“This is Becky, she always does the jack-o-lanterns table,” Trish said then moved to pull open one of the blackout curtains and held it open for me to peek in. “There’s no one in there, but once the pumpkins are carved, they are displayed in this tent with an electric candle. Each jack-o-lantern has a name etched on it. There is a box to vote for your favorite. It’s two dollars per vote for all the contests we have here today.”
“That’s brilliant.” I shook my head in awe. “I can’t wait to see more. But you don’t have to walk me around. I’m sure you are very busy.” And I certainly hoped that part of Trish’s job wasn’t to entertain the high dollar donors and their guests.
Trish nodded distractedly and waved at someone in the distance. “I’m going to head back to the front to greet some guests. I’ll let Mr. Weston know where to find you. I personally need to pull Harry away for other matters. That man could talk for hours.”
I laughed. “Thank you so much, Trish. I hope to see you again soon.”
The woman touched my arm endearingly before rushing away. I turned back, smiling to myself, completely understanding the woman’s sense of urgency.
I wandered toward the back of the atrium to explore more of the magnificent event. I walked past a few booths lined up of Halloween themed games and snacks, admiring the creativity of each one.
Then I finally reached the far end; a built-in stage that joined the U-shaped array of tents and booths. And it looked like the show was about to start.
Costumed children who appeared to have very few parents surrounding them, were becoming increasingly excited and impatient for the show to start. A young woman pranced around frantically, and seemed to be moments away from pushing the eager children away from the stage. As if on instinct, I rushed over to her.
“Hi. Can I help you with anything?”
The girl, who seemed close to college-age, looked up at me. “The magician is refusing to put on his act until the children calm down and move back at least two feet from the stage and there is no way I can make that happen. Look at them.”
I turned back to the crowd. She wasn’t wrong. Even a loudspeaker asking them to move back wouldn’t overpower them. I looked around for Trish but the woman was nowhere in sight.
A burning flame rose up from the pit of my stomach. I figured this had something to do with a performer who was too hot-headed to work for their attention. Looking around, I spotted the magician behind the curtain adjacent to the stage, with a demeanor that screamed, “Only approach me if you think you’re worth my time.” The man wore an orange felt top hat, a black and orange polka dot vest, and metallic green pants. His wheeled suitcase was open and he was absently on his phone.
Before I could stop myself. I was taping the man from behind.
“Hi there. Elle Rybeck, event planner. Listen, I’ve been doing this a long time. I’ve seen performers like you before. You’re lazy and only interested in doing the easy, rehearsed part of your job. Well guess what comes with the territory of working children’s parties;taming the crowd. You were hired to do a job and if you’re not out there in thirty seconds, you’re going to lose it.”
“Look I don’t know who you are, but I was hired by Trish. I’m here every year, and I’ve never seen it get this crazy.”
I looked the man in the eyes and pulled out my warning tone when it came to dealing with stuck up vendors. “I work for some of the biggest event planners in the city. I’m actually here with my partner, scouting vendors for children’s parties. And you just fell off our list.”
The roaring of children’s voices grew louder and more impatient by the minute. Turning, I focused on the man’s open suitcase and went digging as he looked on in horror. I pulled a piece of flash paper and lighter before running off toward the stage.
I stepped on to the stage, ignoring the intimidating howling and cheering of the children, who were indeedwaytoo close for comfort. I marched three steps back, feeling a tingling of sweat beads forming along the back of my neck. I blew out a breath and brought the two props together, holding them as far away from my chest as my arms could stretch. A flame blazed into the air for a fleeting second. Enough to get an array of gasps and a hefty step back from the crowd. Before the cheers or demands for more magic could start, I marched dramatically to the edge of the stage.
“Hi everyone,” I addressed the group of children. “You want to see more magic?”
“Yeeesss,” the children cheered.
“I don’t know. Could be a little dangerous. Are you sure you’re ready?”
I received another positive response from the crowd.
“Tell you what, let’s all take threejumbosteps back and see if we can get yourrealmagician up here for more tricks?”
The kids looked around and were clearly lost on how to do that.
“Let’s all do it together. Count with me,” I exaggerated one backwards step after the another, watching the crowd follow my lead. “One…two… three.”
Once they were all a good distance away, I peeked to examine the open space between the front row and the stage. After a single nod of approval from the college-aged assistant, I glanced over at the stubborn magician, who now stood on the side of the stage, joined by an astonished Trish.
Jumping off, I winked at the frantic assistant whose name I never caught, and sauntered past the stunned magician, flicking his lighter back to him. “Crowd’s all yours.”
He caught it and looked back at Trish before heading for the stage.
“What was that?” Trish asked as she was joined by her boss, the man I noticed speaking to Scott earlier.
“That was a child entertainer who got a little claustrophobic.”
