Dreamland

The train was already full when my mother pushed me on board. I looked around at the strange faces that neighbored me. A young woman hushed an infant in a seat adjacent to a smiling elderly couple, whose warm cuddle proved time had not withered their love as it did their faces. Many young men towered over me, clinging to the metal handrail as they braced for the train's impending lurch forward. A gentleman in grey slacks and a bowler in his lap smiled warmly at me, offering his seat.

"Here lil miss, take mines, why don't ya?" His thick Irish accent charmed me and he winked boyishly at my mother. She beamed, and guided me to the seat, handing me her purse so she, too, could grasp the handrail. I looked up at my mother. She was young and beautiful, with her golden hair recently bobbed and neatly tucked under her best wide-brimmed feather hat. I envied my mother's high-waisted gown as it draped naturally around her ankles, as if she were built solely to wear such fashion. My own pink ruffled party dress made me feel insecure next to her obvious womanly elegance, although I needn't feel so ashamed, as I was only 6 years old. However, as any young girl, I yearned to be just like mommy, and I imagined myself twirling angelically in a magical ballroom with a man just like my daddy in her beautiful gown. I peering longingly at her glossy high heeled shoes, wishing my own polished flats made the same 'click click' as I walked with her confidence. I loved Mommy and one day I would be just like her.

The train ride was not longer than thirty minutes, although as a young child in a fever of excitement, I could imagine each minute was an hour. My mother looked warmly down at me, sensing my anticipation. "Don't worry sweetheart," she cooed softly to me, "We'll be in Coney very soon. Be still now...stop kicking those feet!" Although she lightly scolded me, her tone was happy, and all too knowing that my feet could not stop kicking until we reached our destination and I could know for sure we were really there. There, of course, being Coney Island; a place of wonder, of magic, and of dreams comes true.

Peering out of the window of the train I could see the outline of Luna Park ahead, with the Dreamland Tower and the Steeplechase Tower to the far left and right of it. I held my breath and grinned wildly at my mother. She patted my hair and warned softly, "Now don't go running off, Suzy. Stay with me and hold Mommy's hand; don't let go." I nodded in acknowledgement, and as the train doors opened I clasped my mother's hand tightly and anxiously tugged her forward. She laughed lightly and allowed herself to be dragged by her impatient little girl.

My first step onto the street was like a slap in the face; music, color, scent, and hundreds of people overwhelmed all of my young senses. Startled, I stepped behind my mother, who was obviously amused by my bewilderment. "Come along, Suzy" she purred comfortingly, "Don't be afraid now. Just follow me. Stay close to Mommy."

And follow I did; wide-eyed and consumed with curiosity like I'd never felt before. The smell of exotic foods wafted through the air, making my mouth salivate as I stared hungrily at the food vendors shouting convincing promises that their food was the best on Surf Avenue. I gazed in amazement at the outlandishly dressed barkers dragging in crowds as they exhibited human oddities the likes of which I could have never even dreamed. I watched in awe as a street magician pulled a dozen red roses from under a blushing girl's skirt while the man beside her glared unapprovingly.

Very soon we reached the entrance to Dreamland off Surf Avenue. A giant stone angel stood in the center, its outstretched wings creating a beautiful arched passageway into the park. Walking through, I held my mothers hand tighter as the street scene melted away and I entered a dark tunnel with strange images and statues along the walls.

"This attraction is called 'Creation'," My mother explained to me, noticing my apprehension. "See, as we walk we are going through the passage of Genesis in the Bible. You remember Geneses from school, don't you?"

I nodded, the pictures now vaguely familiar. "Can you show me which picture is the story of Adam and Eve?" I looked around for a moment, analyzing the faces of each portrait on the walls, so intricately detailed and perfect. I pointed at one depicting a half naked man and woman under a glowing fruit tree.

"Yes!" She exclaimed in approval, "And how about Noah's Ark?"

I easily found the painting of a large wooden ship with various animal heads poking curiously out of the windows. My mothers exaggerated commendations made my self-esteem swell. By the time we were out of the Creation Tunnel, I was again leading the way.

I squinted as I stepped back into sunlight and Dreamland opened around me like a fantastic new world. Directly ahead of me was an infinitely tall tower, sculpted to perfection as if it were the very tower of Heaven. I tried to find the very top, but the suns glare would not let me, so I shifted my gaze to the wonders around me. Hundreds of people swarmed and danced around the park in their own enchanted trance; women squealed with delight as the men they were with chased them playfully off one ride and onto the next. Each ride and attraction adorned with thousands of flickering electric lights that beckoned any adventure seeker to step right up if they dared. The strains of "Some of These Days" by Shelton Brooks cut clear across the park as people clapped and cheered in the food court under the Dreamland Tower, singing along to the upbeat music as an animated, slightly crazed man hammered the tune out on a baby grand piano nearby.

I began to tap my feet to the music and my mother laughed and twirled me as I danced, the people walking around us smiled at the admirable scene of a mother and a daughter playing together. I suddenly felt happy my mother dressed me in my pink party dress today; the lace and ruffle hem twirled around me, making me feel like a princess. I couldn't help but blush at every 'Awwww' I received from a passing couple. My mother's face exuded pride. She sighed, and said softly "I wish your father was here to see how pretty you are."

I stopped and looked up at my mother, noticing how sad her eyes looked. I held her hand and pouted, but only because I wanted her to see how sad I was too, just like her. I knew Daddy would be home soon, he told me so himself. He had gone away to the Army, but only for a little while. I knew he would be back, but sometimes my mother looked as if she wasn't quite so sure. When my mother saw my pout, she grimaced, and then smiled. "Don't frown, Suzy," She chided softly, "You'll get worry lines."

I wasn't entirely sure what she meant by this but she smiled at me, and with all the marvel of Dreamland spinning around me, my pout couldn't help but dissipate into a toothy grin. "Come on, let's go to the Shoot-the-Chutes!" she suggested happily, in a tone resembling a schoolyard playmate more than a mother. I enthusiastically agreed.

The ride featured two wooden boats that climbed with an awkward rumble towards a steep drop into a lagoon. Unfortunately my mother was not ready for the drop, or the wave of algae green water that waited for us at the bottom. As I took in the breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean laid out before me, my mother yelped in surprise, and grabbed me so hard I caught my breath just before the plunge. I tried to scream but couldn't breathe, and found myself gasped for air as my mother loosened her grip once we hit the water. When I realized it was over I was squealing with delight, and I turned to my mother to beg for another ride. I could tell instantly it was out of the question. Her beautiful feather hat sat lifelessly on her head, the wide brim lay limply over her flushed face. I couldn't see her eyes but I knew they were fuming. I bit my lip and looked down, worried our day of fun was over.

"I love you Mommy. You're beautiful today," I tried hopefully, giving her the most innocent look I could muster. She lifted the brim of her soggy hat with one hand and looked down at me, all the anger that I imagined in her eyes just moments before were gone now. She smirked lightly.

"Well, you are your father's daughter!" She laughed out loud at this, and I laughed too, because I really thought she was beautiful that day. When the boat jerked to a stop on the exit platform, she took my hand and gracefully lifted me out. She following right behind me and we puffed our chests out and walked like two respectable women, despite being drenched head to toe with murky swamp water.

"Let's sit in the sun for a moment Suzy, and let our knickers dry," she said, and we giggled at the thought. She bought me an ice cream and we perched under the Dreamland Tower, taking in the wonders and magic that surrounded us. After half the cream had sufficiently melted down my wrist, my mother decided it was time to turn our attention back to the parks attractions.

"Where do you want to go now, Suzy?" she glanced at me questioningly as she wiped my hands and face clean with a rag.

"Um...Shoot-the-Chutes?" I offered, only half joking. She glared at me with a slight smirk. "All right all right, Perhaps the Fighting Flames?"

She nodded in agreement and we went to see the show. My mother made a conscientious decision to steer clear of any more water rides, or rides in general. She didn't trust the outcome, and only agreed to attractions with no unwanted surprises.

The show was entertaining; my mother and I clapped as firemen rounded a staged building that was set on fire. The firemen rescued all the actors inside. I told my mother I wanted to be a fireman when I grew up. She frowned lightly and replied, "We'll see." I stomped my foot and glared at her. I knew that always meant no. But she just laughed and pulled me along. "Come along, Suzy. Don't waste the day." I forgot why I was discontent and skipped playfully behind her.

We went to every attraction Dreamland had to offer (save the rides, of course, courtesy of my mother). We saw Liliputa, the midget city, and watched laughing people wave from the flying airships ride. We went to the Japanese Tea House and took a miniature train to the other side of the park, of course after convincing my mother it was not a water train. The day went by too quickly, and as I caught my mother staring off into the twilight, I gazed up at her in a moue to quickly defy the words I knew she was tipping on her tongue.

"All right Suzy, I think it's time to...oh no, not that," she looked down and caught my grimace mid-sentence. "Suzy, it is time to go."

"Please Mama, One more?" my eyes were open wide, pitiful and heartbreaking. She sighed in defeat.

"All right, yes Suzy. One more,"

"Hurrah! Let's go to Bostock's!" I grabbed her hand before she could dispute and pulled her to the circus by the entrance of the park. I laughed cheekily to myself at my clever plan. The circus would last an hour at least, so we would have to stay just a bit longer. Long enough for the streetlamps to turn on. Long enough to see the wild Coney day turn into a blazing electric night.

We entered Bostock's Circus quite early, before the next show started. My mother and I sat in the very front row, and I bounced up in down gleefully in my seat as a man rounded the corner and offered my mother a bag of peanuts for a nickel. She declined, but when I pleaded, she gave in. The man eyed me with a raised brow. "Cute kid," he mumbled as he tottered away, leaving my mother glaring suspiciously after him. I crunched on the peanuts noisily.

More and more people filed in, and soon the half-circled arena was filled with laughter and movement. In the center was dirt stage with various props and tools. "Do you see that hoop?" my mother asked me, pointing in the direction of a rather large wooden loop prop. "I'll bet you a penny that a lion jumps through it."

"But I don't have a penny!" I declared, loudly enough so the woman next to me turned to glare at my commotion. My mother laughed.

"Here's one!" she handed me a shiny new penny from her purse. "Well? Do you bet?"

"Hmmmmm..." I twirled the penny in my fingers, then grinned, offering my hand, "Bet!" We laughed as we shook on it.

The lights grew dim as the show began, and I squirmed excitedly in my seat as a tall man dressed in a fine black suit and top hat entered the dirt stage. His hair was a dark mocha color and sat somewhat unruly under his hat. His dark eyes scanned across the full crowd of the arena and he smirked with an air of loftiness as he began his introduction, confidence oozing from the rich tone of his voice. I heard my mother audibly gasp, as did the woman on the other side of me. I glanced curiously at both of them.

"...And of course I, Apollo Arturi, will be your ringleader this evening..." the man was very amicable, but my attention now turned to the beautiful young lady that entered the arena after him, two leashes in either hand that were collared to two full grown lions. This is when I gasped. I tugged my mothers sleeve and pointed, but she shushed me and reminded me she was watching too.

The man in the top hat...Apollo...dazzled me with the amazing tricks he taught his lions. The beautiful young woman was not afraid at all as Apollo calmly directed the lions to walk around her, sit beside her, and even shake her hand with their massive paws. At one point, Apollo controlled nearly twenty full grown lions! The beautiful young lady picked up the wooden loop and set it ablaze. Apollo directed the lions to jump right through and all twenty did. I screamed in delighted amazement and applauded as loudly as I could until my mother tapped my shoulder and cleared her throat, and I scowled as I dropped the penny back in her purse. She grinned.

Too soon the woman walked all the lions backstage; all but one. The lion sat on its haunches and looked up at Apollo, as if waiting for a queue. Apollos eyes scanned the crowd once more as if searching for something. They stopped when they found what they were looking for. They stopped on me.

Apollo took three long, graceful strides toward me; smooth enough for anyone to imagine him floating on air. He stopped when he reached me and slowly dipped into a gentlemanly bow. He gently took my right hand as if he meant to kiss it and I felt my mother grasp my left wrist instinctively, as any mother would when confronted by a stranger.

Apollo slowly lifted his eyes to her face and I noticed then that they were an unusual ash colored grey, his lips pressed into a sly grin. He winked at her, but not at all with the boyish charm of the nice man on the train. It was provocative and alluring, and insinuated something more than what my young mind could comprehend. My mother swooned and my wrist was relinquished.

"Don't worry Mama," he lulled softly, his voice reassuring and delicious, "Your princess is safe with me."

He picked me up easily and lifted me over the railing, gracefully placing me on the dirt stage. When I looked back at my mother, she was clutching the neckline of her dress, taking a deep breath. I tried to shoot her a questioning look, but Apollo grabbed my hand and tugged lightly forward.

"Come on Princess, let's show Mama how brave you are," the silky tone of his voice made me follow him at once. He led me to the lone lion, which now lay on all fours with its enormous head resting on its forepaws. It glanced apathetically in my direction then looked away, as if bored by a redundant situation.

"Go on Princess, give him a pat," Apollo nudged me forward, but I gave a horrified glance at the lion's huge, lethargic jaws and imagined them crushing me. I spun around and clung to his body, burying my face in his thigh. The crowd awed, but I did not smile like did earlier in the day when the people approved of my dance. They were awing at my fear, and I now felt self-conscious.

Apollo smoothed my hair. "Don't be afraid, Princess. I won't let him hurt you. He is just a big kitty cat." His voice was so soothing, and I turned to see him reaching down to touch the tan fur of the lion. I gave a wide-eyed glance at the face of the lion, half expecting it to jump up and bite his arm off. But the lion just lay there, motionless, save for the deep breathing in and out of his belly.

I smiled and looked up at Apollos face, his smoky gaze meeting mine, and he nodded forward in approval. I reached out and giggled as I felt the first touch of fur under my fingertips. He smiled at me, and as the crowd cheered in adoration I felt brave enough to rub its belly like I would an average dog. The lion closed its eyes and took a very deep breath. The breath startled me and I pulled my hand back abruptly, but Apollo caught it with his and smoothly cooed, "Wasn't so bad, was it Princess?" I blushed and shook my head.

He lead me back to my mother, who looked as blue as if she hadn't taken one breath since I stepped on the dirt stage. He lifted me back over the railing and safely in her arms. He took my hand, bowed, and this time did kiss me right on the back of my hand with a soft little peck. "For the Princess..." he smiled. I giggled and blushed again. Then he shifted his ashen gaze to my mother, who gasped lightly, and he held out his hand to her as well. She glanced around awkwardly, but the smoky eyes never left hers. She lifted her hand out to him and he embraced it, still gazing intently at her, and pressed his soft lips against her skin; lingering much longer...too long...on her hand. My mother sighed deeply, her eyes closed. "For the Queen..." his voice was low and seductive, and he dragged his hand across hers as he let it go, smirking his Cheshire grin.

As he walked away I looked up at my mother. She gazed longingly after him, biting her lip. I tugged on her sleeve. "Mama did you see? I touched a lion! He could have bitten my head clean off! I would have been dead and bleeding blood everywhere! Bleeding blood! But did you see Mama? Were you watching? He didn't bite me; he just let me pet him! Can we get a lion, Mommy? Mommy, can we get a lion? Mommy!"

She looking down at me, awakened from her trance. "Suzy, please!" she exclaimed, exasperated. I clamped my mouth shut grumpily. The next act was moving on stage and, although it involved two giant elephants, I was not as enthusiastic about this show as I was about Apollo and his lions. The look of disappointment on my mothers face as Apollo left the stage led me to believe she thought the same way. So I sleepily yawned and curled against my mother. She brushed a gold lock of hair out of my eyes.

"It's past your bedtime," she said softly. I nodded and replied, "I know."

"I think it's time to go," and there was no debating it. I was already half asleep.

She led me out of the arena and back into Dreamland, where the twilight had long since faded into a milky deep cerulean night that swirled with stars and dark clouds; the amazing lights of Dreamland reaching into the sky, trying to grab an opiate moon out of the galaxies. I tried to keep my eyes open to see the electric Coney I plotted so coyly to attain, but I simply could not do it. My mother was right; it was past my bedtime.

I only half remembered the walk back down Surf Avenue, and what I did remember I did not recognize in the new face of night. I tried to locate the food vendors, the freak show oddities, the street magician...but all in vain. I gave up and curled into the comfort of my mothers arms as she carried me back to the train.

She carried me onboard the half empty car and took a seat in the back corner, letting me lay across her lap. "Did you have fun today?" she asked softly, humming a lullaby. My eyes opened a slit and I murmured my affirmation. She sighed, smiling lightly and said "Good."