Read Online Splat! by Eric Walters - Free Book Online Page B

portion of the contest!” the female announced exclaimed.
    Another camera angle came on the screen. There in the middle of it all was my father. He was the target for a number of tomatoes. It was awful to watch as he got hit repeatedly. Then he picked up a tomato himself and tossed it—hitting Mr. Miller squarely in the back!
    We all looked at my father. He looked embarrassed.
    â€œI was hoping nobody would see that,” he said.
    The two announcers came back on the screen.
    â€œReports are that there were neither arrests nor injuries,” the woman said.
    â€œTo see more video of this event, or to find out more about Leamington and their Tomato Festival, please visit our website.”
    â€œWe’re the laughingstock of the country,” my father said, holding his head in his hands.
    â€œIsn’t CNN broadcast internationally?” Keegan asked.
    Was he trying to make things worse?
    â€œLaughingstock of the entire world,” my father groaned.
    â€œI don’t know about you,” the male announcer said, “but that looked like a whole lot of fun, didn’t it?”
    â€œIt did. It reminded me of the world-famous La Tomatina Festival,” the woman said.
    â€œThe what?” I asked.
    â€œThe world’s largest tomato festival held in Bunyol, Spain,” she said, like she was answering my question.
    â€œBunyol features a daylong tomato fight, closing down a street to allow people to throw tomatoes at
anybody
along that section.”
    â€œIt’s sort of like the running of the bulls, involving tomatoes,” the other announcer added.
    â€œAnd today, Leamington put itself on the world map,” she said, “challenging Spain as the biggest tomato celebration in the world.”
    â€œLeamington certainly staked its claim to be the most exciting festival in
our
county,” he continued, “I know where
I’m
going next fall.”
    â€œBe sure to bring along a raincoat,” she added. “Now turning to the latest developments in that earthquake that hit the coast of—”
    Mrs. Wallace muted the tv, and we all stood there in silence, staring at the silent set.
    â€œWorld famous,” my father said.
    â€œ CNN coverage,” the chief added. “Do you know how much coverage like that is worth?”
    â€œYou know,” my father said. “I really wouldn’t want to close off a section of street, but I wonder about the parking lot at the arena.”
    The chief nodded. “That would work. It’s completely fenced on three sides,close enough to the other attractions, but contained and certainly far enough away from the parade route.”
    â€œYou mean, you want to have a tomato fight?” I gasped.
    â€œWell, of course,” my father said. “Weren’t you listening to the news at all? This could be an incredible opportunity.”
    â€œWe were looking for something extra to add to the festival,” the chief said.
    â€œWe could have people come from across the country. This could sell out hotel rooms, bring in more people to eat in the restaurants and shop at the stores. This could be amazing!”
    â€œDoes this mean we’re not in trouble?” Keegan asked.
    â€œOh, no, you two are still in big trouble,” my father said.
    â€œBig trouble,” the chief agreed.
    â€œAnd as a big part of your punishment you both are assigned to the committee to arrange next year’s tomato fight.”
    â€œI think we can do that,” I said. “Now, if it’s okay, do you think we could go andchange into something not covered by tomatoes?”
    â€œThat would be wise,” my father said.
    â€œYeah, I was hoping to catch the Miss Tomato Festival contest,” Keegan added.
    â€œThat’s a great idea,” I agreed.
    We strolled out of the office, leaving our fathers behind. We hurried down the stairs and out onto the street. The firemen were washing the last of the