“As you know, the competition is divided into three phases,” Madame Mel said. “The first is Quickfire Questions. Each contestant will stand before the judges and answer three questions. Answers must be quick, thorough, and accurate. They will cover a variety of magical subjects including potions, charms, spell-casting, the Three High Dictums, witching history, and general magical knowledge. You will all do well on the questions, I’m sure.”
Some of the witches at nearby tables looked like they weren’t as convinced as Madame Mel.
“Next comes the Special Spell,” she continued. “This is where you cast for us a spell of your own creation that showcases your unique magical flair. On Friday, judges will be most impressed by spells that show evidence of careful planning. And the last portion of the competition will be a potion exhibition. Any potions that result in foul smells or bodily injury to the judges will be disqualified.”
The more Madame Mel talked, the more B’s stomach felt like it did when she looped-the-loop on the MegaCoaster after helping George finish a bag of Enchanted Chock-o-Rocks. By the time orientation ended, the only spell B wanted to cast was one that would make herself disappear.
The next day at school, B and George stepped off the bus to even more film crew commotion. Now that contestants were coming from all the nearby cities, the number of technicians seemed to have tripled. Excitement was high, because the winner would perform on live network television. Students were drawn to the cameras like flies to melted slushies. Every time a cameraman looked through his viewfinder, he inevitably found kids staring back at him and sticking out their tongues or making faces.
Things were no different at lunchtime. It was “breakfast for lunch” day, and the cafeteria smelled like sausages and pancakes when B, George, and Trina arrived in the cafeteria and found a film crew there, taking some footage of the lunchroom scene.
“What’s this for?” George asked a man fiddling with the buttons on his camera. “You’re not auditioning for talented eaters, are you?”
The man paused and turned to look at George. “Heh. You’ve got a good sense of humor,” he said. “What’s your name?”
“George.”
“Listen, George,” the man said. “I need to interview a kid about the show. It’ll be part of a little intro segment. Why don’t I interview you?”
George shoved his glasses up his nose. “Really? Me? Sure!”
“My name’s Ed,” the cameraman said. “Let me just get this configured right, and then we’ll start. Got a few minutes?”
“You bet,” George said. He turned to B and Trina and whispered, “I’m going to be on TV after all!”
B grinned.
Ed positioned George in a seat and trained the camera on him.
“So tell me, George, how does it feel to have Clifton Davro and the whole You’ve Got It! crew here at your school?”
Ed asked the question while still squinting into his camera. It took George a second to realize that it was his turn to talk.
“Oh, um, it’s fantastic. Yeah, people are really excited about it.” George looked to Ed for direction on what he should do next. When he didn’t say anything, George went on. “Clifton Davro is completely awesome and his show is the best thing on TV!”
B smiled. George’s second comment was sure to please the show’s producers.
“Did you audition for the show?”
George hesitated. “I did audition, but I didn’t make it past the first round. But I sure had fun trying!”
“Lots of people who miss out on the national show still go on to be successful,” Ed said. “Keep on plugging!”
“It’s okay,” George said. “Some people have a talent for dancing or singing, but I’m best out on the soccer field.”
“Good for you,” Ed said. “That’s a great sentiment for the show’s viewers who might not have made it themselves. Thanks, George! Great sound bites.”
George beamed.
“What are you up to, Ed?”
B turned to see Nancy, the show’s director, behind them.
“Just taping some interviews to open this region’s live show,” Ed replied. “George here has been helping me out.”
“Thanks, George,” Nancy said.
B slid behind Trina and tried to make herself inconspicuous. She didn’t want Nancy to remember her from her top-hat-and-hamster gig.
Then Jason Jameson popped up. “I think you should do an interview with the favorite contestant,” Jason said in his most annoying, teacher’s-pet voice.
Nancy frowned and looked around. “The favorite? I don’t see her here. What was her name? The pretty dancer — Dawn something.”
Trina gave B’s arm a squeeze. Apparently Nancy hadn’t remembered Jason’s face, which now looked like an angry thundercloud.
“I’ve got to get to the stage,” Nancy said. “Let’s get the rest of the cameras tested before we shoot.” Ed followed Nancy out, giving George a thumbs-up as he went.
“That showed you,” B said to Jason.
Jason scowled. “There’s no way Dawn will win,” he said. “It’s going to be me. You’ll see.”