The Grand Gale Maneuver

A dare is a contract signed in theatrical honor, so I had no choice. I eyed that limp white dummy dangling on the cushion and took three dramatic backward steps to wind up. I spun on my heel, swung my leg into what was supposed to be a devastating, world-class tornado kick, and completely missed his midsection. Instead, the momentum whipped me sideways right into a soft velvet throw pillow. The impact made the white figure bobble lazily like a pendulum, while I ended up wedged face-first between two cushions with my legs kicking in the air. A glorious, tumbling climax—now that is true slapstick choreography!