The car jolts and the wheel flies into action, hurling me and the car forwards. I lean back into the corner of the seat, rest my arm across the back and put my feet up on the edge. I know these shitheads, this wheel ain’t stopping anytime soon.
“I hope you assholes are having as much fun as I am,” I shout as my car passes the lowest point of the wheel.
“Hold on,” Razor grins as he leans on the speed lever.
The wheel speeds up to near its maximum. Any townie would be puking right now, but I’m used to it.
For this town, the Ferris wheel is at the back corner of the lot. The carnival is set up so you enter and walk down the midway, then loop to the right for the rides, it’s pretty much a big circle. Little kiddie rides at the front, shakers at the back.
The rides and midway are taking shape. Most of the big stuff is up, it’s just the little things left for tomorrow. The ticket booths, the matting, and we have to check every single damn light bulb. That’s a pain-in-the-ass job.
It’s empty now, waiting for the crowds to fill it up. I always get a kick out of the happiness on the little kiddies’ faces, and I get a lot of joy out of the local girls who are happy to spread their legs for a carny.
There’s nothing better than a rough fucker like me corrupting the local pastor’s daughter.
“I’m enjoying my sunset ride, assholes!” I yell to no one in particular.
The ride comes to an abrupt stop, my car wildly swings back and forth.
“Get your ass down here and work,” Razor yells.
“Papa Smurf said we’re finished at sundown tonight, woo hoo!” I holler at them.
I’m at two o’clock on the wheel. The car’s still swinging, but I hop up and grab onto the wheel’s framework.
“About time,” Razor says and starts the wheel moving again, although not at full tilt this time.
I tighten my grip on the strut and get my feet ready to take the change in direction as we go over the apex of the wheel.
With my feet nestled in the joint of the frame, I hold on with one hand and lean way out. As we come to the bottom of the arc, I hop off. Without breaking my stride, I walk towards the carny cafeteria.
My stomach groans as I near the greasy goodness smell of burgers and fries. I normally heat up some ramen noodles in my bunkhouse cabin, but Wednesdays are rough work and I always treat myself to the mess tent for dinner. Somehow dollar store food isn’t enough when you’ve been chucking heavy pig irons around all day.
“Evening, Cess,” I say as I reach the line-up for grub.
Cess turns to me and smiles, she always did have a welcoming smile. Welcoming everyone and anyone to her pussy. Though she must be over thirty now, and her age is starting to show. The straggly blah brown hair doesn’t help her looks.
“Hey Steel, feel like visiting tonight?”
“I’m good.”
“You sure didn’t think like that when you joined us as a little virgin teenager.”
I roll my eyes. That was ten years ago, I’ve had hundreds of pussies since, and I’ll still never hear the end of being a virgin when I joined the carnival at seventeen. A guy doesn’t get much chance to lose his virginity while he’s in juvie, at least not to a female.
“You know I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Why don’t you come and see me tonight?” Because I don’t need to touch the lot lizard is why.
“Fuck, Cess, you know I’m all about local pussy. I’m going to find myself a pretty blonde this week.”
When I See You Smile (Emily)
My best friends Courtney and Maddie pick me up to go to the carnival. The annual Lions Club Carnival is the most exciting thing that happens in the town of Colmar.
I’m glad it’s a warm enough October evening to wear my new Burberry dress. I bought it last month, and haven’t had a chance to wear it yet.
Courtney looks perfect, as always. Not a single piece of her chestnut hair is out of place. Unlike Maddie’s wild red hair.
It’s Saturday evening. We’d planned to come last night too, but got distracted with a zombie movie marathon on tv and never made it.
Well, I distracted them with the zombies.
I didn’t feel like going last night, I was too busy stewing over the conversation with my father, right before my parents left for the airport on yet another of their vacations.
“Have fun at the carnival. It should be a good one, they’re a new carnival company this year,” my mom said, her overnight bag clenched in her hand.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” my father said, “I have a reputation to uphold. And as my daughter, your actions reflect on me.”
It was the same crap I hear all the time. I had to breathe deep, count to ten, and wish my father didn’t have the attitude of a man straight out of the fifties. I swear this entire town is stuck in the fifties.