Googol Boy and the peculiar incident of the Great Quiz Trophy by John Michael (classic books for 13 year olds txt) 📕

“In the one corner, we have Barney the Brute, a most gallant dabbler in the art of klonking with an enviable sequence of twenty games without a defeat. We haven’t seen anything like this since Caspian Suzlakov, just on two years ago, with his glorious run during what is now famously known as the Summer of Suzlakov.

“And in the opposing corner we have Rufus Magee, better known as Freckles, a most worthy adversary − attempting to establish a name for himself in this rather demanding arena of klonking. Make no mistake about it, this will be a fierce battle with no quarter asked, and no quarter given. Today we shall see the separation of the wheat from the chaff or, to be more precise, the men from the boys. Only one of these heroic gladiators shall sip from the cup of victory and taste adulation and glory, while the loser will leave with naught but humiliation and disgrace in this cruel and unforgiving game.”

“Hurry it up Alistair! We’ve got four and a half minutes before the teacher makes her round again!” yelled one of the students as he pointed at his watch in an animated fashion.

“Yes of course,” responded Alistair, “gentleman, let the games begin!”

Barney and Freckles quickly set up their stone pieces on a pentagram star which they drew in the sand under a nearby oak tree.

It was a fast and furious start, although Barney was making some calculated moves, it was obvious that Freckles had been practising and in no time at all he had taken possession of all of Barney’s pieces. Barney let out a deflated sigh as they both stood up and prepared for the ‘klonking’ part of the game and started to unravel the leather straps on their king pieces.

Alistair quickly stepped in between the two players and started to provide the obligatory half-time report while they got ready. “Well... it seems that the tables have turned here for Barney the Brute who, to be honest, hasn’t lived up to his name. In a surprising turn of events, Freckles has completely decimated the standing champion and will have the advantage of starting this next stage. Will this be the end of Barney’s winning streak? Will this be the beginning of a new era − the reign of Freckles the Fantastic perhaps? One wonders what Barney must be going through − the intense psychological pressure he must be experiencing at this very moment. If one were to look up ‘dejected’ in the Cambridge Dictionary, one might very well find a picture of Barney and if one were to look up the word ‘plucky,’ one would most likely see a picture of young Freckles’ freckly face. Needless to say, Freckles is certainly looking the more confident of the two with his resolute and steely gaze. Only time will tell the outcome of this bruising battle as there can be only one winner, and to the victor go the spoils while the loser will eat humble pie and taste bitter defeat.”

“We’ve got two minutes and thirteen seconds before the teacher comes round again!” yelled the time keeper.

“Righto... let stage two begin!” proclaimed Alistair.

The spotlight was once again on the two competitors − they were circling each other like a couple of jungle cats. Freckles started to spin his king piece, faster and faster, he was beginning to build some momentum and then, like a cobra, his stone flung out with lightning speed and gave Barney’s piece an almighty whack.

The sound reverberated around the playground. All the students quickly scoured the terrain to make sure that the distinct klonking sound hadn’t attracted some snooping teacher who would immediately give us all detention. Everybody waited a few seconds and seeing that the coast was clear, we all turned our attention back to the game. Barney checked his king piece, the circle of students around him leaned in to get a closer look.

“Still good,” uttered Barney in disbelief, and it was Freckles who let out a deflated sigh this time. It was indeed a punishing klonk from Freckles and everybody was surprised that Barney’s piece hadn’t shattered into a thousand pieces.

Alistair resumed his commentary. “Oh my! Freckles has given it his all but it seems that Barney lives another day. The gods of fortune are certainly smiling upon him... and now for Barney’s strike. Just a few seconds ago, he was down and out. But now it seems, he has risen like a phoenix from the ashes. The question on everyone’s lips is, can Barney snatch victory from the jaws of defeat?”

Barney started to spin his king piece with a confident swagger, this time the resolute and steely gaze belonged to him and Freckles seemed a tad hesitant and unsure − you could see it in his movements and in his expression. Once again they circled each other, while maintaining eye contact and simultaneously keeping track of each other’s king piece. The suspense was like waiting for the guillotine to drop at a public execution. We were all holding our collective breath and just when we thought that the two of them would dance around each other for eternity, Barney’s arm shot out like a bolt of lightning.

And that was that! Freckles’ king piece shattered like glass. Everyone let out a boisterous cheer. Well, everyone except for Freckles who had come so close to victory. Barney patted him on the back. “Good game Magee... you almost had me there.”

“Yeah it was a good game.”

“Ah... nothing better than the sound of klonking at lunchtime to get the blood pumping, eh Freckles?”

“Well it would have been better if I had won.”

“In your dreams my friend, in your dreams!” They both chuckled a hearty chuckle and then, right on cue, the bell rang:

Chapter ten 

hobo joe

It was hard to surpass the excitement and euphoria of the lunch time klonking match and the