TOW Something Really Bad Happens to Chandler
'Come on kids, it's time to go visit the circus' shouted Monica laughingly up the stairs.
She so enjoyed the time of year when the circus would roll into town. She still clutched to a few happy childhood memories of the circus; like water in oasis, they were the few pleasant times that she could recall from a time consisting mostly of misery. The big top. Juggling clowns. Those bright, vivid colors resembling resplendent rainbows. How she longed for those days of sweet innocence. For Chandler, however, it was quite different. Since childhood he had an overwhelming fear that one day his life would be prematurely terminated by an angry circus elephant. His sleep was frequently interrupted by horrifying nightmares that under an elephant's foot, he would one day be brutally killed. No matter how much Monica tried to comfort him during those long, angst-ridden nights, it made little difference. Chandler knew that he had a vendetta with every circus elephant in the Tri-State area. He was a husband now. And a father. It was time to face up to his responsibilities. His old friend Phoebe had taken every opportunity to mock and belittle his manhood. But, no more. Chandler Bing was going to take action and be the strong courageous person he'd always wanted to be for his wife. Yes, Chandler Eunice Bing was going to visit the circus.
"Chandler, honey, can you hurry up?" asked Monica, frantically putting on her coat.
"I'll be there, would you stop nagging for just one second?"
"What is the matter with you? You've been short with me all morning." asked Monica snappily.
"It's nothing. Nothing. Can we just get this over with please?"
"Oh, I get it. Is this because of the circus? Chandler, sweetie, I'll be there. I promise you. What did my vows say in the wedding".
"Nothing about circuses" Chandler said, clearly displaying his nerves.
"OK, so not specifically. But, for the kids, for yourself, let's do this, OK?"
"OK" Chandler said, embracing Monica and walking out to the car where Monica had efficiently already seated their twin daughters, Cybil and Lily. He loved his daughters, although Cybil's obsession with Elvis was beginning to trouble him. Is it normal for a girl that age to like Elvis so much? She had also started wearing quite provocative clothing that was also of some concern. But for the moment, Chandler could not bring himself to think of those things in sufficient depth. He knew that his focus had to be on surviving the circus.
"Mommy? When do we get there" asked Lily from the back, clearly bored of travelling after only five minutes.
"It's not long sweetie, but it'll be worth it. I promise' replied her adoring mother.
"Mommy, do they have Elvis clowns at the circus" added Cybil.
Chandler frowned. The Elvis references again.
"Erm.I don't think so, Cybil. Could you pull your skirt up a bit please, I'm sure it wasn't that short when we left the house".
Cybil rolled her eyes. One day soon she promised herself she'd escape from sterile suburbia and find her own hotel - or better motel - in the desert. Yes, there she'd find happiness. And people who would understand appreciate her attraction to Elvis.
"This is it! Man, it's so great to be back here" Monica said excitedly as the car pulled into the circus parking lot.
"Yeah.great. I'm so happy" Chandler responded, convincing no one. Fortunately his children were blissfully unaware of his problems.
Walking into the Big Top, Chandler urged Monica to sit towards the back. However, Monica knew this only happens once every year and she was not to be denied some inferior back row view.
"No way, Chandler, be fair to the kids, they want to see this spectacle up close and personal' Monica urged.
"Look at them, they don't seem to care" Chandler responded and he was right, for the most part. The younger child Lily was happy to be there, but Cybil's main interest was eyeing up clowns and mentally undressing their face paint and baggy pants.
Finally taking their seats, the lights began to dim. Monica embraced Chandler realising that he would need support today of all days. The spotlight appeared on a trapeze act.
"Ah, just the trapeze" Chandler uttered to himself, clearly somewhat relieved.
He thought it strange that this death-defying act did not in the least bit scare him. But he knew what was to soon follow. Due to his anxiety, this performance seemed painfully long.he just wanted it to end.
With the trapeze act removed and all injuries accumulated taken care of, next out was a parade of clowns. Chandler tried to suppress a wide grin as their appearance and ridiculous acts naturally amused him. One clown in particular was keen to approach the area where the Bing's were seated. Cybil winked at him, but the gesture was unnoticed, as he seemed to be fascinated by the radiant Monica, still strikingly beautiful. She was perfection indeed. Chandler began to feel yet more uncomfortable at the clown's apparent attraction to his wife.
"Great, could this day, BE any worse" he mumbled to himself. Monica was paying no attention to him or the clown however, as she had noticed that approaching the center stage was a large elephant. Draped in glittering jewels and feathers, it was a fine animal. She wondered why Chandler would be so afraid of such a beautiful creature. She never had found out why exactly and chalked it up to one of his rather strange childhood experiences that she preferred to remain ignorant of.
Chandler now noticed the elephant and instantly beads of sweat formed across his forehead. He rubbed his hands together, anything to stop this anxiety. Monica glanced over at her husband, trying to remain calm, but eager to end his trauma. She placed her hand in his, noticing the abundant sweat. How she wanted to take away his fears. Yet she remained impotent to do so. The only person who could do that was Airy the Elephant. She felt overcome with frustrations. She was Chandler's wife, and yet the most powerful person in his life seemed to be Airy. If only he could overcome this one final obstacle, this dreadful hurdle, then their life together would be complete.
"Thump. Thump". Airy's footsteps echoed throughout the Big Top, causing slight tremors to run through Chandler's back.
Atop Airy was a man in indecently tight spandex, waving to the crowds. Chandler saw it as nothing more than mockery and it made him angry.
The ringmaster started to speak loudly on the microphone, reminding him of a character in his favorite movie, 'Moulin Rouge'.
"Ladies, and gentlemen! Behold Airy! Imported from Africa, this magnificent creature will perform tricks like you have never before witnessed! Now you've seen this one before on television I'm sure.but never in person. We request one brave audience member to lie next to one of Airy's imposing feet and experience the adrenaline that we circus people have every night! Is there anyone who would like to volunteer?"
Chandler knew it had to be him. This was the only way he could overcome his phobia. This was the only way he could move forward with Monica and his children. He had to do this. His intelligence became non-existent, instead overtaken by brute instincts.
"I'll do it! I'll do it!" shouted Chandler, waving his hands.
Monica's mouth dropped open in shock. Yet she knew this was something her husband had to do. Instead of pulling back as her common sense told her to do, she watched as Chandler strode out next to Airy, hearing the crowds roar in approval.
Chandler spoke with the ringmaster who informed him of the procedures. It was all terribly safe. The person on top of Airy (his circus name was Fish apparently) was well trained and was in total control of the situation. No problems whatsoever.
Overcome with adrenaline, Chandler lay on the ground, next to Airy. This was just something he had to do. He had no choice.
Cybil had been distracted for most of the show. She was absent mindingly munching on popcorn, looking at anything but the performers. Then suddenly out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a young man on the elephant.
Chandler lay still, expecting, well, he wasn't sure. But he knew something good would come of this.
Airy lifted one leg. The trick was that the elephant lifts its leg so close to the person on the ground that the audience thinks there's a real chance of death. But the elephant-trainers are so expert that it's almost impossible for that to occur.
Cybil noticed this Fish person again. She stood up and winked at him, ignoring the perilous situation her father was in.
Fish noticed Cybil. She was the most beautiful person he'd seen. He tried to concentrate but his attention was distracted. As Airy was supposed to raise her leg and then walk away, Fish instead was staring at Cybil out of the corner of his eye. And then it all went horribly wrong.
Monica jumped up from the bench. An unpleasant sound filled the circus. Instead of moving away, Airy's huge foot had ended up impressed on Chandler Bing's former face.
Monica couldn't look at the scene. And yet she couldn't talk or speak. She instinctively grabbed her daughters. Rushing out of the big top, she approached the parking lot. She didn't know what to do. Clearly her husband was dead..she couldn't go back in there and be confronted with that horrifying sight.
And then she felt something unexpected, a friendly touch on her shoulder. It was Coco. Coco the Clown.
'Come on kids, it's time to go visit the circus' shouted Monica laughingly up the stairs.
She so enjoyed the time of year when the circus would roll into town. She still clutched to a few happy childhood memories of the circus; like water in oasis, they were the few pleasant times that she could recall from a time consisting mostly of misery. The big top. Juggling clowns. Those bright, vivid colors resembling resplendent rainbows. How she longed for those days of sweet innocence. For Chandler, however, it was quite different. Since childhood he had an overwhelming fear that one day his life would be prematurely terminated by an angry circus elephant. His sleep was frequently interrupted by horrifying nightmares that under an elephant's foot, he would one day be brutally killed. No matter how much Monica tried to comfort him during those long, angst-ridden nights, it made little difference. Chandler knew that he had a vendetta with every circus elephant in the Tri-State area. He was a husband now. And a father. It was time to face up to his responsibilities. His old friend Phoebe had taken every opportunity to mock and belittle his manhood. But, no more. Chandler Bing was going to take action and be the strong courageous person he'd always wanted to be for his wife. Yes, Chandler Eunice Bing was going to visit the circus.
"Chandler, honey, can you hurry up?" asked Monica, frantically putting on her coat.
"I'll be there, would you stop nagging for just one second?"
"What is the matter with you? You've been short with me all morning." asked Monica snappily.
"It's nothing. Nothing. Can we just get this over with please?"
"Oh, I get it. Is this because of the circus? Chandler, sweetie, I'll be there. I promise you. What did my vows say in the wedding".
"Nothing about circuses" Chandler said, clearly displaying his nerves.
"OK, so not specifically. But, for the kids, for yourself, let's do this, OK?"
"OK" Chandler said, embracing Monica and walking out to the car where Monica had efficiently already seated their twin daughters, Cybil and Lily. He loved his daughters, although Cybil's obsession with Elvis was beginning to trouble him. Is it normal for a girl that age to like Elvis so much? She had also started wearing quite provocative clothing that was also of some concern. But for the moment, Chandler could not bring himself to think of those things in sufficient depth. He knew that his focus had to be on surviving the circus.
"Mommy? When do we get there" asked Lily from the back, clearly bored of travelling after only five minutes.
"It's not long sweetie, but it'll be worth it. I promise' replied her adoring mother.
"Mommy, do they have Elvis clowns at the circus" added Cybil.
Chandler frowned. The Elvis references again.
"Erm.I don't think so, Cybil. Could you pull your skirt up a bit please, I'm sure it wasn't that short when we left the house".
Cybil rolled her eyes. One day soon she promised herself she'd escape from sterile suburbia and find her own hotel - or better motel - in the desert. Yes, there she'd find happiness. And people who would understand appreciate her attraction to Elvis.
"This is it! Man, it's so great to be back here" Monica said excitedly as the car pulled into the circus parking lot.
"Yeah.great. I'm so happy" Chandler responded, convincing no one. Fortunately his children were blissfully unaware of his problems.
Walking into the Big Top, Chandler urged Monica to sit towards the back. However, Monica knew this only happens once every year and she was not to be denied some inferior back row view.
"No way, Chandler, be fair to the kids, they want to see this spectacle up close and personal' Monica urged.
"Look at them, they don't seem to care" Chandler responded and he was right, for the most part. The younger child Lily was happy to be there, but Cybil's main interest was eyeing up clowns and mentally undressing their face paint and baggy pants.
Finally taking their seats, the lights began to dim. Monica embraced Chandler realising that he would need support today of all days. The spotlight appeared on a trapeze act.
"Ah, just the trapeze" Chandler uttered to himself, clearly somewhat relieved.
He thought it strange that this death-defying act did not in the least bit scare him. But he knew what was to soon follow. Due to his anxiety, this performance seemed painfully long.he just wanted it to end.
With the trapeze act removed and all injuries accumulated taken care of, next out was a parade of clowns. Chandler tried to suppress a wide grin as their appearance and ridiculous acts naturally amused him. One clown in particular was keen to approach the area where the Bing's were seated. Cybil winked at him, but the gesture was unnoticed, as he seemed to be fascinated by the radiant Monica, still strikingly beautiful. She was perfection indeed. Chandler began to feel yet more uncomfortable at the clown's apparent attraction to his wife.
"Great, could this day, BE any worse" he mumbled to himself. Monica was paying no attention to him or the clown however, as she had noticed that approaching the center stage was a large elephant. Draped in glittering jewels and feathers, it was a fine animal. She wondered why Chandler would be so afraid of such a beautiful creature. She never had found out why exactly and chalked it up to one of his rather strange childhood experiences that she preferred to remain ignorant of.
Chandler now noticed the elephant and instantly beads of sweat formed across his forehead. He rubbed his hands together, anything to stop this anxiety. Monica glanced over at her husband, trying to remain calm, but eager to end his trauma. She placed her hand in his, noticing the abundant sweat. How she wanted to take away his fears. Yet she remained impotent to do so. The only person who could do that was Airy the Elephant. She felt overcome with frustrations. She was Chandler's wife, and yet the most powerful person in his life seemed to be Airy. If only he could overcome this one final obstacle, this dreadful hurdle, then their life together would be complete.
"Thump. Thump". Airy's footsteps echoed throughout the Big Top, causing slight tremors to run through Chandler's back.
Atop Airy was a man in indecently tight spandex, waving to the crowds. Chandler saw it as nothing more than mockery and it made him angry.
The ringmaster started to speak loudly on the microphone, reminding him of a character in his favorite movie, 'Moulin Rouge'.
"Ladies, and gentlemen! Behold Airy! Imported from Africa, this magnificent creature will perform tricks like you have never before witnessed! Now you've seen this one before on television I'm sure.but never in person. We request one brave audience member to lie next to one of Airy's imposing feet and experience the adrenaline that we circus people have every night! Is there anyone who would like to volunteer?"
Chandler knew it had to be him. This was the only way he could overcome his phobia. This was the only way he could move forward with Monica and his children. He had to do this. His intelligence became non-existent, instead overtaken by brute instincts.
"I'll do it! I'll do it!" shouted Chandler, waving his hands.
Monica's mouth dropped open in shock. Yet she knew this was something her husband had to do. Instead of pulling back as her common sense told her to do, she watched as Chandler strode out next to Airy, hearing the crowds roar in approval.
Chandler spoke with the ringmaster who informed him of the procedures. It was all terribly safe. The person on top of Airy (his circus name was Fish apparently) was well trained and was in total control of the situation. No problems whatsoever.
Overcome with adrenaline, Chandler lay on the ground, next to Airy. This was just something he had to do. He had no choice.
Cybil had been distracted for most of the show. She was absent mindingly munching on popcorn, looking at anything but the performers. Then suddenly out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a young man on the elephant.
Chandler lay still, expecting, well, he wasn't sure. But he knew something good would come of this.
Airy lifted one leg. The trick was that the elephant lifts its leg so close to the person on the ground that the audience thinks there's a real chance of death. But the elephant-trainers are so expert that it's almost impossible for that to occur.
Cybil noticed this Fish person again. She stood up and winked at him, ignoring the perilous situation her father was in.
Fish noticed Cybil. She was the most beautiful person he'd seen. He tried to concentrate but his attention was distracted. As Airy was supposed to raise her leg and then walk away, Fish instead was staring at Cybil out of the corner of his eye. And then it all went horribly wrong.
Monica jumped up from the bench. An unpleasant sound filled the circus. Instead of moving away, Airy's huge foot had ended up impressed on Chandler Bing's former face.
Monica couldn't look at the scene. And yet she couldn't talk or speak. She instinctively grabbed her daughters. Rushing out of the big top, she approached the parking lot. She didn't know what to do. Clearly her husband was dead..she couldn't go back in there and be confronted with that horrifying sight.
And then she felt something unexpected, a friendly touch on her shoulder. It was Coco. Coco the Clown.