One could already hear the noises and sounds coming from the funfair a few distances away. I got to the gates after about a minute of walking, and began to walk to my section.
From afar, I saw three cartoon figures. Among them was Barney dancing and trying to capture the kids' interest in purchasing from Sally's stand. She sold lemonades, corn dogs, doughnuts, and other snacks.
Someone was already in Barney's costume?!
I silently prayed my job hadn't been given to another person as I approached the stand. I went straight to the kiosk, but found nobody behind the counter.
Panic settled upon me. My empty stomach felt light as it grumbled, reminding me I hadn't fed it that day.
As I turned to inquire about any of the people under the costumes, I found Barney standing a breath away from me.
I was so startled that I screamed out loud. If it weren't for the noises that never ceased at the funfair until the park closed, my shout would have convinced people danger was in the air.
My sanity only returned when the Barney mask got pulled off, and Sally's fast voice echoed regardless of the noises surrounding us.
"Bully!" I hollered, holding my grumbling stomach.
Sally dropped the head of Barney's costume on the counter. "That, young lady, was a reminder to be punctual and regular to work," Sally began to scold, her face getting serious while all traits of laughter vanished.
"I'm sorry, Sally," I pleaded because I knew I was guilty.
If it were Mrs. Del Monte, the ground would be shaking by now.
With a pat on my shoulder, she said, "That's okay. I understand your situation, darling. I need you to attract so many customers as compensation." She then gingerly walked to go behind the counter.
I followed suit to collect the costume from her and get changed. She was really a sweetheart.
She even wore the costume just to fill in for me, even though she was the boss.
[Thirty minutes to beauty assignment!]
The system's reminder came, and my heart jumped for an unknown reason.
I could only hope this task would be easy and not one I'd have to go for a second round for, like the last time.
After changing into the costume, I went out to join my colleagues who had been previously dancing and swaying their hips to attract potential customers to Sally's stand.
All that was on my mind was what the next task could be and the rewards — oh, the rewards were what I awaited more than anything else.
I also began to sway my buttocks, not bothering to match the tune of the music booming in the background from somewhere in the funfair.
The funfair, as usual, was crowded, and filled with different types of people. Families on vacation, lovers on a date, girls on an outing, and so on.
Of all these people I could see going in and out, walking up and down the funfair – one was my next target.
Sally's stand was soon getting patronized more since it was the afternoon now. And my eyes would dart at almost every man in view, wondering if it was him– the target.
About twenty minutes later, I was already getting heated up by Barney's costume, which was heavy as always. There was barely any space for air in the oversized and overly thick fabric, making it hard for one to get adequate air and thereby sweating profusely.
Even goats could not sweat as much.
I knew the others would also be as suffocated as I was, if not more. All of this stress and I could still manage to be fat.
Just what sort of jinx was cast upon me?
Anyway, the universe was my best friend now. It sent me a beauty system and, very soon, I would be the fairest of all.
Even if it was for ten years. It would be worth it.
[Beauty Assignment starts in two minutes!]
System cheered.
"Two minutes?" I swallowed.
[Ding!]
[1:47 minute now!]
Again, I swallowed, but this time, there was nothing in my throat. My throat was as dry as hell. I began to search my eyes around harder now even though I knew it was useless. The system would detect the target when it was time.
Why should I bother so hard?
[One minute to beauty system!]
"Cosima!"
Was someone calling me?
"Cosima?!" It was Sally.
I had to snap out of my trance. Why did she chose to call me at such a dreadful time?
I ran to her immediately with my face well frowned under the costume. I removed the mask of the costume immediately after I arrived in front of Sally.
Very glad I was to receive a minute of fresh air.
"Can you help me take her to her dad?" Sally said to me with pleading eyes as she pointed to a little girl who looked like she would burst into tears anytime soon.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes as I turned to the little girl.
"Where is your dad?" I asked, my voice harsher than I intended.
I couldn't be blamed. I hated getting summoned at such a tense time.
I watched the little girl's eyes get glossy before she burst into a fit of a full-blown cry.
Oh, please! I hate kids.
Sally chastised me from where she was behind the counter. "Come on Cosima, don't be such a dick. I think she's lost. Help her find her dad, and if it is to no avail, I will have to hand her over to the security guards."
"Why don't you hand her over to the guards now Sally?" I questioned impatiently.
As Sally was about to give an answer to me, "Clarence!" a masculine voice shouted from the opposite.
I turned my gaze in that direction to find a well-built man with a casual blue Henley shirt ran to us.
Was he the target?
My heart started to beat faster.
[Beauty assignment starts now!]
"Okay—" I mumbled to myself as I watched the man bend near the little girl who looked the complete opposite of the former countenance on her face.
[Ding!]
[Press the cock of a man for thirty seconds to lose 50 pounds!]
"What?!" I blurted out loud to my utmost stupefaction.