The Charlatan

Well it has been a while sense I posted a new one of these, but here is another of my timed writing sessions

The Charlatan

"Step right up! Step right up! Ladies and Gentlemen!" The charlatan cried from the old wooden stage with his wagon behind. The sound of his cane, which he wore for fashion and a sense of prestige opposed to any physical need, could be heard rap tap rapping on the old wooden planks that creaked under his well shined black boots. The long tails of his coat flapped in the wind behind him, and a top hat was neatly placed on his head.

The crowd would gather round. Young and old alike, man, woman, and child each with their own aliments. Wheelchairs, bald heads, blind eyes, deaf ears, things not seen. "Come one and all" he cried, "I have something for everything." Pills upon pills scoured from all over the world, made from the most exotic ingredients. "What do you say? Don’t be shy! Who is first to give it a try?" As he speaks with great velocity, his cane thrust out pointing to shelves upon shelves of ancient placebo just through the wagon doors which stand open for all to see.

The wagons sides are brightly colored to attract and draw in spectators. Sparking curiosity, it is drawn by two old white mules who say not a thing. "Yes, that is right come around" All heads rise up and shouts and screams begin, hands rise, each wanting that miracle cure. He covers his eyes and points to the crowd with his cane blindly. Then stops to look where it is pointing. "You there!" He says to a woman holding a baby. She looks surprised and is filled with fear, relief, and anticipation.

"Yes you, come right up! Make way! Make way! Let her through!" She advanced forward and the crowd parts like the ocean. All eyes now fixed upon her and a collative breath is held. She begins to draw up the steps.

12:39 PM - 2/10/2007 - post comment

For though All are not able to write books, all conceive themselves able to judge them. ~The Monk

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