The Dolenz Circus: Season One: It's Great, It's Terrific!

Episode 9 : A Lesson Perhaps

  "Gone off to freshen up before the show?"

  Jimmy blinked at the person who addressed him. 'Person', because it was obviously human. However, Page had doubts over wether he should be using the words 'he' like he had been, or possibly even 'she.'

  Page didn't care too much about the new, sensible clothes he donned. The dark haired magician had come back to the big top tent backstage at precisely 6:50. After all, he felt that too many people were crowding the backstage area before, and personally, he didn't too much fancy being herded in to a pen like livestock. He had expected to come back and see the tall, stringy man who had been talking to him before. Jimmy counted on it, actually. No one else has really spoken to Page. Aside Robert, of course. And Roger had seemed like such a calm, cool, intellectual type, besides. Someone whose personality at least resembled his own.

  But right now, Jimmy's brain was trying to process what he saw. Because frankly, he was caught between worrying that staring was rude, or that looking away was even ruder.

  The person was tall and lanky, yes. They had long, dark brown hair that had a slight wave to it. Their eyes were cloaked in shadow of those long bangs, and they had a horribly long, gaunt face with strong cheekbones and a large bottom lip. When it smiled, Jimmy saw snaggled teeth.

  "You, um-" Jimmy stammered.

  "What? Told you I had to go powder my nose." Said a very man-like nasally voice. "Wasn't lying."

  Jimmy was looking at Roger Waters alright. But Roger was now dressed in a tight black corset and tufted black skirt, fishnets, lace gloves and knee-high heeled boots. The crown up on it all was a 1920's style headband with pearl inlays and one very large black ostrich feather that plumed up, making Roger seem too terribly tall- much taller than he already was. He also had, indeed, made up his face in white powder, hints of blush, purple eyeshadow, and black lipstick.

  "Oh." Was all Page could say. He stood very straight, very awkwardly in front of the barrels that Roger sat at- the one in front of him holding a backgammon board.

  Those watery green eyes softened and narrowed. Roger nodded to the board.

  "Pop a sit, then. We've still got time before the show. You know how to play?" He asked.

  Jimmy did as he was told, sitting on a crate next to the barrel board makeshift table against the horse corral.

  "No, I'm afraid not," Page mumbled. "I was never taught. I know checkers." He relented.

  "Bah," Roger leaned his elbow on his bony knee and held his head in his hand. "I'll have to wait for later then. I'm in a heated round with my old goat anyhow, save it for then."

  Jimmy hoped with all his heart that Roger was not also being serious about this expression. He was still looking over Waters out of the corner of his eye.

  Waters seemed to have caught this, because he gave a sharp-toothed easy smile.

  "Ah- I'd forgotten to mention the costume?" He asked.

  "Well..." Jimmy frowned.

  Roger nodded. "My fault- I promise I'm no drag in the spare time. This is just what puts money in the boot." He said.

  Jimmy didn't seem very trusting still.

  Deadpan, Waters looked at him. "Look. I'll let you ask anything you'd like, then."

  Jimmy hesitated before gulping, and leaning in closer. "I thought you said you rode bareback?" He asked, his voice hushed. "I... Assumed something more equestrian."