The Mad Mouse

"I'm not so sure about this," said Susie, doubtfully eyeing the rattletrap rollercoaster. Its wooden tracks twisted and turned like wriggling serpents, an intricate, reason-defying knot of unbanked curves and sudden drops. "It looks a little dangerous."

"Come on, Susie. You're no fun."

"I am too! I'm very fun!" The small two-person cars, painted to look like mice, with pink noses and black whiskers, rattled around the track, lurching this way and that as the teenagers inside screamed with glee. "But why can't it be safe fun? Why does fun have to be dangerous all the time?"

"That's the nature of fun." Bonnie was already pulling Susie towards the boarding platform, where Mr. Trapp was checking safety harnesses. She shouldered a pair of football players out of the way, making her way to the front of the queue, Susie in tow. "We're next!"

"Are you?" said Trapp, blinking in puzzlement as he looked at the two very pretty young women standing in front of him. "Very well. In you go, then, and please remember to keep your hands and feet inside the car at all times. The carnival takes no responsibility for any property you may lose in the course of the ride."

"Is that likely?"

"It's been known to happen," said Trapp, pulling the straps of Susie's harness extremely tight. She plucked at the harness, checking its strength, and relaxed a little. There was no way she could fall out. "And off we go!"

With a creak and a huff, the car lurched forward, picking up steam as it went. Bonnie held her breath as they were launched up over the first incline and onto the track.