The very next day, Barnum and Erik arose bright and early before anyone else. Together, they made their way to the local bank where they both now sat waiting to speak with the bank director. Erik still felt uncertain about this little endeavor that Barnum concocted due to the unpredictability that it held. Then again, had he listened to those very same doubts back when he was still caged up and advertised as the ‘Devil’s Child’, he’d never have risen to the heights he was at now.
For the moment, Erik was willing to help Barnum with his grand scheme. He only hoped that he would not regret it down the road. There they both sat upon the long bench, along with a bunch of other gentlemen waiting to see the director.
“I hope you’re correct about this,” Erik sighed.
“Trust me my friend,” Barnum assured. “This willwork for all of us.”
“’The goat prices go up, so the pork bellies go down’…”
Barnum turned toward the bench to someone reading a newspaper. He noticed a pair of legs that barely even folded down over the bench. Whoever this person was, clearly they were quite short. The door to the director’s office swung open and a middle-aged woman walked out looking less than pleased.
“Charles, we’re leaving!” She spoke agitated. “This bank only wants to lend money to people ‘with’ money.”
No sooner she spoke when the person holding the newspaper put it down to reveal a dwarf of a man who hopped off the bench and followed his mother. While walking, he noticed Phineas looking at him in amazement and gave him in turn a dirty look.
“What are you looking at, flop-doodle?” He insulted.
Barnum merely watched as the two left, with a look of complete awe. Not only that, but so too was Erik, who watched the two walk away. He’d seen his fair share of dwarves back when he worked in the circus. Many of them, like all the others, who beat and humiliated him. And yet there were a select few who were actually kind to him, even making sure he was fed… specifically ‘one’ dwarf. Both of their thoughts were disrupted the moment the bank director called out to them.
“Mr. Barnum.”
Both men stood up and made their way toward the director’s office, but not before a big burly man stood before Erik.
“I believe Mr. Koffman called for Mr. Barnum, not you,” He spoke sternly.
“Worry not sir,” Barnum quickly interjected. “He’s my business partner.”
The guard studied Erik up and down before stepping off to the side, allowing Erik and Barnum to enter Mr. Koffman’s office. Both of them took a seat before Koffman’s desk and the bank director looked at them expectantly.
“Now then, what is it that you wish to inquire about today?” He asked them.
“Well sir, my business partner and myself would like to inquire about receiving a ten thousand dollar lone,” Barnum informed flat out.
Koffman released a chuckle and wiped a lone tear that threatened to escape from his eye.
“Surely you can’t be serious,” He said.
“We are gravely serious good monsieur,” Erik replied. “We seek to use this money to invest in a place where men, women, and children of all ages may experience the unnatural and bizarre in a way they’ve never have before.”
“This venture you propose is risky and somewhat bizarre,” Koffman responded uncertainly.
“It is a good best is what it is, sir,” Barnum assured. “People don’t want to admit it, but they’re fascinated with the exotic and the macabre. It’s why we stare at it.”
Koffman looked between both men, studying their intentions before sighing to himself with a shake of his head.
“The bank is going to need substantial collateral,” He told them.
“Of course. I, uh—I wouldn’t suggest otherwise,” Barnum replied.
The man himself reached deep in his coat pocket, drawing out a little pamphlet which he hands to the bank director himself.
“The deed and title to my entire flotilla of trading vessels.”
Erik reached into his own coat pocket and handed another piece of paper.
“As well as the deed to my opera house,” He said.
Barnum looked toward Erik with confusion, wondering why he would want to put his own opera house for collateral. However, a single knowing look from the Phantom made the smile return to Barnum’s face as they both faced Koffman once more.
“I believe this will be more than enough collateral,” Barnum smirked.
Koffman gave no word and merely grabbed the loan request to which he applied the stamp of approval.
<>
Later that very same day, Barnum and Erik led Charity, the girls, and the rest of the Equestrians down the street towards what they hoped would be their ticket to the finer life. Following their incursion to the bank earlier, Barnum asked Erik to retrieve the girls and Spike while he used to money for the investment that was needed. Erik really put all his trust in Phineas Barnum, he only hoped he wouldn’t make him regret it or else he’d make sure that he did. Eventually, the group met with Phineas, who helped to escort them down the road.
“I hope you all are ready to see this,” He said excitedly.
“I still don’t understand dear,” Charity said confused. “Why would a bank loan us $10,000?”
“Because we put up collateral.”
“But dear, we don’t have any collateral.”
“Sure we do,” Barnum retorted. “In the South China Seas.”
“In the South China Seas?” Charity questioned.
“Deep in the South China Seas,” Barnum chuckled.
“That’s really great for you and all, no disrespect or anything, but what does any of that have to do with us?” Rainbow asked.
“Because your ‘phantom’ friend is going to be my business partner,” Barnum replied, referring to Erik.
The girls and Spike faced Erik with raised eyebrows, but none higher than Rarity.
“So… you decided to venture off on a business acquisition and you didn’t think to tell me?” Rarity asked.
“Believe me mon ange, the matter is far more complicated than that,” Erik responded.
“How so?”
Erik gestured her to come closer, whispering the truth of everything in her ear. After hearing it, she looked over Barnum almost with a look of sorrow and pity in her eyes.
“How horrible…” She whispered.
“Indeed,” Erik nodded.
“I hope you know what you are doing,” Rarity spoke, with a headshake. “How did you end up tied to this in the first place?”
“Barnum put his sunken ships as collateral, and I put up my opera house.”
“WHAT?!?!” Rarity yelled.
The shout was so loud it made everyone freeze and look toward them in shock. This, of course, made Rarity blush furiously in embarrassment.
“Sorry everyone,” She apologized.
Barnum and his family merely shrugged, as they continued down the road while the Mane Six, Rara, and Spike came over to join in on their conversation.
“What’s wrong Rarity?” Twilight asked.
“Apparently my husband informed me that he put up his own opera house as collateral for this little business venture,” Rarity replied, slightly upset.
“Now why would ya go and do somethin’ like that Erik?” Applejack asked.
“I’ve done some dumb things in my life, but never anything that ‘stupid’,” Rainbow added.
“Relax everyone,” Erik assured. “You truly think I’d do something like that wihtout having a trick up my sleeve?”
This caused everyone to look at him more confused than ever.
“What do you mean?” Fluttershy asked.
“I gave him the ‘deed’, but never said it was the real one,” Erik smiled mischievously. “I’ve kept dozens of copies of the deed to my opera house back in Paris. So even if this venture fails, it will be quite difficult for them to seize my property… when it technically doesn’t exist to them.”
“Erick that’s… actually really smart!” Twilight spoke amazed.
“Yeah, it does make sense!” Spike agreed.
Though she was still quite peeved he didn’t tell her of his plan, Rarity smiled as Erik knelt down and they both shared an embrace and a kiss.
“I must admit my dearest, that was quite the ruse,” She spoke with admiration.
“And what did we buy with this loan?” Charity asked.
The group finally reached the end of the road where a big building stood, recently refurbished and now with a large banner hanging out front.
“’Barnum’s American Museum of Curiosities’,” Barnum read with pride.
“What kind of museum is it?” Rara asked.
“A place to be transported,” Barnum answered. “A place where people can see things they’ve never seen before.”
<>
“Wax figures?”
Inside the museum, everyone stood around looking in confusion at the sight of many different wax figures of historical figures. There were also figures of animals, one person beheaded by a guillotine, and various other weird and rather ‘unentertaining’ subjects.
“Yeah…” Barnum nodded, leading the tour. “They’re all the rage in Europe. Look, Marie Antoinette with the sore throat. Napoleon. Come here. See? You’ve already met some of the most famous folks in history. But they’re not all wax.”
He led the group toward a man standing off the side wearing a dirty worn outfit. He had a thick pushy beard and wore a bowler hat over his head. He was a mangy looking man, who made everyone slightly nervous.
“This is the great… O’Malley,” Barnum introduced. “Master of sleight of hand. A king of deception.”
“Hmm… you don’t look like a magician,” Pinkie spoke, confused. “Where’s your cape? Your magic wand? And that cute little rabbit you pull out of a hat?”
O’Malley just looked toward her with a bored blank expression.
“I’m a thief,” He spoke flatly.
“A very ‘good’ thief,” Barnum smiled. “I caught him nicking my watch.”
And you thought it would be a good idea to hire him instead of calling the police?” Erik asked.
To which Barnum just shrugged in response. Just then, the two little girls caught sight of something that made them gasp in amazement.
“An elephant!” They exclaimed excitedly.
“Not just any elephant,” Barnum spoke, leading them. “Oh, yeah. This is a ten-ton bull straight from the plains of Africa. And look at that.”
He pointed to the side where a gigantic stuffed giraffe looked upon them from a great height.
“The tallest giraffe in the world.”
“Can I climb up its leg?” Caroline asked hopefully.
“Absolutely not.”
“Cuz nothing says, ‘Come in and have a good time’ like sore throats, beheadings, and big animals," Rainbow spoke sarcastically.
"Hush up now," Applejack scolded her.
“Okay… I know how it looks,” Barnum spoke nervously.
“If you didn’t, I’d be worried,” Charity chuckled.
“I mean, it just needs a little work, but…”
“The loan has to be paid back every month.”
“Oh yeah, we’re gonna pay it,” Barnum spoke determined. “We just need customers. Hundreds of them. We’re gonna get them.”
<>
Later on, Barnum and his family were busy advertising for the museum. The girls and Spike already decided to head back to the apartment so they wouldn’t get in the way. Not that they really thought that the business was going to succeed because quite frankly it seemed rather… boring.
“Welcome to the Barnum Museum!” Barnum announced to the people. “It is one hour of your time, sir, but it will change your life.”
“We have shows on the hour, every hour!” Charity added.
“I love your dress,” Caroline complimented a passing woman.
“Surely not for the faint of heart, but I can tell you’re gonna love it,” Barnum continued. “Half price for anyone who’s wearing a hat. Ho, ho! That’s you, sir.”
However, it quickly became apparent that no one was interested as they threw the fliers on the ground and walked all over them.
“Loads of garbage.”
“Goodness, no. It’s rubbish.”
Seeing the people walk away and throwing their advertisements away made Barnum extremely nervous. He quickly raced to the ticket booth O’Malley was working and looked toward the thief.
“How many tickets?” He asked.
“Three,” O’Malley answered flatly.
Barnum turned around toward his wife and two girls standing there holding three tickets, the only three tickets that had been sold at all. Barnum sighed in disappointment over the fact this clearly was not going well.
<>
Later that night, Barnum came home for the evening following a long, uneventful day at the museum. Charity and the girls had already gone home long ago, following hours upon hours of absolutely no business. Barnum walked through the front door, finding his wife sleeping on the couch and Fluttershy gently laying a blanket over her while she slept. Barnum gave a small nod of gratitude toward the little Pegasus for taking care of his wife as he walked over and knelt beside her. At that moment, the rest of the Mane Six, Rara, Spike, and Erik approached to greet him.
“How did the rest of the day go?” Twilight asked.
“Got any more business?” Spike added hopefully.
Barnum looked toward them and just gave a sad shake of his head.
“Aww don’t beat yourself up just yet,” Pinkie smiled. “Tomorrow’s a brand new day. I’m sure it’ll be filled with nothing but sunshine and new adventures.”
“No offense Pinkie, but you think that ‘every’ day,” Rainbow said.
“At least she’s thinking positively darling,” Rarity shot at her.
“Daddy.”
The sounds of his daughters calling for him spread a smile across Phineas’s face, as he walked into their room with the ponies, Spike, and Erik following closely behind. Both Caroline and Helen lay snug in their beds as the group walked in and smiled at them.
“Ah thought we done put y’all two tah bed an hour ago,” Applejack chuckled.
“We wanted to make sure daddy got home safely,” Helen replied.
“Did you sell any more tickets today?” Caroline asked her father.
“A few, yeah,” Phineas nodded. “Most everyone was rushing home, it’s Friday, but… we sold a few.”
“I think you have too many dead things in your museum, Daddy,” Caroline spoke honestly.
This made everyone chuckle over how brutally honest this little girl could be.
“Do you?” Phineas chuckled.
“She’s right,” Rara agreed. “You need something alive. Something amazing beyond words that people will pay to see.”
“Honestly, I don’t think people want to pay to stare at dead things,” Rainbow added. “I wouldn’t.”
This again garnered another chuckle from Phineas Barnum, who looked down toward his daughters with a loving smile.
“I’ll see what I can do,” He told them. “Go to sleep, both of you.”
“Something sensational,” Caroline replied.
“That’s a big word.”
“It’s your word.”
“Something that isn’t stuffed,” Helen added.
Soon Barnum and the Equestrian group made their way from the bedroom and back into the living room.
“Those girls really are smart beyond their years,” Twilight marveled.
“They know what the show needs,” Erik nodded. “It needs spectacles, living and breathing. Things that make people drop their jaws in disbelief, but they’ll keep coming back anyway. I must admit, though my time was horrific, people from all around flocked at the chance to see myself and all the other acts at the fair… because this was how we make our living.”
“Yeah, but where would you find any of those?” Rainbow asked.
All of a sudden, Phineas’ face lit up as another idea came to his head. Slowly turning back around, he looked toward the pony bunch and their dragon companion. Kneeling to their height, he looked at them all dead in the eye.
“Kind of like all of you,” He said.
“What do you mean darling?” Rarity asked.
“How would all of you like to be in my show?” He asked them.
“Um… don’t you think it might be weird for people to see a bunch of colorful talking ponies?” Rara asked.
“And… a talking dragon?” Spike pointed at himself.
“That’s the whole point of my show,” Barnum replied. “To show people fascinating and exciting things they have never seen before. With all of you at my side, I have no doubt in my mind that everyone will pay to see the show.”
The ponies and Spike looked back and forth at one another as they thought about his proposal. On one hand, it was risky exposing themselves in a place where they have no idea how the people would react. Then again, that certainly never stopped them on many of their adventures and somehow it all worked out fine. Also, they’d hate to see their new friends out on the streets, so the answer overall was not difficult to think about.
“We’re in Mr. Barnum,” Twilight agreed.
She held out her hoof, to which Phineas greatly accepted and shook.
“Okay, you have colorful ponies and a teenage dragon,” Rainbow pointed out. “I still think you need a bit more to keep people interesting.”
Thinking about where to possibly find more acts for his new show, Phineas smiled again as he recalled something from earlier that day.
“I think I know just who to talk to…”
<>
The next day, Phineas found himself walking up the front door of Gertrude Stratton. After seeing her and her son leaving the bank yesterday, he knew right away Charles was exactly what was needed for his show. Reaching the front door, he gave a gentle knock and Ms. Stratton answered not even a minute later. She was rather confused seeing some random man at her door.
“You must be Gertrude Stratton,” Phineas smiled. “I’m looking for your son.”
“I don’t have a son,” She replied.
“The hospital record says you do. Charles, right? Age 22?”
“Look here sir, my son already has enough people who want to make him feel smaller than he already is, and I really don’t…”
“Please miss, I don’t wish any harm on you or your son,” Phineas assured. “I only require a few minutes of his time to offer him an amazing opportunity.”
Though Ms. Stratton clearly did not trust the man, she stepped aside and allowed him entry before leading him to the living area.
“Charles!” She called. “Charles!”
The sound of a door unlocking was heard before it opened to reveal the diminutive Charles Stratton who walked into the room. Upon seeing Phineas Barnum looking at him with a smile, the small man grumbled. Nonetheless, Phineas knelt down to his height.
“P.T. Barnum, at your service,” He greeted. “I am putting together a show and I need a star.”
“You want people to laugh at me,” Charles grumbled.
“Well, they’re laughing anyway, kid, so might as well get paid,” Barnum joked. “I see a soldier, no, a general riding across the stage with a sword and a gun, and—and—and the most beautiful uniform ever seen.”
Charles just looked at Barnum like he was crazy, yet Phineas kept a complete straight face.
“People will come from all over the world, and when they do they will not laugh… they’ll salute,” He promised.
“How do I know that I can trust you?” Charles asked.
“You can’t,” Phineas responded. “But what do you have to lose.”
“I’m not like everyone else,” Charles spoke sadly.
To which Phineas responded with a smile.
“No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else.”
This caused Charles to smile and stick out his tiny hand to which Barnum shook.
<>
Across town, Erik and Rarity assisted with looking for acts for the show. With Barnum looking for Charles Stratton, Erik promised he’d help him find exactly what he needed. After all, they were business partners and if this endeavor was to work, they needed to work together. So for right now, they were putting up fliers across town as they scoured the area for acts. All of a sudden, some man from across the way cleared his throat and got the former Phantom’s attention.
“Hey!” He called. “You looking for freaks? I know where you can find one of them.”
“Where?” He asked.
“Cross the way you’ll find a laundry house,” The man informed. “There’ll be a woman who works there. Real freak of nature that one. If you ask me, shoulda put her in a madhouse at birth.”
The man let out a laugh which made Erik fume with rage. Those were exactly the same sort of things people used to say of him when he was caged like an animal at the fair all those years ago. Those sort of things are what drove him to madness. Looking down toward his wife at his side, he could also see she was angry as well. Insulting people simply for being different from everyone was one thing she could not stand. Looking up at her husband, she only gave him a curt nod and he nodded back. Reeling back he unloaded a powerful shot to the side of the man’s face and knocked him out cold. Rubbing his now sore knuckles, he and Rarity walked off to where he had told them about.
After walking a few blocks, they finally found the laundry house and walked inside. The moment they did, they could instantly hear a melodious harmony throughout the entire establishment. Walking into the cleaning area, they found many women washing sheets and other clothing. One woman walked up to him, to which Erik bowed his head.
“Hello,” He greeted.
“Sir, you shouldn’t be here,” The woman said.
“My apologies. I was just passing by, and I wanted to know who was singing.”
All at once, the singing stopped, and Erik turned over to a woman peeking over a freshly cleaned hanging sheet. When she noticed him looking at her, she quickly ducked back down.
“It’s you, isn’t it?” Erik approached her.
“Sir, I’ll have to ask you to leave,” She spoke quietly.
“You are so talented, blessed…”
When Erik pulled back the sheet to look upon her, both he and Rarity looked rather shocked by what they saw. For the woman, Lettie Lutz, was no ordinary woman. She had all the qualities of a woman, but the major difference was the thick bushy beard that went down her face. The sight was truly one to behold, as they both stared at her, which made the poor woman feel completely self-conscious.
“Extraordinary!” Erik marveled. “Unique… I’d even say ‘beautiful’.”
This caused most of the women in the area to chuckle, to which only made Lettie feel even worse about her appearance.
“Sir, please leave me alone,” She nearly begged.
“They don’t understand now, but they will,” Erik assured her.
“How can you look at me and not turn away?”
“Darling, if I was truly ‘that’ heartless,” Rarity spoke up. “I would never have married my husband here.”
Lettie looked down toward the miniscule marshmallow unicorn standing next to the tall brooding ‘opera ghost’. Looking between the two, she couldn’t help but be confused. On one hand, the talking unicorn was strange enough… but it is the choice of words she said which proved all the more confusing.
“Your… husband?” She asked.
“Yes, I know it must seem very confusing and let me tell you that’s quite the long story,” Rarity said. “Anyway, the point is my husband Erik was treated as an outcast at a young age simply due to his appearance. Why they even kept him in a cage as part of a freak show where he was constantly humiliated.”
“It’s true…” Erik nodded.
“Why?” Lettie questioned. “There’s nothing wrong with him.”
“You only see my ‘new’ form dear woman,” Erik replied. “Rarity, I’d like you to show her what I truly am… or was…”
“Are you quite certain dear?” Rarity asked unsure.
Erik only gave a light nod and knelt to her side, silently granting her permission. Rarity took a deep breath and lit her horn with a magic aura before touching it toward the side of her husband’s face. The moment Erik stood back up, facing Lettie, she was surprised when she saw his now deformed face.
“See? I’m not so unlike yourself,” Erik spoke. “I was born with this deformity that caused my own mother to fear and hate me. When I was a boy, she sold me to a traveling fair where I was locked in a cage and beaten daily. I was presented as ‘the Devil’s Child’, and the people would laugh and scorn at me for years…”
Lettie glanced toward the deformed man for a few moments before Rarity used her magic to shift his face back to normal once more.
“Not only did he start at the bottom,” Rarity added. “But he had a fiery passion and a voice that could rival the world’s greatest Opera singers.”
“Wait… what?” Lettie asked.
“When he performed on that stage, he had audiences so captivated that they could never look away. When they heard his voice, they all felt like they were entranced. He was so magnificent; he stole my heart the day I first met him.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I’m saying, we see a spark in you waiting to burn into a fiery inferno!” Rarity continued. “When I look at you, I see a person with passion, much like my beloved husband Erik.”
“Do you truly believe I have such a passion in me?” Lettie asked.
“We do…” Erik smiled.
<>
Soon the news was spread far across the town, as fliers and posters were made at every corner. All promoting the same message: ‘WANTED! UNIQUE PERSONS! CURIOSITIES! DARING ACTS! WONDERS OF THE WORLD!’. An open invitation for those who consider themselves different from the normal world to come meet at Barnum’s American Museum, for a chance to turn their oddities into marvels. It wasn’t long before several of those wonders in question stumbled upon those notes and while hesitant at first they still decided to take that chance.
All of the strangest beings known to man were soon lining up to ‘apply’ for Barnum’s museum, all coming in a vast variety of appearances. From a man with hair all over his body, to one who stood as tall as the mountains themselves. There was a portly man with a rather queer personality and a woman with curly hair as white as snow. So many unique types of people hoping to offer something life-changing with this opportunity. By this point, Barnum and Erik were in the midst of an interview with a pair of African-American siblings.
“Okay… Anne and W.D. Wheeler,” Phineas noted. “Brother and sister?”
“Yes, sir,” Anne answered.
“Terrific!” Erik marveled. “And what do you do?”
“Trapeze.”
“Trapeze… okay,” Erik nodded.
“You know, people aren’t gonna like it,” W.D. spoke up. “If you put us on the stage.”
“Oh, I’m counting on it,” Barnum assured confidently.
“So… when can you start?” Erik asked.
And with every act accepted into his museum, the girls, along with Spike, immediately went to work on the posters to promote each act Barnum brought in. For he knew with all these promising acts, they were sure to make the money they’d need to not only pay off the loan by the end of the month… but to indeed reach for that future beyond Barnum’s wildest dreams. And the hiring of the Wheeler siblings was not the end of it…
<>
“Is this over… your…” Phineas gestured.
“Entire body…” The tattooed man confirmed.
“Terrific!” Erik replied. “We don’t need to see it.”
<>
“Now.”
The ‘Dog Boy’ pounced onto the top of the table, which made Barnum and Erik laugh with excitement. No other words were enough to describe this marvelous act before their eyes. They knew right then and there that this young man would be perfect for the museum.
“You… are… hired!” Erik applauded.
<>
“Can I ask how heavy you are?” Barnum asked the portly man. “Do you have a number for that?”
“I prefer not to say, but…” The portly man began.
“Just between us,” Erik assured.
“500 pounds…” The man whispered.
“750 pounds, you said?” Barnum smiled.
“750 pounds, it is!” The man giggled.
<>
“What is your name?” Barnum asked the tall man.
“Vasily Palvos, sir,” The man introduced himself.
“Yeah… we’ll need to change your name,” Erik replied. “How do you feel about being ‘Irish’?”
<>
“We have a show!” Barnum shook Erik’s hands.
“The new poster’s ready gentlemen!” Rarity sing-sung.
The girls laid out the new banner for Barnum’s museum and unfolded the final piece for display before the gentlemen.
“That’s wonderful, mon ange!” Erik smiled. “But we need it five times bigger!”
“Yes! And I want it everywhere!” Barnum instructed. “Carriages, sides of trains, trolleys, crates, milk bottles, everywhere they look!”
“Okie-dokie-lokie, P.T.!!!” Pinkie replied, with a thumbs up. “One series of 5x posters for ‘Barnum’s American Museum’ coming right up!”
And as the girls carried the banner to make the adjustments necessary, Barnum took note of what the pink Party pony mentioned.
“P.T. Barnum…” Barnum thought, smiling. “I love it!”
Soon, everything was coming along in more ways than Barnum could possibly imagine. All the banners hung high and proud over the museum for everyone in the city to see. Soon word would spread of all these astonishing oddities that Barnum himself brought together to stand before them as living pieces of art for their viewing pleasure. And as Barnum stood outside seeing the public who were bound to come together to bear witness to these marvels, his thoughts turned to a future that would soon dawn upon him and his troupe like the rays of sun. A dream that was finally going to become… a reality.
https://m.Hundreds of people turned to thousands, as they lined up at the ticket booth paying their coins for tickets to see this show. And thanks to the money, not only were they able to pay off the loan, but they had more than enough for the finest clothing a man can afford. In which case, the most breathtaking uniforms for Barnum and Erik to wear before the public’s eyes, bright colors for Barnum and a fancy new dark tuxedo just for the former ‘Phantom’. Course they made a few extra adjustments for their marvels, making the Heavy man, a.k.a. the ‘Lord of Leeds’, ‘heavier’ and the Tall Man ‘taller’. The time was soon coming for the group to present themselves before their public but to say folks like Lettie were nervous was an understatement.
Suddenly, the giant lost his balance as he tried to assume the new height given to him. And despite the efforts of his fellow performers and the Equestrians, the giant’s stumbling released the curtain unveiling their presence before a rather stunned audience. And from the very moment their eyes locked upon these strange, abnormal beings they couldn’t help but gasp with shock. For a moment, during a long awkward silence between the acts and the audience, Barnum and the others toward a nervous Lettie who was in no hurry to unveil herself before the people.
“Lettie! Lettie!” Barnum ushered. “They’re waiting!”
“For what?” Lettie asked.
“For you, of course,” Erik insisted.
“No…”
“It’s okay to be scared, I know how that feels,” Fluttershy assured. “But I think you can truly be great, if you’d just try.”
“Fluttershy’s right dear,” Rarity agreed. “They don’t know it yet… but they are going to love you!”
“Trust us,” Barnum smiled.
Eventually, they were able to convince Lettie to join her fellow performers despite the shock of an astounded audience. All that remained was convincing ‘Tom’ to go out. There he stood dressed as Napoleon, but they knew he had to be out there in order to make the showcase complete.
“Tom!” Barnum shouted. “Up, up!”
With her magic aura at the ready, Twilight used her magic to lift Tom onto his steed to prepare him for his entrance. All the while Barnum applied the finishing touches so the look they were going for with the little man would be complete.
And in the blink of an eye, Barnum’s vision for his museum came to fruition. The audience found themselves captivated by the display of such a tremendous assortment of marvels, especially the children many of whom could relate to being outcasts. Before their eyes, these unique individuals were like superheroes. So many varieties of sights and colors, so many backgrounds and various features. All of them different, yet they were basking under the spotlight turning what they deemed as ugly into beauty in a matter of seconds. Even Tom got really into his act like he truly believed himself to be Napoleon. Even the ponies and Spike really got into the act, perfectly able to blend in with this crowd given how unique they were in their own form. To give the show quite a ‘flare’ so to speak.
Through the roaring crowd, amongst all the applause, the troupe could hear the cries of the people. All of them shouting ‘That was great!’ or ‘More!’ and one even shouting ‘Fantastic!’. Everyone in the city loved Barnum’s museum and his assembly the unnatural, all… except for one man sitting in the crowd. He just stared toward the group, putting in a few notes as if he’s seen enough to know just what he paid admission for. And little did Barnum and the group know; they were in the presence of one of the toughest critics in the entire city.
<>
“This is bad!” O’Malley spoke.
The man dropped a newspaper before P.T. Barnum and Erik. All the others gathered around the pair, seeing the article that was just published in today’s newspaper. The few words highlighted in the paper truly stood out.
“’Criminal’!” Twilight read.
“’Degrading’!” Rarity gasped.
“’A circus’!” Barnum pointed. “I like ‘circus’!”
“Barnum’s Circus…” Pinkie pondered. “Now all we need to do is find a man named ‘Bailey’.”
“Why would we want to find a guy named Bailey?” Rainbow remarked.
“Exactly!”
Of course, the group did not have time to think when a commotion distracted them from their thoughts. Quickly heading outside, the group were stunned by the sight before them. A mob of violent men started a fight with the troupe. There were shouts and jeers, punches thrown left and right, as the troupe fought hard to defend each other from these vicious men.
“Hey!” Erik shouted. “That’s enough!”
“Walter!” Barnum shouted, stopping the ‘Dog Boy’. “Inside, all of you. Right now.”
The Equestrians rushed in to the performer’s aid, helping them backstage as the men continued to jeer for them. Spitting at them and shouting insults as if they were no more than animals obeying their master.
“We don’t want your kind!”
“Get outta here!”
“That’s right, you freaks!”
“Your master’s calling!”
“Why don’t you come over here and say that to my face, you filthy coward!!!” Rainbow threatened.
“That’s quite enough, Rainbow,” Erik spoke. “Just let them go.”
Satisfied with their part, the vile men proceeded to walk away after fulfilling their ‘service’ toward the gathering crowd who were witnesses to this assault. But all they did was stand and gawk at the scene, forgetting for the fact that these ‘performers’ were still people yet were treated no better than exotic creatures in a zoo. Still Barnum’s mind was on something far bigger than a mere attack.
“Reprint this review,” Barnum instructed O’Malley. “In every paper in New York. Half-price tickets to anyone who brings it in.”
While Erik and he Equestrians were more concerned that Barnum seemed to have little care for that attack that occurred, whatever he planned seemed to be paying off. Those very same reviews were soon printed in all the newspapers as per the man’s instructions. Only instead, he turned the criticism completely around in their favor and those words meant to bring them down instead convinced the masses to attend their shows. So many people ended up coming, that the ticket booth was immediately closed after selling out a single show alone. And despite all the odds, despite the criticism and the violent backlash, the show kept going and Barnum even embraced the identity of being ‘The King of Humbug’.
And as Barnum stood with his troupe, as he posed before his public, everyone erupted in cheers and applause. The man smiled feeling in his heart that for the first time in his life, the people ‘loved’ what he had to offer, and all those cheers were made just for him. That he got that approval from nearly everyone in the city, from his family standing in the corner and to every man, woman, and child sitting in the stands. Barnum stood in a world of spectacle and humbug… and he truly felt like a king.
<>
“Peanuts!” A Vendor shouted. “Get your peanuts here. Hot, salted peanuts. Piping hot!”
“One for me, one for the lady!” A man ordered.
Business was picking up as usual for Barnum’s American Museum, now Barnum’s Circus. As Barnum and Erik passed by, to check upon the people, they happen to catch O’Malley attempting to walk away with some money he took from the man.
“O’Malley,” Barnum cleared his throat.
And as O’Malley dropped his findings in Barnum’s hand, the man turned to the sight and caught a familiar face. There before them was the very critic from some of their shows who tried to tear down everything Barnum had been working to. But rather than viciously confronting the man, they instead decided to be… a little more ‘mature’ about it.
“Ah, Mr. Bennet from the Herald,” Barnum greeted. “Have you met my business partner, Erik?”
“Come for another show I presume?” Erik inquired.
“Tell me, gentlemen, does it bother you that everything you’re selling is fake?” Mr. Bennet asked.
“Do these smiles seen fake?” Barnum replied. “It doesn’t matter where they come from. The joy is real.”
“So, you are philanthropists?” Bennet questioned.
“Why? Is a hyperbole the worst crime?” Erik replied.
“Men suffer more from imagining too little than too much,” Barnum added.
“The creed of a true fraud,” Bennet remarked.
“Mr. Bennet, when was the last time you smiled or had a good laugh?” Erik asked. “Like a ‘real’ laugh? A theater critic who can’t find joy in the theater… now who’s a fraud?”
Getting the last word against their greatest critic, Erik and Barnum proceeded to walk away in triumph. But Barnum was not quite finished.
“Oh, Mr. Bennet,” Barnum spoke up. “That word you used to describe my show? Has a nice ring to it.”
Now Barnum was finished with Mr. Bennet, as he and Erik proceeded to leave to proceed with their business. Course their conversation had not gone unnoticed, as Rara peered in from hiding upon listening to the way the men handled their critic. Seeing Erik, she stepped around to approach him.
“How do you do it Erik?” Rara asked curiously. “He said ‘all’ that mean stuff about us, and you, and our show… yet you just handled it like his words meant nothing. How did you do that?”
“Take my advice my friend,” Erik suggested. “Never let them see they’re getting to you… that’s how they win.”
“They ‘really’ don’t bother you anymore, do they?”
“Well… not ‘anymore’. I was an emotionally unbalanced man back in Paris, but you ponies saved my life… now I just want to be the bigger man. Try it sometime… I think you’ll be surprised.”
And just like that, Erik walks away to rejoin Barnum leaving Rara to ponder Erik’s words. Standing by herself wondering if maybe there was some slight merit in Erik’s advice.