AT THE HARVEST FESTIVAL

by Ostragoth

"I'm so proud of our girls for volunteering to work at the Harvest Festival," Helen Morgendorffer said as they stood in the admissions line.

"I've heard that Ms. Li's idea of voluntarism has more than a little compulsion in it," Michele Landon, in line behind her, replied.

Helen nodded. "Yes, I've heard that too, but even so, I'm still proud of Daria. She's usually weaseled out of things like this in the past."

A smiling boy with curly orangish hair walked past them carrying a huge bunch of balloons. "My goodness, that young fellow sure likes balloons," Jake observed as they watched him stuff his booty into a large old car with a convertible top. Several balloons escaped, but the boy seemed not to mind. Still smiling, now with a camera around his neck, he passed them again on his way back to the entrance, where he flashed a ticket and went back inside.

Charles Ruttheimer III walked past two students dressed in blue and yellow, the Lawndale High School colors. "Hey, babe!" said the one in the football uniform, "I got you some balloons!"

Brittany Taylor, the one in the cheerleader's outfit, hauled off and smacked Kevin Thompson across the face. "Ooohh! I asked for a snowcone, you, you... balloon hound!"

"Aww, babe!"

Charles was walking past a concession stand when a familiar voice called out, "Hey, get your sausages here! Polish sausage, hot dogs, corn dogs! Get 'em while they're hot! Hey, uh, Chuck! You look like you need a Polish sausage! I got a nice big juicy one, right here!"

Charles paused. "Ah, the lovely Quinn! And the equally lovely Stacy! A pleasure to see you this fine afternoon!"

"Er, likewise, Chuck. What do you like on your Polish sausage?"

"Ah, perhaps a bit later. I wanted to buy a balloon or two first."

"Aw, c'mon, Chuck! You're gonna get awful hungry in that long line!" Quinn called after him, but he was already lost in the crowd. "Dammit!"

Back in the admission line, Jake Morgendorffer said to Helen, "I heard the girls talking yesterday, and Quinn bet Daria that she could sell twice as many of whatever she's selling as Daria could. You think maybe that's why Daria didn't try to get out of it?"

Helen frowned thoughtfully. "I doubt it. Daria probably realizes she can't..."

"Hey, that sounds like a healthy spirit of competition to me," Andrew Landon remarked jovially. "That's what made this country great. Free enterprise and competition! Way to raise your kids, Jake."

-o0o-

"Hey, Jeffy, Joey, Jarvis! I was wondering when I'd see you guys. Polish sausage?" Quinn asked.

"It's Jamie! Uh, I just had a big dinner, Quinn. Maybe later."

"Yeah, me too, Quinn," said Jeffy.

"Yeah, me too. Big dinner. I'll come by later, though," Joey put in.

"You don't have to rush off. Where are you going?"

"Uh, over to the balloon babe, er, person. I, uh promised my little sister I'd get her a pair, um, a balloon."

"Yeah, me too. Little sister. Hey, where's Jamie?"

"There he goes! Hey, wait up, you sneak!"

"You don't even have a little sister, you ratsack! Uuhhh!" Quinn yelled at the swiftly departing trio.