Maxwell shot to his feet.

The clown guffawed, slapping his thigh.“Did it catch you off guard?” he said referring to his cracking face paint. “ I don’t bite you know.”

What the hell is wrong with this guy? Maxwell eyed the ragged figure. What the hell is a dusty old clown doing on the streets? Come to think of it this was probably the first time he had seen a clown in person. It was creepier than he had expected it to be but then again most clown’s weren’t this suspicious. The clown whistled merrily his arms behind his head as he leant back against the brick wall. He didn’t seem like he was going to hurt him. He had saved him after all. He sat down again leaving a slight gap between them. He hoped this was more of the family-friendly clown and not the Pennywise clown.

“Thanks for saving me and also who are you anyways,” demanded Maxwell. Of all the things he’d seen on the streets so far this was by far the weirdest.

“Aren’t you a rude one!” he said. “You can call me Henry,” said the man. Henry, huh that doesn’t give me much info and that’s probably not your real name. Maxwell knew better than to completely let his guard down around a stranger.

“What’s your name?” asked the clown.

“Why do you want to know?” asked Maxwell, narrowing his eyes.

“Isn’t that the polite thing to do?”

“I don’t have time for politeness,” said Maxwell.

The clown laughed heartily.

“What’s so funny?” demanded Maxwell

“Nothing,” said Henry. “Here I’ll show you a trick.”

Maxwell shrugged, folding his arms. “FIne, let’s see how good you are.”

The man coughed violently. His body was shaking. “Are you ok?” said Maxwell, he began to reach for him put nervously stopped. Is he all right? Henry raised a hand to his mouth, choking and a deck of cards spilled to the ground.

The clown straightened. “Tada!”

“That’s not funny!” said Maxwell. “I thought you were serious, I should have let you choke to death. Nowonder nobody finds you funny, your idea of a joke is messed up!”

“Hmmm that usually gets most people laughing,” said the man. “How about this,” he said, collecting the cards. He shuffled them before reaching out with the deck.

“Pick a card, any card.” His fingers hovered over the worn cards. Perhaps it had once been a different color but now it was merely a faded brown with swirls along it. The edges of the cards were ripped and bent. The cards were worn and well used.

He gingerly took one making sure to not let him see what it was.

“Now place it back.” Maxwell did so. He shuffled the deck again, his movements were smooth and his fingers flashed in a whirlwind.

“Is this your card?” Maxwell looked at the card pinched between the man’s fingers. “That’s right, the king of hearts.” It was his first time seeing magic tricks but it felt a bit… underwhelming. Maybe it was because he had well seen actual magic.

“You don’t seem impressed,” noted the man.

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“It’s not bad but you’re not winning any awards with that,” he admitted.

“I guess that was impressive.” said Maxwell.

“Ok then how about this.” The man snapped his fingers. “Check your card.”

Maxwell looked down at the card. It was now completely blank.

“Where did the card go?”

“I wonder, “said Henry smugly.

Maxwell doubled over coughing. It was hard to get air. Something was lodged in his throat. The clown thumped a hand against his back. Something flew out of his mouth and onto the ground. His eyes widened. No way. He then winced. That’s kind of really gross isn’t it? Who knew where that card had been. Perhaps he was better off not knowing.

He unfurled the small square. It was the king of hearts.

“How did you do that!” said Maxwell, snapping his head at him.

The man scratched his chin smugly. “A clown never reveals his tricks.”

“These streets are tough, you’ve done well to survive this long, I can tell you’re not from around here.”

Maxwell laughed bitterly. “I’ve been better. Not a day has gone by where my stomach hasn’t been empty. I’m a dead man walking.”

“You don’t seem to be doing so well yourself,” said Maxwell, eyeing the dirty outfit.” Does no one in this city have a sense of humour?”

His mouth was agape, staring at Maxwell. His look of shock quickly turned into a grin.“My and I thought I was the funny one.” he snickered.

“This is more of a hobby- no more of a dream and quite a selfish one at that but to answer your question. I don’t quite mind living like this, if you’re smart there are ways to get food.”He gestured to the jutting out corner. “ I have shelter here by the wall.” He gestured to Maxwell. “And I have your wonderful company,” he finished. “I’d say that’s more than most people. Sitting right here you’d be surprised at the glimpses, whispers of people’s lives that reach my ears.”

“Hmmm,” said Maxwell. What is this guy rambling about? He actually enjoys living like this. I’d prefer to not go on living like a beggar. “I see, when you meant your men, is that the circus you belong to?” He was wise enough to keep his thoughts to himself.

Well something like that,” said the man scratching his neck. “I’ve been called foolish but they’ve stuck by me and they’re very dear to me. But it’s been rough. One of my men went missing one night during a job when he came back he was all bleeding. Someone really did a number on him.”

“I hope he gets better.” said Maxwell. He wasn’t surprised. These streets seemed to be full of danger. “What was it that happen to him?” He was sad for him but more than that he felt a closeness. It really felt like everything bad in the city was happening to him but in actuality it only seemed that way. Other people had it rough too.

Maxwell’s eyes landed on a ring on the man’s finger. It was a fine metal, polished smooth. In its center lay a prominant blue crystal. Maxwell nodded at it. “You got a wife and kids?”

His question left them in silence. The man wasn’t quick to respond, as if he hadn’t heard him at all. Is this a touchy subject? wondered Maxwell. It was a casual conversation type question but the silence seemed to suggest more. He hadn’t intended on asking such a personal question. He knew far too well how uncomfortable that could be. He’d always hated it whenever he was asked about his homelife by classmates.

“I don’t have any kids as for a wife…” the man stared wistfully. “You could say I did.”

Maxwell didn’t seem to notice the man’s countenance and carried on.

“I would be careful about having such a ring, someone might try and rob you for it.”

“Why? Are you going to?” said the man with a serious look.

“No, no it's just I didn't want you to get…hurt.” What was he thinking? He was surprised by his own words. He didn’t have time to think of others. He couldn’t even take care of himself.

The man chuckled. “I’m just joking, I’m a clown after all. “Maxwell gave a sigh of relief.“That’s not very nice, you know.”

“I appreciate your concern but there’s no need to worry, people know better than to mess with me.”

Maxwell wondered what he meant but didn’t probe further. He had a gut feeling it was better not too.

“That reminds me, I have one last trick to show you.” He reached into his jacket. Great what does he have in store for me now. His hand came into view this time clutching a glinting knife. It wasn’t a simple penknife either. A pen-knife might be used to cut a piece of an apple that was more like a bayonet. He flashed a pearly white smile at Maxwell.

“Give me all your money.”