Unnecessary Noises by Joseph M. Bianchi

Author:Joseph M. Bianchi
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Unnecessary Noises
ISBN: 9781879737860
Publisher: Interior Publications
Published: 2011-06-22T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

The Circus

Johnny did not like circuses. The bombardment to the senses of so many things going on—and then there were the clowns. What could be more frightful than a man or woman with a grotesque painted face? And what, pray tell, was the point of it all anyway? But Johnny went along to please his Uncle Bill. He had not spent any time with him since he was a child, and seeing how he had absolutely insisted that since the circus was in town, they should go, Johnny accommodated him. Something, however, did not seem right.

“Hey, Johnny, you want some cotton candy?”

“Um…no thanks uncle, makes me sick.”

“Well, ok, I’m buyin’ another one.”

“Uncle, that makes three so far and the circus hasn’t even started!”

“Yeah…but don’t worry, I go on a diet Monday, alright?”

“I guess.”

After the traditional introduction by the Ringmaster, the circus began. It was a cacophony of smells and noises that made Johnny feel as if his head were in a blender. Uncle Bill seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the whole affair, but artificially so; his laughs were a bit too loud, his “oooooohs!” were quite overdone, and although he could eat anyone under the table, his gluttonous appetite was particularly stunning.

The house lights dimmed and the spotlight shone upon the Ringmaster, looking sharp in his sparkling blue outfit.

“And now, ladies and gentlemen, we have something different, something special that will amaze you. The Ringmaster was now walking in the direction of Johnny and his uncle. Johnny, having a sixth sense about things, began to twitch; this looked like an ambush, and he wanted no part of it.

“Now, most of you in this city have heard of the Amazing Johnny, the young junior high student who has been all the rage on radio and TV with his spectacular speaking abilities. He can move emotional mountains, make you cry—and most of all make you think!”

“Uncle, did you do this? Well, did you?”

“J-Johnny, this is a big moment, a chance to increase your fame!”

“Fame?!” John thundered, “I’m not looking for fame. How could you do this…”

Just then, the spotlight shifted to John. He winked in the bright light and held his hand to his forehead.

“We have him right here at our circus today! Here he is, the Amazing Johnny!”

The crowd roared its approval. Some young people leapt to their feet, many of them wearing “Johnny Knows All” tee-shirts. For a moment, John stood stunned by the whole affair; a deer caught in the headlights of an eighteen-wheeler. Suddenly, he bolted up the aisle with wild abandon. There was uproarious laughter from the crowd. Half way up the aisle, however, he stopped dead in his tracks. A gleam came to his eye and then a sly smile to his face. He motioned for silence—and got it. A circus official appeared and handed him a microphone. There was the ear piercing screech of some audio feedback, and then…

“You came to the circus today expecting something different—well you are going to get it.” Wild applause.

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