Chapter 3: The Arcade
Danny crossed over the threshold into the arcade. He looked down at the strange dark carpet as he strolled in—maddening swirls of cosmic purple, aqua, and yellow twisting across its surface. The psychedelic floor and black lighting were overwhelming—but what came next blew his mind completely. Twelve vertical machines stood across the showroom floor, each unique in shape, sound, and color.
His misgivings about video games faded as he stood among walls of velvet fantasy posters. His curiosity about the arcade became insatiable. His transformation had begun.
If the stories of the sorceress were true, and if Arcadia was cursed, Danny was already under its spell.
Cursed or not, he was compelled to uncover its mysteries.
The flashing lights, pulsating beeps, and dazzling designs swept over him—too much to absorb at once.
“THIS IS AWESOME!” he cried as a surge of emotion burst out.
“C’mon,” Jessie called out to Danny, beckoning him over to one of the video game machines. “Try this game.”
Jessie slid a quarter into the slot and pressed the Player One button. “First one’s free.”
Danny stood before a machine called Pandora. Its towering presence loomed over him like The Monolith from Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey—an alien artifact, granting wisdom and evolution to those who touched it. Perhaps Danny was evolving too, as he touched the joystick, navigating the pixelated wilderness, entranced by the technological wonder before him.
“I don’t know what I’m doing, but this is out-of-sight, man!”
Danny was so engrossed in his game that he almost didn’t notice the dark figure make its way in through the front door.
The bright light from outside flashed in the dim arcade—he glanced up, eyes adjusting.
It was Selene.
Her purple sundress swayed in the breeze, the backlight tracing the silhouette of her athletic figure—until the door shut behind her. The thinness of the conforming fabric accentuated every alluring curve.
Danny could no longer deny—he had it bad for her.
“I think you lost,” Blake quipped.
“Lost?” Danny blinked, snapping back to reality and turning toward the screen.
GAME OVER!
Aaron laughed. “Nice try, hotshot.”
Jessie nudged Danny aside. “Let me show you how it’s done.”
He slid a quarter into the coin slot, the machine rang out with music. The group gathered, watching Jessie take control. Danny tried to focus, standing nonchalantly by Blake and the others—but he had to keep Selene in his sights.
Jessie’s hands navigated the control panel with astonishing speed and fluid precision. The bright screen illuminated his face, while the marquee’s brilliance seemed to smile above him. All the while, the game room pulsed with gleeful shouts, digital bleeps, and rushing music.
Danny watched Jessie in awe, his fixation on Selene waned as he got lost in the exhilaration around him. His contempt for video games had vanished, replaced by fascination. He knew he was hooked, and couldn’t wait to play another round.
The group cheered Jessie on as he skillfully guided the pixelated crimson dot through the blue-lit circular maze. Even Blake got caught up in the excitement.
Danny smiled, but the thrill began to fade as he settled into the arcade’s atmosphere. His thoughts drifted back to Selene. He tried not to look at her—but he could no longer resist, he had to see the depth of her eyes again—and if she happened to smile at him, he knew he would be unraveled. He finally gave in, looking to find her—but she was gone. He scanned the room but still couldn’t find her. Where could she be? Disappointed, he continued looking until finally—There she is! His excitement surged. Selene knelt beside another arcade machine across the way, her thin dress shifting with her movements. What’s she doing? he wondered, watching her pick up something metallic and shiny. Hmmm… she must’ve dropped her ring, he decided.
“What are you gawking at?” George nudged Danny and laughed. Then he turned to Jessie. “You’re not so bad after all, hippy boy––but I bet you can’t beat the game,” he challenged.
“Never bet against me,” Jessie declared, emotionless.
“You’re crazy! You’ll never make it—you’ve got lives and only fifteen seconds left!” Blake locked his eyes on Jessie, who seemed unfazed. “Okay, you said you had twenty bucks, right? Well, I got twenty bucks, if you’re man enough.”
“You’re on,” Jessie mumbled, his posture stiffening as he guided his dot closer to the center of the spinning maze. The yellow adversaries closed in on Jessie’s avatar dot. The countdown was seven seconds to zero and the enemy sentinels cornered him.
Then—the cabinet was jostled violently.
“Whoops! Didn’t mean to bump it, honest!” Blake laughed, feigning innocence. “It’s game over. Now pay up!”
Jessie stayed cool. “You wish,” he scoffed. “But…”
With one second left on the timer, he slipped his dot through a hidden doorway—merging into the maze’s center. A triumphant digital chime echoed from the speakers.
Jessie grinned and continued, “…there’s no tilt sensors on these machines.” The maze dissolved, the screen flashed—then exploded into bold, neon words: YOU WIN!
The light from the screen illuminated Jessie’s face as he turned to Blake. “You owe me twenty bucks.”
“Bullshit! You hustled me!” Blake snapped, puffing up his small frame in an attempt to match Jessie’s towering stance.
“It was your idea to bet,” Jessie said, looking down at Blake, “I warned ya about betting against me.”
“You’re not cheatin’ me, queer boy!” Blake waved his fist at Jessie.
The lights flickered, and a sudden flash near one of the cabinets in the corner caught Danny’s eye. But as the tension escalated, he turned his attention back to Blake and Jessie—Jessie remained calm despite Blake’s aggression. Danny noticed Jessie’s hand shifting toward a bulge in his back pocket. Is he going for a weapon? Danny’s pulse quickened. I better defuse this—fast…
“C’mon, Blake, let’s mellow out a bit…” Danny said.
“No way! I’m gonna settle this right now,” Blake shouted.
“Boys, boys!” Karen intervened, slipping between them with a knowing smile. “Why not settle this at the lake tonight? We’re going anyway—you two can joust it out there.” She draped herself between them, casually brushing against Jessie and Danny before gliding up beside Blake.
Everyone, except Jessie, was mesmerized by Karen—their rigid postures easing as they focused on her. Jessie stood motionless, his eyes fixed on Blake—focused and unreadable. Blake, however, was too absorbed with Karen pressed against him to notice.
“Um… r-right,” Danny stammered, still enamored by Karen. “We can get a couple of water horses together, and you guys can, well––joust.” Feeling the tension ease, he patted Jessie and Blake on the shoulders, hoping to cement a truce. “In the meantime, isn’t it about time to go see Jaws––for about the fourth time?”
“Yeah, let’s go see Jaws!” said Miguel.
“Jaws then joust!” exclaimed George.
“Yes! Water jousts turn me on.” Karen smiled, biting her lower lip as she strutted over to Jessie, tracing her fingertips along his jaw. “Besides, this one’s face is too pretty to bruise.” Then, with a teasing sway, she drifted back to Blake, pressing against him as she kissed his cheek. “And I love it when you win,” she whispered. “Win for me, baby,” she purred in Blake’s ear—her eyes shifting to Jessie, winking.
Blake turned to Jessie and asked, “Know how to water joust?”
“Sure.” Jessie scoffed. “I do it all the time.”
Blake narrowed his eyes, then smirked. He turned to the others and said, “Alright then! It’s a joust you guys want? You’ll get one!”
Everyone but Jessie cheered at the news.
“I’ll give Larry a call, set the whole thing up… we’ll have ourselves a nice lil bout tonight.” Blake glanced around, then pointed at Jessie. “Around eight, let’s say.” He turned to the others. “Moosey, Aaron, Ox––you guys get a couple of water horses prepped. Have them ready for tonight.”
“You got it, Blake,” said Miguel.
“Hey, look, I’m Jaws!” George said as he clamped his arms around Miguel.
“Man, get off!” Miguel chuckled.
Blake laughed, rolling his eyes before pulling Danny in close. “Coming to this arcade was your idea––so you be Mr. Expert’s second, train him up. Obviously, he has no idea what he’ll be doing, and I don’t want this to look bad in front of Larry and everyone. I’ve got a rep to protect, ya dig?”
“Fine, don’t worry,” Danny said, chuckling. “Now, you two shake hands like good sports, and may the best man win tonight.”
Jessie extended his hand in a friendly gesture. Blake clasped it with a malicious smile. Their arms trembled, forearms flexing as their clasped hands turned red and white. Blake’s smile began to erode, his posture became rigid. The two grunted occasionally, but Jessie’s face remained calm and deadpan—as always. His eternal poker face.
“Okay, that’s enough—we got things to do,” Danny asserted.
They released each other’s hands.
“You’re going for a swim, queer boy,” Blake sneered, clasping his hand as he walked away. “C’mon, let’s go see the movie, guys.”
“Whatever,” Jessie muttered, wiggling his fingers and shaking his hand.
Karen turned, flashing a playful smile before blowing Jessie a kiss.
Jessie rolled his eyes, turning away from her.
“Don’t look at him.” Blake ordered, glaring at Karen and grabbing her by the wrist. “C’mon!”
Karen stumbled slightly—shuffling her steps, her heels thumping as she found her footing.
“You lucky dog, you,” Danny whispered to Jessie, giving him a pat on the back.
Jessie pursed his lips, shrugging.
Danny turned to see Selene adjusting the straps of her backpack, preparing to leave. As he held the door open for her, he could hear Miguel and George singing the Jaws theme while Blake and Karen argued. His focus settled on Selene. “It was nice meeting you, Selene,” he said with a smile. “I’ll see you later, okay?”
“I’m not going to be able to make it to the movies tonight.” she replied. “I just remembered there’s something I need to do.”
“Oh.” Danny’s voice softened. “Something happen? You seemed distant after we got here.”
“Um… I just have something I need to take care of, is all,” Selene said. “I’ll see ya around, okay? You two be careful tonight.” Selene gave the guys a distant smirk and walked off.
Jessie walked over as Danny stood stiff, silent, watching her disappear.
“She’s pretty,” Jessie said. “I’d tell you to go after her, but I need you to myself.”
Danny looked at him curiously.
“To teach me all this jousting stuff,” Jessie added.
“Oh, right. Well, for your information, I have no desire to go after Selene.” Danny scoffed.
“If you say so.”
“Nah, I don’t have time for that stuff. But as for helping you––yeah, I’ll help you.” Danny grinned. “I thought you knew how to joust? Why’d you say you did?”
“It was the quickest way to get Blake to leave. So, you think you can show me?”
“Sure––but then you’ll owe me one.”
Jessie squinted, glancing sideways at Danny. “What do I gotta do?”
Danny grinned wide, looking around—taking in the luster of Arcadia. “Weeeeeell… you just show me the ins and outs of this awesome place—how to play these mind-blowing games—and we’ll call it even.”
“Deal,” replied Jessie, offering an apprehensive smirk.
“Don’t worry; you’ll do fine––it’ll be fun, actually.”
“Fun, eh?” Jessie shrugged, unconvinced.
“It really is,” Danny assured him, then paused, eyeing a heavyset man slumped at the counter. “Hey, what’s going on with the guy at the register over there? Is he snoring?”
Jessie was just about to respond when a group of fifth-grade schoolboys barged in, their faces bright with excitement. “Far-out! Cool!” one of them yelled.
“WOW! NEAT-O!” another exclaimed.
“See? Toldja the place was outta sight!” Billy declared, munching on a candy bar in a sugar-fueled frenzy. “Hey, it’s Jessie! C’mon, guys!”
The boys raced over to him. “Arrrrrr, matey! Ya got any pieces of eight for a dollar? Me matey’s be needing some, too.” Billy looked up with a missing tooth grin, and freckles dotting his face.
“Hey, Lil Billy, sure, hang on; I’ll get some quarters from the manager.” Jessie smiled down at the boys.
“Cool shirt,” said Danny, pointing to Billy’s Space Pirates shirt.
“Gee, thanks, mister!” Billy exclaimed.
“What’s pieces of eight?” asked Danny.
“Pirate money,” replied Jessie. “They wanna swap cash for quarters.”
“Guess what?” Justin said with excitement. “We saw a unicorn in the woods!”
“Suuure you guys did,” said Danny, smirking and nodding. “Hear that, Jessie?”
Jessie shook his head, cracking a slight smirk. “Hang on, let me get some quarters for them,” he said, then strode over to the manager, Jon Goodall, who was snoring away by the cash register.
Jessie slapped the counter. “Hey, Mooney!”
“Wha?” Mr. Goodall yelped, leaping upright as his newspaper scattered across the counter.
“These kids need some quarters,” Jessie said, pointing to the motley group of elementary-aged kids, then turned to Mr. Goodall, whose protruding eyes blinked behind fogged glasses.
The man clutched his obese chest, wheezing for breath. He looked like he was about to speak, but instead, he slumped back down, his eyes fluttering shut as he began snoring again.
“Mooney, if you can hear me, I’m heading out for a bit. Think you can manage here without me?” Jessie shrugged, pursing his lips before turning to the kids. “Just wake him and get your quarters,” he said and then exited the arcade with Danny.
Outside, Danny leaned against the large, fresh plywood patching the hole where the spectator window used to be. He grinned, giving Jessie another once-over as he stood across from him. “Nervous, Mr. Cool Breeze?” Danny asked.
“Am I nervous?” Jessie replied. “Well, to be honest, I’d just like to know what the plan is.”
“Have you seen those medieval movies, like Monty Python and the Holy Grail or Camelot?”
Jessie nodded, “My mom made me watch Camelot when I was a kid. And I read some books about medieval stuff, too.”
“Well then, you should be familiar with the knights and jousting thing. This is just like jousting—but on water. We built these watercrafts, called water horses. Basically, they’re bikes rigged up with paddles on a floating platform, so you can pedal them upon the water. They’re built for a team of two—one guy pedals while the other steers and wields the lance, aiming to knock their opponent into the water.”
Jessie bit his nails as Danny mimed a jousting strike.
“Don’t look so tense; there’s really nothing to it. I’ll be doing all the hard work anyway. Basically, I’m your horse—I pedal my butt off, and we launch forward. All you have to worry about is aiming the lance at your target, steering, and keeping your balance. You’re the knight, get it?”
Jessie gave a slight but quick nod.
“We start on one end, and Blake will be way down at the other side, about sixty yards away. We race towards each other on our water horses and meet up in the danger zone. That’s where you and Blake lance each other. That’s where you win or swim, ya dig?”
“Danger zone? Thought you said this wasn’t dangerous.”
“Nah, don’t let the name fool you. We don’t go fast enough—that’s why we don’t use jet skis. Now that’s dangerous. Some hopheads tried that once and ended up in the hospital. But with our water horses, you ain’t gotta worry––unless you can’t swim.” Danny laughed. “Plus, I’m your second—I’ll be right there with you, making sure you’re safe. And you’ll get a helmet, some shoulder pads, and all that stuff, okay?”
“This is nuts,” Jessie said, crossing his arms and shaking his head. “I’d only do crazy stuff like this for money.”
“Really, man. We do it for kicks all the time. It’s fun; I’ve done it loads of times. Oh, and bring a towel and change of clothes––you’re getting wet.”
“Is that a fact?” Jessie straightened up, with a stern look.
“Wow, lookit you—went from hesitant to ready for battle.”
“I said I’d do it, and I will––didn’t say I’d like it. But I’m not going there to lose, especially not to Blake.”
“Oh, you will—if you know what’s good for you. Trust me, Blake is a sore loser. Let him win tonight, and he’ll forget about earlier—he’ll leave you alone. Just let him win, but make it look good. Trust me—you don’t want to make an enemy of him. If you beat him tonight, in front of everyone—especially Larry—well… that’s a whole new level of trouble. And nothing I say will help you then.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“Not saying you can’t.” Danny stepped closer in. “Let me ask you something—what were you going to reach for when things got heated back in the arcade?”
“This…” Jessie pulled out an ivory-plated pocketknife and handed it to Danny. “…it’s very handy where I come from.”
“Somehow, I thought so,” Danny said, scanning the area for onlookers before flipping open the blade. “Nice lil four-inch blade—you could really do some damage with…”
Jessie cut him off, “I’d only use it if I had to.”
Danny closed the blade and handed it back. “You don’t know how things work around here. Blake’s dad is the sheriff, and Larry is the mayor’s son. The mayor and sheriff run this town—there’s no way you win against them. If you think your knife will help––you’d be bringing it to a gunfight, and they’d have the law on their side. The way I see it, you’ve got two choices: take a dive or take a hike to the next bus outta…” Danny cut off mid-sentence, bewildered as something darted out of the arcade. Danny watched on in disbelief. There was no denying it—a blue monkey scurried across the street, and vanished into an alley.
“What’s wrong?”
“I—I don’t know… I saw something really far-out, man,” Danny said, jogging across the street and rushing over to the alley.
At the end of the alley, he froze—a creature scampered along the edge of the woods. There was no denying it—a monkey, blue and white stripes streaking across its fur—skittered ahead.
Danny blinked his eyes in disbelief.
Then—something gripped his shoulder. Danny flinched hard.
“Calm down; it’s just me,” a voice said.
Danny spun around, gasping—Jessie behind him.
“Geez!” Danny cried. “Don’t—do that.”
“What are you doing?” Jessie questioned. “I thought you were going to show me how to do the water jousting stuff.”
“Shhhhhhhhh,” Danny whispered, pointing. The blue monkey shifting among the bushes—then disappeared into the leaves.
“Interesting.”
“Interesting––right!” Danny laughed. “C’mon, let’s get a better look.”
“It’s gotta be painted,” Jessie said, following after him.
When Jessie caught up, Danny was crouched down behind a thicket, peering through a small gap in the brush.
“What are you doing, now?” Jessie asked.
“Shhhhhh––I can see the little guy right across from me. It’s holding a large brown egg—or maybe a football—and something metallic in its hands… or paws… or whatever they are.”
Jessie crouched beside him, looking where Danny pointed.
Through the bushes, they saw the strange monkey sitting on a log in a small clearing nearby. Danny rose and crept around the thicket. He whispered, “I gotta see this up close.”
Danny moved with stealth toward the creature, which was still focused on the metallic object.
Jessie stepped forward to join Danny…
SNAP!
A twig broke beneath the weight of Jessie’s foot.
Danny and the blue creature whipped their heads toward Jessie, bodies rigid with alarm.
“So much for the element of surprise,” Danny muttered, continuing towards the monkey. He crouched down, clicking his tongue, stretching out his hand. “Easy there, easy there…” he said in a soft voice, snapping his fingers.
The monkey reared back, clutching the strange metal object against its chest.
“Take it easy, Danny,” Jessie warned. “It’s starting to tense up—you don’t know what it’ll do.”
Danny turned back to Jessie, “Oh, please! It’s a little monkey. What’s it gonna do? Besides,” he added, “the metal thing it’s holding––looks like a ring.”
The ring’s luminous stone flickered, drawing Danny in—his breath stilled. “I need to get a better look at it,” he said, transfixed, stepping closer.
The creature screeched, its eyes widening.
A bright light flashed from the ring.
ZAP! FWOOM!
A roar erupted all around. A blazing vortex beam erupted from the ring, slamming into Danny’s chest—flinging him backward.
He hit the ground with a hammering collision.
Danny didn’t move.
****
Danny opened his eyes to the towering clouds, their fluffs of white forming around him as he soared with graceful ease.
He watched the sun unveiling its majesty, adorning golden light across billowing nimbus clouds and cirrus wisping on high breezes.
His angelic wings stretched—an awe-inspiring twelve feet—lifting him effortlessly into the sky. He grinned, bathed in morning splendor—his blond hair shined like a halo.
This was heaven, and he was a part of its beauty.
Danny reveled in his flight, gliding through crisp air and shape-shifting clouds. He soared past a colossal swan, its form etched in vapor. Another cloud twisted into a mighty dragon. Then—he spotted a gargantuan puppy’s head, floating serenely in the sky.
As he played in his world of imagination, two clouds drifted together, forming into a soft, shifting likeness of Selene and himself entwined in an embrace. As the two passionate clouds joined, they transformed—shaping into a doorway that slowly opened. Above the archway, an image of Danny’s grandfather emerged—beckoning him forward.
Then Danny noticed Selene emerging in the distance—her long, ethereal black hair flowing in unseen currents. She wore a free-flowing white gown, its fabric a striking contrast against her glowing bronze skin. Even from afar, she was breathtaking—the silhouette of her curves just visible beneath the gentle drape of her gown.
The sight of her stole his breath away.
He soared through the secret cloud doorway, streaking toward her with eagle speed.
Then—an arcade machine leapt up through the clouds before him, obstructing his path. The black cabinet pulsed with tendrils of electricity snaking around its frame.
Danny veered, evading collision with the machine, then lightning streaked from its core—electric arcs crackling through the clouds, twisting the sky into a raging storm.
A shadowy cloud coiled around Selene—morphing into a cage.
“Danny, save me!” she cried. “Free me!”
Danny lunged forward, but the dark machine barred his way. He darted left, then right—every direction he tried, the machine blocked him. Danny’s frustration surged—he shoved the cabinet, but it stood firm, unmoved. His reflection appeared on the screen—then, it grinned. It started laughing at him. The cackle echoed, his image vanished—replaced by a beautiful face materializing in the monitor. The machine’s coin door yawned open, tendrils shot out, snagging Danny’s legs. He clawed at the side panels, struggling to brace himself—his wings thrashing wildly. With a mighty beat of his wings, he tore free. Elation surged—Danny had Selene in his sights. He pushed forward, ready to reach her. Lightning detonated from the screen—spearing through his wings, shredding them to ash.
Danny howled in agony.
The machine twisted—its side panels warping into arms that clamped onto his wrists.
His breathing quickened, watching in horror as the machine contorted, shifting into Karen, her form swallowing Danny whole.
He was gone.
The Karen demon licked her luscious lips and exhaled a satisfied, “Aaaahhhhhh.”
“Wake up, Danny…” a gentle voice called out. “Take the ring you found… join me… save your world… fulfill your destiny…”
****
Jessie knelt beside Danny, sprawled out on the woodland floor. “Danny! Danny! Are you okay?” He patted Danny’s face, voice firm with concern.
Danny stirred against the dried leaves, a cool breeze brushing his face as his eyes fluttered open.
“W-what happened?” he coughed, blinking up at Jessie. He tried to sit up but collapsed back, clutching his chest. “Ow! Feels like I got run over by a truck!” Danny winced, scanning his surroundings. “Last thing I remember—some blue monkey, some blinding light… then, some kinda dream about being smothered.”
“Just take it easy.” Jessie sighed. “That was a pretty mean hit you took.”
Danny exhaled, lying back down, rubbing his chest.
“I told you to lay off the monkey––guess you spooked it. Honestly, I have no clue what happened—but it dropped this.” Jessie held up a ring—dark silver, ridged, with a black stone embedded in its center. “The monkey screeched, dropped the ring, and then bolted after you got hit.”
He tossed the ring to Danny. “Here—you can have it. Seems only fair.”
“Right on, thanks!” Danny said, snatching it midair. “Strange-looking ring… pretty far out, though.” He slipped it on, twisting it around his finger as he studied its design.
“Yeah, weird, right? It’s the second ring I’ve found today.” Jessie lifted his hand, showing off a ring on his finger. “Found it at the arcade while I was vacuuming. It fit, I liked it, so I kept it.”
Danny’s fingers traced the copper and silver coils of Jessie’s ring. “Pretty neato,” he marveled, comparing it to his own. His brow tightened, scratching his head. “Y’know, it’s strange how these rings just happen to fit us. There was something in my dream about a ring, too. I think it all was some kinda warning.”
Jessie only shrugged, offering nothing in reply.
Danny couldn’t tell if Jessie was even listening. He continued regardless—he had to get thoughts out in the open. “I feel so… strange. It’s like I’ve crossed into a new world—ever since I set foot in Arcadia and met you and Selene. Things just feel inside out. Before, all I wanted to do was pull my bedsheets over my head and let the world pass me by. Now—it’s like I don’t want to miss what might happen next!” He made a sharp exhale. “I mean, have you ever been in a situation where you’re not sure what just happened, but you know your life will never be the same again?”
Jessie looked like he was about to say something, but Danny was too amped up—he barreled forward, cutting him off. “It’s like being on a roller coaster in a free-fall dive, and everything is screaming inside me to hit the emergency stop––only I can’t because it’s sucha rush. I feel as if I’ve been asleep for so long, and now I’m just waking up. I don’t even know if this all happened because of Arcadia or Selene. Because I can’t get either out of my head! It’s like they’ve bewitched me—dragged me into this whole new world. And now I’m having weird dreams and seeing strange monkeys with strange footballs and rings!” He paused for a breath. “Speaking of weird stuff—where’d that football thing go?”
Jessie glanced around. “I don’t know; it’s gone. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, why?”
Jessie looked down at Danny and said, “You were just unconscious, and now you’re rambling—I swear, I wasn’t sure if you’d ever pause for air.”
“I’m fine; I’m fine; I just got a lot to process.”
Jessie sighed. “Well, good—because we still need to talk about the joust…” He hesitated, helping Danny to his feet. “You sure you’re up for the thing tonight?”
“Yeah, man. No way I’m missing it. Be at the pier by seven-thirty—the one on the lake, right in front of the main platform. That should be plenty of time to get you up to speed before eight o’clock. Just don’t be late, okay?”
Jessie eyed Danny, curiosity flickering across his face.
“Gotta get you fitted with protective gear first—then, we’ll run through everything on the water, ya dig?”
Jessie nodded.
“Y’know, you seemed a lot less moody and monotone before the arcade.”
“This is how I am. What you saw earlier? That was hustler mode––my game face.”
“Okay, well––maybe you should hustle more.” Danny chuckled. “You’re way too serious now,” he said, nudging Jessie, who remained emotionless. “Ha! Case in point,” Danny said, grinning, jabbing his finger toward Jessie. “Anyhow, catch ya on the flipside!” Danny said, waving as he dashed off.
“Great,” Jessie mumbled, watching Danny disappear from the clearing. “He might have a point, though… maybe I should hustle more. I’ll see if Herbie can lay some odds for me for tonight.” He looked around the woods, then down at the ring on his finger, and muttered, “I wonder what this ring would fetch me at the pawnshop? A little extra cash might come in handy in case the joust leaves me busted up. Not sure I buy that it’s safe. Why’m I even doing this? My Grandpa always warned me—my ego writes checks my body can’t cash…”
Thank You For Reading! Please “like, share, and leave comments.”
Buy Book click here!
Back To eRead click here!
0 Comments