Stalky's Nightmare 5: A Tough Break

Author: slapdashmonuments

Inspiration hits with a flash, stories written on the go. A rumble of laughter and the tale is heard only in echoes. The wind blows me in a new direction. Whom shall I visit next?

The face of the mask was ruined, of course, too, and steeped in sap. There was little hope it could be repaired, unless it were rebuilt, and that would be costly.

"Get up!" repeated the boss, Robenstein. He must have been half crazed; everyone could see it in his eyes. His fear of the woman and her beastly son, and of losing his business, the rental fee, his only performer who could handle the routines, it must have been more than he could bear.

He knew, of course, that the mask was beyond easy mending. He knew that Stalky would recover, given time enough and rest and light, and fluids to restore her, but he was past reason. He probably thought Mrs Oaklee would blame him personally for the mishap. His fear of disgrace was greater than his rational mind could overcome.

But that was all it was, a mishap, not a disaster; it was not until he rushed onto the stage to stand over the fallen performer that it became a full fiasco.

"It's heavy, Mr Robenstein. It's too heavy for me," came Stalky's faint voice.