| A TWICE WEEKLY SERIAL OF BIG TOP FOLK BY
SIMON PARKE |
|
EPISODE 21
NIGHT THOUGHTS
Reflecting on the first night in Nettleby, Burt is morose. The performance was fine. The trapeze work was a little laboured, but they loved the horses, and Scuttle's work with Jess was top drawer. The trouble was, the Big Top was only half full.
"It's not all about numbers," says Teresa, as they sit in their trailer, sipping hot chocolate with a dash of brandy. "Not on the first night, Burt; you know that. It's about a good show; and then word of mouth does its work."
"I knew things weren't good when the local school wouldn't have us in."
"They've probably got a full schedule, dear."
"Full schedule? Folk do what they want to do; make room for what they want. Every 'no' is personal."
"Well, now's not the time to be worrying. The night hours are not kind to our perceptions."
"Snotty nosed letter from the school Head."
"It's how they write these days."
"But it's happening all the time," says Burt. "The circus isn't quite decent anymore. Never used to be like this; schools used to beg for a visit."
"Well, you always get the animal people, I know."
"But we treat our animals well! Better than a lot of those school kids get treated!"
"We know that, dear – "
"And of course GD never lets up."
("GD" was the circus name for the Great Davido.)
"Any chance he gets – "
"Well, he has his own reasons," says Teresa.
"And what are those?"
"I think you know."
"I'm not letting Burt Turtle's Amazingly Big Top become just another acrobatic show! And I'm not letting him take it over!"
"And he won't dear, he won't; we'll make sure he doesn't."
"Easier said than done, though; if no one's coming to watch."
"Good night, Samantha," says Jess.
"Good night, Jess."
Now she was leaving his trailer, he felt suddenly tongue-tied; like something had changed. It had just been a drink and a laugh; all quite innocent. But then she'd touched his hand, and something had changed. How did he know? Because for the first time, he couldn't bear to watch as she made her way across the damp grass to GD's trailer.
More clowning around |
