Haly's Circus: New York City!

[daringyoungman]

 It's a quick stop between Metropolis and Gotham City. New York is what John Grayson calls a Red Pin town - big shows, and dangerous tricks, but it's smaller than Metropolis and is a warm up for the big shows in Gotham.

Dick waited until the punters were beginning to show up then grabbed a moment between rehearsals to run into the bar and collect his friends. So many people had said they hadn't been to a circus in too long, and that had to be fixed.

Also, he feels that if having access to a magic bar is going to do something, it might as well bring an audience to the circus.

Comments

[daringyoungman]

"Good, isn't it?" Dick says cheerfully. "I figured you just needed maybe a T-shirt and some sneakers? The hat is just because hats are cool."

[wild_colts]

"Is a tea-shirt for wearing when drinking tea?" Almanzo asks.

[daringyoungman]

Dick laughs, not unkindly, and pulls him over to the pile of clothes on the bed.

"No, T-shirt is shaped like a T."

He holds one up. It's green and black with a cartoon character on the front. "See?"

[wild_colts]

Almanzo staaaaares at the shirt.

(Sorry Dick, it's all very new to him)

"How do they put the pictures on?" he asks, running his finger over the transfer. "It's like a painting."

[daringyoungman]

"I think it's printed?" Dick says, with a shrug. "So yeah, painted on. Try it?"

[wild_colts]

Almanzo slips it on quickly, turning so that Dick shouldn't see the faint red mark on his back.

He knows Father hates to use corporal punishment more than most and usually it's an empty threat, but attempting to explain using the words 'magic' and 'bar' earned him a single sharp smack with the belt for lying.

"It's soft." he says. "The machines at home can't make things this fine."

He looks around to work out what a sneaker is.

[daringyoungman]

Dick is holding one up. It's an Adidas, and it's blue.

"The future's great, right?"

[wild_colts]

Almanzo takes the shoe and turns it over, looking at the sole. There's no wood here, he prods the rubber with interest.

"You must have sure fine cobblers." he says.

He tries it on. It's a strange feeling when he's been wearing moccasins for his whole life.

"A-dee-das."

[daringyoungman]

"That's the brand," Dick informs him, climbing onto a chair to watch him try them on. "I dunno where they're made. Some factory."

[wild_colts]

"A brand like... like when you mark a cow?"

[daringyoungman]

"No," he explains. "Like - the company that makes the shoe."

[wild_colts]

"Oh! I understand." Almanzo bounces a little in the shoes. They're so squooshy!

[daringyoungman]

Dick grins. "Good, aren't they?

"Don't get them too scuffed, or they're going on your tab."

They're not a present.

[wild_colts]

Almanzo doesn't know what a tab is, but he stops bouncing straight away just in case.

"Be they delicate?"

[daringyoungman]

"No," Dick says lightly. "They'll last the day fine."

[wild_colts]

Almanzo makes sure to tread very carefully. Maybe boots aren't built to last in the future.

"Thanks." he says. "For all this."

[daringyoungman]

"No problem," Dick says cheerfully. "Getting people to come to the circus is my job."

[wild_colts]

"Do they pay you?" Almanzo asks.

[daringyoungman]

"Sure," he says. "I get an allowance. Don't you?"

[wild_colts]

Almanzo shakes his head.

"I got two oxen."

[daringyoungman]

"Sounds like payment to me."

[wild_colts]

"I'd rather have..." Almanzo starts, then stops. That would sound ungrateful.

[daringyoungman]

Dick looks at him expectantly, creating a silence in which he may continue.

[wild_colts]

"I always wanted a colt." Almanzo says. "To train. Father says I'm too young, I'm not allowed near the colts."

[daringyoungman]

"Oh," says Dick. "Well, when did he say you'd be old enough?"