Page 12 of Runt's Haunted Ride
"Same positions as last night," Fang commanded. "And I don't want to hear another word about it. You got a problem with your assignment, take it up with the President."
I caught the frustrated looks passing between the other members. They wanted what we'd seen, and Fang's refusal was only making them more determined.
As we mounted up and rode to the carnival, I couldn't shake the feeling that tonight was going to be even more intense than the last. I couldn't imagine what events would be in the works tonight. As we got closer, the carnival looked the same as the night before. Maybe it was my apprehension, but there was something different about the energy—more of an eager yearning.
"Well," I said to Swinger and Bulldog as we headed to the midway, "let's see what fresh hell this place has in store for us tonight."
The first few hours followed a similar pattern to the previous night. The clowns were out in force and seemed to be assessing the guests, no doubt looking for who they could target. I'm not ashamed to admit that when I saw the triplet dolls rounding the corner, I ducked behind the nearest tent and watched them pass. The less interaction with them, the better.
The carnies continued their systematic exploitation, rigging games and playing with people, trying to harvest personal items and money. Near the ring toss game, I watched the green-haired clown with the puzzle face approach a woman who was clutching her purse tightly.
"Having trouble deciding what to play?" the clown asked, his face pieces shifting into a kindly expression.
"Oh, I don't really gamble," she replied nervously. "This isn't really for me. I'm just here with my friend."
"This isn't gambling," the clown said, his face rearranging into a trustworthy smile. "This is skill. Tell you what, come with me. The first game's free for such a lovely lady."
As she stepped up to the game, the clown nodded to the carnie, who grabbed a set of rings from under the counter, bringing them to the lady.
"Step up, everyone. Watch the lady win," he shouted.
"Oh, I wish you wouldn't," she said, picking up a ring. "What do I do?"
The carny, in a very sweet tone, explained the game, then stepped back. Intrigued by what was happening, I moved closer so I could watch.
The lady looked at the clown, then back to the toss. She flung the hoop, which seemed to fly to the far right but then swung back around and hooked around a hook at the top of the back wall.
"You did it," the clown cheered, his face having slid to a happy expression. The carnie cooed, clapping.
"I did? I made it?" She kept looking from the spot to the clown. "Now what?"
"Throw the other two and try to get them on the same hook," the clown handed her another ring.
"Come on over, folks. Watch the lady hook the ring," the carnie bellowed in a voice that seemed not human.
"Alright, here we go." The lady threw the hoop, which dive-bombed straight for the table ahead of her. The hoop bounced off the table and shot straight up to the hook, where it came to a stop, swinging right next to the other one.
What the hell?
The carnie, clown, lady, and the small crowd that had gathered erupted into cheers.
"Come one, come all. See the marvelous lady win the grand prize."
The clown picked up the last hoop and held it up. The even bigger crowd cheered.
"Just one more. You can do it," the clown kissed her cheek.
She turned seven shades of red while taking the ring from him. The lady peered at the hook, then tossed the ring. It flew straight up to the top of the tent, about four feet in front of her. The lady let out a sad moan of disappointment. But to her and everyone'ssurprise, the hoop landed in the middle of the table below it and proceeded to fly straight to the hook. Everyone went wild.
The carny bent and dug through a box under the back counter. He emerged carrying a red box no more than two inches high. He made an elaborate show of the box, spinning several times to show the crowd. Setting the box in front of the lady, he bowed and opened it.
The lady and the people closest to her gasped. "I won that?"
The clown, who now wore a shocked expression, and the carny both confirmed it was hers. The carny picked up the open box and dramatically turned in a circle, showing the shocked crowd. Inside was an elaborate jeweled necklace and matching bracelet.
"Diamonds, rubies, emeralds," the clown told her in a much louder voice than what was needed. "All yours, my dear."
"What's this about?" a man across the booth called out. "There's no damn way those rings should have hit. And now trying to pass that costume fake-ass jewelry off as real. No way. This is rigged."
