Sideshow Alley Read online

  SIDESHOW ALLEY

  Copyright © 2013 K J Sheerin

  All rights reserved. No PArt of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the author.

  Published by:

  ArmchairPublishing

  P.O. Box 248

  Geelong

  VIC 3220

  Australia

  Web: www.armchairpublishing.com.au

  Cover Design by BookPOD

  Cover images by iStockphoto

  ISBN: 978-0-9807308-4-5

  eISBN: 978-0-9875701-1-6

  Contents

  Geeks and Freaks

  The New Intake

  Induction

  Day Two

  Day Three

  The Rock

  Hard Yards

  The Last Days of Innocence

  And the Winner is…

  Baptism of Fire

  Shore Leave

  Blood Bath

  Biding Time

  Verdi

  The Prize

  Almeta

  Tace

  The Harvest

  The Last Resort

  Kyla’s Wish

  Mother Earth

  Geeks and Freaks

  Colin’s eyes glazed over as he sat on the edge of the sofa and blasted his way through the foe on the screen in front. His mate, Tiddles, watched every move and offered advice while waiting his turn. Realising it wasn’t going to be anytime soon he reached for the guitar that rested against the wall and strummed a tune. The soothing notes competing with the sounds of gunfire and explosions from the game being played.

  Tiddles looked over to Colin’s younger sister, Rhonda, who sat cross-legged on a nearby armchair. She wore pink track pants and a white t-shirt—her feet and midriff bare. He watched as she thumbed her way through a magazine while talking to a girlfriend on the phone. His glasses fogged up and the music from the guitar died away unnoticed.

  Colin’s mother, Sally, laboured away at the kitchen sink—her thoughts overwhelmed by the monotonous drone of the washing machine in the nearby laundry. After the dishes there were the floors to be done and beds to be made. There seemed to be no end to the work and no help forthcoming. She seethed while reaching for another pot from the stove-top and then looking out of the window at the long grass and backyard full of junk, she exploded.

  Sally stormed into the lounge room. She grabbed the phone from her daughter’s hand and slammed it down on the receiver.

  ‘You can talk to your friend some other time! Right now you can help me with the housework, Young Lady.’

  Rhonda knew better than to say anything—she rose instead and adjusted her t-shirt while heading for the kitchen and a tea-towel.

  Colin had heard the commotion, but was at a crucial stage of the game, so kept on playing. It ended when the power was turned off.

  ‘Mum! What did you do that for? I could have saved the game.’

  ‘Tell it to someone who cares! Why don’t you go out and get a job or better still, mow the lawn and make yourself useful around here?’ Sally screamed, as she stormed off.

  Colin realised that restarting the game wasn’t an option, so he went outside with Tiddles to view the mess. It was depressing—much too nice a day to spend pushing a mower around. The two stood and considered the alternatives.

  ‘Have you been to the show yet?’ Tiddles asked.

  ‘Nah, haven’t worried too much about it—I’ve got stuff all money.’

  ‘I’ll shout you in. It ends tonight and I haven’t been either.’

  Colin looked at the backyard once more and decided it could wait, ‘Okay, let’s go.’

  The two youths headed for the railway line and followed it as far as the showgrounds, then went to the ticket window next to the main entrance.

  Tiddles reached for his wallet, ‘Two children’s tickets please.’

  The ticket vendor gave them the once over, taking in their long hair and general appearance—quite obviously they didn’t qualify, but with only a few hours of the show remaining he didn’t quibble.

  ‘Where do you want to go first?’ Tiddles asked, when inside.

  ‘Let’s do the sheep and cattle pavilions,’ Colin suggested, ‘although most of the stock would’ve gone by now.’

  ‘What’s up with your mother? Is she going through the change of life?’

  Colin laughed, ‘Nah, she’s just pissed off—although she could do with a change or at least a holiday.’

  They wandered through the first pavilion, Tiddles gagging on the smell of the straw, soiled with urine and sheep dung. Farmers called and whistled to their dogs as they herded their exhibits back onto trucks. The dogs’ bark and bleating of the sheep competed with the commentary on the public address system and roar of engines in the main arena as motocross riders scrambled around a makeshift track.

  It was the same in the cattle pavilion next door. Most of the exhibits had gone long ago and only a few stud cattle remained. Once out of the pavilion the noise became louder. In the distance they could see Sideshow Alley—the Ferris wheel and other amusement rides high in the air. The alley was packed with people intent on getting the most out of the remaining few hours of the show before it closed for another year.

  ‘How much have you got, Tiddles?’

  ‘I’ve got about twenty five dollars left, what about you?’

  ‘Ten.’

  ‘Hell, we’re not going to get much for that. Let’s have a look.’

  The two wandered along the long line of horse stalls and stock fences bordering the gravel roadway surrounding the main arena. They went past the animal nursery and stopped at the next stand to watch as a Blacksmith made horseshoes. Both looked on fixedly as he placed a strip of steel in his furnace and used bellows to fire-up the coals. Then when hot enough, he used tongs to withdraw the steel and rest it on his anvil while hammering it into shape.

  Afterwards they shifted their attention to a Clydesdale hitched nearby, attracted by the horse’s stature and docile nature.

  When they’d seen enough they continued on past the Pigeon Fancier’s pavilion and various other displays until at last they came to Sideshow Alley and the amusement rides there. They let the tide of people carry them along the alley, the amplified cry of the spruikers assailing their ears as they passed between the different attractions.

  ‘Step right up, step right up! Get your tickets for the Orbitor, the Sky Walker and Crazy Loop. Step right up, Ladies and Gentlemen.’

  Colin and Tiddles made their way over to the ticket vendor and looked at the prices.

  ‘Nine bucks a ride!’ Tiddles complained. They stood and watched each ride.

  ‘It’s got to be the Orbitor. It says here it’s got a G-force of five,’ Colin said, finally.

  Tiddles fronted up to purchase the tickets and they waited in line for their turn. When it came they entered the capsule and sat while an attendant secured the safety bar. The other seats filled quickly and the ride began.

  The Orbitor circled slowly at first and then faster as the hydraulic arms lifted in turn to make the capsule they were in spin crazily and flatten them against the backs of their seats. Screams filled the air as they caught glimpses of blue sky, trees and people—all blurred together. When the ride ended they dismounted, feeling light-headed and breathless.

  ‘That was fantastic,’ Tiddles said, when he got his breath back. High above them the screaming persisted as people rode the nearby Sky Walker and Crazy Loop.

  ‘Step right up. Step right up Ladies and Gentlemen. Get your fortunes read by a genuine mystic…’

  ‘This way folks to see the Half-man
Half-woman! Step this way.’

  The P.A. cut across the hubbub, ‘Would the competitors for the tractor pull report to the main arena please.’

  ‘Ten shots for only five dollars, Ladies and Gentlemen! Win yourselves a teddy bear for the little lady. Step this way.’

  ‘What do you reckon?’ Colin asked, as he viewed the shooting gallery.

  ‘Fine, how much will that leave us?’

  ‘Seven.’

  They paid their money and stepped up to wait while the attendant counted out the pellets.

  ‘Get all ten down and the teddy bear’s yours,’ he told them.

  Picking up the air rifles they took aim and fired at the steel ducks as they travelled along the rear of the gallery. Most of them went down, but a couple refused, despite being hit.

  ‘So close, Gentlemen, so close. Another go?’ the attendant asked.

  Colin and Tiddles put the air rifles back on the counter and walked away, angry at themselves for having squandered their money.

  ‘The things are probably welded in position,’ Tiddles complained.

  The teenagers joined the main body of people in the alley and drifted along with them—the smell of fairy floss and popcorn permeating the air. There were tall people and short people from every nation on Earth, each with different hair colours and styles, all dressed in their gaudy best. They stopped to look wistfully at the dodgems before moving on past the merry-go-round and banks of clowns.

  ‘Step right up and see the Strongest Woman…’

  ‘This way to see the Tattooed Lady, see tattoos where you never thought you would and never will again—this way, Ladies and Gentlemen!’

  In-between some of the tents they caught glimpses of fire trucks as they raced to douse fires in the main arena along with the accompanying commentary on the P.A. The tents started to thin out and the noise abated as they approached the end of the alley.

  ‘What now? Do you want to check out a few more pavilions?’ Tiddles asked.

  Colin looked around and saw a nondescript tent all by itself—a Spruiker standing patiently at the entrance.

  ‘What about that one?’ he said, pointing, and they moved closer to have a look.

  The Spruiker came out to greet them.

  ‘Well, well! What have we here?’ he exclaimed, ‘do you two lads want to pit your skills against the machines inside?’

  He looked at them enquiringly, ‘Well do you?’

  Colin was only too aware of their monetary situation, but his curiosity got the better of him, ‘What have you got?’

  Just then a smartly dressed older youth walked up. The Spruiker welcomed him like a long lost friend before straightening up and saying, ‘You know the way.’

  He watched as the youth entered the tent before turning to respond, ‘Now what do I have for you? Inside you will find the best and latest electronic gaming devices known to mankind!’

  The Spruiker was smartly dressed in brown trousers and a purple waistcoat, with clips on his arms to keep the sleeves of his white shirt at half mast. A straw hat adorned his head and he held a cane in his right hand, which he used to shepherd them inside the tent.

  Arcade gaming machines lined the walls and a pathway up the middle led to a door guarded by two strange looking men. One was of medium size with short black hair and a distinct green hue to his skin, while the other was taller, with a large bulbous head and pale skin—a scar running across his right cheek that extended up over the eye.

  ‘Who are those dudes?’ Tiddles asked, staring.

  ‘They work for me, don’t pay them any attention,’ the Spruiker said, dismissing them.

  He moved a little closer and lowered his voice, ‘Actually the green one is from the planet Zylon and the other is from the Prathkos System.’

  Colin laughed, but Tiddles was still unsure.

  ‘Now what is your pleasure, Gentlemen, have you played before?’

  Another youth entered the tent and walked up to them.

  The Spruiker looked at him inquiringly.

  ‘No joy, Stavros?’

  The newcomer shook his head and the Spruiker patted him on the shoulder, ‘Then welcome aboard,’ he said, and directed him to the guarded door before turning back to the boys.

  ‘Now where were we?’

  Tiddles couldn’t keep his eyes off the door or the guards.

  ‘What’s behind the door?’ he asked.

  ‘That door?’ the Spruiker said, feigning surprise.

  ‘In there is the ultimate test of your ability, but in order to get in there, you have to pass the test on these machines.’

  The two boys looked at each other and then at the games.

  ‘They look simple enough, but the thing is we only have about seven dollars between us,’ Colin said.

  ‘Then seven dollars it is! After all, what we’re interested in is skill—and if you win out here, the next level is on the house.’

  ‘What if we win in there?’ Tiddles asked.

  ‘Then it’s on to the next level,’ the Spruiker informed them.

  Colin looked over the array of games and the two of them went into a huddle.

  ‘What do you think?’ he asked Tiddles.

  On straightening up again he took out his mobile phone and made a call to another mate, Jimmy, to inform him of the offer. He gave him the location and told him to spread the word.

  The Spruiker rubbed his hands together as he listened and started a game each for them after they had given him the last of their money.

  ‘Take it easy on the machines—these are only intermediate ones,’ he said, and left them as another youth entered the tent.

  A steady stream trickled in and he talked to each before they entered the back room.

  The two boys sat in the interactive games and watched the video screen in front while playing via the joystick and dash mounted toggle controls. Although engrossed in the game of skill they could still see the comings and goings out of the corner of their eye. Something about them seemed odd. All were young, mean and lean, with an erect bearing and self-assuredness. Almost like a military bearing, although that couldn’t be—because of the razor hair designs and tattoos that adorned some, plus the occasional earring others wore.

  Their games were hotting up—lights of every colour flashing and audio effects screaming as they progressed through the challenge. It was a shoot-em-up game, where alien ships launched and attacked on the screen in front. There was an array of weaponry available for different results and they had to choose the right ones to deploy in order to stay in the game. The trick was to fire in front of the vessels as they screamed in, otherwise you were shooting at where they’d been and if they slipped through your defence the game was over.

  The Spruiker stood behind and watched as they sat hunched in their seats, their eyes glued to the screen. Another youth entered the tent. He stopped to talk and watch a moment, then laughed and shook his head before going through the guarded door. The games ended and the screens lit-up as they flashed their high scores. Colin had just managed to pip Tiddles.

  ‘Nice shooting, Ace,’ the Spruiker said, clapping Colin on the back.

  ‘In fact you’ve both done exceedingly well.’

  ‘Does that mean we get to play at the next level?’ Tiddles asked, still not wholly trusting of the Spruiker.

  ‘It sure does. After all, that’s why we’re here,’ he said, surprising him.

  Colin looked towards the front of the tent, but Jimmy hadn’t arrived as yet, so he let himself and Tiddles be guided through the door at the back—the guards moving aside to allow them through. Once inside the inner sanctum they discovered a circular dome shaped room that was empty, except for a small amusement ride in the centre. To one side a light illuminated two large overhead tubes—the ground below one tube green, while the other was red. The rest of the floor was covered in wood shavings and the ten or so youths that had entered previously had mysteriously disappeared.

  Tiddles was instantly alarme
d.

  ‘Where are all the other guys that came in here?’ he asked, looking around and seeing no other exit.

  The Spruiker dismissed his concern.

  ‘Those fellows have already progressed on to the next level and you can too, if you win in here,’ he replied, and then taking a few steps towards the centre he pointed overhead with his cane.

  ‘This is the ultimate test.’

  Colin and Tiddles followed, both surprised at what they saw. The amusement ride in the centre resembled others elsewhere in the alley only smaller. Its short hydraulic arm rested at an angle of forty-five degrees, with a single seated gun turret at its end.

  Colin stepped back again to view the ride in its entirety and his eye’s lit up, ‘This is a simulator, right?’

  ‘That is correct. This tent is a perfect dome to reflect the universe around us and the game is projected onto it. You sit here,’ the Spruiker said, indicating the turret, ‘and from there you have to protect us and yourself from anything our enemies can throw at you.’

  He could see their eyes already focused on the controls.

  ‘There is one thing though,’ he said, as if an afterthought.

  Their eyes still hadn’t moved, so he continued, ‘The game is totally online. It will explain itself and answer any queries you might have before you start. Now who’s up first?’ he asked, and held Colin back with his cane, while allowing Tiddles to go forward and strap himself in.

  He moved over beside him, ‘The foot pedals take you left or right and push the joystick forward to go down or back to come up again. When you’re ready you can start her up.’

  Tiddles looked down at the console that housed a standard keyboard and display before pressing the power button. The program loaded automatically and asked for the user’s name. He replied, so the screen went to the next phase and asked the user to read the terms and conditions of the online Eula and if agreeable, to push the accept button. Tiddles bypassed the whole agreement and accepted, anxious to get on with the game. He felt power come to the turret and tested the foot pedals and joystick. All of a sudden there was incoming, so he spun around and went forward to face the threat, firing as he went to one side. The enemy took a direct hit and vanished only to be replaced by two more.