20,000 Nerds Under the Sea Page 11
“Did you say his name is ‘Boot’?” Jolly asked before stepping inside. “Like a foot boot? I’m not too keen on other people’s feet.”
Neil stifled a laugh. “Jolly, we’ve got some work to do with you.”
The door closed behind them as Neil spent a final night at sea—this time with all his friends, both new and old.
NEIL ANDERTOL SLOWLY OPENED HIS EYES, GROGGY FROM blissful sleep. He’d been dreaming, a phenomenon he’d enjoyed as of late. His nightmares, which at one point were nonstop, seemed to have vanished.
“Time for karate, Neil Andertol!”
His sister, Janey, opened the magenta drapes covering the hotel room windows. The room overlooked the Pacific Ocean and the glowing morning sun, and he could see the former site of RebootCon farther south. Janey practiced her karate moves in front of a full-length mirror. She was still in her pajamas, but throwing phantom punches at a tournament-level pace.
“You think there’s gonna be some possible midparade combat happening this morning?” Neil asked, turning toward his sister. The door connecting to their parents’ room was open, and Neil heard the sounds of them getting ready to leave.
“I’ve got to be at the top of my game, Neil,” said Janey. “The Karate Parade comes but once a year.”
Janey had been invited to march in the San Diego Karate Parade. This first event of what everyone hoped would be a new tradition that filled the streets of San Diego with people in gis. Janey hadn’t seemed too excited, but Neil had convinced her and the family it would make for a great trip. It also happened to fall on the opening week of Captain Jolly’s Shark Adventure—San Diego’s newest water-themed adventure park, conveniently located on the former site of a shark collection facility. Neil was more interested in the new park.
“How long does this parade thing last?” asked Neil, rummaging through his bag for a pair of shoes. “I really want to make the opening of that new park.”
“It’ll end when it ends. There’s lots going on with it,” Janey said, folding her hands together before bowing to the long mirror. “We’re trying to top the world record for most people breaking through wooden boards on a one-way street.”
“Neil, your sister’s parade will end by one,” their mother said from her room. “For pushing so hard to come here, you should want it to last the whole day. You are still grounded when we get home, I’ll have you remember.”
“I know. I just really want to get to the shark adventure,” Neil said. “I’ve, ah, read a lot about it. It sounds cool is all.”
“And I just want to get to the Karate Parade!” shouted Janey, punching a cup of ballpoint pens from the hotel room’s desk.
“Nose kicksing din the hotel phroom!” said Neil’s mom, in the middle of brushing her teeth. Neil heard her turn the faucet on and spit. “OK, we’re going. Before somebody breaks a window in here.”
NEIL WALKED ALONE THROUGH THE TURNSTILE LEADING into Captain Jolly’s Shark Adventure—a real aquarium after all. Families walked in fascination, taking in the cutting-edge tanks that covered every surface. Field trips of classes walked together, each kid wearing a set of headphones for the educational tour.
Through a grant from Rogers Ketchup, Jolly had built a huge series of tunnels, all using glass that was inches thick. It allowed guests to feel like they were actually underwater.
The tunnel system also allowed sharks and other sea life to come and go with ease, free to stay or leave at their leisure. Guests and sharks could enjoy ancient ketchups together. Plus there was funnel cake.
She turned her shark prison into a shark vacation.
With Neil’s family busy at the parade, he roamed freely around the theme park. He waltzed through the hall of jellyfish and did his best to get an otter to wave at him.
Neil watched a father and daughter stare at a pack of hammerheads gliding a few feet beneath them. Even the floors were glass at Captain Jolly’s Shark Adventure. Neil turned and headed for the far side of the building, his shoes squeaking.
“Captain Neil Andertol!” came a voice. Neil looked to see Captain Jolly Rogers the Third. She was smiling and cheerful, wearing a fresh all-white captain’s outfit. CAPTAIN JOLLY was stitched in gold on the front pocket of her shirt. “Allow me to introduce you to the first ever swim-through shark observatory.”
Neil gave Jolly a quick hug. He was really getting the hang of befriending former supervillains.
“Jolly, congratulations!” said Neil. “The place is unreal. I think the floors are cleaner than any plate I’ve eaten off in a year.”
“Do you like it?” the sea captain asked eagerly. “I made this in my parents’ honor. I found some of their old shark research and wanted to continue it.”
“That’s great, Jolly,” Neil said.
“There’s actually a marine biology club at my new boarding school. Who would’ve thought?” Jolly said.
“Fantastic.”
“Reboot Robiskie has decided to help, too.”
“Yeah, he mentioned that in his last letter,” Neil said. “We’re kind of pen pals.”
Jolly smiled. “We’ve been helping nurse hurt sharks back to health. All of their own accord, of course. We’re using Magda to locate sharks with life-threatening issues, but they’re never held captive. We have an open-door policy. There’s really no door at all, though, so I guess that doesn’t make sense.”
Neil laughed.
“Much better than the burlap bag policy I fondly remember.”
The black walkie-talkie on Jolly’s hip crackled. She pushed a button on the small white earpiece she wore in her left ear.
“Copy that,” said Jolly. “I hate to run, Neil, but I unfortunately have more ribbons to cut and hands to shake.”
“Definitely understood, and don’t get those switched around,” Neil joked. “I’ll make sure to say good-bye.”
Jolly handed Neil a stack of coupons. Each said ONE FREE HOT DOG in blue block letters.
“Lunch is on me,” Jolly said. “And make sure to stop by the ketchup bar—I have a hunch you’ll really enjoy it. Especially our more exotic flavors from across the globe.”
“I’m actually more of a mustard man these days.”
With a wink, Jolly slipped back into the crowds.
Neil’s eyes drifted across the new adventure park. He felt proud—like he’d helped Jolly realize the good she was meant to do. He watched a powerful great white shark swim between the glass tunnels of humans. Neil walked to the concession stand and ordered his first free hot dog.
A few loud chimes drew the attention of the crowd. Neil stopped chewing and wiped some nonkrill mustard from his lips.
“Pardon me, friends, family, and anemones, but we have a special Jolly’s World announcement,” said the voice. “Today we have a guest of honor. Neil Andertol, please come to the Jolly Family Theater.”
Guest of honor?
Neil finished his hot dog in a few quick bites, wiped his fingers on his pants, and ran toward the theater. An elderly usher in a bright-red coat stood outside, blocking the doorway with a velvet rope.
“Are you Neil?” the gray-haired woman said. Neil nodded yes and smiled. “Well then, enjoy.”
Neil opened the large door leading into the theater.
Inside, he saw something he’d never expected.
WELCOME TO NEILANDERCON said a huge banner strung above the aquatic stage. The seats of the theater were all empty, but onstage was a maze of video-game booths, just like at the convention Neil had missed months before.
But instead of new games with countless assistants helping, it was staffed only by Neil’s friends—new and old.
“If anybody deserves his own convention, it’s you,” said Sam. “And just to let you know, Reboot helped set it up.”
Neil was speechless.
“Let the Great Neil Conference begin!” yelled Riley. He wore a sparkly new helmet and rust-colored chain mail. “Neil, perchance you fancy a game of Stable Clean? ’Tis the most realistic
bovine waste-removal simulator ever made.”
“You set it up and I will be there soon, my friend,” said Neil.
In the next booth stood Trevor, wearing a white fencing outfit.
“And then you and I are digital fencing,” Trevor said, sliding his metal mask to the top of his head. The two shook hands. Neil felt good knowing he could count on Trevor, even if he was difficult.
Neil looked at the rest of the convention. His smile hurt. This was like having seven surprise birthday parties at once. Weo manned a Feather Duster 3 booth, and even Pierre and Fabien hosted a game about making crepes.
“Neil!” yelled Waffles. He was covered in camouflage paint. “Come check this out.”
He stood by Reboot Robiskie and Wifi Whitner, who were planted in one of the massive shark heads from Jolly’s game.
“I’m . . . I’m not even sure what to say, guys,” Neil stammered.
Jolly walked behind Neil, entering through the same doors he’d just used.
“Well, what do you think?” she asked, still wearing her same devilish smile.
“It’s perfect. Thanks,” Neil replied.
“No, thank you, Neil,” Jolly said. “I mean it. All this wouldn’t have happened without you. I now have friends, actual friends. People who won’t do stuff for me if they don’t want to.”
Neil chuckled and watched his friends as they roamed the theater, playing games against one another.
“Now go enjoy your party, Neil Andertol,” Jolly said, patting Neil’s back. “You’ve earned it.”
Neil nodded.
“Game on!”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Deep thanks to my fantastic editors and cocaptains, Hayley Wagreich and Catherine Wallace. I also wish to thank the team at Alloy, including Josh Bank, Sara Shandler, Les Morgenstein, Joelle Hobeika, Romy Golan, and Heather David.
I am very grateful for the artistic minds that make Neil and friends look so stylish. Thanks to Alloy’s Natalie Sousa, and to the art department at HarperCollins: Alison Klapthor, Aurora Parlagreco, Alison Donalty, and Barbara Fitzsimmons. All remaining gratitude goes to the publicity team’s Elizabeth Ward and Stephanie Hoover, and School and Library Marketing’s Patty Rosati.
These books would not exist without the support and encouragement from my amazing family and friends. Really. Thank you. To Mom, Dad, Whitney, Matt, employees of Dinkel’s Bakery, the Reno family, and the city of Kent, Ohio—I aim to make you all proud.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JEFF MILLER is a tall drink of water from Kent, Ohio. He is a big fan of snow, camping, taking steps two at a time, and LeBron James—but he likes writing books best. He lives and performs in Chicago, where he tells funny stories about working at summer camps and drinking far too much lake water as a child. You can follow him on Twitter @jeffmillerbooks or by visiting www.jeffmillerbooks.com.
Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.
CREDITS
Cover art © 2015 by Les McClaine
Cover design by Alison Klapthor
COPYRIGHT
THE NERDY DOZEN #3: 20,000 NERDS UNDER THE SEA. Copyright © 2015 by Alloy Entertainment. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2015938990
ISBN 978-0-06-227268-3
EPub Edition © October 2015 ISBN 9780062272706
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