Bobo the Clown

The clown business sure isn't what it used to be, thought Bobo taking the last drag off his cigarette before throwing it out the window of his all but broken-down Volkswagen Bug. You're gonna be a fuckin' star you know that? he said looking at his reflection in the rear-view mirror. He adjusted his big red nose and dirty bow tie, turning his face side to side. His caked-on makeup was already beginning to run down onto his clothes. Bobo wiped it on his hand, the white paint smearing on his dry cracked skin. The clown gave a wide smile full of crooked yellow teeth and picked a bit of who knows what out before putting on his stained gloves and leaning into the door to open it. One more for good luck! he reached over to the floor of the passenger side, rummaging through some trash, picking up a bottle and holding it up - Empty! he cursed as he threw it over his shoulder into the backseat. The clang of glass hitting glass echoed in the small car. He eventually found what he was looking for, a grime covered bottle of gin, A little bit of liquid courage! He picked off some hair, spun the cap off and drank deeply, Gulp... Gulp...Gulp... ahhhh that's the stuff! Woo! These kids aren't ready for you Bobo! Nobody can do what you do! it was his usual pump up speech. He leaned back over to the door and with a hard push and a loud creek it swung open and Bobo fell out of the car and onto the street, towards his next gig.

Bobo walked down an alleyway towards the backyard of the house and shuttered at the decorations around him: Blue...White purple...snowflakes...icicle shaped lights...Princesses...and that song! Not that fucking song! Not another damn Frozen party! “Uhm excuse me sir... sir?” Bobo snapped back to reality. The booze was really starting to hit him. He was now standing in the middle of the party, children were running around the yard, parents pretending not to stare at the dishevelled clown that just stumbled in. “Yes! Hello! I'm Bobo the clown!” “Yes, I can see that” said a tired, middle aged woman that Bobo could only assume was the mother of birthday girl. “Hunny I thought I said Victoria didn't want a clown” the woman shouted across the party, a man answered “I'm sorry dear I completely forgot to cancel.” a little girl ran over and grabbed her mom by the leg. “Please mom can he stay? I changed my mind! I do want a clown! My friends really want balloon animals!” This little girl knows talent when she sees it! “Balloon animals are Bobos specialty little Vicki!” He reached out and grabbed the girl’s hand and walked her to a more open area. He knelt down bracing himself, and reached into his pocket to pull out some balloons. “Now what can the great Bobo make for you my dear?” he said in his most enthusiastic voice. “Uhm a giraffe!” the girl shouted and clapped excitedly. The children gathered around to watch as Bobo made animal after animal, sword after sword. He was starting to get light headed but the laughter of the children and smile on the little girl's face kept him going.

“Victoria! Look who it is!” the girl's mother shouted. “ELSA!” the little girl and the other children ripped themselves away from Bobo and ran towards the Disney princess. No don't go! Bobos heart began racing as he struggled to his feet. You won't take my spot light you frozen bitch! “What can she do that I can't!” the clown slurred, his world now spinning. “Can she make you a sword...or what a giraffe...I can...I can make the biggest giraffe in the world” he grabbed a balloon from his pocket, as he reached for a nearby table to stop his body from swaying. His vision blurred but he could feel all their eyes on him. He held the balloon up to his mouth and took a deep breath, Here comes that gin he thought as bent over vomiting violently, the acid and alcohol burning his throat and nose. The party looked on in awe and horror at the drunken clown. “One more try!” he yelled shooting up and holding the balloon up to his mouth, drawing the air into his throat, air and something else. He struggled to breathe. He looked around panicked, he could feel the balloon lodged in his throat. The clown collapsed onto the table to his side, and it and its frozen themed adornments collapsed around him. He felt himself vomit again. The liquid simply moved around the balloon halfway down his throat. Now on his back struggling to breathe he began to try and swallow, but it did nothing to dislodge it. He saw the party gathering around him and his panic was beginning to subside. He could hear the crowd screaming...A standing ovation for me? His head rolled back and he stared toward the sky, stopping to take in the moment, forgetting about the balloon in his throat, forgetting about his breath, forgetting about everything. You did it Bobo! Listen to those cheers! You did it! you're a fuckin' star!