The annual Middle School Carnival was an afternoon of early-teen debauchery: play games, win prizes blow off steam and, most importantly, skip classes. Each game cost so many tickets for a chance to win “something”. The tickets were bought before hand, and Mom gave me a few dollars to add to my own cash, definitely enough to have an enjoyable afternoon.
Mom did not allow us to have soft drinks very often – which ultimately backfired as I still enjoy Coca-Cola way too often – so I targeted one specific game in the middle of the gym: pick a number, roll a die, a match wins you a can of Coca-Cola!
Even after spending all my tickets I continued to play, as the eight graders running the game just threw “used” tickets on the floor. When no one was looking, I grabbed a wad from the floor and continued playing. At the end of the afternoon, I had won ten cans of Coca-Cola to take home. Heaven.
My younger sister and brother were besides themselves with jealousy and rage, insisting that my loot should be shared with them. To her credit, Mom said Scott used his own money so they are his, not your’s, conveniently forgetting that she had contributed (and definitely unaware that essentially I had stolen additional tickets). A generous, thoughtful brother would have shared; however I did not: they were mine, mine, ALL MINE!
Perhaps her naive characterization of me as a coke addict is justified, another story for another time.
Image Credits
- “Coca Cola, 12 Pack” by JeepersMedia is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
- Dick Dastardly by Wacky Races promotional material, Fair use, Link
