The Great TV Turn-Off (3 page)

“Not good for family talking,” Shawn said.

“Well, I'd pay double for it,” Mr. Tressler said.

Gulp!
Eric was worried.

“Did any of you see the dolphin show?” Mr. Tressler asked.

“When?” Eric asked.

Mr. Tressler glanced at the ceiling. He was thinking. “Two nights ago, I believe.”

“I see dolphins in books,” Shawn spoke up. “I see them swim with people.”

Mr. Tressler's face lit up. “That's it! That's like the show I saw.” He seemed so pleased. Really delighted. He kept talking
about the one-hour show.

Eric tried to catch Abby's eye. He made several motions with his hands.

Finally, she looked at him.

Eric pointed to the pocket in her jacket.

Then Abby caught on. She pulled out one of the sign-up sheets.

Eric nodded.
Good!
Now maybe they could discuss their plan. He was about to bring up the subject. But he stopped.

Mr. Tressler was reaching for the TV remote control.

What's he doing?
Eric wondered.

“Say, would you like to watch TV with me?” Mr. Tressler glanced at the wall clock. “One of my favorite shows is coming on. How about it?”

Poor Mr. Tressler. He was looking around at each of them. Shawn, Abby, and Eric were silent. They didn't know what to do or say.

At last, Eric spoke up. “OK, we'll watch your show.”

Abby's eyes blinked with surprise.

“We'll watch with you. But it could be the
last
one you see. Till next week, that is,” Eric said.

“Excuse me?” Mr. Tressler pulled on his bow tie.

Eric crossed the room. He took a signup sheet from Abby. “Let me explain.”

Mr. Tressler was frowning. “Please do,” he said.

“America is turning off the tube,” Eric said. “Starting tomorrow, no TV.”

“We want the whole block to join in,” Abby said.

Shawn was nodding. “Cul-de-sac Kids and grown-ups no watch television. One whole week,” he said.

Mr. Tressler gasped a bit. “How will I enjoy my meals? I
always
watch the news during supper.”

“What about the radio?” Abby asked.
“You could
listen
to the news.”

“Great idea!” Eric said.

Mr. Tressler shook his head. “It's not the same.”

“Maybe better,” Shawn said. “Use more imagination.”

Mr. Tressler began to chuckle. “You kids want this badly. I can see that.”

Eric nodded his head. “We sure do!”

“Well, I don't know. . . .” The old man paused. “It's awfully lonely in this house.”

Eric felt sorry for his neighbor. “Why don't you have supper with us? My grandpa will miss TV, too. You'd be good company for each other,” he said.

Abby and Shawn were grinning.

Mr. Tressler sighed. “The world might stop spinning without TV,” he said. “Why don't you go ahead? Leave this old man out of it.”

“No, no, Mr. Tressler. We
want
you in on the fun,” Abby insisted.

Fun? Who said it would be fun?
Eric
scratched his head. Maybe Mr. Tressler was right. Maybe only certain people should do the turn-off thing.

Going without TV might be boring. What would
he
do all week without it?

Seven days was a very long time.

FIVE

Eric could hardly watch Mr. Tressler's show. The dolphins were fine. It wasn't that. He just kept thinking about next week.

No TV? Was he crazy?

Maybe it was time for another club meeting. An emergency meeting, for sure.

But wait. The Cul-de-sac Kids might call him a wimp.

He could almost hear little Dee Dee Winters. She'd be giggling herself silly. “You gotta be tough, Eric,” she might say.
“Can't you read books or play ball or something else?”

He wouldn't be wimpy. He'd made the choice. Everyone else was jumping on board. Except Mr. Tressler. And maybe Eric's own mother.

He looked at his watch. There was a commercial on TV. “I need to talk to my mom,” he spoke up.

Mr. Tressler perked up his ears. “Is your mother giving up TV?”

“I haven't asked her yet,” Eric answered.

Shawn got up and stretched. “I ready,” he said.

“Don't you want to watch the rest?” Mr. Tressler asked.

Abby stood up. “We do, and we don't.” She held up the promise sheet. “It's almost dark. We wanna talk to some more neighbors.”

Mr. Tressler seemed a bit sad. “Don't go away mad,” he said.

“Oh, we're not,” said Abby. “It's your choice.”

“Free country,” Shawn piped up.

“You're right about that,” Mr. Tressler said. “But thanks for asking anyway.”

“Any time,” Eric muttered.

Rats!

How many more people wouldn't sign?

Eric took two promise sheets into the house. He found his mother in the kitchen. She was warming up leftovers. They always had leftovers for Sunday supper.

“Hey, Mom,” he said.

She glanced at him. “What's that?”

He put the sign-up sheet on the counter. “Just something. It's kinda dumb, I guess.”

Grandpa came into the room just then. “Why so gloomy?” he asked Eric.

“Things aren't working out,” Eric muttered.

“What things?” his mother asked.

Eric told her everything. Mostly about Mr. Tressler's TV habit. “He says he can't eat supper without the news.”

“That's funny,” Grandpa spoke up. “The evening news gives
me
a stomach pain!”

Eric had to laugh. “Good one, Grandpa. I'll have to try
that
on Mr. Tressler.”

“Be my guest,” said Grandpa. “The old fella needs a boot in the pants.”

“Now, Grandpa!” Eric's mother scolded.

“Excuse me, but it's true. Let's see what I can do?” Grandpa said. “First off,
I
want to sign up for turn-off torture.”

Eric laughed out loud.

Grandpa gazed at Eric's mother. “And what about the fair, young maiden?”

Eric's mother shook her head. “I can't
go without exercising. I really can't.”

“You could run up and down the cul-de-sac,” Eric suggested. “No one'll mind. Right, Grandpa?”

Grandpa nodded cheerfully. “Eric's absolutely right.”

“Are
all
the neighbors signing?” Eric's mother asked.

“The kids are asking their parents right now.” After all, they didn't have much longer. Tomorrow was the first day.

“Well, OK. I won't be a party pooper.” Eric's mother signed her name. “I hope I don't live to regret this.” She rubbed her hips.

“You won't,” promised Eric. He hoped it was true.

Eric had to call Abby. “Everyone at
my
house signed,” he bragged.

“So did all the Hunter family,” Abby said.

“What about Dunkum and Jason? Any problems?” Eric asked.

“They've already called in to report,” Abby said. “And Stacy didn't have trouble, either.”

“Maybe 'cause her mom works,” Eric reminded Abby.

“But after a long day, some people like to veg out in front of the TV,” Abby said. “Stacy's mom is a good sport.”

Eric knew she was right. “What about Mr. Tressler?” he asked. “Should we just let it go? Let him spoil our block record?”

“Guess so,” Abby said. “It's not for a school grade or anything.”

“No kidding.” Eric was glad it wasn't a test.

They talked a little more. About their pets—Abby's dog and Eric's hamster.

Then he heard a knock. “Someone's at the door.”

“See ya at school tomorrow,” Abby said. “Remember, no TV.”

“How can I forget?” he teased.

They hung up and Eric hurried to the door.

There stood Mr. Tressler.

“Well, hello,” Eric said. “What are
you
doing here?”

“Let's talk,” said the old gentleman.

“Cool,” said Eric.

SIX

“Come in,” said Eric. He took his neighbor's coat and hat.

“Thank you,” Mr. Tressler said.

Eric led him to the living room. “Have a seat.”

Mr. Tressler chose Grandpa's chair. “I've been thinking,” he said.

“Yes?”

“Am I the only coward in the cul-de-sac?” asked Mr. T.

“Coward?” said Eric. “What do you mean?”

The old man stared at his cane. “What
I mean is, I want to sign on the dotted line.”

“You do?” Eric nearly shouted.

“Where's that promise sheet or whatever?” Mr. Tressler said.

Eric stood up. He glanced out the window. “Don't go away. I'll be right back!”

He dashed out the front door. Even forgot to put on his coat. He headed across the street to Abby's.

Soon, he was back. “Here's the sign-up sheet. Read it carefully,” Eric warned.

Mr. Tressler frowned. “Why's that?”