to predict,” said Mrs. Fields, who was sitting at a booth drinking her coffee. Mrs. Fields had retired recently from being the town librarian, so she knew most of its residents, young and old, by name, as well as which books they liked to read. “Weather forecasting is part science, part guessing game,” she said.
“Like guessing what Mr. Green puts in his pancakes,” added Clarence.
“One day, we’ll know the answers to our questions about climate change, but we may never find out what’s in Walt’s pancakes,” said Mrs. Fields.
“Refill?” Mr. Green asked Mrs. Fields.
“How will the scientists find out what’s causing climate change?” asked Jane.
“By taking measurements, doing experiments, collecting data, and making observations,” Mrs. Fields answered.
“I need a problem for the next physical science competition,” said Jane. “Maybe this is my next winning idea.”
“We could experiment with recipes to find out what’s in Mr. Green’s pancakes,” said Louisa.
“Louisa! That’s a good idea!” said Jane and Clarence together.
“We need a science lab,” said Jane.
“We need a kitchen,” said Louisa.
“We need ingredients,” said Clarence.
“You’ll need someone to test the pancakes,” added Mrs. Fields.
All heads turned at the sound of a motorcycle arriving in the parking lot. A stranger with a leather vest, black boots, and tattooed arms entered the diner.
Mrs. Fields continued the conversation, “About the pancakes…I’ll volunteer to taste test the successes and my dog, Harley McFarley, will volunteer to test the failures. You’re welcome to use my kitchen this afternoon as long as you clean up after yourselves. I have no other plans today.”
The stranger sat on the stool next to Jane. There was an awkward silence, as he looked at his menu and they tried not to stare at him.
Jane mustered the courage to speak, “Would you like to read the newspaper, sir?” and she offered the paper to the man.
“Thanks,” he smiled at her and took the paper. “Does Walt really make the best pancakes, like the sign says?”
All three cousins nodded and said, “Absolutely. The pancakes here are the fluffiest!”
“So what do you think of global warming?” Clarence asked the stranger.
The stranger looked thoughtful and replied, “It’s a complicated problem, but the analysis of ice cores does indicate an increase in carbon dioxide and the impact of human activity on the atmosphere.”