Read Mind If I Read Your Mind? for Free Online Page A

awake.
    â€œHey,” he said. “Why do you keep doing that?”
    â€œI wanted to congratulate you. I see by the stopwatch that you did your alphabet thing in less than fifteen seconds. I don’t know why you’d want to, but you made it.”
    â€œI only did it once before I fell asleep. That doesn’t mean I can do it again.”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter, Billy Boy, because I can’t let you continue. I am here to help, and in my official capacity, I have to tell you that this alphabet trick of yours is not something a live person should be caught dead doing.”
    â€œI’m doing it anyway, Hoove. I have no choice. I was desperate for a project and I didn’t hear any helpful suggestions coming out of your non-mouth.”
    â€œWell, trust me on this, Billy Boy. If you stand up and do that thing, every kid in your class is going to think that you’re one guy they don’t want to get within ten feet of or that you’ll bore them so much they’ll fall asleep facedown in their cheese burrito.”
    â€œYou don’t know what they’ll be thinking,” Billy answered. “What are you, a mind reader?”
    â€œAs a matter of fact, that is one of the many talents I possess. But with a twist. My friend Ezra and I used to pretend we could read each other’s minds to impress the ladies. Once when we were at the Fried Chicken Basket Social, I held my hands up to my head and told Madge Perkins that Ezra was sending me messages from —”
    The Hoove suddenly stopped talking and his face lit up like a lightbulb had gone off in his head.
    â€œWait a minute, Billy Boy. This is genius. I’ve got to kiss myself.” The Hoove actually leaned over and planted a kiss on each of his knees.
    Billy scratched his head. “I don’t get it, Hoove. What in the world are you talking about?”
    â€œYour speech tomorrow … for, you know, that shoelace competition thing.”
    â€œCan’t you get anything right? It’s not called the shoelace competition. It’s the SOC. As in Speak Out Challenge.”
    â€œShoelaces, socks, what’s the difference. They both go on the feet. What’s important is that I just got an idea that’s going to get you a first-place medal … or whatever there is to win.”
    â€œBetter than reciting the alphabet backward in less than fifteen seconds?”
    â€œTrust me, Billy Boy, this is not just the best idea in the world. It is interplanetarial. What you are going to demonstrate, with the help of a certain fascinating ghost I know, is your ability to read another person’s mind, just like Ezra and I used to do.”
    â€œHoove, that is impossible. I can’t read minds.”
    â€œThat was so true, Billy, until you met me. I am your vision into other people’s thoughts. All you have to do is stand up in front of the class, ask a question, and listen carefully.”
    â€œListen to what?”
    â€œTo me , my friend. Don’t you see? I’m going to be there, being the eyes behind your head. Your audience can’t see me, but I can see them and tell you what I’m seeing.”
    â€œWait a minute. That’s cheating.”
    â€œAnd your point is?”
    â€œI don’t know about how it was in your day, but nowadays kids get in big trouble for cheating.”
    â€œIf they get caught,” the Hoove shot back. “And might I remind you, Mr. Small Thinker, you will be the only one who can see me or hear me. Are you going to turn yourself in? I don’t think so. Once again, Hoover Porterhouse the Third has come up with a foolproof plan. As in, you win.”
    Billy thought about what the Hoove was suggesting. Little by little, he felt his hesitation about cheating melt away as it was replaced with an image of his victory. He saw himself standing in Mr. Wallwetter’s class, with thirty-four sets of eyes on him. He would wow them with his