Freak Love (Mister Morgue)

Hope Is Not Lost

"Ladies and gentalmen! Gather 'round!" I yelled into my microphone, as a crowd of people quickly gathered on the boardwalk.

I smiled as a few children backed away once they caught eye of Stripe. He layed at my feet, only the people in the front of the crowd could see him. Many people raised their eyebrows and gave strange looks, others looked excited and curious for what I have in store.

I waited until all of the conversation died down and announced, "I am the amazing Miss Mercy!"

I looked down at Stripe at me feet and tugged a little on the leash make him stand up, "And this is my fierce tiger Stripe!"

I waited a moment, as a few people started talking and mumbling.

"Freak!" I heard a man yell from the back of the croud.

I smirked and yelled back, "Thank you, kind sir."

A lot of people laughed at that and I smiled at my ability to entertain people with my words.

"Anyways..Stripe and I are here to perform a few tricks for you!" I yelled, seeing the curious looks in the crowd, "But beware! These stunts are very dangerous, do not try this at home!"

A few chuckles came from the crowd, making me smile. I kneeled down in front of Stripe and pecked his nose.

I whispered to him, "Do your thing." Then, I stood up and looked out at the crowd, searching for a 'victim'.

"I need a volenteer, any care to join me?" I said into the microphone, as I looked into the crowd around me.

A small boy pushed through the crowd, he looked about four years old. He was wearing a blue t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans, a cute little red beanie ontop of his head. I grinned as he walked right up to me, with a shy expression on his face. I looked down at him and smiled, when he said nothing.

I kneeled down and asked softly, "What's your name, buddy?"

He bit his lip and stuttered, "J-Jason."

I smiled and patted his back, "Well, Jason, do you want to help me do a stunt?"

His face brightened up and he grinned. "Oh, yesh, I do!" He yelled, excitedly.

I smiled and stood up, looking back at Stripe.

"Okay, now all you have to do is stand there. Can you do that, hon?" I asked, and he smiled.

He nodded and said politely, "Yesh, ma'am."

I stepped back a few steps and got ready to blow the whistle that was hanging around my neck.

I yelled, "One... two... three!"

I blew the whistle, as loud shouts of surprise and confusion came from the crowd. I smiled and Jason looked around waiting for something to happen.

All of a sudden, Stripe darted right under Jason's legs, making Jason scream in surprise. He did a full flip and landed on Stripe's back, with a smile on his face. He ran around with the boy on his back, Jason ripped his beanie off of his head and waved it in the air. People stood back and Stripe ran in circles, Jason laughing and the crowd applauding excitedly.

A few minutes later, the ride was over and Stripe genatlly let Jason slide off of his back.

Jason kissed his nose and said cutely, "Tank you, Mr. Stripe."

I smiled and kneeled down, "Thanks for being such a great volenteer, Jason. I hope to see you again."

He smiled as I gave him a quick little hug and stood back up, and he walked off into the crowd and vanished.

I grabbed the microphone and yelled, "Now, who want to see some sword swallowing?"

A bunch of screams and yells came from the people surrounding me, as clapping and encouragment followed. I smiled and turned around to see my bag lying on the floor behind me. I walked over and shuffled through the bag until I found my favorite sword.

I stood up and walked back over to the spot I was in before. I held the sword up and yelled, "This is my favorite sword to use, it is also my oldest. Please keep calm as you watch this amazing event happen."

I looked at the silver sword in my hand, I ran my fingers over the beautiful colored jewels on the handle, right before I fixed my hands into I gripping postion. I tilted my head bakc and opened my mouth as wide as I possibly could. I heard excited murmering and the sound of cameras flashing soaring through the crowd, as my head faced towards the sky. I held the sword up and slowly stuck in in my mouth and down my throat.

I heard clapping and screams from in front of me, as I held it in for a few more seconds. I slowly brought it out, brought my head back down, and smiled at all of the cheers I was reciving.

"Amazing!" I heard on woman scream.

"I'm putting this on YouTube!" I heard a young girl yell.

Another man yelled, "Great performance!"

I smiled and bowed, as I brought Stripe up next to me and we both posed for pictures. I thanked everyone as some people tossed money at me. One guy gave me fifty dollars! I love it how wealthy people in Cali are. I get most of my money from gigs, though.

After more pictures and money, people started vanishing one by one. My smile faded, as more and more people left with smiles plastered on their faces.

I started to pack up my stuff until I caught a man starring at me, about 50 feet away. This was no 'normal' man, definetly not. I struggled to catch another look at him, as many people walked by, blocking my veiw. He saw me looking and I caught a smirk forming on his mouth, covered in black lipstick. There was a black umbrella hovering over him, with black hood covering his eyes and part of his nose. He was wearing all black clothing, standing out quite a bit from the colorful people on the boardwalk.

Just when the people started clearing, and I could get a better look at him, someone tapped my back. I turned to see who it was, but no one was there. I turned around, looking for who it was, until I saw tiny Jason looking up at me.

I smiled down at him and kneeled to his height. "Hi, Jason. You need something?" I asked, seeing a grin on his face.

The corner of his mouth curled into a smile, "Can I gets a picture wit you, Mish Mercy, ma'am?"

I chuckled, "Of course, you can, buddy."

He handed me his little camera and I asked, "Can I pick you up and hold you?"

"Yesh, you can." He said, sweetly and smiled.

I bent down, lifted him up and held him in my right arm, while I positioned the camera in front of us.

"Say cheese!"

We both smiled and I heard a little snap noise, which meant the picture was taken. I put him down in front of me and handed him the camera. He looked at the picture and I saw him smile.

"You real pretty, ma'am." He said quietly.

I grinned and tilted my head, "Aww, thank you, Jason."

He put the camera in his pocket and looked up at me. "I gots to go, now. Will ya be preformin' here, again?"

"Yes, I do this everyday around this time, so make sure to come by and see me." I said and smiled.

He nodded smiling, and walked away, after waving goodbye to me.

I love it when children are so intrested and amused by my performances. It reminds me of when I was a child. It was much different back then, very different. Yet, also the same in many ways. Seeing children so enthused by things like this gets me to believe that all hope is not lost. For a little while...