8

Don’t Be Scared of a Dress!

The redheaded woman holds up the dress. “This should fit.”

I have to get away from the pink! I stagger backward. I bump into the rack. It crashes to the ground.

“I guess Walter changed his mind,” Mom says.

“Don’t you want to be in the movie?” Sam asks.

“Yes. But I have a new idea. I’m not Octo-Man’s friend. I’m a monster fighter named Clint McCool. I have a special cap. With buttons for all my superpowers.”

Sam squats down and looks into my eyes. “What did I say about ideas?”

“Find one. And stick to it,” I say.

“Who’s the boss?” Sam says.

“You are,” I say.

“Yes. But you are, too. Can you do it?” Sam says. “Can you save the movie?”

I think about it. Then I nod.

Mom helps me put on the pink dress. And a hat. With ribbons. And a daisy on top.

When I’m ready, Octo-Man and I stand in the hall by the front door.

We wait quietly for Sam’s signal to run outside. We wait. And wait.

The dress itches. My heart pounds. My brain zings like crazy.

But I don’t move. I don’t talk. I don’t even make monster noises.

How can I stand still? I don’t have my cap. I just keep telling myself, Don’t mess up this movie!

The pink oozes into me. My skin burns. My bones wobble. I tell myself, Don’t mess up this movie! What if I mess up this movie? MESS UP THIS MOVIE!?!!?!

No! I won’t! Clint McCool can be the boss of himself and save the movie!

“Action!” Sam shouts.

Octo-Man picks me up. The door opens. I wriggle and squeal. Octo-Man carries me down the steps and along Twelfth Street.

“Cut!” Sam shouts.

Octo-Man puts me down. “Did you get the shot?”

“Good job, everyone. You got it right on the first try!” Sam shouts.

I run back inside the building. I rip off the hat and the dress. I put on Marco’s shirt. I’m myself again.

I go over to where Mom and my friends are waiting. Hercules wags his tail. He’s glad to see me. Marco and M.L. look worried. Marco gives me back my cap.

“Why were you in that building?” Marco says.

“Did they lock you up while they finished the movie?” M.L. asks.

“No. My idea saved the day.” I grin. “So I was in the movie.”

“What?” Marco says.

“How?” M.L. says.

“I told Sam that Octo-Man should steal a friend. Even monsters want friends,” I say.

“That’s really smart,” Marco says.

“How did you think of that?” M.L. says.

“Because I know I need my friends,” I say. “I’m sorry I ripped your shirt, Marco. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you, M.L.”

“That’s okay,” Marco and M.L. say.

“No, it isn’t. I’m going to do better. You deserve better. You guys are the best!” I say.

M.L. punches me in the arm. I punch her back. Marco bonks us with his notebook. We’re friends again.

“But, Clint McCool, you said you were in the movie,” Marco says.

“I was,” I say.

“We didn’t see you,” M.L. says.

“Octo-Man carried a girl down the street,” Marco says.

M.L.’s eyes get really big. Her smile gets even bigger. She whispers to Marco.

His glasses fall off. “No way,” he says.

“Yes. That was Walter. Wearing a dress. That was pink!” M.L. laughs.

I laugh, too. “Who cares? Clint McCool has defeated a zillion enemies. He can’t be scared of a dress.”

Sam the director comes over. He shakes my hand. “Good job, kid.”

“These are my friends. They gave me the idea,” I say.

“Thanks, kids. That idea saved the movie,” Sam says.

“Clint McCool saved the movie!” Marco shouts.

Everybody shouts, “Hooray!” Hercules barks. Mom cheers loudest of all.

Clint McCool tips his cap. He doesn’t brag about saving the day.

But my brain is zinging. I did something good. No, better than good. Something amazing. I was in the movie. I saved the movie.

And all I had to do was apologize, have a great idea, wear a dress—and stand still for the longest five minutes of my life.