Six Kids and a Stuffed Cat (9 page)

MASON

(smiles, confused, impressed, uncertain)
: No. That's not it; those are prime numbers. Taylor just listed prime numbers.
(facing TAYLOR)
You
have
been paying attention when we work together.

TAYLOR

Not only is it hard to tune someone like you out, but
(clears throat and takes a deep breath)
concomitant with your mistaken belief that I'm not nearly as bright as you are, is the insulting way you have ignored the fact that I am ideal friend material.

AVERY

What did Taylor just say?

REGAN

Is
that still Taylor?

JORDAN

Shhhhh. I want to hear Taylor explain why it was a good idea to play dumb just to cozy up to Mason.

MASON

You pretended to be stupid so I'd tutor you?

TAYLOR

Don't flatter yourself; I was struggling—a bit—to catch up after I had mono last term and I needed some help. For a while. A
little
while. But then I kind of liked hanging out with you; you're not so bad for an antisocial intellectual snob who doesn't have time for amigos.

MASON

You have a weird way about you.

TAYLOR

Anyone can make a friend the old-fashioned way, “hey, we have a lot in common and get along, wanna hang out and watch TV?” Boring. My way showed . . .

MASON

(jumps in and finishes the sentence with TAYLOR)
: Panache.

SOUND CUE #4:
LOUDSPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT: Attention! The storm warnings have been lifted for this entire area. The weather is clear and it is now safe to leave your secure area. Thank you for your cooperation.

DEVON

(steps forward and comes all the way downstage, facing the audience, slips the air guitar strap off, holds it high in the air, and takes a huge bow)
: Thank you. Thank you very much. We hope you enjoyed our music. The band and I had a blast. You're a great audience. Rock on! We love you. See you next time. Drive home safely! Good night!

CURTAIN FALLS

Also by Gary Paulsen

Dancing Carl

Dogsong

Hatchet

Sentries

Shelf Life: Stories by the Book

This Side of Wild

Tracker

Woodsong

SIMON & SCHUSTER BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS

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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Text copyright © 2016 by Gary Paulsen

Jacket illustrations copyright © 2016 by Thinkstock

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Interior design Hilary Zarycky

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Paulsen, Gary.

Title: Six kids and a stuffed cat / Gary Paulsen.

Description: First edition. | New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, [2016] | Summary: Six misfits get stuck together in a middle school restroom and discover friendship. Includes playscript of the story.

Identifiers: LCCN 2015026692| ISBN 9781481452236 (hardback) | ISBN 9781481452243 (paperback) | ISBN 9781481452250 (ebook)

Subjects: | CYAC: Middle schools—Fiction. | Schools—Fiction. | Friendship—Fiction. | Humorous stories. | BISAC: JUVENILE FICTION / Humorous Stories. | JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Friendship. | JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Cats.

Classification: LCC PZ7.P2843 Si 2016 | DDC [Fic]—dc23

LC record available at
http://lccn.loc.gov/2015026692