Game Guy
As the sun sets on the boardwalk, tourists and locals make their way to the Atlantic Fun Park for an evening of carnival rides and games.
Brian Campagna attempts to woo them. The 16-year-old stands at his post surrounded by giant stuffed animals and flashing lights. He picks up his microphone and makes his pitch.
“Wanna play Roller Derby?” Campagna asks people passing by his booth. “If two of ya’ll play, I guarantee one of ya’ll will win a prize!”
Most people say “no thanks” and keep walking by. Every so often some kids convince their parents to stop. Once the players pick their seats, Campagna explains the rules. The game resembles Skee Ball, and the speed of the animal racers corresponds with the holes in which players roll their game balls.
Campagna commentates throughout the race, offering encouragement as players frantically roll their ball up their individual ramps.
“This job is a good thing for me because I’m not really a people person,” says Campagna, a rising senior at First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach. “It lets me brush up on my people skills.”
He normally works six days a week during the summer, usually starting early afternoon and sometimes working late into the night.
“It’s great, I’m cool with everyone here,” he says of his coworkers. “Everyone here knows how to take a joke. That’s what I love.”