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The Story:
The smell of the carnival food was making him nauseous. But this is where he had taken her on their first date, and he knew she’d love a marriage proposal on the Ferris wheel.
He fiddled with the ring in his right pants pocket, rubbing the smooth top of the diamond. It had taken him months to buy it. And she didn’t suspect a thing.
Costumed workers at various game stands vied for their money as they walked by.
“Think you can hammer your way to the top, little guy,” asked a muscly man.
“The lady needs some pink cotton candy to compliment that natural sweetness,” said a man wearing a bow tie.
They smiled and nodded at the people catcalling their cash and kept walking.
Next up was a scary looking clown. He had only used black and white makeup in diamond shapes and wore a black afro wig with the iconic red nose. Sitting on a stool by a target shooting game, he stared them down as they passed.
“Headed to the Ferris wheel?”
“Yep,” she said as they continued walking.
“That’s a little cheesy, boy. But I get it—a little ring and a big ring.”
The clown laughed until he coughed.
She turned to her boyfriend, looking puzzled. After staying still for several moments, he altered their course and approached the clown.
“Do we know each other?”
“No, boy,” he smirked. “But I know your heart… and hers.”
She tugged on his arm.
“Come on, Ryan. Let’s just go.”
He knew she suspected the proposal now, and he wanted to get back at the clown. He held up a five dollar bill.
“One game?”
“Oh, dear boy, not your money. But one game.”
The clown held out his hand, which had grotesquely long and sharp fingernails.
“Ryan, please, don’t play. Please.”
Ryan hesitated but stuck out his hand. As soon as he shook the clown’s hand, his girlfriend disappeared.
“Claire!”
He spun in a circle looking for her. When he whirled back around, the clown was uncomfortably close to his face, grinning. He handed Ryan a bow and arrow and gestured at the far wall of the stand.
Hanging on the wall was a doll that looked just like Claire.
“Aim true, boy… or her heart will be mine.”
What do you all think of this story? If you want it to be included in the voting for the next short film, be sure to let me know in the comments below!