Page 15 of Perfect Date
“Do a good job and they’ll refer me to everyone else. Lots of job opportunities.”
“That’s great. Uh, what made you want to be an entertainer?”
“It’s a family business. I come from a long line of clowns.”
I choke on my drink.
“Initially I wasn’t sure I wanted to keep up the tradition, but I’m funny and good with kids so I figured I may as well make a living off of the two things I’m good at.”
“I see.”
“My great, great, great, grandfather used to travel in a circus with his family doing a clown act.”
“That’s… neat.”
“Yeah, but things have come a long way since then. The quality of jokes, the costumes, are all better, but it’s a career that will last a lifetime.”
“Uh, you, have…” I gesture to my face because seriously, how has he not taken off the stupid nose?
He doesn’t even hear me, just keeps talking about his family business and various events he’s worked.
“So, what do you think, Charlie? Want me to come to your next birthday party?”
“Uh, actually, I’m not a fan of clowns.”
It’s like I just told him that he looks ridiculous, which is what I’d like to say. His face falls, his brows furrow, and he makes a scoffing sound of disbelief, “You don’t like clowns? How is that possible?”
“I guess the movieITjust ruined them for me, I don’t know.”
“But clowns are joyful, they make people laugh,” he argues.
“Sorry, I guess they just freak me out.”
“How are things going here?” Darinda appears at our table again and I look at her wide eyed. I’m sure ‘help me’ is screaming from the look in my eyes. She’s trying not to stare at the red ball on his face, and looks at me with a question and amusement in her eyes, and I shrug.
“Can I get my check, please?” Eric asks abruptly.
“Yeah, uh, sure. I’ll be right back.” With one more look at me, Darinda walks away.
“Look, Charlie, I’m sorry, but this isn’t going to work.”
“Uh- “
“I just can’t be with someone that thinks clowns are creepy. I mean, it’s what I do for a living.”
“I- “
“It doesn’t even make sense to me. Clowns are happy and silly. They’re clumsy and like to just make people laugh. They get a bad rap. I don’t understand how anyone could be freaked out by them and frankly, people like you give clowns a bad name.”
Darinda returns and hands us leather folders with our bills inside. Eric reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet. A blue velcro wallet with, yep, clowns covering it. Grabbing some bills, he places them in the folder and looks up at me, “I hope you understand.”
“Yeah, definitely.” I mean really, what am I losing here? I’m more than okay with this decision. “I wouldn’t be able to be with someone that didn’t have good oral hygiene. I suppose that’s the same thing.”
“Yeah, exactly, you get it.”
“Sure.”
“You take care, okay?”
