Macy went to and from the main desk at the center of library, shelving stacks of books that had people returned earlier that day. As she walked with the numerous paperbacks, Macy liked to read their titles before she put them away. There was a romance story called "A Moment of Love," a cookbook called "Healthy Treats to Keep Your Kids Slim," and finally something worth reading, a large book with a black cover and silver words spelling out "Area 51: What the Government Didn't Tell You," a delightful book that Macy had flipped through frequently during her days at the library.
"Macy, stop reading the books. Your job is to put them away, not to enjoy them!"
Just Edith scolding Macy again. Normally Edith's harsh attitude annoyed Macy, what with her strange poetry and all. But today was different; it was the first day of the carnival! Macy had been awaiting this day in utter excitement ever since she had seen the poster taped in the window of the butcher shop.
At three o'clock, the end of Macy's shift, she hastily finished filling some late notices, grabbed her coat, and ran out the swinging doors of the library, her gawky limbs flailing in all directions as Macy left Edith rolling her eyes. Macy had always loved the carnival, with its bright lights, huge rides, and dressed-up workers. The atmosphere the carnival created was all so wonderful that it almost seemed other-worldly, which was precisely why Macy loved it. She ran to the first ride she saw, a rickety roller coaster that shook so much the riders' heads were slammed into either side of their seat restraints. Macy didn't mind the head trauma; she knew the ride would help her prepare for the great flight out of Earth's atmosphere. The line was long, so Macy took her place behind a shorter girl with baggy overalls who popped her gum loudly as she chewed it. The popping noise was quite annoying, and Macy tried to block it out by enjoying the screams of the people riding the roller coaster. But she wouldn't stop that damn popping! Distressed, Macy thought of how to speak to the girl, how to tell her to please stop. But Macy suffered from a severe social disorder that prevented her from speaking to strangers. This disorder went unnoticed by Macy, who chalked her shyness up to simply not wanting to fraternize with humans. So, unable to find the right words to say and silently scorning the girl for being human, Macy stoically continued to wait.
