| A TWICE WEEKLY SERIAL OF BIG TOP FOLK BY
SIMON PARKE |
|
EPISODE 10
SCUTTLE'S NEW HOME
"So this is my trailer?" asks Scuttle.
"Cleaned and ready," says Jess.
"Well, it'll do, I suppose. I've seen worse."
They are standing in the small kitchen area.
"Done much of this sort of work?" asks Jess.
"I've done it all, mate; done it all. Circus, film, corporate crap – they all love a freak."
Jess puts down Scuttle's bag, which clinks ominously. Meanwhile, the new arrival darts about his new home, checking things out.
"What will you do about the shelves?" asks Jess, aware they are way too high.
"Don't worry about me, mate."
"They look a bit high."
"Like I said – don't worry, all right? I haven't got this far without being able to look after myself."
"I could ask Ted –"
"Been deaf long, have you? I tell you what – ask Ted to mind his own business, and we'll all get on fine."
Jess takes that as a farewell, but Scuttle is just settling in.
"We'll open a bottle," he says, producing one from nowhere. This is clearly a well practised stunt. "We can drink to this shit hole of a circus, eh? Long may she pay our wages!"
Scuttle pours the drinks, raises his glass, only for Jess to hesitate.
"Waiting for me to say grace or something?"
"No, no!" says Jess, reaching quickly for his glass. "Here's to Scuttle – the newest arrival to Burt Turtle's Big Top!"
"Newest and best looking," says Scuttle, swigging it down in one. "Women love a dwarf, you know."
More clowning around |
