The Queen is to perform naked in the circus

I’m a practical woman. I reckon I have two options. One, I could deliver you to the detective so you face proper justice, but then, because you disabled half of my acts, I would have to cancel tonight’s show. We are sold out, so that would be very bad for business. Option number two allows me to exact **** and keep the money. So here’s the deal. You will perform for us tonight "dressed" as you are now. If you do, we won’t give you to the authorities.”

The Queen’s eyes widened just thinking about the proposal. She remembered her school play, when she could barely stutter three lines in her all-important role of Messenger Number 3. Now this woman demanded she perform who knows what in front of an entire circus? In the nude!? How could anyone say yes? To say it was going to be humiliating would be the understatement of the century, although she supposed that was precisely the point.

Sensing her hesitation, Emmanuelle spoke up. “If you are thinking about running away, keep in mind that you’ll have to pass over all of us first, including Steph here.”

The giant flashed a grin at her and cracked her knuckles. The naked woman gulped. It seemed like she wouldn’t be able to scurry away this time.“What’s stopping you from turning me to Laura after the function?”

“Our goodwill, and that goodwill is entirely dependent on your performance. So don’t half ass it.”

“But isn’t it illegal to have a naked woman on your show?”

“Not in this city. Nevertheless, this is our last function before we pack and leave, so it’s not like we will be around if there’s any fallout.”

Yeah, they won’t be around, but she will. The Queen shuddered. Under any other circumstances, she would refuse the ultimatum. However, she vividly remembered what she did to Laura. What she did to her clients. Whatever fate they had in store would make a naked night on the circus seem like how her school play seemed now. “Fine, what exactly do I have to do ?” she said in a defeated whimper.

“Well, first, you’ll replace Anna the clown for the opening act, so expect to be on the receiving end of a lot of pies and slapstick. Then you’ll aid the mime act, where your role will be pretty much the same. You will of course substitute the magician’s assistant...”

“It will be great, we will do all the tricks she always refuses to try!” interjected the magician. The Queen gulped again.

“…Right, after that I believe that Steph wanted to try to use you for a human juggling act. Then Richard planned to replace his possums with you. I don’t know exactly how he expects you to behave like his pets, but nevertheless, you must follow his instructions to the letter. Oh right, I almost forgot. Since no one else wants to climb so high, you will have a solo act in which you’ll walk the tight rope with a blanket to try and cover poor Shu Ya. Needless to say, you can’t try to cover yourself with said blanket.”

There was an audible murmur behind the drapes. It seemed like most of the audience had arrived. “Alright everyone, to your positions. You, get behind me.” She pointed at the Queen, who sluggishly complied. Emmanuelle snapped her finger. A clown approached and put a fake red nose on the Queen’s face. “Clowns, ready your pies! Shu Ya, hang in there!” a torrent of Chinese obscenities descended on Emmanuelle.

The Queen stood behind the ringmaster; her body almost completely concealed from prying eyes. The curtains opened. Emmanuelle gave a preshow speech, but the Queen was too distracted to hear what she was saying. Her legs were trembling, she was sweating bullets, and she felt hotter than in a sauna.

She wasn’t sure she could gather the nerve to step from behind the woman. Luckily (or not), she didn’t have to. The ringmaster stepped back and pushed her to the center of the stage, where she was greeted with deafening applause, cheers and whistles. With one hand over her breasts and using all her mind power to keep herself from fainting or squirming, the prankster flashed a very nervous smile and timidly waved back at her audience.

Emmanuelle stepped next to her. “Alright, ladies and gentlemen. It’s showtime!”