This is the third in a series of stories from Fun Planet
[TFs: Poster, TG, Doll, Dress]

Lunch

"Hey!"

"Watch where you're going!"

"Stop cutting."

"Just let me by. I've got family up ahead. I need to catch up to them." The line of people crush themselves to one side, so the line jumper can sidle by.

Upon reaching the front of the line, the attendant greets him, "How many?"

"Just me."

"Lane 5." He waits there like a two year old, looking around and twitching in anticipation. The gate opens and he sprints to the boat pushing the people stumbling out to move a little faster. Eyeing the staff for any indication that they are on to him. Nothing.

He pulls down the bar, and the ride begins again pulling him and all the guests into a scene of a people studying and researching as his little boat floats forward. With a repeated rocking motion, he spurs his vehicle faster in the water past the images of technological wonders.

Soon the ride is ratcheting up as villagers party and spin in circles, but all he sees is the light up ahead indicating the begin of the descent of the boat and the Atlantis Island. The climbing boat 'soars' over a burning land with islanders 'running' in circles and fire spinning. A clear cover swoops over top the boat and snaps into place locking him in.

A sign cautions him to lean back. Then he drops straight down and under the water.

A sinking island is there. His vehicle bumps something above him and slides him forward under water alongside the submerged city."The ride is almost over. Thirty seven more rides for the achievement. I'm doing well. It's just past Lunch. If I keep this pattern, I should make it. Although, I should change rides ..." He thinks for a minute, "I hear the Queens of England ride is pretty short --"

That's when he notices a questionnaire person standing by the exit talking to the female attendant in her floral print uniform. They point at him and nod. Then they point at others as the restraint bars pop up. I should blend in while their attention is away from me.

He stands and joins with the others as they talk and shuffle toward the exit. Keeping his head low, he passes the new addition to the party. Whew! I'm clear.

A firm hand grabs his neck and tugs him out of the group of chatting people. "There you are."

Looking up, the questionnaire man is on the other side of the exit. Wasn't he over there? He looks over to where the man was before. The attendant has two sad guests, one in each hand, but no questionnaire guy. How'd he get over here?

The majority of the satisfied riders have passed. The questionnaire man speaks up, "Let's have a chat, you three."

I can't be busted. I've got to get out of this. The prisoner wiggles a little and the grip on his neck tightens. His resistance quells.

The five turn past the 'Employee Only' sign into the back area. They turn and travel various directions, possibly in a roundabout path toward the front.

"What are you going to do to us? Throw us out of the park?"

"Yeah! We'll just --" The questionnaire's glare silences the woman.

Without breaking stride, his captor responds, "Well, for most parks, the rule for line jumpers is that they get ejected from the park, but that's not quite how it works here at Fun Planet."

The ominous way that he says that causes all three prisoners to shudder.

And then they arrive at a building with the words, 'Store Stock' on the doors.

Their guide leads them around a corner to a dusty door which opens with a groan as if it hasn't been opened in a long while. The attendant's two prisoners drag their feet and enter the doorway. Stepping forward to cover any escape and bringing his captive closer, he nods to the attendant, "You can go back to your post."

She hurries off leaving them alone. With a not to gentle push, the line jumper gets shoved toward the opening. He looks for a way out, but there is none save past the man who brought him here. Like the two before him, he stalls and scuffs his shoes.

Once he enters the threshold, the worker closes the door thrusting him further into the darkness. Just before the closure seals, he hears a chuckle and the words, "See you on the other side."

The darkness is complete until someone turns on the buildings lights. The overhead lights flicker on a couple at a time in random locations until all are lit revealing a store room filled racks of dresses patterned after the queen dresses he saw around the park. Next to that are onesies that look like dinosaurs and various felt clothes that look a little steampunk. Boxes of toys of all kinds and knickknacks, like key chains, are piled high. Double doors to one side are sheets of rubber with pieces of metal to push open. The other side of the room has a single door with a push bar to open and ... him.

The others must have noticed him at the same time.

They try to get away or hide or something, but they discover they are surrounded by a clear container as wide as they are.

The woman in with them calls out, "What are you going to do to us?"

The questionnaire guy reaches a rectangle on the floor. His weight triggers things happening all over the room around them. Next to him a spinning wheel with various pictures of things around the room cover the circumference.

"I said you'd be leaving the park. Every park does that."

The other man points at the wheel, "Then what do you need that for?"

"I never said that you'd be leaving as yourself."

"What?"

"You don't mean?"

Their captor puts his hand on the wheel, "What I mean, is that you'll be choosing your punishment." He pulls a rectangular box from behind the spinner. It has three buttons; red, green, and blue.

He holds down the green. It must have a down arrow on it or something because with a whirr a claw descends from the shadowy rafters. The horizontal pincher surrounds the female. When it reaches her middle, it closes, locking her in but keeping her arms free. It, then, retracts and hauls her over to the controller who releases the button.

"Let's find out who our contestant is for this round," This throws the three captives off. The once stern even scary park worker give them a cheesy smile and acts like a game show host. "What's your name, young lady?"

The bewildered 'contestant' looks to the other prisoners. Getting no help from them, she turns back to the 'host', "Trish, sir," seeing an opening she blurts out, "ButIDidn'tDoAnythingWrong."

He chuckles to the 'audience', "Isn't she a hoot, folks? That ride operator sure can pick 'em, can't she?" He doesn't wait for a response, "She's the one who said that you should come here." He turns back to her with his dazzling smile, "Okay, Trish, it's time to spin the wheel and see what you become."

Trish looks to the 'audience' again. Still, no help. She touches the wheel with a finger like it will burn her. When it doesn't, she gives it a small spin. It goes two spaces and lands on "Poster."

The man looks confused, "Poster? We need another Ride Attraction poster?" He shrugs, "Well, we haven't changed the ones under the train overpass since we opened, I suppose we are due for a new one." He presses the green button again. The doomed woman lowers a bit more as the floor opens up. The claw releases her and she falls in.

Because the button is still depressed, the grabber rises again and heads toward the two remaining captives. The floor closes. Over the hum of the slow moving capture device, they hear other mechanical sounds. The button presser narrates for them, "Let's see. Now she's being dressed. And that sound should be her being pressed flat. We probably won't hear her be put on the paper. Oh! That's the paint." A fan turns on. "Now she's drying, we'll have to see how she turned out before out next contestant picks."

The line jumper hears the claw descending but doesn't see it until it lowers around him. About the time it reaches his waist, he ducks and drops down to the ground as much as he can in this cramped cage. The operator switches to blue. The claw turns from the line jumper to face the other man. The red button causes the claw to corner its prey.

Locked into place, the green button moves the second 'contestant' into place by the wheel.

A robot exits the curtains on the far side of the room with a cardboard tube. Their host snatches it away. "I'm sure the park guests won't mind if we get a sneak peek." He pulls out the giant poster that's taller than the captured prisoner. On it, from left to right, is a shadowy knight charging a tower and a girl in a big pooffy dress with an umbrella over her shoulder.

"Oh! This is for the Princess Weatherby ride in Fiction Land. You can tell this is in the Summer part of her adventures because she has her parasol. She carries a paper umbrella in the Autumn, and a bubble umbrella for Winter. She has a regular umbrella in Spring. Make sense?"

The dangling contestant nods until he spots something. "Trish!" He points at Princess Weatherby.

"That's correct. Good eye."

"No. She's my girlfriend. We were here celebrating our anniversary."

"Well, should you be bought up and you pass her poster, you can say greet her as you go by." He rolls her back up and returns her to the tube. "I think I'll put her up after I finish with you two." Turning back to the dangling participant, "So, who's our second contestant?"

Silent tears answer him. "So, what would you like the wheel to land on," the host asks trying to lighten the situation.

After a few sniffles and tears wiped away, he musters out, "A poster. Then at least we could look at each other every day."

With an embarrassed smile, "I'm, uhhhh, sorry. The wheel has changed after she left. We have no more need for posters, so it disappeared. How about a shirt or jacket? People wear Fun Planet clothes to the park and past the posters."

A silent, sad nod answers him.

"Well, what's your name, son? Or should I call you, Trish's Boyfriend?"

"Ernie."

"Okay, Ernie, spin the wheel and let's see where it ends up." With his closed eyes from crying, he grabs the wheel and vents all his frustration on it, spinning it as fast as possible. The digital images blur, and the rubber tabs that slow the device become a black circle.

It slows and stops on "Doll."

"I'm sorry. I guess it's not your lucky day." The green button is pressed and Ernie drops into the hole. Turning to the last contestant, he says, "We'll see how he turns out before you spin."

Since capture is inevitable at this point, the line jumper submits to the claw. As he's being dragged over, the host narrates again, "I'm not sure what that sound is. Oh. That's shrinking. Plasticization. And not sure on that one either. Sewing perhaps?" His eyes light up as the captive is lowered, "And that's the packing and boxing."

A robot rolls out, like before. This time, it has a torso tall rectangle box. Again, the host intercepts the package it carries. "Oh, look at this," he says turning it to the one dangling, "He's a Dress Me Up Princess Diana."

Inside is a plastic woman in a blouse and skirt. She in under plastic and trapped by twist ties. Near her are assorted outfits ranging from dresses to pants suits and skirts. It even includes a free comb.

Turning the box back to himself, "It still surprises me how popular she is, but I suppose that makes sense with Princess Kate around." He hands it to the robot who finishes its journey and places it next to boxes that are the same size.

"So, Contestant, what is your name?"

After a moment, he mutters out, "Chase."

"So, Chase, what are you hoping it will land on?"

"Community Service."

He is answered by laughter. "Oh that's a good one. I need to remember that one. Sorry, that's not an option here. How about you spin the wheel and discover your fate?"

"Can't we just delay this? I was almost to one hundred rides. Can't I finish that then get changed into something?"

"And what kind of message would that send to our guests? 'Do whatever you want and get punished at the end.'? People come here to have fun because we are the most funnest place on the planet. When people get cut in front of in line, that is not fun. So, we need to squelch it as quick as possible." He gestures to the wheel.

Defeated, Chase spins the device. They watch as it flips from one picture to the next. After it completes one full lap, it slows and lands on "Dress".

"What?!" Chase reels back and attacks the claw. Meanwhile, the green button is depressed and the hole opens below him.

With a death grip on the cable as the claw open, he slides down. He swings back and forth, dangling his feet to try to touch the floor. With the green button still depressed, the claw that he's holding onto rises back up. Now there's no way for him to get down except for falling.

"How? How many of these items are--" He corrects himself, "were human?"

Smile never faltering, "A couple. There's a reason we don't have too many troublemakers around here."

"Uh! Uh," Chase struggles to find words to delay. He also tries to swing the cable back and forth by pumping his legs. To counter this, the employee presses the Blue button causing the claw to turn back and forth. Chase slips a little and finds his momentum is going the wrong way. By pumping now, he is dissolving the swing he had before be going perpendicular to it.

Looking down, he tries another tactic, "Promise me that you'll change me back and I'll go willingly."

"I can't do that. Look, Chase, this can end in only one way, you going in the hole and becoming a dress."

"Will it hurt?"

"From what I've heard, being worn while being clothes is an enjoyable experience."

"That's not what I ask--" His last finger slips and he plunges into darkness. And then the hole closes eliminating his only ray of hope.

The first thing he feels in the darkness is something very thin spiraling all over his body more times than he can count. Also, it is tight, corset tight, cutting off circulation tight. This stuff, whatever it is, covers his arms from shoulder past bicep, and strains him across his chest down to his knees. Luckily his arms are free and not pinned to his sides and his legs have a little draft down there, too.

Draft? Chase tries to move to feel down there, but he can't even wiggle let alone bend. That's when he realizes that his shirt is gone under the thousands of threads.

Then comes the pricking. A little at a time, dozens of sharp needles poke him travelling all over his body. He checks a recent pricked section. Dry, no blood. At least there's that.

The needles stop. Chase is grateful for that. All of the sewing was making the dress tighter and harder to breathe.

A light flashes in his eyes, and, he finds that he can breathe easier now. As his eyes try to recover from the flash, they get flashed again. Chase raises his arms to shield his face, and the dress rises up as well. He pulls down on the hem and gets flashed again.

His fingers around the hem feel the flesh of his legs. Of course, I'm naked. Soon, the dress feels bigger on him.

The flashes come faster and faster to the point he keeps one hand to block his eyes and another to keep the dress down. Even with his eyes closed and covered the light is visible.

Chase begins to realize that something is off when his dress touches his toes. What is going on here?

In response to his unspoken question, a bar hits him in the shins tripping him. Doing a belly flop on the rubbery floor knocks the wind out of him.

It takes him a few moments to get his breath back, but once he does, he finds there is something above his back that is keeping him face down on the ground or whatever this rubbery floor is.

More lights flash on him, but instead of being amber colored like before these are more violet. He tries to lift himself with his arms, but his elbows hit the thing above him. This happens for a couple of flashes. Then his elbows clear and he lift the top part of him up, dress included. Either I sweated a bunch here in this place or something is wrong. He tries a few more times with less success each time. It's like his arms are getting shorter.

Or I'm being pulled into the dress! "Help," he tries to call out, but his mouth is merged with the fabric. He opens his eyes between flashes to find the cloth right in front of them. In fact, he can't even feel his legs anymore.

The ceiling comes down and presses his face to the floor. A flash and his arms are gone; a few more and the dress lay flat.

Two claws pick him up, one at each of his sleeves. As he gets lifted up, Chase sees the robot from before. With deft movements it places him on a hanger and starts moving.

Thankfully, whoever programmed this bot had Chase in mind. The robot holds him face forward giving him a clear view of the journey. For a moment, he doesn't mind that he's a dress. That is until he sees their destination, the door that leads into the store.

Chase screams, or he would have if he had the parts to do so. The robot slides in and hangs him up on a rack and disappears. As far as Chase can tell, no one saw it or him enter.

And then things get boring. Nothing happens. Lots of people swirl near him and around the store, but nothing happens to him. He just watches as time passes since that is all he can do.

Time passes and the store lights brighten as the light from outside dims. He wishes he could see the outside from where he is at, but he is just far enough around a corner to see the light's reflection out of the corner of his eye.

Something happen, please. He begs in his mind. I don't want to be stuck in this store forever.

And something does happen. A little girl comes running up dragging her mother along. "Mom, mom! Can I have this one?" She pokes him in the face. Chase feels it like cloth would feel a touch.

"I don't know, Honey ..."

"Please, Mom?" Chase is begging with her. The girl turns away to look at her mom. Chase suspects she's giving her the puppy dog eyes since her hands are clasped in front of her. "I've always wanted a Princess Kate dress. Always."

"We'll see." The mom sidesteps her daughter and reaches beyond Chase. "If. If we are going to get this maybe we should get a bigger one so you can gr--"

Again, he is in sync with the girl, "No, Mom, I want this one!" She bops Chase in the face again.

"I dunno," her mother wavers, "I think that one is too small for you."

"Nuh uh. It'll fit."

"Fine. Let's go into the changing room and see." The two ladies and Chase head into the tiny room. The mom removes the girl's top and the hanger Chase is on. "Arms up."

The girl's arms are up so fast they nearly smack her mom in the face. Chase gets lowered onto the girl and feels her arms going inside of him.

That's when he starts feeling filled up. He relishes the feeling of being worn. Chases sees that his face is right where the printed face of Princess Kate is. Then he gets overwhelmed by sensations. He doesn't even come back to reality until he is off and headed to the cashier.

Money is traded, the hanger is handed over , and Chase gets folded up and placed in a bag. With no input, he loses track of everything.

That is until he hears, "Mom, Dad. I gotta tie my shoes." and a fainter, "Hurry up, Honey, we're headed to the car."

After a moment of silence he hears the little girl shout, "Wait for me!" The odd thing is that he doesn't get yanked up. He waits to hear from them again, but nothing. He loses track again.

Then another odd thing happens. Chase feels like he's growing, but that can't happen because he is a dress. Doomed to be a dress forever. That's what the guy said, right?

His feet leave the cloth and feel cold plastic. In fact all of him is getting a little chilly. His arms struggle and wiggle until the unfold their prison enough to slide out of the sleeves. As his body seems to separate from the cloth, he finds that he is unfolding himself. Then the growing and pulling away from the cloth speeds up.

It gets to the point where he is swimming in the dress again, but this time he is in a plastic bag too. With some blind movements he turns himself to a sitting position and pulls the bag off.

That's when he sees that he is on a bench back to back with the fence into the park. Filling out the dress speeds up again. That's when he hears a voice, "You!" Chase looks and sees the guy turned into a doll, Ernie was it, exiting the store still wearing the dress the doll was.

"You made it outside!"

Another voice joins them, "Freedom!" From the underpass, the girl that was with them, parasol in hand, staggers and stumbles their way.

"Ernie continues, "You made it out. You've got to help us escape. If they get their hands on us, they'll put us back."

Chase wants to ask how they all got free, but he knows there's no time. "How? How do I help you?"

Trish, that was her name, Trish swears. They look to her and then follow her gaze. The guy that did this to them is back. He has a sinister smile.

"Over the fence! Help me over the fence."

Trish arrives just after, "Me too! I don't want to be a poster again. "

In a moment, Chase measures the time it'll take to get them both free and the time the man will reach them. He's about to help them when he sees their tormentor look to one side. That's when he notices the guards closing in from both sides.

Then the dress finishes tightening like a corset. There's no way I'll make it if I don't go now. 

Chase bolts as fast as his legs and wiggles will let him.

The man grabs Trish and Ernie's arms and watches Chase go, frantic. Once he is out of sight, their captor dismisses the guards and turns back toward the store.

Once they are back in the storeroom where they were transformed before, he smiles. This time, the smile is genuine. "You guys did a great job. When we whispered 'Play along,' we weren't expecting that outstanding performance. Mission accomplished. I don't think that guy will be back, and if he does, he won't line jump again."

He reaches into his back pocket, "For wasting your day and spoiling your anniversary, I'm terribly sorry about that, please take these." He hands them two thick gold coins with the Fun Planet logo on one side and VIP on the other. "These will give each of you a free day in the park and give you VIP access to whatever you like. Hopefully, you can celebrate a belated anniversary in style."

He bows, "Again, I am sorry for picking you at random and thank you for your amazing job looking afraid and reluctant. Are you guys actors?"

They shake their heads, "No."

"You should be. You almost had me convinced to release you guys and blow the whole thing." They all share a chuckle. "Please have a wonderful night and an even better day at the park the next time you visit us.