Molly for Mayor Read online

  Rat’s knees, Molly thought. Was Mary Beth right? Or would Roger’s tricks work? Maybe Molly should throw mud after all! Being a good guy didn’t always work. What did they say on TV? “Good guys finish last.” Molly didn’t want to finish last!

  Now Mary Beth turned their sign over and wrote in black letters WE DON’T SLING MUD. WE PLAY CLEAN. WE WILL CLEAN UP CITY HALL. WE ARE FAIR TO EVERYONE. She Walked around the park holding up the sign.

  No one paid much attention.

  Now some of the other Pee Wees were campaigning too. Jody’s wheelchair had flags and streamers on it. On the back was a red, white, and blue sign that read DON’T BE A MULE, VOTE FOR GOOD SCHOOLS. VOTE JODY GEORGE!

  Soon it seemed all the Pee Wees were in the park. Lisa was pulling a wagon with a puppy and kitten in it. They had green bows around their necks. On the side of the wagon it said I’LL PICK UP YOUR PET, AND TAKE IT TO THE VET!

  “She’s supposed to take it to the dog pound,” said Kenny. “That’s what I’d do if I was elected.”

  Sonny held a paper flag that said MORE RECESS, MORE VACATION, MORE PIZZA.

  Rachel had taken her tap shoes out of a bag and was doing a dance. She turned cartwheels and somersaults on the lawn and sang some words to the tune of “Three Blind Mice”:

  Tap, tap, tap. See how I run.

  I’ll dance right into the council room.

  I’ll get the work done with a zoom zoom zoom.

  I’ll get it all done before noon, noon, noon.

  I’ll beat Kevin Moe.

  “That’s what we should have done!” said Mary Beth. “A dance! That’s a good way to get votes. People like entertainment.”

  It was true. All eyes were on Rachel and her acrobatics. Her act was as popular as Roger’s candy bars.

  And all Molly had was a dull, quiet sign.

  CHAPTER 7

  High and Mighty

  “But I can’t dance!” Molly told Mary Beth.

  Mary Beth sighed. “We need something that gets more attention. We’d better call a meeting.”

  “Who of?” asked Molly.

  “The candidate and her manager,” said Mary Beth.

  “That’s us,” said Molly. “We’re already meeting.”

  “Not officially,” said Mary Beth. “We have to have a real meeting, like at a table or desk, and talk about new strategies. It’s called brainstorming.”

  Kevin was playing a trumpet now.

  Tracy was riding her little brother’s tricycle. She’d put a box around it painted to look like a police car. It had a noisy siren on the handlebar. It got attention.

  Patty had turned her bike into a police motorcycle. She wore a homemade police uniform, with a helmet and goggles.

  Tim was the only one who wasn’t doing anything. He sat with his sign and watched.

  “The sooner we brainstorm the better,” said Molly. “These Pee Wees know how to campaign.”

  The girls took their sign and went to Molly’s house.

  “Let’s go in the garage where we can be alone,” said Mary Beth. “It will be more official.”

  The garage smelled like gas and oil and paint, thought Molly. Not like a meeting room. There was no table or desk, so the girls sat in folding lawn chairs.

  “Now,” said Mary Beth, “I’m calling this meeting to order. You have to second the motion.”

  Molly did.

  And then there didn’t seem to be anything to say.

  “Think,” said Mary Beth. “Think hard about what we can do to win.”

  Molly frowned so that she would look as if she were thinking. But her mind was blank.

  “Let’s think about what the real candidates do to get votes,” said Mary Beth.

  “They go on TV,” said Molly. “And take out big ads in the paper.”

  Mary Beth thought about that. “We can’t afford TV,” she said. “Or newspaper ads. They cost a lot of money, especially big ones. When I put an ad in the paper to sell my skates, it cost five dollars.”

  Molly whistled. That was a lot of money. The Pee Wees didn’t have that much money.

  “What can we do that’s free?” asked Mary Beth.

  Free was harder. Free didn’t give them many choices.

  “I think I have it!” said Mary Beth suddenly. “You know those planes that write words in the air in smoke? We can ask them to write ‘Molly for mayor’ in the clouds!”

  Mary Beth was turning out to be a bad manager, thought Molly.

  “We don’t even know a pilot,” she said. “Besides, pilots are too busy flying those great big planes with hundreds of people on them to France or somewhere. They wouldn’t bother to write my name in smoke.”

  “Let’s keep thinking,” said Mary Beth. “We have to come up with something. ‘Where there’s a will there’s a way,’ my aunt says.”

  Mary Beth’s whole family was full of sayings. Molly wasn’t sure about any of them.

  “Of course, the idea of putting something up in the air is a good one,” said Mary Beth thoughtfully. “I mean, everyone would see it. Like putting a sign on top of the bank building. It’s about umpteen stories high.”

  “How would we get a sign up there?” asked Molly. “Even if we got to the top floor we couldn’t crawl out a window that high up. Anyway, I bet all the windows are locked. And what would we tie it to? Even duct tape wouldn’t hold for one minute in that wind.”

  Molly was upset that she had to be the voice of reason. What was Mary Beth thinking?

  “Well, we’re just brainstorming,” said her friend, who seemed to know what Molly was thinking. “That’s what business guys do.”

  “I suppose we could go up to my uncle’s apartment,” Mary Beth went on. “He lives on the tenth floor, and he has a little balcony with plants and stuff on it. He says I can come up anytime. He gave us a key.”

  “Maybe,” said Molly, “instead of a sign we could drop something saying ‘Vote for Molly’ on it.”

  Mary Beth got out of her lawn chair so fast it tipped over. She snapped her fingers and said, “That’s it! That’s the idea we needed! We’ll drop balloons from the balcony! You see how well brainstorming works? I move we adjourn this meeting and go and get balloons!”

  “I second the motion,” said Molly.

  Mary Beth wrote something down in her notebook.

  Then she said, “It has been moved and seconded that we adjourn this meeting, since we have a good idea about balloons.”

  Mary Beth took a hammer from the workbench and pounded it on the arm of Molly’s chair. “The meeting is ended,” she said.

  “Where do we get the balloons?” asked Molly.

  “I think I have some left over from my sister’s party,” said her friend.

  “We need a lot,” said Molly.

  The girls ran to Mary Beth’s house. In the basement were six balloons, all in the air with strings hanging from them. They were big and puffy and silver. They all said HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

  “We’ll just cross that out and write ‘Vote for Molly’ instead,” said Mary Beth. “And we can write on the other side too. Silver will catch the light and sparkle. Everyone will notice them.”

  Mary Beth got some colored markers. The girls worked and worked, crossing off HAPPY BIRTHDAY and writing VOTE FOR MOLLY on every balloon twice. That made twelve signs.

  “We really need more than this,” said Molly. “But at least it’s a start. Let’s get over to your uncle’s.”

  “I have to ask my mom for the key,” said Mary Beth.

  But Mary Beth’s mother was not home. A note said, “At the dentist. Back in an hour.”

  “I know where the key is,” said Mary Beth. “I’ll be right back.”

  She ran to the kitchen and grabbed the key, and off they went.

  When they arrived, the guard recognized Mary Beth. He said, “Hi there. Go right up.” He looked at all the balloons. “Is it your uncle’s birthday?”

  “Not today,” she replied, “but pretty soon!”

&
nbsp; Her uncle was not at home. The girls struggled with the lock until finally the key turned. They stopped to pet Rollie, the cat, and then went out on the balcony.

  “Boy, are we ever high!” said Molly. “You can see the whole town from here!”

  “Let’s just drop these over the edge so we can leave,” said Mary Beth.

  Molly did. But she was in for a surprise!

  The balloons did not drop. They did not fall to the ground advertising Molly’s name. Instead, they went up up up in the air, higher and higher. Past the eleventh floor. Past the roof. Far too high for anyone to read unless they were a bird or in an airplane!

  “Helium!” said Mary Beth, stamping her foot. “Those balloons have helium in them. They’re gone for good!”

  CHAPTER 8

  Up in the Air

  “Why didn’t you think of that?” demanded Molly. “You’re my manager.”

  “Me?” said Mary Beth. “You could have thought of it, too, you know.”

  Molly sighed. “Well, there’s nothing to be done except to get packages of regular balloons and blow them up. Balloons without helium.”

  The girls locked up the apartment and went home to get money from their banks for more balloons. They bought two packages at the drugstore. Then they sat in Molly’s backyard and blew them up. They wrote the same words on the balloons all over again. Then they tied them together with string so that they could carry them to the balcony.

  The guard was busy talking to a man in a uniform and just waved them on in. When they got to the tenth floor, they let themselves in with the key.

  “I’m tired!” said Molly, falling onto the couch. “This campaigning is very hard work!”

  “You know,” said Mary Beth, looking down at the trees and city, “these balloons may not fall because they’re too light. They need something heavy in them.”

  “We don’t have rocks,” said Molly.

  They both thought of a solution at the same time! “Water!” said Mary Beth.

  Molly untied the balloons, and Mary Beth filled them with water at the sink. Then she tied them up again and dropped each one over the edge of the balcony. This time the girls were successful. One by one the balloons dropped to the ground.

  “I hope Roger is watching,” said Molly. “And the other Pee Wees. I hope they see how we are doing the best campaigning of all!”

  “The balloons are falling near the park,” said Mary Beth. “I don’t see how they can miss them.”

  “Maybe one will fall on Roger’s head!” laughed Molly. “That would serve him right. Splash!”

  “I just know you’re going to win,” said Mary Beth. “This is a great strategy.”

  Molly wasn’t sure what strategy was, but if it helped her win against Roger, she was all for it.

  The girls locked the door and left the building. Mary Beth said, “We have to start thinking of a victory song. I could make up new words for a song we sing at football games.”

  She sat down on Molly’s front steps and took out her notebook.

  “We can sing ‘Molly, Molly, hats off to thee, firm and strong in victory, rah rah for Molly Duff!’ ”

  The girls sang it together. Then they walked to the park singing.

  “I don’t see any of our balloons!” said Mary Beth. “But they must have landed down here somewhere.”

  As they walked, they saw some little puddles. In the middle of the puddles were little pieces of rubber.

  “The balloons broke when they hit the ground!” said Molly. “Look! Some of them hit a sharp rock or a branch. All the balloons popped!”

  Mary Beth stamped her foot. “Rat’s knees!” she said. “All our work for nothing.”

  At the park Rachel was still doing cartwheels.

  Roger was giving out packages of gum.

  “That’s bad for your teeth,” said Molly.

  “It’s sugarless,” said Roger.

  Rat’s knees! Roger thought of everything! He should have been her campaign manager!

  “Why is your hair all wet?” demanded Mary Beth.

  “Some dumb balloon hit me on the head and it was filled with water. Who would do a dumb thing like that?” Roger said.

  Mary Beth poked her friend and giggled. “Well, at least our idea made one good thing happen!” she said.

  Mrs. Peters came through the park, pushing baby Nick in his stroller.

  “Who are you going to vote for?” Rachel asked her.

  “Oh no, I’m not telling!” said their leader. “But I’m sure the best person will win!”

  She waved to the Pee Wees and walked on.

  “Well, she didn’t take any of Roger’s candy or gum,” said Mary Beth.

  “That’s because she’s nonpartisan,” said Rachel.

  “Why doesn’t she like Parmesan?” asked Tim. “It’s really good on spaghetti.”

  Rachel groaned. “Nonpartisan means she isn’t for one side or another.”

  “Next Tuesday we vote,” said Molly. “And I don’t think I have a chance against those candy bars and gum.”

  “Anyone can see that you’re better material than Roger,” Mary Beth said.

  She makes it sound as if I was cut out of a piece of cloth, thought Molly.

  “We’re running a cleaner campaign and making sensible promises,” Mary Beth added. “The Pee Wees will know you’re trustworthy. Roger doesn’t stand a chance.”

  But Molly was not too sure. People might remember candy much longer than they’d remember how dumb and selfish Roger was. Or what a good mayor Molly would make.

  She wouldn’t have to wait long to find out.

  Tuesday would be here before they knew it!

  CHAPTER 9

  The Washable Ad!

  “We have to have a big push before the election,” said Mary Beth.

  “What do you mean?” asked Molly.

  “A last-minute campaign thing,” said Mary Beth. “You know, do something to make voters remember you at the polls. Something spectacular!”

  “Like what?” asked Molly. “We did everything we could think of to get votes. But Roger is going to win.” She looked sad.

  Mary Beth shook her head. “It’s not too late until the last vote is in,” she said.

  Molly felt as if it were too late, but she was glad her friend was hopeful.

  “Let’s see,” said Mary Beth. “What could we do? I wish we had a great idea!”

  Just then a car drove by slowly. Tin cans were tied to the bumper, making a lot of noise. When people looked to see what was making the noise, they noticed words painted on the sides of the car.

  “It’s like a wedding,” scoffed Mary Beth, “when they say ‘Just Married’.”

  These words did not say JUST MARRIED. They said ROGER MOE’S THE MAN FOR THE JOB!

  “Rat’s knees!” said Molly. “That’s Mr. Moe’s car! He painted his sign right on the car! He must be really anxious for Roger to win, if he’d ruin his car!”

  “That’s just washable paint,” said Mary Beth. “It will come off when it rains. I wish we’d thought of that. Roger’s name will really stick in their minds.”

  “Rat’s knees, we can still do that,” said Molly. “Our dads have cars!”

  “We could,” said Mary Beth thoughtfully. “I mean, he doesn’t own the idea or anything.”

  The girls ran to Mary Beth’s house. Her dad was in the garage. Mary Beth ran to ask him. Molly saw him frown and shake his head.

  “He said no,” Mary Beth reported. “He doesn’t like the idea. But what about your car?” she asked. “I mean, you’re the one who’s running for mayor. Your dad would be proud, I’ll bet.”

  “I suppose I could ask,” said Molly.

  Mary Beth waved her hand, dismissing the idea of asking. “We don’t need to ask,” she said. “I mean, it’s washable paint. I’ll bet he wouldn’t care at all. I’ll bet he’d be proud!”

  Molly wondered if her friend was right. Would her dad be proud? Mary Beth was already racing towar
d the Duffs’ house.

  “You have some of that housepaint in the basement!” she said. “I saw it. It says ‘water base’ on it—‘Clean up with water.’ That means it washes right off your hands and clothes. My uncle washes his brushes out with water—that’s how I know.”

  If Mary Beth said it was washable, she must be right. She knew a lot. She hardly ever made mistakes.

  The girls found the paint in the basement. “Maybe I should ask,” said Molly.

  But her parents had left a note saying they’d gone over to Molly’s aunt’s.

  “We have no time to lose,” said Mary Beth. “We can’t sit around waiting while we lose votes.”

  Now Mary Beth was prying the lid off the paint can. She stirred the paint with a stick.

  “This is nice and bright,” she said. “It will really get attention.”

  But when the girls got to the garage, the car was gone. Molly’s parents had driven to her aunt’s.

  Mary Beth snapped her fingers. “I have a better idea!” she said. “Let’s paint words across the front of your house instead! Then everyone in town can see it when they drive by! That will be even better than a sign on the car. And Roger can’t say we copied him!”

  “Are you sure the paint will wash off when it rains?” asked Molly.

  “Pooh,” said Mary Beth. “Of course.

  Look what it says on the can: ‘Easy cleanup. Wash brushes with water.’ If it comes off brushes with water, it comes off other stuff.”

  Mary Beth dipped the brush in the paint and stood on her toes to paint the M for Molly under the porch windows. It was as high as she could reach. Molly had to admit it looked showy. It would get votes! Molly picked up another brush and helped her. They worked hard and soon it said “Molly for Mayor” all the way across her house.

  “Now we’ll just wash up with the hose,” said Mary Beth.

  The paint did wash out of the brushes with the water. And off the girls’ hands.

  “Like magic!” said Mary Beth. “It’s only oil paint that’s hard to get off.”

  “Let’s sit on the steps and watch people read our sign,” said Molly.

  They sat on the steps for a half hour. Finally some cars came by and the people looked. Then they stared. One woman said, “Oh my!” and covered her mouth with her hand as if she was upset.