I was happy to see that Isabel had invited her best friend. Isabel’s friend was the one I called ‘Groper’ because she’d done package checks at the last party I’d been at with Ben. I hoped she was up to her games again today to liven up the party. I could just imagine the shock of my Japanese contingent when she grabbed their crotches.
In addition to those folks, I’d invited my castmates from
By the time the yacht left the dock, everyone had changed into swimsuits or beachwear. It had become unseasonably warm so we’d have another perfect Southern California day to enjoy out on the water. Soon, music was playing, and cocktails were served. I made my rounds with Brook at my side and made sure everyone was having a good time.
I noticed two pylons had been erected at the back of the boat. They reminded me of the top half of a goal post. I saw Lexi talking to two guys our age who were busy setting up whatever it was. Of course, I decided to investigate.
“Oh, hey, David. These are two of my high school friends. They started their own business, and I offered to help them out,” she said.
I noticed she was a little nervous.
“What is all this?” I asked.
“A slingshot,” the tall blond guy said with a grin.
“Come again?” I asked.
“A slingshot. We saw a video of something like it on online. I showed my dad …” the dark-haired kid said.
“His dad works as a stunt coordinator at my dad’s studio,” Lexi interjected.
“Anyway, he helped us make it. I figured if you and your friends liked it, we could maybe market it and make some dead presidents.”
“Brook and the others told me you like to try new adventures that are dangerous …” Lexi mumbled and then looked away.
“Have you guys ever tried it?” I asked.
“Not yet. Dad said it would probably work, though. It should be okay,” the dark-haired guy said.
“Tell you what. One of you do it first, and I’ll talk my friends into giving it a try. We’ll let you video it for your marketing materials,” I offered.
“Cool, Dude. Lexi, you really came through for us,” the blond said.
Ten minutes later, they had it all set up. We had the yacht stop. The captain made the blond wear a full life vest and even insisted on launching a small boat to retrieve him in case the guy died. It didn’t take much for everyone to gather around to watch these two idiots. I made sure I had my phone out to capture this.
The two used a winch to pull back the giant rubber-band-like tubing. They’d rigged it so that once it was pulled back, it just took a flip of a switch to release it. They’d brought a watermelon and used it for a test shot.
Frick, it flew really high and a long way. When the melon hit the water, it exploded from the impact. I glanced around, and everyone looked skeptical. That was, except for Brook and me. My first thought was, ‘I’m so doing this.’
“It’s money time, boys. Let’s see what happens when you shoot a real person out of it,” I said.
They looked at each other and grinned. I understood at that moment that they were both crazy, and that was why Lexi was a little nervous about helping them out. One was the son of a stunt coordinator, and the apple probably didn’t fall far from the tree.
The guys cranked it back, and the blond got into position to be flung into the ocean. I held my breath as they counted down the launch. There was a collective gasp as he pushed the release, and the force of the bands caused him to scorpion. That’s when your heels touch the top of your head, making you look like a scorpion. Sounds physically impossible, but somehow, he managed just that. Frick! That was cool.
We all rushed to the back of the yacht and watched as he tumbled through the air. I would guess the launch had knocked him out. I will say he got some air under him. We all held our breaths as he disappeared under the water for what seemed like forever. Suddenly he bobbed up, and the rescue boat fished him out.
I admit that my excitement had cooled when I saw he wasn’t moving.
“Screw it. Here, hold my beer,” Brook said.
I think everyone was a little overwhelmed because we all just stared at Brook. Then I began to laugh. I couldn’t believe she’d beat me to it.
“I would tuck my head and grasp my knees to avoid his mishap,” I suggested as I took her beer.
As we prepared to launch Brook, the dark-haired guy looked a little nervous.
“It works just fine,” I said before he could try to talk us out of it. “Just have her video a message that if she dies or is maimed, you’re not liable.”
“Cool, Dude.”
I had a feeling that Lexi’s friends weren’t the sharpest spoons in the drawer. This was a lawsuit just waiting to happen. I figured before they got shut down, I wanted to try it out; that is, if my girlfriend survived.
