The Adventures of Peabody Rich

By Donna Smith

Peabody Rich is a boy with an unusual problem; he remembers everything he sees. When his mentor is attacked on the Wartley University campus near Washington, D.C., Peabody and his friends are unknowingly put in danger. With their parents out of the country on business and their sitter in jail for attempted murder, Peabody and his friends must use his “gifts” to unravel a clue and find his mentor’s attackers. They must avoid the police finding out they are on their own, outsmart school and museum officials, and outrun thugs in a high speed chase through Washington, D.C. to get to the bottom of what’s been going on at Wartley University. Little do they know that while they are hunting for answers, Tobias is hunting for them. THE ADVENTURES OF PEABODY RICH by Donna Smith is a part of Pro Se Productions Youngpulp! imprint. Aimed at introducing younger audiences to the style of Pulp Fiction while providing them with engaging tales, YoungPulp! features stories from all genres written both appropriately and intelligently for Young Readers to discover, enjoy, and explore! Written with intelligence and style that adults can appreciate as well, YoungPulp! aims to add to the growing numbers of Genre Fiction and New Pulp Fans with tales that excite and appeal to pre teen and adolescent readers. Remember everything as You join THE ADVENTURES OF PEABODY RICH! From Pro Se Productions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pro Se Press
• Release date: May 21, 2014

Donna Smith

I am an author, songwriter, and professional singer and actress. I was compelled to write my book, LET HER GO, to help other mothers, fathers, friends, and loved ones of addicts and alcoholics, to survive the insanity of their loved one's addiction.

Book preview

THE ADVENTURES OF PEABODY RICH

by Donna Smith

A YoungPulp! book

Published by Pro Se Press at Smashwords

This book is a work of fiction. All of the characters in this publication are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. No part or whole of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing of the publisher.

The Adventures of Peabody Rich

Copyright © 2014 Donna Smith

All rights reserved.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Everyone has photographic memory; some just don't have the film.

Chapter 1

The mysterious black and red crates sat like open coffins waiting to swallow up their victims. They lay there, expecting to be hauled away and buried in the recesses of the museum’s crypt. The man shuddered as the gruesome thought passed through his mind. It spooked him. There was something in the air here; it was dark and ominous, creating the feeling of an impending doom. Looking around he assured himself that there was no reason to be afraid. This place always gave him the creeps, and he was glad he didn’t have to work down here every day.

He didn’t have time to think about or dwell on the eerie feelings this area brought out in him. He had work to do. The loaned exhibit had to be packed up and sent back today and that would take time. The curator sighed deeply, rolling his shoulders slowly and methodically tossing the cares of the world away with each circular motion. He plowed into the job at hand, picking up the artifacts one at a time, wrapping soft cloth that had been especially made for packing the priceless objects around each one carefully. Gently, he placed them into those waiting coffins. He worked diligently, handling the precious items much as a mother would a newborn baby.

It was going on mid-day when he finally took a break. He loved his work and got caught up in what he was doing, often losing all track of time. He still wasn’t quite finished with the instruments: a revolutionary war fife and drum, a German viola, and a jazz trumpet were all that remained. They were lovely and it was almost unbearable to give them back to the Smithsonian. He opened the trumpet case and stroked the silver bell with a tender hand. It was easy imagining the great jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie blowing his bluesy tunes through the beautiful horn. He enjoyed being able to borrow such wonderful historical items from the National Museum to share with his students at the university, but it was almost like losing a child when he had to send them home.

A sudden shrill explosion of sound cut through the silence like a newly sharpened blade. Startled by the noise, the man whirled around quickly, searching for the source of the terrifying interruption, his face colorless. It was only when the phone rang the second time that he relaxed and smirked at himself. He quickly snapped the trumpet case closed, rushed into his office, and picked up the annoying device.

Hello, may I help you? he inquired into the receiver.

I know you found the book, and I want it back… I’ve waited a long time to get it, and you will not keep it from me now, the dark ominous voice flowed silkily from the phone.

Wh—who is this and wh—what are you talking about? the man replied, frightened by the threatening tone coming from the other end of the line.

You know what I want. Where is it?

I really do not know what you mean, he repeated, struggling to remain calm. I deal in historical texts every day. Am I supposed to read minds to know which book you think I found?

I don’t think. I know you found it. I want the eighteenth century manuscript that was on display in the last exhibit. The good Drs. Rich brought it back with them from Austria on their last visit. You do have it and I will be coming for it soon. Get it, return it to me or die. It’s as simple as that. I will be in contact with you very soon. The ugly laugh echoed through his receiver as the line went dead, and it shook the man to his very bones.

***

Come on Peabody, just one more time, begged Rudee, looking at him with those big puppy dog brown eyes. "We’ve almost got enough for chocolate shakes at Mom and Pop’s!"

Rudee Aimes, will you stop pestering Peabody? You are a freaking nuisance. You know he hates your silly game, and he’s already done it three times today, fussed Rubye. Anyways, we need to hurry. We’re supposed to meet Meena at the library.

Rudee and his twin sister Rubye had been the friends of Peabody Rich since kindergarten, when his family moved to Straussburg, a mid-sized community just west of Washington, D.C. Peabody and the twins had gotten along right away. They practically lived at each other’s houses; which of course, was natural since they were side by side on Faculty Place. They did everything together: skateboarded, rode bikes, played video games (when their parents allowed), and walked home from school together every day. This was what they were trying to do when Rudee decided he was thirsty.

Peabody looked at his friend’s pitiful pleading face and the circle of anxious kids standing around him and gave in even though he knew he was going to regret it. Oh, all right, one more time, he said, resigned to the fact that Rudee would just beg until he got exactly what he wanted.

The freckled face broke into a wide toothy grin, and he whopped Peabody soundly on the back in silent victory. He was going to get to enjoy a chocolate shake after all. Turning to the kid on his left, Rudee took a pocketful of items from the dark haired boy and placed them on a tray so Peabody couldn’t see them. He handed the boy a sheet of college-ruled notebook paper and said, Write down all the items you’ve put out; that way we can make sure he doesn’t miss anything.

Excitement sparked around him like static from a pair of warm fuzzy socks fresh out of the dryer, but Peabody only felt the heavy weight of dread as he got ready to do his thang. He instantly recoiled at the thought that now he was even thinking in Rudee language. They really needed some time apart, Peabody mused as he was waiting for his turn. Rudee was his best friend and all, but this was ridiculous.

Someone in the background murmured, There’s no way he can guess them all this time, there’s too much stuff. The kids surged closer. Everyone wanted a good look at what had been laid out. Only Peabody and Rubye remained at the back of the group out of sight of the tray.

When the dark haired boy had finished scribbling down his list, he handed it reluctantly to Rudee, looking over at Peabody as if it were a top secret super special message and he was the spy trying to steal it. Peabody glanced back at him, his gaze never wavering. He was always amazed at the lack of common sense in the kids that surrounded him. It was unbelievable. Rudee stepped to the front, took the tray and covered it with the vintage magician’s handkerchief that he’d gotten for his birthday last year. He was ready for the game to begin, never doubting at all that he would win money from the saps that kept insisting to play.

Rudee winked at the students who had gathered around to watch and called in a voice loud enough to wake the dead, "Now remember Peabody, you only get three seconds to look at what’s on the tray. If you miss even one single item, you’ll owe Brian $5.00. If you get ‘em all right, he’ll owe us $5.00. Okay, let’s see the money."

Brian pulled out a five-dollar bill and grinned knowingly at his audience; positive he was about to be the first to stump the legendary Peabody Rich. They had been playing the guessing game since kindergarten and nobody had been able to beat him. Whoever won would be famous—at school that is. The crowd clapped and yelled as he waved the crumpled up money in the air. Peabody dug down deeply into his own back pocket for his wallet. He made a show of opening the beautiful leather billfold and took out a brand new crisp five-dollar bill that his mother had given him that morning. Wearily, he waved the neatly folded bill in the air too. The circle of kids roared again and pressed in closer still to view the performance. Though Peabody absolutely despised the pitiful game, it seemed everyone else at University Jr. High loved it. He shook his head in frustration and disbelief that anyone could be fooled by what seemed to him to be a no win situation for the other guy.

Ready to count? Rudee questioned the anxious kids.

Yeah! they yelled, vibrating the very air around them.

Taking his cue from his friend, Peabody pushed and shoved his way through the crowd to the center of the circle in the courtyard at the school.

You will have only three seconds to examine all of the items on the tray. I will then cover the tray and you will tell all of us what was on it without missing a single item, Rudee yelled over the screaming students.

Peabody sighed inwardly, hating the show going on around him. He thought Rudee sounded more and more like the ringmaster at a circus every time he put on this act. All he needed to add was, Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce the amazing Peabody, to the front of his spiel and it would be just as pompous.

Rudee carefully lifted the cover off the tray so that everyone including Peabody could see the items that Brian had placed there. Everyone there counted shouting aloud in unison, One one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand! Cover the tray! It was quickly covered and given to the gambling boy to hold.

Peabody Rich, how many items were on the tray? asked Rudee with staged overconfidence. A sudden hush came over the group as they awaited his response.

Peabody allowed the silence to engulf the audience just like Rudee had made him practice time and time again, drawing out the suspense. He pretended to think long and hard about this, letting the kids surrounding him think he was stumped. It was really quite easy for him and he never missed. There were twenty-four items in all on the tray.

Brian, is that correct? shouted Rudee toward the astonished boy holding the covered tray in question.

Yes, answered Brian, amazed and dumbfounded at Peabody‘s response. The crowd of kids oooed and ahhhed in the background as he confirmed Peabody’s answer.

Rudee, again being overly dramatic, exclaimed, Now, Peabody Rich, what were the twenty-four items on the tray?

Starting from the left corner of the tray: 3 pennies, 1 paperclip, 2 nickels, 3 rubber bands, 1 popcorn kernel, 1 four-leaf clover, 1 red pen, 4 quarters, 2 red dice, 1 blue marble, 2 shells, 1 yellow crayon, 1 game token, and a dead fly, stated Peabody Rich gruffly. As he finished calling out the last item, he turned on his heel and marched off toward the library, exasperated with himself as the crowd of kids chanted and screamed his name. Peabody, Peabody, Peabody! He simply couldn’t believe he’d let Rudee con him into participating in the stupid scam again. It really crawled under his skin. If he didn’t like Rudee so much, he’d punch his lights out right now.

You know it’s your own fault, said Rubye coming up beside Peabody. You never can tell him no.

I know, he sighed regretfully. I always let him talk me into his ludicrous tricks even after I tell myself I won’t. I hate being a sideshow freak.

There are worse things in the world than having a photographic memory, declared Rubye dryly. Some of us would love to get hold of one.

You would until you had so many pictures in your head you thought it was going to explode! he burst out.

Rubye patted his arm sympathetically. I bet it can be frustrating. Isn’t Dr. Mac helping you sort things out?

Yeah he is, replied Peabody in a somewhat calmer tone. I’ve got to go see him now. Will you tell Meena where I am?

Sure, not a problem. In fact, we can meet you there, replied Rubye as Rudee came running up to them.

Hey you guys, wait up, panted Rudee, slowing to walk beside Rubye and Peabody. Peab, you were awesome! We made, get this… $20 today! I thought for sure Brian had you. Twenty-four, that’s the most you’ve done yet. It was tough!

I wish you wouldn’t do that to me, Rudee. You know I absolutely hate that game, said Peabody, frustrated with his friend. It’s like taking candy from a baby, no challenge to it. The kids have no hope of winning. It’s not fair to them. Plus, I feel like such a dork.

I know, but you’re just so darn good at it and easy to make money off, grinned Rudee sheepishly.

Peabody sighed, resigned that this would not be the last time he performed the