. I’ll continue with blue balls

Scarlet smiles; at least there’s more emotion in hers than Half-Gobs. “Good.”

Scarlet takes you back into the heat of the day. It’s hot, and as far as you can tell, the locals are staying inside, too. Some people are standing outside in the shade of the circus tent, but there’s activity around it. A few pop tents are being pulled up, and a prominent metal structure is being erected. And even a Ferris wheel is being put together. You wonder how you missed this being delivered on Earth, but don’t dwell on it for long.

You’re inside of a trailer moments later. The barred windows were a few critical warnings indicating it wasn’t your typical one. The other warnings were “Security” painted on the side and “DO NOT ENTER” being posted on a separate side next to the armored door. Scarlet uses a key to open the door and invites inside.

You first notice the A/C inside, a luxury in this desert heat. The rest is a table with 3 black monitors, a keyboard, and a mouse. Wires are cascading down, not plugged in. There’s a gun on the table, but it’s locked back, and the magazine is missing. After spending the day with the others, you know it’s none of the other contractors. It must be standard circus staff.

Along the wall are plate carriers with patches. “Security” is etched into the patches, which are reflective and tagged on both the front and back. On them are also small short-ranged radios with a mouthpiece clipped high on the shoulder strap.

Scarlet waves at the carrier and then points at you. “Put that on.”

”That’s mine?” You ask, reaching for it. “Looks a little small.”

”It is good enough to protect the vitals from getting hit unless someone shoots you something really, really big.”

”I know what these are,” you snap at her. “It just looks…” It fits and covers everything perfectly. Scarlet slips into her tactical gear without any problems, apparently more familiar with the looks and feels of these kinds of carriers.

The weapon cages in the room were empty, leaving you wondering how you would set up this carrier vest for your own magazines and equipment when the time finally came around.

Scarlet secures some lost items and hesitates to leave the fabulous A/C unit. You watch her take a deep breath in and then exhale, savoring the cool air. You moisten your lips. “What’s the matter?”

”It’s hot, and this cool air feels good,” she sighs, but then presses out. Heat, sun, and all the smells of the desert rush in, and before any more of that precious cool air can escape, you both filter out and start walking a route. Scarlet makes a few comments about the area; otherwise, she is unbothered by small talk or questions that aren’t related to the immediate issue she is discussing.

It only takes about 20 minutes to walk the entire route, but you do it repeatedly, each time committing every step to memory. The notable difference is that when the sun disappears behind the horizon, the air cools drastically, and all the sweat you build up during your walk quickly cools you down. The rides, pop-up shops, and rigged games are also set up now. Everyone is celebrating, and drinks are being served.

You see Sevens, Half-Gob, Fifth-Finger, and Softspot, which is nearby, dressed casually while chatting with the other circus staff. Scarlet is beside you when she produces a cigarette pack from somewhere on her belt and stows it between her lips. She nods at the others as a gesture when your eyes meet. “Your girls are somewhere in there, I’m sure. Chat’em up.”

“What about you?”

She shrugs. “I’ve had enough social interaction for one day.”