Who: Annie and Fitz What: Checking In When: 2nd October, During the Night Show Where: Backstage - Ten In One Show Rating: Low Status: Complete
Since her rebirth over a century earlier Annie was sure that she had hundreds if not thousands of different jobs, some lasted days or weeks while a few lasted for years before she had to move onto the next calling. But never in her wildest of dreams did she think that she’d be on stage at a travelling carnival dressed in something rather skimpy with most of her tattoos on display, or that people would be paying to see her like this.
Being in front of crowds had never bothered her, she had once worked at a DJ at a club for close to a year so she was used to that kind of attention, while most people were respectful and genuinely interested in her short show there was always those who heckled and yelled over everyone for her to ‘take it off’. The first time it came as a bit of a shock but Annie had grown a thick skin and the second time someone did it she just yelled back “The Dancing Girls show’s that way” and pointed in the direction before returning her attention to everyone else, other times she just swore at them in Québécois which occasionally brought laughter from Monsieur De Feu who was often waiting in the wings.
Tonight she was sitting out the back awaiting her turn, looking at one of the pitch cards that had recently gotten printed just for her. Would people want them? Or would people just be more interested in touching her skin and wanting her to prove that they were real and not just painted on. Time would tell.
--
“Dime a card right?” A hand held out the silver coin in front of her. “Just gotta have one for m’collection.”
Fitz pinched the coin between his fingers and tilted his head at her, that lock of hair falling across his forehead. It was true, he had a collection of all the pitch cards from all the acts that had cycled through the ten in one (and copies of those who had redone them with new pictures). It wasn’t a shiny, but it was something that was nice to have. He knew he wasn’t the only one who collected them either.
--
Annie hadn’t heard Fitz enter the tent over the sounds of the show out the front and the general humdrum of backstage, for a moment she was in her own little world, somewhere in the back of her mind wondering if she had done the right thing by going back in time with Zion but that was where the unknown, unseen force had led her to and she knew it was better to not fight it. So far she was enjoying herself, even with the cookhouse duties that she still did.
She smiled at him, glancing down at the coin then back up to his face. “Yep, dime a piece. Though I could sign it for you and it’d be worth twice that.” Annie teased, the smirk clear across her lips. The black and white picture didn’t show the bright and varied color of her tattoos but there was something about the beauty of black and white.
--
“As if I’d dream of sellin’ it.” He laughed, dropping the dime in the basket before taking one of the cards in hand. He flipped it to the back and skimmed her “story”. She’d really come up with a nice, believable one. “Least, you were smart and didn’t put any dates.” Fitz moved the basket and sat next to her. “You’ll be able t’use it when we get back to 1920.” If. When. Fitz was hoping desperately for when.
“Spoke with Monsieur De Feu ‘bout y’the other day.” He admitted with a teasing smile. “Seems t’think y’re fittin’ in pretty good ‘ere.” Fitz nudged her elbow. “Boys aren’t given’ y’a hard time are they?”
--
Coming up with a believable story wasn’t all that hard, she had studied literature for a time and had jokingly said that she had ‘channeled the greats’ writing it. The people out there didn’t need to know the stories that lay behind every single tattoo, the joy or heartache that went into each and every design. “Thought it’d be better to go without them, I don’t think I’m going to sell out before we get back there, whenever that’s gonna be.” She had posed so some of the tattoos that depicted futuristic items or events were hidden in the end photograph but it was a nice picture nonetheless.
“I hope that your darling husband only told you the good things.” She smiled back, although Annie had never really done anything bad, other than cursing at people and that was only when there were no children present. “They’re a good bunch of guys… and it’s nice to know they’ve got my back if I need it.” A look down at her hands and then back to FItz. “No matter the time period, there will always be at least one asshole in a crowd.”
--
He nodded in agreement. “Get plenty a’them on th’midway. Folks tryin’ t’cheat their way t’a prize.” Or those who got aggressive when they didn’t win. Fitz had encountered all types. “An’ I wouldn’t ‘ave thought there’d’a been any bad, though Ben did share a story ‘bout some gent y’went off on the first night?” He was embellishing the story of course. “They had t’pull y’off stage or somethin’ ‘long those lines.”
--
"If they're that desperate, just go out and buy one." Annie rolled her eyes at Fitz's statement. Back in 2020 they would've called those people 'entitled', those who think they deserve something even though they didn't. Hopefully it wouldn't be as bad in 1920, though she had a feeling it would be just the same. "That was the second night." She chuckled, knowing full well that the story was embellished. "The first night I just stood there stunned. But that strongman has a very impressive pair of biceps, he can pull me off the stage anytime." While she wasn't attracted to him in any kind of sexual way, she still appreciated beauty and Jericho was indeed very nice to look at.
--
“Ah yes, they don’t call him the Iron Wells for nothin’.” Fitz chuckled. “Iron in strength an’ resolve.” He was indeed nice to look at, though Fitz did prefer his men not as bulky. To him, Ben was perfect. “Glad y’came into y’own ‘course. Can’t ever let ‘em see y’falter. Always gotta ‘ave th’upper hand. We’re the con men after all.”
While Zion was probably one of the most honest carnivals out there. They still needed to make money, and that did often involve a bit of con artistry. Underselling Well’s strength during a blow out to make others think they had a chance against him, while also making everyone believe he was the strongest in the carnival. Half of the bally was talking up the act inside with stories that weren’t entirely true to get people inside. Most of the acts had a backstory that was completely false and played up for the audience. For instance, Jericho had quite a good homeschooling when it came down to it, and was an excellent father. But tended to only grunt and snarl intimidatingly during his show, speaking in only one or two word sentences when he did speak. Some might call it performances, or acting. But Fitz knew it to be what it really was- a long con.
--
"You don't get to be my age without learning things like that. Or how to deal with hecklers." She turned her head and winked at Fitz, of course she knew, and had known for years that games - be it in a carnival or a casino - favoured the house and one was more likely to lose than win, which was one reason she didn't gamble and she knew that she probably wouldn't win a prize in the ring toss.
"At least we're the most honest of con men, not like those investment scams." She realised that the term Ponzi scheme wouldn't be known to them for quite a few more years. She watched as another of the acts came backstage and knew that was her cue. Standing up she smoothed down her skirt and adjusted the top. "That's my call, how do I look?"
--
Fitz reached up and moved a strand of fabric from the top tie of the shirt behind her shoulder. “Y’look perfect. Folks are gonna love you.” He gave her a thumbs up as Willis’ voice could be heard giving her intro- apparently the reverend had come out of hiding finally.
--
She grinned at Fitz, threw him a wink and blew him a kiss before walking towards the stage stairs behind the side curtains. Annie was just as surprised to see Willis as probably everyone else was, but he was looking much better than he had weeks before. With a wide smile she walked out onto the stage and started her show.