It's been awhile, but it's mostly as you remember.

The smaller tents, with attractions ranging from games to fortune tellers to souvenir stands. Food that's absolutely not healthy for you— what are those orange peanuts, really? You're convinced even the animals are the same ones as last time, because one camel had glared you down as if remembered your previous grudge.

Yes, it's comfortably familiar to your fuzzy memories. But it's not exact.

You're perched on the edge of your seat in the stands; even though this tent is called the big top, the electric atmosphere makes everything feel more intimate, as if you're witnessing something incredible with hundreds of your cloaest friends. One act has just ended— a tall woman who has a magical way with animals— and in preparation for the next act, the lights go out.

"Ladies and gentlemen," A voice croons from the dark. Accented— sounds French, you think. A spotlight flickers to life, illuminating a rather tall man standing in the middle of the stage. He motions to the cabinet that's appeared behind him as well. "May I have a volunteer?"