Everything in life is a test. I just happen to pass most of them.

I had gone back to my car to fetch some stuff I’d need to make sense of this whole ordeal. My car was beautiful. 1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88. White. Almost mint condition. Anyway, I’d grabbed a notebook that I’d been using for my job interview, a pen, and my sunglasses. I wasn’t used to being out in the sun this much, and I was already turning a pinker color than I usually look.

I had watched Mr. James start in upon one of the customers, but had only gotten to listen for a bit, before there was a crash from inside his trailer. I jotted down some of the bets and Prizes that Mr. James had offered, as well as what he’d asked for. I considered how this might be possible, and how powerful oaths seemed to be here.

I had seen G.A. meet up with Dr. Celestine. I once more jotted down details. Similarities. Differences. Attitudes. Style of walk. There were a lot more similarities than differences, and I can’t say that I was surprised. I had seen that thin blonde woman race back and forth across the carnival grounds, and talk with that red-headed (well, hell, truth be told he was almost completely covered in red hair) man, and shudder a few times during the conversation. Couldn’t forget that. I’d seen Mr. James’ counterpart enter the Ringmasters’ trailer, and come out holding a top hat, tears rolling down his face.

But, it seemed right now, that there were two very important things that I had noticed. The day before, I had seen Dr. Celestine (G.A.’s clone) carry a woman from the big top, a top hat resting on her chest. Then, today, I had seen the blonde woman take tthe very same top hat from Mr. James’ look-a-like, and stuff it in her backpack. They both seemed very intent on the top hat, and just looking at it made the hair on my arms stand on end. Something was in this hat.

I jotted all of this down, played with the order, and the possible meanings of these events, and decided that this was more intricate than any convoluted plot he’d ever come up with while role playing. This was going to take careful watching, note-taking, planning, ordering, and deciding. I sat down. It was easier to write that way. Amongst the sounds of the newly-installed rides, and the cheers and breathless gasps of the customers of the carnival, I started to hear the music of a warped calliope in the back of my mind, where the spirits used to speak.

Yeah, I usually pass tests with flying colors.