Sam the Man's Traveling Circus Caravan slowly made their way through the back roads of southern California. The caravan consisted of old trucks pulling even older trailers filled with the performers, animals and props needed to perform. In the front trailer, where Sam had his office, was a small gathering of gypsies.
Maria, her sons and Tanya had quickly sought out their gypsy brethren in the woods and was able to get food and new clothes. But realizing the police would look for them there, the six of them went into hiding in the deep woods for several weeks. Finally, Tanya contacted Sam and he agreed to take the gypsies into his circus. He usually took on acts that were dropped from other shows and turned a blind eye on the performers' pasts.
So while Maria's sons performed gypsy music while Tanya danced and sang, Maria told `fortunes' to unsuspecting customers while helping herself to their wallets. Now, they were gathered in Sam's trailer to collect their daily share of the profits. Under the watchful stares of six people, Sam carefully counted out their share. After counting out a small pile, Sam smiled and pushed the bills towards Maria. She frowned.
"Is this all?" She demanded.
"Yes it is." Sam said quickly, "You know as well as I do that we can't visit very populated areas so attendance is low."
Maria smiled brightly, picked up the money, folded it and put it inside her blouse. She knew Sam was being honest with her (a rarity for him) but liked to pull his chain anyway. Plus, she knew the twice-divorced circus owner was sweet on her and used that to her advantage.
"So, Sam." Maria smiled, "Where are we going next?"
Sam unfolded a map and pointed a stubby finger at a city near the California coast. "Right here, my dear. We haven't played this city in a long time."
Maria looked down where Sam had his finger and frowned. It was the very city where the gypsies had been arrested and jailed. In that area was where she and her group had been camped when they tried to steal the Maltese Vulture from Madame Ramtha's mansion. The plan had been to play at her society ball and steal it when nobody was around, but those four young boys who called themselves the Monkees also auditioned for the ball and got the job instead.
So Maria and her sons and niece Tanya kidnapped the Monkees and forced them to steal the vulture instead; but due to circumstances Maria didn't care to remember, the Monkees turned the tables and she and her sons found themselves imprisoned. At least Tanya eluded capture and was able to finally help them escape.
"Must we play there?" Maria demanded.
"Why, what's wrong with that city?" Sam asked.
"They weren't too friendly to gypsies the last time we were there." Maria replied.
Sam smiled. He could read between the lines. "Don't worry, we'll be on the outskirts of town and its only for one night anyway."
"Just one night?" Zeppo asked.
"Yes, just one night and away we go again." Sam reassured him.
The gypsies looked at each other and realized they had no choice but
to perform there and hope they were not recognized.
A few days later, Peter was reading the comics section of the
newspaper. The TV was working fine, but Peter still liked to have a
daily laugh or two. After reading the latest adventures of Little
Orphan Annie, he looked down at the bottom of the page and noticed a
small ad for a traveling circus. Peter smiled brightly. He loved
circuses! He looked over at his three band mates who were watching
TV.
"Hey guys! There's a circus coming to town!" He said happily.
"When and where, Pete?" Mike asked.
"It'll be here tomorrow and it's being set up at the edge of town where the old high school used to be."
"Way out there? Near the woods?" Micky asked.
"Yeah, seems that way." Peter replied, "Mike, can we go? Please?"
"The last time we visited a circus we ended up having to perform as a high-wire act." Mike reminded everybody of the time they went to a circus.
"Please, Mike." Davy begged, "I haven't seen a circus in ages."
"Me neither." Micky chimed in.
"How much is admission, Peter?" Mike asked.
Peter looked at the ad again. "Twenty-five cents a person."
Mike's eyebrows went up. "That's not a bad price."
"So can we go?" Peter asked hopefully.
"As long as Davy doesn't fall in love with the circus owner's daughter, I guess so." Mike said.
Everybody laughed and cheered at Mike's remark.