Underground Pirates

Fountain and Balloons

"Just watch," Clacks said, pointing at a man in whiteface, making balloon animals beside a fountain.

A group of children stood before him, watching in awe as the man blew up a long, blue balloon. "Ok, who wants a snake?"

A look of disappointment swept over the kids, as the painted man smiled. "Just kidding, I thought we'd start with a doggy. Who would like a doggy?"

Sarin watched as a young boy of about five years old raised his hand.

"Ah, and what is your name, little one?" The white-faced man asked.

"Tommy," said the lad.

"Ah Tom, that's a strong name, and is your mom or dad here?"

"Yeah," Tommy pointed at an auburn tressed woman, also wearing green.

"Ma'am, is it alright if I make Tommy here a doggy?"

She smiled and shrugged before reaching into her purse. She pulled out a dollar and dropped it into the top hat with a red scarf tied about it that sat on the edge of the fountain.

"Thank you much, miss," the man said as he began to twist the blue snake into something that quickly resembled a dog.

"Seriously, a balloon artist?" Sarin asked of Clacks.

"First, they call him Loon, and he's not just any 'balloon artist.' He's a gifted Twister."

"Twister?" Sarin asked, shifting his oft-patched backpack, the strap more duct-tape than fabric, from his right shoulder to his left.

"Like I said, watch," he said as he pulled a pair of scissors out of one of the deep pockets in his too-thick overcoat. He crept up behind the park bench where the old man was sitting with his granddaughter, feeding the pigeons. Slowly he extended his arm and snipped the red ribbon that tethered the mylar happy birthday balloon to the blonde, pig-tailed girl.

"Papa!" She exclaimed as the balloon began to float away.

Loon looked up and saw the birthday balloon ascending into the clouds and handed the half finished blue dog to Tommy. "My balloons are needed elsewhere, buddy. I'll finish yours in a minute." With that, he pulled a pink balloon from a pocket of the tweed jacket he wore and blew it up. His hands a blur of movement, a butterfly swiftly took shape. "Now here's where the real magic happens." He pulled a roll of clear tape from his other pocket and quickly made a loop, sticking it to the head of the butterfly. With a tug, he reached out and untied the red scarf from his top hat. Walking over to the now-sobbing girl, he winked at the old man. "Sweetheart, will you hold out your hand?" Loon asked, holding out the butterfly.

Sniffling, the girl did as she was asked, taking the offered rubber creature into the palm of her hand.

Loon draped the red scarf over the butterfly and leaned in close, whispering something so softly, that not even the girl could hear it. Smiling, he blew on the scarf, which began to twitch. With a flourish, the man pulled the scarf from atop the balloon butterfly, which sprang to life, it's wings beating feverishly as it drifted higher into the air.

The girl gasped, and then despite her sniffles, giggled. The inflated insect climbed higher and higher, chasing the birthday balloon, which had already drifted out of sight.

"Now, Tommy, where was I," Loon turned back to the boy, who stood, mouth agape, holding the half finished dog. Loon took the balloon and after a few more twists, he pulled a black marker from a pocket and drew eyes and a nose upon the canine's head. "Here you go Tommy," Loon handed the animal back to the young boy. "Who's next."