Carnival Day For Ethan (standard:other, 1376 words)
Author: Preston	Added: Jul 28 2002	Views/Reads: 3248/2136	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Just one day in the life of Ethan Perry

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

day was not turning out to be the one which had been playing out in his 
mind for the past two weeks. 

As he exited the tent, Ethan heard the man start his excited speech
again, or should it be pitch.  He walked away feeling dismally cynical 
about the whole thing and afraid to try any of the other sideshows. 

A teenage boy and girl holding hands, laughing and having a good time,
ran by knocking against Ethan.  The boy whirled around and yelled 
half-hearted apologies but didn't stop.  Crowded, yes, that's what was 
happening.  The place was just getting too crowded.  What a 
disappointment this day was turning out to be. 

For the next two and a half hours, Ethan walked around the carnival
trying to find some satisfaction in it and to salvage 
something...anything...of this demurring day, but mostly he just 
watched others in perplexity at their apparent enjoyment when he could 
not find any. 

From motivation originating in his stomach, Ethan decided to spend his
last two dollars at the hotdog stand.  He waited a long dispirited time 
in the line, and when finally he got to the front, he laid his money on 
the counter and asked if he could have extra mustered on his hotdog, 
please. 

“That's not enough,” the woman said, rolling her eyes impatiently.  She
spread the bills apart on the ledge.  “You need fifty cents, more.  
Hotdogs are two-fifty.” 

“Two-fifty?”  Ethan asked in wonderment.  That was incredibly a high
price for a hotdog. “I only have two dollars.” 

“Yes you do,” she said without a doubt.  “Don't you have another fifty
cents?” 

“No.  I spent it all on stuff, here.  I don't have anymore money.” 

“Well, I'm sorry but that's nothing to me and I can't help you if you
don't have enough money,” she said, not doing a very good job of 
pretending to care.  “Can I help the next person in line?” 

Ethan left the carnival to wait for the bus which had transported him
and others here earlier to return.  He was not the only one to come out 
and wait for the bus, others were beginning to gather into a sizable 
group.  Most had smiles on their faces having enjoyed themselves, but 
some did not.  Ethan was one of those disillusioned ones. 

Finally, and with merciful promptness, the bus came and parked close to
the entrance.  This was the prearranged time for the bus to return and 
it was not late.  A woman climbed down from the bus.  She was Sophie 
Jamison.  Sophie was not just in charge of the bus, but she was the 
coordinator of the home where Ethan lived. 

“Come along, now, quickly,” she said clapping her hands together, “we
don't want to linger too long here at the entrance and cause problems.  
Get on the bus as quickly as possible.” 

The group of people, including Ethan, dutifully complied the best they
could, but aging people rarely moved swiftly by anyone's standard.  
Still, the task was completed reasonably quick. 

Ethan sat looking through moist eyes at the carnival and the young
people who remained there as the bus pulled away.  Maybe they found 
more there than he had.  At any rate, he was exhausted and eager to get 
back to the familiar surroundings and his comforting room. 

Ethan reclined his head and closed his tired eyes.  The day wasn't all
bad, he decided at length, at least it held more adventure than he had 
known in a great long time. He would have to do it again the next 
chance he got. 

END 

NOTE:  When you go to a carnival, fair, amusement park, museum or
anywhere else  people go to enjoy themselves, to get away from the 
labors of life, look around, Ethan will be there.  You will know him 
when you see him. 


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