The Flying Carousel

Susie looked up at the Flying Carousel, a little dubious. A big horizontal wheel, painted with rainbow stripes, mounted on a pillar, high up in the air. Dozens of chains dangled from the rim. It didn't exactly look safe to her, but she supposed it had to be tested or they wouldn't allow it to operate.

"Fine," she said. "So where do we..."

"Ladies! This way!" It was Mr. Trapp, waving them towards the gate. Half a dozen other people were already inside, moving towards the ride, and Susie saw with some surprise that they were all women. Mayor Peggy Jackson was there, and Kitty Davis in her sensible black librarian dress, and svelte Petra Wong in an eye-catching yellow number, and even Susie's English teacher Megan Honey, a winsome blonde who all the boys had an enormous crush on. But no boys on the ride!

The explanation for this was promptly given by Mr. Trapp. "Special free ride for pretty girls," he explained, ushering them towards the harnesses at the end of the chains. "To thank them for brightening up all our lives." Susie, who'd thought all the rides were free in any case, and who thought this was a little sexist, opened her mouth to say something, but Bonnie nudged her in the side to shut her up.

"Shush," she whispered. "Don't spoil our free ride!"

There was something a little strange about the harnesses, as well. They weren't chairs, like Susie had expected. They went around the waist and shoulders, straps criss-crossing across the chest, leaving the legs to dangle free. There was even a pair of straps attached to the chains to keep the rider's arms fixed high above her head. "So you don't wave them around and hurt yourself," Trapp explained, though it was a little unclear to Susie how she could possibly hurt herself.

She was facing out, towards the crowd, instead of in the direction she'd be spinning. It seemed like an odd choice to her. Still, you didn't argue with the ride owner. Presumably, he knew his business.

Trapp made himself busy fastening the women, tying knots and ensuring every last strap was pulled extra tight. He had to stand on tiptoes to do it, since he was so short. When her turn came, Susie wiggled in the harness and discovered that she really couldn't move. She definitely couldn't bring her hands down. But she did feel very secure, the tight rubber around her body gripping her firmly and causing no discomfort whatsoever as she was lifted off the ground.

"Hm," said Trapp, tightening the straps on Bonnie, who was the last one on board, and giddy with glee. "No skirt? Ah, well."

Susie frowned in puzzlement. What on earth could he mean by that?