The Project Gutenberg EBook of Pleasant Journey, by Richard F. Thieme

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Title: Pleasant Journey

Author: Richard F. Thieme

Illustrator: George Schelling

Release Date: August 25, 2009 [EBook #29790]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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[Illustration]

PLEASANT JOURNEY

It's nice to go on a pleasant journey.
There is, however, a very difficult question concerning
the other half of the ticket ...

BY RICHARD F. THIEME

Illustrated by George Schelling

"What do you call it?" the buyer asked Jenkins.

"I named it 'Journey Home' but you can think up a better name for it if
you want. I'll guarantee that it sells, though. There's nothing like it
on any midway."

"I'd like to try it out first, of course," Allenby said. "Star-Time uses
only the very best, you know."

"Yes, I know," Jenkins said. He had heard the line before, from almost
every carnival buyer to whom he had sold. He did not do much business
with the carnivals; there weren't enough to keep him busy with large or
worthwhile rides and features. The amusement parks of the big cities
were usually the best markets.

Allenby warily eyed the entrance, a room fashioned from a side-show
booth. A rough red curtain concealed the inside. Over the doorway, in
crude dark blue paint, was lettered, "Journey Home." Behind the doorway
was a large barnlike structure, newly painted white, where Jenkins did
his planning, his building, and his finishing. When he sold a new ride
it was either transported from inside the building through the large,
pull-away doors in back or taken apart piece by piece and shipped to the
park or carny that bought it.

"Six thousand's a lot of money," the buyer said.

"Just try it," Jenkins told him.

The buyer shrugged. "O.K.," he said. "Let's go in." They walked through
the red curtain. Inside the booth-entrance was a soft-cushioned
easy-chair, also red, secured firmly in place. It was a piece of salvage
from a two-engine commercial airplane. A helmet looking like a