A year later, Compton Dawes is put out of business. His haunted house is no more and he is rumored to have moved on to become nothing more than a used car salesman. Mr. Dawes was silent about the details but it's heavily suggested that he was penalized for very suspect practices. Whether or not he will serve jail time is unknown, though he likely won't. He is no one's problem now.
Ray heard the news when he was just relaxing on the couch with The Mummy with Brendan Fraser playing on the tv. After his mother told him the truth about his boss, he relaxed some more. Ray never liked Mr. Dawes, even went as far to think he was put out of business for child abuse. His mother cares more than he did but not out of sympathy for Mr. Dawes; she declares that Ray's seasonal work as a haunted house actor was the best thing to ever happen to him. Her son was popular, sure, however he Was always unemployed and may be growing into an anti-social teenager. In reality, he did seek to have a job. Only not one where he had to dress like a dead man.
Working as a haunted house actor didn't appeal to the now sixteen year old. Ray matured from that phase, now close to six-foot and sprouting hair on his chin. He would feel silly going "boo" to strangers instead of having an evening out with friends. It was frustrating that his mum wouldn't occur with his personal choices. The help-wanted flyer for some local carnival was flapping in her hand.
"But it would be great for you! You said you wanted to be an actor!" She exclaimed.
"Yeah - an actor. Not a clown." Ray pretended to be invested in the movie.
The parent changed her approach, slipping the flyer on the table. He aggressively ignored it and kept all attention on the tv he wasn't watching in the first place. Ray eventually was left in piece concerning his employment goals but shifted focus to his love life. Like all mothers do. Asking about potential mates for her boy as he groans.
She said, "how about that Karen gal. Do you still keep in contact with her?"
He hasn't, not for awhile since the last October. They shared a close platonic bond that was tarnished by an awkward dilemma. Although they never broke apart officially, Ray found himself avoiding her at all cost. Fearing that a rival might spark between them in they are around each other for long.
As for a romance, there was none. Not even a one sided crush on Ray's side; he thought they were so similar, even in appearance. It would feel disgusting to date her, Karen Thurston was a sister before the falling out. He felt comfort in knowing that she didn't harbor any feelings either. Ray had his heart set on an Amanda Benson, though he barely met her yet. The girl walks a mystery road Ray could not find where.
"I know an 'Amanda Benson'," said Ray's mother, catching interest in his infatuation.
Ray sat upright and erect, listening closely. He was hearing word of a brunette fourteen year old with a pretty face. It sounded like legit match; Amanda would be of fourteen years of age by then. Karen was the same age and would always be the same age. His crush's whereabouts were no longer a secret; it is an unforgiving irony that she was employed at the carnival the flyer advertised. Ray assumed his mother lied to have him persuaded into sending a application for a job there. Turned out, everyone in town was collecting the papers and getting themselves hired. Ray thought why wouldn't they, according to the flyer, the owners are willing pay handsomely. It promises a hour long break after shifts and only two working days on the weekends. A swell deal for someone who didn't like to work.
Saturday night was not as hectic as Ray grieved. The carnival was assembled nearby his old public school but not many grade school children were running around. All of the little ones were side to side with an adult who would discipline them if they so much as screamed. The carnival even looked nice in the evening, the neon lights shined like rainbows in the dark. It wasn't too noisy for him either; if only the haunted mirror maze was just as pleasant.
He was hired in an instant when he confessed his interest in applying. The manager gave him a good long look and said yes without any other hesitations. He was an experienced, talented actor under twenty, a rarity to cherish. Ray preferred his new crew to the old, he finds very soon. They were mostly older than him but respected him as n equal. He was not required to wear makeup by a boss who was over-involved and loud. He was gifted with a speaking role when he was used to not having any lines. The scares will be consistent and build on effort by the minds of the cast. Ray felt more appreciated than ever before.
Ray spent his hour long break exploring the grounds outside the maze. He was given permission to go as he pleases as long as he removes his hat and jacket. His go-to horror outfit. Ray obeyed and walked around in his plain burnt sienna tee with baggy jeans. This way, he was unrecognizable among the other attendees.
Keeping his causality, he treats himself to a bag of popcorn. With every step, he takes a piece at a time. It was a soft brand that never crunches in your teeth. This allowed Ray to take in the music typical to events such as these. None of which he liked, except the slower sweeter beats, but it put him in a jovial mood. Ray wandered to the purple area, with purple lights and purple roofs on stands. A tiny crumb of hope had him wishing he would encounter Amanda Benson. Being in the same area as her was a happy thought, meeting her once more in the flesh would be sublime.
Amanda would be running one of the game or food facilities. Ray checked the snack tables; the candy apple one was occupied by a blonde southern belle, the cotton candy one by a cue ball man in leather, the pretzel one by a kind old lady. The final snack bar was for Mexican delights like churros and tamales, but that one wasn't run by Amanda either.
Ray was successful in his Amanda hunt as soon as he checked the game stands. There she was, running a generic shop with hundreds of balloons and plushes. It was titled under "balloon bust" and the objective was to pop as many of the balloons as you can with five darts. Ray was a sports wizard in baseball so he thought he could hit all five in a row without misses. But his eyes weren't on the prizes.
His crush somehow became even more beautiful than before. The extremely short bob cut that reminded him of a mushroom was allowed to grow out to her hips, which were slightly wider than when she was thirteen. Her cheekbones were shapely and sharp without making her look under fed.
"Hello! Welcome to 'Balloon Bust', want to pay to play?" Amanda tried to engages him with her pep.
The boy was hurt that she greet him like a costumer and not an acquaintance. It was reasonable to assume that she did not remember him from those few minutes they met. If she couldn't recognize him, Ray will might as well re-meet her. And give a very good second impression. Smiling back at Amanda, he took out his wallet.