A Performer's Tale

The Snake Charmer

Mitch was a young boy, too young to be living out on the streets. Yet that was where he was; no home, no family, and no money, with only the streets and what was on them to give him shelter. He only had one person he trusted, another homeless man who taught him the basics of survival and how to steal to live. Sure Mitch's situation wasn't ideal, but it was the only life he knew.

As Mitch grew older, he learned more and more about music. He dreamed of playing music, and he would often sneak into concert halls just to hear people play. One day he even stole a book so he could learn more about music, a book from a flute player. From that book he learned sheet music, how to play songs on the flute, and many other things.

Mitch loved the flute, and he knew in his heart that one day he would play it. He knew the notes, he knew the fingering, he knew songs for it, all he needed was a flute. He had no money, and since he was only ten he was too young to get a job. His only choice to achieve his dream was to steal a flute, and so that is what he did. Unfortunately no place in town sold flutes.

A performer was traveling through, with a weird flute and a weird basket. He had extra of his weird flutes, so Mitch knew this could be his only opportunity. The man probably wouldn't notice if one extra went missing, and he would probably be long gone from the town if he ever did notice. So when he was performing, Mitch snuck into his bags and stole one of the flutes, before running off.

For days after that, Mitch taught himself to play. He would practice day and night, sometimes neglecting to try and find food in exchange for playing. By the time he was fourteen, he was practically a master at the instrument. He sometimes wondered if the homeless man, the one who had practically raised him as a child, would be proud that he followed his dream. He would never know, since starvation had taken the man many years ago.

But Mitch wasn't alone, for he had found a few friends. They weren't human, but Mitch didn't mind. Many people would be afraid of them, but he wasn't. He gave them names, Janus, Medusa, and Pretzel. Perhaps it was odd that Mitch liked them and even talked to them despite the fact they couldn't understand. But he loved his three beautiful snakes.

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Mitch had started to play his odd flute, which he now knew was called a pungi, on the street for money. He would always have a snake slithering in front of him, as if dancing to the music. He got a good amount of money each day. Sure it wasn't enough to buy an apartment, but it was enough to buy clothes, food, rent showers, and get other necessities. He even sometimes had some money left over to buy other things.

This was not all from the money people gave him for playing. While he had one snake dancing, he had taught his other two to slither around the crowds and steal things from the distracted watchers. Sometimes he got wallets, sometimes loose change, and sometimes jewelry or other things he could pawn off.

One day when Mitch was playing, he noticed someone in the crowd. They didn't stick out much, wearing a simple blazer, t-shirt, and jeans, however Mitch did notice their one shiny gold earring with a blue gem in it. The poster they held in their hands, one he could slightly see the image of, caught his eye as well, since it depicted that of a circus. The man stayed even after the rest of the crowd eventually dispersed, causing Mitch to get somewhat suspicious.

"You play very well. May I ask who taught you?" The man asked, approaching Mitch. Mitch looked him up and down quickly, beforeing deciding that he wasn't a threat. Or at least he was a threat that Mitch could take. Living on the street all his life, Mitch had his fair share of fights and he knew how to defend himself. He wasn't extremely strong, but he was strong enough.

"Self-taught actually. Been playing this flute for several years now, but I started being a snake charmer not that long ago." Mitch responded, keeping his eyes locked on the man as he noticed Medusa slithering towards his open pocket. He knew he would have to keep the man distracted so he wouldn't notice.

"And who taught you how to pickpocket, or is that something you taught yourself too?" The man said, causing Mitch to freeze in place. Mitch was certain he had never met the man before, so how could he know? "I mean, I'm assuming you know how to pickpocket and then taught your snakes how to." Mitch froze even more, gripping his flute and getting ready to fight the man in front of him. He watched as the man looked at Medusa who quickly slithered behind Mitch after being noticed.

"It's very impressive, honestly. If I wasn't used to so many people having sticky fingers back at the circus, I don't think I would have noticed. Speaking of my circus, here." The man said, laughing slightly. As he said his last sentence, he handed Mitch the flyer he was holding in his hand. "A new job opportunity. You'll make more than you do here on the street, and we will provide all your and your snakes' necessities. All you have to do is your whole snake charming routine at the circus and travel around with us."

"I'm Xylo by the way, the new owner of Cirque Utopia. That's the circus just so you know." the man, Xylo said. Mitch looked at the flyer, feeling his snakes climb into his pockets as he examined it. He looked down at his earnings for the day, seeing slightly less than usual. People were getting used to his act, and less people were showing up and those who did were giving less money every day. What did he have to lose by working at the circus?

"Alright, I'll do it. When do I start?" Mitch asked, standing up as he held Janus loosely in one hand and his flute in the other. He allowed Janus to lounge in his hand, Medusa to curl up in his pocket, and Pretzel to nest in his hair. He was used to the snakes doing things like this, and he had no desire to make them stop.

"Well you'll start training today, but you won't start performing until we decide you're ready. Since you already have a good amount of experience, it probably won't take too long." Xylo explained. "Are you ready to leave now?" he asked, and Mitch nodded in response. The two then went on their way towards the circus, and Mitch smiled. He was sure his old friend would be proud of him.