The Dust of Death

Chapter 26

"There is a traveling circus coming to town," said Flix to Mrs. Glenny, as he and Baby arrived at the office.

"Umm. That's nice," said Mrs. Glenny.

"Yes," Flix said, "A traveling circus. And now is your chance to become an acrobat, Mrs. Glenny. An acrobat! They say that anyone can be one. All it takes is a little practice. I submitted your name several weeks ago, and guess what! You won the contest, Mrs. Glenny. You are going to be an acrobat for a day! It is the least I could do to try and repay you for all you do for us here at the office!"

"Me! An acrobat!" said Mrs. Glenny. "That's the most preposterous thing I have ever heard in my entire life. Oh, surely you jest, Mr. Flix. I can't possibly . . . Can you see me in one of those skimpy costumes being thrown around like a sausage? Oh, and those muscular men in those obscene tights!"

"You have been to the circus, I see, Mrs. Glenny. And you certainly must have liked the acrobats in the show!"

"I thought they were horrid!" Mrs. Glenny exclaimed. "Absolutely horrid! Well, except for one or two who were quite handsome, but those costumes! So revealing. So . . . tight!"

Mrs. Glenny quickly grabbed some papers and fanned her glowing face.

"Oh, Mr. Flix. Please tell me that you are joking. I feel faint. I feel . . . well, I really don't know how I feel, but it isn't the greatest feeling I have ever experienced."

"Relax. Relax, Mrs. Glenny. I am only having a bit of fun with you," said Flix.

"Mr. Flix!" said Mrs. Glenny, good naturedly. "You are a wicked, wicked man. I was shocked speechless at your suggestion. Can you see me on the high wire? I'd look like a gray walrus in a tutu! Absurd! And God help me if I fell! Oh, Mr. Flix, just entertaining such thoughts is probably enough to have me sent to the crazy house!"

"You wouldn't fall, Mrs. Glenny. You couldn't. Those men in tights and mustaches would never let you. They would surely come to your rescue! And they are very strong, you know."

"I can see that now! Oh, Mr. Flix. You are a devil!"

"Umm, so some have said, Mrs. Glenny," said Flix. "Baby, do not chew on the furniture. Take this."

"But Mr. Flix," said Mrs. Glenny, "that's one of your shoes."

"That is it, Mrs. Glenny. But if you look closely, you will see the tongue has been mauled by ferocious little teeth!"

"Oh, so it has! Baby, you naughty girl."

"I dropped it in my coat pocket. When Baby gets bored, I figured I'd entice her with her favorite chew toy."

"Very smart, Mr. Flix. Very smart."

"Not really. The shoe is ruined. I will leave it here at the office. But don't worry, Baby. You have another one just like it at home."

The door opened, and Phalen entered.

"Oh, good morning, Mr. Archer."

"Good morning, Mrs, Glenny. Cupid."

"Mr. Archer. I hope you are well, today."

"Why, yes, Mrs. Glenny."

"Traveling circuses and acrobats," said Mrs. Glenny. "You really are a mischievous sprite!"

Flix grinned, sheepishly.

"Fibbing like that to get me all hot and bothered! You could have given this old girl a heart attack, you know."

"Oh, Mrs. Glenny, I have faith that it would take much, much more than a high wire to do that!"

The telephone rang. Mrs. Glenny went to her desk to answer it.

"What on earth is she talking about, Cupid?" Phalen asked.

"I was just having a little fun with Mrs. Glenny. I know it was a wicked thing to do, but I couldn't resist. Must be all those pulp magazines. They are having a bad effect on me. Anyway, I am afraid I let my mischievous nature get the best of me. I told Mrs. Glenny some hogwash about a band of acrobats. It was the most ridiculous thing I could think of.

Mrs. Glenny took the bait. You should have seen how flustered she got describing those circus costumes. I think the old lady's holds a candle for more than a few of those muscle men, Phalen. I really do!"

Flix laughed heartily.

"Where are you going?" Flix asked.

"To see an old lady about a candle," Phalen said. "It's a long story. I'll tell you about it when I get back."