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Reading Comprehension
Volume 4, Number 3, September 21, 1998
www.rhlschool.com
Amy’s Political Career
Chapter Two
It
was decided that Bobby would be Amy’s campaign manager. Amy
decided and Bobby dutifully complied. It was a good arrangement in any
case. Bobby was no expert on getting elected, but he did know how to
get along with anyone. And Bobby would do his best to teach Amy how to
get along too.
“Rule
number one,” Bobby told Amy as they walked toward the
cafeteria for lunch, “is not to say anything insulting to
anyone. By the way, that includes not being sarcastic.”
“But
that’s what I do best!” Amy protested.
“You’re
the one who said you were going to be nice from now on.”
“I’m
having second thoughts.”
Bobby
sighed, “Do you still want to be class president?”
Amy
nodded. “OK, no sarcasm,” she conceded.
“Here’s
what I think you should do for the first few days of school,”
Bobby said. “Eat fast, and then walk around and greet the
kids you know and meet the kids from the other schools. Just talk about
anything and be friendly.”
“Greet
and meet,” Amy grumbled. “Will you walk around with
me?”
And
of course, Bobby agreed.
Bobby
was not quite finished with his second hamburger when Amy began
surveying the other tables.
“I
think we’ll start over there,” she said, gesturing
toward a nearby table.
Amy
grabbed Bobby by the wrist and they walked to the table where four kids
were having a discussion.
“Hi,
how are you guys doing?” Bobby asked. He and Amy knew two of
the kids, Missy Lakeland and Joe Branski.
“We
were just talking about our favorite movies,” Joe told them
as they sat down.
“What’s
your favorite movie, Joe?” Amy asked.
“I
don’t have a real favorite,” Joe replied.
“I like most movies that have good special effects.”
“That
shows how intelligent you are,” Amy commented.
“You’re thinking about how the movie is made, not
just following the story.”
Bobby
was encouraged. Amy had actually paid someone a complement. She glanced
at him as if to say, “See, I can do it!”
“Missy,
what’s your favorite movie?” Amy asked.
Now
Bobby knew that Amy was really serious about being friendly. She had
always been especially sarcastic to Missy when they were in elementary
school. Fortunately, Missy had always been too good natured to let it
bother her. Though Bobby had often wondered if many of Amy’s
comments hadn’t just gone over Missy’s head.
“I
have a feeling,” Missy replied, “That my favorite
movie will be one I haven’t seen yet. My parents are renting Titanic
tonight.”
“Are
they going to let you watch it?” Amy asked.
“It’s rated PG13.”
“My
mother says I’m very mature for my age,” Missy said
proudly.
Bobby
knew that this might be too much for Amy. He could almost feel the
sarcasm trying to escape from her mouth.
Amy resisted temptation. “I’m
sure you are,” she said.
“I
haven’t seen it yet,” Joe said, “but
I’ve read about all the special effects in that film. I want
to see the part near the end after the ship hit the iceberg
and-”
“Stop!”
Missy interrupted. “Don’t ruin the ending for me! I
don’t want to know if the ship sinks.”
Bobby
saw the look of disbelief and disgust in Amy’s green eyes. He
tried to save the new Amy from the old Amy. “Amy,
we’ve got to go. We’ll be late for class.”
Amy’s
expression softened, and Bobby had renewed hope that the new Amy was
still in control. She looked at Missy and quietly said,
“Missy I really like you. I’d even like you if
you had a brain!”
This
did not go over Missy's head. She stood up, lifted her tray, and then
slammed it down on the table. “Well, I don’t like
you, Amy Ashwood!” she cried.
At
that moment the bell rang and Amy walked silently toward the door.
“Well,
nice talking to you guys,” Bobby said, and he quickly turned
to follow her.
1. Do you think that Amy had a hard time getting Bobby to be her campaign manager?
2. Amy was having second thoughts about being nice. What does “having second thoughts” mean?
3. What good quality did Amy say that Joe had? What reason did she give?
4. Bobby wondered if Amy's comments had gone over Missy's head. What does “over her head” mean?
5. Do you think that Amy has lost any chance to be class president by insulting Missy?
6. Is there anything Amy can do to repair the damage caused by her behavior?
7. Compare Amy's effort to change with the voyage of the Titanic?
Copyright 1998 RHL
Chapter Three will be published on October 19, 1998.