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He shook the president’s hand and hurried back to his seat.
Marvin practiced his question in his head. What are you doing about pollution? He wondered if he had to say his name first, since the president already knew it. Marvin Redpost. What are you doing about pollution, Mr. President? He had to remember to call him Mr. President.
Clarence was next. “I have a two-part question,” he said.
“Okay,” said the president.
“Do you have a dog?”
“Yes.”
“Does your dog know you’re the president?”
The president laughed. “You know, Clarence, I’ve been asked lots of questions, but I don’t think anyone has ever asked me that before.” He thought it over, then said, “I don’t think my dog cares if I’m president. I’ve had Pickles for twelve years. She has always made me feel as if I was the most special person in the whole world. Even before I was president.”
Clarence shook the president’s hand.
“Casey Happleton. Are you doing anything to get rid of pollution, Mr. President?”
Marvin felt a stab of disappointment. Now he had to think of another question.
“I’m trying,” said the president. “The problem is that everyone causes a tiny bit of pollution. Everybody thinks their little bit doesn’t make any difference. But when you put all those tiny bits together, you get a big problem.”
Casey nodded.
“Ask your other question!” said Melanie.
“Only one question each,” said Mrs. North.
“But she’s got a question I bet he’s never heard before,” said Melanie.
“Well, let’s hear it,” said the president.
Casey looked at Mrs. North to see if it was okay. In the classroom, Mrs. North was still the boss. Not the president.
Mrs. North nodded.
Casey took a breath. “Do I have to say my name again?”
“No, I know you’re Casey Happleton,” said the president.
Casey smiled. She took another breath. “If a spaceship lands in my backyard and a little green man says, ‘Take me to your leader,’ should I take him to you? And how do I do that?”
Everybody laughed.
“I think you should take him to Mrs. North,” said the president.
Everybody laughed again. Mrs. North laughed the loudest.
Casey shook the president’s hand.
Marvin practiced his war question. Marvin Redpost. Are we going to get into a war anytime soon, Mr. President? Marvin Redpost. Are we…
It was Travis’s turn. “Hi, I’m Travis. Do you hate people who didn’t vote for you?”
“No. What really bothers me, Travis, is when people don’t vote at all. It makes me think they don’t care about their country.”
“Oh, good,” said Travis. “Because my parents voted. They just didn’t vote for you.”
