Smileyland (Fiction)

I work at a place called Smileyland. It's a lot like Disneyland. The people who work here all believe in dreams coming true! We all laugh and sing together, and everyone is always - ALWAYS - smiling. Exciting videos play everywhere you turn and games go on all day long. Children adore it here at Smileyland! They beg their parents to bring them here.
My bosses want the very best for all of our guests, both while they're here, and in their futures. In fact, success is promised to every person who regularly attends Smileyland. Riches, too. They'll go the extra mile to find a perfect mate for our guests while they're here if they don't already have one. If they already do, their marriage is about to get sizzlin,' if you know what I mean. It - will - be - perfect! Nothing is too much to hope for here at Smileyland.

Did I say everyone is promised these things? I'm sorry. It's not actually everyone.
There's a ceremony that happens at the end of every day at Smileyland. If people want the Smileyland promises, they have to raise their hand at the invitation of Smileyland's Master of Ceremonies.
Oh! Our Master of Ceremonies! He's the kindest man you've ever known, and so handsome! His smile is bright and his eyes are full of life. His wife looks like a pageant queen. Remember that perfect marriage I said they promised? Well, he's got it. He also has three kids and the mansion on the hill that overlooks Smileyland.
His life must be perfect. He must be perfect. I've never actually met him, but that's what all his closest friends say. He'd never tell you that, though. He's an amazing, humble man.

Anyway, where was I? Oh! Closing ceremonies. Near the end of every day here at Smileyland, the Master of Ceremonies makes a simple request that anyone who would like to receive the Smileyland promises raise their hand. You should see those hands go up. It's so exciting! There are shouts of celebration and sometimes we sing songs.
The Master of Ceremonies and his friends seem amazed when so many people raise their hands. In weekly staff meetings, he makes regular announcements: "Last night, 76 people raised their hands!" Everyone cheers and celebrates all over again.

The Master of Ceremonies gives credit to the Founder of Smileyland for all the exciting things happening these days. Smileyland wasn't always this big and popular, you see, nor did we have so many fun things to do here or so much great food. The Master of Ceremonies says it's what the Creator of Smileyland told him that he wanted for his land.
If that's the case, than Smileyland is all the Founder had ever wanted it to be. According to the Master, there has never been a time in the history of Smileyland when more people have raised their hands! He stays very focussed on making sure that happens. Spare no expense; spare no pain or loss. The whole day of fun is wrapped up in that one moment when the invitation is made and those hands are raised.

I don't get to talk much with the people who raise their hands after that day. It's so busy around here. They're encouraged to go to a Smileyland training course where many quickly learn how to become a part of the staff. Soon, I see them working a booth across the way, or following one of Master's friends around to learn the ropes. We wave and smile at each other and talk about the weather when we can. We're one big happy family. They must be happy, spending every day here at Smileyland.
I know I am. Well, most days. Some days. Even on the days I'm not, I always - ALWAYS - wear a smile.

That was a bad day, the day they found me without a smile. They told me they were disappointed in me; even considered demoting me from my position. I was so sorry! I had tried to hide my sadness. I'd found out my best friend had died the night before. I'd also realized one of my lifelong dreams wouldn't be coming true. I wasn't sure what to do with my sorrow.
They helped me, though!
"Wear a smile," they said. "Things will get better. Remember the Smileyland promises? Those are yours!"
They were right. I wore a smile, and soon, I'd forgotten all about my best friend and my dreams.

I run one of the rides here at Smileyland. I didn't tell you that? I'm sorry. Ya, it's a great job. I've been here 12 years. I've been working on minimum wage since I started, but they say I'll be promoted soon. Just give it time. I'm really looking forward to it!
Right now, I try to get in 14 hours a day, and I live in a trailer next to Smileyland so I can be here anytime they need me. They say it's not manditory, but it really is. I mean, my other option would be to drive across town, speeding all the way to make sure I'm here at the time they tell me I need to be. Speeding is strictly forbidden for all of the staff here at Smileyland. Smileyland staff represent Smileyland on and off grounds.
There's just so much work to do here to live too far away anyway! There really is. Even when I'm here, there's no time to meet people or visit.

We're not here to get to know people anyway. This is business. Relationships take time. Time away from our jobs. There are new guests here daily, and we need to make sure they have the best day of their lives. How else can we expect them to raise their hands?
And that's not optional. It's all that matters here at Smileyland.