Free A Fear of Clowns (The Greasepaint Chronicals) by P. S. Power Page B

processed American, or at least Swiss . That man who hired me is
so unpatriotic, everyone knows that bologna is best with American! What do you
say folks, am I worth a decent sandwich, or not?" The reaction was mixed,
but loud, and the ladies were on his side, wanting to get their act under way.
They all went back and forth for a bit, with the audience mainly voting for him
to be paid with something more tasty than smelly cheese, by the end. Mainly
thanks to the Rhondettes making pretend eyes at him. Max finally came out, his
face fixed in a scowl. He shook a raised fist in mock menace.
    "You bum! Get off the stage
and let my performers work. Or I'll limburger you so hard!" It
wasn't well done, but got things going, and the second they were off the lights
changed, as if it had all been planned, and the music started to play
correctly. The man didn't even speak, just patting him on the back before
walking away.
    The shows went on until two, with
the ventriloquist, who was a grown man that worked with puppets called Benny
Sims, his main character being Mongo, drew the whole thing to an end for the
night. Jay had to go and close it down, but everyone seemed pleased enough,
given how sloppy it had all been.
    He wasn't the only one to think
so either. Max was back stage when he got there, along with everyone else.
Without thinking, Jay moved toward Wendy, who'd smiled at him, her face pleasant.
He got a little one armed hug from her. She didn't normally do things like
that, since he tried to be a bit standoffish with her. The last thing he
wanted was for Carlos to think he was trying to steal his wife. Gloria, looking
like a blonde linebacker trundled over to them too, leaving Max in the center
of the group of people.
    "Thanks everyone. Things
were a little rough, but we can smooth that out. Let's call a two o'clock
practice here tomorrow? Just a quick run through. I really appreciate you all
coming in on short notice like this. Jason, I called Greg and he said that you
can meet him for lunch in the second meeting room? Noon. Then we have a few
acts to look at. Rhonda, Rhondettes... You're all troopers. That screw up was
my fault. I was tired when I put the play list in the computer and screwed
things up. It won't happen again. Gloria, perfect work. Like always. Again,
thanks everyone." Then he walked away, seeming a bit like a man trying to
make an escape.
    People muttered, but no one
walked out, which was a good sign. It meant that they needed the work, or at
least didn't feel like they were being abused too much.
    Carlos walked over looking dapper
in his business suit. Not everyone got to wear a tux to work every day.
    "Jay! That was some good
work. Have you eaten anything today?" There was real concern in the words,
which was warranted, as it turned out.
    "Half a bagel, before I left
this morning. I hear I get paid in sandwiches though, so things are looking
up!"
    Benny, who'd packed things up
already, gave him a dirty look and walked over.
    "Damn, are you always on
then? I don't suppose I can get some help carrying things to my room? You're
like the stage manager, right?" There were three big boxes, all with
handles, but the man clearly didn't want to leave them there behind the curtain.
    Jason nodded, even if it wasn't
exactly right. He'd been hired, and that meant doing whatever he could to make
himself valuable, didn't it?
    "Close enough! Let's get
that done, then get something to eat? I could change first." This got him
to glance at Carlos, who nodded.
    "That's a plan. Let's all
meet in twenty minutes? In the restaurant on the first floor. They still have a
buffet set up for us. Max set it up."
    Everyone changed, and he helped
get Benny to his room, which was only three doors away from his own. That
meant, by hurrying and scrubbing a bit more roughly than normal, he wasn't too
late. Hobo makeup was just lighter than the full face kind. Easier to remove.
    So, pink faced and tired he got
into the restaurant, and settled next