Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse by Kaleb Nation Page B

piece of wax in a fiery furnace. Cars started to go around them, drivers waving their fists at Sewey.
    "In fact," Rosie added, "they might all just talk about us for the whole Duncelander Fair!"
    Mabel gasped. "As if we’re not infamous enough!" she turned to Sewey. "That settles it: we’re not leaving."
    "But I don’t want to stay," Sewey spat. "I’d rather go home and sit in a rot heap."
    "We’re not leaving!" Mabel screeched.
    Sewey grumbled and growled, but in the end he switched gears.
    "All right, have it your way," he said angrily. "Everyone out! "
     
     
     
     

Chapter 8
    The Duncelander Fair

    Bran Closed the door and heard Sewey slam his. He took a deep breath of the fresh air and stretched his legs after being in the cramped car. "Oh, goody-goody!" Balder squealed with delight as he hopped to the ground.
    "Certainly not," Sewey grumbled. Bran gave the menagerie of colorful tents and wooden booths another look. Hundreds of banners waved in the wind, and farmers’ trucks drove in and out to drop off even more animals from the farms.
    "It’s got to be a misery for those farmers driving with animals in their trucks," Sewey said. "Well, it’s not much different than driving up with the Wilomases," Bran replied with a shrug. "Oh, hush!" Sewey said. "The sooner we finish this nonsense, the sooner we can go!"
    Sewey started off for the line of people. Everyone else seemed to be having a good time, but Sewey and Mabel walked with frowning, stony faces. Rosie closed her door when she got out on the other side, breathing a sigh of relief. She picked up Baldretta and started to follow.
    "We leave at the first chance we get," Sewey decreed, looking
    over his shoulder. "And we are definitely not going to listen to one of the mayor’s speeches."
    "But I am going see his wife!" Mabel stated. "I’ll see if she has some neoplytoplismo on her."
    "You and that sickly friend of yours," Sewey said. "She’s the one with all the diseases!"
    "She does not have a disease," Mabel replied. "She takes double the medicines I do!"
    They made their way down the line, coming through into a large open space where everyone was gathered, with roads and paths going in all directions toward rows of booths.
    "Bran, do you see those dark clouds?" Sewey pointed to the sky. "Whoopee! It’ll rain!"
    "You’ve made up your mind we’re not going home, so just try to enjoy yourself." Bran sighed
    "Bah! Won’t happen here, " he spat, but then he jumped. "Look! The van from Radio Dunce!" He started to rush in its direction, but Mabel caught him by the arm.
    "You’re not going see that vulgar Dan!" she said. "I can’t stand the sound of him!"
    "But he’s Dan the Man, " Sewey protested, dusting her hand off his shoulder.
    Mabel would hear none of it. Bran looked around at all the people and the booths. Tents were everywhere, some advertising animal performances, others auctions or games for prizes. Bran saw a booth for Performing Cockroaches and another for Visual Tricks Which Do Not Involve Magic. There was a booth for nearly every association in Dunce, including AARS, the Association Against Rabbit Stew, TAZTARD, the Anti-Zofleman’s Tavern Association of Responsible Duncelanders, and DUMB, Duncelanders for Underground Mining Boys. Rosie touched his arm and broke him from his thoughts.
    "Come on, they’re walking fast," she said softly, and they followed the Wilomases through the jostling crowds. There were so many people that they must have come from all over the city.
    "Cotton candy, anyone?" Rosie offered, pointing toward a yellow booth. Baldretta clapped.
    "Candy! Gimme some!" Balder squealed.
    "No," Sewey said flatly. He kept to the side of the road and was suddenly stopped by a voice.
    "Excuse me, sir! SIR!"
    "WHAT!" Sewey burst, spinning around to face the woman in the booth. It was painted white with red lines in a rather confusing pattern.
    "I’m from the Society to Upgrade People’s Intelligent Demeanors, and I was