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Show page 50 "Jamas is of the s p i r i t of carnival," M-. F i - P r sMd "Bring him down." Slowly, gently, the Giant lox-7ered me. "Remember now," he said, "how far the lights of the carnival shine, how clear they a r e . " And he shook my hand with his l i t t l e finger. Ax-7ay x^e went, Mr. Fixer and I, xri.th me x^aving goodbye to the friendly Giant, t h i s wonderful night, this many -/ears ago. We were at Granpa's side at the Wheel 0'Fortune tent when he placed another coin on a number. Mr. Fixer looked straight ahead, at the showman behind the counter. "This is the last chance, son," Granpa said, noticing me. /ind he spun the x/neel again. Granpa remembered that spin all his l i f e and he could seldom t a l k of anything else. The wheel turned faster and faster, then slowed as though i t had brakes on i t . It stopped on Granpa's number. I clapped my hands with -jlee. The showman held out to Granpa the purple pillow. " I t ' s 370urs, Old Timer; a prize extraordinary!" Granpa clutched the pillow eagerly, then gave i t to me to hold and to carry. I was so happy; I said, "Granpa, this is Mr. Fixer." But Mr. Fixer wasn't there. The place where he had stood was vacant. I searched the crox-Td for him, and even asked the showman in the booth. I received an unknowing nod from everyone. But even now, years l a t e r , I know Mr. Fixer e x i s t s , some-x^ 7here. I know that I met him when I x-7as eleven years old, at a carnival of o-reat laughter set up on the outskirts of our town, |
