Wheel of Wonder

Wheel of Wonder

By Robert Breen

Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. One by one the targets fell as the bb's from Ray's gun made contact with the metal bulls eyes. “That's five in a row. You win the big prize.” The game's operator announced. Ray put down his gun and gave Annie a high five. “Which prize would you like?” he asked.

“I'll take the polar bear.” she said.

“Good choice.” The operator said, handing the bear to Annie.

Ray and Annie left the bb gun game and returned to the main drag of arcade amusements. Festive lights and loud music surrounded them.

“Ray, you're the best. No one else could've knocked down all five of those targets in a row.”

She hugged the bear. “I'm going to call him Nanook.”

“That's a good name. So, where to next?”

“Darts or skee ball?”

“Hm. Your call, Annie.”

“Skee ball!”

“Afterward, we can ride the ferris wheel.”

“Do you think there will be room for the three of us?”

“Absolutely, you know those gondolas are always bigger than they seem.”

“True. Now don't get mad if I beat you at skee ball. It is sort of my game. I set high scores wherever I go.”

“I'll hold you to it.”

“Oh, I won't disappoint. Come on Nanook, let's show Ray who owns at skee ball.”

They paid for three games each. Standing at adjacent lanes, Annie tossed a ball, then Ray tossed one. They continued this alternating pattern. After the first round, Annie racked up five hundred thousand points. Ray managed to score three hundred and eighty thousand. For the second round, Annie ended with four hundred and thirty thousand, while Ray triumphed with four hundred and fifty thousand. Annie held nothing back on the final round. She was determined to beat Ray by a land slide and prove herself to be the queen of skee ball. Her total was six hundred and seventy thousand points. Ray came in at half with three hundred and forty thousand. “Haha, told you I was an ace at this game!”

“I never doubted you.”

“What do I win?” she asked the game's operator.

He motioned to a row of prizes. “Any one of these, miss.”

“Is that a real fish!?” She asked, pointing to a plastic bag filled with water and with a fish inside.

“Sure is.”

“I'll take him!”

“Here you go.”

She took the bag and handed it to Ray. “Can you hold on to this for me, Rayray? I kind of have my hands full with Nanook.”

“Sure, Annie.” He turned to the operator. “Does the fish come with a bowl or food?”

The man shook his head.

Ray rolled his eyes. “Looks like we'll be making a stop at the pet store after this.”

“Would they still be open this late?”

“Good point, we'll make due tonight and hit 'em up in the morning. Now let's say we ride the ferris wheel.”

“Just as soon as we eat some cotton candy.”

“Can't we get that after the ride?”

“Aww, but I would like some now.”

“Alright, let's get some cotton candy then.”

They found the nearest vendor and purchased two sticks of the wispy confection. While they ate, they sauntered around the various tents, enjoying the sight of baby pigs, lambs, and chickens. When they were through with their treats, Ray declared they were going to ride the ferris wheel. Anything else Annie wanted to do could be done afterward.

The crown jewel of the fair, the ferris wheel was sixty feet tall, constructed of steel and aluminum. Bejeweled with lights, the big wheel was a spectacle to behold. It was a throwback to an uncomplicated era, a reminder that sometimes the greatest thrills were not created by hype, but by simplicity. Ray, Annie, and Nanook boarded a gondola and prepared for departure. “I'm disappointed Annie, I never thought a bear would come between us.”

“If it means that much to you, I can put him on my lap.”

“Don't do that, then you won't be able to see the spectacular views. He's fine where he is. I was only making a joke.”

The wheel jolted to a start. Ray eased up and let his body relax. Annie remained composed. “Relax Annie, all the hard work is being done for us. All we have to do is admire the view.”

“I am admiring the view!” was her quick response. “Do you still have the fish?”

“Of course. I have a tight grip on the bag, so trust me, he's secure.”

Higher and higher they steadily climbed into the starry night. Ray glanced over and noticed Annie was still tense. Trading places with Nanook, Ray slid next to her and put his free arm around her. She looked at him, then returned her gaze to the ground. “You're supposed to look up and out, not down.” he casually remarked.

She looked up for a few seconds before dropping her gaze once more to the Earth.

“Oh, I see how it is. You're afraid of heights, aren't you?”

“I'm not afraid! I'm just a little uneasy is all.”

The ride began easing to a halt as they reached the apex of the wheel.

“Why are we coming to stop!?” she asked.

“Relax, it's so the people at the bottom can get out of their seats and new people can board the ride. They also do it to give people like us the most spectacular perspective of the fair.”

“It doesn't seem very nice.”

“That's because you're not looking around and taking it all in. Come on, look up from the floor, see what you're missing out on.”

She took a quick peek at the vista. “Wow, spectacular.”

“Ah come on, drink it in, who knows the next time you'll have a view like this.”

“If everything goes well, never.”

“Enjoy life, Annie. This is one of those moments that you will cherish later on. It's really not that bad. You're actually making it worse by looking down. Look out at the horizon, I promise it will not be scary. You'll see what's in front of you and you'll forget about what's beneath you.”

She slowly raised her head, but stopped before she got too far. Ray tightened his embrace on her. “Good. Like that.” With one arm around her shoulder, he used his other to push her chin up. “See, look at that incredible landscape. All the miles of coastline and ocean as far as the eye can see. Those dots way out there, they must be big freighter ships. I bet you one of the ones way out there is heading to England or someplace far away.” He could tell she was still nervous by her subtle shaking, but he didn't give up.

With her head held in place, she reasoned she could either close her eyes and pretend she was on the ground, or she could suck it up and conquer her fears. “Oh alright, you win Ray. I'll look out, not down.” She fixated her gaze on the dots of light, the freighter ships, and the horizon line. A cool breeze struck her face. It felt refreshing compared to the stiff air on the ground. Her muscles began to relax and her view of her surroundings became more voluntary. Ray lowered his hand and her head remained up on her own free will. “Maybe you were right, this isn't so bad.”

“See? Told ya.”

“It makes you appreciate the world a little better. How much wonder is still out there.” She took a deep breath. “It's kind of romantic up here.”

“It is, isn't it. Beauty in all directions. I'm kind of sad we have to go back down and leave all this behind.”

“It'll still be there.”

“Sure, but we won't be able to see it the same way. It will lose its mystique.”

“I'm sorry Ray, but there is one thing that won't change when we get back down”

“And what might that be?”

“Me! I'll still be here for you, I won't go changing.”

Ray kissed her on the cheek.

“I love you so much, Annie.”

“I love you too, Ray. Especially for showing me what I was missing out on. I would've been so mad at myself if I'd missed all this.”

“I'm glad that won't be the case.”

Annie had finally become desensitized to the height, when all of a sudden the ride began moving again. A slow creep at first, then a little faster. The descent was quick, and Annie wore a frown. “I was just getting used to it up there.”

Ray consoled. “We could always ride it again.”

“Eh, look at that line. I'll just wait until next time we go to the fair”

“Then don't worry, there will be other ferris wheels.”

She smiled at him.

Their gondola reached the base of the wheel and came to a halt. The ride operator opened the door and let them out.

“So would you agree you are over your fear of heights now?” Ray asked.

“Let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet. Ask me again next time we go up high and we'll see if I get nervous then.”

“Sounds like a plan. So are you and Nanook ready to go home?”

“No, not yet! We still have to ride the Merry Go Round. It's a tradition I grew up with. The Merry Go Round is always the last thing before you leave.”

“Ok, alright. To the Merry Go Round it is!”

Annie, with her arms around Nanook, took the lead.

“You know, I'm really proud of you today, Annie.”

“Aw, thanks Ray. But it is only because of you that I was able to do what I did.”

“Alright, I'll take some credit, but it also took your own determination. You helped yourself up there.”

“And what about me? What did I do?” Annie spoke for Nanook.

“You just sat there, big guy.”

“Hey!” Annie lunged Nanook at Ray, knocking him off balance. Before he could retaliate, she ran off towards the Merry Go Round.

He laughed and followed. “I'll get you, Annie, and your not so little bear too!”

At that moment, Ray couldn't have been prouder of Annie.

THE END