The Chrystal Heights carnival was set slightly away from Chrystal Heights proper. This kept the lights and the music from bothering the residents unduly. It also allowed those who wanted to go to the carnival unobserved by others to do so. It was an ordinary carnival in many respects, with rides, screaming children and a variety of games. Of course, it was also an unusual carnival in many ways, as one might expect from a carnival that traveled between Chrystal Heights and Darkview on a regular basis.
Many of the more unusual elements could be found in the southern section of the carnival. There wasn't as much traffic here. People tended to walk here with a purpose, as opposed to aimless wandering. Proprietors waited in tents for customers, rather than hawking passers-by. The lights and the music were still present, but they simply registered as background static. One might say it was a more functional arrangement in this part of the carnival, with less eye-candy.
Still, these areas were not without their wandering entertainers. At times a man on stilts could be seen strolling about the pathways, safely above the throng. Other times a satyr could be observed, his hooves digging cloves in the dirt road. Yet other times one might spot a woman, half angel, half demon, and the reaction garnered there was dependent on which side you happen to come across.
The wandering entertainer most often seen along the dark paths, however, was the Jester. He was short- not quite a midget, but if you said he was five feet tall he would likely doff his hat and thank you for your kindness. He wore a traditional jester's outfit, with baggy pants and even the belled cap, but he wore it as one might wear a business suit. He was quick with rhyme and wit, and even occasional song, as the mood might take him. He was a jester, but not a fool. His name, when he chose to share it, was Wellington.
*****
"So, how about you donate to the cause of me and my friends having some fun today?"
This came from a dark-haired girl. She appeared to be about nineteen years old, athletically thin and wiry strong. Dangerously fast as well. That's why she was in charge.
The thin guy she was talking to tried to answer, but he couldn't. Her fist was pressing into his throat. Of course, the two girls holding his arms didn't help, either. His glasses lay on the ground, broken.
"Speak up," said the girl. "I can't hear you."
"Urrrrrrk!" said the boy. One of the girls holding his arms released him, and with his free hand he pulled out his Velcro wallet and waved it.
The dark-haired girl took the wallet with her empty hand and pulled her fist from his throat. She opened the wallet and removed the money. She glanced at the I.D., then closed the wallet.
"Thanks, Barry. Your donation is gratefully accepted," she said. She tucked the money into her bra and tossed the wallet back to the boy, who stopped massaging his throat long enough to catch it. "Now move along. And remember, if you want to say anything about this to anybody, we know where you live."
Still rubbing his throat, the guy walked away.
The dark haired girl looked at her two henchmen. "There goes another satisfied customer," she said.
The blonde henchman laughed. "Are you sure, Valarie? I think he wet himself."
The dark-haired Valarie nodded. "Of course I'm sure, Janey. I could tell by the gratitude in his eyes. Right, Desiree?"
Desiree, the henchman with the mocha skin, smirked. The tall mulatto girl was quite pretty even dressed in street clothes, but it was obvious she could be beautiful if she decided to be. "Right, Val," she said.
They made their way down the street, on the lookout for more potential victims. They preferred this part of the carnival to any other. Less potentials, granted, but less official types as well. There was an edgy atmosphere back here, a breathless anticipation of dark excitement.
Valarie looked down the dirt path running between several brightly colored tents and paused. Then she elbowed the blond Janey. "Over there," she said.
Janey looked down the dirt path. "The clown?"
Valarie snorted. "Yes, ditz, the clown."
Desiree shifted nervously. "I don't know, Val. The carnies are really off-limits, you know?"
Valarie lifted an eyebrow. "You arguing with me, Des? You want to be boss instead of me?"
Desiree was silent for a moment, then lowered her eyes. "No. Sorry. I just meant, maybe it wasn't a great idea, that's all. If you wanna do it, though, it's fine with me."
Valarie nodded. "I'm glad we have your permission. How about you, Janey? You think it's a bad idea too?"
The blonde girl shook her head. "No, Val, if you want to do it, I'm fine with it."
Valarie looked down the path once more, then smiled. "Alright, then. Let's do it."
