It sits there, lying on the boardwalk right next to the beach. No one knows what it's doing there. Most ignore it. Most of the time it doesn't cause any harm. But a few souls dare to choose the "self-inflate" option and push the big red button on the top.

Rubber instantly shoots out of the first nozzle, ensnaring the victim in strange rubbery goo. Within seconds, the goo rapidly spreads, covering the legs, feet, stomach, and arms in the sinister rubbery material. The victim tastes a last gasp of fresh air before the goo envelops their head, sealing off the nasal passage and the mouth, leaving only a smiling, cartoony grin plastered on their shiny, rubbery faces.

The victim barely has time to comprehend what just happened when the second nozzle shoots out a hose, attaching to their skin and pouring in grade A fresh helium. Only the finest helium for the balloon-to-be! By now, the victim is properly seduced by endless waves of intoxicatingly pleasurable sensations flooding his brain, and can't wait for the transformation to finish. They can't help but wildly grin as his body begins to dissolve, replaced by more magical helium that causes Their rubbery stomach to bulge and swell. Their rapidly inflating stomach absorbs their arms and legs, the victim's now useless appendages disappearing into their rubbery flesh, now expanding to a big round ball- the proper shape of his new form.

Their arms, legs, and head all dissolve into gas, and the new balloon finishes inflating and is instantly attached to the balloon stand by a rope, rising into the air as he becomes unhinged by the laws of gravity, joining several others hovering above the balloon stand, all helplessly attached by ropes.

There the victims sit, and wait, and float around, being blown by the gentle ocean breeze. He can't go anywhere, but the victims don't mind. They all forget about their old lives in a few days. They love being balloons, and they all sit and float some more, longing for the day when they're purchased by a new master . . .

A curious amount of people disappear on the boardwalk. No one quite knows the reason. The authorities blame an increase of crime. No one suspects the innocent little stand, sitting quietly on the boardwalk in a prime spot right next to the beach . . .

Hey everyone! Please comment, critique, and enjoy! I hope you enjoy this art!