The Great TV Turn-Off (2 page)

“OK with me,” Abby said.

“Then who's gonna break it to Mr. Tressler?” Jason asked.

“I will,” Eric spoke up.

“Way to go, Eric!” said Dee Dee.

“I'll go along,” Abby offered.

Shawn said in broken English, “I go, too.”

So it was set. Eric, Abby, and Shawn would pay a visit to Mr. Tressler.

“Now, what about our parents?” Eric said. “Can we get
them
to black out the tube?”

“We can try!” Dunkum said.

“What if they won't?” Dee Dee asked. “What then?”

The kids were silent. Their brains were buzzing. Especially Eric's. “I've got it!” he said. “If we catch someone sneaking TV time, we pack up the tube. No questions asked.”

“Even grown-ups?” asked little Jimmy. His big brown eyes looked bigger than ever.

“Especially grown-ups,” Eric said.

“Everyone should sign a promise
sheet,” Dunkum said.

“I'll make up a bunch,” Abby offered.

“And I'll help,” Stacy said.

Eric grinned. What a terrific plan!

TWO

Eric knocked on the guest room door. His grandpa's bedroom.

“Come in,” Grandpa called.

Eric hoped this wouldn't take long. He hoped his grandpa would agree right away.

“Sit down, sit down,” Grandpa said. He was propped up in bed.

Eric pulled up a chair. “Is your afternoon nap over?” he asked.

“
Now
it is.” Grandpa smiled a sleepy smile.

“Good, 'cause I have a great idea,” Eric
said. He began to tell about the TV Turn-Off Week. “We want the grown-ups on the block to join in.”

Grandpa rubbed his chin. “Well, well, that
is
an interesting idea.”

Eric waited, holding his breath. What would Grandpa say?

“Where'd you come up with this, young man?” asked Grandpa Hagel.

“It was in the morning paper,” Eric said. He felt nervous. Should he tell him about the club meeting?

“The newspaper, eh?” Grandpa said.

“I can show it to you,” Eric said.

Grandpa waved his hand. “No, no. Don't bother. I've heard of such things. Don't they do this every year?”

Eric said, “Sure do.”

“Well, OK. Count me in,” said Grandpa.

Yes! Eric was thrilled. “All right!” he hollered.

“Settle down,” Grandpa said. “It's not a big deal.”

“It
is
a big deal,” Eric said. “Thanks, Grandpa!”

Eric went over to the big bed. “Any ideas about Mom? How can I get
her
to give up TV?” he asked.

Grandpa scratched his head. “Well now, that's gonna be tricky. She loves her exercise shows.”

Eric wondered what to do. “Do you think she'll sign the promise sheet?”

“Never hurts to ask,” said Grandpa.

“True,” said Eric. But he knew his mom might not sign.

In fact, there was a strong chance she'd say no.

Bri-i-i-ing!

Eric hurried to answer the phone.

“Sign-up sheets are ready,” Abby said.

“Good! I'll be right over,” Eric replied.

“How'd it go with your grandpa?” asked Abby.

“Easy as pie,” said Eric. “Now, if I can just get my mom to listen.”

“How hard can it be?” Abby said. “She'll wanna go along with all the neighbors. Won't she?”

“She'll wanna keep up with her exercises, too,” Eric told her.

“Oh, I forgot. She's into fitness,” said Abby.

“Well, wish me luck,” said Eric.

“I'll
pray
for you,” Abby said.

Eric knew she would.

“When should we visit Mr. Tressler?” Abby asked.

“Before supper tonight,” Eric suggested.

“OK.”

“I'll come over soon. After I talk to my mom,” Eric said.

“See ya later, alligator,” Abby said.

“After a while, crocodile,” Eric answered.

“Next time, porcupine,” Abby added.

“Not too soon, baboon,” Eric replied.

“Okey-dokey, artichokey,” Abby said.

“Bye-bye, horsefly,” Eric finished.

THREE

Eric rang the door at the Hunters' house. Carly and Jimmy came to the door together. They were dressed like Bible characters.

“We're David and Goliath. Wanna see our play?” Carly said.

Eric smiled. “Maybe later. I have to talk to Abby.”

Carly rolled her eyes. “Oh, you came to see
Abby
, didn't you?”

“Cut the comedy,” he said. “Where's your sister?”

Jimmy grinned up at him. “Better
watch out,” he said. He held up his slingshot. “I come in name of God!”

“That's what David's supposed to tell Goliath,” Eric said. “Here, point your slingshot at Carly.”

“She not Carly Anne Hunter. Now sister is BIG giant!” Jimmy shouted.

Eric had never heard Jimmy talk so loud. But then, Jimmy hadn't heard Bible stories before. Not till he came to America last Thanksgiving.

“Come in and wait. I'll go get Abby,” said Carly, the enemy giant.

Jimmy zipped off after her. Eric saw him hold out his slingshot.

Eric ended up waiting in the kitchen. It was impossible
not
to wander in there. Mrs. Hunter was making chocolate chip cookies. They were still warm. And the chocolate pieces were all gooey when she gave him one.

“M-m-m, thanks!” Eric said. “My favorite.”

“Everybody's favorite,” Mrs. Hunter agreed.

Soon, Abby and Shawn came downstairs. They had a bunch of papers. “Here they are,” Abby said.

Eric looked at the sign-up sheets. And Shawn ate cookies.

The promise sheet was very cool. It said the following:

I promise not to watch TV for one whole week. I will not turn on the TV set from March 2 through March 8. If I am caught sneaking TV, The Cul-de-sac Kids will box up my TV. They'll put it away. On March 8, my TV will be returned.

Signed
: ______________

“Hey, this is great,” Eric said. “How'd you think this up?”

Abby shrugged. “It's nothing much. Anybody could've done it.”

“Not
this
body,” Eric said and laughed.

Abby reached for a cookie. “This is my third one,” she whispered. “Here, have another.”

Eric thought she'd never ask. “Thanks,” he said.

“Want some milk to go with it?” Abby asked.

“Sure!”

Abby poured milk for Eric. Then for her brother Shawn.

They drank milk and ate warm cookies together. They watched the David and Goliath show. But the story ended too quickly. Goliath (Carly) turned the slingshot on David (little Jimmy.)

“That's not how the story goes,” Abby said, giggling.

Eric hooted with laughter.

Then Mrs. Hunter tempted the future king of Israel. She did it by bringing out more cookies.

Wicked Goliath spied them. She declared, “Time out. The play is over.”

“Not over!” Little David whined and fussed. He took a handful of cookies. “Time for chocolate manna!”

“That's a
different
story,” Eric said.

“Eric's right,” said Mrs. Hunter. “You may continue the play tomorrow.”

“Yay! We'll do a play instead of watching TV,” Abby said. Then she showed her mother the sign-up sheet.

“What's this?” Mrs. Hunter said.

“Take a look,” Abby said.

Eric wondered what would happen. He crossed his fingers behind his back. Would Mrs. Hunter promise no TV? Would she sign?

“We want the whole cul-de-sac to agree,” Abby said softly. “One hundred percent.”

Jimmy wiped his mouth. “Jimmy sign now!”

“Wait a minute,” Mrs. Hunter said. She found a pen in her kitchen drawer. “Ladies first.” She was smiling.

The kids watched Mrs. Hunter sign her name.

“Cool! You're the first on the block,” Eric said.

Mrs. Hunter twirled around the kitchen. The kids clapped and cheered. Especially Eric.

After all, it was
his
idea.

Now . . . off to Mr. Tressler's house!

Would the old gentleman want to be cool, too?

FOUR

Eric, Abby, and Shawn crossed the street. They headed for Mr. Tressler's house at the end of the cul-de-sac.

“Hide the sign-up sheet,” Eric said.

“How come?” asked Abby.

“Mr. Tressler not like?” Shawn asked.

“We should just go for a visit. After we're there awhile, we'll tell him about the TV turn-off,” Eric suggested.

“Double dabble good idea,” Abby said. She folded the paper and put it in her jacket.

Shawn nodded. “Eric is right.”

So they just visited. They talked about Mr. Tressler's doves. But their neighbor wanted to talk about TV.

“Have you watched the Adventure Channel?” he asked.

“Sometimes,” Eric said.

“We don't watch TV during supper,” Abby said.