"Wow! They have...Everything in here!" April gushes, running her hand over a giant cannon situated at the back of the circus tent.

  Frank is more interested in the metal cage nearby. The cage seems only lightly used, and there is no hint of animal odor. Whoever cleaned out the enormous cage did a very thorough job. Gripping the bars with both hands, Frank hops onto the side of the cage and peers into every corner.

  "What do you think they kept inside here? A bear? A lion? An elephant? No...It looks too small for an elephant. Oh...Maybe a tiger."

  April is too distracted by the coffinlike box sitting on a wooden platform. She climbs onto the platform and approaches the dark red wooden box atop it. She runs her hands over the lid, feeling the tiny holes and grooves.

  "What do they call these things, Frank?" April calls over one shoulder. "You know...The box where the pretty lady climbs inside and they pretend to stab her?"

  Frank drops back down onto the tent floor and wipes his hands on his pants. He offers April a huge shrug.

  "Don't know. Don't remember. Never really been to enough circuses or did any real research into it. Never cared much for magic, anyway."

  "Hmmm!" April says, running her hand over the wood box once more.

  She climbs off of the platform and releases a deep sigh. Placing both hands on her hips, she stares at Frank from her place in front of the wooden platform.

  "So...Have you seen everything you wanted to see, Frank? Are you satisfied? Are the creative juices flowing yet?"

  "No. Not really. I still have images of geraniums and brooding cowboys floating through my head. Now...I've also got stories about clowns, beautiful ladies, and tigers bumping around in there too. I should have listened to you, babe. I'm going to have so much trouble trying to keep all of these storylines from blending together. I'll probably lose my entire train of thought and end up with mermaids instead of cowboys. Sure, that would be a lot more fun to write...And a lot more sexy. But, that really isn't the story I was going for. I'm a mess."

  "Maybe...I can help you with that!" A strong feminine voice calls from behind Frank.

  April and Frank turn to see Percy and the ringmaster standing in the back entrance of the tent. April's visage becomes almost one big smile. The woman standing in front of the tent flap is absolutely exquisite. She would be a perfect subject for a new painting. There is a strong aura of power and sensuality around this woman. She possesses a form easily worth staring at for many hours. As many hours as it would take to commit such a pleasant form to canvas.

  "Are you the person in charge of this circus event?" Frank inquires, his eyes brightening up.

  "I am," the ringmaster says, a wry smile on her purple lips.

  "Ma'am...I'd like to write a story about you. A book actually. If I can ever figure out the plot and the direction..."

  "And I'd like to paint you!" April interrupts, causing Frank to shoot her a puzzled look.

  April turns to Frank and shrugs. She points a finger casually in the ringmaster's direction, as she explains her reasoning to her bewildered husband.

  "It could be a joint project. You write about her...And whatever adventures you two can come up with. And I'll illustrate every story. You can't deny she has an exquisite form. Think Molly Malone...But...Different. After all, I went to the exhibit searching for inspiration just like you did. And we both found it. It wouldn't have to be a...She could be fully clothed. Right, Ma'am?"

  April turns to the ringmaster, hoping to receive endorsement for her bold idea. Instead, the ringmaster shakes her head and frowns. Beside the voluptuous woman in purple, the silent clown also shakes his head in disapproval.

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  "I'm afraid, that's impossible. I do not want a book or a painting," the ringmaster says with finality.

  "Oh," Frank and April utter in sad unison.

  "Uh, well...Okay," April says in a dejected voice. "Thanks for the opportunity to come in, anyway. You have a nice setup here. Have a great evening."

  "I'm afraid...You're leaving here is impossible as well," the ringmaster says.

  Frank's mouth drops open as a whirlpool, just like the one in the exhibit photograph, materializes at the main entrance of the circus tent. April's eyes widen as the clown steps around the purple woman, holding a long chain in his hands. April takes a step backward, keeping her eyes on the clown. Frank is too focused on the whirlpool to notice. He walks toward it as if in a trance.

  "Uh, Frank!" April cries, taking another backward step.

  The clown continues to advance, a sly grin on his painted face.

  "Wow," Frank mutters. "Just like in the painting. How do you manage it? What sort of special effects are these? Does it use a VR projector? It's so...Realistic."

  "Uh, Frank!"

  Before April can utter her husband's name a third time, Percy is upon her. He pulls her close and presses a finger to her lips. The moment he does so, April loses her voice. She attempts to call out again, but no sound issues out of her mouth. Percy's sly grin grows immensely.

  April is pressed tightly to Percy's chest when she feels something snaking up her legs. Struggling to free herself, she catches a glimpse of what looks like vines inching upward. She struggles just that much harder to get away from the insane clown. Those things. She is wearing a damn skirt.

  Luckily the vines stop climbing when they are about knee height. Some of the vines branch outward, roping April's wrists and midsection. Once Percy is sure April is silenced and secure, he steps away.

  At the tent's entryway, Frank is still studying the whirlpool. He reaches out his left index finger as if to poke it. Only the ringmaster's voice stops him from doing so.

  "I wouldn't touch that if I was you, Mr. Martin," the ringmaster snaps. "Not yet anyway. Not until you've heard the rules of the game."

  Frank whirls to face the ringmaster. As he turns, his eyes lock on April's and he freezes, shock chilling his blood. What the hell is going on here?

  "How do you know my name?" Frank yells, moving swiftly toward where April pulls against her viney restraints. "And just what the hell do you think you're doing? Untie my wife, you clown faced son of a bi--."

  "Can we not!" the ringmaster sighs. "Such crude language. I would expect more from one as learned as you, Mr. Martin."

  "You still haven't answered my questions!" Frank roars, tugging at the vines holding April's legs in place and glowering at Percy. "How do you know me? And why have you tied up my wife? What gives you the right to do this?"

  "You did, Mr. Martin...When you stepped your imaginative feet into my humble tent. Any who enter...Must play the game, if they are to leave. If they leave at all."

  "Huh?" Frank and April cry in unison.

  The ringmaster looks from Frank to April. Percy also scrutinizes them with more than casual interest. This new couple is weird.

  "I can see that the usual games may not work with you two. As they say, great minds think alike. You two may not possess great minds...But you are too much alike. The game won't be as fun. So we will play a different sort of game."

  The ringmaster lifts her black cane into the air and points the golden tip at April. A tiny yelp manages to escape April's lips as a bolt of purple energy zaps her in the stomach. She leans forward, grasping at her abdomen. And then, she begins to shrink.

  "Whoa! What?" Frank cries.

  April grows smaller and smaller, slipping out of her husband's grasp. When she is the size of a tiny mouse, April disappears altogether. The ringmaster opens her left palm and a crystal ball appears in the air above her hand. Inside the crystal ball, April sits on a bed of geraniums, a solemn expression on her face.

  "Oh...My god!" Frank mutters in dismay. "There are no special effects. This is real. This is real magic."

  The ringmaster smirks cruelly and taps her cane on the floor. The whirlpool at the entrance grows in size and strength. Strong gusts of wind toss around anything small enough to be blown away.

  "For your test, Mr. Martin...You will be sent on a series of quests. Five to be exact. Complete your quests...And you get your sweet little wife back. Fail. And you...Well...Fail."

  The ringmaster's cruel grin becomes absolutely wicked as she points her cane at Frank. Frank flinches, expecting to receive a zap of purple energy as well.

  "Bon voyage, Mr. Martin!" the ringmaster yells over the sound of gusting wind.

  The whirlpool again increases in intensity. Frank is pulled backward, into the whirling maelstrom he was so curious about.

  To be continued..............