Чужак в чужой стране

           Theplatformstoodinthemiddlerearofthetentandtheaudiencesurroundeditonallsides.Acompanionoftheboywhoknewallaboutstagemagicsaid,"Okay,Speedy,where’sthesteelrod?"

           Thekidsaiduncertainly,"Youhavetolookwherehedoesn’twantyoutolook,it’sthewaythey’vegotthoselightsfixedtoshinerightintoyoureyes."

           Dr.Apollosaid,"That’senoughsleep,fairyprincess.Givemeyourhand.Wakeup,wakeup!"Hetookherhand,pulledhererectandhelpedherstepdowntotheplatform.

           ("Yousee?Yousawhowstiffshegotdown,yousawwheresheputherfoot?That’swherethesteelrodwent."Thekidaddedwithsatisfaction,"Justagimmick.")

           Themagicianwentontalking,"Andnowfriends,ifyouwillkindlygiveyourattentiontoourlearnedlecturer,ProfessorTimoshenko-"

           Thetalkercutinatonce."Don’tgo‘way!ForthisoneperformanceonlybyarrangementwiththeCouncilofCollegesandUniversitiesandwiththepermissionoftheDepartmentofSafetyandWelfareofthiswonderfulcity,weareofferingthistwentydollarbillabsolutelyfreetoanyoneofyou-"

           Mostofthetipwasturnedintotheblow-off.Afewwanderedaround,thenstartedtoleaveasmostofthelightsinthemaintentwereturnedoff.Thefreaksandothercarniesstartedpackingtheirpropsandslumpreparatorytotear-down.Therewasatrainjumpcominginthemorningandlivingtopswouldremainupforafewhourssleep,butcanvasboyswerealreadylooseningstakesonthesideshowtop.