Day 5, Week 2
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Peter: *texting Ned on his phone*
Mantis: What are you doing?
Peter: Messaging Ned via Whatsapp. He says he'll have to take a raincheck on our next meeting, but he's suggesting that we go to this Amusement Park in Central.
Mantis: What do you even do in Amusement Parks??
Peter: Are you kidding?! It's a place where you can run free! Do whatever you want! Get to ride amazing attractions! You have to come with me to this one! You'll love it!
Mantis: Ok! If you think I'll like it there.
Peter: Great! Let me just call a taxi over so it can drop us off at Central Park.
Mantis: Are we not taking a bus there??
Peter: Oh-ho TRUST me, we tried it once and look how that turned out *dialling taxi number*
Mantis: Oh, ok.
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*Taxi drops Peter and Mantis off*
Peter: Thank you *pays the driver via credit card*
Mantis: Now what do we do?
Peter: I already paid for the tickets online, so we should be able to check in now *hands the security officer their tickets*
Security Officer: *scans the tickets* Enjoy your day.
Mantis: Thank you! *waves vigorously at the officer*
Security Officer: *waves timidly back*
*Peter and Mantis enter the Park*
Peter: So where do you wanna go first?
Mantis: I know! Let's ride this *points to a scary rollercoaster*
Peter: Hmm, I don't know if that attraction's on your level. I mean, it's the scariest ride they have here.
Mantis: But it looks so fun! *pouts like a cute child*
Peter: Alright, I'll go on it with you.
Mantis: Yay! Thanks Peter! *hugs him tightly and sprints off ahead*
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*After riding the attraction*
Mantis: Peter, are you ok??
Peter: I ... Don't feel so well *gulps*
Mantis: *feels his forehead* You feel nausea all over you. You feel like throwing up.
Peter: Yeah no kidding! *trying not to barf*
Mantis: Ok, let's get you to a quiet place *helps him to the Men's Bathroom and follows him in*
*Inside the Men's Bathroom*
Mantis: That's it. Let it all out *patting Peter's back as he throws up in the sink*
Peter: How do you even like that ride?! *continues puking*
Mantis: *shrugs* I don't know. I just do. But you knew that you wouldn't like the ride, so why did you come with me on it anyway??
Peter: I guess I just wanted to make sure that you were gonna be ok. And I didn't really think you could handle it on your own *smiles sheepishly at her*
Mantis: That's totally not nice!
Peter: I didn't mean it in a bad way! I just ... thought that you needed someone to go with you.
Mantis: Oh! I wasn't expecting that.
Peter: Me neither, to be honest.
*Both laugh at the statement*
Mantis: Are you feeling better now?
Peter: Yep! Much better *wipes his face with paper towels* Let's go!
*Random man walks into the Men's Bathroom. Peter and Mantis both freeze and stare at him*
Random man: Oh! I'm ... Just going to use another bathroom *looks between them before slowly backing out of the room*
Peter: ... We should go now *takes Mantis and himself out of the Bathroom*
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Mantis: Ooh! That panda's so adorable! *points to giant panda plushie hanging above a booth*
Booth Owner: And you can win it, if you want it so much!
Mantis: Oh! I do want it! How do I win it??
Booth Owner: All you have to do is get these three rings around that pole. Then you can choose which prize to take home with you!
Mantis: I'll do it!
Peter: Don't worry, Mantis. I got this *gives her his pack and pays the Booth Owner*
Booth Owner: *hands him the three rings*
Peter: Alright. I just have to ... *adjusts his position and throws the rings*
*All three go through the pole*
Peter/Mantis: YES!!!! *high-five each other*
Booth Owner: Congratulations! Here's your prize! *gives Mantis the panda plushie*
Mantis: *hugs it tightly* It's SO FLUFFY!!!
Peter: Thank you *shakes hands with the Booth Owner*
Booth Owner: Have a nice day!
$$$
Peter: *telling Mantis a story* ... So here I was, and there Flash was standing, and when he saw me he shouted out--
Mantis: It's a girl.
Peter: Actually, yeah! That was what he said.
Mantis: No. Peter, look! *turns his face towards a homeless girl crying on the street*
Mantis: She is crying. But nobody's helping her! Why is everyone ignoring her?? *runs over*
Peter: Mantis, wait! *runs after her*
Mantis: *kneels down beside the girl*
Homeless Girl: *looks up at Mantis through her tears*
Mantis: *reaches into her bag and takes out the panda plushie*
Homeless Girl: *stares at it hesitantly*
Mantis: *holds it out to her* take it. You need it more than I do.
Homeless Girl: *accepts it and holds it tightly to herself*
Peter: *watches and smiles warmly*
Mantis: *turns to Peter and smiles back*
Homeless Girl: *grabs her arm and gives her a freshly picked rose*
Mantis: *takes it from her with a wide grin and runs back to Peter*
*They start walking again*
Peter: Hey, Mantis? What you did for that little girl ... It was really sweet of you.
Mantis: It looked like she needed someone to comfort her ... And I am really sorry for giving away the panda, Peter.
Peter: It's ok. Besides, we can always earn more prizes.
Mantis: But now what do I do with this?? *holds up rose*
Peter: Here, let me *breaks off rose's stem and tucks the bud behind her ear* There. Picture perfect *stares at her for a moment* I know! Why don't we try out more booths? I know a place where we can go. C'mon! *runs to a crowded area*
Mantis: *follows him into the throng of people*
Peter: Be careful. This area is usually pretty crowded. Make sure you stay by my side, and you'll be ok.
Mantis: *nods*
Peter: Excuse me! *pushes through people with Mantis beside him but sees a familiar person* Liz?!
Liz: *stares at him* Peter??
Mantis: *touches Peter by the arm and recognises Liz's presence in his mind from earlier but doesn't say anything*
Peter: What are you doing here?
Liz: I ... Was just stopping by with someone. So, how have you been? Flash isn't getting to you again, is he??
Peter: No, not at all, and I'm doing great. How about you??
Liz: I--
Liz's Boyfriend: Liz! There you are, babe! I've been looking everywhere for you *kisses her and then notices Peter and Mantis* Who is this??
Liz: He's--
Peter: I'm Peter *then gestures to Mantis* And this is--
Mantis: I'm Mantis! *smiles widely and unnaturally as she holds out a hand for Liz's boyfriend to shake* It is so nice to--
Liz's Boyfriend: *pushes Mantis away* Don't touch me, you freak!
Mantis: *stares at him confusingly* What??
Liz: Grayson don't--
Liz's Boyfriend: *scoffs* Oh c'mon. You heard me. You see that roach over there? *points at bug at a nearby wall* That. Is a self-portrait of you. In fact, your smile is so disgusting, not even a pile of horse sh*t could ever love you.
Liz: Grayson, that's enough. We should leave now *pulls at his arm but he doesn't move*
Mantis: *stays silent while holding back tears of shame*
Peter: Hey, knock it off.
Liz's Boyfriend: *ignores Peter* Aww. Did I make Beady Eyes cry?? Well listen up, cry-baby! I've seen barnacled men, old wrinkly women and deformed kids. But you. I can't even stand looking at your creepy face you beastly little b*tch--
Peter: Stop it! Leave her alone! *shoves Grayson back* Why don't you shut the hell up instead?!!
Mantis: No, Peter! It's alright. I'm ok.
Liz: Grayson, we are leaving. Right now.
*A crowd forms around the quartet*
Liz's Boyfriend: *looks shocked for a moment but quickly recovers* OH. I see what's going on here. The two freaks. Perfect match, I must admit.
Peter: *punches him in the mouth* You wanna say that again?
Liz's Boyfriend: *lunges for him*
Liz: Grayson, STOP!!!
Mantis: *quickly grabs his arm* sleep.
Liz's Boyfriend: *falls on the spot, out cold*
*Crowd gasps in shock*
Liz: Grayson! *rushes to him* C'mon, wake up. Wake up! Please.
Liz's Boyfriend: *doesn't recover*
Liz: *stares up at Mantis* What have you done?! You're a monster! *fearful*
Mantis: *stares guiltily at Liz trying to revive Grayson* I'm sorry. I'm so sorry *tears run down her cheeks and she slowly backs away*
*The crowd hurries to help Liz and stares at Mantis accusingly*
Peter: Mantis, let's go! *takes her away from the disaster*
Mantis: *looks back one more time at the growing crowd before leaving the Amusement Park*
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