That time I worked at an amusement park…Part 2
After my first experience working at an amusement park, I actually went back for seconds. The goal was to get a second free ticket so me and my husband could return without having to pay. I think the kids got in free because they were so young, or maybe there was a small fee, I don’t remember. The point is I took another one for the team so my family could enjoy a free (or mostly free) day at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey.
I showed up again early, with a little less excitement and a little more trepidation than the first time. A member of management met us at the front gate, and this time he announced we’d be working games. The sky opened up and a chorus of angels began to sing hallelujah. Working games was rumored to be the jackpot of the fundraising experience at Six Flags.
We were chaperoned to the midway and our supervisor would ask for one or two volunteers then point to a game. When he got to the free throw challenge, my hand went up before he even finished the question. I wanted something I didn’t have to learn, and not be stuck all day with someone I didn’t care for. I wanted room to move around, I had a lot of energy by then! 🙂
So there I was, running the free throw challenge, by myself, unconfined and feeling free.
It took a while for people to show up once the park opened, so I had time to practice in my nice, big, shady area. It was easy to convince my first few customers to play, and I quickly realized my job would be like taking candy from a baby. After all, I’m blessed with the ability to talk to a brick wall and get answers (thanks dad!). My biggest targets were guys with their girlfriends. It was so easy to attack their ego by tying their manhood to their ability to win a prize. Oh yes, do not doubt my manipulation I mean sales skills.
I was having so much fun, I failed to notice the shift of the sun, leaving me without any shade. And it didn’t dawn on me until early afternoon when the crowds thinned out that it had gotten HOT. And I soon found myself seeking shelter behind the poles of the game, or under an adjacent game’s awning when I didn’t have any customers.
By the end of the day I’d made a killing. My little apron was full of money and I was beyond proud of myself. Our relief came and we were released, and we laughed about the fun we’d had while turning in our cash. We got our golden tickets and were dismissed, and I hurried home to plan our free family outing.
When I got home, my (then) husband asked me if I had a good time, all the while giving me a strange look. And the flood gates opened as I told him story after story about my experience that day. Finally, after I probably talked his ear off, I happened to catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. And everything from my shoulders up was BEET RED. And when I touched my skin, it felt as if it were ON FIRE. I was SO SUNBURNED, and I didn’t even realize it because I was so excited about my day. It hurt and peeled for DAYS. If ever there was a visual warning for people about wearing sunscreen (of which I had applied NONE because I forgot), I was IT.
I never volunteered for a fundraiser again. Between my two stints I got to experience the lowest of the low (food service) and the highest of the high (games). And, I accomplished my ultimate goal of obtaining free admission to the park for my family. And let me tell you, I earned every penny of those free tickets.
What I wouldn’t do for my family,
Angela