The Fine Print: Daniel Knauf and HBO own Carnivale and, unfortunately, Justin and Iris.

Minutes Like Hours

By twinb80

Chapter Three: Happy Birthday to You

The year was 1915 and Iris Crowe was about to celebrate her 27th birthday. She had been working as a maid in an upscale inn and for once did not have to work a Saturday afternoon. This was because she had requested the day off for her birthday. When she had applied for the job years before Norman and Rose had been surprised. They had told her that she didn't need to work to pay them back for taking her and Justin in as children. But Iris had been firm in her decision to work outside of the home. She had wanted to pay for Justin's schooling and would not accept any outside help.

A few months earlier, Justin had celebrated his 21st birthday and had started an internship under Norman's watchful eye. Iris took pride in the fact that she had worked so hard to put Justin through school and without anyone's help either. She had even been able to put some money aside and had begun a savings account for herself and Justin. She should have been happy since her brother was coming home from Divinity school to help her celebrate with Norman, Rose and some close friends. She should have been happy but she wasn't. A dark cloud had come over her and she could not shake it or come out from under it.

She still lived in the same house Norman had brought Justin and herself to as children. The two story house had original belonged to a family who had six children. When those children had grown up and moved away Norman Balthus had bought the house from the former owners. By 1900, when Iris and Justin had come to live there they were the only children left in the neighborhood. Pacing their living room she recalled how strange life had been for them then. She had only recently turned 12 years old and had lost her mother in a terrible train accident. Her brother had only been six years old at the time and had not spoken an once of English. Since Iris had been tutored a little in English back home, she became Alexei's translator.

Alexei.

Only Iris called him that. She was the only one who knew his true name. When Norman had found them Iris had given him the names her mother told to tell strangers. Justin and Iris Crowe. And Iris was who she had become. Who she had to become so that her beloved Alexei would be safe from those who wished to harm him and her. Iris stopped her pacing and sat down on the piano stool. She began to play a song her mother had taught her that she had never forgotten. Along with the playing she hummed the words. Waiting for Norman to return with Justin.

Her thoughts ran to the party guest list and she found herself wanting more than anything to call her birthday party off all together. She did not want to see people and to fake being happy when the fact was she was not happy. She would try and be polite because Norman and Rose had made such a big deal about her birthday party. But she was not welcoming being around other people. Especially people like Allan Bakerson who had taken it upon himself to be her suitor. Iris sighed. In reality, the only person she wanted to see at her party was Justin. She welcomed hearing his news and being in his presence. Her darling brother had grown up to be quite a handsome man and would probably be catching some young girl's eye soon if he hadn't already.

Iris stopped her playing. This thought had not cheered her up at all. What would the future hold for her without Justin? Iris had never really stopped to think about that situation. And when she did, she became more hollow with each passing moment. This could not happen. They could not be separated. Their mother had told them to stay together no matter the cost. They were in this together after all. Just as Iris was about to tell Rose to call the party off she heard the front door open. Justin's voice called out "Where's the birthday girl?" Just hearing his voice made Iris's spirits soar and she raced to the front door to greet her brother.