Part 5 (2/2)

John Junior stepped over the pools of mud round the big top. He was skirting round what he really wanted. Immaculately dressed as ever, and any elephant looking closely at him would have known the truth. John was in musth. He was searching for a mate so hard that he was practically leaving a scent trail. He stayed smooth though.

'What do you hear about Barnum?' he inquired of his fellow promoter.

Hank shook his head. 'Gee, they say he got a mermaid from some j.a.p fisherman in the Fiji Islands. A genuine preserved mermaid. The real McCoy. That guy gets so many breaks. Imagine that landing in your lap.'

John shook his head. 'Seen it. It's actually the head and upper body of a monkey very carefully sewn on to the tail of a large fish. It's good though. He's making money.

Hank sn.i.g.g.e.red. 'b.a.s.t.a.r.d.' He paused and sucked on a large cigar while he contemplated. 'I got a spare monkey. What kind offish?'

A formidable-looking woman emerged from one of the side tents. She wore a hat so large and so feathered with confidence that it probably could have approached on its own. The woman's hair was pigeon grey and pulled back into a traditional chignon. She wore a black dress. Very long and very proper.

'Mr Forepaugh!' she called in the clipped, forceful manner of the English aristocracy. It was a voice accustomed to calling servants across fierce drafts in large family houses. 'Mr Forepaugh.' Hank sighed and hid his cigar behind his back.

'Mrs Lintz. How delightful. Is everything okay?'

'No, Mr Forepaugh, it is not, as you put it, okay. There is a monkey in that enclosure which is quite clearly unwell.'

'Yeah, oh yeah, the monkey. Don't worry. I have great plans for the monkey. Mrs Lintz, may I introduce John Burroughs Junior? John, this is Mrs William Lintz, she's from England. She takes in sick animals from circuses and stuff'

Animals are my hobby and my life, Mr Burroughs. We have a moral duty to see that our animal friends lead a good life,' interrupted Mrs Lintz.

'Indeed.' John tipped his hat toward the elderly woman.

She gave him a small nod and then inquired, 'Would you be the Burroughs of the Burroughs Western Wonder Show of the World with Stupendous New Equine Features?'

'The same,' said John.

Mrs Lintz tutted. 'I went. It only has one horse in it.' John smiled. 'You don't say? Less work for the animals, eh? Lovely hat, Mrs Lintz.'

Mrs Lintz, unaccustomed to compliments, blushed.

Hank knew a good moment when he saw one and slipped away to his wagon, leaving John with the formidable woman. John could delay no longer.

'Would you care to see the tigers, Mrs Lintz?' He graciously offered her an arm.

Billie and Grace were both at the tiger enclosure. As usual Billie was inside the cage and Grace waited by the door. Billie and Rajan were locked in an embrace which drew sharp breaths from Mrs Lintz. She and John stood in silence as Billie concluded her workout by opening Rajan's mouth and putting her head in. As she released his jaws and stood up, Rajan's teeth snapped shut. Mrs Lintz gasped.

'Oh my dear,' she cried, 'isn't that dangerous?' Billie grinned through the bars as Rajan slunk off to a corner.

Absolutely. Very dangerous.' She leaned closer toward the elderly woman. 'Tigers have really terrible breath.' John laughed as Grace moved to open the cage door and let Billie out. Then she held a small basin for her, checked the temperature of the water and handed her cousin a small towel so she could wash her hands. Mrs Lintz was still somewhat taken aback.

'Don't worry, Mrs Lintz,' Billie chuckled as she splashed water without a thought. 'It's all make-believe with animals. You see, they think you are stronger than they are. It's my business to keep that idea going.' Billie finished wiping her hands and held the towel for Grace to take. The two women smiled at each other as Grace moved to empty the bowl. Billie looked at John. 'So, Mrs Lintz, who's your friend?'

'I do beg your pardon. Miss Blake, may I present John Burroughs Junior.'

Billie c.o.c.ked her head on one side. 'Of Burroughs Western Wonder Show of the World with Stupendous New Equine Features? I hear it only has one horse in it.'

John smiled. Apparently so. I'm new to this line.'

'New? What did you do before you launched into entertainment, Mr Burroughs?'

'Boots. I was in boots.'

Billie smiled. 'Burroughs Boots - The Best Boots Money Can Buy. And now the public stand in line for your shows wearing your boots.'

'I do hope so.'

'Now, Miss Blake,' Mrs Lintz beetled on. 'Your tiger...'

'Rajan.'

'Rajan. Is he well cared for by Mr Forepaugh?'

'I care for him, Mrs Lintz,' interrupted Grace. 'He is very happy.'

John looked at her for the first time. 'Happy? Is that a concern? Miss.

Grace looked him in the eye. 'Gerritsen. Grace Gerritsen.'

Mrs Lintz could hardly contain herself 'Concern! It should be the only concern.'

'I see,' said John, 'and pray how can you tell he is happy?'

Billie smiled. 'Easy, Mr Burroughs: he never tries to eat me.

It was obviously a pa.s.sionate subject for Grace. 'Of course we must worry if an animal is happy. Why-'

A fantastic noise erupted from behind the main tent and Milton appeared, running, with his pants halfway down his legs. He was desperately trying to pull them up but this was hindered by the speed with which he was running. Hot on his heels came Forepaugh.

'I'm going to kill you, you p.r.i.c.k!' Milton hightailed it round behind Rajan and stood looking through the bars and tugging up his pants as Forepaugh approached. The two men circled round, eyeing each other.

'Look, Forepaugh, I'll make you a deal.'

'You were s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g my wife.'

Milton didn't deny it. 'Must have been a misunderstanding. Listen, we could talk.'

'I am not talking with anyone who is f.u.c.king my wife.' By now Mrs Lintz had become quite faint. Grace helped her into the fresh air.

'What do you think?' whispered John to Billie as they watched the stand-off.

'I think he was probably s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g the wife.' Billie eyed the two men dispa.s.sionately and whispered matter-of-factly, 'Forepaugh'll kill him.'

'No, I know Milton. They'll cut a deal. 'John carried on watching Forepaugh and Milton and spoke out of the side of his mouth. 'I want you to come to New York with me, Miss Blake.'

'Why would I do that, Mr Burroughs?'

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