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Later that evening Ben was eating dinner with his family.
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"How was school today?" Ben's father asked.
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"Were monsters getting ready for the pet show?"
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"Yes," Ben said. "When I signed up to volunteer, I got to see some cool pets.
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The real show takes place tomorrow and Saturday."
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He told his family about the obedience, tricks, and best pet competitions.
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"I hope you're not shopping for a pet," his mother said.
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Ben took another bite of creeploaf and didn't answer.
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But his brother Sid's ears had perked up.
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"Can we get a pet, Mom? Please?"
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His mother looked at Ben.
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"Please pass the spoiled eggs, Ben. The slime sauce too."
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Ben passed the food as Sid tried another approach.
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"Can I at least go to the pet show?" he asked.
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"I want to see some cool pets too."
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"Maybe we can all go to the show together," Ben's dad suggested.
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He put a big pile of fried bat wings on his plate.
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"Sid's right. It would be interesting to see the pets—and it
could be a fun family outing."
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Ben's mother shook her head. "I don't know if that's such a good idea."
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"I know you don't like dogs, Mom," Ben said.
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"But there will be other pets at the show."
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She shuddered. "I can't stand most animals.
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Uncle Edgar's bird gives me the creeps.
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Aunt Petunia's stinkworm makes her house smell terrible, and the neighbors'
tarantula is always digging up our backyard!"
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Ben's father put down his fork.
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"Maybe Ben, Sid, and I will go to the show," he said.
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"You can stay home, honey."
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"You're forgetting something," she said. "Sid is allergic to some animals."
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"It's okay, Mom," Sid said quickly.
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"I just break out in green spots.
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Green spots are a little itchy, but they look cool!
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I'll put up with hundreds of green spots, if it means we can have a pet."
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"Good one, Sid!" Ben thought, glancing hopefully at his mother.
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But her lips were tightly pursed.
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"We're not getting a pet," she said firmly.
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"Right now we are only talking about pets—and the pet show."
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"Where we can definitely find a pet that you'll like!" Ben said.
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"I'll be at the show all weekend long. It's a great opportunity!"
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Sid clapped his hands. "Yeah!"
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"Boys, that's not what I said."
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Ben's mother closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
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Then she opened them again.
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"Okay, I'll think about it. But I'm making no promises."
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"I can help Ben look at pets at the show," Sid said.
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"We'll do a simple test. If I don't get green spots, I'm not allergic."
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Their mother tapped a finger on the table. "Hmm . . ."
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"We can at least let the boys look around at the show," their father said.
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"There's no harm in that."
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"Please, Mom," Ben pleaded softly.
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"All right," she said at last.
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"You two can look." She stared hard at Ben.
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"But if Sid starts sneezing or itching a lot, you have to bring
him home immediately."
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"Bring him home?" Ben repeated.
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"Yes," his mother said.
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"I'll drop Sid off at Monster Academy tomorrow after school.
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You can keep an eye on him."
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"Oh, boy!" Sid shouted. "This is going to be great!"
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"But I have volunteer stuff to do at the show," Ben moaned.
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Besides, he wanted to hang out with his friends.
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"Sid can help you with the duties," his mother said.
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"I'm sure he won't get in the way."
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"But—"
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Ben's father cut him off with a stern look.
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"A ghost who wants a pet needs to show responsibility, Ben.
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So you should certainly be able to take care of your little brother
for a few hours without difficulty."
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Ben was trapped. "Okay," he said with a heavy sigh.
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When Ben arrived at Monster Academy the next day,
he grinned at the unusual scene.
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As always, monsters were streaming into the school building.
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But today some of them had brought their pets with them.
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Mr. Freaky stood outside, blowing his noses.
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"Now, students. Remember what I said:
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This afternoon you'll have an opportunity to work with your pets.
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Until then, let's keep everything under control!"
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Ben looked around. Gaby had her giant albino shrew.
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A vampire had brought a spider.
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Jen had her singing slug, and Cleo was towing a pet jackal with a leash.
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"Lucky Deb," Ben thought as he gazed at the pets.
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She had a funny piranha-keet that she had taught to speak.
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"Wrawck!" the bird squawked.
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"Everything is totally under control!"