Carousel “A clown is funny in the circus ring, but what would be the normal reaction to opening a door at midnight and finding the same clown standing there in the moonlight?” -Lon Chaney Sr. The fanfare from the circus band plays loudly at the circus’ exit gates to say “goodbye and come again” to the people that are leaving. Some children are laughing, some are crying at leaving and some a crying from being frightened by the clowns. It’s almost night time so everybody leaves back home before darkness falls. As they come out the red tent, Brian discreetly sneaks away from the orphans of Gorecki to curiously explore the circus’ grounds. He wants to watch the rides and games like a seventeen-year-old boy who doesn’t wish to go home would do. Even though he’s not yet eighteen, no one can tell him what to do. Maybe it’s dangerous but he’s big enough to walk back to Gorecki’s orphanage by himself, he thinks. The rides are shining in the near-to-dark night. There are many little lights everywhere of every color. There’s a Ferris wheel, a Fun slides, even games where you can win money or toys. It’s surrounded with trees and woods for it’s in the middle of a forest. There’s a train track hiding behind tents and curtains. The circus’ train is temporarily staying there until they leave. The train has six large wagon compartments, three for the clowns and host to reside, two to put in the animals and their cages and needs, and the last one to carry the stocks and rides. It has paintings of clowns and the words: Circus of Citanul Mulysa, written on it but the paint is worn-out and cracked on the old metal. The wagons look very weather-beaten and they probably squeak and shake with age. Brian goes in-between the carousel and peeks beside the many tents and curtains that are hiding the train. There’s a large field and the train is not to far from his sight. There are animals in cages but nobody’s to be seen. He still wonders where the little girl could have gone to. She couldn’t have just disappeared like this, it’s clearly impossible. He lets his mind wander on the subject and he doesn’t even hear someone coming closer. One of the clowns suddenly surprises him from behind. Brian doesn’t even have time to react; he simply stays still and stares as the clown talks to him. It’s the clown with white make-up covering his face and a sad frown painted over his lips. He even has deep-black eyeliner almost leaking down his face which makes him seem darker and scarier. Emmett, whispers: You’re not supposed to be here. Brian, stutters: I-I just wanted to see what was going on back here. Emmett, says with a ruder tone: No, you mustn’t be here, go away. The host comes out of his wagon and smiles widely as he sees this beautiful young boy standing where he’s not supposed to be. Emmett, shyly: I was just telling him to go away Jem, he didn’t do anything. Jem, ignoring Emmett: Well, well. Brian: I better go back. Jem: No, no, no. Tsh-tsh. You should stay here. Are your parents waiting for you? Brian: No, I live at the Gorecki’s Orphanage, across the street. So… Brian stops speaking when he sees the strange broad smile in the host’s expression. Jem, talks to Brian like he’s talking to a five year old: Tell me, do you want to play with the circus’ animals? Brian: No, not really, but thanks. Jem: Please, come play. Brian, attempts to leave: They must be looking for me by now. All of their attention is distracted as a clown comes out of the middle wagon and slides the door open just a little too much. As Brian sees what’s inside the opened wagon, his expression changes drastically to horrified. Jem, screams in anger: Toulouse, get back in there! But sadly it is too late for Brian, he just saw too much. Brian can’t stop staring at the disgusting sight he had seen inside the wagon. It almost made him vomit. Jem, turning his attention back to Brian: What’s your name, boy? Brian tries to swallow but it seems like he can’t. His mouth hangs half opened and his eyes aren’t blinking once at all. Jem: Answer me. Brian, breathing becomes faster: B-Brian, sir. Brian slowly steps away from the circus’ host. He unintentionally collides with the white faced-clown. Jem, looks up at the clown: Take him! Emmett closes his eyes and hits the poor boy behind the head. Jem holds Brian’s ankles and Emmett carefully grabs him under his arms. They carry him inside the third wagon while nobody’s watching. Once they step inside the train, they throw an unconscious Brian on a pile of dirty cushions. Only tiny pinpoints come through the pierced holes along the side of the wagon. Brian was just too curious; because of his curiosity he unfortunately became one of them that night.