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Jul. 14th, 2010 12:28 amCarlotta sits down in her father's study. He still hasn't told her what her birthday present is, but she has a feeling this isn't about that.
He's smiling slightly. But he's also got a businesslike air about him. He and Grandma sit opposite.
"We have been discussing how to incorporate your future plans into ours." he says. "After a great deal of consideration, we have come up with a list of things that will be necessary in order for us to support you."
This sounds promising. He slides the list over, and Carlotta has a look.
'We will offer you our emotional and financial support for a career in the circus; in return we expect the following conditions:
1. You are to perform under a stage name that is based neither on your maiden name, or if you should marry, your married name. Please ensure that any pictures of you on posters are discreet.
2. If asked by family members or those connected with the family, you are to give a cover story. Working at William's stables is an acceptable cover story.
3. You are to attend a minimum of three family events a year. We will give you ample warning and transport money. You are to return home for at least a week at Christmas and be home for every alternate Christmas Day.
4. You and your family are to maintain appropriate behaviour at family events. When you have children, they are to be educated to at least the standard of behaviour and education that you are.
5. In the event that all other heirs to the family business die, you and your husband must ensure that adequate provisions are made when you inherit it.
6. Do NOT get in trouble with the law.
In addition we would like you to delay your plans for one year to attend St Etienne Finishing School in France. Please take this as the fantastic opportunity that it is to ensure you can integrate fully into both sides of your life.'
Carlotta looks down the list fully.
"One to six I can do." she says, after a few minutes.
"Oh you'd love the finishing school." Grandma says. "At least have a look at the prospectus. You can learn all the etiquette that you didn't have time to do while you were studying academic subjects, and you did well in your cooking exam so it won't hurt you to learn a few finer dishes." She passes the prospectus over for Carlotta to have a look.
"It's really a very good opportunity." her father says. "Please take that away and look at it. We can withdraw your application any time before the summer with only the loss of the deposit."
"Wait, you've already entered me?" Carlotta winces. "How much is the deposit?"
"That isn't a concern of yours." her father says. "All I ask is that you see it as the opportunity that it is. You can easily join the circus a year later. The first six are more important. Can you agree to them?"
Carlotta checks down the list again.
"Yes." she says. "I can."
"Good." her father smiles slightly. "I'm glad, or I'd have to change my birthday present to you."
Carlotta looks up, intrigued.
"I believe it's traditional for a father to buy his son or daughter their first caravan when they turn eighteen?" he says.
When they get back from towing home the little caravan, she races her father around the house. He wins, and pours a pint of beer on her head, before branding the family crest on the door of the caravan. It's not quite the same as the circus tradition, but sometimes it's good to start your own version.
He's smiling slightly. But he's also got a businesslike air about him. He and Grandma sit opposite.
"We have been discussing how to incorporate your future plans into ours." he says. "After a great deal of consideration, we have come up with a list of things that will be necessary in order for us to support you."
This sounds promising. He slides the list over, and Carlotta has a look.
'We will offer you our emotional and financial support for a career in the circus; in return we expect the following conditions:
1. You are to perform under a stage name that is based neither on your maiden name, or if you should marry, your married name. Please ensure that any pictures of you on posters are discreet.
2. If asked by family members or those connected with the family, you are to give a cover story. Working at William's stables is an acceptable cover story.
3. You are to attend a minimum of three family events a year. We will give you ample warning and transport money. You are to return home for at least a week at Christmas and be home for every alternate Christmas Day.
4. You and your family are to maintain appropriate behaviour at family events. When you have children, they are to be educated to at least the standard of behaviour and education that you are.
5. In the event that all other heirs to the family business die, you and your husband must ensure that adequate provisions are made when you inherit it.
6. Do NOT get in trouble with the law.
In addition we would like you to delay your plans for one year to attend St Etienne Finishing School in France. Please take this as the fantastic opportunity that it is to ensure you can integrate fully into both sides of your life.'
Carlotta looks down the list fully.
"One to six I can do." she says, after a few minutes.
"Oh you'd love the finishing school." Grandma says. "At least have a look at the prospectus. You can learn all the etiquette that you didn't have time to do while you were studying academic subjects, and you did well in your cooking exam so it won't hurt you to learn a few finer dishes." She passes the prospectus over for Carlotta to have a look.
"It's really a very good opportunity." her father says. "Please take that away and look at it. We can withdraw your application any time before the summer with only the loss of the deposit."
"Wait, you've already entered me?" Carlotta winces. "How much is the deposit?"
"That isn't a concern of yours." her father says. "All I ask is that you see it as the opportunity that it is. You can easily join the circus a year later. The first six are more important. Can you agree to them?"
Carlotta checks down the list again.
"Yes." she says. "I can."
"Good." her father smiles slightly. "I'm glad, or I'd have to change my birthday present to you."
Carlotta looks up, intrigued.
"I believe it's traditional for a father to buy his son or daughter their first caravan when they turn eighteen?" he says.
When they get back from towing home the little caravan, she races her father around the house. He wins, and pours a pint of beer on her head, before branding the family crest on the door of the caravan. It's not quite the same as the circus tradition, but sometimes it's good to start your own version.
