Three Ring Nightmare

The lights nearly blinded me as the curtains parted just a few mere centimeters from my face. Confidently, I stepped forwards. I was far too conscious of the thousands of faces staring at me in my glittering silver and blue costume to be hesitant; they were waiting for me to screw up. I just knew it.

I held my head up high anyways. With the deafening music and the blinding lights, I could concentrate fully on my dance routine and lyrics, and ignore the crowd watching me. This was what I practiced alone in my trailer for. Adrenalin started coursing through my veins when I heard the bass line begin to pump out a wicked beat. Now it was my time to shine.

Opening my mouth, I took a deep breath and began to sing.

Listen to the music,

Watch the flashing lights.

The rides, the food, the three-ring-show,

The carnival is here tonight.

Step in, step in,

Now don't be shy,

Take your seat,

Watch your acrobats fly!

We have thrills and shills.

And games galore,

What else could you want?

Anything more?

Welcome, welcome,

In dark and in light,

Come in, enjoy,

Carnival! Carnival!

Is here tonight!

The music died down but didn't fade away. The tune changed slightly, the key becoming a major instead of a minor. The crowd's cheering died down as I waved my hands for silence. "Welcome to the Carnival de Misterio!" I yelled out. Even with the microphone, my voice seemed small and mouse-like in comparison to the roar of the crowds.

"We love you, Luna!" several girls screamed. I sighed. They were part of an unofficial fan club that had been formed when the Carnival had been in London. They were insane about my singing, very literally.

"Thank you," I replied, hiding my mild disgust at their fanaticism behind a mask of buoyancy and happiness. "My name is Luna and I will be the announcer for this evening! Before we get to introducing the acts, I'd like to thank a few very important people who allowed us to make this amazing spectacle possible."

Going through the mild formalities allowed me to catch my breath. Finally, I smiled at the crowd, showing off my perfect, white teeth. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages," I announced, "May I introduce our troupe of tricksters and misfits, the Freak Show!"

The music began to get louder as the sideshow performers ran out on either side of me and took their places on the stage in front of me. The platform beneath my feet started to rise, so that the crowd could still hear me without seeing me so they could focus on the Freaks, and I began to sing once again.

Turn all around

What do you see?

Misfits on the land and sea!

Freaks! Freaks!

Sit back and relax, we're here to please!

Tell me: does one catch your eye?

Step back, get ready;

We have a surprise!

Misfits and freaks,

In truth and in lies,

Playing up music,

Playing up lights,

We are the acrobats,

clowners and flies.

Freaks! Freaks!

Welcome to our three-ring show!

Freaks! Freaks!

We are here to please you, you know!

Turn all around,

What do you see?

You see us,

On land and on sea!

As the musical volume dimmed a bit, I began announcing the names of the performers in front of me. Pointing at the thin woman with tattoos all over her body, I called out her name: "Melinda!" And the strong man, balancing the Siamese twins on his back: "Rocko! Fred! Ted!"

I continued on in this fashion until all of the performers had been announced and had run back offstage. "And now, allow the clowns and juggling fools to entertain you while I get ready for the next act!" I shouted, my voice deafening with the amplification; I blew kisses at the crowd and winked at my fans, making them swoon. I turned around and jogged offstage just as the clowns and mimes were pedaling, motoring and cart-wheeling on.

I stepped into a large dressing room to see many faces.

"Luna! Awesome performance, as usual," I heard someone say. I looked around and saw Izzie.

"Thanks Izzie," I shouted and ran to the corner where my next costume was. My next costume was my blue spandex leotard with flames sequined in silver running up the legs and down the arms. I pulled my silver ballet slippers on and I went backstage to get ready for our performance: The Acrobatics.

When I felt my two partners step up beside me and take my hands, I was ready.