This is my entry into Finish the Story Contest held within the 
@zeldacroft “Carl, I’m not telling you again. No.” The teen shook his head emphatically as he shut his locker. John started to walk away, with Carl close behind. Most of the students had already escaped after the release of the final bell, leaving the two teens mostly alone as they exited the grimy public school halls.
“Aw c’mon, man, my first shift starts tomorrow and I promised you’d be there,” Carl begged.
“I don’t understand, why did you even take the job if you knew you needed another person?”
“Because I knew I could count on you. My oldest, most bestest friend. Buddy, Old Pal?” He nudged John in the ribs, who rolled his eyes and started walking faster out of the building. John could feel his resistance waning under the shallow arguments and incessant prodding. Saturdays were valuable, but it was almost summer and getting a job wouldn’t be so bad if he could do it with a friend. He could still make Carl work for it though.
“I don’t know, I’m not liking all this peer pressure,” he teased. “Mrs. Campbell would be very disappointed in you.”
“Peer pressure doesn’t include perks like Coaster Town has,” Carl clarified.
“What perks?” John questioned.
Carl stopped and faced him, taking a dramatic, deep breath.
“Fifteen percent off park entry!” He exclaimed, inciting an amused eyebrow raise from John and a chuckle from a passing teacher. “Plus a free pass for the Twister of Doom and free hamburgers from the café!”
“Oh, I’m sure unlimited hamburgers won’t get old fast.”
“They pay over minimum wage, too. Seriously, this could be our big opportunity for some cash before summer hits.”
They were nearly outside, the fresh late-spring air drifting in through the open door. It was a nice change from the mustiness and body spray overdoses, and it made John almost look forward to working at a theme park. He felt the call of freedom in the form of sunlight breaching through the school windows. Stepping outside, the afternoon warmth of the sidewalk between the brick institution and the emptying parking lot won him over.
“Did you say we get to work outside?” John asked. Carl’s face lit up with optimism.
“Yep, at least most of the time.” John stepped next to his bike, one of the last few chained nearby. He ignored the eager inquisitiveness emanating from Carl as he unshackled the bicycle and stood up.
“Well, I suppose I could give it a try, anyway,” he conceded. Carl did a strange sort of clapping dance motion as his grin grew its customary vastness.
“Thanks, John, you won’t be sorry,” he promised as he proceeded to unhook his own bike. “And don’t worry, they provide our costume and everything.” John halted.
“Wait, our costume? Singular?” John could have sworn he heard the job description as entertainers, plural.
“Yeah, the mascot costume. I haven’t seen it yet but I’m sure we’ll fit.” Carl climbed onto his bike as John filled with horrific regret.
Out of earshot of Manager Kyle, John, mortified by the thought of being up on stage in front of a crowd of tourist coming in from all over the world, protested to Carl. Persistent and a bit forceful, Carl talked him into it by reminding him that this new gig would be a two-dollar raise and free access to the park for friends.
Sirenum scopuli was the summers greatest hit.
By the last show, school was a distant memory John never wanted to go back to. He was going to ask his parents if he could quit school to become a full-time entertainer for Coaster Town because his boss loved his work and needed him, sales were up.
Carl, on the other hand, was thrilled that they had finished their last performance of the summer. He never imagined that being in front of people would make him choke on his own spit as he focused on the racing thoughts of criticism he might receive after the show. The laughing crowd didn't do much to boost his confidence. That's when he was given the role of Lord Sandor Nikolaidis, a silent role that needed him to look interested and put up a hand at the end of the show as the curtains came to a close.
Backstage, the sound of singing sirens beckoned the patrons to exit back into the park.
John and Carl were undressing and putting their costumes into their lockers.
"Man!" John exclaimed with an electrical spark coursing throughout his body, "That was sooo sweet." He shook Carl by the shoulders. "Did you catch sight of Isabel and Candy? I can't believe they made it to our last show."
Carl's mischievous eyes grew wide with enthusiasm as he said, "Twister of Doom." If there was one thing that Carl did love about working in Coaster Town, it was the unlimited free rides on the death-defying coaster and the chance of being with a beautiful girl on their last night.
They pushed and teased each other like normal as they made there way down the hall until they noticed a caleidoscope of colored lights abscond their way out from underneath a doorway into the hall.
The door flung open, the lights assaulting their eyes paralyzed them where they stood, their hearts jumped into their throats as their breathing solidified in their chests.
A silhouette the size of Arnold Schwarzenegger stepped in front of the light. "Boys," the voice was soft and gentle, "Great show - but, I'm sorry. There will be no time to celebrate just yet. The portal I'd been working on closing all summer long opened and swallowed two girls."
"Mrs. Campbell?" Carl managed to squeak out.
"Yes." Mrs. Campbell stepped into the hall. The teens relaxed a little. "Look, boys, there isn't a lot of time for chitty-chat. Isabel and Candy were hiding in here for some unknown reason," her accusing stare made the boys blush, "when the portal opened. Adventure and danger await us."
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