Chapter 3 – If at First You Don't Succeed....
Clover and Sam decide to break for a light lunch. Rollercoaster World probably has the world's best corn dogs and French fries, so the girls decide to try them. The food is totally great!
"This corn dog is the best I've ever had, and I've been to a few amusement parks!" exclaims Clover.
"And these French Fries. They are totally tasty! I wonder how they make them so good?" says Sam.
A park worker overhears the gals and says, "If you think the corn dogs and French fries are good, make sure you get a box of the best saltwater taffy in the world while you're here!"
"Taffy? They have saltwater taffy?" squeals Clover with delight.
"The best!" responds the worker. "It's sold at the concession stands throughout the park! You can even watch them make it at the Taffy Factory!"
"How do we get to the Taffy Factory?" inquires Sam.
"The easiest way from here is to take the 'Overhead Cablecars'. The next station is close to the Taffy Factory," responds the worker.
"That's our next stop! Come on, Sam!"
"Right with you, Clover!"
Clover and Sam ascend to the platform to take an 'Overhead Cablecar'. The view is breath taking! You get an overall view of the entire park, along with the water park. You can also see across Lake Erie, and almost see Canada! There is a beautiful birds-eye view of the boats on the water: from pleasure craft, to fishing boats, to water skiing boats, to the large Lake Freighters! They can also see the beautiful surrounding farm country around the park. How restful and peaceful it all looks!
"It's too bad Mandy scared off David! This would be a great romantic view to share with him!" sighs Clover.
"You're right, Clover. But we'll have to settle for sharing it with each other!" replies Sam.
"That's fine with me, girlfriend!" replies Clover happily.
As the car starts to travel over a forested area of the park, the gals hear a 'snap'!
"What was that?" asks Sam in alarm.
"I don't know!" replies Clover.
Soon the car is swaying unsteadily in the breeze and falls off the cable!
"WHOOAAA!" cry Sam and Clover as they start to drop earthward.
Luckily for the girls the car was over a group of trees when it started to drop. The trees caught the car, and slowed its descent, so that the girls are only bruised when the car hits the ground!
Once again Rollercoaster World immediately closes the ride down, sending inspectors and medical personnel to the scene.
A cute paramedic comes over to attend to the girls. "Are you all right? Where does it hurt?" he asks with concern.
"I'm just a little bruised, but okay!" says Sam as she stands and starts to walk toward the fallen car.
"Well, my leg is sore! Could you help me?" asks Clover. The paramedic is only too happy to help, and Clover plays her 'injury' to the fullest.
While the inspectors pour over the fallen car, Sam looks at the connecting rod and again takes a few pictures with her compowder. She is soon joined by Clover, who now has a date with the paramedic for Sunday night.
Again the gals take a seat on a midway bench and review the photos.
"Look, Clover! The connecting rod was cut!" says Sam.
"Looks like another laser job!" replies Clover.
"Clover, do you get the feeling someone is trying to do us in?"
"It sure seems that way, Sam! We'd better check on Alex again!"
"Right!"
The gals quickly make their way to the 'Stratosphere'. But Alex is fine.
"Maybe it's just coincidence?" asks Clover.
"Coincidence or not, I think we should spend the rest of the day on the tamer rides and attractions!" replies Sam.
"Sounds like a totally great idea!" replies Clover.
Sam and Clover spend the rest of the day seeing the various shows and riding the various simulators. Once again, the memory of the fallen cablecar is forgotten in the fun of the day.
They eventually find their way to the Taffy Factory. They watch with great interest as the taffy is made, and buy a box.
"Ohhhhh, this taffy IS good!" says Clover, as she pops another piece into her mouth.
"I'll say!" says Sam, as she also takes another piece. "It ought to be illegal to sell something this fattening, that tastes this good! I'll have to diet and exercise for a week to loose the weight this is going to put on me!"
"Me too, Sammy! But you have to admit, this is sinfully delicious!"
Sam opens up her backpack and takes out some tape. She quickly tapes the taffy box so that it can't be opened without scissors.
"There! Now we can't be tempted!" says Sam triumphantly.
"Good thinking, Sam! I didn't even realize I had already eaten three pieces of taffy! We need to leave some for Alex!" responds Clover.
"Right! We're not going to be the only ones forced to exercise to lose the added weight! Alex has to join us!" says Sam, with a devilish gleam in her eyes.
"That's right, Sammy. Misery loves company!" responds Clover happily.
The gals try their luck at the midway games and hit paydirt, as they each win two large stuffed animals!
The day quickly passes, as the gals enjoy the park. It is about half an hour before the park closes for the day, when the gals decide to check on Alex for the last time.
"How's our 'Stratosphere' record chaser?" asks a happy Sam.
"Good, Sammy! About 30 more minutes, and I'll see you guys at the hotel!" says Alex.
"We're going to be leaving now, Alex, so we can put our stuffed animals in our room. We'll be eating at the hotel restaurant. Maybe we'll still be there when you arrive," says Clover.
"Okay, Clover! I'll look for you guys in the restaurant then!" says Alex, just before she starts another trip on the coaster.
Clover and Sam exit the park and go to the Beachcomber restaurant. They are early, as most of the students on the field trip plan to wait until the park closes before returning to the hotel. The restaurant is almost empty.
"Well, Sam, how are you going to display your stuffed animals?" asks Clover, as she and Sam eat a light supper.
"I'll drape the snake on the perimeter of the headboard of my bed, and I'll put the bull on my green bedspread right in the middle of my bed," responds Sam.
"That will look totally cool!" responds Clover.
"How about you and your stuffed animals?"
"I'm going to use my brown bedspread and put the lion on top of the pillows and the dog at the foot of the bed."
"That should look cool too!"
Soon the gals finish supper and are on their way to their room. The park just closed, and the other students are just arriving back at the hotel. Clover and Sam are glad they beat the rush.
"After the events of the day, I'm wiped!" says Clover, as she unlocks the door to their room.
"Totally!" responds Sam. "A nice hot soak in the bath tub for me, and then to sleep!"
But as they open the door, they are overcome by sleeping gas and collapse to the floor! A stealthy figure pulls both girls into the room along with their stuffed animals!
