Male Inflation

All Elliot could see in front of him was a row of enormous balloons, painted various colors and anchored by hardly visible strings. To most people the only indication as to their true nature were the small nubs on their upper and lower sides, but Elliot had a more obvious hint; the heads perched on the top of each one. The faces were nearly expressionless, puffed out too much for any movement, with the occasional shifting of the eyes being the only sign they were actually alive. Most people would have found it a peculiar sight, but to Elliot it was particularly unnerving.

“So I’m an embarrassment, Steve? I embarrass you?” Anne smirked angrily over her shoulder at Steve, who looked extremely pleased with himself.

“Yep. That’s exactly it. Every time I turn around, you’re doing something to make me look stupid. But, you’re not just an embarrassment,” he began, almost savoring the words, “Anne, you’re a joke.”