5 – PT's Proposition
“Good,” said Barnum, “that settles that. Now there’s the little matter of sneaking into my museum.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Barnum, sir.” said Angelo, eager to show his repentance.
“And what about you, Mickey?”
“Yeah, sure. I’m sorry.”
“That doesn’t sound too convincing, young lady.” Barnum
studied her face a moment. “But I’ll accept it just the same.”
Simms set his hands on Mickey’s and Angelo’s shoulder and
started to guide them to the door. “This way, if you please.”
“Hold on, Simms,” said Barnum. “I’ve had a thought. Do you two still want to see the museum?”
Angelo’s face immediately lit up. “Gosh, sure we do.”
Mickey
was less than enthusiastic. “Sure. What’s the catch?”
Barnum chuckled as he rose from his chair. “Not so much a catch,
Miss Mickey, as a proposition. A business opportunity, if you will.” He
thrust his a hand into his pocket, fished around a second or two, and
retrieved two golden coins, which he laid on the desk. “There you
go. A dollar each and you get to see whatever you want in the museum.”
“For what?” asked Mickey.
“To help us announce a new exhibit we’re going to open this afternoon.” Barnum glanced at Simms. Simms looked puzzled. “You know, Simms,” he winked at the big man, “the Great Egress!”
Simms smiled and nodded. “The signs arrived, boss?”
Barnum pointed to a stack of pasteboard signs sitting on the floor in a corner of the office. “And we could use some enterprising young people to help us put up the signs and talk up the Egress.”
“The E-gress,” said Angelo, “What is it?”
Barnmum put a finger to his lips and whispered, “It’s a secret.”
“But if it’s a secret, how can we talk it up?”
“Well, Angelo, you just say you heard that this Egress just opened and how mysterious and wonderful it must be. Appeal to the customer’s curiosity, don’t-you-know?”
“Wasn’t it curiosity that killed the cat?” said Mickey.
Barnum turned to Mickey, one eyebrow raised. “Yes indeed, miss. And curiosity also put a pretty penny in my purse, as well.”
Mickey’s face registered the truth in this comment.
“And here’s your catch, Mickey -- if you want to collect your pay, you must not visit the Egress yourselves. You understand? After you’ve put up the signs, talked up the Egress, and seen whatever you want to see in my museum, come back here and I’ll give you your dollars. Simple enough?” He extended his hand to seal the deal.
Mickey thought it over, looked to Angelo, who nodded his agreement, then clasped Mr. Barnum’s hand in hers and gave it one hard shake. “Simple enough!”
– End Chapter Five –
