Wheel of Fortune

Must be 700 words or less; due Aug. 5, 2010, based on image #2:

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Wheel of Fortune

By Indelibleink

The old woman traced the lines of Julie's palm with her gnarled index finger. First appearing puzzled, and then a bit frightened, Madam Perrill gazed directly into Julie's eyes.

"Be very, very careful in what you choose to do tonight, my dear. I see you being in grave danger."

Paul had heard just about enough. He got up from the table and looked at Julie. "I'm going to go get in line for the Ferris Wheel. Join me when you're done here." He then leaned in closer and whispered in Julie's ear. "Please don't give this old hag any more money. You've already donated plenty towards her retirement..."

The old lady maintained her eye contact with Julie as she replied, "This old hag doesn't need any more for her retirement, young man. If your girlfriend is smart, she won't go on that ride - or any ride, for that matter - tonight." Paul was long gone at that point, so now Julie was torn between listening to the fortune teller or remaining with her boyfriend.

Noting Julie's apprehension, Madam Perrill grabbed her hand. "Listen, my dear: I was dead serious about you being in danger tonight. I have a special earring here, and I would like you to have it..." She turned around to get the jewelry from an assortment of earrings located on a display board directly behind her. Strange...That's twice tonight I've had to get that earring. Very unusual, indeed. When she turned around, Julie was already gone.

When Julie arrived in line Paul looked at her anxiously. "I have to hit the bathroom quickly. If I'm not back in time, just go ahead without me."

Julie eyed Paul suspiciously, for his fear of heights was well known. "Okay, Paul, but hurry back. It's no fun riding alone."

Minutes later, it was time to board the ride, and, as Julie had feared, Paul was nowhere to be seen. Chicken! She reluctantly boarded, and then ride attendant had another young lady slide in next to Julie. Since they were the last two to board for this ride, shortly thereafter the Ferris Wheel was up to speed.

Julie noticed the unusual single earring that dangled from the girl's left lobe. "Excuse me, my name's Julie. I couldn't help but notice that earring you're wearing. Would you mind telling me where you got it from?"

The young woman smiled and said, "No problem. By the way, my name is Erin. I'm embarrassed to admit to this, but I visited a crazy fortune teller earlier and she flat-out scared me into wearing one. Said I would die without it or something crazy like that."

Julie felt her pulse race for a second. "Yeah, she told me the same thing. How much did she charge you for it?"

"She just gave it to me...said it came with the reading. Wow! We're up at the top!"

Julie squinted at the small figures down on the ground and recognized Paul looking up towards her, waving and shouting frantically, while an old woman was talking to the ride attendant.

Julie stood up in the car, and began waving down at Paul. "Hey, sweetie, I'm up here!" She didn't notice the car rocking, but Erin certainly did and gripped the safety bar as if her life depended on it.

"Careful, girl, this car sure seems to swing more crazily than the others!"

Meanwhile, Paul was screaming at the top of his lungs to his girlfriend.

"Julie! SIT DOWN! The car you are in is not supposed to be in service. It has a loose counter-balance and can tip over! The attendants just had a shift change and no one informed this one about the problem. SIT DOWN!"

Julie leaned over further. "What? I can't hear you!"

Suddenly, the counter-balance gave and the car did a complete 360 degree flip. When it completed the circle, there was only one passenger left. Erin screamed - gripping the safety bar with one hand and her earring with the other - as she watched the crowd gather around Julie on the ground below.

The matching earring that had been in Madam Perrill's hand hit the ground the same instant Julie did.

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Words: 700