Spring 1959

[fiery_ring]

It's a warm spring evening.

If you follow the lanterns down the path, you'll soon be mingling with the crowd. You may be interested in purchasing a sizzling sausage in a bun for two shillings, or some popcorn for sixpence, or a miniature poster of the Fiery Ring Circus to remind you of what promises to be a spectacular night.

You can hear the music of the organ playing cheerfully in the big top. As you approach the brightly lit tent, a boy of about eight dressed as a clown is selling tickets.

"STEP RIGHT UP, TO SEE THE GREATEST SHOW!

FREDDIE SPARKS THE FIRE-EATER WILL STUN YOU AND SURPRISE,
THE GREAT GONZALO WILL SWALLOW HIS SWORD BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES!
RUFUS DOG OF WONDER WILL PUT ON HIS TRICKS WITH EASE,
MARTINA AND MAURITIO AMAZE ON THE TRAPEZE!
LITTLE MOLLY BROWN PERFORMS HER ACROBATIC FEATS
SO STEP INSIDE, EYES OPEN WIDE, FOR ALL OUR CIRCUS TREATS!

FOUR SHILLINGS FOR ADULTS, HALF A CROWN FOR CHILDREN, UNDER FIVES ARE FREE!"

He rattles the box on a string around his neck, and continues with his sales.

"That'll be eight bob, sir. Yes, the dog is free, miss, so long as he stays out the ring."

Comments

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric wanders in from the bar, dressed in a simple linen shirt and trousers that hopefully don't look out of place in this time. He hands the boy the ticket the bar gave him, admiring the brightness and colour of the tent.

[herr_bookman]

Autor hangs around the fringes of the circus. He wouldn't look out of place with a cigarette, but he doesn't smoke, so there's no chance of that. He watches the boy, highly amused by his antics, and approaches with a ticket.