ONE YEAR AGO...

This story is inspired by the introduction to Sideways Stories from Wayside School. Before we dive into the fan‑fiction, let’s take a quick look at what the introduction is about.

INTRODUCTION — SUMMARY

The introduction is very short, but it contains one unforgettable detail: Wayside School was supposed to be built horizontally, with thirty classrooms in a row. Instead, the builder accidentally constructed it vertically, creating a thirty‑story tower with one classroom on each floor. Because an elevator wasn’t part of the original plan, every student and teacher at Wayside School has to climb the stairs to reach their classroom.

It was Monday. Louis woke up early, grabbed his jacket and headed to school. As he crossed the street, he chuckled to himself. 'This is funny,' he thought. 'We only have the land where the school will be. We don't even have the school yet.'

He stopped at the hot dog stand across from the empty lot. "Good morning, Miss Mush," he said.

"Good morning, Mr. Louis," she replied. "Two hot dogs as usual?"

"Just call me Louis," he said. "And make it four today. I'm meeting the contractor this morning."

Miss Mush's hands flew as she prepared the hot dogs. "When are they finally going to build the school?"

"They were supposed to start last Tuesday," Louis sighed, watching her add mustard and ketchup. "But there were some problems with the plans."

Miss Mush handed him a warm, steamy bag. "Here you are, Louis. I hope there won't be any problems this week."

"I hope so too," Louis said, counting the hot dogs. "Wait! You gave me five instead of four. Let me pay for the extra one."

"Don't worry about it," she said with a smile. "It's on the house."

Louis paused, thinking. "You know, Miss Mush. We're looking for a lunch teacher for the new school. And you're the best cook I've ever met. Would you like to work with us?"

Miss Mush laughed. "Build the school first, Louis. If I like it, I'll definitely consider it."

Louis grinned, pulled out a hot dog, and took a big bite. "Perfect," he said, crossing the street toward the construction site.

A tall man in a hard hat stood between a crane and a bulldozer. he checked his watch as Louis approached.

"Good morning, Mr. Smith!" Louis called.

"You're late, Mr. Louis," Mr. Smith replied.

"Only five minutes," Louis said with a laugh.

Mr. Smith shook his head. "Time is money."

"You're right," Louis admitted. "And we don't have much money. Sorry I'm late. Do you want a hot dog?"

"No, thank you. I've already had breakfast."

"They're the best in town," Louis insisted. "Go on! Take one."

Mr. Smith sighed, grabbed a hot dog, and took a huge bite. "Busy day today," he said between gulps. "Since we're starting construction tomorrow, we need everything ready."

Louis scratched his head. "Yeah, about that. I'd like to discuss the school design with you."

"Again?" Mr. Smith groaned. "We've gone over the design a thousand times. Please don't tell me you want to change it."

"Well," Louis began. "I have some concerns about the layout. I think the school should be built horizontally, not vertically."

"Horizontally?" Mr. Smith blinked. "You want thirty classrooms on the same story? Why?"

"Some teachers don't like that the library, cafeteria, and administration office will be on different floors," Louis explained. "Can't we fix that?"

Mr. Smith rubbed his forehead. "I'm not sure. A horizontal building means more digging, more concrete, more everything. I'm afraid we'll have to build vertically."

"Why?"

"Because building horizontally costs more time, more materials, and more money."

"More money?" Louis yelped. "We don't want to spend too much money!"

"Exactly," Mr. Smith said. He reached into the bag and took another hot dog. "Besides, a horizontal school would leave less room for outdoor space. You don't want a tiny playground, do you?"

"We need the playground to be as big as possible," Louis agreed. "All right, Mr. Smith. We'll build vertically."

Mr. Smith shook Louis's hand. "Very good. It will be a thirty-story building with thirty classrooms: one on each floor."

Louis rubbed his chin. "Then we'll need an elevator, won't we?"

"I'm afraid we don't have enough money for that," Mr. Smith said. "Everyone will have to use the stairs."

Louis frowned. "Hmm. Miss Mush might not like that."

"Is she the owner of the school?" Mr. Smith asked. 

"No," Louis laughed. "Miss Mush will be the lunch teacher."

"If the children can climb the stairs, Miss Mush can climb the stairs too," Mr. Smith declared.

Louis nodded. "You're right."