Chapter IV

Father Barretti’s Idea

We want to give justice to Father Barretti, he constantly though about his business and he couldn’t keep his mind quiet. When he launched a new number and it was perfectly tuned and a success, he started to wonder:

- And, now, what novelty could I launch for the public?

He searched in his inventive mind, gathering his memories, knowing how to copy any past shows, combining and imagining. He moved away from his circus during the day, walking randomly, looking down, hitting clods of earth with his cane, looking more downcast and unfortunate while he was sizing the right idea. Joy made him sullen.

- What am I going to do with Bianca? She is the best and I have to use her.

The trapeze number was still a success at the box office in the evening performances, but, it wasn't a reason to seat back. One of Father Barretti's favourite mottos was: "Those who stop are dead." And he didn't want the circus to stop and die. An idea suddenly lit up his mind. He just saw a piece of paper, light up by a small peasant boy, rising in the air, floating and going in the wind.

Then, he hit the ground with his cane:

- A hot-air balloon!

It's wasn't new, true enough, but, surely, the inhabitants of this holiday resort would enjoy the show as well as the tourists, at this time of the year, who came for their summer holiday on the beach. We were during the elegant season. Hotels were full of people, the biggest: The Savoia had very aristocratic and wealthy customers. With some clever publicity, he certainly could make excellent receipts and it would give a prestigious image to his company.

A hot-air balloon! Why didn't he think about it earlier! In his mind, he established the whole plans of the attraction. He would get the balloon from Rome. It will be inflated on locations. She would take off taking Bianca in the air hanging on the rings. The young girl carrying a parachute around her waist would fall from a certain height. But, would she accept? He replied by the affirmative. Bianca would certainly accept. Her boldness and courage made her a perfect resident member; anyway, the exercise was without danger. Father Barretti recalled he was himself a modest acrobat in the past when he was less corpulent as he became at fifty.

He came back to the circus enthusiastic and to make the most of his intellectual excitement which push him forward, he told immediately the young acrobat. He talked with enthusiasm, showing her what glory could be hers: a sensational number, a one-woman show in broad daylight in front of a completely overwhelmed and emotional: her name in the newspaper; nobody to share the limelight with.

And he went as far as to double her salary… for one day only, of course.

And Bianca agreed.