Do you like stories with mystery and suspense? Strange and “wyrd” ones? Well, if you do, keep reading and enjoy Eggcentricsagas. If you are just joining Eggcentricsagas, you might want to start from the beginning: A La Mano: Part 1-The Treasure
Edward stood at the front of the carnival and surveyed the lot. The workers were finishing placing the flags on the ticket booths at the arch entrance. The Ferris wheel was at the back of the carnival’s horseshoe pattern with its calling card; the large colorful sign used to attract the townies to come and see the show. The carousel with its band organ was always the first ride just inside the gate, and behind it were the other rickety rides placed in the center aisle. All were assembled and then tested to make sure they were on steady ground.
Typically, as the crowds shuffled in, they fanned out to the sides. Stationed there were the games intermixed with poppers, the wagons selling popcorn, peanuts, and candied apples. Further down were the drink stands where people quenched the thirst brought on by their consumption of salt and sugar. Lemonade was the drink of choice of the women and children, but the rogues were known to partake of stronger beverages offered by carnie men on the sly.
People were predictable and, the stream most always flowed to the right side first. Located there were the old-timers with the best games that won the most money. The practiced con men who operated with finesse and confederates. The shills that worked the crowd posing as customers enticing the genuine patrons to join the game or buy a sideshow ticket. Reserved for the people that had angered or short-changed the lot manager was the left venue. Their punishment was a poor location where the majority who passed had already spent their money.
The gates would open shortly. Edward smirked to think about how soon the yokels would be parted with their cash. Carnival life. The price I pay for freedom, he thought. Turning away, he started back towards his train car in the area away from public access. The “sucker netting” perimeter fencing to prevent uninvited town guests was already up. Taking out his handkerchief, the magician wiped his brow. Another moist, hot day. At least the day was overcast with a light southerly breeze. Edward wondered if more thunderstorms would occur. If he was lucky, Big Boss would make him an inside talker for the day. The tents will be hot, but at least I will be out of the elements, he thought. Preoccupied, he was not aware of Rajiv until the boy was next to him. Rajiv’s monkey, Kapi, was perched on his shoulder. The animal screeched near Edward’s ear, startling him.
Edward jumped and exclaimed, “Damn, Kapi, you nearly made me soil myself!”
Rajiv scolded Kapi, and the monkey seemed to express remorse by pulling his red vest with its gold brocade over his head momentarily. Then Rajiv apologized, “Forgive me, Mr. Angel. Big Boss sent me to find you. It seems that Madame Glass is missing and no one can find her. He requests your presence immediately.”
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Big Boss was sitting at his substantial wooden desk in his fancy boxcar office. Edward could see that the tall, thickset man with his scruffy face was already sweating. Despite the fact that he had, not one, but three newly purchased Fort Wayne brass electric desk fans pointed at him.
Big Boss glanced up with a perturbed look. “Damn travellers! Always causing trouble and the women are the worst! If the public wasn’t so enamored with spiritualism these days…”
Trying to ameliorate the burly man’s mood, Edward attempted to redirect the discussion to the pertinent. “So Madame Glass is gone?”
His boss scowled and replied, “Yeah. Arnie said he couldn’t find her and the rest of them won’t talk.”
Edward knew that he was referring to the traveller clan that tended to stick together and were tight-lipped around the other workers. Especially Arnie, the Advance Man. It was Arnie’s job to secure all licenses and bribes to local officials before the carnival came to town. The travellers seemed to attract more than their fair share of trouble and consequently, they blamed Arnie. The clan didn’t trust him.
Big Boss scratched at his huge, unshaven face around his mutton chops and said, “They like you, Magic Man. Find out what happened. She was messing around with George. If he dumped her body somewhere…”
Edward grimaced as he thought about George’s temper. The carnival’s Strong Man, more than once, he had been in local jails for assault and battery. He didn’t tolerate assertive women and Madame Glass was no shrinking violet. In fact, she could be downright domineering and quarrelsome. But she was also cunning and devious. “Do you really think there is foul play involved in her disappearance?” Edward asked his manager. “Have we checked all the boxcars and possum bellies?” On occasion, the magician had found Rajiv and Kapi taking refuge in a possum belly, the storage box designed for equipment located under the wagon.
Big Boss grinned. “I hadn’t thought about that. That vixen could be sleeping off a binge…”
Edward assured him, “I’ll check it out, boss, and try to find out what happened to her.”
He left the boxcar and the giant man to the rest of his carnival worries. Edward was less troubled than Big Boss about Madame Glass having met her demise by George. More than likely, the strong man was her ticket out, her thieving compatriot. Risky business stealing from Big Boss, they better keep running if they have, he thought as he turned his steps towards her tent.
Next: The Magician’s Hat: Part 3-The Soothsayer’s Tent
