Circus blessings.

February, 14, Brownsville.

It's just past ten o clock at night and the fourth show of the day is under way.
It is full, like the other three.
The shows were shortened and the order changed so that they could follow each other every two hours. The last show will end at midnight; performers and crew alike have been working since three this afternoon, without so much as a break for dinner.
John R. North, Kelly Miller's owner, was considerate enough to call a meeting at noon to confirm the fourth show and thank everyone for pitching in. John Moss went on reminding everyone to count their circus blessings, since things might be fairly rougher later on in the season, and indeed the economic crisis looms large in everyone's mind, here as everywhere.
It helps that Mr. North's speech also included the words extra cash.