Chapter 1
It was a harsh cold night in the gloomy city of Gotham. Just on the outskirts of the city, a group of circus performers had began to prepare for the evening that laid ahead, on opening night the crowds were bound to be plentiful. In the main tent a family of four had begun to prepare for tonight's evening, this time it being more significant as their youngest son, no more than the age of 5 was about to become a fully fledged member of the famous "Flying Grayson's".
He was just going through a final rehearsal with his brother to perfect his routine, and to eradicate any sense of nerves before the big show. After finishing what was his final run through of the trapeze act, he abandoned his family to indulge in a few minutes of silence with his favourite circus animal, the zebras. Reaching the zebra pens, he suddenly stopped in his tracks to hear a familiar voice, but this time with a more intense and raised tone. Walking towards the slit of light that could be seen in the parted red and white fabric, he leant in, curious of what all the fuss was about.
Standing inside, a little dumpy short man, with a balding head and silver goaty appeared to be in a distressed state. Glancing over to the other side of the tent, the boy saw three smartly dressed men, however their faces were unfamiliar to him.
"Listen old man, you owe us, you're a month late on your money and if we don't get it back with interest then you're gunna pay one way or another." said the man in front in the smart business suit. Clearly he appeared to be the front man, as the others were positioned a little further behind.
"I cant afford it! I don't have any money. Look.. can't we make some arrangement fella's?" answered the balding man in a wishful tone.
"No we aren't leaving unless we get the money – and by money we mean the full amount of $2,000" he shouted, whilst pulling away his coat to reveal his concealed 45 calibre hand gun.
"But I ain't got it Mr Zucco, I don't have that much money around or on hand to give you" replied the ring master in a lost and worrisome tone.
Not believing the sight before his eyes, Tim released the curtain and let out an almighty gasp. Turning around to create distance between him and the tent, he accidentally nudged the tent peg. Startled at the tents sudden judder, the three men looked to wards the tiny slit where Tim had once stood, unsure on whether or not they had been overheard in their conversation with the circus owner, from which they decided to take leave.
On walking towards the exit, Mr Zucco peered over his shoulder and uttered the words
"Time's up, you've run out of options, now i'm gunna show you that I mean business. That you shouldn't take me so lightly".