Arcade and the Golden Travel Guide

by Rashad Jennings

  We trudged through the parking lot and entered through the door that led to a baggage carousel. We plopped down on the rocking chairs that were scattered in the lobby.

  “What? Get up! These people deserve a peppy greeting!” Aunt Weeda put her palms out and raised her hands up and down. “Get up, now, come on! Their flight has arrived.”

  “DOTTIE! ABRAM!” Aunt Weeda ran toward them with her usual snack bags in hand.

  “Mom! Dad! What a surprise!” Zoe ran and hugged them. “Are you here for a vacation?”

  Mom grinned. “A short one. It wasn’t really a good time for it, but your dad convinced me. The house was way too quiet without you and Arcade.”

  Dad came over and gripped me by the shoulder, smiling. “I think you’ve grown since I last saw you. But how can that be? It’s hardly been two weeks.”

  I stood up a little straighter, and Doug answered for me. “He’s been eatin’ a LOT of cinnamon bread.” Then he slapped me on the back.

  “Someone get these bags off the belt,” Weeda said as she moved toward the exit. “And we’ll go get some of those famous baked goods on the way home.”

  “We can only stay for a week,” Mom said. “You kids can fly back when we originally planned.”

  Dad grinned. “And we arranged our schedules so that we have a little more time to spend with you in New York before school starts again.”

  My stomach jumped a little at the thought of starting another new school. Junior high this time.

  “So, what do y’all want to do while you’re here?” Weeda smiled back at our big group that was smashed together on the bench seats in the back of the van.

  Dad closed his eyes and tipped his head back. “Relax!”

  “You know what I’d like to do one day?” Mom peered out the side window. “I’d like to go play at Forest Games and Golf. I haven’t been there in ages.” She turned to me and Zoe. “Do you know that’s where your dad and I used to hang out when we were dating?”

  CHAPTER 38

  Back at Bridgeview

  Aunt Weeda pulled the van into the parking lot at the Bridgeview Bakery. “Mmm-mmm! I can smell good things from here! Let’s go in and eat, shall we?”

  We all piled out.

  I hope Jacey is working. She has to be tired after putting in so many long nights this week, though.

  “ARCADE! Yay! You’re here.” She was working. “Wow, what a huge group! Did you come for lunch?”

  “Yes, we did,” Aunt Weeda said. “Miss Jacey, I’d like to introduce my brother and his wife. This is Dottie and Abram.”

  Jacey came around to the front of the counter. “So you’re Arcade’s parents? It’s so nice to meet you.”

  Zoe whispered in my ear, “Well, they’re my parents too.”

  I put a finger to my lips to shush her.

  Jacey looked around the busy bakery. “Would you mind sitting outside? I can set up some more chairs and a big table and pull over an extra shade umbrella for you.”

  “That would be delightful, honey.” Aunt Weeda pushed me and Derek forward. “And take all these children with you to help. The adults will stay in here and order the food.”

  Jacey grinned. “Okay.” She turned to the guy behind the counter. “Victor, make sure you give them the family discount, okay? And throw in an extra loaf of cinnamon bread.” She looked over at me, and her eyelashes fluttered. That girl needs to get some safety glasses to keep all the flour and sugar out, I guess.

  “Follow me.” Jacey led us to a back room off the kitchen that had a bunch of plastic chairs stacked up inside. “Have you guys seen the news this morning?”

  You had time to watch the news?

  “Everyone is talking about the restoration of Forest Games and Golf! The parking lot was packed first thing this morning. People couldn’t wait to play the windmill course!”

  “Oh, dear,” Zoe said. “I hope all the employees can keep our secret.”

  “I’m sure they will.” Jacey pulled some plastic chairs off a stack and handed them out one by one.

  “The news reporter said that the owners, Lenwood and Kenwood Badger, were unavailable for comment.” Jacey sat down on one of the chairs. “Where do you think they are, Arcade?”

  “I’m thinking San Francisco. Mid 1930s.”

  “But do you think they’ll be back?”

  I shrugged. “I guess only this little golden travel guide knows for sure.”

  I reached down to touch the Triple T Token, and the crazy thing heated up! “Really? Now?”

  You find out the why after you go.

  “Arcade, what did you do?” Zoe just doesn’t get how I’m still not in control of this.

  “Are you guys in for another Arcade adventure?”

  “Are you kiddin’? I’m totally in!” Derek stepped next to me, just as the glitter began to fall. The doors appeared, and the coin slot flashed just as brilliantly as it always had.

  “This thing could be taking us back to the Golden Gate Bridge, you know.”

  “I don’t care, I’m all in!” Celeste adjusted her cap and stepped toward the door. “This is the best summer ever! I got your back, Dougie!”

  “Okay, then, if you’re sure.” I reached up for the token and it came off the chain and fell into my hand. I took a deep breath. “Here we goooooo!” As I threw it in the slot, I made the open-door motion with my hands. The elevator dinged, and Jacey, Celeste, Derek, Zoe—and even Dougie—followed me in.

  CHAPTER 39

  Restore

  BEFORE or AFTER?”

  My annoying voice again. Blaring over the elevator speaker.

  “Arcade,” Zoe put both her hands on my shoulders and glared into my eyes, “do you care about me at all?”

  “Huh? That’s a ridiculous question, and I’m the king of questions!”

  She narrowed her eyes. “YES or NO?”

  “Of course I care! You’re my only sister. My opposite.” I glanced over and grinned at Doug.

  Zoe sighed. “Oh, good. Then would you please, please, PLEASE, pick one of the actual choices? Puh-leeeeeeaseeeee? For me? Just this once?”

  “Just this once?”

  What could I do? She’d been suffering from my out-of-the-box choices ever since we started this crazy trip to Virginia. It couldn’t hurt to choose something on the menu for once. Just. This. Once.

  The choice wasn’t hard this time. I’ve always been interested in the origins of things. Beginnings are exciting. So I walked up to the one red button, held out my palm, and proclaimed my choice.

  “BEFORE.”

  There is some serious water spraying all around us! We’re wearing blue rain ponchos, and the hoods are pulled up over our heads. Tons of people are standing around, and they’re squealing. I pull my glasses off my face so I can see. We’re on a huge boat.

  “Dude!” Doug yells. “I know where we are! Niagara Falls!” He gurgles the word ‘Falls’ as a splash of water hits him in the mouth.

  “So we’re back in New York?” Zoe wipes the water from her eyes and pulls her hood further down over her forehead.

  “Well, we could be in Canada,” I say. Zoe pushes me over.

  “What? I’m not kidding! I read a book about this. Niagara Falls is on the border of New York and Canada. We could be navigating Canadian waters right now.”

  “I’d like to think I’m in New York,” Jacey says, and she pulls her hood off, letting the waterfall spray drench her hair. “I’ve always wanted to go to New York.”

  Okay, so we’re in New York.

  The squealing and drenching continues for a few more minutes, and then the tour boat rides out of the waterfall’s spray. We reach a point where we can look out and see the awesome power of the water that is pouring over the Niagara Falls.

  “Now that’s a waterfall.” Celeste crosses her arms. “Not like that silly old one at Forest Games and Golf.”

  “It’s breathtaking.” Zoe actually pulls her hood off so she can look up.

  We all
hang over the railing and take in the amazing sight. Never have I seen so much water flowing freely, anywhere. People all over the boat are taking pictures. I try to do the same, but as usual, my phone shows nothing but glitter whenever we are on an adventure.

  Zoe speaks again. “I think the waterfall at the Forest Games and Golf has its own special kind of beauty. Miss Gertrude was practically in tears when we told her it was working again. What was it she said to us, Arcade?”

  I have to think a minute. And as I do, my back pocket heats up. I reach back and pull out the golden envelope. The one with the three clues in it. I open the envelope and count the clues. One, two, three.

  Still only three.

  But . . . wait . . . there is one more scrap of paper crunched down at the bottom of the envelope. I step away from the boat railing and sit on one of the empty benches behind all the tourists.

  “What is it, Arcade?” Jacey comes and sits right next to me. Zoe joins me on the other side.

  “There’s a clue number four!” I unfold the tiny paper that has a small golden four printed on the front.

  I have to squint to read it, even with my glasses.

  Hole number eighteen: Restore to what it was before.

  Zoe peeks over my shoulder. “Hole eighteen? The one with the steel netting?”

  I shake my head. “I don’t think so. I think it means all the holes. Remember what the plaque on the waterfall said?”

  “Restoration!” Jacey proclaims.

  “That’s exactly what Miss Gertrude asked us about the golf course! Remember? She said, ‘Is it restored to what it was before?’” Zoe popped up on her feet. “I think the whole windmill course represents a life journey.”

  “One that requires humility, generosity, and forgiveness?” Jacey smiles.

  “Yes. And that leads to restoration.” I fold up the clue and put it back in the golden envelope. “No wonder the course fell apart. Somewhere along the line, the brothers lost their way.”

  “Hey, what are you all doin’ back there? Planning snacks for the cruise home?” Doug waves us back to the railing.

  “Nah,” I reach down for my chain, and the golden travel guide has returned. “But I think I know of a way for the Badger brothers to make it back home.”

  As soon as I say that, Niagara Falls turns to glitter.

  Discussion Questions

  1.The first T on the Triple T Token stands for . . . TRAVEL! Had you already figured that out? How did you come to that conclusion?

  2.Do you like to travel? Why or why not? What has been your favorite place to travel to? Why? Where is one place you would NOT like to travel to? Why not?

  3.Imagine you are Arcade Livingston (That’s dope!). You’ve just inserted your Triple T Token into the golden coin slot, stepped through the elevator doors, and after a bumpy ride, you’ve arrived in that place you never wanted to go (see your answer to question 2)! What will you do next?

  4.The old woman on top of the pyramid tells Arcade that he learns the “why” after he goes. Have you ever said to someone “Why do I have to go?” or “Why am I here?” Did you learn the reasons why?

  5.Find a globe (you probably have one in your classroom). Close your eyes, spin it, and then stop it with your finger. Is your finger pointing to a piece of land? If not, try again until it does. Then Google that place or go to the library and find some books about that place. Write a list of five interesting facts about the place. Tell about whether or not you’d like to travel there and why or why not.

  6.Every time Arcade enters the elevator doors, he has one button to push. But is he actually given a choice? Do you think Arcade is controlling the process at all? Why or why not?

  7.Do you ever feel like you don’t have control over where you go or what you are doing in your life? If so, what are some things you do have control over?

  8.After a few trips through the elevator doors, Arcade is convinced that he’s supposed to help Mr. Badger fix up his mini golf course. Did you think this would be a difficult task for Arcade? Why or why not? What do you think would be harder for Arcade—fixing the course or ignoring the feeling that he’s supposed to fix it?

  9.What was your favorite Arcade adventure from this book? The trip to Arcade Adventures where his parents first won the token? The pyramids? Holland, India, the hospital on Arcade’s birthday, the Golden Gate Bridge, or Niagara Falls? Why was it your favorite?

  10.The windmill course represents a successful life journey—one that requires humility, generosity, and forgiveness. What is humility? Why do you think humility is necessary for success?

  11.How have people shown you generosity? How did it make you feel? How can you be generous to the people around you? Give generosity a try this week and see what happens!

  12.Where do you think the Badger brothers ended up at the end of the book? Do you think it’s too late for them to forgive each other? Is it ever too late to forgive someone?

  13.Miss Gertrude cried when she found out that the windmill course had been restored. Is there anything in your life that you would like to see restored (made new again)? Is there anything you can do to help that happen?

  14.Now you know what one of the three Ts stands for! Do you have any guesses about the other two Ts? Write your guesses here:

  15.Tell a friend about Arcade’s adventures! Share your favorite parts of the story and which character is your favorite. Now challenge your friend to read the books and see if he or she can guess what the three Ts stand for.

  Acknowledgments

  First and foremost, thanks to you, my Lord and Savior, for allowing me to become not only an author but a best-selling author! I also thank you, God, that in a very short time I am now also known as a children’s book author! You never ever cease to amaze me!

  Momma and Daddy Jennings—you continue to play a role in every waking moment of my life. If you hadn’t brought me into this world and taught me in your own ways that nothing is impossible with faith and hard work, I would not be in such a privileged position today—and writing these Arcade books. I love you!

  Jill Osborne—We’re rolling! I can’t say enough about how impressed I am with your pure writing talent and your ability to help make what I envision for the Arcade series a reality. We brainstorm. We pray. We laugh. We write. And by God’s grace, we win! I knew I’d picked the perfect writer to partner with on a project that is so near and dear to me. You help me to perfectly capture my message of love for kids! Thank you!

  Keith Bell—Your creativity and commitment to all things Arcade Livingston continue to remind me of why God caused our paths to cross. I know you’d rather play in the background, but I want to put you on blast for a moment to say how much I appreciate you for all you’re doing with this series. You help make Arcade live! And you and I both know that we’re just getting started!

  The Zondervan/Zonderkidz Team—I truly appreciate the opportunity your company is giving me to bring Arcade to the world! I sense a very long and prosperous authorial relationship brewing. I never thought I’d write one book, let alone multiple books. Let’s keep the conversation going and growing!

  And to every kid who reads this book—Know that I see you. I believe in you. You are amazing. And if you’re not already enjoying your own Arcade adventures, stick around. My buddy Arcade is sure to inspire you to get started. Keep your eyes out for the next book. And as always, enjoy the ride!

  Read the excerpt from Arcade and the Golden Travel Guide

  CHAPTER 1

  102nd Floor

  Arcade, QUIT pushing the elevator buttons! You don’t have control over them.”

  “CHILL, Zoe! I think by now I know what I’m doing.”

  “No, you DON’T. This is the Empire State Building, not one of your arcade token adventures.”

  I stepped back from the button panel and wrapped my hand around the Triple T Token that was hanging from the gold chain around my neck. It had been in my possession almost six months now—heating up and pulsing whenever it f
elt like it, taking my friends and me on journeys around the world, into my past, and even into my future! Today, the token kept its cool, hanging there like any medallion would do. That was a relief. I stared at the display above the elevator doors.

  78, 79, 80 . . .

  My older sister, Zoe, and I were on our way up to the top of the Empire State Building to meet our parents. They had left a note for us on the dining room table that hot, August morning:

  Zoe and Arcade,

  Meet us at 1:00 pm on top of the Empire State Building. Tickets are in the attached envelope. We will have our annual back-to-school goals talk there!

  Love, Mom and Dad

  And now it was 12:45. Dad always says that on time is late, so our only option was to be early. Especially since we were going to have the dreaded goals talk.

  “This is a pretty smooth elevator ride.” Zoe bit her pinkie nail while she drummed her fingers on her bent elbow.

  “You nervous?”

  “Me?” Zoe pointed her thumb at her chest. “Why should I be nervous?”

  “Goals . . . back to school . . . talks with parents . . .”

  Ding!

  The elevator doors opened. We stepped out and were greeted by a smiling lady whose badge said her name was Marjorie.

  “Welcome to the 86th floor.”

  I grinned. “Thanks! But doesn’t this building have 102 floors? I’m pretty sure I read that in a fifty-pound coffee table book I checked out from the library.”

  Her eyes brightened. “New York City: A Coffee Table Tour?”

  “Yeah, that’s the one!” I pointed my index finger toward the sky.

  Zoe rolled her eyes.

  Marjorie continued, “I have that book at home. It’s a favorite. And you’re quite right, young man. There are 102 floors. What’s your name?”