The Big Date Read online

  Contents

  1. A New Face

  2. A Name for the Face

  3. Dinner and a Movie

  4. Queenie’s Advice

  5. Well, Are You Jealous?

  6. An Afternoon Stroll

  7. Talkin’ Business

  8. A Prank Fit for a Prince

  9. A Misunderstanding?

  10. To Tell or Not to Tell …

  11. SPLAT!

  12. The Big Date

  13. The Bear of Last Resort

  14. Party Payback

  About the Authors

  The Berenstain Bears and Queenie’s Crazy Crush

  Chapter 1: Mr. Smock

  Copyright

  Back Ad

  About the Publisher

  Chapter 1

  A New Face

  Another spring had come to Bear Country, and as cubs gathered in the schoolyard of Bear Country School to wait for the morning bell, there were signs that it wasn’t just the birds and the bees who were thinking of romance. Bermuda McBear was flirting with Cool Carl King. Gil Grizzwold was flirting with Babs Bruno. And, of course, spring wouldn’t have been spring without Queenie McBear flirting, too.

  Queenie rarely flirted with just one cub. And today was no exception. At first she flirted a little with her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Too-Tall Grizzly. Then she pranced over to Barry Bruin, put her arm in his, and whispered something in his ear. Barry blushed. Suddenly he noticed Too-Tall glaring at him and went a bit pale. He pulled away from Queenie and ran over to a group of his friends.

  “Hey, Barry, where ya goin’?” teased Queenie, hurrying after him.

  “As far away from you as I can get,” said Barry. “Your boyfriend’s giving me the evil eye.”

  “Hey, Barry,” said Brother Bear. “I hear Too-Tall wants to work out with you in the gym.”

  “Why?” said Barry.

  “So he can turn you into his punching bag,” said Brother. Everyone laughed. Except Barry, that is.

  “Come on, Barry,” whined Queenie. “Play along for a little longer. At least until the big guy realizes I’m just trying to make him jealous.”

  But it looked as though Too-Tall had already come to that realization. Suddenly he gave Queenie a big grin, blew her a kiss, and turned back to his gang.

  “Humph!” said Queenie. “That big lug’s getting harder and harder to string along. What we need around here is a new face or two for me to flirt with—” Suddenly Queenie broke off. She was looking out toward the front gate. “Well, hello,” she purred. “What have we here?”

  A sleek black limousine had pulled up to the gate, and a uniformed chauffeur was opening the rear door. Out stepped a cub dressed in a suit and tie.

  “Who’s he?” asked Barry.

  “Beats me,” said Queenie.

  “Why’s he all dressed up?” asked Sister Bear.

  Cousin Fred shrugged. “Maybe he’s a substitute disciplinarian for Mr. Grizzmeyer.”

  “Or the poster boy for some new dress code Mr. G’s about to announce,” cracked Lizzy Bruin.

  But it was Bonnie Brown who had a serious answer to Sister’s question. “Judging from the chauffeured limousine,” she said, “I’d guess the expensive suit and tie are just another way for that cub’s parents to show everyone else how much money they have.”

  “Very logical, Bonnie,” said Ferdy Factual. “You are, no doubt, correct.”

  “How’d you know that?” asked Sister.

  “Don’t forget,” said Bonnie, “Squire and Lady Grizzly are my uncle and aunt. Every now and then they drop a hint that I should wear some fancy dress to school.”

  “Hmm,” said Queenie, gazing dreamily at the new cub as he entered the schoolyard, elegant leather briefcase in hand. “I wonder if he has a girlfriend. If he does, he probably buys her lots of expensive gifts. And if he doesn’t, it’s about time he got one…”

  “Really, Queenie,” scoffed Ferdy. “Don’t tell me you’ve decided to go after him just because he’s rich!”

  “And why shouldn’t I?” said Queenie.

  Ferdy folded his arms and gave a bored yawn. “Because money isn’t important,” he said.

  “Oh, is that so?” said Queenie. “And what is important?”

  “Brains,” said Ferdy.

  “That’s just what bears say who don’t have a lot of money,” said Queenie.

  “And that,” said Ferdy, “is just what bears say who don’t have a lot of brains!”

  Queenie shot Ferdy a nasty look.

  “I say go for it, Queenie,” urged Barry. “Anything to get you off my back.”

  But Queenie didn’t need any urging. She was already skipping off toward the new cub.

  Chapter 2

  A Name for the Face

  It had been hard not to notice the gleaming limousine at the front gate, and now practically every cub in the schoolyard was watching as Queenie spoke to the new cub. She frowned when he answered her. He spoke again, and she put her hands on her hips.

  “I wonder what he said,” said Sister.

  “I don’t know,” said Lizzy. “But Queenie sure looks frustrated.”

  “Uh-oh,” said Barry. “The new cub is about to meet our local gang leader.”

  Too-Tall stomped over to the new cub and glared down at him. But as soon as the cub spoke up, Too-Tall grinned and pointed over to Brother and Sister’s group.

  “He’s coming over here,” said Cousin Fred.

  “Wonderful,” said Ferdy sarcastically. “Try to look rich, everyone.”

  The new cub approached the group and looked from one girl cub to another. “Which of you is Bonnie Brown?” he said. He didn’t say it as if he were asking for information. He said it as if he were demanding information—as if he had a right to know and the cubs had an obligation to tell him.

  “That’s me,” said Bonnie.

  The new cub smiled warmly at her. “Pleased to make your acquaintance,” he said. “Let me introduce myself. I am Ronald Grizzington III. But you can call me Ronnie.”

  “Hi, Ronnie,” said Brother, putting out his hand to shake.

  The new cub looked down at Brother’s hand as if it were covered with some icky fungus. “That’s Ronald to you,” he said coldly, then turned back to Bonnie with another warm smile. “My father, Ronald Grizzington II, is Squire Grizzly’s new business partner. They’ve joined forces to build a new multiplex movie theater across from Bear Country Mall. My father has built them all over Bear Country, you know. You might have seen him recently on that television show ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Well-Known.’ Anyway, it’s very nice to meet you.” He glanced around at the others. “And your groupies, too, I suppose. See you later, Bonnie.” He walked off to stand all alone by the fence.

  “Groupies?” said Sister. “What do you suppose he meant by that?”

  Bonnie sighed. “I hate to admit it,” she said, “but he thinks you’re all just hanging around me because my aunt and uncle are rich.”

  “What?” cried Brother. “That snob!”

  “He’s obviously a cub with a very shallow personality,” sniffed Ferdy.

  “Shallow personality, deep pockets,” said Queenie, who had just rejoined the group.

  “Empty deep pockets where you’re concerned,” Barry teased.

  “Okay, I admit it,” said Queenie. “I did my best, but he just kept asking where Bonnie was. Guess I don’t stand a chance with him.”

  “Don’t give up hope,” said Bonnie. “He only wanted to meet me because his father is my uncle’s new business partner.”

  “Don’t be so sure,” said Queenie. “You’re the only cub he’s shown the slightest interest in since he got here. Maybe he wants to date you.”

  The bell rang, an
d the cubs headed for the front door. I sure hope not, thought Bonnie as she followed her friends into school. Because I don’t think I like Ronald Grizzington III.

  Chapter 3

  Dinner and a Movie

  That afternoon the cubs were walking home from school, talking about the events of the day. Brother bragged about knocking Too-Tall out of a dodge ball game at recess. Sister had beaten Lizzy at hopscotch. Cousin Fred had gotten a perfect score on a science quiz. Only Bonnie had nothing to tell. She stared down at the pavement in front of her as she walked, lost in thought.

  “A penny for your thoughts, Bonnie,” said Brother.

  She looked up. “Huh? Oh, nothing.”

  Sister snickered. “She’s thinking about Ronald ‘You-Can-Call-Me-Ronnie’ Grizzington III. He talked to her again in the hall after lunch. I saw them. Do I get the penny?”

  “You get zip,” said Brother, obviously annoyed at the mere mention of the new cub. “What did he want, Bonnie?”

  “Oh, nothing,” said Bonnie. “Just said he’d see me tomorrow.”

  But when she got to Grizzly Mansion, Bonnie told a very different story to Squire and Lady Grizzly. They were in the drawing room, having afternoon tea.

  “I heard that you met young Ronnie Grizzington today,” said Lady Grizzly when Bonnie walked in. “His mother just phoned me.”

  Bonnie nodded.

  “And?” said Squire Grizzly.

  For a long moment Bonnie didn’t answer. She seemed lost in thought again. Finally she said, “He asked me out on a date Friday night. He wants to take me to dinner and a movie.”

  “Oh, how nice!” said Lady Grizzly.

  “Excellent!” cried Squire Grizzly. “Which fine restaurant is he taking you to? The Red Berry? The Silver Salmon? The Land of Trout and Honey?”

  Bonnie looked puzzled. “I assumed he meant the Burger Bear—”

  “Nonsense!” said the squire. “I’m sure Ronnie has something better in mind than the Burger Bear.”

  “Your uncle’s quite right, dear,” said Lady Grizzly. “You must phone Ronnie right away and find out where he’s taking you. So you’ll know exactly what to wear.”

  “But I haven’t accepted yet,” Bonnie mumbled.

  For a moment the room was so silent that a dropped pin would have made a noise like a cannon firing.

  “Why not?” asked Squire Grizzly.

  “For one thing, I’m not sure I like him,” said Bonnie.

  “What’s not to like?” said the squire. “He’s rich. And his father is my new business partner: Ronald Grizzington II, the Multiplex King!”

  “Oh, that has such a nice ring to it, dear,” said Lady Grizzly. “Does that make young Ronnie the Multiplex Prince?”

  “You betcha,” said the squire. “Crown Prince!”

  “But there’s another thing,” said Bonnie. “I’m worried about how Brother will take it if I accept.”

  Lady Grizzly frowned. “Why on earth are you worried about Brother Bear?” she asked. “After all, you’re not going steady with him. I realize that whenever you go to the Burger Bear or the movies, it’s always with Brother. But those aren’t really dates. You’re just best friends. Isn’t that right, dear?”

  “Well… I guess so,” said Bonnie.

  “Now, I really must tell you something, dear,” said Lady Grizzly. “You know how fond your uncle and I are of Brother Bear—and of the whole Bear family, for that matter. But you’ll have to admit that they aren’t exactly…how shall I put it?…at our level of society. Brother isn’t really the perfect match for you, dear. Your uncle and I feel that young Ronnie Grizzington is…how shall I say it?…more your type.”

  He’s rich and stuck-up, thought Bonnie. That makes him my type? But all she said was “I have to think it over, Auntie. I’m going to my room now.”

  As she left the drawing room, Bonnie heard her aunt call after her, “Besides, dear, since Mr. Grizzington is your uncle’s new partner, it would be rather rude to refuse…”

  Chapter 4

  Queenie’s Advice

  By dinnertime at Grizzly Mansion, Bonnie still hadn’t decided what to do about the date. While Squire and Lady Grizzly devoured their grilled brook trout, Bonnie just picked at hers. And when Greeves the butler served fresh blackberries for dessert, Bonnie ate only a few before excusing herself and going back upstairs to her room.

  It was quite a predicament. She’d always known that her aunt and uncle were kind of stuck-up about being rich, but she loved them both very much and didn’t want to disappoint them. On the other hand, there was Ronald “You-Can-Call-Me-Ronnie” Grizzington III. Stuck-up grownups who were your aunt or uncle was one thing. But a stuck-up cub who was a perfect stranger was another! And what about poor Brother? Of course, Bonnie knew they weren’t going steady. But she wasn’t always sure that Brother knew it…

  The phone ringing snapped Bonnie out of her reverie. It was Queenie. She wanted to know if the math homework Teacher Bob had assigned was due the next day or the day after.

  “Day after,” said Bonnie.

  “Great!” said Queenie. “That means I can go to the Burger Bear tonight. You know what they say: Never do today what you can put off till tomorrow.”

  “Yeah, I guess,” said Bonnie glumly.

  “Hey, you sound kind of down, girl,” said Queenie. “What’s wrong?”

  Bonnie told her about the big date proposal.

  “Well, aren’t you the lucky one!” said Queenie.

  “I’m not so sure about that,” said Bonnie. “My aunt and uncle think I should go out with Ronnie just because he’s rich and his father is Uncle’s new business partner. They call Ronnie the Multiplex Prince—like he’s some kind of royalty.”

  “So what?” said Queenie. “Who cares what they think? What’s important is what Ronnie thinks. And I bet he thinks you’re cute and smart and interesting.”

  “You really think so?” said Bonnie.

  “Sure,” said Queenie. “All the other boys think you’re cute and smart and interesting. Why shouldn’t Ronnie?”

  “Hmm,” said Bonnie. “Maybe you’re right. But he’s so stuck-up!”

  “Give the poor cub a break!” said Queenie. “He just moved to town and he doesn’t know anybody yet. He’ll loosen up in a day or two.”

  “Why are you playing Cupid, Queenie?” asked Bonnie. “I thought you’d be…well, you know…”

  “Jealous?” said Queenie. “Gimme a break! You know me, Bonnie. I was jealous for about five minutes, then I got over it.”

  Bonnie laughed. It was true. No cub in Bear Country School got over disappointments faster than Queenie.

  “But there’s another thing that bothers me about this date,” said Bonnie.

  “Let me guess,” said Queenie. “You’re worried about Brother. That’s silly, Bonnie. You and Brother aren’t going steady. And neither are you and Ronnie, for heaven’s sake! It’s just a date. One measly little date! Besides, there might be a nice gift in it for you.”

  “That’s not important,” said Bonnie.

  “Who said it was important?” said Queenie. “I just said it was nice!”

  Bonnie laughed again.

  “I think you should call Ronnie right this minute and tell him you’ll go out with him,” said Queenie. “Let me break it to Brother tomorrow morning at school. I’ll let you know what he says. But I’m telling you, there’s nothing to worry about.”

  If Bonnie had had more sense, she might have thought back to the last time she’d taken Queenie’s advice. She would have had to give up thinking after a while, because the truth of the matter was that she had never taken Queenie’s advice about anything. There was a good reason for that: Queenie’s advice was famous for being bad advice. But at that point Bonnie wasn’t thinking sensibly. She was looking for a reason—any reason at all—not to disappoint her aunt and uncle.

  So she took the personal card Ronnie Grizzington had given her from her back-pack, picked up the phone, and punc
hed in the number on the card. “Hello, Mrs. Grizzington?” she said. “This is Bonnie Brown. Is Ronnie there?”

  Chapter 5

  Well, Are You Jealous?

  The next morning, Brother arrived at the schoolyard before Bonnie. And Queenie was waiting for him. She ran up to him the moment he was inside the gate. “Guess what?” she said. “Bonnie’s going out on a date with Ronnie Grizzington, the Multiplex Prince! Saturday night!”

  Brother just stared blankly at her.

  “I’m only telling you because you’re not her boyfriend,” said Queenie. “Otherwise, I’d never have the nerve. Ronnie really likes Bonnie, and she likes him, too. Ronnie and Bonnie—sounds kinda catchy, doesn’t it? I’ll bet he takes her to an expensive restaurant. And buys her a really expensive gift. Well, are you jealous?”

  Somehow Brother managed to twist his blank stare into a casual smile. Queenie was obviously trying to get a jealous reaction from him so she’d have some juicy gossip to spread around school that day. Sure, he was jealous. With a capital J. But he wasn’t going to let her know.

  “Why should I be jealous?” Brother said mildly. “Bonnie and I are best friends, not girlfriend and boyfriend. I think it’s great that she’s going out on a date with someone else—er, uh, not that what we go out on are dates…”

  “Then what are they?” asked Queenie.

  “Well,” said Brother, “they’re…sort of…er, uh…activities.”

  Queenie smiled slyly. “Oh, activities,” she said. “Well, then, aren’t you jealous that someone else is horning in on your activities?”

  Brother looked Queenie right in the eye and said, “Of course not. And you can tell all your friends I said so. Your enemies, too.”

  As Queenie skipped off to hang out with her friends, Brother could feel bursts of jealousy going off like fireworks inside him. It wasn’t a good feeling. It was a terrible feeling, like the feeling you get when you come down with the flu—only worse. It had been a long time since he’d had that awful feeling. In fact, he’d had it only once before, when he thought Bonnie was planning to go to a school dance with Too-Tall. Luckily, that had turned out to be nothing but a false rumor.