Cirque du Baré

Come One Come All!

The sound of horns blaring and multicolored confetti filled an oversized tent. Hundreds of circus goers packed the stands surrounding a large stage in the middle.

The spotlights reached the center. A thunderous drum roll preceded the arrival of The Ringmaster himself.

“Gooooood evening and welcome one and all! It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for!”

He was a toad-like man. He wore an eccentric outfit and sparkling top hat. He practically danced across the stage area while everyone cheered.

“We’ve got a hell of a show for you today! I know you’re all eager for us to get started,” his eyes have been scanning the stands.

“We like to break the ice with a special trick,” he pointed to the audience with flair. Then held up three fingers. “But we’ll require THREE volunteers.”

The audience anxiously muttered amongst themselves. It was a healthy split between those who wanted to participate, and those who were trying to turn invisible in their seats.

“I’m thinking, this lovely lady for a start.” The Ringmaster sauntered over to a girl with sun-licked skin and a fiery red mane.

“And how should I address this princess?” He grinned.

“A-Alice…” her eyes widened. She wasn’t used to being complimented like this. To be called a lovely lady and a princess. She almost stumbled on her way down.

“No need to be shy Alice, who wouldn’t want a big slice of that cake,” the stumpy ringmaster chuckled. The flustered Alice made her way to center stage as directed.

The man made a show of touring the area some more. He put his hands on his hips while he squinted towards another side of the stands.

“Oh, you there are quite the beauty,” he gazed at a pale girl with ebony hair. His last volunteer was all wagon, but this woman could have been hiding pirate treasure in that chest.

“Grace us with your name, oh stunning one?”

“It’s… Sandra,” she looked away. Though happy for his kind words, this was about the last thing she wanted to do.

“Calm your nerves Sandra. I’d feel all the safer with a pair of guns like yours,” the ringmaster gave another cheerful laugh when he gestured to her breasts. Sandra ignored it and shuffled over to the center with Alice.

Tapping his large chin with a single finger he looked for his final volunteer. Someone on another side unlike the others so far.

“You… are perfection. An angel sent to put us mortals in our place,” his hand gestured to a golden haired young cutie. Her figure was textbook Hollywood slender. Unlike the other two, she was balanced with a little bit of everything.

“What do they call you up in heaven my dear?” His mouth curled as he pretended to be love-struck.

“My name is Liliana,” she gave an awkward chuckle. She was used to compliments about her natural beauty, but had no interest in calling attention to it.

“Just join our other two lovely assistants in the middle of the stage. I’m confident the three of you will help make this a show to remember!” He led her to the others before addressing the audience once again.

“You’re all in for a treat tonight folks,” he smirked.

By now several clowns were encircling the three girls as they set up a large curtain to conceal them all. A fog machine churned out colorful smoke for extra effect. The audience watched in anticipation. The girls hidden in the large cylinders of curtain meanwhile were sharing looks of confusion. They flail their arms, but it couldn’t clear the fog enough to see anything.

“Something feels strange…” Alice’s voice trembled.

“Is this normal?” Sandra muttered.

“What kind of trick is this?” Liliana’s eyes stayed closed.

The Ringmaster rubbed his hands together in delight. Another unforgettable act for the books. He skipped giddily over to the stands again before continuing.

“Worry not folks, our volunteers remain mostly intact,” He gave a sly wink. Another gesture to a nearby clown to signal the reveal.

They scrambled to turn off the fog machines and pull on the ropes to open the curtain until it was all the way up.

“Behold!”

The curtain was up, and the fog mostly dissipated. The audience were then greeted to the sight of- an empty stage.

“Wait what’s going on here?” The Ringmaster’s brow furled and his voice dropped to normal levels. “Johnathan! What happened to the trick?!”

A man in a dress shirt and tie bolted up. The Ringmaster yanked it down til he was at face level.

“This isn’t how the trick goes,” he grumbled in a hushed tone. “We get some sexy ladies, fog and curtain, get 'em naked and presto! Uproarious applause.”

At this point the audience was muttering in confusion. Was this part of the show?

“I don’t know what to tell you sir. Everything looked like it was going to plan.”

“Our plan was not a triple missing persons case!” He spat. “Where are the naked girls?!”