The Curtain Rises
Please review and be nice please! Constructive criticism would be cool!
NOTE: This story is my fictional world that takes place in 2012 in a place called Anville. There's a bit of french, but please mind me! I don't know how to make accent marks on a keyboard!
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My syndactyly problem has never been a problem...at least to me. Really, I'm just a 14 year old guy that wants to live a life...but my mom thinks my hands are just gonna get me in trouble...it's happened before...but...I just want to be free...
Today was the day that I would be going to "Amelie Duvont's House of Freaks." I'd be moving a long way from my home to Anville, where the show would be playing at for a bit. Actually, I'm not even part of the show yet, my mom's going to convince Amelie to get me to join.
It sounds weird how I would be so accepting to be part of some show that exploits my deformities, but it's okay. I accept it and my mom thinks that being part of these shows would be my "calling" in life...did these freak shows even exist still?
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Amelie was a lot more different than I thought. Middle-aged, a flower dress, and red heels. My mom was lighting a cigar when Amelie spoke, "So Miss. Ellis...you want your son Benjamin Ellis to join my House of Freaks? That's...um...well, it's a very interesting thing you could have thought of...pourquoi? Why?"
"Well, his hands could become the star of the guys at your show! And...and, he could help around the show! I mean..it's his calling!" my mom responded. Honestly.. it sounded like desperation to me.
"Miss. Ellis...this just isn't something that interests me...I want to give people real freaks! Yes...Benjamin does have lobster hands..." she is interrupted.
"Ben...just call him Ben..." my mom says, a bit annoyed.
"Yes...Ben has lobster hands, but it wouldn't be too flashy...not...how do you say it...oh! Something that would make people pay money to see them perform...and besides, a 14 year old? It's like child exploitation! Really...it really is!" Amelie looked really mad. In my head, "child exploitation" made me cringe. I don't like hearing stuff like that.
Amelie gets up, "I need to go...there's a show tonight, maybe you and your son can watch...le soir va etre tres drole...(the night is going to be fun)..."
As the show leader is leaving, my mom follows her. I'm now left alone in Amelie's tent. It's kinda uncomfortable to be in here but my mom always taught me to be quiet and think about things. It's a force of habit now.
Then, my mom puts her head into Amelie's tent, pointing at me, happily, "Benny-boo! (I hate that nickname) Come outside, I've got big news!" I'm a bit confused. What good news? All of it feels uncomfortable...I hope she isn't trying to get attention like she always does.
I walk out of the tent and stare awkwardly at a boy...well...2 boys...conjoined twins...yeah..never have seen one in real life before...just the TV...
Amelie talks to me, "Ben, would you like it if you'd spend the day at a freak show and learn about the behind-the-scenes-action? I mean...it'd be cool, oui?"
My mom taps my shoulder, "It'll be great! I'll go of to get some snacks at a supermarket near this place, then I'll come watch the show with you...you have your phone?"
"I do.." I say, and take it out of my pocket.
"Good," my mom says, she turns to the twins, nods, and then walks off, "See you all later!" I wave back. I wonder how fun this would be...
The conjoined twins walk to me, together, they say, "Hello!" I nod, "Hi..." it really is hard to look at both of them...
"Come with us..." says the boy with black hair, "We'll show you the campgrounds..." Both start walking off and then I follow, eyeing every part of their body...sounds weird but it's kind of fascinating...
I walk up next to the twins, and the blond-haired twin says, "I'm Pee...well, my name's Mike but my stage name Pee really makes the audience laugh!" I chuckle inside. Can't offend people I just met.
The black-haired boy that told me to follow them says, "Wee's the name...and together...we're the PeeWee bros!" Pee rolls his eyes. Must be annoying to have those dumb stage names..and be remembered by those names.
We walk into the campgrounds. There, I see life. Freaks all around me are playing with each other, cooking food, and preparing themselves for tonight's show I assume. Is this where I belong? Like what my mom said? Is this where my "calling" is?
"Syndactyly?" Pee asks me. I nod, "I am...kind of sucks but at least I'm different..."
Pee chuckles a bit, "Being the smarter of the PeeWee bros, I know that being different isn't good..." he looks down, "it's just sad..." I try to examine his face and actions-obviously upset in a way.
Wee squeals, "Ooh! Wait!" he calls a guy, "Casper! Over here! We have a visitor!"
Casper...he's dressed like a magician...is that really a freak? Unless he can really do magic...he's now in front of me.
"So...a visitor...huh? Wee, why is he here?" Casper asks.
Wee is about to answer, but Pee goes first, "His mom wants him to be part of Amelie's show...he's got lobster hands...syndactyly..."
Casper looks at my hands, "Well...freaky to an extent...but really...is it something that will make audiences run away in terror? Look at Will the Clown.." he points to a clown sitting on a bench. Not creepy like those killer clowns, but he's fine. He's just making things out of balloons. Casper continues, "That would make kids have nightmares!"
"Well," I begin, "Magicians aren't that freaky...not at all really..." Casper looks at me like I just made a big mistake. Did I? Did I offend him? That's not good...not at all...
Casper walks off without a word, and the PeeWee bros shrug. "Let's see some more stuff!" Wee says. They walk off, and I follow.
...
It's nighttime now...and the show's beginning...the lights are on and an 8ft man named Larry is collecting money. Will is giving things to the kids, some look a bit creeped out. My mom isn't here yet, so I text her.
the show's starting, where r u?
I send my text just when someone touches my back. I turn, and gasp when I see a woman with 4 legs.
"Ooh! Honey, don't be freaked out..yet!" I notice she has 3...um...bosoms...if I use it properly...
"I'm Catherine...the 4-legged wonder...and 3-tittied! Are you the boy that's visiting this place? Kinda weird that a boy in 2012 wants to be in some run-down place like this!"
"Well...my mom wants me to be part of the show...I do too..I got.." I hold my hands up, "Lobster hands..."
Catherine chuckles, "A lobster boy, huh? Nice... you'd be a good fit...but of course not on stage!" she laughs harder. I don't know if I should take what she just said seriously...
Casper runs up to Catherine, "Hey! You need to go backstage! The show's gonna start!" Catherine chuckles again, "Well alright then! I'm just talking to the visitor!" She kisses my lobster hand, "Enjoy the show tonight...it'd be nice if you'd join!" She walks off...Casper does too, but gives me that look again he made when I said something shady about him.
The lights go out, the lights are right on the stage. My mom still hasn't called back.
u still not here? hurry up the show's starting!
The curtains open and a bearded lady appears; I saw her today.
"Hello visitors from far and wide! I am Margarita! The bearded lady! Now...it's time to show you how freak shows aren't dead and how fun they are...time for the first act! Damian...the dancing midget!"
Damian has a suit and tie and a stick. He starts dancing. People clap and smile. Pictures are being taken. If anything, this is a really successful night.
The night goes on. Larry plays a comedy routine. Catherine sings, making some guys whistle in a funny way. Amelie goes up, surprisingly, and sings out "Chasing Pavements" by Adele. Isn't she overrated? Music isn't that important to me anyways...never have been interested in it.
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The night is young. People are driving out of the non-existent parking lot. My mom still isn't here. She missed the show. Why? Is the supermarket that far from here? I wasn't paying attention.
I head outside to see the freaks waving to everyone leaving. I go to Pee and Wee, whispering to them, "Hey, have you seen my mom?" They shake their heads. I head to Margarita, "Sorry sweetie, don't even know her..." I feel dumb...seriously?
...
Larry says it's 12:00 a.m. A new day. And my mom isn't here...still...is she dead? Hopefully not...it makes me sick to my stomach.
"Qu'est-ce que vous faites ici?! (What are you doing here?)" Amelie yells, walking out of her tent, "It's late! Sleep! All of you!
"We can't..." Margarita says, "Ben's mom isn't here..." Amelie looks at me. I feel awkward now...but with his sense of desperation in my face.
Amelie chuckles a bit, but this time, it sounds sarcastic. Does that sound weird?
"Ben...your mom isn't coming back to pick you up...she left...jumped in the car and never turned back!" I freeze. What did she just say to me?!
When I finally regain my head, I ask, "What did you say?"
Amelie breaths in...then out...and she says the words I never thought I could've heard.
"Kiddo...your mom and I already agreed that you'd be part of my show...we just made up an act to put you down in the nicest way possible...desole...(sorry)."
Pee's hand touches my shoulder, "Hey...you okay?"
Of course I am, I say in my head, My mom just abandoned me with no formal goodbye...I'm totally fine!
Amelie throws her hands in the air, "Maintenant (now), go to bed...everyone...you too Ben! Pee and Wee...bring Ben to his van that we'l design tomorrow...and bring some things that will comfort him...he'll need it..."
People begin moving out, saying goodbye, goodnight...Pee and Wee go to me, "Time to sleep now..." Pee says.
But I can't sleep now.
I'm already asleep...it's just a dream I hide in my head...right?
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Sooooo...what did you think? Please review kindly...(NO FOUL LANGUAGE!) The reviews will really be a nice encouragement to me!
I'll try to update this as often as I can!