Practice Makes Perfect
Born traveling, son of Ivan the Strongman and Sirena, the only Mermaid in captivity, Eggbert finally asked Mr. Barnum for permission to start his own act. After hearing the pitch, Mr. Barnum agreed, but only if he performed under Mystical Umbrella with Tatiana, the Tarot Card Reader and Indica, the Snake Charmer.
Sporting turban and blue velvet cape, Magnifico, the Mentalist debuted in Akron on an early autumn evening. After paying 10c, the audience was enthralled with his handsome visage. Alas, Eggbert’s head was full of bees. The spoon wouldn’t bend.
Tatiana and Indica comforted him later.
“Practice makes perfect.”
[100 words]
Afterword: my story is a nod to two TV series. One is Carnivale and the other is Shut Eye. Both very entertaining!
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao-Talk 
What a nice story, Lisa! 👍 Especially the last line that struck. When we repeat an activity many times, we master it. I’m grateful that Tatiana and Indica comforted Eggbert after his first attempt. ☺️
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Aptivi thanks so much for reading and your comment.
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My pleasure, Lisa ☺️
Have a very wonderful week!
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U2, Aptivi!
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😊
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I liked the old carny feel of the story but I’ve never heard of the TV shows you mentioned.
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Thanks, James.
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It sounds like the act does need a bit more practice, Lisa. Have heard intriguing things about both shows but haven’t sampled either. They definitely feel like they would both have the same vibe as this story.
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Bruce, thanks for reading. Both are worth a watch. Carnivale ran from 2003-2005. I found S1 at a used CD place last year, still in cellophane, so bought it. Shut Eye ran from 2016-2017. Am watching S1 on HULU right now.
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Thanks, Lisa. I am lucky enough to have access to both of these shows via subscriptions so I’m putting them on “the list”…which continues to grow, of course!
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Awesome on access. Carnivale is a little spooky, set in the days of the Dust Bowl. The other is set out on the west coast and deals with psychic scammers. I understand about “the list” :)
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Great take on the hive looking like a turban. I’m with the others … not familiar with these TV shows.
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Thanks, Nancy. I just gave a little more information in my comment to Bruce.
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Wonderful and original, Lisa! Love it :)
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Dale, thank you, and thank you for the image that inspired the story. I saw the “turban” and it went from there.
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I love that!
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:)
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Great story I love how you saw the hive as a turban- now I cant stop thinking of it as one 😃
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