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17. The Roller Coaster Ride

Alphy was lucky enough to get work at the shoe factory where Tony worked. The work was tedious, but the money was good.

Alphy and Tony spent many hours together. Sometimes they would go sight-seeing or try new adventures, and sometimes they would just try to impress the girls they met.

Alphy remembers going to an amusement park with Tony. Both he and Tony were dressed in their best clothes, and Alphy had bought a Panama hat. He noted that the hat drew flattering comments, especially from the girls they met. Alphy was really enjoying this attention.

Tony suggested that they should try out the roller coaster ride. Alphy agreed. This proved to be a very thrilling experience. At first Alphy felt the breeze in his hat, then as the roller coaster picked up speed, the breeze quickly accumulated to a Violent blast of air. Alphy decided to take off his Panama hat so that it wouldn’t blow completely off his head. He held on tightly as the roller coaster swiftly ascended, and then darted speedily downwards in a rush, a fifty foot drop. Alphy felt the violent motion. His stomach felt like it was still up there, as he held on for dear life. Finally the whole contraption came to a halt and it was time for Alphy and Tony to get off. Alphy looked down. His knuckles were white from the pressure of holding on. Then he looked at his hat, which he had squeezed between his hand and the safety bar of the seat. His hat looked like an oversized pancake. So much for impressing the girls with his new hat! Still it was worth the ride.

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