The Candy Shop War

Back at school, Nate is surprised to see a substitute teacher wearing a trench coat and a brown fedora. He introduces himself as Mr. Dart and lectures everyone on the dangers of taking candy from strangers. He says that magicians use candy to induce children to do their bidding. He then invites anyone in the class to speak to him privately if they want to talk about the issue. While the rest of the students read quietly, Nate approaches Dart and confesses his involvement with Mrs. White and Stott. Dart says that Stott isn’t entirely trustworthy either because both magicians are after the Fountain of Youth to reverse their ages: “They can prolong their years, but they can’t make themselves a second younger. If these wise old magicians could only turn back the clock, their power would increase exponentially” (269). Dart says that his job is to keep magicians in line.

Nate brings Summer and Pigeon into the conversation. They tell Dart about the Stargazer map and the three bullies working for Mrs. White. They also discuss her henchmen. Dart has already injured the dwarf: “We call the fat guy a Gusher, or a Slopgut” (276).