Page 24 - Unlikely Stories 3

Chosen Fool

many. Their plane had mysteriously disappeared, and they had largely
been forgotten. Legally they were dead. They debated whether they
should try to contact their friends and relatives after the passage of
time. To make a long story short, they did not; instead, they took on
new identities and began a second career as a tribute act to
themselves, pretending to recreate old songs for a new audience. As
the original act’s gimmick was to dress up as clowns, it was relatively
simple to present that impersonation under a slightly different name.
It took about a year to get traction, hook up with an audience and get
jobs. As long as they could keep away from anyone seriously
investigating their past, they were safe.”
Rhoda stared at each of them in turn.
‘You’re right. No one would believe you. And you think I will. All
right, Hank—if that’s who you are—drop your pants: I want to see
that birthmark.”
Guy Weyer blushed. He stood up and unbuckled his jeans.
Rhoda paled. “My god!”
“Now please let us make our departure. This will cost us plenty to
sneak out the back door, but winding up in a scientific freak show
would be worse. Do you understand?”
She stood up, shakily. Without another word she turned and ran
out of the dressing room.
“Let’s hop it. She may change her mind,” said Guy.
“About what?” asked Paul. “What’s it to her if we’re Chosen Fool
or Frozen Drool? She got what she wanted: you’ll never see her
daughter again.”
“Right. But didn’t you see that photograph? I don’t want her
thinking too much about the fact that Sue Fleigh is my daughter,
too.”

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