Ben and Mog helped Mr. Creepy clean up the lab.
When everything was back in order, Waldo volunteered to demonstrate some simple science experiments.
"Yeah!" yelled a tall boy. "We want to see the wizard do some magic!"
Mr. Freaky nodded at Waldo.
"If you're feeling well enough, Waldo, please go ahead.
I'm going to see if the office ogre has found Deb yet.
I hope this mystery girl—whoever she is—hasn't harmed Deb too."
Waldo did some simple experiments, which calmed everyone down.
But Ben was too busy thinking to pay attention.
What if the mystery girl attacked Winnie?
Where was Winnie anyway? And what was the special assignment?
"I'll ask Miss Bungle," thought Ben as Mr. Freaky came back into the lab.
"Your wizard here is pretty talented, Freaky," said Mayor Hubbletree. "How did he—?"
The loudspeaker's shriek cut him off.
The mayor clapped his hands over his ears. "What is that horrible sound?"
"The lunch bell, of course," said Mr. Freaky.
"Then let's eat lunch," Ms. Prim put in.
Mayor Hubbletree scowled. "What is for lunch, Freaky?
Some kind of disgusting monster food?"
"Actually," Mr. Freaky replied, "the cafeteria trolls are serving something that you humans love—pizza."
"Oh." The mayor looked surprised. "That sounds pretty good."
Everyone headed downstairs to the cafeteria.
As Ben searched the hallway for Miss Bungle, he spotted Winnie.
The witch was walking away from her locker, holding a broom and a lunch bag.
"Winnie!" Ben shot after her, zigzagging between monsters and people.
The office ogre abruptly stepped into his path. "Has anyone seen Deb?"
Shloomp! Ben flew right through the ogre.
"Ouch!" cried the office ogre.
"Sorry!" Ben called over his shoulder.
A second later Ben caught up to Winnie. He tapped her on the shoulder.
Startled, Winnie spun to face him. "Oh. Hi, Ben."
"Where have you been all morning?" asked Ben.
"Miss Bungle said you're working on a special assignment." He paused.
"And you weren't in the flyover."
"Don't remind me," Winnie muttered.
"What do you mean?" asked Ben.
Winnie huffed. "Don't remind me that I wasn't selected for the broom flying squad."
Ben was shocked. "Why weren't you selected?"
Winnie flushed. "I failed my broom flying exam.
So now I'm just some loser who can't fly a broom by herself."
Ben blinked in surprise. "But you're so good at flying. What happened?"
"I got really nervous," Winnie explained.
"The test was hard, and I felt so much pressure.
I just started making stupid mistakes with my broom."
She sighed. "What good is a witch who can't even fly her own broom?"
"What good is a ghost who can't float through doors?" Ben said, trying to make her laugh.
"I got stuck in one today."
Winnie giggled. "You did?"
"Yeah, right in front of the whole school," said Ben.
"Including all the humans from People Place!"
Winnie laughed. "Sorry, I shouldn't laugh, but that is funny!"
"Can you retake the test?" asked Ben.
Winnie nodded. "Miss Bungle told me I can retake it tomorrow.
She's letting me spend today practicing and studying.
That's my special assignment."
"Awesome," said Ben. "And just think—even if you fail again, it's not a big deal.
You'll just be one of those thirty-year-old witches whose parents still fly them around."
"Not funny!" Winnie laughed as she playfully punched Ben on the shoulder.
"I'm just kidding," said Ben.
"I know," said Winnie. "I should get back to work.
I'm going to eat my lunch in the library while I read about broom flying techniques."
"Okay," said Ben. "Good luck!"
Ben watched as Winnie headed around the corner, toward the library.
He was sure that she would pass the test the next time.
Feeling much better, Ben floated down to the cafeteria.
But when he got there, he saw that something was wrong.
Mayor Hubbletree was yelling at Mr. Freaky again.
Ms. Prim was standing near them, looking ill.
"This is disgusting!" the mayor shouted. "Is this another prank, Freaky?"
Ben looked around. On each table was a large round pie.
"That must be the pizza," thought Ben.
Ben thought the pizza smelled and looked delicious.
The human kids, however, didn't seem to think so.
They all stared at their food, looking scared.
Mr. Freaky looked shocked. "What are you talking about, Mayor?
I thought humans loved pizza!"
The mayor's face was bright red.
"Not when it's covered in . . . in . . .
What on earth is it covered in?"
"That's just pond scum and worm guts," said Mr. Freaky.
The color instantly drained from Mayor Hubbletree's face.
"It's worse than I thought! We can't eat this!"
The mayor reached into his pocket and pulled out a cell phone.
"I'm ordering pizza from Enzo's, in People Place.
And you're going to pay for it, Freaky!"