By Bob Rouse

Illustrations by –Ryan Lanigan

The story so far: After starting his own newspaper, Marky Meadows claims that a new store owner is a big-time thief.

This is like a bad TV show - bad because I'm in it, Marky thought, as the police officer said he was under arrest.

"There must be some mistake, officer," his mom said.

Doh! That's just what they say on those shows!

Sgt. Warren looked at his notebook. "Your son called to report that a Mr. Iggy Webb is the Techno Thief," he said. "I checked the identification numbers of the stolen items, but none matched the items in the store."

Marky tried not to panic. "But the laptop, the wide-screen TV, the GameOn - in lime …"

The big officer squatted down. "Son, do you know how many millions of those items are stocked in stores, nationwide?" Then he looked up at Lily Meadows. "Frankly, ma'am, we thought the caller would be older."

"So, you won't arrest him?" she asked in a near whisper.

Sgt. Warren thought for a moment. "No, ma'am," he answered, then looked at Marky. "You can't accuse somebody of a crime, son, unless you've got the facts."

After she closed the front door (and started breathing again), Mrs. Meadows looked at Marky. "I want to talk all about this, but now we've got to leave for your brother's game in Crossville."

As Marky put on his shoes, he dreaded the hour-long drive to the baseball tournament. Sure enough, Paul Meadows lectured his son loudly for a full 60 minutes. "No more mistakes - or no more newspaper!" he warned.

At the ball field, Marky volunteered to go to the concession stand and get peanuts for his parents. Standing in line, he overheard a discussion between two moms about a new store in Crossville.

"… and the prices are so low at The Enter-Net!"

"Well, I need some good bargains. That jerk who robbed us got two TVs and Mike's MP3 player. "

"The owner will fix you up, Sally. Look for a guy who gels his hair straight back."

Returning with the peanuts, Marky watched Jared's team win two games. Jared pitched one game and hit two home runs in the other. After riding back to Skiprock City, Marky wrote a news story about the games on the family computer. Then he rode his bike to Mrs. Velasquez's house.

"The police! I spent 42 years in journalism, and the law never came looking for me," Mrs. Velasquez said. "You've been at it for 10 days, and you're a wanted man."

Marky explained how certain he had felt that Iggy Webb was the Techno Thief.

"But you can't print a feeling, Marky," she said. "Remember what I said: Back up everything."

Marky was about to ask a question when Carla Velasquez walked into the room. Marky's cheeks turned pink.

"Hey, Marky," Carla said. "The owner of the new water park wants to advertise, but he wants you to do a story on his grand opening."

Marky frowned and looked at Mrs. Velasquez.

"You'll only write about it if it's news," his advisor said.

Marky turned back to Carla. "I'll only write about it if it's news," he stated.

"I like a man who can make a decision," Carla said, smiling.

Marky's cheeks turned a darker shade of pink, and he said it was time to go.

Pedaling home, Marky slowed to turn onto his street. He saw something rushing at him from behind a parked minivan. He felt his rear wheel slide out from under him. He clattered off the bike and fell hard onto the blacktop.

As he spit out a piece of gravel, Marky heard an unwelcome voice. "Oooh, big wreck," Joe D. Lubbers said. "Front page news, huh Marky?"

Joe D. and his sidekick, Al Oopstein, stood beside Marky's bike.

"I got a deal for you, Marky boy," the bully continued. "I want a cut from your newspaper."

Marky rose to a sitting position. "A cut? Like cutting out an article?"

Joe D. snorted. "No, stupid. I want a piece of the profit - a cut of the money."

"And what do I get in this deal?" Marky asked.

"Here's what you get," Joe D. said, stepping toward Marky. "You get my promise that I won't beat the snot out of you."

&Copy; RP Productions, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter 5 Questions for consideration

1. Where did Marky go wrong in reporting Iggy Webb to the police? Did you think Webb was the thief, too?

2. Mrs. Velasquez tells Marky he "can't print a feeling." Can you find any examples in the newspaper where people express their feelings and opinions?

3. Mrs. Velasquez also tells Marky that he should write about a business only "if it's news," and not because they're advertising in the newspaper. Why? What do you think might happen if newspaper reporters were influenced by advertisers.

4. What is Joe D.'s "cut?" What can Marky do in response to Joe D.'s threat? What would you do?

5. What's the difference in price between new and used electronics? Find prices in store ads in The Royal Gazette and compare them to the prices of similar items listed in the newspaper's classified ads.

Youngsters who submit written answers to the first three questions will be eligible for a weekly draw for a gift voucher. Send your answers via email to jhind@royalgazette.bm, or fax 295-2766 or drop off at The Royal Gazette, 2 Par la Ville Road, Hamilton. Remember to include all your contact information.