Devils, Carneys and clowns

3 (the clown)

At I stepped into the street like area, I was instantly stopped by a slobbering drunk on the ground. Be had a bottle in hand, a red scarf around his neck, and black everything else.
"Where's do you think you're going, lady?" He said slurring. He pushed himself to sit up, and smile, "Fallout's probably out having a smoke, but I can get you all warmed up." He started laughing, but I stepped back before he could touch me. "What's wrong, love? I won't hurt ya," he said.

"I'm just looking for my tent," I said as I kept stepping back from the crazy man. The man got on his feet, then dropped his bottle, "oh, a new Comer are ya? Sorry about that, I'm not myself after shows like these. Nothin' like a good drink to celebrate I say." The man turned around and looked at the sigh and said 'carny residents.' "How did you start all the way up here? I've been working for the devil for...how old m I? Eighteen years now.  I'm basically one of the last ones standing from the first crowed that came along and look at me, still nothing but a clown." 

"First crowed? What happened to them all?" I asked.

"Dead," said the man as he picked up his drink again. "Or found better jobs. Here, you don't last past 35. Either you die or you leave. I guess the oldest one here is the devil. Then again I've already seen 3 pass by in my lifetime. Usually once a devil dies, the right hand Carney takes his spot. Now the next in line is my best friend, Fallout. Maybe he can save me from putting things up, taking things down and being laughed at for no reason." He took a another swig of his drink. "M'names Stylo by the way, ain't my real name, but it's something to call me."

"My names Carmen," I said timidly. It seems every one here is either twisted or off their rocker. "Well, I better get to my tent," I said as I was walking closer and closer in the direction.

"Yeah that's probably for the best," he said. "Perhaps it's a preference thing, but I find that most Carnys don't exactly like staying out too long after hours. You're going to do just fine here m'lady." He sat in the residents sign and began laughing his head off like a mad man.

Madness, madness, madness! that is all that is here. I kept my head up, and walked towards the end of the tent lines to fine my new home. On the way there, I passed a lot of strange characters including head to toe tattooed men, and bearded ladies. They all seemed nice, but I was too started by everything else to ask questions or to even say hi.
When I got to my tent, I noticed that it was already glowing inside. The tent looked like a regular circus tent as did the rest, the only thing that separated it from the others was a small sign sticking out by the tent door flap. 'Carny: Carmen. Stage name: ... ' I didn't know that we were meant to have a stage name. Then again, I don't even know what I can do here. I have no skill, I have no Tallent. How long can I last?

I reached my hand into the door flap and opened it up. Inside the tent was a single bed, with a night stand that had a single lit white candle. In the other side of the tent had a stage mirror along with a bit of makeup, lights, and a chair. And at the end of the tent held a small portable rack with a few items of clothing hanging from it.
Although it looked like a small tent, it was quite roomy inside. It had everything I needed and much more than I had when I was living with my parents, or on the street.
I walked towards the bed, and sat down on the covers. I still had to take a moment to let it all sink in. I am here now, not on the streets tonight. I'm somewhere with a roof, somewhere where I won't get wet.

I placed my head down on the pillow, but as I did, I felt something crumple underneath. I quickly stood back up and reached my hand under the pillow. I ended up pulling out what looked like a letter. I sat back down on the bed, and began to read.

"New bee huh? Well let me help you out with a few things around here. As you know, we are the Jack-of-all yaddah yaddah, you know it so whatever. Welcome to the Carney crowed. We aren't much. We won't ask for much. And our own lives aren't worth much, you're gonna find that out really soon. Watch out for the devil, however he saved us all from hell. Watch out for the clowns, they clame the night after the shows over. Trust us carneys, we're here for all of us. Now, before we go deeper, I need to tell you that you, madam, need a stage name. Your real name will be forgotten by all of us soon, we know yoire running away and we will make sure that you won't be found by a captor. And lastly, I'll be coming by once you are settled to assess a skill. For example, my skill is music, but that isn't for everyone. The stage isn't for everyone. I am nothing but a warm up act. You know, something to kill time while everyone gets settled. We want stunts, we want blood, if you can't peak my attention, then you will be demoted to a clown.

Forever yours, Fallout."

Funny, he seems to cold and yet he puts so much effort into something that he cares so much about. I wounder what I can do to stay in this position?