Page 33 of Monkey Business

They took their time exploring the games, midway, and other attractions. They even had a museum of circus history, filled with images and exhibits on attractions and the start of circuses around the world.

By lunchtime, they found a shaded table where they ordered food from the food trucks and just watched the people passing by. Despite the heat and humidity, the event was packed. With children out of school, mothers were probably clamoring for something to keep them busy.

“Do you remember how excited you would get when school let out for summer break?” smirked Erin.

“Oh, yes!” said Lissa. “I was always happy about it because that meant I got to go to dance camp and extra dance classes. Silly, but it was my fun. At least my kind of fun. I would get to dance with some of the biggest names in dance theater around the world.”

“It’s not silly,” said Erin. “The man who claimed he was my father didn’t allow me to go to camps. I had to attend summer schools focused on science. It felt like I never got a break, but ironically, I didn’t mind. It kept me away from him. When I was in middle school, one of the men assigned to guard me took me to a school fair. He was the only person that ever went against his orders.”

“I hate that for you,” said Ani. “Being raised in Hawaii, we didn’t get to do a lot of camps or extra stuff that cost money. Noa went to football camps a lot, but I’m not sure that was fun. My sisters worked with my mother and grandmother selling crafts and working tours for the visitors. I went to hula lessons, which I hated.”

The women all laughed, staring at the athletic svelte body of Ani.

“I don’t know,” smiled Rose, “I’d say those lessons worked out for you. I’d kill for your body, and if hula does that, then sign me up. Maybe you should start offering classes at the dance studio. I’d bet a lot of women would sign up for that.”

“Well, thank you, but we all have things we liked or didn’t like about ourselves. It’s definitely something I have my husband to thank for, a strong body image,” said Ani.

“Same,” nodded Erin.

“Hey, what’s going on over there?” asked Lissa. She pointed to a growing crowd around a small ring.

“Not sure, but let’s check it out,” said Erin.

They tossed their trash and grabbed their drinks, walking toward the crowd of people. With Erin, Lissa, and Ani being taller than Rose, they were able to see what was happening.

“It’s monkeys,” smiled Lissa. “They’re dancing with them.”

“That seems cruel,” frowned Rose. “Isn’t it?”

“I’m not sure. They seem to be responding to the music. They have blue velvet collars on,” said Lissa.

They watched as the monkeys danced and danced. When they asked for volunteers to dance with them, a few young boys stepped forward. They danced for a few moments, and then the monkeys walked them back to their spots. When the monkeys turned, you could tell that they were looking for someone in particular.

“Are they trained to find people?” whispered Rose.

“It looks like they are. Look. Those two just grabbed the hand of a woman with two children,” said Erin.

“They didn’t take the kids,” whispered Ani. Turning, she looked at Rose and Lissa. “Make your way around the circle and stand with those kids. Don’t let them out of your sights.”

The women nodded and slowly moved around the circle until they were standing behind the children.

The woman was laughing, waving at her children as the monkeys danced with her. When the music stopped, a man walked over and grabbed her hand, telling her to take a bow. She laughed, thanking him for the chance to laugh with her children.

The monkeys walked back toward the woman, each one grabbing her hand.

“Where is she going?” asked Ani.

“I don’t know,” frowned Erin. “Why is she going with them?”

“Shit. The monkeys are taking her away. What is she doing?” Ani tried to cross the barrier of the ring, but a security guard pushed her back, shaking his head.

“You have to go around, ma’am.”

“Damnit,” she muttered. Erin was hot on her heels as they passed Lissa and Rose. “Stay with them.” The two women nodded, kneeling beside the children.

“Where did they go?” asked Erin to Ani.

“I can’t see them anymore. This damn crowd. Comms? Can you see them on the drone?” she asked.

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