"Oh, hello," the woman says in a friendly voice. "I had no idea I would be entertaining visitors today. Please, come inside."

  Tanya offers the woman in purple a sarcastic smirk, looking around the tent for signs of another person--or persons. Slipping into the tent, Desmond and Tanya stand not far from the entrance. The ringmaster climbs to her feet and strides to meet them. She extends her hand to Desmond and Tanya respectively.

  "Welcome," the ringmaster gushes.

  "Uh huh," Tanya says wryly, her eyes narrowing. "So...This is a circus. I mean...The kind with elephants, clown cars, trapeze artists, and all that jazz? Where is everything? We didn't see any signs on our way up. Heck, we almost walked straight past you. How do you get anyone to come...Being all the way out here?"

  Tanya's rude attitude overtly alters the ringmaster's cordial mood. The ringmaster's mouth draws tight and she arches an eyebrow.

  "We have flyers everywhere. However, we are not yet set up for business."

  "Oh. Well, I didn't see any flyers," Tanya insists. "Seems real silly to put a circus out in the middle of the woods. Something like that belongs more in the city. It was only dumb luck that we found your tent. Maybe you should consider a different location in the future. You'll make more money that way."

  "Tanya, what the hell?" Desmond exclaims, both terrified and amused at Tanya's brazen remarks.

  The ringmaster's jaw tightens further and she appraises Tanya from head to toe. The women stand silently for what seems like an uncomfortable eternity, each sizing up the other. Desmond steps forward and whispers in Tanya's ear.

  "Why are you being so rude?"

  "I'm not," Tanya replies, turning her head slightly and whispering back.

  "You don't call that rude?" Desmond retorts. "The woman welcomed us in. You could at least be a little pleasant. Insulting her like that is wrong."

  "Why do you care?" Tanya hisses.

  "It's not like you, Tanya. I've never known you to be so mean. First that filming crap, and now this. What is up with you? I'm really starting to think this trip was a bad idea."

  The ringmaster watches, and listens, as Desmond and Tanya hammer out their dispute. A subtle smile plays on her painted lips.

  "Look, Dez. I just find the whole situation weird, okay? You have to admit, it is weird? I'm sorry. I can't pretend I don't think this whole setup is a bit whack. But, you're right."

  Tanya returns her attention to the silent ringmaster and forces a smile. The ringmaster's expression becomes blank. She is no longer interested in playing nice.

  "My boyfriend's right," Tanya begins. "I shouldn't have been so rude. Please accept my apology. I'm Tanya...And this is Desmond."

  "Pleasure," the ringmaster says with a small nod of her head.

  The ringmaster studies the couple once more before speaking.

  "May I ask what has brought you two to my tent? If you did not see the flyers...Why are you here?"

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  "We were hiking," Desmond rushes to explain. "My girl and I decided to do something romantic this weekend. She wanted to go camping. I'm not one to disappoint...So, here we are."

  "Yes...here you are," the ringmaster says in a dry voice. "I suppose I should have guessed you were hiking. The backpacks give it away. Don't see many campers out this way."

  "Oh. So you've been out here before?" Tanya inquires, brow raised.

  "Yes," the rngmaster replies tersely.

  Desmond looks from the ringmaster to Tanya, anxiety taking root. Either he's overreacting, or the temperature inside the tent has gone way up. Any hotter and one, or both, of the women will explode. Best to break up the party.

  "It was nice meeting you, Ma'am. But, we still need to find a good camping spot and the sun is already setting. Good luck on opening day."

  "You don't have to go," the ringmaster says in a more friendly voice. "As you said, the sun is setting. It's much too late for two young people to be stumbling around the woods at night. There are bears and other wild creatures. They wander this entire territory. My assistant should be along soon. Right now, he is hanging more flyers and grabbing supplies. You can stay here tonight. It would be safer. In the morning, you can continue your hike."

  Desmond shakes his head. He peers briefly at Tanya, whose hands are on her hips.

  "I don't think that's...,"

  "Please, I insist," the ringmaster exclaims in a pleading voice. "I could never live with myself, if something should happen to either of you... Because I did not warn you. You're safer here. The lights and sound keep most larger night predators away. The worst that may wander into our camp is a raccoon or a possum."

  As much as he hates to admit it, the woman in purple is correct. It would be better to stay here tonight and strike out again in the morning.

  "Okay," Desmond says.

  "Desmond?!"

  "She's right, hon. We can't go around fumbling in the dark. It's too dangerous. I won't put you in that kind of danger. I told you we shouldn't have stopped, but you wanted to explore. Now, I think we should stay here until the morning. It's the right decision."

  Tanya releases a loud sigh and rolls her eyes.

  "Okay, fine. But we leave before daybreak."

  What Tanya really wants to say is that she was counting on having their first romp under the open stars tonight. What she does say is completely different.

  "Uhm...Miss Lady? Do you have a bathroom?"

  "I am called 'ringmaster'," the purple suited woman says. "Our bathroom facilities are at the back of the tent...Far left."

  The ringmaster motions with her gold-tipped cane. Tanya observes the small lavatory, at the back of the circus tent. Funny, she hadn't noticed it when they first came in. But, then again, she hadn't really been paying much attention. She'd been more concerned with whether or not this tent was a clever cover for other types of nighttime activity. Finding this strange, but overly gorgeous, woman alone had been a big disappointment. She is much too pretty to be running a low-budget circus in the middle of nowhere. Tanya is aware that Desmond is of the same opinion. His eyes are constantly going over the ringmaster's figure, halting at her ample cleavage. Something about this whole situation doesn't feel normal. As soon as the sun peeks over the horizon, they are out of here.

  "Thank you...Ringmaster," Tanya says. "Be right back, Dez."

  Kissing Desmond lightly on the lips, Tanya heads for the lavatory. The ringmaster shifts her gaze and smiles warmly at Desmond.

  "While the young lady takes care of her business, I will show you some photos from our previous events. We've been to many exotic venues. Vegas, San Diego, Orlando, and many others. Come with me. My assistant should be here before too long. I will have him cook us a marvelous dinner."

  "You don't have to do that, Ma'am," Desmond says, embarrassment creeping into his voice.

  He is still ashamed of Tanya's rude behavior at the onset of their impromptu meeting with the gorgeous ringmaster. The ringmaster grins and lightly touches Desmond's left forearm.

  "I know, I don't have to. I want to. Let me be a good host."

  Staring into the ringmaster's vibrant green eyes, Desmond feels an odd pull on his psyche. Her wavy black hair is shiny and soft, perfect for running his hands through. Her lips, purple and partially separated, are moist and inviting. Other parts of her body, the visible ones, he dares not think about. Tanya is his woman. Desmond forces a wide grin of his own, pushing away the fantasies.

  "Uh...Okay.