knock a straw building over just like that."
The two rotund men walked away, leaving Hamstead to chase after them.
Just then, Mayor Charming climbed onto the stage and stood at the podium. He tapped on the microphone and smiled widely. "Fine citizens of Ferryport Landing. Welcome to a new era in our town's education."
"I don't know why everyone is celebrating," Puck said loudly. "Opening a new school should be cause for a national day of mourning."
The entire audience turned to look at the boy fairy. He grinned broadly and waved. The mayor, on the other hand, bit down on his lip and tried to control his anger before he continued.
"I'd like to thank some of the community organizations that made this event possible. First, let's hear a round of applause for our cosponsors and hosts of today's celebration--Fairy Godmothers Against Drunk Driving."
Several blue-haired ladies in fluffy dresses floated into the air, kept aloft by the little flapping wings on their backs. They all wore T-shirts with FGMADD on them. The crowd applauded as the fairies fluttered around the room.
"I also want to thank the League of Wiccan Voters, the National Association for the Advancement of Handsome Princes, Big Brothers and Ugly Stepsisters of America, and Everafters for the Ethical Treatment of Talking Animals. Their hard work and dedication to this important project has been vital to its success."
The crowd applauded again.
"When Ferryport Landing Elementary was destroyed four days ago, I came out to this site and do you know what I heard?"
There was a brief silence and then a loud, squeaky fart. Sabrina turned and saw Puck fall over with laughter. For once, one of his childish pranks was well timed.
Ruin Charming's stupid little event!
Sabrina secretly cheered.
I'm starting to enjoy evil Puck!
"I heard the future calling," Charming said angrily. He regained his composure and started again. "And I saw an opportunity for our children. When I talk about our children I don't mean the children of everyone in this town. I'm talking about Everafter children. For far too long there has been no room for them at the head of the class. This new school represents an end to that."
The crowd roared with approval.
"I have personally overseen this project, supervising the work, even rolling up my sleeves and picking up a shovel to help out," Charming said, causing some in the audience to laugh good-naturedly. "Boarman and Swineheart Construction have done an amazing job."
"It's Swineheart and Boarman Construction," Swineheart shouted.
"No, it's not. It's Boarman and Swineheart Construction," his partner argued.
Charming cleared his throat and the bickering ended.
"And we couldn't have done any of this without the generous donations of our town's three wealthiest families. Everyone give a round of applause to Little Miss Muffet and the spider--I mean, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Arachnid--Beauty and the Beast, and of course, the Frog Prince and his lovely princess."
The three couples stood off to the side, obviously fuming but doing their best to hide it. They waved half-heartedly to the crowd. Sabrina was sure their "generous donations" were little more than bribes to keep them out of prison. Only a few days earlier the Grimms had discovered that these "wealthy donors" had gotten rich selling their Everafter children to Rumpelstiltskin.
"Some people asked me, 'Mayor Charming, what's the big deal? There are only a few Everafter children in this town. Why make all the fuss?' Well, I'll tell you why I'm making a fuss. Because you people elected me to make a fuss!"
He was again met with wild applause.
"The new school will have separate, exclusive classes for Everafter children that will teach our heritage, traditions, and values. It will feature a cafeteria offering lunches that meet the special dietary needs of our unique offspring. And lastly, it will be named after one of our own. From this day forward the children of Ferryport Landing, whether human
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