I follow closely behind him as he storms into Elsa's tent.
"Elsa?!"
She quickly puts her dress back down as she sits at her vanity.
"Have you no decorum? Barging into a lady's tent unannounced?" She takes a look at his bloodied face. "You're bleeding."
"He can't stay here, Elsa."
"I take it you refer to our new strongman."
"You know he's putting matinee posters all over town after you told him not to?"
"Perhaps it is for the best. We don't know how long this curfew will last. I've decided to give his scheme a try. Why not?" Why not? She just told him no matinees. It's her show.
"You're afraid of him aren't you?" I ask. She looks at me through the mirror.
"My dear that man could kill both you and I in a snap. Let's try not to anger him."
"Elsa he'll tear this troop apart!" Jimmy yells.
"Or hold it together. If the killer who stalks this town is not soon caught, the people will seek out scapegoats. And your kind have always proven convenient sacrifices in such instances."
"You think that thick-necked goon is gonna protect us?"
"Look what he did to Jimmy's face!"
"I think for now it's good to have a man of strength among us." Jimmy digs through his pocket.
"You already got one." He sets what looks to be a badge on her table.
"What's that?" She asks.
"The only thing left of the cop who came here the other day. He was gonna take the twins Elsa. He threatened to run is out of town or worse." I take a step away from him. He killed him?
"My leibchen. How have I underestimated you?"
"Not just me. Dell." He hands her a flyer. "See where he's got ya billed?" At the bottom of it it says 'Elsa Mars and the Geek'.
"He's got to go." When her own game is put at stake then she'll step up. I walk out of the tent with Jimmy staying distant and quiet. He strolls out with a smirk on his face.
"Knew I would change her mind." He says proudly. I stare at the ground. How could he kill someone? Is he violent? I stop walking as he continues.
"And what rea-" he stops to see I'm not beside him. He turns back to me.
"What's up?"
"You killed someone?" He sighs and looks at the ground.
"Not my proudest moment. He came here to take the twins to jail and they didn't do anything wrong."
"So you killed him."
"Hailey no one is going to hear their side of the story. If they even suspect they're going to book us. It was the only way to save them. And I'd do the same for Eve, Suzi, Paul, all of them. Even you." He goes to pet my cheek when I move it away.
"Angel please it was in the heat of the moment. I ain't never killed no one before." I give him a small smile.
"I believe you." I start to walk away.
"So you're not mad?" I turn back to him and sigh.
"I'm not mad you saved the twins. I gotta go find them so I can practice."
"Okay. I'll see you later?" I nod and he pulls me to him to kiss my cheek. I smile and walk away.
I understand why he did it I just don't see how he could do it. I mean taking someone's life? I don't think I could live with myself.
"Alright just remember to land on the beat not after. Other than that I'd say it was a pretty damn good practice." Desiree says closing the piano.
I wipe the sweat off my forehead.
"Did we really need to practice with the stage lights on? It's hot up here."
"Well at least you get to move around and move your face away. Miss Desiree I don't like just staring." Bette says.
"Well too bad. It ain't our fault you can't sing. And it's not like you can go anywhere."
Bette's expression saddens.
"Just move your head and eyes to the music. It should make it a little better." I recommend. She gives a small smile but she's very sad.
"Ma Petite should have your outfit ready by now I think." I nod and put back on my regular shoes. I walk out to the costume room.
"Ma Petite?" I ask walking inside.
"I'm here." Her small voice echoes through the quiet space. I walk to the back as she finishes sewing a red single long sleeve leotard.
"The tutu is hanging on the wall." She points with her little hand to the left side wall. I turn and grab it off the hook.
"It's beautiful. Did you make all this today?" She shakes her head.
"No. We had another version of this made. I just modified it. Will you try it on? You are skinny so I just estimated. You can change right here I won't peek." She smiles and covers her eyes making me laugh. I grab the leotard from the table. I quickly strip down and step into it. I pull the one strapless side over and stick my other arm through the one sleeve. I look in the mirror.
"It's beautiful." I say looking it over. It has a rhinestone pattern going across the top that under those lights will just light up like Christmas "And fits like a glove." She uncovers her eyes and gasps.
"Ms Hailey you look amazing!" She exclaims.
"Well you did such a superb job Ma Petite." She smiles at her work proudly.
"You can leave it on that rack. I will put some tights with it later."
"Thank you!" I quickly change and hang it up on the rack with the black tutu. Ma Petite is probably one of the nicest person I've ever met. She's so kind and patient with people. She is just the sweetest.
