Over the last few years Freddy had outfitted his lab with leftover equipment and machinery he had found on the farm. The large room was crammed with inventions he had built from old tractors, generators, combines, tillers, lawnmowers, milking machines, and tons of other stuff. He had done many experiments, first under the close eye of his father, but now he did a lot by himself. His father had taught him that a good scientist thought through all the consequences before conducting an experiment. Well, Freddy had given his latest project a lot of thought and work, but he still had a big problem.

There was a loud buzzing sound and Freddy picked up an old phone that was attached to a black cord.

“Who is it?”

“Howie,” said the voice on the phone.

“What’s the password?” Freddy said.

“Adam Spanker eats his own boogers,” said the voice.

“Roger that,” answered Freddy.

“Over and out,” said the voice.

Freddy hit a button on his big lab table. There was a scream and something dropped from the ceiling and landed in a pile of hay behind him.

Howie Kapowie stood unsteadily and brushed the straw off his clothes. He was one of Freddy’s friends. Actually, Howie was Freddy’s only friend. Howie was even smaller than Freddy, with brown hair that had an even bigger cowlick than Freddy’s. He looked unhappily at his chum. “I thought you were going to work out the kinks on the trapdoor. I’ve got straw in my underwear.”

“I’ve been too busy, Howie,” said a weary Freddy. “I’ve been working on this experiment every night for the last week.”

Howie pulled out a cheese cube from his pocket and popped it in his mouth. Howie loved cheese cubes more than anything. “What kind of experiment?”

“Well, I’m trying to make something really special for our Founders’ Day float.”