Big Top Terror

Big Top Terror - Part One

Gravity Falls, Oregon, a town just north of normal. Nothing in this town was normal, that includes its tourist stops. With thirty different attractions, four employees, and one man of mystery, the Mystery Shack earned its spot on the map as the town's most popular visitor destination. Once you saw past the fake exhibits and the smell of glue and formaldehyde, it was easy to see the real speculation that surrounded it.

With Gideon in jail, the shack had no problem with competition, but today, business was painfully slow. The lack of customers made the gift shop seem deserted especially since Soos had yet to come in. The cashier, Wendy, used the spare time to text her friends while Mabel played with some of the wind chimes made of old Pitt Cola cans, and Dipper was fishing up one of his mystery novels.

The silence was broken by the sound of scratching against the wall outside marked with the fifteen dollar admission sign. Without hesitation, Stan tore open the door and bid welcome to his next customer. The pest was ring-tailed, a mask of black stretched across his face just behind his whiskers, a raccoon. A broom chased it off the porch, a slamming door sent it scurrying across the yard.

"What gives?" Stan growled throwing his fez to the floor, the veins in his neck popping, "We haven't had a single customer all morning!"

"Beats me," Wendy said not bothering to look up from her phone.

"And where the heck is Soos?"

The bell above the door rang, "Here I am, Mr. Pines."

Dipper turned white. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. Soos turned to him, face painted, a red nose in the center of his face. Dipper's heart stopped. His book dropped to the floor. He did not move.

"Soos, where did you get the awesome face paint?" Mabel marveled.

"And why are you so late?" Stan demanded.

"Okay. So, this morning, I was heading to work like I normally do when I got caught in some crazy traffic. I got out to see what was causing it, and found this big tent. Turns out the circus is in town! I got my face painted and stayed for the opening act...I guess I got a little distracted."

"Well," Stan muttered, "I'm not payin' you for work you haven't done. I'm docking your pay for one day."

"Oh, I got you guys a circus whistle," Soos placed a whistle on a string around Mabel's neck. Another hung in his hand, "That place is full of cool stuff. They had a pretty catchy slogan too. I think it was something like "Looking for fun and all that's in store...no that's not it. Probably on this flyer."

Mabel took the paper from Soos and read, "Are you looking for excitement, pleasure, and more? Then come to Silly Willie's Circus and see what's in store."

"Aha!" Stan cried, "That circus is stealing all of my customers! This Silly Billy's trying to put me out of business!"

"The first show's tonight." Soos added, "Kids and seniors get in free."

"Grunkle Stan, can we go?" Mabel pleaded.

Stan rubbed his chin, "Maybe I can figure out what tourists spend money on at one of these things and use it at the shack."

"Yes! We're going to the circus! We're going to the circus!" Mabel cheered and Soos joined her. Then, she stopped and glanced around. "Hey, where's Dipper?"

Dipper's seat by the counter was deserted. The door to the den slung shut. Soos pushed it open to reveal an empty room. Wendy noticed one of the chairs at the table shook and peered underneath.

"Dipper?" she startled him, "What're you doing under the table, man?"

"Oh, I forgot about Dipper's coulrophobia." Mabel explained.

"Coulrophobia?" Soos gasped and backed towards the door, "Is that contagious?"

"Coulrophobia is the irrational fear of clowns. It's not contagious, Soos." Wendy assured.

"Ha! You're afraid of clowns?" Stan wiped a tear from his eye as he chuckled, "Since when?"

Dipper's eyes darted to the floor. His hands wrapped tighter around his knees. Three sets of staring eyes became four as Waddles squeezed beside him. "It was this movie I watched when I was younger...the clowns had razor sharp teeth and they ate people."

The air filled with the sound of laughter. Stan propped on his cane before it slipped then he fell onto his back in the floor, kicking his feet. He placed his hands on his chest to ease the shaking, but it did little to stable him. "You think just because of some movie clowns go around eating people," Stan panted, "You really need to stop reading that book. It's messing with your head!"

"Grunkle Stan, the zombies were real. Who's to say these clown things aren't real too?"

"Me. I say they're not real, and you're going to that circus with the rest of us!"

Wendy checked her phone and shoved it in her pocket, "I'll pass. See you guys tomorrow."

"Hey! Where are you going?" Stan asked.

"It's an hour till quitting time, and you guys have a show to get too. Besides, no one's coming to the shack this late with the circus in town. Wendy out."

Too soon, evening arrived, and Dipper was forced into the car. Thankfully, Soos had washed his face and now seemed unfrightening again. Mabel jittered in her seat, apparently unable to sit still. "Circus! Woo hoo!" she glanced over at her brother with his arms crossed, "Cheer up, Dipper. You'll have so much fun, you'll forget all about those clown thingies."

"I doubt this'll be fun."

"Sure it will, dude." Soos promised, looking back at them from the passenger seat. "They have other stuff too. Like animals, and magic acts, and the tight wire act, you know where they walk across that thin wire crazy high up?"

Stan huffed, "Glad I'm past the fear of heights."

"Grunkle Stan, you're a genius!" Mabel exclaimed, "If I can help you overcome your fear, I can help Dipper with his!"

"No offense, Mabel, but climbing to the top of a water tower isn't going to help me."

"Duh! You're not climbing a water tower, I'm gonna help you get over your fear of clowns!"

The tent was in sight as Stan slowed the car and pulled into the grass to park. A crowd of people packed into the entrance. Dipper was pried from his seat and reluctantly followed his sister into the stands. Not far from them, Stan noticed, sat Bud Gleeful. He was positioned awkwardly on the third row on the other side of the room.

"There's Bud Gleeful." Stan muttered elbowing his nephew, "if we're lucky, your so called clown monsters will eat him first."

"Quiet!" Mabel ordered, "It's starting!"

A man around Stan's height walked into the center ring. He was your typical ringleader, a top hat rested upon his short black hair. His eyes sparkled with wonder, or what would be greed in Stan's case. He gazed around at the filled seats, obviously pleased with the turn out.

"Welcome, ladies and gentleman, one and all, to Silly Willie's Circus! It is a pleasure to have you here. Remember, have fun and keep laughing. Now, let the show begin!"

A\N: Yes! My first Gravity Falls story!! I hope you enjoy it.