| A TWICE WEEKLY SERIAL OF BIG TOP FOLK BY
SIMON PARKE |
|
EPISODE 13
ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR
When Burt Turtle's Amazingly Big Top comes to town, there is as much entertainment outside the ring as there ever is in it. Watched over by Teresa Turtle, the fairground stalls spread two-deep down either side of the grand walkway and prove a magnet for bored locals. Taking a break from the dull drudgery of everyday life, they arrive moody, mouthy; and somehow beyond the rules. Teresa has a heart of gold, the eyes of a hawk – and will need both tonight.
"Mind yourself tonight, Daisy," she says, on seeing the girl wandering. "There's some rough trade in."
"Really?"
"Violence in their bodies; despair in their eyes."
"Don't talk about the performers like that," said Daisy, with a mischievous smile.
"I'm just saying, be careful," says Teresa.
And though Daisy doesn't admit it – indeed, makes as if this is quite needless advice for one as big and grown-up as her – she is glad of Teresa's words, and the care behind them.
"I'll do my best," she says, and then disappears into the crowd.
Rifle shots crack out across the pitch; hoop-la howls; thudding coconut shies; hot dogs steaming, onion in the air and the bell sounding "Ding!" as another young male tries his strength with the wooden mallet. And the Big Top Tavern is booming, with traditional fayre of beef, pudding and peas, followed by cherry tart and cream, washed down with warm circus ale. How it would taste in the light, who knows? But in the mad musical dark of fairground frenzy, it is the finest food on earth.
"The dog's bollocks!" declares a fresh-faced punter, as he wipes his mouth of gravy.
"Aren't you vegetarian?" asks his friend.
"Not at weekends."
"It's Friday."
"Friday is weekends. And anyway, you can't be a veggie at a circus."
"But apart from weekends, Fridays and the circus – you're monk-like in your commitment to non-violence against animals?"
"Yep. I mean, I eat white meat obviously..."
Meanwhile, Daisy has made her way to the roundabout; but doesn't see the figure approaching her through the crowd. But why should she suspect danger anyway.
More clowning around |
