Entering the tent, Elion asked,
"Mr. Clown, did we make it just in time for the start of the show? How is that possible?"
"Ha-ha! The show starts when all the audience members are gathered, young man. With your arrival, it will begin! Please take your seats while I go to my workplace." The clown said cheerfully and left.
"Sis, let's go quickly," The boy said, pulling Annabelle by the hand.
As they walked down the bright corridor, Elion expected to see hundreds of spectators waiting nervously for them. When the curtain opened...
They were greeted by a large, completely empty hall.
"Eh?! What is this? Is this how it's supposed to be, Belle?" The boy asked, feeling disappointed.
"Um... Well, maybe this is normal for Weimar," Annabelle said thoughtfully.
"Yeah, if I had known it would be like this, I would have invited all my friends. It wouldn't be so empty. Oh, well. At least we'll get the best seats. Let's go."
They sat down in the front row of the central grandstand. Since there was no barrier, the view was excellent.
As soon as they sat down, the warm light dimmed slightly. A voice, like that of the clown but without the lisp, spoke loudly.
"Haha! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the "Kingdom of Jokes"! When was the last time you were genuinely impressed and mesmerized by something? When was the last time you were speechless by what you saw? When was the last time you were surprised by something like a child would be? A month ago? A year ago? Or was it in your distant childhood? Maybe your gray reality has even covered your childhood memories, and you don't remember. Or maybe you've never experienced anything like this? Ha-ha! In the "Kingdom of Jokes," anything is possible—and more! Don't worry; you're going to have an unforgettable experience! Hahahaha!
Elion listened to the cheerful, laughing voice and smiled brightly.
"When was the last time you laughed or smiled sincerely? Maybe a minute ago? Maybe an hour ago? Or maybe yesterday? Or was it so long ago that you don't even remember? Ha-ha! Don't worry; only corpses don't smile in the Kingdom of Jokes! Haha!"
Elion continued to listen to the voice, mesmerized and not noticing anything strange.
"Just kidding! Even corpses laugh here! Hahaha! Get your smiles and applause ready, ladies and gentlemen, because we...
"Begin!"
Expectations were high, and Elion, having forgotten about the empty hall, watched the performance begin.
In the silence of the circus hall, the stage curtains opened slightly, and a clown emerged.
It was the same clown, but with a different mask. This time, instead of a cheerful smile, he had a gloomy one.
Elion was slightly surprised but said nothing, remaining in anticipation.
With his hand hidden behind his back, a dejected gait, and his head bowed, the clown walked to the center of the stage.
"Eh... Hello, everyone... Now, I will perform a magic trick. Attention, please," the sad clown muttered gloomily.
Elion was initially taken aback by the clown's manner, but decided it was part of the show and remained attentive.
"Tadam..." Еhe clown said, still sounding gloomy.
Elion was at his wits' end but decided to give the clown a chance, thinking it might be a joke based on his strange sense of humor.
"Second trick... Please prepare your applause," the clown muttered, sounding even gloomier.
Elion turned his full attention to the top hat, assuming there might be a rabbit or some other large object inside.
Annabelle wasn't interested in these dull tricks; she just sweetly hid her laughter, watching her beloved brother try to hold back.
When the anticipation reached its peak, the clown put his hand into the top hat and pulled out...
A crooked cobblestone.
"Ta-da..."
Elion blinked rapidly, unable to believe his eyes.
"Eh... Please give me your applause..." The clown bowed, holding the cobblestone to his chest.
Elion finally jumped up, unable to take it anymore.
"What the hell do you want applause for? You're a disgrace to clowns everywhere! Why did I give you my... Never mind! Anyone in your place would have done better. Even I could be a better clown than you. Your existence itself is an insult to the honorable profession of clowning! I'm not going to put up with this nonsense!" Elion flared up.
"Eh... Really...? What a pity. You think you'd be a better clown than me...?" the clown said in the same tone, looking completely unoffended.
"Yes, of course!"
"I see... Well, then, if you want to be the best clown, you'll have to learn from the best of the best... Right...?"
"Well... Probably, yes?" the boy said, not understanding.
"I see... In that case, you would watch the best clown's performance, even if..."
"He had a 'Mystery'...?" The clown's tone changed for the first time.
"Um... Well, I think so. Why do you ask?"
The boy asked, but heard only silence in response.
—...
The shadows in the circus hall thickened until pitch darkness remained.
Elion could not even see his own hands in this darkness. Intimidated, he was about to call his sister when he noticed the sad clown's mask remained in place, shining white and red in the darkness.
For the first time since the clown appeared on stage, the corners of his mouth turned upward.
Elion stared in surprise at the bright mask in the darkness.
Finally, the corners of his lips rose into a broad smile. Then, the mask said in a mysterious tone:
"Well... If that's the case, then let the performance of the best clown begin."
The performance of the best clown, especially for Elion, then began.