"But I don't dance." I say for the fourth time.
Desiree sighs. "Listen well angel. You say you can't fly right?"
"No my wings may be large but they aren't meant for flying."
"Then you gotta dance."
"But I-"
"Hush! I don't believe you. Even as you stand here you're in first position."
I look down at my feet. She's right. I took dance lessons at the orphanage. Well not legitimately. More like stand outside the classroom and practice through the window. "Besides with those big ole things out no one will even notice how bad you are."
"Really?"
"Sweet honey pea of course. They just gonna be too infatuated with those feather beds."
"And what about me?" Bette asks hopefully. She wanted to be the one to sing and being told she has no talent really hurt her feelings.
"You will stand there quietly. Move your head about to the music. Just nothing to crazy."
She hangs her head lowly. I feel bad for her. Her sister didn't even want to at first. I'm sure Bette has some talent.
"Now unless someone wants to be shooting ping pong balls out of their *pop* *pop*." I cringe. That sounds disgusting. "Then I suggest we do this. Whatchu think Ms. Elsa?" We all look to her. Her face full of both worry and anger.
"If it will bring in the customers so be it. They will be my warm up act."
"Well perfect." Dell says from the corner. He's the strong man. I didn't get to meet him but Desiree talked about him briefly earlier. "That'll go over real nice tomorrow." Tomorrow?
"What has the curfew been lifted already?" Elsa asks.
"Aw hell no. But we're not gonna let that stop us. 3:00 matinee every day until the curfews lifted."
"Matinee?" She questions.
"That's right. Folks can come see the show, and be home in time for Uncle Miltie."
"Nein. Nein. No matinees. No no. People don't come to see freaks in the heat of the day. They come in the evening. When the darkness moves in and speaks of mystery. The unknown. When logic loosens its vice grip and the imagination comes out to play. Night allows the stars to shine and we come alive." She laughs. "No. Daytime is for kiddie shows. Clowns and kewpie dolls. Maybe that's what you're used to. But you're in a real freak show now. My freak show!"
"Dell listen to the lady. She's your boss now." Desiree warns.
"No lady is the boss of me." He says stepping closer to Elsa. Anger issues.
Jimmy grabs his shoulder. "Why don't we go outside and calm down, huh?"
He snaps at him shoving him off and I step down off the stage. The tent goes quiet.
"The hell with this. I'm gonna go into town. Hang some bills. There will be paying asses in these seats tomorrow! Curtain goes up at 3:00." He says before leaving. We all look to Elsa and she laughs quietly.
"That man is going to be a problem."
"No kidding is he always like that?" I ask Desiree. She shrugs.
"Dell doesn't like being told what to do."
"He's got the right idea though." Jimmy says. He grabs my hand and leads me out of the tent.
"What are you doing?"
"Rounding up everyone else. We're gonna go into town. I know a diner. You in?"
