The Disappearance of The Clarinet

Larissa S.

12/3/2004

Hour 1

Mystery Story Final Draft

One day Lucy Cromweld went to school with her clarinet. She attended Oakland Middle School. When she arrived at school, she put her clarinet in the band room. Lucy had band second hour, and didn’t want to put it in her locker. When it was time for band, Lucy found that her clarinet had been stolen.

Lucy went up to the band teacher, Mr. Smithers, to tell him what had happened.

“Mr. Smithers, my clarinet has been stolen,” she said.

“Are you sure you didn’t leave it at home?” Mr. Smithers replied.

“Yes, Mr. Smithers. I brought it here this morning, and put it in my cubby.

“Well, if you say so, I will check on it.”

So, Mr. Smithers decided he would ask the teachers if anybody was out of class first hour. He would then talk to those people. Mr. Smithers suspected one person so far, and that was Mary Paulatoski. He suspected Mary because she had lost her clarinet, and she couldn’t afford another one. After school, he asked the teachers if anybody was out of class first hour. They told him John Plumskey, and Sally Anderson were out of class.

The next day he asked Lucy about the three suspects.

“Lucy, do you think Mary Paulatoski could have committed the crime?” he asked.

“Well, it is a possibility since she needs a clarinet, but I don’t think she would have stole one,” Lucy answered.

“Okay. How about John Plumskey?”

“I don’t know. He is known for stealing.”

“Yes, and there is one more, Sally Anderson.”

“Hmm… Sally Anderson, she has been wanting to try the clarinet. She might have done it. Sally has been trying to get back at me ever since I stopped being her friend.”

“Alright. That is everybody I have so far. I plan to talk to all three of them today. Hopefully we can get this all straightened out.”

Later that day, Mr. Smithers called the suspects to his room. When the three arrived, they sat down wondering why Mr. Smithers called them to his room.

“Okay, everybody. I have a few questions to ask each of you. I’ll call you in one by one to talk, and when I am finished, you may go back to class. The first one is Mary Paulatoski. Please step into my office, and close the door behind you.”

Mary walked into Mr. Smithers’s office a little nervous. She just wanted the questions over with so she could go back to class.

“Mary, correct me if I am wrong. You have lost your clarinet, and cannot afford another one.”

“Yes, Mr. Smithers.”

“To participate in the upcoming concert you need a clarinet, and you have been very anxious to get another one.”

“Yes, sir. I have been doing a lemonade booth in my spare time trying to raise money.”

“Oh… I see. You are trying to raise money to buy another clarinet so you can participate in the concert.”

“That is correct sir.”

“Okay, I have no further questions. Please send John in.”

“Hello, Mr. Smithers,” John said as he walked in the office.

“Hello. Is it true John that you are known for stealing items?”

“Yes, it is.”

“What were you doing out of class yesterday during first hour?”

“I was going to the office to collect some papers for Mrs. Slopes, my teacher.”

“I see. You may go now. Send Sally in as you leave.”

“Hello Sally. How have you been doing?”

“I have been good.”

“Am I correct by saying you have been wanting to try the clarinet?”

“That’s right.”

“Why were you out of class during first hour yesterday?”

“I was putting my instrument in my cubby.”

“Have you been trying to get back at Lucy Cromweld since she stopped being your friend?”

“Um… no. I would never do that,” she answered a little unsure.

“That is all I need. Go back to class.”

Mr. Smithers thought he had figured out who had committed the crime. Later that day, Mr. Smithers called Lucy to his room to tell her the news.

“Lucy, I have good news,” said Mr. Smithers excitedly.

“What is that, Mr. Smithers?”

“I believe Sally Anderson stole your clarinet.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am positive. Mary doesn’t need your clarinet because she is doing a lemonade booth to raise money for a new clarinet. John doesn’t need a clarinet, and he was collecting papers for Mrs. Slopes during first hour. That leaves Sally. She needs a clarinet to try, and she was in the band room during first hour putting her instrument in her cubby. Also, I asked her if she was trying to get back at you, and she said no, but sounded a little unsure.”

“Okay, that sounds like Sally to me. When are you going to confront her?”

“Whenever you would like.”

“Well, I would really like my clarinet back. I suppose you can confront her now.”

Just as Mr. Smithers was getting ready to call Sally to his room, Paula Chub walked in.

“Well hello Paula. What do you need?”

“I just thought I should tell you that yesterday while I was in vocal first hour, Sally Anderson came in with her instrument, and she put it in her cubby. Then, when she left, she had an instrument with her.”

“Very interesting. Thank you for telling me.”

“Your welcome Mr. Smithers.”

While Paula was leaving, Mr. Smithers called Sally back to his room. When she walked in, she looked scared and nervous.

“Sally, Lucy’s clarinet has come up missing, and we believe you to have taken it.”

“Why do you think I took it?”

“Well, we do have a witness that says you came in this room with your instrument, and that you left with a different one.”

“Fine, you caught me. I took Lucy’s clarinet. I just wanted to try it.”

“That’s okay. I just prefer you ask me if you can borrow it.”

“Okay, I’ll ask next time.”

So, Sally returned Lucy’s clarinet, and they became friends again.