Chad Schimke

Summary
Henry Hill, a young magician, joins a sideshow operated by Irene Ham, a bearded lady. He then becomes an apprentice to an old-fashioned performer in the vaudevillian tradition. The mettle of each sideshow freak is tested along the way, leading to a shocking conclusion.

Characters
Irene– The owner-operator of a touring show.
Henry– A teenaged magician that performs stage magic.
Otto – An old fashioned performer in the vaudeville tradition.

Quote
What is normal? It’s human nature to look down disparagingly on anyone that’s different or unusual. But, the human oddity draws a crowd; spectators recoil in horror, draw in with morbid fascination, openly stare at the deformed, can’t look and can’t look away.

Locations
Circus Grounds, Big Top, Carnival Sideshow, Suburbia.

First sentence
“May I have your attention please?” The ringmaster wore a long red coat embellished with gold braid and stovepipe hat. “I’m your host tonight!” He cracked his whip and spoke into the microphone. “We’re glad you came to see the sideshow.”

Themes
Misfits that were formerly outsiders become insiders, under leadership that juxtaposes masculine-feminine characteristics.

Notes for parents
PG – Mild suspense and horror.

More books like this
Black Ferris by Ray Bradbury (Short Story), Very Special People by Frederick Drimmer, Spurs by Tod Robbins (Short Story).