Chet snorted, “Well at leastyouget to have a memorable last ride!”
“Yeah, for about 3 seconds, if I make it that long!”
Chet rolled his eyes, turning to look at her as the guy next to him stepped out and waved to the crowd.
“Like you ain’t about to win again!” he muttered to her with a twinkle in his eyes.
Sally was prevented from replying as the announcer got to Chet.
“Our three-time local champion: CHHHHEEEETT BONEBROOOOOOOO! Sorry ladies, this one is firmly taken!”
Several of the girls in the stands screamed things like “We love you, Chet!” and “Come be my bronco!”.
Chet stepped back in line after jumping up to tap his heels together, grinning at Sally. He did love performing.
Sally stepped out, waving to the crowd, only instead of her usual intro, the announcer went off-book. She paused, listening, but kept waving and smiling like a pro.
“What’s this?! It looks like our very own Sally Rider, but COULD IT BE?! IT IS! OH NO, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! It looks like Sally’s gettin’ BEAMED UP!”
At that, the song E.T. by Toy Box started up over the speaker system and the entire rodeo cast came running out to join with the competitors. Everyone pulled out cheesy ‘green men’ alien masks and ran around Sally in a big circle. They all started doing a dance in time with the music while Sally stood there in complete confusion.
The entire group faced her suddenly and rushed inwards all together while she shrieked with laughter. As they rushed out again, Lou and Tracy showed up with a giant cardboard ‘rocketship’ that looked more like a dildo. They swept up to Sally and threw the straps over her shoulders, danced around a bit more, then the entire crew suddenly disappeared out the various exits to the arena.
The crowd wasloving it.
Lou came running back out with a microphone.
“Well what do you think ofthat,Sal?” she asked in her best Presentation Voice. She tipped the microphone to Sally.
“I think I’m wearin’ a giant dildo, Lou!”
Lou tipped the microphone back, laughing. “We had to make sure you went out in style. And DOESN’T SHE LOOK GREAT, EVERYBODY?!”
The crowd whooped and hollered.
Lou walked around the back of the ‘rocketship’ and slung an arm around Sally.
“Now you didn’t think you were goin’ to sneak off without a proper goodbye, didja?”
“Maybe.”
The crowd boooooooo’d heavily. Lou waved her hands to quiet them down.
“Alright, alright, you maniacs, settle down! Now listen, Sal, we know your last ride’s tonight, but we decided to set up a little bonus competition for you.”
“Oh you did?”
“We did!” Lou looked over her shoulder where secret activity had been taking place.
“Y’ALL READY?!” she shouted, looking back at the crowd when she got the nod from Chet.
The crowd screamed with the sort of enthusiasm found only in truly horse-mad people.
Tracy came running up and handed Sally a rifle.
“What in hells is this? Is this apaint ball gun?”Sally asked loudly, her commentary mostly caught by Lou’s hastily-tipped microphone.
“Why yes it is, Miss Sally! We have a little challenge for you! Take a look!”
