Sal loved the smell of candied popcorn and the thrilling screams from the people riding the roller coasters. He'd been to Giantsfair Amusement Park every summer since he could remember. Like many other parks, Giantsfair had started out as simple picnic grounds and had grown into something spectacular. In the beginning, it was most popular for its boating, swimming, and skating attractions. Later it had become an amusement park, with the addition of rides and booths with almost everything you could possibly desire.
From the slow dances at “Dancer’s Square” to the countless hours spent at the arcade hall featuring old-school games like Street Fighter, Mario, and Pac Man, there was something for everyone at Giantsfair.
It was the ideal scene for young couples, families, and even those just looking for something to do on a Friday night.
The park was filled with lively music and great spirit, creating a sanctuary away from one's problems and truly transforming the grounds into someplace uplifting.
Giantsfair had a wooden roller coaster, three thousand feet long and ninety-eight feet high, boat rides, carousels, bumper cars, a horror house, and fun houses. A small water park had been recently added, and it quickly became a hot spot for social gatherings for teens youngsters.
The entrance to Giantsfair was adorned with a couple of circus horses, welcoming guests and setting the mood for the thrills to come. There was no absence of excitement as kids waited in line, cotton candy in hand, to go on the rides and take on the dizziness which almost always followed.
Attractions had been introduced to appeal to adults as well. The ride known as “Hellacoaster” was probably the most popular, bringing riders through a funhouse with screaming clowns and plenty of jump-scares. Rumor had it that a young woman had supposedly perished after riding the “Hellacoaster,” which only served to make even more attractive.
People poured into the park like a herd of wildebeests running across the African savannah.
There was a poster nearby that said there would be a special performance by Appropriately Wicked.
“Sal, take my picture,” Jack said, posing in front of it. When they were done, he ran off to the stage area, yelling, “See you guys later,” over his shoulder.
“Life in a herd—you sacrifice individuality for safety in the crowd,” Rosie said, pointing to a group of girls who looked alike, wearing the same hair-do and the same clothing.
Sal turned to look, and he recognized one of the girls as one of the new kids at Strong Edge High. She was the one who had given him her phone number. Sal was a smooth cocktail of confidence, sex appeal, looks, and sweetness. He ran his fingers through his hair, locked eyes with her for several seconds, and then he looked down to the ground. When he looked up, he smiled and seemed more than pleased to see her.
The girls giggled as they went past him and the new girl blushed.
“Oh, my God, he is so hot,” one of the girls whispered to the others.
“Come on, Carl," Rosy said in a dusty tone, "the struggle bus to Single Central is leaving soon, and I don’t think Sal intends to be on it.”
Carl sighed. “My mail order bride just hasn't arrived yet, Rosie.”
“I don't have the courage to tell you guys how much I adore you, so I guess I’ll just keep it to myself,” Sal said, a mischievous smile on his face.
“Would you mind emptying your pockets?" Rosie retorted. "I believe you’ve stolen my heart.” She couldn’t help but smile a little.
“Let’s go, Romeo. I want to try the Hellacoaster before the concert starts,” Carl said, and he started to walk away. Rosie followed.
Sal had noticed Carl’s interest in the girls, but something was holding him back.
It was Louise.
Sal was able to smell the guilt on him.
He bit his lip and followed Carl and Rosie.
The Hellacoaster was as epic as ever: the screams, the thrill, the laughing.
The mood had lifted some by the time the three of them were back on the ground. The adrenaline rush and euphoria of the ride was still pumping through their bodies. “Let’s just have a great time today," Sal said, looking back and forth between Rosie and Carl. "Screw everything else. Let's this night like we just did on the Hellacoaster, not knowing what's happening next, besides just having a great time.”
“You're absolutely right, dude. Let’s stay on the high from the rollercoaster,” Carl said, wearing a big grin. “I'll be right back.”
“This is like the time he tried to impress Louise with his ice-skating tricks, and he slipped and fell on the ice. He uttered those exact same words: 'I'll be right back,' but he never returned.” Rosie said in a “behind the scene” type of way.
“Yeah, he sat at home with ice on his crotch,” Sal said, trying not to laugh.