Author's note:

This story is dedicated to clowns and the circus elements of messy slapstick. I firmly believe that clowning and mess are inseparable. This is the first part of a multi-part story about a young woman who finds herself training to be a clown. I hope you all enjoy it.

-- your humble scribe,

Marlowe.



----


As soon as she stepped into the big-top, the first thing to catch Maria's eye was the performers high above. She looked up and saw a man leap down from the tallest platform only to be caught mid-way through his fall by another acrobat--swinging in on a trapeze hanging upside down from her knees. She watched as the performers leapt, spun, and swung high above her. She smiled--knowing that today would be her first day toward becoming one of them.

She slowly wound her way around the tent-theater between the rows of empty seats and center ring where performers practiced their arts. There were jugglers, ground-aerialists jumping and flipping off of catapult boards, and even a couple in the outer ring standing on horses as they rode around. And, of course, there were no small number of clowns practicing their routines. Though they weren't in costume, their mesmerizing antics still managed to draw Maria's attention.

One walked toward another as if he were going to shake his friend's hand, but when they shook, the one seemed to send him into a flip that left the first flat on the ground. Maria laughed to see such a funny pratfall. One of the clowns noticed her laughing and came walking over to the edge of the ring towards her. Unlike the others, he wore a large, purple jacket covered in brightly colored patches and had long coat-tails. As he came near Maria, the other clowns around stopped to watch him.

Maria wondered what he was going to do when he pointed to his open hand. With a motion of his fingers and spin of the wrist, he made a large, yellow flower with white petals appear in an instant. Maria smiled and clapped. As he came closer to her and seemed to offer it to her, Maria asked,

"For me?" The clown nodded and held it out to her. As she came within arms-reach to take it, suddenly a stream of water erupted from the center of the flower and squirted Maria's pretty, round face.

"Eek!" she yelped as the rest of the clowns laughed at her. Maria quickly recovered herself and kept walking--away from the clowns.

Eventually, she found the hallway between the show-tent and the management building at the back. She saw a sign that said "Circus-manager Office" she went inside and found herself in a very small reception area with a man sitting behind a desk. The man looked to be in his 50s--having a mustache and balding, grey hair. He looked at Maria under the light of the dim hanging lamp and said,

"Why, hello miss, what can I do for you?" Maria smiled and replied,

"Hi! I'm Maria--Maria Costin, I mean. I...uhh...came here to see if I could speak with the circus-manager, Al Pendleton?" The old man responded,

"Oh, I'm sorry to disappoint you, miss, but Mr. Pendleton is in Europe right now--won't be back for another three more months, I'm afraid." At that, Maria's expression turned to a slight frown. She had been nervous enough coming there as it was. Now that she wouldn't get to see the person she had been told to speak to, she had little idea of what to do. However, her expression brightened up again when the man said,

"And AL isn't the manager anymore, he's now the OWNER of the circus. The new manager, Mr. Willard is in right now. I can see if he'd have time to see you." Maria smiled and said,

"Oh, would you? Oh, thank you so much, Mr--?"

"Jones." The old secretary replied, "Avery Jones."

Mr. Jones went into the back office to speak with Mr. Willard. The whole time, Maria sat in the reception room on pins and needles. Her eyes wandered to the many vintage circus posters lining the walls of the room. After only two minutes or so, Mr. Jones came back out to usher her in.

Maria stepped in and saw the manager behind his desk. He was a medium-height, skinny man wearing a grey, tweed suit. He had short, black, slicked-back hair that was parted down the middle, and a thin, pointy mustache. He looked up from his papers at Maria and said,

"What is it you want, Miss? Make it quick--I am very busy."

"Well, uhh-- you see, I--" though Maria had a soft and gentle voice, it grew perhaps a bit too soft when she was nervous. And she was never more nervous than she was at that moment. Willard grew impatient and stated,

"Well, what is it? Out with it!" Maria found her courage and her voice lifted. She explained,

"My name is Maria--Maria Costin. My parents used to perform at this circus-- Cristian and Lucia Costin. They were the leaders of the acrobat troupe "The Flying Castinis." Well, anyway, my parents umm...passed away when I was eight and I've been in foster-homes ever since."

"Oh," Willard interjected, "I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I do think I recall a Castinis of some sort."

"Oh, well thank you, sir. And, umm, my father told me when I turned 18 to come here and give this letter to Mr. Pendleton." Maria reached down into her knapsack which she had lowered from her back and retrieved an envelope. She handed it to Willard who hastily snatched it from her, opened it, and quickly began reading the letter. After a few short minutes of reading, he looked up at the smiling girl and said,

"So...you want to be a trapeze artist like your parents, hm?" She excitedly replied,

"Oh, yes, sir! Very much, sir! Growing up, it's always been my dream! So, umm, will you?"

"Will we what?" Willard asked skeptically.

"Oh, uhh, will you train me, I mean," Maria nervously replied. Willard thought for a moment, then said,

"Well, the way things are right now, I don't know for certain if we'd have a spot open or a professional willing to mentor you, but I could certainly--"

At that moment, there was a knock at the door as well as a woman's voice saying,

"Oh, Darling!" Willard smiled and went to the door where he opened it to the most beautiful woman Maria had ever seen. She was tall, slender, and had long, silky blonde hair. She had thin, english lips and high, pronounced cheek-bones. Below her large chest was a skinny belly that gave her an hourglass figure. Her large, wide hips swayed gracefully as she walked like a model strutting a runway. She wore white tights and a black leotard. She hugged Willard and said,

"Oh, I must tell you what I heard about Sandra, she says that--" he cut her off, saying,

"I hate to interrupt, but I was finishing some business with Miss Contini, here. It seems she wants to be a trapeze artist--just like you."

The woman turned and looked at Maria--whom she hadn't noticed until now. She gave a slight look of amusement as she gazed upon her. Maria's clothes were old, worn-out and the colors were greatly faded. She wore a slightly tattered skirt that went down to her ankles. She wore black shoes that were covered in grime and falling apart from over-use. She wore a striped, long-sleeve shirt and a wool shawl across her shoulders. Her hair was held back in an old head-scarf.

Yet, her look turned from one of amusement to concern as she looked at Maria's face. Maria was absolutely beautiful. She had a youthful face that made her seem irresistibly adorable. Her skin tone was of a very light bronze color. She had soft, delicate features. Her beautiful lips housed a bright smile--a smile so genuine that it hid how her side-teeth were slightly misaligned. Behind her head-scarf trailed a waterfall of soft, light-brown hair. And she had large, expressive eyes that made her face a lovely sight to behold.

"I am Mrs. Josephine DeVentura...Willard, the star aerialist of the North Shore Circus." Maria's eyes lit up and she went to shake her hand and said,

"Oh, it's such an honor to meet you, ma'am!" With a slight bit of apprehension, Mrs. Willard lightly shook the outstretched hand and replied,

"Ohh, the...pleasure is all mine. So...MY husband tells me you wish to become an aerialist as well. It takes a lifetime of careful practice, training, skill, and discipline to become like one such as I. It's not for just anyone." Maria's eyes widened, and she reassured Mrs. Willard,

"Oh, but I definitely have what it--I mean, I'm willing to work hard and do whatever it takes!"

"So...you'd do ANYTHING to be an acrobat, eh?" She said with a slight glimmer in her eye. Maria pleaded as earnestly as she could,

"Oh, anything!" With that, Mrs. Willard replied,

"Well then, I don't have time in my busy schedule to take on a learner...at the moment, but maybe after this next season, things will change. In the meantime, the best way to learn is by observance. And where better to observer than in the ring itself." Maria smiled at this--her luck was finally shifting. The woman continued,
"Starting tomorrow, you can join our clown troupe and begin training with them." At that, Maria's smile shifted to a look of confusion. She said with a slight gulp in her voice,

"Um, clowns? But--but I...uh, I thought I'd..."

"You thought you'd what, hm? Show up out of nowhere with some letter and expect to immediately be brought on to become an acrobat? Ha ha! Oh, if you truly want to get any chance to become an acrobat, you need to observe. So, it's either join the clowns or leave." Maria stuttered,

"I-I-umm, I don't really...have anywhere else to go." At that, Mrs. Willard said,

"Well, then the clowns it is. Don't you worry. They'll take good care of you. Who knows? You might make an excellent clown. Go to clown alley-- that way off to the left of the main tent-- and find Joe Bennett. He'll see that you're taken care of. Tell him Josephine sent you." Maria didn't know what to do. She shifted her legs while trying to protest,

"Well, but-but I...you see--" Josephine and Mr. Willard just smiled at her. The woman said,

"Well, you heard me! Better get going. If you change your mind, you can simply leave. Now please leave, I have business to discuss with my husband." And with that, Maria reluctantly left the room. She was so flustered that she could hardly look at Mr. Jones as she walked out of the reception area.

After she was gone, Josephine gave a mischievous laugh. As her husband lit a cigar, she said,

"Oh, that's rich! Some girl with big dreams of soaring from the trapeze! Ha! What a laugh! I can't wait to see her face when she gets out there with all the other clowns!" Mr. Willard asked,

"You think she'll stay?" Josephine replied,

"Absolutely. Didn't you see her clothes, hear what she said? She's penniless. The nerve of that tramp to just waltz in here and ask to be trained in acrobatics: ha! She'll stay with the clowns where she belongs. In fact...there's a performance tomorrow, no?" Her husband nodded,

"Well, I have an idea that will...how would one say it...put her in her place."

Maria exited the big top from a side flap and walked out towards a smaller row of tents off to the side. "Smaller" should not fool the reader, for these tents--especially the main one--were still quite large. Behind them was a row of trailers and storage units. This was clown alley. Maria looked at the main tent skeptically as she approached the entrance. She thought, was this really to be her new home?

She made her way inside the well-lit tent and found a gathering of clowns practicing routines the way that had been under the big top earlier. They were mostly men, though there were some women. All of them looked to be in their early 30s and up. Some wore articles of clown clothing such as shoes, coats, hats, and other things. But none were in make-up and full costume. Most wore leotards or sleeve-less T-shirts with a pair of shorts.

When the clowns saw her, a few gathered around to see what brought such a fine-looking young woman to their side of the circus.

"I, umm, was told to find a Mr. Joe Bennett," she told them when they asked what she needed. They led her down an extension tent-hallway that led to one of the side-tents. There, she met an older man in his late 40s. He had wispy, white hair, a large chin, and a slightly portly girth. He shook her hand and said with a smile,

"Pleasure to meetcha, Miss--?"

"Costin." She said with a nervous smile. "Maria Costin. Umm...Josephine sent me. She said I was to join your--um..." Bennett gave a hearty laugh and said,

"'Clowns.' Clowns, dear! It's no dirty word. As a matter of fact, it's a word of pride. Believe it or not, the art of being funny is very serious. Tell me, do you have any clowning skills?" Maria looked puzzled, then asked,

"Umm, skills?" Bennett smiled,

"Well, can you juggle?" Maria said reluctantly,

"Umm, no, not really."

"How about magic tricks? Know any of those?"

"Well, no, I don't." As she frowned in slight shame, Bennett cheered her up and said,

"Well, don't you worry. We'll teach you both of those things and more--that is, if you're willing to learn." Maria smiled and said,

"Yes, I'm very willing!" Bennett gave her a gentle slap on the back and said,

"Good! I'll have Moe over there show you around."

Moe was a short, stocky clown with a gruff-sounding voice. Yet, just like Bennett, he was also kind to the novice he was showing around. He took Maria to see the costume and prop-storage tent, the changing area, the practice ring, and more. Everywhere they went, they came across other clowns who all knew Moe by name. He introduced Maria to everyone, and everyone was excited and eager to meet her.

One-such clown was a thirty-year old woman with the energy of a 10-year-old fueled by sugar: Gabrielle Leopold...or "Gabs" as she preferred to be called. She was incredibly talkative and bubbly, but also very friendly. Her voice ranged from being deep one moment to high-pitched the next. As she asked Maria about herself, she reacted to what Maria said in dramatic, yet strangely sincere expressions. She had a broad, square face and the skin of that face was a canvas for her constant larger-than-life expressions. She was shorter than Maria, but not quite as short as Moe. Though small, she had muscular arms and legs. She had short, dark-brown hair she wore in a bob-cut, and she also partially had bangs. When she laughed, it was a loud, deep laugh that was contagious. Gabs was the type of person Maria immediately got the impression was born to be a clown.

Gabs joined Moe in Maria's tour of clown-alley. The final stop of the tour was the bunk-tent. It was a long, rectangular tent filled with rows of bunk-beds. At each end was a chest for the clown's personal belongings. Most of the tent was dedicated to the men, and the section for the women was cordoned off by a dividing area. Gabs showed Maria into this area and offered to let her sleep on the bottom-bunk below her. As it turned out, Gabs was the only clown in the women's section who had a bunk to herself...and she slept in the top-half. All Maria had to put in her chest were the few personal items and clothes stored in her knapsack.

After her tour, Maria went to the mess-tent at the rear of the circus compound--a tent filled with long stretches of tables where the performers sat to eat. Maria had a grand time sitting with Gabs and many of the other clowns. After dinner, she went to sleep that night hopeful that things would work out for the better. Little did she know what would await her the next day.

----

Fortunately for Maria, she was a morning person. Getting up at 5:30 for lessons was something she was eager to do. She was even more enthusiastic to get up since she knew Gabs would be her teacher. Gabs had volunteered the night before and was eager to start teaching Maria. They started off in the practice tent of clown alley. That morning, Maria had traded her dirty, worn-out clothes for a black unitard. Gabs wore a similar one, and she decided to start with the basics.

"Clowning is awesome and super fun! It's SUPER physical and demanding, but also super rewarding. Now, here's some rules when it comes to clowning:

1. We aren't mimes. Mimes strictly don't talk and only pretend to do things. Clowns talk if talking would be funny, and we ACTUALLY do things...we just do them in a funny way.

2. Always act big. Clowns wear all that makeup for a reason: everyone in the audience needs to not only see what you're doing, but how you react to everything. You can rarely be over-acting as a clown.

3. Never say no. When a clown wants you to do something, you have to do what they want. They are setting up a joke and you have to be the payoff, or vice-versa.

4. Be kind. Everyone should always be in on the joke. Never do anything to alienate your audience. You are on their side.

Other than that, the sky is the limit." Maria was very enthusiastic upon hearing this.

"Well, where do we start?" She asked. Gabs gave a big smile and a brisk laugh. She said,

"How about we start out simple: some stretches, then some exercises."

They spent all morning training together until Gabs got a call. She left to take it, and when she came back, she had a more somber look to her. She told Maria,

"Looks like I'm going to have to go out of town tonight: family emergency." Maria looked immediately concerned and said,

"Oh! I'm so sorry to hear that. Is everything okay?" Gabs gave a sheepish smirk and said,

"Yeahhh, it's my mom...nothing serious, though. Listen, I've gotta leave. Tell Bennett I won't be in tonight's show. And, sorry I had to cut short your training for today." Maria replied,

"Oh, that's alright. You should definitely go be with your mother." As Gabs hurried off to grab her stuff, she looked back and said,

"Just take the day off and have fun...Oh, and watch the show tonight. Watch the clown routines and pay attention to how they act. I'll be back tomorrow."

Maria went straight to Bennett and told him of Gabs' absence. He thanked her, and then she left. Not long after Maria left, another guest came in to see Bennett.

"Hello, Bennett," said Josephine in her voice of sophistication.

"Good day to you, Mrs. Willard. What can I do for you?" He replied,

"Oh, I just came to wish you luck for tonight's show...and to make a...little request of you." Bennett began to look concerned,

"What kind of request?" Josephine smiled and explained,

"Oh! Nothing major. It's just that...remember that one girl who came here about five or six years ago or so...the one who left the next day...the one you did the 'initiation' ritual for?" Bennett began to frown.

"Oh, you mean...the wheelbarrow. Listen, we don't do that anymore. We should never have been doing it in the first place. It's a holdover from the 30s. I remember the look on that poor girl to this very day...she was beside herself after that night." Josephine gave a devilish smile,

"Yes! The 'wheelbarrow!' That's what it's called. Anyway, I want for you clowns to do the same routine to the new girl tonight."

"No! Not Maria. I wouldn't bring that back for anyone--let alone Maria." Josephine's face suddenly grew stern and she deepened her voice. She told him,

"Listen, Bennett. You're not quite the young clown you used to be. Some say your shows are getting...well, old and stale. I could always convince my husband to send you packing and hire a younger man to orchestrate the clown show. Would you like an early retirement with no benefits?" Bennett scowled angrily at her. She merely continued to smirk her evil smirk. Finally, with much grief, Bennett relented, bowed his head, and sighed.

"Alright... We'll do the wheelbarrow." Josephine smiled and clapped her hands. She exclaimed,

"Excellent. I knew you wouldn't fail me. Also, before I go, I remember from watching that one girl that pies were used in the routine. I found this absolutely hilarious! So, I've taken the liberty of upgrading your foam-and-rubber arsenal to something more...authentic. Just be on the lookout for a delivery from the bakery later...ta-ta!"

After she left, Bennett went over to his bozo bag in the corner and gave it a hearty punch.

----

Maria was thrilled to be backstage as the show that night was preparing to begin. Everyone was getting all of the props and costumes ready. She looked about in wide-eyed amazement at the elephants, horses, wagons, performers, and clowns all gathered about. Whenever she took a peak into the big top, she saw what looked like hundreds of people pouring in to see the show. She couldn't wait to one day perform for them as a clown and later as a trapeze artist.

Just as she was looking to help some of the staff move supplies, a clown by the name of Bernard caught up with her and told her,

"Quick, Maria, I need you to come with me." Maria asked,

"Oh? What is it, Bernard?"

"Just got orders from Bennett. You're going to be in the show tonight." Maria looked horrified and about gasped,

"Wha--?! Tonight?! But, I've barely begun training!"

"Don't worry," Bernard replied, "We got a role for you to play as a special 'welcoming' to introduce you to the audience. It's an old tradition." Maria still looked confused. She said,

"Well...uhh...what do I have to do?"

"It's simple. Just go in here," Bernard said as he pointed to a booth in the changing-tent, "and put on the outfit in there. Be ready in clown-staging area B behind the curtain by 9:30."

"Wha? What do I do when I go out? I don't know any tricks yet." Bernard nervously smiled and said,

"Just go out there and smile and wave to everyone. Don't talk or say a word. Just watch the clowns around you and do whatever they motion for you to do. You'll be a natural." Maria was hesitant. Just as she said,

"I don't know...I don't know if I could--" and with that, Bernard had run off. Standing there outside the booth, Maria shrugged and decided there was little she could do now other than roll with it.

She drew back the curtain to the booth and her eyes widened. She could hardly believe what she saw hanging up for her to put on. It was what looked to be a gaudy ballerina outfit. Maria had never seen a dress so light pink in her entire life.

Maria first slipped on a pair of white, opaque tights that sheathed her slender, beautiful legs. After that, she stepped into the ballet outfit--one leg at a time. She then pulled it up and zipped up the back. The outfit was a very snug fit. She looked at herself in the small, hanging mirror and about laughed. The bodice and top layer of the tutu was made of a thick, stretch satin. It was pink and decorated with large diamond shapes colored bright blue, red, yellow, and purple. It had a neckline that dipped low to the point where it showed just a bit of her cleavage. It had large, ball-shaped puffed sleeves made of organza with a flowy, extended trim that came down to the elbow and was lined with more diamonds.

The tutu's top layer was also decorated with the colorful harlequin-esque diamonds and its rim had a short black lace-trim. Beneath the top layer were four thick layers of combined soft and stiff tulle fabric. The tutu stuck outward a foot and a half, and the bottom came down to just above Maria's knees. There was also a large, blue, satin bow at the back of the bodice just above the tutu. Though large, the poofy tutu wasn't very heavy and she felt surprisingly light and airy wearing it.

The outfit also came with a pink, tear-drop fascinator-hat. It had a slim, ruffled edge, white lace trim, a white faux-rose at the top and three large, white feathers sticking up at the back. The largest of these feathers stood straight up like a grand plume. Maria fastened the hat to the top of her head--being sure that the pointed, front-tip reached the top of her forehead.

The last item were a pair of light-pink pointe ballet-shoes. She slid them on and, like the dress, the fit was quite snug. It came with long ribbons to be tied around the ankle. Maria remembered how her mother taught her to tie similar ribbons when she put on her first pair of tight-rope walking shoes. She wrapped and secured the ribbons, then stood up. She tried standing on her tip-toes and found it surprisingly easy. She smiled, then stepped out to put on some makeup.

At the makeup table, she sat down in front of one of the mirrors and began with a natural foundation that matched her light-bronze skin. She then applied a slight, pink blush to her cheeks. Next, she put on some black eyeliner and just the slightest bit of blue eye-shadow. She finished off with a light-red color of lipstick.

She was folding up the back of her hair with a large, pink clip when she looked up at the clock and saw that she was about to go on. She finished her hair, then stood up and rushed through the tent to the clown-staging area. When she finally got there, she found it very dark with only the lights of the circus pouring in through the bottom and cracks of the curtain. She could hear the deafening laughter and applause of the audience. Though the audience was around 3,000 in number, it sounded like several times that many were there. Circus music issued from the band and filled the whole place with it's fun, manic energy.

Maria was sweating a great deal. She had no idea what she was about to go out and do. As she stood there with her pretty ballet shoes planted firmly in the sawdust and peanut-shells of the ground, her legs quaked slightly. She felt utterly ridiculous-- to be covered in so many ruffles, feathers, lace, and fabric. It felt like she was naked, but wrapped in a skin-tight, fuzzy warm blanket. The outfit was almost too comfy. Suddenly, she heard a drumroll followed by fan-fare. Her heart jumped up into her throat. Was this the moment?

The curtain parted and she found herself blinded by three large spot-lights all shining on her. There was a clown right by the curtain who took her by the hand and led her into the ring. Maria looked around her at the hundreds of people in the audience--rows upon rows upon rows of eyes all staring at her in that goofy outfit. She had never felt more embarrassed in her life. In the center of the ring, the clown who had been leading her took a step back and presented her to the audience with a grand gesture of his arms.

Something changed in Maria when the big top began to echo with the applause of hundreds of people--all cheering for her. She began to smile. Caught up in the joy of adoration, she curtsied and bowed to them. When the music was over, the lights came up and the show began.

Maria was in the very center of the ring as clowns poured in from all sides. She found herself being led around from one group to the next. She came across two clowns who were juggling batons. Maria laughed along with the audience as the clowns began tossing them back and forth between each other while juggling--with Maria caught in the middle of their baton-stream. After that, she saw another clown go around on a unicycle. As the unicycle came near a catapult board, she saw another clown get launched into the air and land on the unicyclists' back. The unicyclist recovered and the audience applauded. The applause turned to laughter when the two fell over after slipping on a banana peel.

Maria saw one clown pass her by who couldn't take his eyes off her. He was so smitten that he didn't see the rake he walked right into and got smacked in the face by. Maria laughed along with the audience. After collecting his wits, the clown came over to her and offered for her to shake his hand. Maria reached to do so, and ended up pulling out the fake hand from the clown's sleeve.

She was then led to a pie-stand where a baker-clown offered her one of his fresh French Silk pies--one among the dozens he had out on trays. When Maria politely motioned to pass on the offer, she almost broke her silence when the chef tossed the pie at her.

But just as it was about to smash into her pretty face, it fell downward--revealing that it was only a fake prop at the end of a string. The audience laughed and so did Maria. Next, she came across painter-clowns painting a building facade with white-wash. There was a tall ladder with one clown at the top with a bucket and brush and another held the ladder steady at the bottom. The clown at the top dropped his bucket and it came down on the head of the guy below. He was completely covered in the wet, dripping paint and trying to get the bucket off of his head. Without someone to hold the ladder, it began to lean backwards and the clown at the top fell back on the ladder and landed in a big tub of white-wash behind him.

Maria was then ushered by a waiter-clown to take a seat at a table with a table-cloth and a bouquet of flowers in the center. Another clown--dressed like a snobby gentleman-- was ushered to the other side of the table, but when the waiter-clown motioned for him to sit, the waiter-clown yanked the seat out from the gentleman-clown and he fell to the ground. After recovering himself, the gentleman-clown took his seat. The waiter brought out an over-sized pitcher of water and gingerly filled a glass for Maria. After doing so, he began to fill the gentleman's glass, but got distracted while doing so by pretending to be talking to Maria. Maria giggled when the gentleman got mad that his glass was overflowing and the waiter turned to him and accidentally drenched him in water.

The waiter went back and then brought out two covered plates with their dinner. For Maria, he unveiled a beautifully cooked chicken. When the waiter unveiled the gentleman-clown's, he threw up the lid to reveal a rubber chicken prop. After that, the gentleman motioned to the waiter and whispered something to him. The waiter then left and came back with more flowers to put in the bouquet. He also placed two candles on the table and lit them with a small lighter with a long line of fire that lit both at once. The gentleman clown then leaned forward and gazed longingly at Maria. At first, Maria blushed and giggled, then she leaned forward and decided to play along. The waiter brought out a violin and began to pretend to belt out opera music as he played.

When the gentleman-clown motioned for him to stop, he accidentally knocked over one of the candles and lit the table-cloth on fire. The waiter-clown saw this and panicked. He dashed to a prop phone, and before you knew it, sirens wailed out as a mini fire-engine filled with clown fire-men rolled into the ring. They parked beside the table, then the fire-men clowns took their hoses and sprayed the gentleman-clown down with a creamy, white foam. The audience were beside themselves with laughter as he got covered in the stuff.

Maria was then led to a group of clowns who had come out as a marching band. They motioned for her to follow along behind them. As they marched around the ring, Maria looked back and saw that most of the other clowns had joined to follow behind. Four of the painter-clowns came along and lifted her up into the air above their shoulders as they marched. The audience clapped and cheered for Maria. As the silly-yet-triumphant band-music played, Maria gazed all around to smile and wave at the audience. She was loving every second of the show.

Something changed when the band struck up the opening notes for "Entry of the Gladiators." The group of clowns holding Maria up veered off from the parade and marched back toward the center of the ring. Maria wondered where they would take her next when she saw a large, blue, plastic barrel up ahead. They were heading straight towards it and Maria squinted to see what was in it. It was only when the clowns came right up to it that Maria looked into the rim and saw that it was nearly filled to the brim with a pure-white liquid.

Suddenly her heart stopped, and in a split-moment, Maria realized what was about to happen. But her realization came a moment too late as the clowns carrying her tipped her over-- sending her face-first down into the barrel full of white-wash.

A giant splash of paint erupted from the rim of the barrel as Maria plunged into it. The audience roared with laughter. All that stuck out from the top was the bottom-layer of Maria's tutu and her white, ballet-shoe-clad legs which kicked about wildly in the air.

At the bottom of all the paint, everything had gone dark for Maria. With her eyes firmly shut, the cold paint completely shocked her body. She kicked about for a few moments before she felt the barrel finally being turned over. She slid right out of the barrel and fell onto her bottom with all the white-wash she had been dunked in poured out over-top of her. Her beautiful, pink outfit was completely soaked and dripping in white-wash. Her pointe shoes were ruined and Maria could feel the cold, wet, squishy paint in her shoes between her toes. Her hair was wet and matted, and her face was covered in paint. The feathers of her hat had now fallen over and were clinging to the top of her head. The main feather came forward and the tip almost drooped down to her nose. She found herself sitting bottom-down on the ground in a puddle of white-wash surrounded by jeering clowns and a laughing audience.

Maria's mouth was agape in shock. She tried her best to wipe out her eyes with hands that were still dripping with paint. She tried to stand up, but slipped and fell back down into the paint. The audience laughed even harder at this. Two of the clowns lifted her up by the hand. As she stood up, she felt the full weight of her now droopy, soaking-wet tutu. Before she could think of what to do next, everything went dark again as her head was drenched with a downpour of more white-wash. A clown had come up behind her and dumped a large bucket of the paint over her head, then he dropped the empty bucket over her head.

Before Maria could think to take off the bucket, she felt something hit the back of her knees and she suddenly fell backward. She fell right into what felt like a small, shallow pit filled with more white-wash. As the paint soaked her bottom, upper legs, and lower torso, she felt her back lean against the wall of the pit and her lower legs hanging off the opposite wall of the pit. When she felt herself being moved quickly, she realized she was sitting in a white-wash filled wheelbarrow.

The loud, goofy theme by Fucik continued to play as the clown rushed her around the ring in the wheelbarrow. She kicked her dangling lower legs up and down as they went. She was helpless to do anything more than sit and listen to the audience laugh at her. Finally, the wheelbarrow tipped forward and she found herself lying bottom-down on the paint-covered ground again with legs spread apart. She felt herself dragged back a little and found her back propped up against a wall. When she finally lifted the bucket off her head and wiped her eyes, she saw all of the clowns gathered around her. Each had a big, creamy French Silk pie in-hand. She had been propped up against the pie-stand.

All Maria had the chance to do was mouth an anguished "Oh no..." before everything went dark as a gooey chocolate cream pie was smashed into her face. Her nostrils were filled with the scent of milky cream and rich chocolate. This was all she could smell as she then felt pie after pie after pie one-by-one impact her. One on top of her head, two to the sides of her head, one on her chest, another on her chest, another to her face. The pies kept on coming to the point where she was being barraged with a constant stream of thrown pies. All she could do was sit there propped up against the pie stand and take it.

In mere moments, she was covered head-to-toe in cream, chocolate filling, shattered fragments of crust, and a few pie tins. The clowns lifted her back on her feet and she tried to wipe the pie out of her face. As soon as her eyes were clear, she saw the fire-men clowns pointing their hose at her.

The next thing she knew, she was being sprayed with creamy foam all over. She struggled to get away, but the clowns held her by her outstretched arms. Once the foam had covered her completely, she felt her knees give way once more to the wheelbarrow. Again, she went for a ride around the ring. As she went, the laughter of the audience became deafening.

By now, she felt less like a person and more like a ragdoll being thrown around. She had been wrong about earlier. THIS was the most embarrassing moment in her life. She couldn't think of anything more humiliating that could ever happen to a person.

They wheeled her up a short ramp and the clown dumped her onto a wooden floor covered in straw and hay. By the time she had wiped her eyes, she saw that she was in one of the circus-wagons meant for animals. It was a large, decorative wagon with big, wooden wheels and the walls were lined with a row of metal bars to give a view of the creature it typically housed. The back ramp was closed up, and suddenly, Maria felt the wagon being driven by horses out from the big top. As she slowly left, she got a good look at the hundreds of people still laughing at her. It was a moment Maria would never forget.

The wagon was rolled up not far from the main exit to the big top. After the horses were uncoupled and led away, Maria expected to be let out. But, she wasn't. Instead, she stood in there grasping the bars like an animal and begging passersby to let her out. The exiting audience members thought she was just fooling around and either laughed at her as they passed by or took pictures with her in the background.

Once the last of the audience had left, she expected one of the clowns to come around and let her out. She called out for someone to help her, but no one was there to hear her. What she didn't know was that Mrs. Willard had watched the whole performance that night and was absolutely delighted to see Maria so utterly humiliated. Part of the old initiation that went along with the "wheelbarrow" routine was to lock the clown up in the wagon and let them stay out all night. Bennett had pleaded with Mrs. Willard to not go through with that part of the ritual. But, Josephine was insistent. She even went so far as to threaten to fire any clown who left the sleeping bunks that night to let her out or even talk to her. Josephine made sure that Maria's humiliation was absolutely complete.

Eventually, Maria realized no one was coming. She sat down on the straw and shivered. All the mess she had been sploshed with still clung to her body and soaked her to the skin. The night was cold and she had no choice but to keep her ridiculous, damp outfit on. As cold as it was getting, she wouldn't risk getting naked for fear of either being seen by more people or being forced to put the wet clothes back on when her bare skin couldn't take the frigid air. Still, she was certain to catch a cold or even pneumonia if she were to sleep the way she was.

Everything had gone quiet. All she could hear now were crickets and the occasional owl. The lights of the circus had gone out and the tents were illuminated in nothing other than pale moonlight. Maria looked up at the moon. To fight off tears, she sang softly to herself a lullaby her mother used to sing to her. She sang it whenever she felt lonely or sad. But unlike other nights, this time it did little to alleviate her sadness.

She curled up in a ball on the itchy straw and tried her hardest to go to sleep. But sleep wouldn't come...all that came were sad, pitiful tears.

Yet, while she was crying, something strange happened. She heard a noise coming from behind the wagon. She abruptly stopped crying, though she continued to breathe heavily. She saw what first appeared to be a shadow slowly slink into view. It was a strange, dark figure--one who was wearing a long cape or cloak. Their face and features were concealed in the darkness. It came closer and Maria stared at it spell-bound. Suddenly, a low, yet masculine voice pierced the silence.

"Don't be afraid. I'm a friend." Whoever he was, he was tall. Maria was on her knees inside the wagon, but still came to roughly eye-level with the figure who was standing on the ground on the other side of the bars. He said in that deep yet strangely gentle voice,

"Here, take this." Through the bars extended the man's hand--a hand which held out a towel. Maria gratefully took it and immediately wrapped herself in it. Then, the man handed her a warm blanket followed by a thermos filled with hot soup.

"That is all I can do for now, Maria. You poor girl... A day will come when you will never have to suffer so much ever again." Maria got close to the bars of the wagon and looked at the figure. Even in the moonlight, she could make out little. She said with a soft trembling voice,

"Th-thank you. Wh-who are you?" The figure came a bit closer and reached his hand between the bars. His hand, at the end of a long, leather sleeve, was covered by a white glove. He gently reached up and lightly caressed Maria's cheek for a fleeting moment. Maria gazed at the stranger and in a flicker of moonlight caught sight of what looked like the outline of a shiny, white mask covering the person's face.

He slowly retracted his hand, then said,

"I must go now. Take care, Maria. Don't give up hope on your dreams. Never give up hope." And with that, the figure vanished without a trace back into the shadows of the night. Maria silently dried herself off with his towel, then wrapped herself in the blanket. The soup he had given her was delicious and warmed her up immensely. Now in the comfort of a soft blanket, she laid herself down to sleep. She stared up at the moon wondering who could possibly be her mysterious guardian.

End of Part 1