There Once Was A Circus

Chapter 1:

The year was 1870 and the world of Circ-iosity was about to change forever.

Euphemia and Flemont Potter had been leading the circus game for years since their ancestors had brought the groundbreaking practices to London. It had to be them, if not because it was foretold then because, who else would learn to make a living of being gawked at than an immigrant. Yes, it’s the truth, for as long as anyone can remember, the tan man will seek a life of betterment and learn he must perform for the white man. And the white man will never understand, freaks. ‘All of them! Freaks!’. They will jeer and taunt at first, but soon grow dependent. You see they can’t withstand the torment of quiet within their own heads. And then, they realize, they need the freaks. They need something to blame, not only that, but something to distract them from how dismally sad their life is, having long been doomed an arduous march to their death, as penance for their horrific actions. So, they may claim disgust, but they will funnel money into the acts all the same, returning year after year to see the show. There are few things as pure and happy as a circus.

Anyways, the story goes on. The Potters had made good, honest, work of entertaining the masses. And after many years of tireless commitment, Effie and Flemont were ready to pass the torch. And who a better candidate than James Potter! Though to be honest, while surly he will do great things, he was the only option. Yes, they had gotten lucky, they thought. That their only son, their only child for that matter, had loved the circus just as much as them! Perhaps even more!

James always had ideas. Something new to incorporate. A new act, new costume designs, or a marketing strategy that would undoubtfully draw in a crowd. And so, they knew, as James neared his 17th birthday, it was time. He had outgrown this pond a long time ago. James was young and so full of energy, living in a world with much more to offer than when Effie and Flemont had taken over the Potter family circus nearly 40 years ago at the same age. They had worked tirelessly to do the family name proud, bringing in new performers, new acts, new oddities. And then a few years in James was born. There wasn’t much that kid didn’t do. Eager to try it all, to know everyone and thing. And though he was good at a lot, He fit right into his destined spot, right at the center of those big rings, the leader.

And so it goes, the 18th of February 1870, just after the final bow, James was called to the office.

Despite the bubbling uncertainty of being called for an unplanned meeting, James was ecstatic. He turned with a flare, practically waltzing out of the ring and into clown alley.

               "Oy! Pete are you back here!' he called. A painted white face peaked out from the large stack of circular platforms. “Great show, yeah?’, James grinned as he grabbed the other boys’ hand, pulling him out firmly.

‘Bigger crowd than usual today, wha’d ya put out?’ Peter asked as he went back to whipping down the stands.

"Oh come on, we all know they are here to see you’ James winks at his friend as he says it.

"Yeah maybe to laugh at me’ peter grumbles as he scrubs away at a tough stain, someone’s makeup must have smudged off somehow, "What do you want, we both know you arnt back here to do your share of cleaning”

"Mum and dad called me into the office just before we ended’ Peter paused at that, looking up in confusion

"That’s odd…’ he stops to think for a minute before continuing “do ya think they are going to sell...'

"God I hope not, have yours said anything?’ The potters held two chairs on a much larger committee of those involved in all things circus. Recently a new ‘head’ had been elected, if you could call it that. Though their parents weren’t apt to discuss it with them, both boys knew that there was pressure to sell out to the new board, or confirm to their new beliefs.

"No, but not much would change for us to be honest, you know how it is, we always have a job'. That much was undeniable, no matter what new regulations they tried to push, it wasn’t a circus without clowns. And everyone knew if you had clowns, they better be Pettigrew clowns. The family had held a monopoly on clownery for ages. A few other groups tried to stick it out in the beginning, and lasted a good few years too, but once they established the “Pettigrew College of Clownery and commitment” it wasn’t long until they gave in. Soon after that they joined forces with the Potters and the families had worked together as long as any of them could remember. There were no better clowns than Pettigrew clowns, and no better Circus than a Potter circus, that’s just how it was.

"Well best not keep them waiting, good luck mate’. Peter turned back to the platforms and James took that as his cue to go meet his parents.

James's knock on the door was hesitant, it was weird for the door to ever be closed, and it left him with an uneasy feeling. 

"Come in’ His father’s voice was deep and welcoming, same as ever, but it did little to ease his tension as he twisted the knob. His parents were sat together on one side of the mahogany desk, a desk meant for one not two. James’ eyes shot to the other side of the room, there were three chairs set out. One for James, presumably, and in the others sat two unfamiliar people. Their Lips curled up in a look of perpetual disgust, their eyes dark and backs pin straight, dressed in all black. Their entirety reminded James of a funeral; his stomach sunk into a pit somewhere around his toes. ‘Shit’

"Sit down Cariño, will you?’ His mother smiled at him, and his heart hammered as he marched to the open chair. ‘We have some news to share with you’. James swallowed thickly. ‘this is it’, the doom washed over him quickly, ‘at least I got 16 good years in, maybe they will still let us work here’ he hoped. After all, all his friends, anyone he’s ever known, worked at the circus, this was his home, they couldn't make him leave, right?

"Yes, Mum?' James was inspecting his hands now, he couldn’t bear to look his parents in the face, he couldn’t bear to have them see him cry.

"As you know, its almost your 17th birthday’, James’ head shot up at his father's words, "Your mother and I were a little older when we took over from your abuelos, but we think you are more than ready'

“What the fuck are you talking about?' James blurted before he could stop himself, he felt the couple next to him stiffen, somehow, and damn near heard the glare the lady shot at his mother.

"James!'

"Sorry mum’

"What we are saying’ Flemont interjected, "is that it’s time you run the ring yourself, son’. James felt his eyes were about to bug out of his head, there was no way. "These’ he gestured, albeit somewhat awkwardly, to the couple in black besides James, "Are Walburga and Orion of the Noble And most ancient house of Black”. James smiled sheepishly at greeting. "They are old... friends of mine from my younger years' oddly enough, Flemont looked rather embarrassed for some reason. “They own the 'Black Conservatory of fine and performing arts' he said pointedly. "And they hold 5 seats in the council, as well as having numerous connections within the committee'.

And James understood. They weren’t selling, they were expanding.

"But you love the Circus, I didn’t know you wanted to retire, why didn’t you tell me?'

“Well-’ His mother started, “We aren't retiring, actually”

"I don’t understand' Fleamont put a hand to his brow, pinching the space between them. He loves his son, but God if there wasn't an awful lot that James 'didn't understand' the past 16 years.

“You are getting your own show, James. We have struck a deal with the Black family, they will be providing some of their most skilled performers, and some of ours will go with you as well, and you are going to have your very own show' James felt suddenly like he was going to cry again, never before had he even dreamed of having a show of his own so soon.

“Thank you' He gasped, mind already racing with ideas. Just then the woman, Walburga, cleared her throat and interrupted his most lovely daydream.

“Your parents have turned down our offer to rehearse at our conservatory auditorium in Pairs, but I presume they have found somewhere suitable' her voice dripped in barely masked contempt. “We don’t have the time to play babysitter, so I do hope you know what you are doing, James'. He gulped; it felt a bit threating if he was being honest. “Our performers will be arriving on the 1st of march, I trust whatever your parents have gathered will arrive then too. We are sending our Heir as well; it's time she learned the family practice' she seemed disgusted at this idea and yet, that last one was definitely a threat. James' mind raced as they got up and left the room.

He turned to his parents, eyes wide with shock ‘My own?!”