The Fine Print: Daniel Knauf and HBO own Carnivale and, unfortunately, Justin and Iris.

Minutes Like Hours

By twinb80

Prologue

Norman tried to lay as still as possible as Iris went about rearranging the covers on his bed. She was going on about how busy Justin had become with his Temple of Jericho and how she would not be left behind.

"I am not a flea." She said with pride and a flash of arrogance.

No you are not, thought Norman, I know that know. For a brief moment Norman let his guard down and turned his gaze towards Iris. His eyes met hers and in that moment time seemed to move back to events Norman had not thought of in years. As if reading his mind Iris's eyes continued to bore into his. Acknowledging that she too rememeber the events and a time she truly wanted to forget that happened. Their exchange lasted only a few seconds and Norman cursed himself for letting his guard down. He thought to himself that Iris was truly the lion her mother had talked about. She would attack him if she felt threatened, no matter their past, and feel no regret or remorse for doing so. He knew that. He could not let her know how much strength he had really regained.

So Norman did the only thing he knew to distract Iris's attentive gaze of suspicion.

He wet himself.