"Phillip!" Phineas called as he saw the younger man walk into the ring to rehearse the new steps the entire troupe had been given. Sure, Phillip wasn't really a part of the show yet, but he had to learn all steps so he could take over as ringmaster if something happened to his mentor. Phillip looked up to see Phineas walk in his direction.
"Good afternoon, PT." Phillip greeted. "What's up?"
"I need you to practice the new steps with Stefan." Phineas said. Phillip nodded and went to find the younger boy. He soon returned, seeing the troupe rehearsing the steps together.
"PT? Where is Stefan?" Phillip asked.
"Backroom."
"No, he's not. I already checked."
Phineas stopped dancing and walked to his apprentice. He told him to wait there for him and then he went and searched the entire circus to try to find Stefan. When he couldn't see him anywhere, he rushed back to Phillip.
"You guys keep rehearsing. Phillip, you're coming with me."
Phineas walked out of the circus and Phillip rushed after him, trying to keep up.
"Keep your eyes open, Phillip. It's important that we find him." Barnum said.
"Why don't you just let him go, PT? It doesn't seem like he wants to be here." Phillip said. Phineas turned to him and looked him in the eyes.
"Phillip. He's an orphan who is in my custody. If he gets himself in trouble, I'll be the one taking the consequences. Plus, he's a part of our family and I'm not leaving anybody behind."
The men continued walking and searching.
"Do you hear that?" Phineas asked, stopping and listening.
"Protesters?" Phillip asked. "PT, we've seen them every day for multiple years."
It was like Phineas didn't even listen to what Phillip was saying. He just continued walking in the direction of the yelling. Phillip kept telling him to slow down but nothing happened. They reached the protesters, saw that they were yelling and fighting Stefan, who was on the ground.
"Stay away from him." Phineas roared.
"What? He's from your freak show, Barnum?" They laughed.
"No, he isn't. He's a part of my family and I will turn you all in to the sheriff if you ever lay a hand on him again."
Phineas grabbed Stefan's arm and pulled him up from the ground. He took a look at the boy's dirt covered face.
"That's the last time you leave without telling me anything about it, understood?"
Stefan nodded slowly.
"Good. Phillip will bring you back. I'll be there shortly."
Phineas walked away from the two boys. Phillip obeyed his mentor and took the newest member of the circus back to the circus. They both joined the troupe in the ring, where everybody was talking. Phineas came back shortly after, as promised. He joined them as well.
"Did you all have a good rehearsal?" He asked. The troupe nodded.
"Phillip, you've been very helpful today. Thank you. You may go home." Phineas said and Phillip nodded, grabbed his stuff and left.
"Stefan, you haven't been quite as helpful. You go to the backroom. I'll see you tomorrow. The rest of you, get ready for the show. We have 30 minutes."