Send In The Clowns

"And why not?", said Milo, reclining in one of his favorite postures on the porch settee. "Why shouldn’t we go to the circus?"

"Er…um…well…because it’s not seemly for us felines to be seen in such an establishment you know", Grover answered haughtily warming his orange fur in the sun.

"Well quit being such a snob Grover!" I don’t know why I’m even friends with you sometimes!"

"Oh…ok then - I suppose I’ll never hear the end of it if I don’t agree. Let’s go tomorrow after breakfast all right?" said Grover, resignation in his voice.

"Woohoo �?woohoo! And woohoo again!" Milo was so happy that he jumped straight up in the air, turning a somersault then landing on his feet. He ran up to Grover, giving him a great big cat hug.

"Ah �?phooey �?that’s quite enough. Don’t get carried away. How bout we meet at the corner right after breakfast in the morning?" Grover said, turning away to head up the porch steps in time for his supper. Milo trotted off home with a huge grin on his face.

The next morning Grover awoke, had a delightful bacon and liver breakfast, groomed himself til his coat shone then leisurely strolled to the corner where Milo was waiting impatiently for him.

"Awwww Grover �?what took you so long? I’ve been here for ages, just ages." Milo exclaimed as the two started off down the street.

"We’ll get there soon enough lad. Don’t you worry. Look ahead, you can see the Ferris Wheel now!", said Grover, getting more than a little excited himself now. They hurried ahead as fast as their little legs could take them. As they neared the front gate of the circus grounds, they quickly detoured to the left where a cat-sized entrance awaited. No sense causing a disturbance. We’ll just slip in quietly, Grover thought.

Once safely in, the two looked at each other unsure of where to start first. Milo inclined his head in the direction of the midway and Grover followed his friend to the booths. They nonchalantly strolled up and down the long strip, noses twitching appreciatively at the smell of greasy fries and cotton candy.

"Look over there �?at that dog! At least I think it’s a dog", Milo gestured to a tent close to the end of the midway. The posterior of a tan and white dog trying to wiggle itself free from under the side of the tent. Milo ran over to see what was going on.

"Milo, get back here!" yelled Grover, thinking that young kit knows no fear.

Milo trotted up to the dog and said, "Whatcha doin?"

The very surprised dog finished extricating himself from the tent and replied, "Not what I had hoped, laddie."

"And what might that be?" inquired Milo.

"Milo! I am shocked! Don’t be so nosy!" Grover exclaimed.

"It’s ok you two. I don’t mind, even though you are felines. My name is Fred and I am looking for my fiancée, Ginger. She has been missing for days now. I have looked everywhere else. I have gotten chased out of more places than Heinz has got pickles.  That is why I am in disguise.  This is my last hope". His voice trailed off slowly.

"Oh my�?hmmm…what does she look like?" Grover asked.

"Well she is quite small and petite and beautiful. And a soft off-white color", Fred said with a dreamy expression on his face.

"Ok then �?if we see her, er, um, …what shall we do?" Grover mused.

"I will be searchin�?this midway for a bit then the main tent, I just know she is around her somewhere! Thanks for the help and see you soon I hope!"  And with that they went their separate ways.

Milo and Grover enjoyed the midway a while longer and then wandered over to the big tent. "Look at all the people going in Milo! The show must be about to start!" Grover exclaimed.

"Woohoo! Woohoo!" yipped Milo, "I love a good show!" Trying to find an inconspicuous spot in which to watch the show, the two wove around and behind the bleachers. They found a spot at the end of one section and settled in to watch the show. Even Grover was looking forward to this with a big Cheshire cat grin plastered on his face. The music blared and the ringmaster stood tall and proud with his deep voice resonating throughout the tent. The audience was all excited for the thrills yet to come.

There were acts featuring acrobats, plate spinners, lion tamers too. That one had Milo and Grover cowering a bit from their wild cousins. The music changed to a peppy tune and out from the curtain came a trio of clowns tumbling and falling and dancing throughout the ring. They were soon followed by a trio of canines, each dressed in clown garb.

Milo gasped, "Look, Grover, Look! It’s that dog, Fred’s friend! I just know it is! They made her into a clown!"

"Oh my, how demeaning", Grover replied. "We have to find Fred and tell him about Ginger! You wait here and I will try to get to him. Keep an eye on her in the meantime".

"Will do, Grover, good luck, and hurry!" Milo replied.

Grover dashed under the bleachers and sped for the entrance. Zooming towards the midway as fast as his little cat legs could carry him. So fast was he going that he nearly ran right past Fred.

"Ack!!!" he screamed. "Fred (puff-puff), oh Fred (gasp, gasp!). We found her!"

Fred’s eyes got as big as saucers. (well more like small saucers really) and without a word, they ran back the way Grover had come. When they got to the big top, Grover took Fred aside and whispered something in his ear.

"That might work �?let’s do it!" Fred replied. And he took off around to the other side of the tent. Grover hurried back in to meet up with Milo.

"Oh Grover! Am I glad you’re back, the show is almost done. What are we gonna do?" Milo asked excitedly.

"Let me tell you!" As Grover directed Milo over to the performer’s entrance.

"Ooooweeee, sure I’ll do it!" laughed Milo.

The music wound down and the clowns cleaned up their gear and left the ring with the canine clowns trotting behind them. Suddenly a cat ran out from behind the bleachers and let out a screech that could be heard for miles.

Can you guess who that might be?

Yes, you are right! Milo!

Well anyway, during the distraction, Grover quickly ran up to Ginger and drew her under the bleachers. He said a few words and then they ran quickly to the main entrance where Fred was waiting for them.

Grover looked back to the melee of dogs and clowns and clowns and dogs. It was a blur. The clowns were trying to control the remaining dogs and the audience, thinking that this was part of the show, roared their approval. Milo took advantage of the confusion and slipped away undetected.

The four of them soon met up by the bushes near the main gate. Fred and Ginger were nuzzling noses and whispering endearments in each other’s ears.

"Aww, how sweet", thought Grover. "They make a lovely couple."

As the group made their way out of the shrubbery towards the gate, a police car careened through the gate and screeched to a halt. Milo and the canines quickly withdrew back into the bushes, leaving Grover just a few feet away from the officer.

The police officer leaned out of the window and threw his banana peel to the ground in front of Grover who backed up in distaste.

"No one leaves this area! Police orders!" he intoned, looking suspiciously at Grover.

"Yes sir!" Grover responded, trying to look suitably innocent. The simian officer jumped out of the car without even opening the door and swaggered over to the main tent. He must think he’s "Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp", thought Grover.

He thought about getting the others and making a run for it but for the fact that the police officer kept looking behind at Grover. He waited until the chimp was almost at the big top, then motioned the others to make their escape. And they did!

But Grover had miscalculated and the officer started thumping his fists on his chest in a bad imitation of Tarzan and started racing back towards them. Grover did the only thing he knew to do and ran full speed ahead and sprung up towards the monkey and latched all four feet, claws unsheathed upon the surprised chimp.

"Argh!!! Get this flea-bitten feline off me!" the monkey roared.

Grover continued to hang on, claws digging in even harder, trying to give the others a generous headstart. During the tussle, Grover saw a key tag dangling out of his opponent’s front pocket. Seeing the label, he quickly grabbed it between his teeth and scurried off to join his comrades. The chimp, a little slow on the uptake, jumped into the patrol car, fumbled for his key and swore a monkey curse under his breath. Realizing, he’d been had, he slammed his hairy head against the steering wheel in disgust.

Meanwhile Grover raced furiously to catch up with his friends. And when he did, he filled them in on all the details. Milo thought he would never stop laughing!

Grover wound up his foreleg like a baseball pitcher and tossed the keys into a muddy ditch. "He’ll never find it now", said Milo gleefully. Fred and Ginger applauded.

"Let’s go home", said Grover. "It’s been a long day." As they neared Grover and Milo’s street, Fred and Ginger stopped and hugged the felines and thanked them for their help.

"No problem, someday we might need help too", replied Grover with Milo nodding his head in agreement.

They watched watched the canines saunter happily down the street and turned to go down theirs too. "Do you think the police chimp will come after us Grover?" Milo asked.

"Nah, I bet he will be too ashamed to let anyone know a cat got the better of him, my young friend", replied Grover. "It’s been a long day, let’s see what’s in our supper dishes. And then a nap, yes a nap sounds good", he said yawning the last few words.

"Yes, a catnap", said Milo, "Um…er…Grover�?can we go back there tomorrow?"

"Arghhh!…�?With that Grover ran straight home and through the cat door and dove under his bed. He had no intentions of doing that again soon. Before long he was asleep having a strange dream…of monkeys and clowns and cotton candy…and�?.zzzzzzzzz.

©Bubbles 06-22-01