By Mark David Blum
I was abandoned last night. My daughter ran into some friends and the next thing I know, I am sitting alone on the Midway, watching the world go by. Eventually I made my way over to a comfy sittin` spot and made friends with the Weight/Age/Birthday guessing guy.
We shared Rat Tales; he is from Florida and has a serious love for the Gators. I suggested he not make mention of that around here. For the past 32 years, for eight months a year, from 9 a.m. until midnight, this guy has worked his own weight guessing booth. He claims this year is his last year as he is burnt out and it is time to hang it up. While Fair Ratting is fun for 13 days a year, I doubt I have the energy or wherewithal to live a Carnie’s life on a full time, full year schedule.
He also noted that this year’s Fair seemed to be unusually hostile. Crowds were just downright mean and ugly; not something he has seen before. Even he complained about Dan O’Hara and the new policies; especially about alcohol. The Guesser Guy said just about everybody was complaining about random police searches and seizures of non Fair alcohol.
As we sat and chatted about his job, I was watching intently and learned a few tricks of his trade.
The ultimate pigeon came up when a gaggle of guys meandered over wearing SU gear and the carnie went right at them. He asked why do some of Syracuse University’s logos and shirts have the word ‘cuse on them. Pondering aloud, he asked if that means Syracuse students are not smart enough to add the letters “ex” before the word?
After a few minutes of conversation and battering this self confessed Junior at SU, the carnie cons him into coughing up $3 for a guess.
Stupid white people alert: The target dares the guesser to guess the age. Now remember, even I heard the guy say he was a Junior at SU and even inexperienced me could have guessed his age within two years. Everybody around him, INCLUDING ME, told him not to do his age because he already confessed his status in school. Stupid is as stupid does and $3 went into the carnie’s pocket for a proper age guess.
After the student coughed up another $3 for his weight to be guessed and of course lost, the carnie came back over and sat with me and we talked Fair talk until my precious one arrived. I thanked him for his time and said “I’ll be back.”
Too bad he won’t. Nice fella with a healthy attitude and work ethic. Just don’t let him guess your weight. He is really good.
