The balloon is passed from man with painted
smile to boy with painted fangs. Small hand grips rope tightly. Sparse grass watches
on, unswaying. The balloon bobs, oblivious to heat or crowds or sound, reacting
only to the movements of its master. Fake vampire with real grin dances along,
mimicked in slow motion by the balloon. A stone in the path. Stumble. Shocked
hand responds, releases. Wide mouth horror unseeing eyes watch as the balloon
takes flight. Up. Up. Tears drag face paint to the earth.
