Tina asked her if she could, too. Vicky told her it was up to both of our mothers and they both gave the OK.Kyle jumped up. "Alright! I'm gonna go get...me some poon tang."Nobody responded to him. It was almost like he wasn't in the room. Vicky continued to look down at the table as Kyle left, not saying another word.When he was gone, Vicky looked up and there were tears in her eyes. "I don't know if I can take this anymore."I touched her arm. "What's going on, Sis?"Grace answered for her. "It's. She wasn't allowed to siton the posh seats she was used to. She had to join the rabble in thestalls where they were crammed in on bare wooden benches, far furtheraway from the stage than she'd ever sat. The uncouth peasants justchattered and shouted anyway. She didn't know why they were even there.To cap it all she saw her mother and sister take box seats as the playstarted.She tried to ignore the racket from the heathens around her. The play wasShakespeare, which she'd always loved. But. Before long Carli has a red outline drawn around her mouth, rosy red cheeks, blue circles surrounding her eyes and her own red nose.“Do you know the secret of being a clown?”She shakes her head.“It’s not the makeup or the props. It’s the attitude. You see, all the props do is give you the space that you need to have a carefree attitude. All that matters is the moment that you are in, and you are free to bring joy to that moment.”“I’ve never felt very free before.”I frown. “That’s a shame. I. .. I'mgoing to have a really good date, with a really great girl." Ha! I'd be surprised if it was even a real girl. More likely you'll bedreaming about a date while you play with your little pee pee."That got a final outburst of laughter from the gathered listeners beforeAlvin was allowed to have his package. He hurried outside, took thecondoms, and put them into the inner pocket of his unattractivesportcoat. He straightened his narrow tie and put the bag with thetissues in it under his.