Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas Read Free Page A

big kids to work because the parents would believe them if they told. He thinks they won’t believe you. But I would enjoy just having your company. It gets awfully lonely down here by myself. You don’t happen to like playing checkers, do you?”
    “I do like checkers. I do,” Jacob said.
    “So do I. And I’m really good,” said Cindy.
    “Then follow me.” Morgenbesser led them to the other side of the engine room. There was a small table made from wooden boards, with three barrels placed around it. Morgenbesser had used a piece of coal to draw a checkerboard on top of the table. He used pennies and nickels for playing pieces. The three of them took turns playing the game. Cindy
really
was good. She beat Morgenbesser eight times and Jacob five times. Jacob beat Cindy twice and Morgenbesser four times, so he didn’t mind. While they were playing, Jacob noticed a ring on Morgenbesser’s finger. On the ring were the letters WWWL. Jacob knew what those letters stood for – the Wacky World Wrestling League.

    “Were you a wrestler? Were you a wrestler?” Jacob asked excitedly.
    “Yes, I was,” Morgenbesser said. “But I didn’t like throwing people up in the air and slamming them and stomping on them. So I had to quit.”
    “Do you know The Hooded Fang? Do you know him?”
    “Sure I do. He’s a very sweet guy, although he doesn’t like it if you try to get mushy. We had two wrestling matches. He won the first and I won the second, so we tied. Oh, goody, I can jump three of your pieces!”
    Morgenbesser told Jacob and Cindy that they shouldn’t trust Mr. Scrounger. Lately, the first mate seemed to be up to even more no-good than usual. He advised them to keep an eye out for anything odd. “If you see anything suspicious, come and tell Morgenbesser,” said their new friend.
    “We will, we will,” Jacob said. And because he liked Morgenbesser so much, he let him win the next game.

CHAPTER 6
    ust before it was time for dinner, Morgenbesser smeared coal dust on Jacob’s and Cindy’s hands and faces. When Mr. Scrounger returned, he found them busily shoveling coal into a wheelbarrow. “Well, Morgenbesser, I can see these two have had some real sailor’s experience! Now come along, you two, and get washed up. We can’t have your parents see you like this.”
    When Jacob and Cindy entered the dining room, there wasn’t a smudge of coal dust on them. Mr. Scrounger had made sure they scrubbed their hands and faces with harsh soap. Jacob was glad to return tohis family, and he couldn’t wait to tell them about how mean Mr. Scrounger was. The dining room was enormous, with a high ceiling and real crystal chandeliers, and an orchestra was playing a waltz. Jacob watched the Bubov Brothers balance plates and wine glasses on their noses to entertain the other guests at their table. He listened to Percy Swishbottom argue with his dummy over who should get the maraschino cherry in their drink. He observed Mr. Peabody demonstrate a ukulele that squirted water when it was strummed.
    Jacob’s family sat at the captain’s table. So was Cindy’s mother, who immediately called her over. “Cynthia Francis Louise Snootcastle, you come right here. Sit down at once. It shows ill breeding to be late. I expect such behavior from your little friend here, but not from you. As you can see, we have been seated with your new friend’s family. If I had known, I would not have pleaded for seats at the captain’s table.”
    Jacob sat down between his parents. “There you are, Jacob,” his father said. “Having such a good time that you forgot what time it was, I suppose.”
    “Yes, you must have been having fun,” CaptainSparkletooth said. “You and Cindy are the only children who did not have their photographs taken with me. Everyone considers a photograph with me to be the most precious souvenir of the voyage. But don’t be disappointed, we can take them tomorrow.”
    “But I only had fun because of Morgenbesser.