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Four weeks later
Stacie’s hand extended outward. Straws were protruding from her palm. Stacie urged everyone, “Come on....each of you needs to take a straw.”
Standing around Stacie were Jack, Cora, Claudia, and newcomers Marvin, Shraddha, and Doug.
Stacie spotted Ed standing nearby and waved him over, “Come on, Ed. I realize you’re an entrepreneur now, with your own limo service and all, but we need you to participate as well.”
Claudia smiled as she brought him over. She hugged him and said, “If I can do it, so can you. We promised to support each other, remember?” Ed shrugged his shoulders and gave in.
“All right, all right. I’m in.” She looked at him, not fully convinced he would fulfill the end of their bargain. He noticed and reaffirmed his commitment. “Trust me; I’m in.” He replied.
The team’s newest members were apprehensive as they began to reach, only to pull back moments before drawing.
Jack jumped forward, “Come on, you guys. Nothing to be scared about.” He slowly pulled one out and hid it from the others.
Cora stepped up, “As Jack said, nothing to worry about. It’s not like we’re drawing straws to find out which ones of us are going to be hunted down or anything like that.” Cora said with a chuckle. Marvin, Shraddha, and Doug’s eyes widened.
Claudia cut ahead of the others and stated. “Don’t pay any attention to her; she was hiding in a bus for most of the experience.”
Cora decided to speak up. “Good thing I did. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been there to save your drunken asses.”
Claudia and Ed laughed. “Good one, Cora.” Ed looked at Claudia. “Let’s draw and get it over with,” Ed said.
“Yeah, we have cocktails waiting for us. At least I think we do.” Guessed Claudia.
Ed smiled. “They’re in the limo.” The group became silent. He looked at them and reassured them. “Don’t worry; I brought enough for all,”
Jack whispered something in Ed’s ear. “Yes, I brought you your Dr. Pepper.”
Shraddha drew next. “If everyone else can draw, I see no reason why I shouldn’t.”
Marvin and Doug drew together as neither wanted to be the last to take one. “I drew before you.” Marvin boasted.
“No, you didn’t! We drew together.” Quipped Doug.
Jack stepped forward. “I’d say it was a tie.”
Stacie put her hands on each of their shoulders.
“Exactly!” Agreed Stacie. “Everyone, let’s form a circle.” She extended her straw to the center as they came together to make one.
“All right, you warriors. Let’s bring ‘em in. Let’s see who got the short ones.”
They extended their straws into the center and compared lengths. One thing became apparent.
“Hey, wait! They’re all the same length!” Observed Shraddha. Stacie gave them a big smile.
“That’s right; it’s because we’re all going to do this together!” Doug cautiously raised his hand.
“Doing what exactly?” He asked.
“Why, facing your greatest fear.”
Marvin stepped forward.
“Not to sound disrespectful, but exactly how are we going to do that together?”
Stacie commended Marvin. “That’s a good question. An excellent question.” She took a step back. “If you will all turn around and face in my direction, you’ll have your answer.” They turned and faced Stacie, who presented what was behind her. “Behind me lies our greatest fear - The Thunderbolt, a steel roller coaster patterned after the original classic wooden one.
Doug shook his head from side to side. “Oh, no! I’m not getting on that thing.” He said firmly.
“Yes, you are.” Stacie looked at her team with confidence. “We all are. We’re going to do this...together.” She began to move her team towards the ride slowly. “Come on, strength in numbers.”
Jack walked past her. “Seems I’ve heard that before.” He said.
“Tell me about it.” Added Cora. They chuckled and continued walking toward the ride.
Stacie rolled her eyes at them and continued to encourage the others. “I’m telling you. It’ll be fine - you’ll see.”
Shraddha skipped ahead next to Jack and nervously commented. “They...they say it’s better if you sit in the back.”
Jack shot back, “Not really; I’ve read that when getting on a roller coaster or other fast or wild ride, choose a seat in the most stable part of the ride. This is usually in the middle for roller coasters, as the front and back cars are subject to the most force on forward and reverse trips, whipping you around each bend.”
Cora rolled her eyes, “Thanks, Jack, thanks a lot. I’ll try to remember that when I’m throwing up.”
Stacie chimed in. “No one’s throwing up. At least I don’t think so.” She raised her head so everyone could hear. “Did Everyone take a Dramamine?” The team nodded. “All right then, let’s Gooooo! “
As Stacie charged towards the ride, the team followed and even passed her. She saw they all had a feeling of extreme enthusiasm.
All except for Jack, who seemed to be lagging behind the others. Stacie chided him. “Don’t tell me you’re going to chicken out?”
“Maybe? What’s in it for me if I go?”
“How about a kiss?” She asked.
Jack puckered his lips. To his dismay, she did not reply in kind. He pouted. “I know, I know. We’ll talk about it later.” Instead, Stacie surprised him with a quick kiss.
“Afterwards, lover boy, I’ll show you how it’s really done.”
“Woo-hoo!” Cried Jack.
“Now, let’s show the others how it’s done.” She said confidently.
Jack looked at the menacing ride and admitted, “Well, it beats being hunted by an eight-foot petrified man.”
Stacie smiled uncontrollably, “Indeed it does. Indeed, it does.”