Suzy’s Strange Saga
While it might be an opportunity to escape, you’re not going to risk it. Roger might be a little smitten with you, but he’s athletic enough looking that you don’t think you could easily fight him off if something went wrong. Given that there is a state of martial law right now, you’re likely to get yourself shot or worse.
Better to stay in the tent and come up with a plan where you at least might have some back up.
So you’re currently back to square one, sitting around doing much of nothing until the National Guard decides to leave (whenever if and when that happens).
You spend most of your time thinking on what Roofie said and your current position at the carnival. The only way you’re ever going to have safety and have a family is if you take direct action towards those goals.
“Lifto, Shrimpy, you’re with me.” You suddenly say and say you going to see the head of the dwarf faction.
“Uh, I dunno if that’s a good idea, he’s been doing a lot of preparation lately.” Shrimpy says.
“I’m sure he has, and its in our best interest to find out exactly what that is. Maybe YOU can afford to play both sides, but I’m not taking that chance.” You say and start walking over to the crowd of little people.
As you approach, the dwarves instantly start closing ranks and their demeanor changes to a defensive one.
“Back again Shrimpy? I didn’t anticipate your sycophantic antics for another hour or so. And you must be Suzy, the new clown girl that’s been pissing off all the ladies and turning on all the guys. Hrm. Upon a closer look, I understand the appeal, but you’re still no dwarf woman.” an older dwarf says, though many of his fellows probably don’t share that opinion.
“I take it you’re the leader of your group?”
“Yep, though I don’t suppose Shrimpy’s bothered to mention my name is Billy. If you’re here about our current alliance, you needn’t worry since I’ve reassured Shrimpy so many times about it that it’s getting to the point of annoyance. Glad to you at least changed it up by appearing yourself, could’ve done without the big ugly clown behind you though, but I’m guessing he’s a poor attempt at intimidation.”
“A girl likes to have a big strong man to watch her back sometimes.”
“Heh, and that’s why you’ve practically begged a bunch of little men to do it to eh? Let’s cut to the chase, what do you really want? I already know that you’re the new leader of the clowns given what you did to old Roofie over there. Bet he didn’t see that coming.”
You don’t know how else to put it so you just say it, which comes to a surprise to Shrimpy and Lifto as well.
“I’m going to be the new leader of this carnival and YOU’RE going to support me in this endeavor.”
Billy smiles at this remark and then chuckles. Several of the other dwarves do likewise.
“You? Really? And you think we’re just going to support you in this? I hope you had a better plan than preparing to fuck every munchkin in munchkin land Dorothy, because at this juncture I guarantee that would be the ONLY way that you MIGHT come close to your dreams of being in charge. And if that was your plan, you can forget it, because I’m happily married. However, it might gain you favor with some of my friends. Could ensure that your group will have a place in the new carnival order that will be coming soon, but that’s a choice you’ll have to make on your own.”
“You really think the rest of the carnival is going to follow you?”
“They won’t have a choice, we dwarves have always been the backbone of it and it’s about time we just took the spotlight. Just like my Great Uncle Charley always wanted to do so long ago.”
“Yeah and apparently that didn’t work out so well given your current situation. You know why? Nobody truly respects you. They’re content to let you do the grunt work, but they don’t want you to be in the spotlight, unless you’re making a fool of yourself like Shrimpy here.” You say.
“HEY!” Shrimpy remarks.
“Watch your tone there blondie, you’re starting to tread on very dangerous ground.” Billy warns.
“Yes, I know and I’m also trying to explain that you’re ALREADY in control by being the backbone of the carnival. You might very well be able to win this internal struggle, but would there be anything left? This place has languished under Roofie, obviously, but it could be great again if it had the right ring master. Someone who could bring in the people. You said it yourself, I’ve got most of the guys here salivating over me just by my presence. You know how advertising works, I bring ‘em in with a wink, a smile and some sweet talk, the other performers get the money out of them and someone has to keep the infrastructure together and that’s you. We could work together as a more than just co-workers we could be like…a family. Like how carnies are supposed to really stick together.”
Your words give a moment of pause for Billy who ponders them for a moment, but then shakes his head.
“Y’know, that’s a really good speech, the problem is you haven’t been here but a few days and you’re already trying to take over. In family terms, you’re like the hot twenty year old nurse that married great grandpa on his death bed in the hopes of inheriting everything despite the fact he’s got a multitude of family members that are far more deserving since they had to put up with his shit a lot longer. Now that doesn’t mean I don’t think you’re sincere or even that your idea isn’t a worthy one, its just I don’t see YOU as that potential leader. If this carnival does split apart after the dust clears, well maybe it was meant to be, but I’m not spending the remainder of my life following another half-assed leader again. So to sum up, if you want to be on our side then great, if not, then I highly suggest you all get in your clown car and all get jobs at a rodeo or something.”
At this point Billy’s done talking and waves you all away.
Well that could’ve went better.
“Are you nuts?! Why the hell did you do that for? You’re lucky he isn’t cancelling our protection!” Shrimpy says.
“Well I can’t say it was the best of moves, but I guess you had to try.” Lifto says.
Between Shrimpy’s concern for his own self-preservation and Lifto’s impotent comment, you’re wondering if you shouldn’t re-consider trying to escape again.
Ultimately you all head back to the table where upon Shrimpy and Lifto explain what happened. Fatty and Klepto are both surprised by your actions, but Klepto again makes the usual attempt at being more “understanding” than the others. Christ, he never quits.
“I don’t need this right now, I’m going to be by myself.” You say grabbing the small radio that they were listening to and head to where Roofie is still lying on his mat with his eyes closed. You don’t know if he’s still awake or genuinely asleep now, but he at least doesn’t appear to be in any mood to bother you right now.
You spend a few more hours listening to one of the radios while the others play cards and try to talk about mundane things. You’re not getting the best reception and it’s no Internet, but it’s better than nothing.
You mostly listen to a lot of special breaking news talking about how bad things are getting in various parts of the world. You hear about the riots going on and think about your own town and how your “real” family is doing. Ben’s hidden personal bomb shelter was somewhere in the backyard, you wonder if you shouldn’t have just tried to look for it and moved in there, it probably was stocked.
Then as the sun starts setting, you hear a bunch of shooting and shouting outside. You see the other guardsmen near the tent entrance rush off, leaving everyone unsupervised.
Naturally no longer being supervised means chaos within the tent begins to erupt though you have no idea why people aren’t more concerned about why the National Guardsmen are shooting and yelling at something outside.
Lacking any better idea, you try to wake up Roofie, but he doesn’t stir.
“Oh shit…” you say to yourself.
Apparently his last words to you WERE his dying request literally.
While you’re the only one aware of poor Roofie’s unexpected passing, a full on fight in the tent breaks out. Predictably, it’s Razor and her faction vs. Billy and his faction. Some of the smaller factions join in while others just run out of the tent altogether. It’s very lucky that your group is nowhere near the center of the tent where the fighting is and more or less in a corner.
“Suzy! It’s begun!” Lifto shouts.
“Yeah! We need to get in and help Billy or we’re going to be next!” Shrimpy adds.
Better to stay in the tent and come up with a plan where you at least might have some back up.
So you’re currently back to square one, sitting around doing much of nothing until the National Guard decides to leave (whenever if and when that happens).
You spend most of your time thinking on what Roofie said and your current position at the carnival. The only way you’re ever going to have safety and have a family is if you take direct action towards those goals.
“Lifto, Shrimpy, you’re with me.” You suddenly say and say you going to see the head of the dwarf faction.
“Uh, I dunno if that’s a good idea, he’s been doing a lot of preparation lately.” Shrimpy says.
“I’m sure he has, and its in our best interest to find out exactly what that is. Maybe YOU can afford to play both sides, but I’m not taking that chance.” You say and start walking over to the crowd of little people.
As you approach, the dwarves instantly start closing ranks and their demeanor changes to a defensive one.
“Back again Shrimpy? I didn’t anticipate your sycophantic antics for another hour or so. And you must be Suzy, the new clown girl that’s been pissing off all the ladies and turning on all the guys. Hrm. Upon a closer look, I understand the appeal, but you’re still no dwarf woman.” an older dwarf says, though many of his fellows probably don’t share that opinion.
“I take it you’re the leader of your group?”
“Yep, though I don’t suppose Shrimpy’s bothered to mention my name is Billy. If you’re here about our current alliance, you needn’t worry since I’ve reassured Shrimpy so many times about it that it’s getting to the point of annoyance. Glad to you at least changed it up by appearing yourself, could’ve done without the big ugly clown behind you though, but I’m guessing he’s a poor attempt at intimidation.”
“A girl likes to have a big strong man to watch her back sometimes.”
“Heh, and that’s why you’ve practically begged a bunch of little men to do it to eh? Let’s cut to the chase, what do you really want? I already know that you’re the new leader of the clowns given what you did to old Roofie over there. Bet he didn’t see that coming.”
You don’t know how else to put it so you just say it, which comes to a surprise to Shrimpy and Lifto as well.
“I’m going to be the new leader of this carnival and YOU’RE going to support me in this endeavor.”
Billy smiles at this remark and then chuckles. Several of the other dwarves do likewise.
“You? Really? And you think we’re just going to support you in this? I hope you had a better plan than preparing to fuck every munchkin in munchkin land Dorothy, because at this juncture I guarantee that would be the ONLY way that you MIGHT come close to your dreams of being in charge. And if that was your plan, you can forget it, because I’m happily married. However, it might gain you favor with some of my friends. Could ensure that your group will have a place in the new carnival order that will be coming soon, but that’s a choice you’ll have to make on your own.”
“You really think the rest of the carnival is going to follow you?”
“They won’t have a choice, we dwarves have always been the backbone of it and it’s about time we just took the spotlight. Just like my Great Uncle Charley always wanted to do so long ago.”
“Yeah and apparently that didn’t work out so well given your current situation. You know why? Nobody truly respects you. They’re content to let you do the grunt work, but they don’t want you to be in the spotlight, unless you’re making a fool of yourself like Shrimpy here.” You say.
“HEY!” Shrimpy remarks.
“Watch your tone there blondie, you’re starting to tread on very dangerous ground.” Billy warns.
“Yes, I know and I’m also trying to explain that you’re ALREADY in control by being the backbone of the carnival. You might very well be able to win this internal struggle, but would there be anything left? This place has languished under Roofie, obviously, but it could be great again if it had the right ring master. Someone who could bring in the people. You said it yourself, I’ve got most of the guys here salivating over me just by my presence. You know how advertising works, I bring ‘em in with a wink, a smile and some sweet talk, the other performers get the money out of them and someone has to keep the infrastructure together and that’s you. We could work together as a more than just co-workers we could be like…a family. Like how carnies are supposed to really stick together.”
Your words give a moment of pause for Billy who ponders them for a moment, but then shakes his head.
“Y’know, that’s a really good speech, the problem is you haven’t been here but a few days and you’re already trying to take over. In family terms, you’re like the hot twenty year old nurse that married great grandpa on his death bed in the hopes of inheriting everything despite the fact he’s got a multitude of family members that are far more deserving since they had to put up with his shit a lot longer. Now that doesn’t mean I don’t think you’re sincere or even that your idea isn’t a worthy one, its just I don’t see YOU as that potential leader. If this carnival does split apart after the dust clears, well maybe it was meant to be, but I’m not spending the remainder of my life following another half-assed leader again. So to sum up, if you want to be on our side then great, if not, then I highly suggest you all get in your clown car and all get jobs at a rodeo or something.”
At this point Billy’s done talking and waves you all away.
Well that could’ve went better.
“Are you nuts?! Why the hell did you do that for? You’re lucky he isn’t cancelling our protection!” Shrimpy says.
“Well I can’t say it was the best of moves, but I guess you had to try.” Lifto says.
Between Shrimpy’s concern for his own self-preservation and Lifto’s impotent comment, you’re wondering if you shouldn’t re-consider trying to escape again.
Ultimately you all head back to the table where upon Shrimpy and Lifto explain what happened. Fatty and Klepto are both surprised by your actions, but Klepto again makes the usual attempt at being more “understanding” than the others. Christ, he never quits.
“I don’t need this right now, I’m going to be by myself.” You say grabbing the small radio that they were listening to and head to where Roofie is still lying on his mat with his eyes closed. You don’t know if he’s still awake or genuinely asleep now, but he at least doesn’t appear to be in any mood to bother you right now.
You spend a few more hours listening to one of the radios while the others play cards and try to talk about mundane things. You’re not getting the best reception and it’s no Internet, but it’s better than nothing.
You mostly listen to a lot of special breaking news talking about how bad things are getting in various parts of the world. You hear about the riots going on and think about your own town and how your “real” family is doing. Ben’s hidden personal bomb shelter was somewhere in the backyard, you wonder if you shouldn’t have just tried to look for it and moved in there, it probably was stocked.
Then as the sun starts setting, you hear a bunch of shooting and shouting outside. You see the other guardsmen near the tent entrance rush off, leaving everyone unsupervised.
Naturally no longer being supervised means chaos within the tent begins to erupt though you have no idea why people aren’t more concerned about why the National Guardsmen are shooting and yelling at something outside.
Lacking any better idea, you try to wake up Roofie, but he doesn’t stir.
“Oh shit…” you say to yourself.
Apparently his last words to you WERE his dying request literally.
While you’re the only one aware of poor Roofie’s unexpected passing, a full on fight in the tent breaks out. Predictably, it’s Razor and her faction vs. Billy and his faction. Some of the smaller factions join in while others just run out of the tent altogether. It’s very lucky that your group is nowhere near the center of the tent where the fighting is and more or less in a corner.
“Suzy! It’s begun!” Lifto shouts.
“Yeah! We need to get in and help Billy or we’re going to be next!” Shrimpy adds.