would come all this way just to help with a dumb elementary school play I mean the Juan Pierre Reyes could be making a lot of money directing famous actors in New York City Once Luisa told Fred her uncle even won a huge award for some show about dogs Or was it cats Fred couldn't remember Luisa said her uncle was coming out because he loved her and was always willing to help But Fred wasn't so sure Something about it seemed weird Either way The Juan Pierre Reyes was coming to their school to help them write and direct their holiday pageant All they needed was an idea One good idea Which they didn't have As the arguing continued and 4
escalated Fred straightened up in his chair and said Can we just do something peaceful like everyone stands around holding hands and singing or whatever I am not holding your hand Luisa snapped That's the dumbest idea ever Fred rolled his eyes and said I wish we could just each be writing poems I like poems Then it's just me and my own thoughts No dialogue No stage directions No worrying about what you or some director is going to say about it Some director Luisa said My uncle is We know We know Drake said The Juan Pierre Reyes Coming all the way from New York City 5
The boy and girl across the table snickered Luisa shot them a glance and their mouths tightened Yes Luisa said And he is nice and brilliant and funny and a true artiste He's the best and it's amazing that he agreed to help us Drake flipped open his notebook He shook his head as he looked at the blank page Well since all we've come up with is a bunch of kids holding hands singing about peace I don't think this artiste is going to have much to help us with Luisa rolled her eyes The other kids at the table laughed Maybe we should have our holiday play be about arguing that's what everyone 6
does at holidays right Fred said Everybody gathers around a table to eat and fight about who is right Who is wrong What ideas are good and what ideas are the dumbest ever Just like this conversation Peace does seem like a pretty good idea the boy across the table said with a shrug of his shoulders But before they could brainstorm any other ideas Ms. Martinez the teacher in charge of this school project stomped up the stairs leading onto the stage All right all right Ms. Martinez announced Our director Mr. Juan Pierre Reyes Fred Drake and Luisa smiled as Ms. Martinez fanned herself 7
