Cody put down the pencil. "Well, Zack, this is it," he said. "We're just about there."

"Uh-huh, sure," said Zack, nodding quickly. "Now go on and write the part where Maddie and I defeat the killer already."

Cody stared at Zack in disbelief. "What?"

"You heard me," said Zack nonchalantly. "We're going to use the play's ending where Maddie's uncle or brother or whatever killed that Charlie boy and where I didn't actually do it after all, defeat the killer, and live happily ever after."

"Yeah, about that," said Cody, feeling the need to stand up. "We were asked to re-write the book, Zack, not the play."

"And the play comes from the book, hence it all fits," shrugged Zack.

"No, it doesn't," said Cody, struggling to keep himself from losing his cool. "The book's ending speaks out on how human guilt can destroy a person. The play's ending speaks out on how using a happy ending satisfies the public no matter how sacrilegious it may be."

"Say what?" said Zack mockingly.

"What I'm trying to say is, the book's ending is much stronger, hence it would work much better," explained Cody.

"Look, Cody, I think the book is cool and all, but that ending made me too depressed to make fun of geeks," said Zack, folding his arms across his chest. "The play's ending on the other hand made me want to go on a geek spree. Don't you just hate it when the bad guy wins?"

"Well, yeah, but this is fiction, not reality," argued Cody. "Just admit it, Zack: The only reason why you want to use such a lame ending is so you can create your own pathetic universe where you and Maddie are together when in truth, you don't have a chance with her, especially now that we know she killed a little boy!"

"Look, I know it's natural of us to completely forget the lesson we've learned after only a week, but this is ridiculous," said Zack, stepping forward. "Maddie would never do that; it's just not in-character for her!"

"Considering that everyone's most endearing qualities are being exaggerated to ridiculous proportions nowadays, I wouldn't be surprised," said Cody dryly. "For starters, her family used to be so poor that all she could get for her birthday was a flashlight and then batteries to go with the flashlight on Christmas. Now, all of a sudden, she's able to afford hair extensions. Hair extensions don't come cheap, you know."

"And how do you know that?" challenged Zack.

Cody ignored Zack's question and said, "Where do you suppose she's getting all her money, hmm? From her rich boyfriend, maybe? The boyfriend who inherited a lot of money after his beloved brother conveniently drowned?"

"She said they broke up," said Zack defensively. "And do you know what I think your problem is, Cody? I think you just want to gain brownie points with the teacher! You just want to take every opportunity you can to gain an extra good grade, don't you?"

"Better than slacking off and doing nothing!" sneered Cody. "No wonder your grades are so poor; it's because you've become a walking, breathing stereotype!"

"Well, look at the pot calling the fridge black!" sneered Zack. "You've become the archetypical geek who doesn't know how to have any fun! No wonder no one likes you!"

"Mom likes me!" burst out Cody.

"Duh, she's our mom, she's supposed to like you," said Zack, rolling his eyes.

"Oh yeah?" said Cody angrily. "Well—you've got a stupid haircut!"

"Oh, what, you've run out of everything to make fun of, and now you're making fun of my haircut?" said Zack angrily. "Cause guess what—we're twins, so when you say I have a stupid haircut, you're saying your haircut is stupid as well!"

"At least my haircut doesn't make me look like a girl!" argued Cody.

"Ever looked in the mirror lately, buddy?" snapped Zack.

The two boys' arguing was interrupted by an ear-shattering scream. "What the heck was that?" said Zack.

"I don't know," said Cody slowly, getting a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach, "but I think we should go check it out."

The two boys ran out of their hotel room, down the hall, and to the elevator...which had a huge OUT OF ORDER sign taped on it.

The two boys faced each other. "Looks like we'll have to use the stairs," said Cody. He slipped his hand in Zack's and said, "Ready?"

Zack grasped Cody's hand and nodded. "Ready," he said.

The two boys headed off for the stairs, prepared to face any terrifying oddities they knew were probably waiting for them in the lobby.