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'So we're both in charge of clothes?' said Greta. 'But who has the final authority?'
'Oh, you do, Greta,' said Katie, giving Nicola a look.
'We'll put buttons in the too-hard basket for now,' said Nicola. 'What other phobias did Enrico have?'
'Music,' said Shimlara.
'Screaming Puppies!' said Sean.
'Did he just swear in Earthling language?' asked Joshua.
'No, it's Sean's favourite band,' said Nicola.
'We can play my CD really loudly when we're marching,' said Sean. 'That will freak Enrico out.'
'We'll need to rig up some sort of loudspeaker,' said Tyler.
'You mean a loudtalker?' asked Joshua.
'Are you two talking about a loudshouter?' asked Shimlara. 'That's what we call it on Globagaskar.'
'Okay, you boys are in charge of music,' said Nicola. As she wrote their names up on the whiteboard, she caught sight of Topaz watching her intently.
'You're a really good leader,' said Topaz. 'I could learn a lot from you.'
'Oh, thanks.' Suddenly the pen felt clumsy in Nicola's hand and she didn't know what to say or do next. It was just like when she was learning to ride a bike and her dad called out, 'You're doing great!' and Nicola immediately went lopsided and fell off.
Topaz put her hand on Nicola's arm. 'Do you really think we can do this? Do you think we can beat Enrico?'
An image of a laughing Enrico surrounded by hundreds of huge Security Thugs came into Nicola's head.
No, she thought. No way can we beat him!
Out loud she said, 'Yes. Of course, we can beat him - and we will!'
36
THE SHOBBLE TIMES
-SPECIAL LATE EDITION-
ENRICO - THE PEOPLE OF SHOBBLE SAY IT'S TIME TO GO!
By Jenny Jenkins
The time has come for the people of Shobble to let Enrico know that we've had ENOUGH. We've had ENOUGH of mining and drilling night and day for the ShobbleChoc that fills your treasure accounts, while we earn nothing - not even your gratitude! We've had ENOUGH of watching your spoiled children prance about in satin and lace, while our children don't even have SOCKS! We've had ENOUGH of seeing lovely things such as the Department of Free Goods and Services taken away. We've had ENOUGH of your strange laws such as the Quiet-Please decree. We've had ENOUGH of this planet's ridiculous obsession with hairities (although see page 27 for this reporter's scoop on beautiful Melanie Melanoid and the love rat who broke her heart!). We've had enough of your Security Thugs, your cruelty, your vanity and your fake charm!
If all this rings true with you, readers, then here is your chance to take ACTION! The notorious Topaz Silverbell and her associates, together with Nicola Berry and the Space Brigade (Earthling visitors who have been shocked by the state of our planet! Embarrassed? You should be!) have organised a protest march to take place at 10 am tomorrow starting at the Honey Sea Wharf. They are calling upon every man, woman and child to stand up and be counted. You will be asked to sign a petition calling for Enrico's resignation. You don't need to bring anything except your PASSION FOR CHANGE and a packed lunch.
Be there or be square! (A traditional Earthling expression . . .)
'How many people do you think will come?' asked Nicola. The special edition of the newspaper had just arrived through the chute and been passed around to everyone to read.
'I couldn't tell you,' said Topaz. 'Maybe a few hundred? Maybe just us? I don't know.'
'Well, how many Topaz supporters are there on Shobble?' asked Greta. 'I assume you keep a database.'
'We've no idea how many supporters we have,' said Serena. 'You don't understand the level of fear people have suffered under Enrico's regime. There may be people out there who support Topaz but have never been brave enough to say it aloud.'
