The Terrible Two

“Miles Murphy was a prankster. He was a good prankster. He was a great prankster. He was, in fact, the best prankster his elementary school had ever seen.”

— Introducing Miles Murphy and his reputation for pranking.

“Being the best prankster was a lonely business. You couldn't trust anyone. You couldn't let anyone in on your secrets. You had to operate alone.”

— Miles reflecting on the solitary nature of being a top prankster.

“He didn't want to be a good student. He didn't want to be a bad student. He wanted to be an invisible student. An invisible student who pulled pranks.”

— Miles's ideal persona for his new school, Yawnee Valley Science and Letters Academy.

“Rules were for people who didn't know how to think for themselves. Rules were for people who didn't know how to have fun.”

— Miles's general disdain for rules, particularly in the context of school.

“The first rule of pranking, Miles knew, was to never get caught. The second rule was to make sure your prank was memorable.”

— Miles recalling his personal rules for successful pranking.

“He had met his match. Or perhaps, he had met his rival. Or perhaps, he had met his partner in crime.”

— Miles's realization after experiencing a prank from the mysterious 'terrible two' at his new school.

“There was a difference between a prank and a mean trick. A prank was funny. A mean trick was just mean.”

— Miles's internal code of ethics regarding pranks.

“Yawnee Valley Science and Letters Academy was not just a school. It was a battleground. And Miles Murphy was ready for war.”

— Miles's perception of his new school as a place for prank competition.

“Sometimes, the best way to win a prank war was to not play by the rules.”

— Miles contemplating his strategy against his unknown prank rival.

“He had never had a friend who understood the intricate art of pranking. He had never had an equal.”

— Miles's growing excitement about finding someone who could match his pranking skills.

“The principal, like all adults, was a creature of habit. And habits, Miles knew, were easy to exploit.”

— Miles observing Principal Barkin for vulnerabilities to exploit in his pranks.

“It was a beautiful thing, a perfectly executed prank. It was like a symphony, a well-oiled machine, a work of art.”

— Miles appreciating the craftsmanship of a successful prank.

“He didn't want to just be a prankster. He wanted to be a legend.”

— Miles's ultimate ambition for his pranking career.

“To be a good prankster, you had to think like your target. You had to anticipate their moves. You had to become them, just for a moment.”

— Miles's philosophy on understanding his targets for effective pranking.