or that he had slipped a twenty into the pocket of the carny operator of the pitch game. It was on their way out the side gate (Blanche had gotten a little queasy after her sixth corndog and the fourth ride on something called the Whip) that Willy spotted the fortune teller’s tent. “Hey Blanche! Wait a minute. Let’s go in here.” Already Willy was pulling at the arm that didn’t hold the pink teddy bear. “Willleee, noooo,” Blanche whined. “Let’s go. I’m about to throw up. I want to go hooommme.” “Come on Blanche baby. It won’t take but a minute.” Before she could protest Willy had her through the partially opened tent flap. It took a few seconds for their eyes to adjust to the dim interior of Madam Begonda’s tent. Soon, they could make out a small table in the center of the tent and on this table two unlit candles, one on either side of a gleaming crystal ball. The smell of incense filled the air. There was a curtain that divided the front and rear of the tent and from behind the curtain came a voice, low and mysterious. “Yes? Who is it that seeks the future with Madam Begonda? SPEAK!” Blanche drew nearer to Willy. “We do. Out here,” Willy called out. The curtain slowly parted, and a heavyset woman draped in a black and gold robe glided forward. “Yes? May I help you?” The dark woman looked at the couple through heavily mascaraed eyes. Her ears were weighted down with large, heavy gold hoops and there was what appeared to be a diamond stud piercing the right side of her nose. “Yeah, we …” Willy began. “STOP! You have come here seeking your future. Is this not correct?” She raised her hands and spread her arms like she was either going to fly or hug them both to her ample bosom. “Yeah, that’s it. I …,” Willy said eagerly. “Please, be seated.” She indicated two well-worn folding metal chairs in front of the small table holding the crystal ball. Willy and Blanche both sat. Madam Begonda lit the two candles. The flickering light cast an eerie glow up into her face. “Who is its fortune do you wish told? We have specials today and today only; $10 for one or $15 for two. Group rates are available. Madam Begonda is here to serve.” Blanche lean over to whisper to Willy, “Begonda? Ain’t that some kinda flower, Willy?” “Yeah, Madam Begonda. Just me,” Willy said sliding her a ten-dollar bill across the table. “Very well.You must be silent,” she whispered as she gazed intently into the crystal. A light began to glow at its center. Blanche thought she heard a switch click. “Ahhhhhh! OOOOhhhhhHHHHH! I see… I see money.You are a man of means.You are a man who greatly believes in the power of the spirits. Is this correct?” “Why yeah! That’s me. How… ?”
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Slick Willy and the Fortune Teller | Darryl Lewis