Thanks for the suggestion."
Zack and Cody ate an hour later. They then did their math homework and watched television. Then they each took a shower and went to bed.