I wasn't someone who much enjoyed the circus, but my brother wanted to go, so I decided I'd accompany him. Stanley loved the pageantry, especially the ring leader introducing all the performers and oddities. I just continued to eat jellybeans instead.

Afterwords, Stanley wanted to get some cotton candy and I took him over, where the sideshow was across from us. I never got why people were fascinated with sideshows, especially since none of what they advertised was real. For instance, there was this woman named Marnie the Maine Lobster who is advertised as having lobster claws, but she only just has ectrodactyly with two fingers on each hand. I DID find it cool that she could throw knives though.

I suddenly felt something hit my head. I heard laughter and I looked to see Crampelter and his goonies.

"Hey Pines, whatcha doin at the circus. Going to sign up as one of their freaks?"

Stanley stepped up for me.

"Hey, leave my brother alone!"

"Hey, I'm not the one with the abnormalities here. People like your brother belong with them!" he said, pointing at the sideshow.

He was right. My six fingers made me a freak.

Crampelter then grabbed my arm and started prodding me.

"Look! Six fingers and all. What a freak!"

All of a sudden, a knife threw straight at Crampelter, nearly scraping his nose. He was scared white as Marnie the Maine Lobster stepped up.

"I see you're impressed with my knife throwing skills." she said, "Next time, I might not be as careful if I ever see you bullying that kid again."

"She's dead serious. Lets get out of here!"

Crampelter and his gang ran off.

"Wow. Violence really DOES solve everything!" my brother exclaimed.

I was almost at tears when Marnie handed me a handkerchief.

"You okay, kid? I know what its like to be different."

I took the handkerchief.

"You're not gonna ask me to join the sideshow are you?" I asked, "I've had too many sideshow owners ask me that."

"Of course not. Not if it's something you don't want. The reason I joined was because it was the only place I could model without people freaking out about my hands. You on the other hand, you look like someone with a lot of potential to be more than what people label you."

I smiled.

"Thanks." I replied, "You're really nice Miss Lobster."

"Please, call me Marnie."

Marnie then grabbed five dollars with her two fingers.

"Cotton candy is on me, boys."

"Wow. Thanks!"