Ben's heart pounded in his chest.
Meanwhile the wall's shaking had grown louder.
Rebecca Gold spoke up.
"I'd like to try your mac and cheese."
"Really?" Ben said.
"Really?" the two other judges said in shock.
"Yes." Rebecca Gold picked up a fork.
"I believe it's important to try new things."
She glanced at the other judges.
"You two have no sense of adventure."
Rumble! Rumble! The wall shook violently.
Ben tried to ignore it as he spooned out some of his mac and cheese for Rebecca Gold.
"It smells wonderful, Ben." The judge took some on her fork and lifted it toward her mouth.
Rumble! Rumble!
"Can someone please fix that wall?" Bolton Ramsey shouted.
"It's driving me absolutely—"
Ka-boom! The wall exploded, and a tidal wave of hot sauce flowed into the room.
Cameras and lights sizzled and melted as the hot sauce bubbled up around them.
Crew members tripped over one another, all trying to reach the door.
"What is wrong with this place?" Bolton Ramsey shouted.
Mayor Hubbletree held up his hands.
"Everyone, please remain calm! Everything is totally under control!"
"You call this 'under control'?" Viv Stryder cried.
"I knew it was a bad idea to film here."
She climbed onto a table to escape the hot sauce.
"Yikes!" Mayor Hubbletree cried as the sauce oozed toward him.
The mayor scrambled onto a chair.
"Where's Freaky? This is his fault!"
Ben looked around.
The principal was huddled in a corner with his face in his hands.
Bolton Ramsey stood up.
"I'm leaving!" He stormed out of the room, with Margaret Oh following him.
Rebecca Gold was still sitting at the table.
"Well, Ben. Let's try this mac and cheese of yours."
She took a bite.
"Mmm. Delicious!"
Ben was shocked. "Really?"
The judge nodded. "I love monster food.
My husband is a ghoul, you know.
If I can give you a bit of advice, try a few more lizard tails next time.
But it's not important.
This is absolutely enchanting."
"Gee, thanks," Ben said.
Rebecca Gold looked around at the chaos.
A lightbulb exploded.
A cameraman held a half-melted camera in his hands. Wires sizzled.
"I suppose I should go now," Rebecca Gold said.
"Good luck, Ben. Don't stop cooking—you're very talented."
She leaped over a pool of hot sauce and walked out of the room.
Viv Stryder hopped down from the table and made her way to the door.
Mayor Hubbletree followed her, wincing when he stepped in a hot sauce puddle.
"Miss Stryder!" he called.
"Please wait! Let's reschedule and film the show at the People Place Middle School, like you suggested!"
Viv Stryder spun around.
"Are you kidding? Sorry, Mayor, but this episode of Kids' Kitchen Showdown has been canceled!"
The mayor's shoulders slumped.
Mr. Freaky wandered over to the mayor.
They both pulled out their handkerchiefs.
Mayor Hubbletree wiped his brow.
"Why do things like this constantly happen around here, Freaky?
You all seem like good people, er, monsters."
Mr. Freaky blew his noses.
"I don't know, Mayor. I really don't know."
The next day Ben was at home getting ready for Winnie's party.
He placed the necklace in a small box and wrapped it.
"I hope Winnie likes this necklace," he thought as he tied the ribbon.
Meow! The kitten swatted at Ben's feet.
"You have a lot of energy today," he said to the kitten.
He'd made a few phone calls about a home for the kitten, but so far nobody wanted it.
The kitten leaped up, nearly knocking the gift out of Ben's hand.
When Ben turned to leave, the kitten followed.
It hopped through the open door and ran down the front steps.
Ben sighed. "You can't come with me. Go back inside!"
He held the door open, but the kitten ignored him.
It was getting late. Winnie and Gaby would be back at Winnie's house soon.
Ben didn't have time to argue with a kitten.
He shut the door and floated down the street.
The kitten followed, jumping up and swatting at his feet.
"Stop it," Ben said.
As he turned to scold the kitten, he floated into a tree.
"Ugh!" Ben cried.
"I'm stuck!" He gritted his teeth and tried to move.
"This is unbelievable! I haven't gotten stuck like this in a long time.
It's all because of this annoying kitten!"
Just then the kitten jumped up, leaping for the ribbon on the gift.
Ben watched in horror as the gift flew out of his hand and sailed toward a storm drain.
"No!" Ben cried as the gift slid into the drain.