by C. L. Sidell The house erupts in applause as a top-hatted performer steps into the arena, handling three hoops of fire. On the sidelines: a monkey escapes its cage, pilfers blades from the knife-thrower’s stash, surreptitiously drops them into the cannon. In the spotlight: the golden-maned cat growls and pounces; the startled entertainer […]
by Evan Baughfman Applauding trapeze artists’ aerial excellence, Caitlyn declared, “Way better than some mangy flea circus!” I agreed. “So fun!” We must’ve misread the advertisements. The show was impressive, a dazzling evening inside a towering tent, complete with clowns, acrobats, and lion tamers. A hundred spectators cheered as nimble performers gathered centre stage, […]
by Warren Benedetto Deke woke from a dream of his life before the circus. He had been roaming under the endless Montana sky. A blinding light shone from above. A watery, gurgling voice spoke. “This one.” Then, darkness. Deke’s eyes fluttered open. He was in a box of frosted glass, naked and cold. The […]
by Pauline Yates Teaching a monkey how to strike a match was a clever trick. It required the use of electric shocks to his fingers, but when he lights the ring of fire for the Bengal tigers to jump through, the crowd applauds me as the greatest animal trainer in the circus’s history. However, […]
by Vijayaraj Mahendraraj The contorted body was lifeless, yet warm. Hollow eyes, horrified visage. Tick tock, a portent of doom. The mirthful laughter seemed a distant memory. The ‘Ringmaster’ promised a unique experience. Yet now she trembled, whip in hand. Sixty seconds. Soon, the oblivious soul entered. She glanced back at the body. Hers. […]
by James Hancock We came to town at night. Cries of wild steeds broke the silence as a line of covered wagons brought hidden mysteries for a special performance. Word spread fast, and with the black tent erected, guests lined up for the evening’s show. Spectre Spectacular. This was no ordinary circus, and if […]
by Caoimhin Kennedy The urge to piss led him behind the tent. He unzipped and released. Footsteps forced a halt to his relief. He turned and there the Juggler stood. Three balls tossed through the air. The roar of the crowd beyond the tent walls exploded. The juggler stepped from the shadows, his face […]
by Liam Hogan There was no net. There was no audience, either. Not a live one, anyway. Just corpses, staring up into the big top. If Sally didn’t make it to the waiting arms of the other trapeze artist, no-one would gasp as she fell screaming through the air, no-one would rush to help […]
by Sophie Wagner Blindfolded and arms outstretched, he turned to the crowd and asked for a volunteer. No one moved. After a moment, a clown stepped into the crowd and hauled a sobbing Andrew to his feet. “Please don’t make me,” Andrew begged. “Don’t worry, he never misses,” the clown replied. He dragged him […]
by Blaise Langlois I had been in the tent for most of the afternoon, sticky from the August heat. So far, most of the applicants had been rather underwhelming. Just then, an awkward looking figure lifted the tent flap and strode over, his oversized black shoes squeaking as he moved. I indicated toward the […]