scramble for the thin milk.
Don't forget what circus
day means to a small town.
John North, you're just
soft about the circus.
It's suicide to play this
whole tour this year.
- You gonna tell that to Brad?
- Yes.
A good circus boss carries out orders.
My vote is 10 weeks
and back to Sarasota.
But for 80 years...
That order about keeping the grounds
clean goes for the top brass, too.
- Hi, Brad. I'm sorry about that.
- Good morning.
I've seen happier heads on canes.
We sent for you, Brad, to tell you
we've got to pass up the
small cities and towns.
- Times have changed.
- Kids haven't.
- Prices have.
- Well stay in the black.
You hope.
Look, Brad, here's the
tour for this season.
That's only 10 weeks.
Sixty percent of our money comes from
the big cities in the first 10 weeks.
The worlds upside down,
Brad. We can't take the risk...
Our people risk their necks twice a day.
Well have a short season,
no red ink and no trouble.
Troubles part of the circus.
They said Barnum was in
trouble when he lost Tom Thumb.
They said he was
through when Jumbo died.
Were the greatest show on earth, and
you can't put 1,400 people out of work
because the world has a stomach ache.
And you can't risk $25,000 a day
on a sentimental journey, either.
If you'll play only the big cities, you'll
cut the heart right out of this show.
In two seasons, you'll destroy what
it took his family 80 years to build.
I might vote a few weeks more
if we had a bigger headline.
- Holly isn't known.
- Well, we've got one.
- Didn't you tell him, John?
- Not yet.
Who is it, Johnny?
Have you brought Gargantua back to life?
The Great Sebastian.
- What?
- Oh, no!
Obviously, you're crazy.
Sebastian's wrecked
every show he's been with.
- But he draws like sugar in fly time.
- Nobody can handle him.
- He's never worked for Brad.
- You're buying trouble, Johnny.
I'm buying the best
trapeze act in the air.
Well, he may be a god in the air,
but he's a devil on the ground.
You mean with women?
Do you know how many
women this show carries?
He's not that good, no
matter what you've heard.
- Things are bad enough as it is.
- No, Brad, it's too big a gamble.
You haven't sold me. I'm still
against going under canvas.
- Are you for Sebastian?
- Yes.
Because the only way we could get him
was to sign him for the full season.
I knew there was a trick in it.
You can't get good acts
for a 10-week season!
Cool off, Brad.
Were going to stay out as
long as were in the black.
Agreed?
- As long as we make money, yes.
- Lf you say so, John.
Well, I don't like it, John.
Thank you, gentlemen. That's it.
And you'd better start
worrying about Sebastian.
- Let me show you...
- You try to give...
I can't believe it.
Hey, Lucky, keep those cats
covered when you move them.
Okay, Mr. Braden.
- Brad?
- Yeah?
You know Sebastian only
works in the centre ring.
I know it.
Id rather crawl in that cage of cats
than have to tell Holly
she's out of the centre ring.
So would I.
You can blame me if you want to.
Thanks, but it's my
medicine. I'll take it.
Come on, boy. Come on.
Hey, Tuffy, off your
back and on your toes.
And give me a little
more slack this time.
You got ample rope now for a hanging.
One more and I'm going to
do without the mechanic.
No deal. I'll put up a net.
What do you think I am, a fish?
You better use a net for this
one, or you'll break your neck,
and Brad will break mine.
Now don't get sentimental,
Tuffy. Come on, lets go.
If Brad sees this,
he'll chew your ears off.
Snap your legs now.
All the way together, Lena.
Point your toes, Janet.
A little more curve.
Relax, relax.
- Any news?
- Nope.
Come on, now. Lets get over it.
Faster, Loni, faster.
What gives, Buttons?
Holly's hatched up a new
hair-raiser for that centre spot.
Quiet around the centre ring!
Everybody, still a minute, please!
Time...
Terrific, Holly!
Pretty good.
Hi, Brad. Do you like