The Show Must Go On

Slowly, the audience starts to take their seats. The open-air amphitheater is perfectly positioned for me - I can see without leaving the comfort of my own home. The ringleader, Sandy, emerges from under the eaves in front of me and the audience claps. The show is about to start.

Sandy has feathery hair, like mine. She’s also more delicate and soft spoken than the others. I like her.

With the audience perches around her, Sandy introduces the first performers: a young married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Robinson. Eager to dance, they jump and jostle. On cue, they begin a lovely duet and carefully choreographed dance, darting and tumbling to and fro. Only the trained eye or careful observer would notice their injuries; that is, however, what gives their dance a sort of melodic bounce, like the flight of a butterfly. Their dance concludes with a spirited landing right where they started. They give a gracious bow to the audience and they are escorted back to their dressing rooms. A wonderful showing.

There’s a clatter from somewhere offstage as the ring leader introduces the brute Cathartes and his rather crude but entertaining performance. It begins, as always, with a large box draped by a sheet hauled onto stage. The sheet is removed revealing a bald, scarred, and sunburnt visage, desperately trying to burst out between the bars of a cage. The crew carefully opens a door to lead out the giant, trying not to get bitten in the process. Cathartes turns, scanning the front row for any small children to frighten. When he finds his mark, he makes eye contact and hobbles toward each of them, flailing his arms with grunts and yaps until the ringleader signals for the next act. The crew shoos him back into his cage, just as the next performer enters stage right.

Ah, Mr. Fantastic Feathers up next. He has the most beautiful coloring I’ve seen in all my years. He struts around the stage with his exotic coat on display, making sure to give the audience multiple angles and photograph opportunities. A narcissist, definitely, but he knows what the people want.

All of a sudden, a shriek comes from a distance. This startles the audience, who have been listening and watching attentively. However, neither the ring leader nor the performers are bothered. They know it’s just Mrs. Finch; she always does this when she’s not getting enough attention. With Sandy not even turning towards the sound, the audience returns their attention to the next act, who is entering center stage now.

For the finale: Captain. He came to us after an exciting but dangerous life at sea… as a cruise ship entertainer. And with Sandy’s spirited retelling of how he got his eyepatch and came to be known as Captain, the show has come to a close. The ringleader speaks the words first, and then Captain parrots back, “thank you, come again!”

The audience applauds. Some stand while still clapping. The ringleader is going to be very happy with today’s show. Maybe we’ll all get extra treats today.

The applause makes me nostalgic. I used to perform, but I’ve grown tired. My head rotation and hooting bit was known as the best barn owl act in town. But now, I’m retired and spend my days in my enclosure watching the younger performers showcase their talents. Although I was sad when my act was discontinued, I now enjoy being a spectator.

With the show over, the humans are free to tour the enclosures. I watch as they disperse and follow their usual, predictable migration patterns. Most people head straight for the exotic birds - the cockatoo and flamingo never let me forget they’re the most visited. They strike their normal poses and gain some oohs and aahs from the onlookers.

Surprisingly, a young girl backs away from the oohing and aahing crowd. She looks at me from across the stage. She starts walking towards me, looking oddly excited and holding my gaze the whole time. I swoop down to a lower perch to get a better view of this inquisitive human. As she reaches my cage, I notice her shirt - one of the vintage “Barney the Owl” t-shirts from the gift shop.

Do I have it in me to perform for one of my fans?

I dust off the old feathers and the girl giggles with excitement. Yes, I can do this. With a creakiness and groan that only comes with old age, I spin my head and give a hoot so loud even Mrs. Finch was jealous.

The girl is elated. She watches me with a huge grin on her face.

Barney the Owl’s still got it.