Oil & Ink

Chapter 19: Let the Games Begin

When Charlie's phone alarm went off, he was immediately confused. He didn't know why an alarm was going off nor did he remember where he was when he opened his eyes.

"Oh my goshhhh," he said, rubbing his face with his hands.

"You okay down there?" Sara asked, rolling over and peeking her head over her bunk.

"Ha," Charlie said. "Yes, just totally out of it."

"Well, wake up," Sara said, with a burst of energy. "Today is the day you've been waiting for!"

"It's the day you get your first tattoo," he said. She grabbed her pillow and threw it at him from the top bunk.

They got up and got ready to head out.

"Hey," Sara said to Amanda, who was still in bed. "We're going to grab lunch and then we have to check-in."

Amanda nodded.

"We're taking the truck," Sara said. "But text me and we can meet up later before the first session."

"Okay," Amanda whispered.

Sara grabbed her purse and headed to the door. She waved Charlie over so they could leave. They headed to Don Antonio's for fajitas.

Sara licked her lips after the first bite.

"This has to be authentic," she said. "I mean we do not have fajitas like this in Wander."

"California has the fajitas," Charlie said. "But Wander has the chicken fried steak."

Sara nodded, even though she preferred a grilled cheese over chicken fried steak.

"How many people are in this contest?" Sara asked.

"I'm not sure," Charlie said. "But I think it's going to be a lot."

They left Don Antonio's and headed right to the tattoo shop. Charlie was feeling anxious. They had to park a few blocks away and walk up. When they got to the door, there were already several people loading in and setting up tables and even signs.

"What's up?" said a woman behind the front desk. She had her hair in big, poufy pigtails and she was wearing thick-rimmed glasses.

"Checking in," Charlie said, remembering his nightmare in the car.

"Great," the woman said. "What's the name?"

"Charlie Hodge," he said.

"Perfect," she said, her eyes scanning down a piece of paper on a clipboard. "Ah, here you are."

Charlie breathed a sigh of relief.

"Is this your entry person?" she said, looking at Sara.

"Yes," Charlie said.

"Ok, we just need to get her name and take a few pictures," the woman said.

"Pictures?" Sara asked.

"Don't worry," the woman said. "We just have to ensure that everyone keeps the same entry person from start to finish and that they submit the tattoo they say they're submitting."

Charlie nodded. The woman pulled out an Instax. "I just need a picture of your face really quick," she said, snapping the picture. It printed out and she laid it on the counter to dry.

"I do need to document any current tattoos you have," she said. "Just to make sure a previous tattoo is not submitted."

"I have no tattoos currently," Sara said.