Ladies and Gentlemen, Presenting...
1074 Words
Danielle hadn’t released her hold on Brian and instead led him away in whatever direction she thought was best. The next thing, as it turned out, on her list was the feris wheel. Surprising even herself Mina agreed to join her while Bob felt it best that he sit this one out, given his discomfort with heights, but Brian decided to tag along. He had thought he might get a better view and perhaps he could see where Amanda had gone off to. It goes without saying he needed to talk to her. Brian and the two women let a man in a derby hat help them into their seat and secure them in tight. As they waited for the wheel to turn they joked about the rusted security bar and how they hoped it would not give way. Danielle thought it was hilarious and Mina had the look of instant regret but the only look Brian could muster was one of concern and self loathing. He swore it wasn’t because he had been caught, he also swore that he loved only Amanda but it was also fact that all the pictures suggested he had several affairs with more women that he could remember. He couldn’t really say why, it just happened. He needed to find his girl and fast, he needed to explain. As the wheel started turning Danielle giggled with glee and Mina hung on for dear life. At the bottom Bob watched as the two women were hoisted into the air, giggling louder and louder the higher they went up. Seeing how much they were enjoying themselves, Danielle more than the other two, it wasn’t long before he was laughing as well. He leaned on the barrier separating those in attendance from the attraction but kept a close eye. “We need to leave.” Behind him Mrs. Gimble spoke up as she clutched her boys by the hand while they fought desperately to escape her grasp. Bob still found himself disturbed by the children’s sudden desire to escape their mother but thought it best he keep it to himself. “We need to go, this place is evil.” There was fear in her voice and her eyes pleaded with him, but there was little he could do. Even so Bob tried to see this her way. Perhaps her religion warned against these places, perhaps she was just still rattled by the bus breaking down or perhaps it was losing her boys. It could be a great many things, but whatever it was he had to deal with it. These people were his passengers and his responsibility. He had to look after them. Now coming back to his senses he was disgusted with himself that he could get so distracted and forget just how uncomfortable she was here. “We’ll leave as soon as we can. I’m sorry but until the bus gets here it’s safer for us here than on the side of the road.” Only after he said it did he realised that earlier that evening he had said the exact opposite. It bothered him but it was worse for her. Bob watched the distress grow in her eyes. The only reason she didn’t protest was because she knew he was half right. They can’t go anywhere until the bus gets there and there was no telling just how long they would still have to wait. She and Bob turned to look at their bus in the distance, hazards till flashing. It did occur to Bob ever so slightly that they should not be able to see the bus this clearly. They were too far away. They might be able to see the hazards but they should not be able to see the shitty paint job. “Please bear with me. It won’t be too long now.” Mrs. Gimble sank down to the ground gripping her boys to her side as tight as she could. Bob felt guilt sink in. The woman was distraught and he could do nothing to get her out of here or put her mind at ease. He tried to think where things went wrong. How could he have had this much misfortune all in one trip? He looked after his bus, he always drove the same bus he checked that his bus was regularly serviced to avoid something like this. What the hell happened? More importantly how was he going to make this better. The feris wheel slowed down and the man in the derby hat helped Mina and Danielle out of their seat. Brian, looking worse with worry by the minute, got of himself out of his seat. Danielle was still giggling up a storm and shouting how she wanted to go again but Mina was less eager although she had enjoyed herself. Bob stared at the three of them as they walked up to where he stood next to Mrs. Gimble. The scene made their smiles fade and they felt equally as guilty for forgetting how uncomfortable she was and running off to enjoy themselves. “Don’t worry doll, we’ll be out of here before you know it.” Danielle tried to cheer her up but Mrs. Gimble didn’t even hear her. She sat clutching her brood who fought her grip like feral kittens. “Indeed, it won’t be long.” The ring master materialized out of thin air and kneeled a few feet in front of the terrified woman. The longer he looked at her however the paler she got. They boys settled quickly after he showed up, staring up at him almost in wonder with smiles plastered across their faces. The ringmaster got to his feet and removed his hat motioning with it towards the big top. “Until then, the show is about to begin.” The lights around the big top flashed as music played. He returned his hat and walked to the big top’s entrance. “Ladies and gentlemen! Come one, come all!” He raised his hands to his side and waited for all attention to be on him. Allen, Tom and Michael walked up from the opposite end and stopped their arguing. “Presenting the greatest show on earth!”
- Writer
