with a token of our gratitude.”
Eritol brought Tryfod a small box that Tryfod opened carefully. Inside was a small, sparkling baton. It looked just like the one Eritol used, but it was Ruth’s size. Eritol lifted the child to the stage, and Tryfod continued the ceremony. “Dear Ruth, it is with great pleasure that I present you with your Ringmaster baton. There has never been more than one Ringmaster at a time in the history of our people.”
He placed the tiny baton in her hands as she stared in wonder.
“Three cheers for our newest, and tiniest, Ringmaster!”
The crowd cheered louder than before.
As the crowd thinned and everyone returned to their rooms, Tryfod pulled Ruth aside. Ruth was very eager to thank him. “Thank you so much for my baton. I love it.”
“My dear Ruth, I’m afraid I have more bad news.”
“What is it Tryfod?”
“After the performance tomorrow, I’m going to have to turn on the stars and the portal. I cannot hold off time any longer in your world. You have to go home.”
The pit crew packed up the performance tent very early the next morning. The entire circus crew was uncharacteristically quiet. Everyone ate in silence, practiced in silence, and dressed in silence.
They all set out on the small road to the top of the hill two hours before nightfall. Tryfod warned everyone to avoid the forest. The walked was long and not very long, all at the same time. They reached the top of the hill and the dirty little town and scurried right off into the performance tent.
Most of the tent was already set up just like back at the bottom of the hill. For a moment, everyone forgot where they were and went about straightening and fixing, priming and perfecting every banner, every wire, and every light. Tryfod kept an eye on the time and on his performers. Finally, he made the call. “Alright everyone! Time to go backstage for final touch-ups. Pepé will be around if anyone needs assistance.”
Ruth followed everyone to the back, even though she didn’t have much to do. She was holding her baton and guarding it with her life. Ginger had helped her pick out a dress that would work well under the lights. Eritol saw the child and waved for her to come to his mirror. Ruth climbed and ducked under people until she made her way to the corner. Eritol was straightening his red tie. “Ruth, I have something for you.” He reached behind him to pull a small garment bag from a hanger on the wall. “I think you might feel more comfortable in this.”
Ruth eagerly grabbed the bag from his over-sized hands and unzipped it. She squealed with delight when she saw an exact shrunken replica of Eritol’s costume. The black top hat, the sparkling tuxedo jacket, the red tie, and the striped pants – it was all there. Eritol winked at her. “A Ringmaster’s got to look the part, no?” Ruth beamed and hugged Eritol’s leg. “Oh thank you! Thank you!” Eritol patted her head and pointed off to his side. “I’m not the only one you have to thank.”
Pepé was standing awkwardly in the middle of the room. He was nervous to come any closer. Ruth was embarrassed. She should have known Pepé wouldn’t have betrayed her trust so easily. She ran over to him. “Oh Pepé, thank you. Thank you for everything.”
A huge smile broke across Pepé’s face. He fell to his knees and started kissing her feet again. “Oh! Oh! My dear BEEEUUUTIFUL prinzezz!!! Pepé lovaz youz two! Pepé iz juz zo happy! You are going to be zo lovaly on stagez! Mua. Mua. MuaMuaMua.”
Eritol wiped a tear from his eye. “Oh I’m just so proud of my girl!” Ginger walked over, and Eritol blushed as he tried to hide his tears. Ginger reached up and brushed a tear from his cheek. “Oh Eritol, you big sap.” She leaned over and kissed Eritol on the cheek. Eritol stood dumbfounded, and Ruth could practically see the hearts swimming around his head. Ginger winked at Ruth and pointed at Pepé.
“Ok. Let’s get
Eritol brought Tryfod a small box that Tryfod opened carefully. Inside was a small, sparkling baton. It looked just like the one Eritol used, but it was Ruth’s size. Eritol lifted the child to the stage, and Tryfod continued the ceremony. “Dear Ruth, it is with great pleasure that I present you with your Ringmaster baton. There has never been more than one Ringmaster at a time in the history of our people.”
He placed the tiny baton in her hands as she stared in wonder.
“Three cheers for our newest, and tiniest, Ringmaster!”
The crowd cheered louder than before.
As the crowd thinned and everyone returned to their rooms, Tryfod pulled Ruth aside. Ruth was very eager to thank him. “Thank you so much for my baton. I love it.”
“My dear Ruth, I’m afraid I have more bad news.”
“What is it Tryfod?”
“After the performance tomorrow, I’m going to have to turn on the stars and the portal. I cannot hold off time any longer in your world. You have to go home.”
The pit crew packed up the performance tent very early the next morning. The entire circus crew was uncharacteristically quiet. Everyone ate in silence, practiced in silence, and dressed in silence.
They all set out on the small road to the top of the hill two hours before nightfall. Tryfod warned everyone to avoid the forest. The walked was long and not very long, all at the same time. They reached the top of the hill and the dirty little town and scurried right off into the performance tent.
Most of the tent was already set up just like back at the bottom of the hill. For a moment, everyone forgot where they were and went about straightening and fixing, priming and perfecting every banner, every wire, and every light. Tryfod kept an eye on the time and on his performers. Finally, he made the call. “Alright everyone! Time to go backstage for final touch-ups. Pepé will be around if anyone needs assistance.”
Ruth followed everyone to the back, even though she didn’t have much to do. She was holding her baton and guarding it with her life. Ginger had helped her pick out a dress that would work well under the lights. Eritol saw the child and waved for her to come to his mirror. Ruth climbed and ducked under people until she made her way to the corner. Eritol was straightening his red tie. “Ruth, I have something for you.” He reached behind him to pull a small garment bag from a hanger on the wall. “I think you might feel more comfortable in this.”
Ruth eagerly grabbed the bag from his over-sized hands and unzipped it. She squealed with delight when she saw an exact shrunken replica of Eritol’s costume. The black top hat, the sparkling tuxedo jacket, the red tie, and the striped pants – it was all there. Eritol winked at her. “A Ringmaster’s got to look the part, no?” Ruth beamed and hugged Eritol’s leg. “Oh thank you! Thank you!” Eritol patted her head and pointed off to his side. “I’m not the only one you have to thank.”
Pepé was standing awkwardly in the middle of the room. He was nervous to come any closer. Ruth was embarrassed. She should have known Pepé wouldn’t have betrayed her trust so easily. She ran over to him. “Oh Pepé, thank you. Thank you for everything.”
A huge smile broke across Pepé’s face. He fell to his knees and started kissing her feet again. “Oh! Oh! My dear BEEEUUUTIFUL prinzezz!!! Pepé lovaz youz two! Pepé iz juz zo happy! You are going to be zo lovaly on stagez! Mua. Mua. MuaMuaMua.”
Eritol wiped a tear from his eye. “Oh I’m just so proud of my girl!” Ginger walked over, and Eritol blushed as he tried to hide his tears. Ginger reached up and brushed a tear from his cheek. “Oh Eritol, you big sap.” She leaned over and kissed Eritol on the cheek. Eritol stood dumbfounded, and Ruth could practically see the hearts swimming around his head. Ginger winked at Ruth and pointed at Pepé.
“Ok. Let’s get
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