Photo copyright – Roger Bultot
Julian saw his father plummet to a silent death metres below. He only saw this on his worst days. Most days he coped, maintained the charade.
He would be rich and famous because of his father’s efforts. This circus was his life, and Julian would be the best high-wire artist in the world, after him. But every performance reminded him how he loathed it.
He heard his cue, the signal to step out and join his father in their intricately timed double act. Poised, balanced on the wire, he checked the net below, and for the briefest moment Julian hesitated.
*****
This is for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This is the second photo in just a few weeks that has sent my imagination wandering around the notion of disgruntled circus performers. I’m not even all that interested in circuses, I might add.
Click here to read all the other 100 word stories prompted by this week’s picture.
Onto the page 
Oh no, fear is worse with knowledge! Watching high wire acts… So scary, I am so impressed with their skill.
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I’m impressed too, and I agree they’re scary to watch. I don’t know how they do it. Thanks for commenting, Laurie.
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This is a great take, Margaret. I can’t imagine having to continue this charade after watching your father fall to his death. I hope he can fully recover. One misstep is all it takes on the high wire. Well done.
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Thank you, Amy. It is a charade for Julian, but his father’s death is all in his imagination – no less traumatic for him however.
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I was confused by the reference to his father plummeting to his death, Only when I read on did I realise he was imagining it, not seeing it
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Yes, he’s imagining it all, again and again. I wanted to make his feelings towards his father ambiguous, and his loathing of his profession rather more complex than just fear, but I’m realising from the responses to the story that I haven’t managed to portray this. (It’s been lost in the final cut – alas.)
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I know the problem. 100 words is tough
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But still he conquers his fears each performance at a time. Nice one.
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He’s managed to hide his true feelings for his father’s sake. I think perhaps his father could have been a little more sensitive to Julian’s state of mind, but the circus is his life. Glad you liked it subroto. Thanks for responding.
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I don’t think I’d like to be out on a high wire with someone who keeps imagining me falling to my death! Nice story.
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No. I’m sure his father has no idea how Julian’s feeling. I’m not sure I know that myself and I invented him. Thank you for commenting, Ali.
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I think he needs a change of career; this one is about over. Nicely done.
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It’ll be over one way or another, I’m sure. Thanks for the reply, Sandra.
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His first story awaits him it seems. With such an imagination he must write.
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Oh yes. That’s his solution – I love it. Thanks for the comment and suggestion, Mike.
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I’m not sure this is the right job for him. Different and intriguing tale.
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You are so right. I think he’ll come to a sticky end if he keeps doing it. Thanks, Gah.
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Dear Margaret,
While I’m sad for Julian, I’m delighted by such a unique take on the prompt. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m glad it worked, Rochelle. I was trying to make Julian’s feelings towards his father somewhat ambiguous, but I’m figuring from the comments that I must have cut out all the complexity and just left him feeling afraid up there on the wire. I’m glad you were delighted – thank you once again.
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To have such fear and still do it makes me admire him all the more… what a great and unique take on the prompt.
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Thank you, Bjorn. I don’t know how a high-wire performer would feel, but I do know that I feel very uncomfortable if I’m even just a little way above the ground.
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That has to be the most dangerous circus act. Now, some work without a net. Then there are those who walk between tall buildings. Scary. Well written, Margaret. —– Suzanne
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