Double Fudge

Peter’s grandmother suggests taking Fudge to the Bureau of Printing and Engraving in Washington, DC, so he can “see the green stuff hot off the press” (64). This intrigues Fudge, who wants to know more about how money is made, and Mr. and Mrs. Hatcher decide to take the trip. A week later, Peter, Fudge, and their parents take the three-hour-long train trip to Washington, DC Fudge begs Peter to take him to the snack car, and as they move through the train cars, Fudge falls onto a woman and accidentally spits the banana in his mouth all over her clothes, which enrages her. Peter quickly grabs Fudge and races back to their seats before things get worse.

The Hatchers arrive in DC and take a tour of the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, where money is printed. As the tour guide shares facts about the bills printed there each day, Fudge is intrigued by the sight of the money fresh off the printing press, and Peter “[can’t] believe [his] parents thought bringing [Fudge] here was a good idea” (71). Fudge shows the tour guide his homemade Fudge Bucks, but she warns him that treating play money like real money could land him in trouble.