She was not born a "freak." But she always felt different. And the day she realized she was different made her both happy and sad. Happy because she finally figured out what she felt was missing. Sad because she could never have it. But Beth Marcozi didn't stay sad for long. Her gift of not feeling pain made it easy for her to become a side-show performer.
She was inspired when her father took her to a circus at the age of nine. There she met with the section where the freaks were on display. Out of all the freaks she had seen, Madam Marisa, the Tattooed Lady, was her favorite. Covered from head to toe with tattoos, the Madam was quick to notice the child staring in awe. She stepped off from the stage and knelt to Beth's level. She extended her arms to show every tattoo on display. The child beamed. She knew that this was a way of self expression, and she told the Madam that when she was older, she'd get tattoos just like her.
Beth's father, Marcus, knew his daughter was destined for greatness. Her mother, Clarissa, however, did not approve of her daughter's fascination with freak shows. "A proper lady does not associate with such riff raff." She would say. But when Beth turned eighteen and got her first tattoo, her mother flipped. Calling her a ruffian, self-mutilating, even trash. But that didn't stop her from continuing to be tattooed.
Her mother did everything she could to keep Beth's tattoos covered. She even forced her to wear long-sleeved dresses in summer. But when her mother tried to set her up with a man, the first question Beth would ask them was, "Do you wanna see my tattoos?" That usually sent them running. It was no secret that her mother was desperate to keep her high status. And the final straw for Beth was Dandy Mott.
Beth and her family had moved to Jupiter in Florida. Her mother claimed it was for a change in scenery. But Beth had her suspicions. And, of course, she was right. They had moved next door to rich woman and her son. The woman, Gloria, seemed to be delusional that Beth and her son would get along famously. Clarissa agreed immediately and said that Beth would go out with her son, Dandy, that very night. Beth, who over heard the whole conversation, finally stood up for herself.
"What makes you think I would go on a date with someone I don't even know?" She demanded.
"He comes from a wealthy family. That's all you need to know." Clarissa said.
Beth ran up to her room, that still remained unpacked, and grabbed her knapsack, filling it with clothes, a small, cordless radio, and whatever money she had in her money jar. Once she was done, she put on a pair of slip ons and marched to the front door. Her father opened it from the other side and jumped when he saw his only daughter barge toward him. She froze and sighed. "I'm really doing it this time, Pa. She crossed the line."
"It couldn't have been that bad, Beth."
"She told the old bat next door that I would love to date her son." Beth countered in a deadpanned voice. "I'm tired of her thinking she controls me."
"Where do you plan to go?"
"I saw signs for a freak show. Maybe I can do something there."
"At least take a sandwich." Marcus pleaded.
Beth knew she could not argue with her father. She decided to go back upstares and change before recieving a sandwich. She swiched out from her custom long-sleeved sun dress and put on one of her father's old tank tops and covered herself with a loose flannel shirt with sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Then she pulled on some shorts that were above her thighs, showing off her legs and tattos. She put her shoes back on again and stepped down stairs to the kitchen, where her father was just finishing her sandwich. "It's turkey." He said.
She took the sandwich and thanked her father before heading to the door. Unfortunately, her mother suddenly blocked her path. "Where is your dress?" She demanded.
"Upstairs. Along with this fantasy of yours." Beth stated as she pushed past her mother.
"If you set one foot outside without covering those horrendous tattoos, I'll-"
"You'll what?" Beth cut off her mother. "Disown me? Go ahead. I don't care. You seem to think that I'm this trained monkey that will do anything you ask. But I've got news for you. You can take that high society look on life that you have and shove it up your tight ass." And with that, Beth marched out the door, leaving her mother flabbergasted.
She walked for hours, following the signs around town. It didn't take long for her to pull out her radio and turn it on to a local music station. Eventually, she was able to find the long road that was decorated with signs to the different attractions of the freakshow. And each left more curious than the last. A little further up the road, she saw some people straightening up the last sign. With her interest piqued, she put her radio back in her bag.
Once she was close enough she saw that the person straightening the sign was a woman. A very tall woman. Two men were standing back to watch her work. "How's it look now?" The woman asked.
"Maybe a little more to the left." The younger man said.
After making the adjustment, she turned back to ask, "How's that?"
"I think it looks great." Beth said from behind them, startling them. Both men were quick to turn, not expecting a young woman to be standing there. But what caught them by surprise was her tattooed legs. Beth was not surprised to see then staring at her legs. Most men did. But most usually gave disgusted looks. These men seem shocked and hypnotized by her ink collection. She turned to the tall woman and asked, "Do they always stare at a random woman's legs?"
"Only if they have as much ink as yours do." She answered back as she walked over. "I'm Eve."
"Beth. Nice to meet you." The young girl smiled. She turned to the men and smirked as she saw that they were still staring at her legs. She waved her hand in their peripheral vision, making them look up at her. "This is usually the part where you introduce yourselves."
"Sorry, love." The older one said with a sheepish grin. "Paul, the Illustrated Seal." He gave a slight bow. Beth had to admit, she was a sucker for English accents. And when Paul spoke, she felt her heart flutter.
"Jimmy Darling, Lobster Boy." The younger one said. He then put on a charming smile. "What brings you all the way out here?"
"Certainly not your failed flirting." Beth said with a smirk, making Eve and Paul laugh. Jimmy chuckled and shrugged, knowing she figured him out. "Actually, I was hoping to find work."
"Well, Elsa's out of town at the moment." Eve said. "But if you're willing to stay until she returns, I'm sure we could figure something out."
"Thank you so much." Beth sighed. "Any ideas of what I could do?"
"The ink should be enough to label you as a tattooed lady. But can you do anything else?" Jimmy asked.
"I can't feel pain." She said. They stared in disbelief. "How else do you think I could handle this much ink?"
"High pain tolerance?" Paul guessed.
"I wish." Beth sighed. "Is that how you got yours?" She asked as she gestured to his tattoos.
"A little more behind it than that, love." He said. He noticed the slight blush on her cheeks as he spoke.
"Is it an'I'll-tell-you-one-day' kind of story?" She asked.
"Something like that." Paul nodded.
"Okay." And she left it like that. Eve then ushered everyone into the car and they all drove back to the camp grounds. Beth had to admit that she like this little community. Everyone was slightly weary of her, but when they saw how kind she was, they were quick to welcome her.
A few individuals certainly made an impression. Ma Petite was certainly one of them. She was the first to compliment Beth's tattoos. "The flowers are beauriful."
"Thank you." Beth said with a big smile.
Meep was another. He was so excited about a new face that he bkt off the head of the chicken he was holding. Beth didn't really like seeing that. But after learning that it was a perfectly normal thing for Meep to do, she decided that she would attempt to get used to it.
Salty and Pepper were the sweetest couple that she'd ever met. Pepper was quick to invite Beth to play with them. The inked woman smiled and said she was tired, but she would play later. They were certainly good people, definitely not deserving of the title "pinheads."
So far, Beth loved the people of the show. She got along with everyone she met. And they really seemed to like her. Especially Jimmy's mother, Ethel. She really liked this fresh face that didn't even think to judge them. "Unfortunately," Ethel said. "We don't have any more trailers. Someone's gonna have to offer room in there's until Elsa can make arrangements for your own."
"I've got the couch in my trailer, Ethel." Paul said. "She can stay with until she gets her own trailer."
Beth was blushing like crazy. She definitely found Paul attractive. But it felt like he was intentionally doing this. Boy, did she not know how right she was.
Beth had put her bag on Paul's couch and had decided to explore the grounds. She loved how everyone was so nice and caring. And the best part was that no one judged her tattoos. What had deemed her an outsider in normal society had finally been accepted.
She helped Eve prepare for lunch, making sure there were enough plates for eveyone. As she helped everyone get something to eat, she caught Paul stealing glimpses of her. It made her blush and bite her lip to think that Paul found her attractive. But before she could blush herself as red as a tomato, Ma Patit invited her to sit next to her.
Beth happily ate a snack with Ma Petit. The small woman asked questions that were happily answered by the tattooed lady. "Did they hurt?"
"No. But that's because I can't feel pain." Beth answered.
"Will you get more?"
"That's my plan." Beth answered. "But I wanna know about you. What's something you've always wanted to do?"
"Ride a pony." Ma Petit answered with a smile. She then giggled, causing Beth to laugh as well.
Jimmy walked over and smiled as he sat next to them. "What are you lovely ladies talking about?"
"How much my new friend wants to ride a pony." Beth answered.
Jimmy nodded before getting serious. "Listen, Elsa just got back and I told her about you. She seemed to like the idea of a tattooed lady. But she wants to see you for herself."
Beth stood and gave her new little friend a hopeful yet nervous smile. She then let Jimmy lead her to either her future employer or dream crusher.
Elsa had already passed the twins to Ethel before she sat down in her tent. After hearing that woman covered in tattoos was asking for work just suddenly showed up, she had a hard time believing it. But when she saw the young lady walking into her tent after Jimmy, she couldn't believe it. So many tattoos covered this girl's body, making Elsa wonder if she could have this girl as a headline act in burlesque dancing. The idea definitely stuck out in her mind. "So, you are the woman who came to my camp in my absence."
"Yes, ma'am. I had hoped to get a job. If you had one for me." Bwth didn't mean to sound mousey. But the fierce gaze of the manager made withdraw.
Elsa gave a small smile. "My dear, you seemed to have won over the whole camp in a matter of hours. You show kindness to my freaks. Even help with lunch. Someone of your oddity could attract a crowd. But can you do anything?"
"I play piano." She answered. Beth decided to keep her disability a secret for now, not fully trusting Elsa with that information.
"Musically gifted, as well? Certainly a unique specimen. May I ask how you came about my camp?"
Beth sighed before starting. "My family recently moved to Jupiter. My father is an engineer and a brilliant inventor. He took me to my first freakshow when I was a little girl, where I saw a tattooed lady. Seeing her be so free with self expression inspired me. Unfortunately, my mother, a socialite of the highest status, did not like my fascination with tattoos. She nearly had a meltdown when I got my first one. At first, I got them where they could be hidden, but my collection grew and eventually, I started getting them in very noticeable places. My mother then had me wear long-sleeved dresses. Soon enough, she tried to get me to date. I thought it was an insult to pass me on to some man. So, I used my tattoos to scare them off. And today, my mother tried to set me up with some rich boy just because he was wealthy. All my mother wants is to keep her status. But I won't let her use me to achieve it."
Elsa sat calmly as she heard the young girl's story. She understood that she was a victim of circumstances. True,she came from a fortunate life, but that didn't mean she was happy. And what made her happy was what made her a freak. "Mien libchien, I think you are quite fortunate to have found my establishment. You would make an amazing addition to my freak show."
Beth sat behind the candy striper, Penny, and nipped at her neck, eliciting moans. The situation she was in could only have happened one way.
"I need to know if I can trust you. So you need to be part of an experience for the candy striper." Elsa explained.
"Why?"
"My newly aquired Siamese twins were taken from the hospital. If they had remained, they would have been poked and prodded. Even tested on like a rat. I took them from that place to save them. I plan to film these acts my freaks will partake in with her and blackmail her for her silence."
Beth laced the fingers of her right hand in Penny's hair and tilted her head to the side to kiss her neck. She then nibbled her pulse point, causing her to giggle. "That tickles."
All around them, the freaks were partaking in the physical plaesure. And Beth was especially ecstatic when Paul showed up. He was fully naked when he walked in, and was delighted to see Beth as naked as him, embracing the candy striper from behind on the sofa. He became very excited when he knelt before the two women. "Lift your hips, love." Paul whispered huskily at Penny.
Beth pulled Penny's silk slip up her thighs to give Paul a clear view. "Go ahead and sit in his lap."
Penny was hopelessly devoted to the tattooed woman's commands. She lifted her hips high enough for Paul to scoot under her lap. Once she sat on his lap, Beth pulled her into a fierce kiss. She drove her tongue into Penny's mouth, drawing out moans. Paul was instantly excited at the sight of the two women in such a passionate kiss.
Beth looked up and saw that Paul was more than ready. She reached out and gently took his manhood, making him gasp. She then lined him up with Penny. She was really getting into this, especially as she watched Paul drive into the candy stiper. It really excited her to see this wanton creature writhe in plaesure. With each of Paul's thrusts, Penny let out a short, breathy moan. Beth, in her hazed state of mind, reached for the back of Paul's head and pulled him in to kiss him.
Paul closed his eyes as he felt Beth lick his bottom lip. He instinctively opened his mouth to draw in her tongue. Hearing Penny moaning seemed to spur the man on as he drove harder into her. She was certainly loud. Oh, how Paul longed to hear the sounds Beth would make in the same situation. She would more than likely sound like an angel.
The tattooed lady then pulled away and moved Penny to face the camera that Elsa held. "Smile, sweets." She whispered. At those words, Penny's head fell against Beth's shoulder and she arched her back. Whatever Paul just did was apparently the best thing to happen to her. Beth looked up at Paul and saw him smirk at the girl in her lap.
Elsa was satisfied with everything and dismissed her freaks.
That night, Beth was sitting on Paul's couch, laughing with him as they shared a drink. "So, Jimmy skinned a rabbit for her?"
"Yeah, Ma Petite looked like a little member of an African tribe wearing a lion skin, 'cept with bunny ears on top." Paul chuckled. Beth giggled a little. The illustrated seak then said, "'Nough of us. Tell me about you."
Beth slowed her giggle fit enough to give a lazy smile. "Nothing interesting about me. At least, nothing that compares to your life here. The only talent I've aquired came from forced piano lessons growing up. The most exciting thing to happen to me was when my father took me to a circus as a child. It was fun, but my favorite part was this small freak show they had. Nothing as grand as what's here. Just a few jarred specimens and a live goat with four horns. But there was a woman that I stared at in awe. Madam Marisa, The Tattooed Lady. She had more tattoos than you and me combined."
"Sounds like she really interested you."
"She did, Paul. She did. When I was young, I thought each of those tattoos was a small piece of art on the living canvas of her skin. It's only now that I realise that it wasn't the tattoos, but she, herself, that was the masterpiece." Beth sighed. "It was as if Da Vinci painted her himself, a piece more grand than the Mona Lisa. Each tattoo was just a small part of the whole canvas. And I hope to expand mine." She lazily traced the flowers on her left thigh, looking some what hopeful, not even noticing her drinking companion was staring at her leg. She then turned to Paul and smiled wider. "So, how far do yours extend on you?"
Paul stood and removed his shirt to show her his back. "They go below my waist." He turned back around to find Beth placing her glass on the table and standing up. She walked over and took one of his hands into her own. Paul was confused by this and watched as she examined it.
Beth looked at the tattoos and saw that they were scarred. "Paul, where did you get these done?"
He sighed. "When I came to the states, it was during the depression. There was no work for someone like me. And everyone just gave me a glance and saw a monster. So, I decided to give them one. Some bloke did all of this in one night from his car." He didn't know why he was telling this to Beth. She just seemed like someone easy to talk to.
"He wasn't gentle." Beth said. "He pressed the tattooing gun so hard on your skin that he scarred it. That's why it's raised higher than your unmarked skin." She then looked him in the eye. "Thank God he didn't do your face."
"Yeah, this mug's too good lookin'. Can you imagine this face on a normal body?"
Beth shook her head. "Why? It's perfect for the body it already comes with. It would be horiible for a 'normal' body."
"Why's that?"
"Because then you wouldn't be here with your troupe, your family. I wouldn't have met you." She gently placed her hand on his cheek, pulling his gaze to her. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with you, Paul."