On a Vacant Face a Bruise

By the light of two moons, young Tom tramps down a deserted road and follows the call of an exotic animal.  Tom passes among a group of wagons parked in a field and approaches a brightly lit fairground.  A figure waving a ribbon-topped stick offers Tom admission to the circus.  Admitting that he has no money, Tom is promptly ignored. 

Tom walks the perimeter of the fair, searching for a gap in the transparent electric fence.  He finds and scales a tree, its branches overhanging the barrier.  Tom looks down on the circus, spots a parade of many-tusked elephants, and observes a naked woman, a living doll, and a dragon play-acting for an enraptured crowd.  

Tom watches a trio of women – a redhead, a blonde, and a brunette – dance and expresses a preference for “Red”.  Finishing her routine, Red looks up at Tom and blows him a kiss.  Tom worries that the girl will reveal his location.  

Wondering aloud, Tom is answered by a voice from among the leaves.  Tom’s companion reveals himself to be a talking bird.  It points out a massive dome opposite the big top and cautions Tom against entering it.  Hungry, Tom offers to sneak into the circus and find them both food.

Tom drops from the tree onto the fairgrounds.  He asks a vendor to spare some sausages, is rebuffed, and steals a pair.  Tom eats one and tosses part of the other beyond the fence.  He is pleased to see the bird, wearing a blue cap, dart from hiding to retrieve his meal.  

Recalling the red-haired dancer, Tom seeks out a place to pass the night.  He locates her tent, crawls inside, and gropes around its dark interior.  Over the sound of a mechanical hum, Tom calls out a greeting and offers to work in exchange for shelter.  Several light bulbs switch on, and Tom notices many long boxes that fill the room.