Read Online Punk'd and Skunked by R.L. Stine - Free Book Online Page A

And soon we’re gonna be filthy rich, too!”
    I couldn’t help myself. I started chanting: “Filthy rich! Filthy rich! Filthy rich!”
    I guess I lost it a little. I was hopping up and down, my tongue hanging out, drooling on my shirt. Feenman and Crench had to hold me till I started breathing normally again.
    â€œBig B, I don’t get it,” Nosebleed said. “How are we going to get to Preppy Prep Prep?”
    I stared at him. “Haven’t you heard about the contest?” I asked.
    That’s another whole chapter. You’d better keep reading, dudes. I’m getting to the good part.

Chapter 3
HOW DO YOU SPELL $$$$?
    Beast started chewing the couch cushion again. It was a problem—because three guys were sitting on the couch.
    â€œListen up, dudes,” I said. “Haven’t you heard about the Make-a-Great-Invention Contest?”
    They stared at me.
    â€œAll three dorms at Rotten School have to make a great invention,” I explained. “The winner goes to Preppy Prep Prep to compete with five other schools.”
    â€œIs there a prize or something?” Crench asked.
    â€œYou bet there’s a prize,” I said. “The winning inventors get five thousand dollars in cash. Did you hear me? Cash. That’s spelled $$$$! And you also get to be on TV on MTV-6.”
    â€œWow!”
    â€œAwesome!”
    â€œTotally rad!”
    â€œNo way!”
    That got ’em excited. MTV-6 is the best MTV channel of all. They don’t play music videos, and they don’t talk about anything. They just mess around all day, looking cool.
    â€œWe’re gonna be on TV and win HUGE bucks,” I said, rubbing my hands together. “And we’ll stay at Preppy Prep Prep and live like spoiled rich kids for a whole week!”

    I finally got them totally worked up. They began to chant, “Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!” And they picked me up and carried me on their shoulders around the room five or six times.
    Finally I got dizzy and had to hop down.
    I raised a fist into the air. “On to Preppy Prep Prep!” I shouted.

    â€œBernie?” a tiny voice whispered.
    I turned to see Chipmunk, the shyest kid at Rotten School. He was wedged in a corner. He had his hands covering his face. That’s just how shy he is. “Bernie, we have a small problem,” he muttered into his hands.
    â€œProblem?” I said. “What kind of problem?”
    â€œWe don’t have an invention.”

Chapter 4
A NEW TASTE TREAT
    â€œDo I look worried? No way,” I said. “I know we have a genius in this room. One of you guys is gonna come up with the winning invention.”
    I glanced down the long table. My guys all stared back at me. Some of them chewed their bubble gum tensely. Some of them couldn’t chew gum and stare at the same time.
    But I knew my pep talk would start them thinking.
    â€œWho’s got the big idea?” I asked. “Who’s got the invention that’s going to take us to Preppy Prep Prep?”
    Stare, stare.
    Chew, chew.
    â€œDon’t all answer at once,” I said.
    Finally Billy the Brain raised his hand. “I’ve got one, Bernie.”
    I knew the dude would come through. He’s the school genius. His body weight is eighty-eight percent brain. Really. It’s been tested.
    â€œWhat’s your invention, Brain?” I said. “Hey—quiet. Listen up, guys.”
    Billy rubbed his chin. “How about a balloon that runs entirely on air?” he said.
    â€œKeep thinking,” I said.
    Sometimes I think Billy has the wrong nickname. Sometimes I think he should be called Billy the Stupid Moron.
    Belzer jumped to his feet. He was so excited, he swallowed his bubble gum. The bubble gum wad was as big as a sponge. I could see it slide down his throat.
    He choked for about five minutes. Then he said, “I’ve got it, Big B. It just came to me.”
    â€œBelzer,