June 2011
I remember as a young child, seeing a local character walking up and down our street and around the town; I was terrified of him. He wore a multi-coloured striped hat, which I thought he must have borrowed from the clowns at the circus, and, when I noticed the big, black shiny boots he wore, I was convinced he had borrowed them from the circus.
As I grew older, I found I could accept him more, I even managed to say, 'Good morning.' to him.
I often noticed him sitting in the park, he always sat on the bench, over in the far corner, although he had a pleasant face, the far-away look in his eyes gave him a sad appearance.
One particular afternoon in the park, I felt a tug at my heart and found myself slowly walking towards him. The nearer I got to him, the faster my heart pounded. Suddenly I was there, standing right in front of him. I felt like the frightened child again.
'Hello, girl.' he said, 'Come and sit next to me, I have something for you.' I was so scared of him, I turned and ran home as fast as I could.
The next day after lunch, I told my mother I was going to the park and not to worry if I was late home, as I was meeting a friend.
This time, when the Joker said, 'Hello, girl, sit down next to me.' I did. The Joker started to yalk to me and I was right, he had borrowed his clothes from the circus.
He took me on a remarkable journey through the circus, '. . . and look here, girl, this elephant is Anna. Come, Anna.' he said, offering her an apple. Anna blew her trumpet in thanks; I laughed.
'Come, girl, have a ride on Snow.' Snow was the most beautiful white horse I had ever ridden; I felt like a princess holding onto her brightly coloured ribbons. I could hear the crowd cheering me on. Oh, I loved the circus!
'Come, girl, there is a lot more to see yet – this is Maxine; Maxine is remarkable, she swings high up into the top of the Big Top by her hair.' I studied the smiling Maxine's hair, but she just laughed.
'We won't go to see the camels, girl, they stink!' so we by-passed the camels and went to say hello to the lions. I am sure the Joker spoke lion language, because the biggest one, Leo, came and licked his hand.
Then we both laughed when he tripped over one of the clown's buckets, which was filled with little bits of silver paper to pour over the audience, making them think it was water.
'Come, girl, this is the Ring Master's dressing room; the scarlet cape looked resplendant on the hanger. I wasn't sure, but a photograph in the background looked remarkably like a young Joker . . .
'Now, girl, you are going on the trip of a lifetime.' he said, as I was following him high up to the high wire and trapeze. 'Hang onto me very tight.' He said and off we flew; oh, it was tremendous – I could see the audience holding their breath. Back and forth on the flying trapeze we went, back and forth. I was sorry when he said, 'We must stop flying now.' And down the steps we went.
Lastly, he took me into the office and introduced me to the manager. 'Sid,' he said, 'this is 'the girl in blue'.'
'Right-ho,' Sid said, 'I will see to it.' I wondered what Sid was going to see to.
Finally, the Joker and I came back to reality; the sun had gone down and evening was drawing in.
As we left the Joker made me promise to meet him at the bench at 2 o'clock the next day, and to please wear the same blue dress I was wearing now. I promised.
When I approached the bench the next day, no-one was there; I was surprised, but then I noticed a small package on the bench addressed to 'The girl in the blue dress' I carefully opened it. Inside, in a box, was a large gold medal inscribed, 'To the girl in the blue dress, with love from the Ring Master, your grandad.'