I feel like a freak, this world is a circus
Just trying to find myself and my purpose
But nothing's much sadder than tears of a clown
When there's much less than no one around
We arrived at noon in the town. There weren't too many people walking outside. Most of them stayed indoors occupying their time by reading books or watching television. I could observe them through their houses' windows. (He was excited and thrilled to see so many people after spending days alone in the castle and felt fascinated by such activities). As we passed by several houses, I saw a woman standing in front of a dark blue tent decorated with various simbols. The woman was wearing a black robe and had a hood on to cover most of her face. I could only see a few locks of grey hair hanging down.
"You're looking for a black-haired woman with strange eyes. Am I wrong?" She said as I was passing in front of her. When hearing that, I stopped moving. The other three weren't paying much attention as they were talking about how they could improve their performances. I questioned myself surprised by what she said. "How did she find out? Does she know where I can find her? Can she tell me who I am?" whispered my little grey cells.
"How did you know that?" I asked. "It's a fortune teller's job to know her clients' concerns" she replied, "I can tell you more, but you'll have to come in my tent first". "O…Ok. Hold on" I said, then ran to my friends who were continuing their walk and told them to go on without me, that I would catch up. Bruce told me where the circus was just in case I would lost their tracks, right next to the library.
Afterwards, I joined the woman inside her tent. She took her hood off and told me to sit at the table. One thing caught my attention: the uniqueness of her eyes. The right was brown and the left, green. They seemed lifeless, like everything there was to be seen passed in front of them. In the middle of the table there was a deck of cards with an unusual back drawing. (In the middle of the card back there was a hexagram with three circles inside. Around it there were 12 different circles each containing a zodiacal sign. In the background there were criss-crossed lines colored in violet and yellow)
"Since you aren't from around here I'll explain to you the process. You see these? They aren't ordinary playing cards. They are known as Tarot cards. Divided in Major Arcanes and Minor Arcanes, I will use them to read your past, present and future. Shall we?" she asked. "Yes, please. Do whatever you need to do. I'm curious of your sayings." I answered. "Ok." She shuffled the cards then spread them all across the table. She closed her eyes and slowly moved one hand towards some of them. In this time I could see a part of the bracelet she was wearing. I could only see "NA" written on it since the rest was covered by her robe. She picked up 3 cards and asked me to collect the rest, then place them back in the deck.
"I'll start with this one: The Magician. This card represents your past. It tells me that you were a very creative person with self confidence and originality and that something happened to you, changing your state of mind...the amnesia.
The next one is: The Wheel of Fortune, this card represents your present. You are now changing, evolving to a higher self. Also, you are flowing in an ocean of mystery, waiting to reach the land of answers. Keep your head up; you might pass it by mistake.
And your card that represents the future is: The Lovers. You will meet someone you wished for a long time. You'll feel like you knew her way before actually meeting. That is the special bond only few people get to experiment. All your answers will come through her…It's the woman I mentioned…I think"
"Really interesting. Tis true what you said about the present, but the rest is yet to know. How did you figure out I have amnesia?" I said. "I have already answered you. Can't recall? Now then, the session is over, please leave. I have other customers yet to come" she answered.
"Wait. You haven't told me your name". "My stage name is Madame Mystique…and my real name is…Ana Rai. Now please go! I won't charge you, just leave!" She said with an upset figure. "Why was she so startled?" I thought while exiting her tent, then remembered where I was supposed to go: to that circus, "Good thing Bruce told me where it is".
"Library…library...hm, where is it?" I was whispering to myself while walking around the town. Luckily for me, I bumped into a child that was playing with his friends. When asking him where the library was, he pointed to a building behind me. As a reward, I offered him an apple from my bag and went towards the place. It was really big; "No wonder Bruce told me I couldn't miss it".
"Ok, now that I'm here I should start exploring its nearby structures. The circus must be somewhere around here". After walking for a minute, suddenly I heard a shouting from my right. When turning to see who it was I spotted them; they waited for me at the entrance of the circus. "Those guys…and woman".
(Afterwards, they all went in the yard, where the whole crew was preparing for that night's show. There were 2 clowns costumed differently from one another practicing a scene involving a pie and a mono-cycle. I'll let your imagination go on that part. Right next to them was a solid bald man with a Selleck moustache lifting some weights. Now, we can't ignore the trained animals, trapped in cages - lions, seals, elephants, you name them. They were placed close to the big tent where the performers would do their show. Inside, you could hear a manly voice that was rehearsing the lines best fit to capture the crowd's attention. He was the ringleader and the owner of the circus)
We passed by two clowns. One of them had his whole face painted in white, with red triangles on his cheeks and large red lips. He was dressed in white clothes with extravagant features such as the ruffled collar and the pointed hat. The other one had a white muzzle and eyes. He was wearing an oversized costume with bold colors. They both stopped their practice and greeted us.
"Hey Bruce, Johnny, Cinth. The boss is waiting for you in the tent" said one of them, "I see you made it. We were starting to get worried. And whom might this be about?" Continued the other clown.
"Hey guys. This gentleman right here is someone we met while our car broke and let us stay at his place." Responded Hyacinth. "Well, it's good to see chivalry is not dead yet. Thank you for helping my friends. My name is Mongo" Said one clown. "And I'm Bongo! Pleasure to meet you" interviened the other one. "And who might you be, stranger?" asked Mongo. "I-I don't know…". "I-don't-know? That's an unusual name" Said Mongo in an amused tone. "And is Know your first or second name?"
"Hey! Don't be rude! It's not his fault he has amnesia." Responded hastly Hyacinth. "Oh my…sorry. I thought he was just being shy for talking with a clown, so I wanted to put a smile on his face". "…Firstly, I think you should apologize to me. Secondly, don't worry...no offence taken. It was pretty funny". "Yes, you're right…sorry" He replied.
"We should go, after all, you mentioned the boss is waiting for us" Said Bruce. We gave Mongo and Bongo a "Goodbye and see you later" and carried on with our walk. When we entered the tent I saw a man standing in the center repeating some lines. "…We have for you enter…" He stopped when he saw us. "Finally! What took you so long? I was starting to think I need replacements"
"Sorry, boss. Our car broke and this man was kind enough to let us stay at his place 'till we repaired it." Responded Hyacinth. "I don't mean to be rude, but why did you take him with you?". "You see, this man has amnesia. He can't even recall his name. The only thing he remembers is a woman. And we thought we could help him find that woman through our circus." She argumented.
"Um…Again, not trying to be rude, but I'm not accepting any amateur come with us. Can you perform something spectacular enough to stay?". "N-No, sir…I don't think so…" I responded. "Oh come on, boss! Can't we find something else he can do? Please" She said that as she placed her palms one against the other. "Well...our animal caretaker took a medical vacation yesterday…are you good with animals?". "Yes, sir. I like animals and can surely take care of yours". He thought about it for a few seconds, then turned his head towards Hyacinth who was still holding her hands, then said "Ok, fine. You can start working here. But only until our animal caretaker comes back".
"Thank you, sir". "Yes! Thank you, boss. You won't regret it" She said. "You're lucky Cinth here is good at manipulating people. Heck, she could be a lawyer with such 'talent' " He said towards me. "That means to give up what I like doing and brake up my relations with everyone here so I'll pass." Said Hyacinth smiling.
"Now then, you three better go practice your parts. The show starts tonight! Here's how it will go: I'll do the opening speech and a short introduction for each one of you. The first act will be Johnny, juggling with colorful balls, Bruno(The solid man) will come from behind and lift him while doing his thing and place him near the caged lions. "Unfortunately" the cage is open and he's in danger. That's where Bruce steps in. You will save him by taming the animals .In the meantime, Bruno makes an exit before they can get him". "That sounds great, sir" I briefly interrupted him"…Sorry, do continue". "As I was saying…Bruce saves Johnny…then comes the second act: Mongo and Bongo will do their comedy scene with whatever funny thing comes in their minds. I'll let them do as they please since they always make the audience laugh. On the third and final act, Cinth will do a few demonstrations of acrobatics. Near the end we all approach the stage and greet the crowd. I will thank them for coming and wish them a good day. That's it!"
"Hm I like it" Said Bruce. "Yes! It sounds really good. You thought this very well, boss." Replied Hyacinth with enthusiasm. "I'd appreciate it more if you would go and practice. This must be flawless!"
(Time passed and each crew member grew more and more anxious for the show to start. When the clock struck 8 o'clock, people started to enter the tent, each person with a ticket in their hand. It took ten minutes for everyone to have their tickets checked, to enter and sit inside. It was Showtime)
The ringleader walked to the center and gave his speech. "Ladies and gentlemen! We have for you entertainment of the most marvelous of sorts! Today, we will do all we can to bring joy and happiness on your faces. Therefore, I suggest you sit back and watch. Let the show begin!"
The first act went on really well, I was surprised to see Johnny juggle with such ease while being carried and Bruce had that heroic attitude. "Phew, that was close. Good thing that guy came in and saved the poor child. Yet we just started…." Said the ringleader. Right then, Mongo and Bongo rushed towards the stage from two different directions and bumped into each other, then they got up and shook hands. Afterwards, they chased each other, Bongo fell on a pie at some point and Mongo got mad at him for ruining it. He pulled Bongo by his fake nose, then they ran away from the stage the same way they came and that was it. The act was pretty funny overall.
"Now that was hilarious, right? Well then, are you ready for some grace?"That was the sign for Hyacinth to enter, but not on the stage. She went flying ,from a higher level that was prepared for her, holding onto something. She had balance, agility and "grace". It was amazing. At the end, she fell towards the stage only to be caught by Bruce, who was standing among the rest of the crew members. Everyone greeted the audience and took a bow. "Ladies and gentlemen! We would like to thank you for coming and I hope you had a great time. Unfortunately our show is over…but don't be sad, we will be back some other time with more! Until then!" Said the ringleader smiling.
Afterwards, I went to feed the animals. While doing so I watched the people leave happy. It was such a nice atmosphere…hoping to spot that woman in the crowd, man after man, woman after woman and child after child left, but no sign of her…Even though I was a little upset, the thought of visiting other towns where she might be cheered me up.
(And so he started his small journey from city to city. Each show was better than the previous. The owner was creative, implementing new ways of entertainment never seen until then. Yet the woman never appeared in the audience, she didn't come to one show. "Maybe next time" was his thought to keep hope. The original animal caretaker returned from his medical vacation that lasted 2 weeks.
The amnesiac had to stop going with the circus. He was left in a town unknown to him, with just the squirrel and one bag containing two apples, clothes, the silver plate and a bouquet of roses.) "Well…I guess this was it…My chance faded away…now what?" (He asked himself rhetorically. "You ought to go to the next town, stranger" He heard from behind him. The man thought the voice was familiar but couldn't remember the face, so he turned to see who it was)
"Oh! Tis you…Ana…" He said somewhat surprised. "What are you doing here?". "That's none of our business. Just follow my advice. If you go on that path, you'll be there by tomorrow." She responded. "B-but why? It makes no difference to me if I stay here or somewhere else because I know no one." I replied. "…Just trust me" She said, then left without saying any more. "Well…that was unusual….Think I'll go, after all I have nothing to lose" (The man went on the path showed to him curious of what he'd find in the next town.