Curing Jackson Blair: bp4

Clowning is a form of drama with no fourth wall, meaning audience and performer interact freely and directly affect the semi-improvisational show, Sterling learned in his history class at Ashton University. The history of clowning, as we know it, started with jesters during the feudal ages. Overtime, clowning took on different variations but usually stayed steady as a sub-culture in western entertainment--clown-centric photography could even be found in 1920s Berlin. Inarguably, the low point of professional clowning was the racist routine commonly known as “black face.”

But like all occupations, the clowning profession must change with the times and learn to incorporate technology or become obsolete. The Japanese are developing Robo-Clowns--due out in the market by the year 2015. Sterling thought about a robot getting hit in the face with a cream pie; is that funny? There seems to be some sort of social commentary in such a jester gesture.

Sterling left his dreary class and saw William and Preston waiting for him outside. William had been filming other clowns during the day as he was beginning to think Sterling’s despondent nature would spur nothing but emotional indifference from any future film audience. William did not believe Sterling was in a rut or bad mood, but was rather just growing old and tired.

“Remember what Jackson said about Camilla?” asked Preston, “That she was addicted to her clown persona and make up? I think he might have possibly been right. We finally—finally!—went out on a real date and she showed up completely in clown character.” Sterling was slightly surprised but didn’t show it. Regardless, Preston continued, “I mean, we still had fun but I think the people at Olive Garden were kind of freaked out.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Whoa. Whoa,” started William, lowering his camera. “Did you…”
“What? Kiss? Yeah.”
“Ah man. You kissed a clown? I can’t even imagine the…ah man…ah shit,” William struggled to collect his thoughts for some time while Sterling remained silent. “I am…ah...freak out. That is…shit.”
“It wasn’t that weird. She’s incredible, in or out of character.”
“Wait. Wait. Wait! Did you two have sex? Yes or no.”

Preston tightened his lips and looked down and to his right—essentially conveying his thoughts through a megaphone.

“Oh. My. God.”
“Look guys-“
“Oh. My. God.”
“Look guys. She’s beautiful, I’m a guy. These things happen. Sometimes.”
“I’m sorry, Preston,” Sterling finally started, “It’s just a little weird.”
“Well it wouldn’t have been that weird,” Preston defended, “Except it was also my first time.”
“No. That’s still pretty weird.”
“On the plus side,” William chirped, “There is nothing left on this Earth that could possibly horrify me.”

Preston and Sterling explained some of the clown cliques and clown elitism to William as they walked to their cars. Once standing by their cars, Sterling as his best friend and brother what they were up to later that day. William explained he would be editing his documentary footage all day and all night so that he’d be ready for the upcoming Clowns vs. Globetrotters basketball game. Preston said he was actually getting together with Camilla, er, Cookie.

“Maybe I’ll call Tish,” Sterling suggested to himself. “I haven’t seen her for a while.”
“Forget about Tish. She’s in Washington, D.C.”
“D.C.?”
“Yeah. Surprises me,” continued Preston, “I figured that had enough clowns there as it is.”
“You didn’t think that was too easy?”
“I don’t think anything I do is too easy,” Preston defended.
“Does that include Cookie?”
“Shut up, William.”

So Preston and William got into their cars and drove off down the street and around the corner before Sterling even unlocked his own car. Sterling thought out loud to himself.

“Yeah, I guess I’ll just take it easy and hang out by myself tonight.”