Phillip fell asleep shortly after having his torso wrapped up with bandages. Phineas sat by the bed, observing the boy to make sure he remained okay. Every now and then, Phillip's eyes shot open and the boy gasped, looking around. Phineas placed his hand on the side of Phillip's head and guided him back to the pillow. Reassured him that everything was okay. Then Phillip would fall asleep again.
Phineas went to Charity when it was time for him to go. He kissed her cheek. Asked her to look after Phillip for a few hours. Then he left for the circus, got dressed in his outfit and entered the ring just in time for "The Greatest Show."
They performed the song without issues. After the performance, they all went to the lounge. Phineas saw Stefan sit on a wooden box. He went to the boy and gave his shoulder a comforting squeeze.
"How did your show go?" Phineas asked. Stefan just shrugged.
"I'm going to go tell the guests goodnight. I'd like you to join me in the stables afterwards."
Stefan nodded a little and Phineas left to greet the guests. Afterwards he fetched Stefan from the lounge and entered the ring where the elephants were still waiting. Phineas handed Stefan a cane.
"They will follow you when you start walking, but if they try anything just give them a light swat. Come on." Phineas said and started walking. The elephants followed him and Stefan quickly caught up to the ringmaster. They walked to the stable and Phineas began to remove the items from the elephants. Stefan watched in silence.
"So tell me. How was your performance?"
"Mr. Barnum, I know that you'd like me to be like you. To enjoy all of this. Being in the ring and having people see me like I am, but that isn't what I'd like. I like being in the shadows. I like hiding my true self."
"You can't possibly like not being yourself." Phineas said.
"I hate what I am!"
"I'm not telling you to like yourself." Barnum said and walked closer to Stefan. "But you've got to own it. You are you. You can't change that, so you just gotta own it."
Stefan looked at the ground. Phineas went back to remove the items and put the elephants in their stall.
"I hoped that you would like being a part of the show. You've got something very special, but if you don't want to join me in the ring, then I won't force you and make you miserable. But perhaps I could find you another job around here?"
"Well we could try." Stefan smiled a little.