- Posters of the Haly's Circus were being put up all across Gotham; each one calling for all to come and watch. Each poster has a picture of the show's main attraction, the Flying Graysons. The circus only comes to Gotham twice a year and it's a big draw.
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- One of those posters was ripped down and scrunched up by the hand of a thug in the payroll of Tony Zucco, who goes by the name of Billy 'the Bruizer' Marzin. "Ha, it appears the circus is back in town. Looks like we better pay good old Haly a visit… Show him the law of the land here in Gotham!"
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- Three thugs, led by Bruizer, were seen talking to the owner of the circus, Mr. Haly. And whatever they had said or asked for him had certainly gotten the owner pretty riled up.
"I told you out!" snapped Mr. Haly at the men in a stern, loud voice; not wanting any part of it.
"You may wish to rethink your response there, Mr. Haly."
The owner took offence to this. "Ha, I think that's unlikely, I want no part in this… need no part in this!" he cried out, not showing signs of backing down.
"Our protection saves lives, Mr. Haly, and we wouldn't want to go ahead and see your performer's put at grave risk. Now would we, huh!?" There was a slight grin on the lead thug's face when he finished his sentence.
Mr. Haly took a step forward at this clear threat, but neither of the three men moved a muscle.
"Now I said get out!" Again Mr. Haly pointed to the other side of the field, to the exit.
One of the thugs was ready to show his muscle, but was quickly stopped by the lead thug, Bruizer. The man coming to see the performers of Mr. Haly's circus move in close.
"Don't say you ain't been warned, Mr. Haly… Don't say you ain't been warned!" The stranger didn't sound angry nor lose his temper, he just sounded smarmy.
"This is a family and we stand together, is that clear!?' commented Mr. Haly casting a flick of his head in the direction of his performers. 'We're not in the need of two-bit thugs and the lies they're offering here!"
"Fine, have it your way, but don't say we weren't reasonable. After all, our boss, Mr. Zucco, prides himself on being reasonable... Ah, until otherwise unable to do so… and in saying that, I just hope you don't come to regret it."
Upon hearing this cold threat, Mr. Haly goes back in his trailer and takes hold of his whip. "If I see any of you around here again, I'll make sure none of you will walk free!' The whip firm in hand
The thugs walked away not looking too happy. 'Do you hear me… none of you walk free!"
As he watched them walk away, Mr. Haly's gaze lowered, a hint of worry across his face.
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- Later that afternoon, the Ring-master, Christopher Haly was approached by a few member's of his circus. His own star attraction Mary and John, the strongman Stando, Waldo the clown, Margie the tattooed lady and the two jugglers called Palmer and the other named Paolo. As they had all seen the strangers confront Haly, and that the same guys had been hanging around all day.
Christopher wiped a hand over his mouth, he was somewhat deterred by this, but did his utmost to play it down. "There's nothing to worry about, I promise." he stated when questioned.
"It didn't look like it, boss." interjected Stando.
John nodded in agreement, "Those men had you pretty fired up…"
"I saw you with that whip of yours, you were about to crack it down on those thugs." stated Margie.
"Just something to show those thugs I meant my words, that's all… that's all! They soon got the word and backed off…
They saw I meant no and backed away…' he stated, hoping to squash this. 'Now, please time is ticking away… the show will be starting in an hour and we better be at our best.'' he ended with a big showman smile.
"But!?" sounded off Margie.
However, she was instantly cut off by Mr. Haly. "But nothing, the show must go on."
One or two of the performers looked across at one another, still worried.
Christopher had had enough, and walked by, heading for the trunks.
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- To open the night's events fire-workers were set off, as the crowd walked to the centre big-top tent. Two tall standing stilt-walkers walked around the entrance. Now and again the performers would allow children to run through their legs. The child's parents stepping back and took pictures as they did so.
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- Out in the big-top, John and Mary stood ready for their performance.
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The ring-master stood below in the centre, a spotlight shone down on him. "Ladies and Gentlemen… boys and girls…' he called out. His voice echoed out around the tent. Mr. Haly did a full 360 degree turn to make sure he addressed all in attendance. 'True children of all ages. I cast your attention now to the top of the tent. Where stood the true stars of our performance tonight…"
Mr. Haly took off his hat and held it up high; casting the eyes of those watching up to the trapeze. The fanfare played out and a beam of light shone upon the couple. "I give to you, the fearless flying Grayson's."
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Instantly, the audience clapped and cheered, all in wait to see this renowned act.
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"As always, performing their gravity defying stunts...' Mr.. Haly pausing here for dramatic effect. 'Without the use of safety nets nor a rig system!"
The couple stood proud on the high platform, waving out to the crowd below and just before them the set of trapeze. One at both ends of the tent.
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It was what the audience had been waiting for.
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John now stood at the edge of the platform, high above the crowd. He took one final breath before jumping off into fine air. His hands took hold as planned on to the trapeze bar. John held tightly onto the bar, swigging out across the tent, high above everyone's gaze.
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- Dick Grayson watched on, from the side. Standing on a bench to gain a better view, as his parents performed high up above. He knew the dangers involved, but knew that this was what they loved and were extremely good at. Dick smiled with true pride as he heard the cheers and wows from the crowd in attendance that night.
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