No one knows the ups, downs and lessons of life better than a clown.
Final Curtain
JP Sclafani
Whoop De Do was tired. They just completed their ninth show in 5 days and he was beat. He was looking forward to time off. Just 1 more show to go. Whoop De Do and his Sensational Mummers were the hottest ticket in town.
They were headlining at The Edison Ballroom, New York City, with their famous acrobatic clown act. It had taken years to get here. They had worked their way up, from private parties and venues, to the big time.
There was a knock at his open dressing room door and Jocomo strode in. His face still in the pasty white greasepaint, topped off by a short-haired white wig and red cone hat. His facial features were highlighted in black around his bulging eyes, high painted eyebrows, bulbous nose and sad red lips. He carried an open bottle of Jack Daniels.
"Hey Whoop. Drink?"
"Sure, why not?" It was their custom to celebrate, or drown what ailed them in the comfort of the bottle. "Good run huh?"
"Yea, we knocked them dead this week. " Jocomo poured them both a glass. "Hey Whoop? Heard Zumo's in town."
Whoop De Do froze, glass to lips, and looked hard at his friend. "Is she with him?"
"Now Whoop, no need to get your hackles up."
"Is she?" Whoop De Do could feel his face flushing under his pancake make-up.
"Now, it will do you no good bringing up old memories, Whoop, I just felt you should know..."
Whoop turned to his mirror. His image dissolved to the memory of the last time he saw Juliet. She was a long time, founding member of his troupe, along with his turn-coat brother, Zumo. Zumo, who's lifelong goal was self-enrichment, at all costs.
She was tall and graceful, her golden hair teased up high into her signature bird-nest hairdo, complete with nesting birds. Her porcelain skin was accentuated by the lightly painted gold circles under her jade eyes, aquiline nose, and soft blueberry lips.
That last night he saw her, she was weeping. She had just told him she was leaving for good- said she still loved him, but their toxic and unforgiving love was destroying her, piece by piece.
Whoop De Do was devastated. She had no right. True, life on the road was hard, but it was also exhilarating, with each and every night a challenge, another chance to get it right- and with flying colors.
"Whoop?"
His image re-appeared in the mirror. He removed his white clown hat embe dded with an array of glossy yellow sunflowers, and his frizzy red wig. He glared at the large, haggard, old man in yellow face paint staring back at him with pale gray eyes.
"Don't you ever just get tired, Jo?"
"Silence for a moment. "Sure, who doesn't Whoop. But what can we do? We push on. We're professionals."
"Whoop De Do grimaced, "I gotta see her, I just need to understand why." He said, draining his glass, and then swiftly refilling it.
"Ah, come on Whoop, you know that's not going to happen. She's been with Zumo for years- you have to accept that. Why don't you get some rest and we'll talk later, after tonight's show." Jocomo stood up, mindful to take the half empty bottle. "Guess I'll see you out there." He smiled sadly and squeezed his old friend's shoulder, then turned and left.
They say the last show is always the best, and this was no exception. Jacomo drove his tiny, red wind-up car out onto center stage and got out gesturing and bowing to the audience, then took a pratfall. The audience roared with laughter.
On the same stage, Frick and Frack, the two Armenian juggler clowns, were closing their act by tossing fiery torches across the stage, back and forth with astonishing ease. All the while, the Amazing Benzini Brothers were atop a very tall 2 man unicycle riding the length of the stage. Then suddenly, on cue, all went dark.
There was a collective hush as the giant hall grew silent. Then a lone spotlight appeared shining onto a thin tightrope high above the darkened stage. Whoop De Do stepped out onto the tightrope in his full clown costume, juggling 6 bowling pins. "Whoop De Do!" He howled as he strode effortlessly along the tightrope. The crowd hollered back, "Whoop De Do!"
Then he let the pins tumble and he pretended to lose his balance. The line swayed. The crowd gasped, but he gestured that he was okay, and took a seat on the wire.
The audience grew silent as a rapid drum roll sounded. Next, in one brisk heave the clown cartwheeled to a handstand on the flimsy wire, extending his arms fully, holding his body rigid. That's when he spotted her in front row, sitting alongside his brother, who had an arm firmly around her in a possessing exhibition.
Then suddenly, Whoop De Doo locked eyes with Juliet. For one brief instant, before she intentionally averted her gaze. That's all he needed, because now it hit him, like a bowling pin to the head.
He understood everything. After all these years, he could finally be at peace. Because all his hopes and dreams were dashed, in that moment. She could never return to him. Not in a million years.
He suddenly bellowed his trademark howl, "Whoop De Do!" Just a little louder, and a little more heart-wrenching than he ever shouted before. This one last time, before letting go, and plummeting to the hard stage below.
Rovella is a beautiful woman with a cold heart whom blames herself for an unfortunate old family secret that is literally ruining her life. This secret impedes a gorgeous woman from having happiness in her childhood, and throughout her life. Dark sec
Suspenseful and close to home, Rain of Deception 2 will leave you in Tears. Much like Part 1, this will shocking sequel will keep you on the edge of your fingertips.
Final Curtain
