The other boy grimaced sheepishly and sniggered. “I’d get the money from Gripper.”
Still irritated, I turned to my other friend. “How did you get the tickets? They cost a nice chunk.”
Shrugging his shoulders good-naturedly, Gripper said, “I had a new snide come in. Good stuff. Stolen from only the best houses. Got a good price on the market for the whole kit. And the tickets, I found them in a dandy’s office in one of the houses I rolled. I mean, I knew yer birthday was coming up, and we’d all wanted to go. So I thought, hey, why not? I couldn’t resist nabbing them on the way out.” He chortled.
I stopped. We were almost up at the bally’s stand, and I turned looking at my friend, my mouth hanging open. “You stole them?”
Bae had started walking beside the pedal walker, pushing it slowly as beads of sweat covered his forehead. “Ssssh. Hey, cut it, guys! Don’t want that freaky bot coming back, yer guys. Keep it down.”
Ignoring Bae, I said, “I can’t believe you did that. You’re such an arse.”
Gripper’s gray eyes flashed. “What are yer, my mother? I was tryin’ to do sumthin’ nice for yer.” He stopped and looked at me with a hard stare. Normally easy-going, when riled, he could be as deadly as a rattlesnake.
But I didn’t back down. “You know there might be some kids missing out! This show only comes through once in a moon. Just I feel bad, that’s all.”
My friend frowned and shrugged, apparently not seeing the point of fighting over the issue. He started walking ahead, his hands in his back pocket with an effortless slouch, while Bae and I caught up. We’d joined the crowd at the bally’s stand, where an older man dressed in trousers, a long-sleeved white shirt, and pinstriped vest stood on the platform. His top hat rode low, almost to his eyes. He walked to the microphone.
I heard Gripper quietly say, “Take a look at the ticket. They weren’t for no kids.”
I glanced over at him as he stared straight ahead with a ghost of a smile on his lips. I reached in my back pocket, pulling out the ticket Gripper had slapped into my hands when arriving at my house earlier in the day. It looked worn and creased at the edges, but still said clearly: Good for One Admittance to The Greatest Show Side-Show and Carnival. A Special Invite: Twilight Midway Feature of Dymphna’s Dance.
I paused and re-read the ticket. It couldn’t be! I’d heard about the Greatest Show ever since I was a kid, tales of exotic animals and the newest steam invention exhibition. My Grandfather also told stories of a beautiful girl’s dance. I’d heard other stories as well—darker ones, when spying on my brother. He and his friends blathered on trying to one-up each other with anecdotes about the girl who danced with monsters.
Fear and excitement coursed through my body at what lay behind the tent door. Best birthday gift ever. The thought flickered through my mind while I pushed away the guilt of how we’d gotten the tickets.
The bally started his pitch as I leaned over and whispered, “No, definitely not for kids.”
We laughed, and as I shoved it back into my pocket, I looked over to where the clown bot stood holding a bunch of balloons. It handed one to any small child brave enough to come near. I’m not sure what caught its attention, but without warning, it glanced up and pinned us to the spot with its black glare.
“It’s watching us. No, it’s watching me,” Bae said in a low voice, sounding nervous. But just as quickly, he laughed as if everything was normal, although he eyed the robot across the lane.
I started to protest and to tell my friend just to forget the bot, except, when I turned my head, I saw it glaring at us while letting go of its bundle of balloons. It lifted its arm, pointed in our direction, and smiled, showing rows of sharpened steel teeth.
“What the hell was that?” Bae asked, sounding less confident than before.
Gripper frowned, shaking his head slightly, then turned back to watch the pre-show that was just starting. A whirring noise sounded out as the automaton, stiff as a board, turned and stalked through a side opening in the tent. Shrugging, I turned my attention back to what the bally said.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Greatest Show in Athol! Come join us for some amazing sights! Come see Beasts that should remain unseen and creatures that are so unbelievable you may not trust your own eyes. Make sure to hold onto your loved ones! Grab your tickets now!” The bally pointed at the tent opening where the ticket seller, a girl dressed as one of the scarf dancers, reached for each ticket with a bored expression. He continued, “Come see a man-turned-monster, Gargoyle the Terrible, brought in from Prime World’s Darklands!”
The music rose dramatically with the man’s words, igniting the tension and excitement even more among the chattering crowd. The shadows deepened, and the gas lamps were lit, making it possible to see more clown bots positioned in various spots around the throng, waiting to enter the tent. Nervousness skittered up my spine. The bots stood, silently unacknowledged by the elated horde. I wasn’t sure if they were there to protect us or something else.
“Awww dat ain’t the truth. No such thing as monster-men!” Bae shouted.
I elbowed him in his arm and instantly felt bad about the spiteful twinge of joy when I heard his grunt of discomfort.
“Hey, whatcha’ do that for, Trouble?” Bae asked, rubbing his arm and glancing between the stage and me.
Before I could answer, he’d become distracted by the scarf dancers, who’d come on the stage.
“Would you both shut the hell up?” Gripper hissed in our direction.
I rolled my eyes and took a furtive peek at the Bots. “What’s that about? Why so many automatons?”
Both Bae and Gripper glanced where I pointed, and then Gripper shrugged.
“Security, I guess.”
Not wanting to seem half-witted, I let the subject go, not sure myself why I felt so disturbed.
The bally continued announcing the performances. “Also join the show and see Rubbish Man, ladies and gentlemen! He’s a human garbage disposal, able to eat as much as three grown men in one sitting!”
Gasps echoed throughout the group.
The Scarf Dancers swayed to the music with their colorful scarves flowing through the air. Each dancer teased the audience in a coy fashion as they rotated their hips and arms seductively to the music.
I hadn’t noticed when the pint-sized monkey droids had come to the stage, playing miniature drums as the women danced. The droids moved in unison as they turned their heads or struck their drums.
Creepy.
The bally continued his spiel. “But the pièce de résistance of the Greatest Show is the Twilight Feature performance of Dymphna’s Dance! Never have you seen such loveliness as you will this evening. But not all of you will partake of this dark mystery, only those with a Special Invitation.” He paused, I wasn’t sure if it was for effect or not, but he finished off, “Now, hurry and purchase your tickets for the greatest performances under the Big Top!”
Once the ballyhoo had finished his last words, he left the stage while the dancers continued, swirling in rhythm to the lively music. The monkey droids twirled and bounced with frantic squeals, and just as with the clown bots, they showed razor sharp teeth in their eerie smiles.
While in line, dread filled me as we stepped closer to the tent’s entrance. Apprehension flared, with the hairs on my neck tingling. I gulped and beat down the urge to run in the opposite direction from whatever we’d find behind the tent flaps. Stop being an idiot! I shook my head to remove the cobwebs of doubt and stepped onto the Midway.
“Let’s eat!” Bae shouted as we trailed the crowd down the narrow paths of the Midway.
For once, I agreed with him as my stomach growled loudly, protesting the lack of attention.
“Hey, over there!” I pointed at the Meat on A Stick stand and started towards it. We sidestepped racing children and strolling couples crossing the lane. Sights like the tall men stalking the packed lanes on stilts and standing at least twelve feet tall fascinated me. Ea
ch one was dressed up as one of the various Fae that inhabited the forests surrounding No Trees Landing. A fire eater thrilled his impromptu audience near the meal stall as he crammed a shimmering flame into his mouth—the sound of clapping surrounding the performer as we stopped to order.
“Hiya. What can I’s do fo yer?” A small elven-like man sat on a high stool inside the stall. He was bald and wrinkled with one good eye and the other one only a flap of skin sewn shut. He was dressed the same as most of the carnie workers we’d seen, except he had no arms coming through the sleeves of his shirt. He perched with his legs propped up on the counter and held a pencil nub between his toes as he looked prepared to take our order.
Caught off guard, I hesitated and looked at the others. They both shrugged, and so I said, “Two meat sticks with extra veggies, charred.” The spicy smell of the peppered beef and green peppers made my mouth water.
He flicked a fly away with his foot and wrote my order down.
“Yeah, I’ll take two,” Bae said.
And Gripper ordered the same.
“Gotcha. Haf it to yer in a jiffy.” The little man pressed a button, which caused a whirring sound as the stool glided across the floor. The contraption was powered by a cord attached to a steam unit under an opposite counter, which created minute-sized puffs to flow from the unit. Once by the oven, he opened it with his feet and pulled out a pan heaped with roasted peppers and stacks of meat. He placed the platter on the counter next to a pile of long thin sticks and started piling a stick with meat and vegetables.
“Ewww, that’s gross. If I wasn’t so hungry…” Bae said with a look of disgust stamped on his face.
“There’s other places to eat. Yer want to go someplace else?” Gripper asked, his voice quiet as he people watched.
My stomach did a flip-flop at seeing the food vendor swiftly put together our meal, but hunger won out. “The lines are too long. Look, we’re here. Let’s just eat and get to the Twilight Feature.” As much as I wanted to see the other acts, excitement thrummed through me at seeing the special performance.
A clear container that held thick red sauce bubbled on the oven next to the carnie. He turned and picked up a ladle, scooping some of the sauce on the meat stick. He then placed it all in a basket with paper. Pressing the button, he rolled back towards us with a tray that held our orders.
“Here’s ya go. That’ll be eight turos total.”
Both Bae and I reached into our pockets, but Gripper motioned for us to stop. “No, I got this. It’s yer birthday.” He glanced at me as he pulled the roll of bills from his pocket, and pulling off a couple, he tossed them on the counter in front of the carnie. “Bae, yer only borrow again. Let me pay up front.”
He chuckled, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bae making a face.
The carnie dragged the money towards him with his toes and dropped it in a cigar box lined with neatly stacked red and yellow bills. While making the change, he asked, “So yer enjoying the Big Top?” He handed Gripper his change, dropping the bronze coins onto his palm.
“Our first time here, sir,” I said as I dove into my basket, stuffing the meat and peppers into my mouth. The savory beef and crisp veggies were the best I’d tasted ever.
I licked the meat grease from my sticky fingers when the older man said, “First, call me George, and so dis is your first time, heh? Well, make sho y’all make it over to the music hall, dey puttin’ on a fine show—” The old carnie’s words were cut off by yelling.
“Move out of my way! Aaaaargh!”
We all turned, and I saw what looked to be a giant barrelling through the crowds. When anyone got in his way, he’d let out a roar like a lion, terrifying the kids that erupted into tears and hiding behind their parents’ legs.
“What an arse.” George shook his head.
“Who’s that?” Gripper asked as the behemoth stalked toward us, only sparing the smallest of glances.
George chuckled. “That is Monster-Man himself, Gargoyle. Running late for his gig again.”
When the monster man passed directly in front of us, I noticed the scowl that looked permanently etched across his dark features, but I also noticed sadness and fear in his eyes. He moved further away, a small crowd of older kids tagging behind him.
“G-G-George,” a voice whispered from the side of the stall where the largest man I’d ever seen lumbered up to the counter. Rolls and rolls of fat flowing over his body. “G-G-George, yous got anything extra to eat?”
The carnie frowned and said, “Yer git money? I’s can’t keep puttin’ yer on the docket.” George glanced around quickly, his voice lowering to a whisper. “De boss ben askin’questions.”
“B-b-b-ut I’m so hungry . . . I c-c-can’t stop.” The bigger man, who I guessed was Rubbish Man, scrunched his face and said in a whiny voice, “I—I gots to g-g-o . . .”
Several clown bots appeared, making their presence known as they remained on the outer edge of the crowd.
What’s going on?
George leaned up, whispering to Rubbish Man, “Ssh. Not here.”
Not being able to stand it anymore, I took my extra meat stick and handed it to the bigger man, who grabbed it greedily and shoved it in his mouth as if he was starving.
Gripper also handed his over, while Bae watched the events, still devouring his meal. I snorted and shook my head as Gripper frowned and punched Bae in the arm with a look of disgust.
Bae exclaimed, “What? I’d already ate off it?”
“Thank yer. Thank yer,” the huge man said, after making a quick finish of the snack. He tossed the sticks into the trash bin and dragged a hand across his greasy mouth. Then he turned and trudged away.
“Tis kind of yer wat yer did. Ya’ll best go join the show,” George said, eyeing the crowd with a wary look on his face.
I wondered how, in a matter of minutes, the jovial man seemed scared. I glanced around not seeing the clown bots anymore but couldn’t shake the feeling we were being watched. Why would anyone want to watch us? Stop being so paranoid.
We’d come to have fun, and since my belly was full, I was ready to enjoy the performance. As we prepared to leave, other customers lined up behind us in huddles, staring at the menu. Realizing my time was short, I hurriedly asked, “George, where do we go for the special performance to see Dymphna’s Dance?”
He straightened and concern flashed across his face. “Um, those are special’s only. Ya’ll best go and enjoy the other acts,” he whispered.
“We have tickets.” I pulled mine out of my pocket and attempted to hand it to him.
He drew back as if frightened. “Get it away! Um, I’s mean I’s sees it.” Sweat trailed down his forehead as he picked up a soiled cloth and wiped down the counters.
Gripper asked, “So what’s the show about? Tis just dancing?”
Bae asked, “Tis naked dancing?” and snorted.
I turned towards Bae, slapping him on the back of the head. “For the rest of the time, don’t speak.”
George chuckled, seeming to relax a little “Not sure wat happens. I’s kno’s dat it’s set up aways over dere, past the last tents on the Midway, for special guests. I don’t tink dere’s any funny business, dis a family establishment,” he said, giving a Bae a hard look. “But still, I don’t tink it’s fo the likes of you. I’s don’t kno how ya’ll come ‘bout those, but I’d tink yo should stay away. But if you’s see fit to go, just head in dat direction.” He pointed down the path where there were lines of stalls ending in darkness.
Nervousness crept in, but also excitement. “Thanks!”
George picked up his pencil and his pad of paper, ready to take the next customer’s order. He wetted the stubby end with his tongue, and then said, “Jest mind yerselves.” Turning to the next customer in line, he asked, “Watcha have?”
A collective scream erupted from the crowd, followed by gales of laughter. We quickly peeked into the makeshift music hall through the tent flap. There was a burst of color in the e
nclosure and people packed the long rows of benches. Inside, multiple acts were in a ring filled with water. Comic tramps and coppers raced precariously on balance beams suspended above the aquatic pool. In another display, a village wedding was performed where the wedding party was caught up a tree and their boats overturned. Soon, laughter was replaced by echoes of awe as aerialists sailed through the air on steam-powered trapezes and performed death-defying acts.
“Guys, we need to get to the Twilight feature,” I said turning away from the comedy show.
“Oh, come on. I want to see more of those flying beauties.” Bae pointed at a performer hanging upside down on one of the swings as it shifted back and forth, leaving a steam trail behind it.
“Come on.” Gripper pulled Bae by his collar as an announcement sounded overhead.
The mechanical voice said, “The Twilight Feature of Dymphna’s Dance is about to begin. Those with invitations, please make your way to the featured canopy.”
“Hey, that’s us. Let’s go!” I said, and we jogged off in the direction George had told us to go.
As we weaved our way through the remaining exhibition tents, I heard a horn blow. My first thought was it belonged to one of the shows in progress. But I looked up and saw an enormous airship hovering above the grounds. I stopped, surprised. “Guys, wait, look!”
Both Gripper and Bae backtracked to where I stood and glanced up towards the sky. Only the silhouette of the ship was visible, but I could make out the gigantic balloon with the gondola where the passengers would ride in the basket that was attached underneath.
“Is it one of the carnival rides? Cause if tis, then I want to go!” Bae said.
Cogs in Time Volume Three (The Steamworks Series Book 3) Page 17