When Stars Collide || TGS/Reylo

Chapter 1 - Barnum's Circus

"Barnum's Circus?" Ben repeated.

"That's right," Luke said as he was folding some papers and storing them away.

"Is it for sale? It seems very popular, I don't understand why they would sell the building-"

"No, it's not for sale," Luke cut him off.

This doesn't make any sense. If the building's not for sale, how would his uncle obtain it? They couldn't have gone bankrupt, that place is sold out of tickets every other day. Everyone seemed to be talking about that place. Some people enjoyed it, others wanted to shut the place down. Ben didn't really know what to think of the place. His uncle wouldn't allow him to attend any of the shows, not that he really wanted to anyway. However, he still remained suspicious. What does his uncle have in mind?

"Then how on Earth are you going to get it?" Ben attempted at taking a glance over at Luke's papers, but unfortunately, he discovered that he couldn't successfully do so without standing up.

"That is something you will find out about later."

Ben knew better than to argue with his uncle.

Luke stood up. "For now, I want you to attend one of their shows today. I believe the next one is at 1:30." He took a glance at his pocket watch.

"Really?" What is this man up to? In the past, Luke created multiple other plans in an attempt to move his business forward. Most of which completely failed. But none of them strongly featured Ben, he wasn't really sure if this one did either.

His uncle didn't reply. He simply locked the drawer that he stored his papers in with a key and then strode out of the office. Ben continued to sit in the chair to think.

He could've made a bargain with Barnum. Although, I imagine that would be very difficult, even for Luke. But why would he want me to see one of the shows? How could that possibly benefit him? Oh well, at least then I may understand why that place is such a hit.

•••••

Ben was now on his way to the circus. Everywhere someone looked, they could see 'Barnum's Circus.' On buildings, carriages, everywhere. As if all that was really necessary. You couldn't go anywhere without overhearing talk about that place.

He finally arrived there. For a while, he stood, just observing the building

"When can we go there again!?" He heard one child say to his mother.

He also heard a man who was clearly unsatisfied with the performance.

Ben spotted a long line at the ticket booth and checked his pocket watch. 1:05, that's just great. He proceeded to wait in line. The wait was a solid half hour. When it was finally his turn, the vendor put up a sign that read "Sold out." You've got to be kidding me.

"Hey, hey, no," he spoke up, hoping to stop the man from leaving. "What if I could make a deal with you, it won't be a waste of your time, I assure you." That caught the man's attention. "I'm listening..." Apparently, he was the type that liked money. Good. Ben sighed with relief. "I'll pay you double the price if you'll get me in," he spoke quietly. The man raised his eyebrows. "Triple if you'll get me front seat."

"I'll see what I can do," he said as he began walking away, clearly smiling. Phew.

A few moments later the man returned, he extended out his hand. A way of saying 'pay up' Ben assumed. Ben gave him the money then he motioned with his hand for Ben to go around back. Ben did so. The vendor opened the door, allowing him to enter. He followed the man down a dimly lit corridor. At the end he could see a door with a window. A bright blue-colored light shone through the window. Once the reached it, the man opened the door and Ben stepped through. Although he was temporarily blinded by the light that, for some dumb reason, was pointed directly at the door, he walked further into the large, open room.

In the center of the room, there was a large ring. Behind it was a huge curtain. Around the ring were benches used primarily for the audience to sit. Hanging from the ceiling were numerous ropes, a large ring, and some other things that Ben didn't recognize. And he could not forget the many lights, including colored lights, that shone from the ceiling and from small balconies. After all, they nearly blinded him when he entered the darn place.

After the brief look-around, the man guided Ben off to the left to a front-row bench. "Enjoy the show," the man said, clearly looking at the money instead of Ben.

Gotta do what you gotta do. Ben shrugged. Suddenly, the lights dimmed. His attention was drawn to the large curtain as a single bright light shone on it.

The show was about to begin.