Stage Fright by Peter Bently Read Free Book Online Page B

Chompy, Gnashful, and Shock.
    As they marched, they sang—
    â€œPOP-POP! POP-POP!
    We’ll work until we stop!
    We’re a scary sight,
    but we won’t bite!
    POP-POP! POP-POP!”
    On the final POP! they all changed into bats and fluttered off into the wings.

    â€œExcellent!” said Miss Gargoyle. “Now, let’s hear Snow Fright’s song.”
    Bella stood up and opened her mouth.
    â€œSomeday my count will—URK!”
    She coughed and started again.
    â€œSomeday—URK!” Bella spluttered to a halt. “I can’t do it!” she croaked faintly. “I’ve lost my voice!”
    â€œOh dear!” said Miss Gargoyle anxiously. “What are we going to do? We can’t do Snow Fright and the Seven Dwarfs without Snow Fright!”

    â€œPerhaps someone else could be Snow Fright?” suggested Lee.
    Lucy West stepped forward.
    â€œI’ll do it, Mith Gargoyle!” she said. “I’ve memorized all the wordth. And I can thing much better than Bella any day,” she bragged.
    Bella glared at Lucy, but Miss Gargoyle said, “Sorry, Lucy. If you play Snow Fright, we’ll just need someone else to play the Wicked Queen. We’ll be back where we started.”
    â€œAnd no one could be a better Wicked Queen than you, Lucy,” said Lee innocently. “You’re perfect for the part!”

    He winked at Bella as Lucy stomped off with her nose in the air.
    â€œWhat we need,” said Miss Gargoyle, “is someone who can sing but doesn’t have a very big part.”
    â€œBut it’s too late for anyone else to learn the words!” rasped Bella. “Oh, the phantomime is going to be ruined, and it’s all my fault. I’m so sorry!”
    â€œHang on,” said Lee. “I’ve got an idea …”

Chapter 4
    The Show Must Go On

    The show began at three o’clock. At a quarter to three, Lee’s mom and dad arrived backstage with his friend Ollie Talbot, who went to Chaney Street School for young werewolves.
    â€œHi, Ollie,” said Lee, who was now dressed as a vampire dwarf, with a short green cape, pointy red hat, and a fake red beard.
    â€œHi, Lee,” said Ollie. “Cool costume! You should wear that to school every day.”

    â€œHa-ha, very funny,” said Lee. “This beard itches like crazy! I hate having hair all over my face.”
    â€œOh, you get used to it,” grinned Ollie.

    â€œGood luck, Lee,” said Dad cheerfully. “Seeing you on stage takes me back to my days with the Bat City Strollers. Did I ever play you our recording of “Fang-A-Lang”? It got to number ninety-eight in 1979.”
    â€œYes, Dad,” sighed Lee. “Only about a million times.”
    â€œGimme a break!” came Billy’s voice behind them. They turned to see Billy, dressed as the hunter, struggling to untangle his bow from the folds of Snow Fright’s cape.

    â€œDon’t pull so hard,” said Bella. “You’ll tear it!”
    Billy finally yanked the bow free.
    â€œIt’s bad enough trying to remember my lines without having to carry this stupid bow,” he moaned. “It just gets in the way!”
    â€œJust relax,” said Lee. “You’ll be fine. You’re only on in the first scene.”

    Lee’s mom looked at her watch.
    â€œIt’s five to three!” she said. “We’d better get back to our seats. The hall’s almost full. All the parents have come, and lots of friends, as well as a party of werewolves from Ollie’s school. I’ve spotted several mummies, too, and there’s even a row of zombies right next to us. But I think they’ve fallen asleep.”
    â€œNo, they haven’t,” said Ollie. “They always look like that.”
    Mom blew Lee a kiss.
    â€œGood luck, darling. And try not to look so angry. I’m sure it’ll all be fine!”
    â€œI’m