Cabin Fever

Greg’s Net Kritterz habit is getting expensive, and his mom denies his request for more money to support it. She scolds him, stating that he does not understand the work involved in earning money, and she suggests that he shovel snow to earn some money of his own. Greg thinks back to previous times when he had to knock on neighbors’ doors, usually for a school fundraiser. Over the years, Greg’s school has tried all kinds of fundraisers, from walkathons to selling geranium bulbs, but the prizes are always terrible. Greg thinks that it would be more efficient to just have his neighbors give him cash up-front once a year, rather than having to go through all the extra steps to earn the money.

Greg wants to avoid the neighbors on his block when he goes to shovel snow because each one reminds him of an awkward experience from his past. One woman is far too affectionate, and Greg recalls that another neighbor walked in on him once when he was in the bathroom. Greg recalls yet another neighbor being mocked by Greg’s father on Halloween, when Greg’s dad thought that the man’s bad teeth were part of a Halloween costume.