Bait for a Burglar Read Free Page A

wear white, small plaids, or stripes because they don’t read well on camera.”
    It was Sara’s turn. She looked at her notes and said, “Okay, here’s how we’ve teamed you. Team one: Estella, Megan, and Jack. Team two: Brian, Mark, and Holly.”
    Brian glanced at Estella with a pang of disappointment.
    Jack whispered, “Tough break, Brian.”
    Sara called out to the other kids in the room, “Story meeting. Everybody over here.”
    Chairs were dragged and rearranged into a circle, until all the people who helped make That’s News 2 Me were included.
    â€œNow,” Sara said, “let’s hear some ideas.”
    For a few moments there was only silence. Then Estella shyly raised her hand, an inch at a time, until it was barely over her head.
    Brian knew how Estella felt. It was like school, when you sort of know the answer, but you’re not sure, so you don’t want anyone to laugh if you’re wrong.
    â€œEstella, you’re not in a classroom,” Sara said bluntly. “You don’t need to raise your hand. Just speak out.”
    Estella’s voice was tiny. “Uh…I’d like to do a story about the way the news is produced.”
    Sara closed her eyes and rubbed her chin as she thought. “A behind-the-scenes sort of thing?” She turned to Pete. “What are your ideas on this?”
    â€œI like the idea of behind-the-scenes,” Pete said, “but not on us. How about investigating people who have unusual occupations?”
    Sara began to seem interested. “Like a medical photographer? Or a—”
    â€œA professional pet sitter?” Estella said.
    â€œYeah. Good. That’s the idea,” Pete said.
    â€œA stage set painter,” one of the anchors suggested.
    â€œA hot-air-balloon pilot,” Holly screeched.
    â€œA seal trainer,” Megan giggled.
    Soon everyone had contributed ideas, and the list of unusual jobs grew. Estella’s cheeks were pink with excitement.
    Finally Sara said, “Okay. The members of the first team have a good start on their topic.” She turned to Brian and asked, “What have you come up with, Brian?”
    Everyone stared at Brian as he blurted out, “I’d like to do a story about the high-tech burglaries.”
    Sara quickly shook her head. “Forget that idea right now,” she said. “That news story is not for us.”

4

    B RIAN DIDN’T GIVE UP easily. “Why not?” he asked. “I think it’s a good idea.” Sara glanced at Pete before she said, “For one thing, the police have asked us not to make a big thing of the burglaries. If they’re kept low-key the police think they’ll have a better chance of catching the thief.”
    â€œAnd for another thing,” Pete interrupted, “burglaries are too much for a news show for kids. Besides, the nightly news team is already working on that story. When it breaks it won’t be on That’s News 2 Me .”
    â€œSo come up with something else,” Sara said. “C’mon, Brian, give us another idea.”
    For a panicky moment Brian went blank, but Estella spoke up. “Kids do think about burglaries and robberies. So how about safety tips? You know, like not opening doors to strangers, writing down license plate numbers of suspicious cars, when to call 9-1-1 emergency, and when to call the regular phone number of the police. That sort of thing.”
    Sara perked up. “It not only gives good information. It also teaches commonsense prevention. I like it. Pete? Your opinion, please.”
    Pete stared into space for a moment, then said, “Yeah. It’ll work. Go for it, Brian. Have the first draft of your script ready for us on Monday.”
    As Estella smiled at Brian he no longer minded that his story idea had been changed so much. Crime prevention would be interesting, too.
    When Mrs. Quinn picked up Brian and Estella after