NO EXIT (The Apple Grove Gang #1)

  *****

  Benny and Bug pedaled down the highway the almost four miles from the taco stand to the exit that led them to the State Highway Department.

  “I don’t know how much farther I can go,” Bug cried.

  “There’s the Highway Department building over there. We’re almost done. You can make it. We can park our bikes by the phone booth at the corner.”

  They rode up to the phone booth and parked their bikes behind it. Bug had a look of sheer relief on his face.

  Benny unstrapped his basketball, tucked it under his arm, and they headed for the steps that led to the front door. At the bottom step, they tilted their heads back to look at the words carved in stone above the door. “State Highway Department –To Serve the Citizens of the State.”

  Bug pointed up to the carved letters. “Let’s go see if they really do serve the citizens.”

  Benny and Bug climbed the steps and pushed the brass revolving door that led to the lobby. The floors and walls were shiny marble. Large brass light fixtures hung down in rows. They passed a massive desk that had two telephones on it. Behind it sat a man in a blue suit with two rows of gold buttons. Looking up from the newspaper he was reading, he asked, “How can I help you two young men?” Chuckling, he added, “Are you here on official highway business?”

  “Well, sir, we need to find Lester Babbish’s office,” said Bug. “Yes, we do think it’s official highway business.”

  “Mr. Babbish’s office is number 809. That’s the eighth floor. You have two choices: you can take one of the elevators just to your left, or you can take the stairs which are down that hallway to your right.”

  “Thank you. We’ll take the elevator, sir,” Benny said.

  The boys moved quickly to push the button that called the elevator. When the doors parted they rushed inside and searched the rows of buttons for the one with a large 8 on it.

  “I’ll push the button.”

  “No, I’ll push it,” Bug said.

  They both reached for the button at the same time and wrestled, pulling each other’s arms before the number eight button lit and the elevator started upward. Benny began to dribble the basketball, then he bounced a pass to Bug.

  Ding – ding. The elevator stopped and the doors opened to a long, narrow hallway. On the wall in front of Benny and Bug was a sign. There was an arrow pointing to the left with the numbers: 800 through 808. Below that was an arrow pointing to offices 809 through 816.

  “809…look, it’s right there,” Bug exclaimed. “Come on, let’s knock.” He gave three firm raps on the door with his fist.