Borrowing, Borrowing, Borrowing
When Bobby came out of the bathroom, Alex was standing in front of the window looking out. "Hey Eames, it seems to me that when I was checking us in last night, I heard someone mention an amusement park nearby. Do you want to go and check it out?"
"Look at us Bobby, neither one of us is exactly dressed for an amusement park." Bobby was wearing a suit, minus the tie and Alex was wearing dress slacks, a satin blouse and 2 inch healed boots.
"So we can run to a store and get something more appropriate. Come on, what do you say?"
"What the hell, why not? We both could use a day of fun."
"Good, let's go. I'll pay for another night here on the way out and you can call the Captain and let him know we won't be back today."
"Gee, thanks Goren. What do you suggest I tell him, 'Hey Captain, Bobby and I have decided to take a day to play right in the middle of an investigation?"
"I'm sure you'll think of something," he said as he shut the door behind them.
When Bobby was paying for the extra night, he asked the guy running the desk about the park. "Hey man, last night someone said something about an amusement park."
"Yeah, Cedar Pointe"
"Can you tell me how to get there?'
"Sure, go left out of here, turn right at the light and follow the signs from there."
"Thanks, oh is there a store nearby where we can buy some other clothes?"
"Sure, there is a Meijer just down the road the other way."
"What is Meijers?"
"It's like a Walmart, only some people think it is better."
"Good enough thanks again."
While Bobby was getting the information, Alex was talking to Captain Ross. "Sorry Captain, but they don't have the part in stock and it will be tomorrow morning before they can get it in at the earliest."
"Eames, in this day and age, it seems hard to believe that a repair shop would have that much trouble getting parts."
"Well it's not like we're in New York."
"Where are you exactly again?"
"Um, I believe Bobby said Sandusky Ohio."
"Right, well then, I will expect to see you first thing Monday morning, and Eames?'
"Yes sir?"
"Enjoy the Pointe" With that the Captain hung up.
Alex was looking confused when Bobby got in the car. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing really" she replied. "The Captain said he would see us Monday morning."
"What did you tell him?"
"That we had car trouble and the shop had to order the part."
"What did he say?"
"Well, he asked exactly where we were. When I told him, it sounded like he sighed and said he would expect to see us first thing Monday morning."
"That's it?"
"No, he also said, enjoy the Pointe and hung up."
"Busted"
"What do you mean?"
"The name of the park is Cedar Pointe."
"OH, WHOOPS"
Alex drove while Bobby read her some information on the park from a brochure he picked up in the entrance way at the Meijer store. They arrived at Cedar Pointe looking like most other park patrons. Bobby had on a light blue polo shirt with navy cargo shorts and sandals. Alex had on a burgundy tank top and cream colored walking shorts with canvas shoes. When they entered the park, a perky young girl took their picture and told them they could purchase a copy at the booth across the midway after 12pm.
They stopped to look at the map Bobby picked up on the way in. "So what should we do first?" He asked.
"What's the closest roller coaster?" Alex asked.
"Coaster?" He choked out. "How about something tamer like the carousal."
"Don't tell me, big bad Bobby is afraid of roller coasters."
"No, of course not, I just thought you might like something else. Why don't we take the train to the back of the park and work our way forward.""OK, works for me," Alex said. "According to the map The Mean Streak Coaster is back there."
"Great," he replied, although he clearly didn't mean it. All during the trip to the back of the park, Bobby kept showing her other things to do when they got there. "Look Eames there is an Antique Car ride that could be fun."
"That sounds right up your driving ability alright.""Very funny, I didn't hear you complain about my driving last night."
"I was asleep last night"
"I thought I heard snoring from the passenger seat." Alex punched him in the arm for that comment.
"Look, here, there is a small coaster called the Cedar Creek Mine Ride. Why don't we start with that one and work your way up to the bigger coasters?"
"Tell you what, I'll go on that if we can go into the museum by it afterwards."
"Deal."
While they were waiting in line for the ride, Alex had a sudden thought. "Bobby, have you ever been on a roller coaster?"
"Honestly? No. The only time my mom too Frank and I to Coney Island, the coaster was broken down."
"Well, don't worry, this is going to be fun, you'll see."
When they got off the ride, Bobby had to admit that it was kind of fun. Truth be told though, the bigger ones looked mighty daunting. As she promised, Alex went into the museum with him. Their day fell into a pattern where they alternated between the roller coasters she loved and the more tame pursuits he enjoyed. By time the day was almost over, they had been in all the shops, seen most of the shows and had been on all of the coasters except for the Millennium Force. Bobby looked at that one and said "No Way"
"There is nothing that could get me on that one."
"Nothing?" Alex said. "Are you sure about that?" Alex batted her lashes at him and latched onto his arm.
"Come on Alex, have pity on an old man!" Alex was stunned, he actually used her first name.
"There is nothing old about you Bobby, except for maybe your hair," she said as she gently pulled on a few of his grey hairs."
"I think some of that grey just came in today."
"OK" she laughed. "Let's end our day in the souvenir shop under the skylift. I want to get some stuff for my family."
"What about all those pictures you bought as we got off the coasters?"
"Those are for us and maybe Lewis/"
"Oh, no, If Lewis sees some to those, I'll never live it down. But come on, there are some DVD's and books on the history of the park that I want to get. I saw them earlier when we were just looking around."
Next chapter will get back to Alex's nightmare