| A TWICE WEEKLY SERIAL OF BIG TOP FOLK BY
SIMON PARKE |
|
EPISODE 23
FIRE FIGHTING
"I'm going to give the Fiery Fernandos a call," says Burt.
"Oh, not the Fiery Fernandos!" says Teresa. "It really isn't necessary."
"We're a week into the run and we need a new stunt; something to kick-start things."
"But the Fernandos?"
"I know, I know."
"Remember the trouble they caused last time."
There had been problems, and few of the troupe would welcome their return. But they brought in the crowds, and business was business.
"And really," adds Teresa, "is that an example we want to give the children?"
"We're not here to give an example, or we'd be called Oxfam. We're here to entertain – entertain or die! And let me remind you that the most famous fire eater in history, Robert Powell, worked for nearly 60 years in the 17th century, swallowing fire, red hot coals and even melting sealing wax! And he didn't do so bad – there wasn't a royal court in Europe he was unfamiliar with!"
"And there isn't an illness fire eaters are unfamiliar with either. You know the outcomes."
"There are always outcomes, Teresa; there are outcomes to everything. But that never stops us, does it? We do it, and then we pay the price!"
Burt and Teresa agreed on many things, but not on fire eating.
"You know the list, Burt: severe burns, cancer, dental problems, ulcers, respiratory disease, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea – death."
"So life's dangerous. And it was your father's choice."
"This is not about my father."
"Huh!"
The origins of fire eating lay in India, but had travelled well. And although people often ask fire eaters: "What's the secret?" – there is no secret, but enduring the pain; oh, and tolerating the constant blisters on tongue, lips and throat. There is, unfortunately, no such thing as cold fire.
The two of them sit in silence for a while, as the clock ticks and the kettle whistles.
"How long will you go on fighting?"
"It's what I do," says Burt.
"Times are changing and we've put in a good stint here. Twenty-six years!"
"My father did 32."
"Different times, Burt. He swam when the tide was with the circus; but you swim when the tide's against. You have nothing to prove."
"I never give in; never."
More clowning around |
