Panem et Circences: Act One

[CRESCENDO SOUNDS OF LIVELY CIRCUS MUSIC]

[SPOTLIGHT SHINES]

[RINGMASTER WALKS IN AND BOWS]

[POLITE APPLAUSE]

[START OF ACT ONE]

~*~

[SALVE]

Rings of fire flaring higher illuminates death defying acts

Pretty odds and ends, and recherché entertainment akin

Strangest characters of colours and remarkable knacks

So sit back and relax ladies and gentlemen, we’re about to begin…

~*~

[CERNUUS]

Pull the red carpets under my feet

In your mischievous act of assault

But my dearest, I shall defy gravity

And impress you with a somersault.

~*~

[LEO DOMITOR]

I find myself in the company of lions

But they find themselves at my mercy

A crack of a whip, jaws unhinge upon

As I peer down their gullet in bravery.

~*~

[FUNAMBULUS]

Traipsing quaintly on a thin wire

A hundred feet fall underneath lies

Lest I lose balance and I fail dire

At least it gives me a chance to fly.

~*~

[PARMA]

Strapped and spinning on a target

Sharp daggers nearly pin me down

A sinew, skin will pierce and bleed

But I won’t flinch—risk makes it fun.

~*~

[VIR GLADIUM]

Instead of swallowing the sword

And following their twisted acts

I’ll spit it out my mutilated throat

Instead and I’ll use it to fight back.

~*~

[PRELIMINARY ACTS EXIT]

[SPOTLIGHTS DIM]

[CIRCUS MUSIC SEGUES]

[MUSIC BOX INTERLUDE PLAYS]

[END OF ACT ONE]