Mr. Cannelloni's Circus

Elvira filled up her trunk with cool water and sprayed the
special inspector from head to toe until he was soaking
wet. And so were the inquiry forms, which the conscientious
inspector had been clutching in his hands, even when
he fainted.
Maximillian Knapp came to, snorting, and stared at his
soaked uniform and dripping papers in horror. He’d also
been awakened from the spell he was under with Cleopatra.
Now he was really angry. The circus crew would pay for
this humiliation! He sputtered with anger and indignation.
Nothing appeased him, not even Cleopatra’s explanation
that he had sunstroke and Elvira had actually saved him.
Things had taken an unexpected turn, Mr. Cannelloni
thought from inside his wagon. He pulled on his tight white
trousers that were part of his ringmaster’s outfit. He slipped
his arms into the sleeves of his red tailcoat and put a top hat
on his head.
The evening show was about to begin. The main gate had
already been opened, and a few families with children were
arriving. Then came an entire bus full of schoolchildren
on a field trip, as well as a group of cyclists from far north,
wearing blue-and-white caps. This would be an interesting
evening.
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