Jarius & Dawn

Here's the story of Jarius & Dawn, who grew up and worked in the McCoogard Carnival. Some people were amazed by Jarius' incredible strength as he raised a car above his head, and others were surprised by Dawn's beard in the Freak Parade. But they felt miserable with their lives and their jobs; they earned enough to live and enough misfortune to die. But they had each other . . .

From the moment Jarius saw Dawn's blue eyes, heard her sweet caring voice and felt her vivid heart, he turned weak and then became stronger; breaking the new records of raising a Ford for ten seconds.

And from the moment Dawn found the all-seeing soul of Jarius, behind his enormous arms and his small smile, she had magic dreams and laughed above all. He beard did not make her look down as she hid, as it has always been. Instead she showed a smile that dared to be laughed upon.

They became blind to the horrid world because of each other. But time passed, and they looked behind to what they did and what they had done, soon realizing there was more. The world they wished for in their future, in their daughter's or son's, waited beyond the colorful walls. The grumpy old boss denied their freedom and hope with words that threatened and challenged their lives in the outer world. "No!" He said, "Everyone stays where they belong! What else could you do besides doing it wrong! You have nothing but a beard, and you are nothing but strong!"

Their hope faded away, and they tried to move on. They saw in the face of the audience that each of them belonged in a role, and with their eyes of deception they cried in in the sanctuary of their love. And then Dawn was ashamed when they laughed at her, not because of her beard, but because of her role. And Jarius could not hold on the weight any longer and gave up in front of those who threw stuff and insulted the show.

McCoogard thought of their fall, and decided to give them a taste of their poisoned hope. "One day," He said, "One days outside your home. Not like a phenomenon or a freak show, but a day like Jarius & Dawn. And I know you will come back home. This is your life, your future, your role!"

And outside they went, into the quick streets of New York, while the boss waited for a day to pass on. Jarius & Dawn walked and saw the world: the things, the stores, the jewerly and the furs, the traffic and the horns, the people and more. Amazed by this outside world, they married in the first church they saw, blessed by their love.

They tried to search for a pleasant home to be welcome, but the requirements were never filled. No one could ever know who these people might be, without a last name, records or phone. "Who are you?" People asked, and they just answered "Jarius & Dawn," but it wasn't enough, not for them, but for the world.

The couple returned the next day. "You see! Welcome home!" McCoogard celebrated and locked them in their role; again dooming them both.

They figured the world outside made no difference of the carnival. All of them expected your role; your push for the system to continue its roll. But in their eyes they saw that force keeping them alive, that magical phenomenon, which kept them strong and kept them brave. This was enough to break all the rules and the roles of all; enough to free a soul into a new world.

And so, they both broke the locks and jumped the colorful walls into the adventure of the new world; not the carnival, maybe not New York, but the future where they have no roles and would only be known as Jarius & Dawn.

- Facundo Raganato

Literature & Poetry