The Director

By John Paulits

The Director invites nine-year-old Tommy Whitaker to be a character in a book set in 1957. The trouble begins in the Regal movie theatre, where after the Saturday matinee. Elwood Wambo, the strange caretaker of the movie theatre, hires Tommy and his 1957 best friend, Mouse, to stay behind on future Saturdays to clean the theatre when the movie is over.

The boys later learn that Wambo and his partner Jeremy are part of a gang of thieves. When their friend Smitty’s bike is stolen and when Smitty himself mysteriously disappears, Tommy and his two friends Mouse and Royal vow to solve the mysteries of their missing friend, his missing bike...and a murder.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 25, 2014
• ISBN: 9781613090213

Book preview

The Director

I see you’re a little confused. The Director cleared his throat. Let me explain. Books and stories need to be...worked out. They have to be real...both to the author writing the story and to the person reading the story. Understand?

Yeah, my uncle mentioned something…

The Director interrupted. Good, now the best way, really the only way, for this to happen is for the characters to be alive to the author. To be actually living out his story. This is where I come in. I find characters who act out the story for the author.

Tommy didn’t speak. This got weirder by the minute.

You don’t understand yet? Yes, well. Let me try again. You’ll be a character in a book. I will pick you up, oh, right here, probably not every day but almost every day. I’ll drive you through the tunnel and when you reach the other side, you’ll be in the book. It’s simple!

Tommy continued to stare.

I’m still not getting through, eh? The Director removed his red cap and ran his hand through his mop of brown hair. Okay, the story takes place a while ago. 1957 to be exact. There are lots of boys to play with, since it’s summer vacation in the book. The Director kept a close eye on Tommy, hoping to make a breakthrough.

Great places to play. Playgrounds, two of them. A driveway. Empty lots. A spooky movie theatre. Maybe even a cemetery. The Director smiled. Oh, and you’ll like this! There’s a murder in the book along with scary characters, intrigue, and drama. Fun, too. You’ll have a main role, the main role. You’ll be the star.

Tommy found his voice. Murder?

It’s part of the story. You don’t get murdered. You catch the murderer. I think. It’s not all quite worked out yet, but it’ll be exciting. You can count on it.

What They Are Saying About

The Director

When I read THE DIRECTOR I both laughed and cried, it touched me so.

Charlie Hegh

Both children and adults will enjoy this book; children for the excitement; adults for the memories. I've reread THE DIRECTOR twice already and liked it better each time.

Tom Smith

Other Works From The Pen Of

John Paulits

PHILIP GETS EVEN—March, 2007

By accident Philip Felton and Emery Wyatt destroy the art project of Johnny Visco, the toughest boy in sixth grade, and he promises to get even. When Johnny Visco’s attacks show no sign of stopping, Pphilip, Emery, and Mr. Conway try to concoct a plan that finally puts Johnny Visco in his place and prevents him from tormenting the boys.

PHILIP AND THE CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY—July 2007

Philip and his best friend Emery put Emery’s new detective kit to use and immediately come upon a mystery that has them running in circles. Can they crack the case before they both flip their lids?

PHILIP AND THE BABY— July 2007

Philip learns he’s about to lost his only child status. How will he cope with no longer being the one and only apple of his parents’ eyes.

HOBSON’S PLANET—April, 2008

When Culp arrives on Hobson’s Planet, he steps into a whirlwind of controversy and political lupheaval. Against his will, Culp find himself the designated savior to another planet. Having failed on Earth, he wants no part of another such quest. Now he must decide where his duty and his heart lie.

Wings

The Director

by

John Paulits

A Wings ePress, Inc.

Young Adult-Middle Reader

Wings ePress, Inc.

Edited by: Camille Netherton

Copy Edited by: Joan Powel

Senior Editor: Anita York

Executive Editor: Marilyn Kapp

Cover Artist:

All rights reserved

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Wings ePress Books

http://www.wings-press.com

Copyright © 2011 by John Paulits

ISBN 978-1-61309-021-3

Published by Wings ePress, Inc. at Smashwords

Published In the United States Of America

June 2011

Wings ePress Inc.

403 Wallace Court

Richmond, KY 40475

Dedication

We were lads that thought there was no more behind

But such a day tomorrow as today,

And to be boy eternal

To Lou Monturo and the Sanger/Anchor lads

Jim Paulits, Tom Lancaster, Doug Logan, Billy Franz, David Schmitzer, Eddie Frederick, Billy Smith, Charley Hegh, Jeff Braun, Tommy Kelly, Greg Dykan, Wilson Whitekettle, Joey Maurer, Billy and Ricky Shull, Skipper Syer, Bobby Ewing, Tommy Smith

One

Tommy Whitaker signed off his computer and stared unhappily at the blank screen. Fifth grade ended a week ago, and since then he’d been outside his house just once and only because his mother made him go and get a haircut. He hated summer haircuts. He liked having his straight brown hair hang over his forehead and ears, especially his ears since he thought his left ear bigger than his right. Now he felt bald, like his father, and big-eared besides.

Tommy rolled his desk chair to his bedroom window and looked out. Aside from one small blue car driving by, the sunny street stood empty. As he watched the blue car, he saw a white paper shoot out of its window and float on the mild summer breeze. Left and right, like a slow ride on a lazy swing, the paper dipped and rose. It sailed over his lawn and disappeared behind the high bushes his next door neighbor Mrs. Syer grew along the sidewalk.

In his mind he could already hear his mother’s voice.

It’s a beautiful day. Go outside and play. It’s summer. If you think you’re going to spend two solid months in front of that machine, you have another think coming. What can be so fascinating about your computer... and on and on. Last night his father started in on him with When I was your age...

Worst of all they threatened to send him to camp. Tommy put up a big fuss when his parents raised the issue of camp to him. No, sir. No thank you! He knew the camp had no computers, no televisions, no bikes. Nothing but fresh air and canoes. The air outside his window smelled fresh enough for him. And canoes? What did he want with a canoe?

His father explained to him how he and his brother, Uncle Jimmy, spent every summer at camp and had lots of fun. Now they’d invited Uncle Jimmy over this morning to talk to him about it.

If you can’t convince him, maybe your brother can, his mother argued to his father.

Even though he didn’t see Uncle Jimmy a lot because he traveled so much, he and Aunt Gloria had taken him lots of places, even New York City once for three days, and Uncle Jimmy had bought him lots of great presents. Tommy really liked his Uncle Jimmy but not enough to go to camp for him.

Tommy, came his mother’s voice from downstairs.

Tommy looked out his window again and saw Uncle Jimmy’s car parked in front of the house. His mother’s footsteps came up the stairs, and a moment later she stood in his bedroom doorway.

Oh, the computer’s off. Hallelujah! Or is there an electricity failure? Uncle Jimmy’s here. Come downstairs.

His mother shooed him toward the bedroom door. He trudged down the carpeted staircase, his mother right behind him.

Hi, slugger.

Hi, unc. His uncle sat on the sofa dressed in a sport coat. Why are you all dressed up?

On my way to the airport, but I wanted to talk to you first. Something very important.

He’s all yours, said Tommy’s mother.

Let’s take a walk, said Uncle Jimmy.

Tommy and his uncle walked slowly down the stone pathway toward the sidewalk, Tommy kicking at the dark, sharp-edged stones as he moved. The only sounds were the skritch of the stones and the tweeter of a few birds. Tommy heaved a sigh. He didn’t want to argue with his uncle, but if Uncle Jimmy thought he could talk him into going to camp, he had another think coming.

Tommy, boy, I have a plane to catch so I don’t have a lot of time. You know what I do, right?

I know.

Go on.

What did this have to do with camp, Tommy wondered? You help people who write books to get their books published.

That’s right, I’m an agent. Do you know how much work it is to write a book? I mean a good book?

I don’t know. You just write it.

No. The author has to figure out what’s going to happen next. It might be funny. It might be serious. It might be anything, but it has to be interesting. And even then some editor will want him to change things around because something in the book’s not right or not interesting enough. You wouldn’t want to read an uninteresting book, would you?

Of course not. Are editors always right?

Uncle Jimmy lifted his eyebrows and sighed. I’m afraid most of the time they are. So you can see why it’s best to get the story right the first time, eh?

Tommy nodded. I guess.

Good, I’m glad you do. I’m in a pickle at the moment, and I thought about talking to you about it. When your dad called me last night, I knew right away you’d be the one.

Tommy’s interest perked up.

The one for what?

Your mom and dad want you to go to camp, right?

Tommy’s interest dropped to the ground, and he didn’t answer.

If I promise to give you a first half of the summer that is the most interesting time you’ve ever had in your life, would you agree to go to camp for the second half of the summer? It’ll only be four weeks, you know, and your mom tells me your best friend is spending the whole summer at camp.

Billy Logan actually liked camp and tried to get Tommy to join him, but Tommy wanted no part of camp even at his best friend’s request.

Nothing could be that interesting, Tommy said.

Oh, you are dead wrong. I have a writer who’s getting ready to start on a book, and he needs help. There’s a fellow who helps writers write their stories, but he needs help, too, and I want you to help him.

Who is he?

You can call him…the Director.

The Director?

Yes and I really need a kid like you to get both the Director and my author out of their difficulties.

What can I do?

You can do me this big favor. Meet the Director. Talk to him. He’ll explain what he wants you to do. I guarantee you’ll have the time of your life. It’ll be an experience you’ll never forget.

Tommy looked doubtfully at his uncle as they walked.

His uncle went on. I’ll get your mom and dad to let up on you and tell them you’re thinking about going to camp for the second four-week session. If you don’t agree with me you’ve had the most amazing experience of your life helping out the Director, I’ll talk them out of making you go. If you agree, though, you promise to go to camp.

What’s the Director want me to do?

I don’t have time to explain. Do me this favor. You don’t have anything else much to do this summer do you?

No.

So?

You sure you can get me out of camp if I say?

I guarantee it. I really need your help now, though.

Tommy found it impossible to say no to his uncle after his uncle had said yes to him so many times for so many things.

I’ll try.

Great. Uncle Jimmy clapped Tommy on the back. One thing.

Well?

The Director is kind of a private fellow. I don’t think we should mention him to your mom and dad.

This surprised Tommy.

I see you’re surprised, but the Director is a special person, sort of a secret agent, believe it or not.

I’ll be working with a secret agent? Tommy’s interest rose again.

Exactly. I’ll clear the first half of the summer with your parents, and I fully expect the second half will turn out as I explained.

With me at camp.

Only if you agree with what I said about the Director and you.

Are you going to introduce me to this guy?

I don’t have time. Where can you meet him?

Tommy considered. Outside school?

"Okay. I’ll tell him