Chapter X

Count Cassatti’s Method

The Circus went on with its ordinary life, quiet in its skilfully ordered fancy and strict in its daily training. The same events repeated themselves without any whim other than the changes in the programme. One lived peacefully, loudly but without any modification. Bianca and Tito went on loving each other freely, in absolute serenity. Nobody cared about them as it looked perfectly normal. Nobody joked about them as everybody was far too busy with their work. The acrobats only cared about their own business and their own family. Admittedly, one could hear here and there some quarrels. When thirty to forty actors perform every night on the ring, fighting for success, there is always some disagreement and some unpleasant words exchanged.

There was some obscure jealousies and some persistent hatred; but, overall, it was forgotten when it came to being professional and also Father Barretti's authority brought back peace with his conciliatory good-nature.

Bianca was intoxicated by her love which had been growing ever since Tito's first vow. She found her happiness even greater as if she was living a new life and the future looked bright like a summer dawn. Since the evening when the Count entered her dressing-room, she heard nothing from him and she couldn't have cared less what was happening in the world.

Time, things and beings had ceased to exist for her. Only one man did the one she loved. Only one world: the circus. Everything else was just literature or fancy. Her horizon was that of the circus' tent. She lived, moved, ate and got dressed with only one wish: to love and keep Tito forever. And, also, she was preparing with him, in secret, her new balancing act. She had found a discreet little gymnasium where nobody could see her. She knew that acrobats, however nice they can be, could be extremely indiscreet and liked to steal their colleagues' secrets. She knew that the best way to success for an acrobat was silence and not to talk to any her colleagues from the ring. They certainly would never have stolen one penny in her pocket or her dressing room, but, they wouldn't have thought twice about to steal a new movement or trick for their profit. They would have set up, before her, a number similar to hers and Tito so that she would have lost any authorship in it. Tito and Bianca were rehearsing continuously. One day, during an afternoon rehearsal, a ring hand brought a letter for Bianca. She took it and read it while staying on her trapeze, legs up and head down. Tito waited for her to call him up, in one corner. She read very slowly and re-read as if she wanted to really understand the meaning of the words. And, suddenly by a skilful pull-up, one of these acrobatics for which she was famous, she jumped from the trapeze and landed with both feet in the sand, charming and agile, waving the letter above her head.

- Tito!...

The clown was adjusting his belt; he looked up.

- What is it?

- Do you know what this letter says?

- Not yet!

- If that's good news, what do you give me?

The clown started laughing. It was really Bianca's usual manners. He felt happy for her and replied jokingly:

- I won't give you anything. If that's good news, you have to give me something, as it's for you.

- Read it…

She threw the letter in the air. The paper flew and nearly went over the fence. The clown caught it and after making a paper airplane with it, read the following:

       Madam,

I am the agent of the International Circus Artists Association and I would like to discuss with you regarding the possibilities of an engagement. I am leaving for America tomorrow and I would really appreciate if you could come to see me tonight at 6 pm. I believe it is the right moment for you before your performance. Ask for Mr John W. Albin at the Hotel Savoia, room 216.

Best Regards.

The clown shook his head with a comical admiration and clicked his tongue:

- Goodness me!

Standing firm with her hands on her hips, Bianca was exultant.

- That's surprised you, has it?

- I am delighted, that's all…but, I am horribly jealous and upset!

- What?

The clown pulled a face.

- This engagement is for you. I can't see anywhere my admirable exercises mentioned.

He had put such an affected emphasis on the 'exercise' word. He pretended to be wounded in his vanity, to despise the letter which he was holding like a scrap of paper and looked at it with a disdainful grimace. Bianca ran to him:

- It's because Mr…Mr John Albin (she took the letter to check the name) thinks I am the manager in our number… I am the most interesting star in our acrobatic team, am I not?

They both laughed and embraced because this letter suddenly brought a great hope. It was for them, perhaps, that great engagement which will allow them to live peacefully…And there was something else, the young woman suddenly thought about it.

- Dear! She exclaimed carried along by her own enthusiasm, do you understand? It means America and of course, our honeymoon!

Her face lit up, blushing with emotion. She reached out for Tito with both arms outstretched, looking luminous in her black singlet. She concluded:

- Shall I go, now?

He encouraged her:

- Of course! If it weren't for this rehearsal, I would go with you.

But he couldn't leave the circus now. On top of Bianca's number, he was also the partner of other clowns in the final. Signor Barretti had thirty members in his troupe, but he tried with varied costumes and a variety of numbers to make the public believe they were two hundred. As the programme was modified every week, they rehearsed every day next week's numbers. It was necessary to keep a public eager for new sensations.

Tito let Bianca go with regret. Not that he was afraid of anything, just, he was wondering if she was going to be able to safeguard her interests with the desired vigour. While wasn't obsessed about money, he knew how agents like to discuss fees. Looking at her as she was dressing:

- Whatever the price he tells you, double it! It will be reasonable.

She slapped lightly his cheek.

- Do you take me for a greenhorn, my dear Harlequin? Between us, I think I can obtain more than you would yourself.

He shook his head.

- You are conceited!

Their eyes met as they parted and she trembled under his passionate glance. She really loved him with all her soul. She had an overpowering desire to hold him against her. He came to her and embraced her for a long time. He told her:

-Go and be self-confident. You're better than any other acrobat I ever saw.

She went after putting on her coat and her black velvet beret, the same one as last year as she spent little on clothes. She walked quickly to the Savoia Hotel. At the desk, she was told where Mr J.W. Albin's apartment was. As the lift wasn't on the gound floor, she climbed the stairs, impatient to arrive. Letter in hand, she looked for the door getting lost twice in the numerous corridors of the hotel. Her footsteps were totally silent on the thick carpeted floor. A little bellboy who was whistling in the corridor told her the right way. She knocked. The agent was probably waiting as the door opened immediately, noiselessly.