The Flea Circus – The Greatest of Ease

All through the air they fly with the greatest of ease! This has been in Mr. Werlington’s mind since yesterday. In fact, since yesterday, he hasn’t had the time to see the trapeze artists perform. He has been preparing to leave.

Furthermore, it involves more than the standard moving procedures. He unlocks the basement door and turns on lights for the lower level. With any luck he will be done and ready to see the trapeze act before they finish! There is no artistry in aerial acrobatics like Alianna and Raphael! Oh, how magical they were!

He descends the stairs, and moves to the far side of the basement. Here is where he must prepare for the move. He pulls back a large cargo cover exposing a strange and unlikely machine.

The greatest

Many years ago the colony had sent a series of crews to install this back up. Mr. Werlington had thought it unnecessary at the time. There had never been a need for escape. Locations were selected because of their benign conditions. Furthermore, the work had gone on for quite some time.

It had been done when there was the least chance of being observed. In the odd hours of the night. However, the end result was worth it. The escape system was ready for a hasty departure. Mr. Werlington didn’t like to think about this, as a hasty departure.

He checks the time. It is late in the evening. There is still much work to do before it’s time to leave. He is wondering if there will be time to see the last part of the trapeze artist’s performance. Yet, there was so much to do before departure.

It was rare to encounter conflicts of interest when the colony established a research facility. Very rare. These things were impossible to get wrong. Furthermore, this was only one world. There were hundreds more facilities in this solar system alone.

of ease

After settling the last of the experiments into the travel vessel, he decides to spare just a few minutes. He was certain the performance had begun. With breathless anticipation he sits at the table and peers eagerly into the scene below.

The crowd is cheering. Then the ringmaster announces a well known name, and the uproar is momentous! Mr. Werlington listens intently, and looks on in rapt wonder as the artists are announced.

“The courageous and bold Raffael with the charming and graceful Alianna!” The crowd claps and cheers happily! “Next is the exciting and daring Jarrel with the always lovely and breathtaking Elizabeth!” Once again the crowd is ecstatic! Now the show begins, and Mr. Werlington looks on with fixated glee, as they fly through the air with the greatest of ease.