Big-Top Scooby Read Free Page A

in the stomach. A piece of popcorn flew from his mouth. “Some friends,” Shaggy said, still gasping for air. “I need the Heimlich, and you’re reaching for the silver bullets.” He looked at Marius. “You get that? Silver bullets for werewolves, garlic for vampires.”
    Marius just stared at him. “Who are you? How do you know so much about werewolves?”
    â€œWe solve mysteries. It’s kind of a hobby,” Daphne explained.
    â€œA hobby?” Marius said. “Stamp collecting is a hobby. Solving mysteries is — wait! Maybe you could help me investigate this werewolf!”
    Fred squealed happily. “Yes! That’s a greatidea! We could pose as circus performers!”
    Daphne gave him a funny look. Then she turned to Marius with a nod. “Sure, why not?”
    â€œOf course, it will be very dangerous….” Marius said, thinking.
    â€œAnd there’s the why not,” Shaggy said. “See ya!” He turned to go, with Scooby at his heels.
    â€œWe have to do it, Shaggy,” Fred said.
    Shaggy and Scooby just started walking, pushing Fred backward.
    â€œFor the good of the circus!” Fred begged.
    â€œForget it!” Shaggy said.
    â€œFor the safety of the public!” Fred cried.
    â€œNo way,” Shaggy said, pushing Fred aside.
    â€œFor all the cotton candy you can eat!” Fred coaxed.
    â€œCount me ou —” Shaggy began, and then stopped to think about it. “And churros?”
    Fred nodded. “And churros.”
    â€œLike, dude, I’m in!” Shaggy said gleefully.
    â€œReah! Re, roo! Reah! Reah!” said Scooby.
    â€œWell,” Marius said, “if you’re going to pass for circus artists, it’s going to take a little work….”

H alf an hour later, the gang gathered in the center of the big top. Marius had found them all costumes.
    â€œSo,” Marius said, looking at the gang anxiously. “Do any of you have any circus skills?”
    Fred’s hand shot up. “I do! I took a Circus Arts class last summer!”
    â€œWhy am I not surprised?” Marius muttered. He looked at Fred, doubtful. “And what did you learn in this class?”
    â€œWell,” Fred said proudly, “I worked out on the trapeze a bit.” He puffed out his chest, and then let it fall again. “But I ended up breaking a lot of bones.”
    â€œYou seem to have healed well,” Marius observed.
    â€œWhat?” Fred asked, confused. “Oh! Not my bones. See, I was supposed to catch this guy and … well, I dropped him.” He paused. “On to someone.” He smiled sheepishly. “And they both fell into some other people.”
    Marius gasped. “That’s terr —”
    Fred cut him off. “Who hit the tent support, which tipped the popcorn cart, which set fire to the audience risers, which collapsed with forty-eight people sitting on them.”
    Marius cleared his throat, as Fred looked at the floor. “Well, I’m sure it wasn’t your fault.”
    â€œNo, it was. But I did learn a valuable lesson about the trapeze.”
    â€œWhich was?” Marius asked.
    â€œDon’t drop people,” Fred said confidently. “Oh, and don’t fall.”
    â€œYes, those are kind of the basics.” Marius looked thoughtful. “How would you like a junior second-assistant backup trapeze position?”
    Fred saluted Marius enthusiastically. “It would be an honor, sir!”
    â€œYou are a strange fellow,” Marius mused, “but I admire your neckwear.” He looked at the others, who were still gathered around awkwardly. “Anyone else have any talents they might apply?”
    Daphne glanced around before saying, “When I was a kid I used to do a little motorcycle act.”
    â€œReally?” Marius said doubtfully. “It takes years of practice to —”
    As Marius spoke, Daphne noticed a