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“I’m fine. I guess there’s nothing you can do to warn me about the wind. I’ll be better prepared next time.”

He glowered at the fake sky. “It shouldn’t be so strong. How can people find this entertaining?”

“Come on. We’re making progress. We might win a prize if I get to the other side.”

Faron shrugged and instructed Kendra to continue across the bridge.

As she reached the halfway point, an enormous, midnight-black bird swooped from the sky, its talons pointing at Kendra’s face.

“Duck!” he yelled as the bird’s talons skimmed Kendra’s hair.

She flattened herself on the bridge, screaming and laughing at the same time. “What was that?”

“A giant bird wanted you as an entrée.”

“It stank.”

“I would kill it for you, but it’s not real.”

Kendra giggled as she got to her feet. “There’s no need to go all Hulk on the fake bird, but thanks for the offer to murder on my behalf.”

He didn’t know what a hulk was. “I’ll watch out for them.”

The birds continued to hover, but no more attacked as Kendra inched her way across the bridge.

After another half-hour of encouragement, Kendra had made good progress. “You’re almost there,” Faron said. “Another ten steps and you’ll be on solid ground.”

“Then we’ll win our prize.”

“It had better be a good prize.”

“You get to spend more time with me,” she said. “Isn’t that what you’re hoping for?”

Faron smiled to himself. He would enjoy spending the rest of the day with Kendra. She was fun to be with, and despite the occasional ear-splitting scream, he could tell she was enjoying herself.

“Five more steps. Four more, three, two, one. You should be there.”

Kendra cheered as she climbed off the rope bridge and took off her blindfold. “We are winners.”

Faron’s smile faded. “The only problem is, we’re on opposite sides of the ravine.” He went to stand on the rope bridge, but it vanished.

“Now, it’s your turn, Faron,” the holo booth computer said. “You are to be blindfolded, and Kendra will instruct you to the other side of the ravine so you may join her.”

He gritted his teeth as Kendra roared with laughter.

“Brilliant! Now I get to torment you.”

“I did not torment you. I guided you safely across a dangerous ravine. I took great care of you.”

“A dangerous fake ravine.” She grinned at him. “I’ll do the same for you. Put the blindfold on.”

Faron looked around and saw a large blindfold hanging by the door, which he reluctantly collected. He turned back to the ravine, and his steps faltered. There were forty large wooden posts sticking up in the air. “You have got to be kidding me.”

“It’s no problem,” Kendra said. “I’ll tell you where to put your feet, so you don’t fall.”

Faron touched the first pole with his foot, and it wobbled. “They are not secure.”

“Then you’ll need excellent balance.” Kendra clapped her hands. “Blindfold on, let’s go.”