"Oh." Laura turned her head toward the driver's side window, smiling to herself. She knew her roommate was giving her a way out. "Naw. We're not that far away now. Once we get parked and inside it'll be fine, I'm sure." The traffic inched up slightly. "See, we're moving again." It took another fifteen minutes before they finally reached the parking areas. Laura's eyes widened at the sign announcing four dollars for parking but it was Crystal who spoke up.
"I can't believe it. That's ridiculous. It's just a big empty field. How can they charge for parking?"
"Because they know we're going to pay it instead of driving all the way up to the truck stop and walking down," the writer said, reaching into her pocket and pulling out several bills.
"Here, let me get it," Crystal said, holding out a five dollar bill.
"How about we split it?" She countered, holding up three singles. Minutes later the Jeep was parked near a shady tree. Crystal hopped out quickly, her first desire to have a cigarette after the long ride. After locking the Jeep and putting the keys in her fanny pack, Laura walked over to her side. "Look, there's a big tent. Maybe they have a circus too."
"That would account for the smell." The blonde wrinkled her nose. "A least a petting zoo."
"We'll have to make sure we stay upwind of them." They walked over to the gate, grumbling to each other about the admission price. Without meaning to, Laura noticed that Crystal had only a five and three ones left after paying the exorbitant amount. They walked past the bandstand where a barber shop quartet warmed up for later performances and a booth offering to make them millionaires buying distressed properties.
"Hey, come here," Crystal called, already heading toward the keg-shaped beer cart. "What kind do you like?"
"Oh, no thanks," she replied. "I'm driving, remember?"
"We just got here. One beer won't kill you." The blonde turned to the clerk. "Two Millers."
"Really, it's all right, I
" Laura gave up her protest when she saw the amber liquid filling the clear plastic cup. The sun pounding down on her dark hair didn't help either. "Well, I suppose one won't hurt."
"Oh please." Crystal rolled her eyes playfully and took a healthy swallow of her drink while handing over Laura's. They stood at the end of the Midway, sipping their beers and looking around at the various game booths before them.
The closest game booth caught Laura's eye. "Hey, you want to give this one a try?"
"I've never played it before," Crystal said as she threw her empty cup in a nearby trash can. "How does it work?"
"You see that water gun? You aim at the clown's mouth and that makes the car go up the pole. First one to the top wins." While she was talking, Laura was also guiding Crystal toward the booth. She unzipped her fanny pack and pulled out several bills. "I'll even treat for the first game."
"You don't have to do that, I have money," the stripper protested, reaching into her pocket.
"You got the beer. Let me get this game, okay?"
Crystal hesitated for a moment before nodding and sitting on the nearest stool. Laura smiled and after brushing the seat off with her hand, sat down on the stool next to her, holding the money out for the attendant. The teenaged girl took the money and pressed something behind the stand with her foot.
"Shoot only at the targets. No leaning. First one to the top gets choice of the bottom row. Upgrades allowed only with prizes won at this game." The girl said the words over and over as she moved down the row collecting money. "When the bell sounds, aim for the center of the clown's mouth. Good luck."
Brrringgg. Laura managed to get an early jump as Crystal took precious seconds getting her aim corrected. The cars moved up the poles, the blue one ahead of the red. Higher and higher they went until the bell sounded again. The numbered globe above Laura's car flashed rapidly, announcing her as the winner.
"Congrats," Crystal said as she put her water gun back in its holster. The teen walked down and stood in front of Laura. "Anything on the bottom shelf."
The bottom shelf consisted of small plastic trolls with a rainbow of hair colors. "The green one," she decided. Taking her prize and stuffing it into her fanny pack, Laura walked away from the game, Crystal right beside her. "Now what would you like you do?" she asked, stopping to finish the beer that was getting decidedly warmer as time passed.
"Have you ever been on the Pirate Ship ride?" she asked, pointing at the longboat shaped ride swinging like a pendulum. "No."
"You want to try it?"
"I dunno." Crystal gave a familiar shrug and looked at the ticket booth. "What does it cost to go on a ride?"
Laura reached over and hooked her finger under the green plastic wristband on the younger woman's arm. "Nothing. All the rides are free with the bracelets."
"Oh." Crystal stared at the large ride for a moment. "Have you been on it before?"
"Years ago. Jenny and I used to sit as close to the end of the boat as we could. It's more fun that way. Look, the line isn't that long."
"I haven't been on any of these kind of things since I was in the fifth grade and went on a school field trip." She continued to look at the ride, listening to the happy screams of the participants as the longboat rocked back and forth, going almost vertical before going one hundred eighty degrees in the other direction.
"It's really very safe. And fun," Laura added. "I'll tell you what. Go on the Pirate Ship with me and I promise to go on any ride you want." "Can we sit towards the middle? It doesn't go up as high."
"If that's what it takes to get you to go on it with me." The ship ride continued to swing, although it was slower now and not going as high, signaling the end of the ride. Looking at the line, the writer realized if they hurried they might even make it with the next load of riders. She reached out and grabbed Crystal's wrist. "Come on, it'll be fun." I'll get you to sit at one of the ends next time, she thought to herself as they stood at the end of the line.
They were too far back to get on the ride this time but being close to the front of the line still had its advantages. At this closeness, the sound of the motors and the screams of the riders were all encompassing, making conversation almost impossible. Deciding the rail was much too filthy to lean against, Laura stood and divided her time between watching the ride and watching Crystal watch the ride. She found it hard to reconcile the pot smoking, beer guzzling, tough-as-nails person with the woman staring a bit fearfully at the thrill ride. Then it hit her. She hasn't been to a place like this since she was in fifth grade. That'd make her what, about ten or so? She probably couldn't even go on something like this back then. No wonder she's scared. Maybe we should start out on something easier, like the tilt-a-whirl. She gently nudged Crystal's shoulder. "If you want to go do something else and come back to this later, it's okay."
"No, we're going to be on the next ride. As long as you don't make me sit on the ends, I think I'll be okay." Despite her bravado, Crystal's words still came out sounding nervous. Without thought Laura reached over and lightly patted her roommate's back.
"I'll be right there next to you. I promise it'll be fun."
The ride came to a stop and the people exited. After a quick cursory inspection of the seats and restraint bars, the greasy haired attendant threw his cigarette on the ground and opened the entrance gate. "Secure any loose items. Keep your hands and legs inside the ride at all times." The line moved forward and up the steps to the loading level. Laura followed Crystal to the seat closest to the center of the ship, jostled by teenagers trying to get to the coveted back seats. Crystal slid in first, moving across the padded bench seat to make room for Laura.
"There's no seat belts," the nervous blonde pointed out.
"No need." She pointed at the metal bar currently in the raised position. "Before the ride starts they'll lower the bar. That'll be enough to keep us in our seats."