These two started it all! Yes, Al and Hank--special people in a very special circus!
Here's a teaser from the first chapter:
First chapter:
"The vehicle was a beat up well-travelled 1929
Ford school bus. It had been painted a bright red and said ‘Fred Dodger’s
Circus’ on the side. Amid peeling paint, the image of ecstatic clowns was a bit
pathetic looking. Curtains hung on each of the windows. Baby Alice had sewn
them; now she sat outside with her pals waiting for the meat to be cooked.
An old man, somewhat senile in appearance and
actions, sat licking his lips. His son, the owner/manager, had gone to town on
business in his pickup.
The bus had withstood a lot of wear and tear.
Well, it would have—what with three clowns, two midgets, and one fat lady
riding it.
Al drove the bus. With him being three feet
tall, there were adaptions to the driver’s seat. This, the manager had seen to
and Al was pleased. His lady friend, the huge Baby Alice, sat near him. Her
seat had also been adapted in order to accommodate her girth.
None of the troupe disliked riding in the bus
or camping out in tents. The weather occasionally made it difficult for them,
though. Once, near Tupelo, Mississippi, the bus had to be dragged out by the
pickup. The manager had extensive experience in such matters and everyone was
grateful he did.
Fred Dodger loved his people and looked after
them very well, and they knew it. He had explained about leaving them to go to
town in order to get some money. They said fine and decided to have a cook out.
Any car or truck driving past would have been
amused at the scene. Clearly, they were circus people—carnies—with the clowns
in full make-up, Alice who weighed just under four hundred pounds, and Hank and
Al, both 3 feet tall.
Hank got to arguing with Al about the progress
of the meat being cooked. When it was at last ready, Al served it up. The old man
got his first out of respect. He dug right in. Baby Alice did the same, as did
the clowns. Al and Hank had a salami they swiped from a deli. They weren’t
going to eat what everyone else was eating. They weren’t cannibals..."
Watch this space! It's coming!
Next update THE COVER!
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