Laura returns to the circus

Laura ambled back to the circus grounds, a contented grin fixed on her lips. The spa visit had worked wonders, scrubbing away the stress of her latest misadventures. She felt buoyant, nearly untroubled.

"Laura! Over here!" Laura pivoted toward the voice, catching sight of Boza, the head clown, leaning against a pile of vibrant props. She enthusiastically waved at Laura, her inflatable chest wobbling as she stepped closer. Laura could sense her newfound ease already slipping away. Not that she disliked Boza—the clown was a perfectly pleasant boss all things considered—but her flashy getup and silly antics were a glaring reminder of Laura's current low point. "You look renewed! How was the spa?"

"Honestly? Exactly what I needed," Laura answered, flipping her hair with practiced ease.

Boza's forehead creased slightly. "Where's Annie?"

The question froze Laura in place. Her gaze swept across the lively circus grounds, abruptly registering Annie's absence. "Oh yeah, she came with me too..."

"YOU DIDN'T NOTICE I WAS MISSING?!" Annie exploded into view from behind a nearby tent. The image was startling: she was completely naked except for a cardboard box awkwardly held around her torso, her face smeared with white paint like a botched pedicure. Annie tightened her grip on the box and glowered, awaiting Laura's response.

"Uh... no?" Laura stared blankly at her assistant's disarrayed state. "What even happened to you?"

"Let's just say, if we'd paid for that spa, I'd be demanding my money back," Annie snapped, storming past Laura and Boza toward her trailer.

Boza shot Laura a questioning look. "Wait, you got into that spa for free?"

"You should know—you gave us the passes," Laura countered, puzzlement creeping into her voice.

"Nope! Wasn't me," Boza insisted, shaking her head vigorously.

Laura's mind raced as possibilities tumbled through it like acrobats in a ring—who sent her the invitation? And why?