Joining the Circus
Rating: G
Archive: Just let me know where
Feedback: Is spectacular. lina_wilson@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: I just make them dance
Summary: “Can I run away to join the circus?”
Author’s note: Thanks to Enid Blyton, the Wizard of Oz and The War Room for inspiration.

~*~

There was a circus set up on the edge of town. The huge red and white tent reached up into the overcast sky, with lights already starting a rhythmic dance, although night was a good five hours away. CJ pointed at it as their bus bounced along the aging road. She elbowed Toby in the side and grinned at him. “Can I run away to join the circus?” She asked.

Toby looked around him. Sam was running up and down the aisle of the bus, trying to keep fit as he searched for some inspiration. Josh was swinging between two chairs, trying to converse with Leo and Donna at the same time. Mandy was avoiding Sam’s running path by climbing over seats when she needed to talk to someone, and the Governor was trying to lecture the entire bus about the currency of the Roman empire. “This place is a circus.” He grumbled.

“But you love it anyway, don’t you Toby. Anyway, I want a real circus with lions, and tigers and bears.”

“Oh my.” Toby lifted his newspaper up so CJ couldn’t see his smile.

“I’d be great in a circus.”

That was just begging for comment. “What exactly would you do in a circus?” He asked, lowering his New York Times and raising his eyebrows.

She tucked her hair behind her ears. She’d just had it cut and wasn’t quite comfortable with the new length. “I could be a trapeze artist. Lots of swinging across the tent, never knowing if I might fall.” She poked him in the side again. “You could come too Tobus, you’re grumpy enough to make a great lion tamer.” She looked at the mad action which had totally overtaken the bus. “Mandy could be the monkey keeper and Josh and Sam would definitely be clowns. Donna could be a bareback horse rider.”

“While Leo can wear a top hat and be the ring master.” Toby finished for her. “But while we are all stuck on a bus in the middle of a presidential campaign, you can stop poking me in the side.”

CJ looked out the window. They were travelling through pseudo-suburbia now, the few rows of houses, which all looked identical. Soon they would reach the town hall and the Governor would give another speech. Then the audience would be allowed to ask questions and everyone would cross their fingers that the Governor would have a prepared answer. They were so sick of the questions.

“Hey Toby.” She poked his knee.

He glared at her. “What now?”

She shrugged. “Maybe everyone will be at the circus and we can go home.”

“Shouldn’t you be riding on the Press bus?”

CJ fiddled with her necklace. Questions and more questions. I’m not sure if I have any answers left Pokey.”

“I really wish you wouldn’t call me that.”

“But you’re just like the Pokey Puppy. Did you know that?”

“Hey CJ.” Josh called from the front. “The Press bus wants you. They want to know why you aren’t answering your cell phone.”

CJ looked at Toby and back to Josh. “Tell them that I’ve joined the circus.” As Josh grinned and Toby hid behind his newspaper again, CJ realised that she would have to speak to the press again sometime. With this fact dancing in her head, she wondered when they might pass another circus.