Molly Moon & the Monster Music by Georgia Byng

back to sleep.
    The girl was, of course, herself.

Thirteen
    T here was frenetic excitement in the apartment. Everyone was preparing to leave for the concert. Molly patted her pockets where her gold coin and her harmonica were safely stowed and admired herself in the mirror.
    The grandmother and Miss Shonyo came to the door to see the children off. Sobo kissed her grandsons and gave each of them and Gerry and Molly a rectangular silk bag.
    â€œIt’s an omamori ,” Chokichi explained. “It has a prayer written on wood or paper tucked inside it. The prayer is to bring good luck, or ward off bad luck. The string at the top is so you can tie it to you.”
    Molly looked at her omamori as though it were a dried frog and waved it away.
    Passing the screaming crowds outside the Pea-pod Building, Hiroyuki, Chokichi, and Molly got into the first limo. Petula hung back with Gerry and Toka. They climbed into the second car.
    â€œAre you excited?” Gerry asked Toka. “You don’t look like you’re feelin’ well.”
    â€œI hate going onstage. I feel sick to my stomach every time. My legs go weak. I hate it.”
    Gerry patted Toka on the arm. “That’s bad,” he said. “You should try an’ sort that out. Remember, they all love you. And you’re a really good drummer.”
    â€œThanks, Gerry. But I can’t change my nerves. In sumo match it would be different. One day I’ll be sumo wrestler. Then no nerves.”
    Gerry looked surprised. “Is that your dream, to be a sumo wrestler?”
    â€œAs soon as Proila let me, I will do it.”
    The stadium was a vast place. Silvery, with metal struts and flying buttresses up its sides,
    Gerry thrust his nose against the window. “Wow! Look at the size of this place!”
    â€œThis place takes about forty thousand people. We usually pack it out.”
    â€œWow!” Gerry gasped again. “To have to entertain so many people!”
    Toka nodded grimly.
    Ten minutes later the children sat in a luxurious dressing room. Vertical rows of lightbulbs shone out from the mirrors behind a row of dressing tables laden with makeup. Spectacular costumes hung on a rail.
    â€œHow do you decide what to wear?” Molly asked.
    â€œIt depends on the show we’re doing,” said Chokichi. “We have a list of different acts with different songs and different routines. What set are we doing tonight, Hiroyuki?”
    Hiroyuki consulted a piece of paper on the dressing table.
    â€œHe wants us to do number four, with three of the new songs, too.”
    â€œAnd when do I come on?” Molly asked.
    Hiroyuki looked at the paper again. “At end.”
    â€œWow, Molly!” Gerry said enthusiastically. “I can’t believe you’re actually going onstage to play that harmonica I got you!”
    Molly shrugged. “And where is Mr. Proila? Is he going to be watching?” Molly had her hands in both of her pockets. Her fingers turned her coin and her harmonica over and over.
    â€œYes.” Chokichi cracked open a bottle of water. “From a special glass box on the side of stadium. He like to watch the crowd’s reaction. He hates music, but as we told you, he likes the money music make him.”
    Gerry, with Petula curled up on his knees, sat in a big swivel chair. Petula stared at Molly’s pocket, where she knew the harmonica was. She wished with all her heart that Molly would leave it there. If she brought it out to play, Petula wasn’t sure she’d be able to stop herself from running at Molly and biting her hand.
    â€œYou know what?” Gerry said. “Petula feels a bit nervous to me. I don’t want to leave her all alone.”
    â€œYou sure you don’t want to sit on the edge of the stage with Molly?” Chokichi said. “Perfect view.”
    Gerry tilted his head. “Maybe. OK then.”
    Toka slumped down on a chair next to him. He turned