Full Body Inflation

It is a fairly typical day in Goodhaven. The city was blessed with good weather and clear skies, as usual. But something diabolical was lurking at the nearby circus…

Under the big top, a clown known as The Ballooner was being told off by her boss, the pompous ringmaster.

“No, you fool,” The ringmaster, a stuffy man said in a conceited voice. “You are done here. Your last act sent the audience running for the hills! You are bad for business. I’m afraid I must ask you to pack your things and leave at once.” But the clown only sneered.

Bill plopping down his gym bag near the front door stomped into the kitchen of his home. Bill was a tall, athletic guy with a shaved head, piercing blue eyes and was at the moment absolutely starving. As he did every Saturday Bill had gone rowing and as always he could eat a horse by the time he got home.

Ariel laid limp in the lifeguard’s arms as he emerged from the waves and laid her down on the sand. She wasn’t moving.

“This is Chuck, reporting in,” the lifeguard said. “I’ve rescued the subject. Checking vital signs.”

Carmen looked on, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. Chuck leaned over Ariel to listen for signs of breathing, and her eyes opened. She kissed him on the cheek.

“Thanks, Chuck,” she said. “A pleasure, as always.”