The Ringmaster

"Hi, I'm Anna," I say.

The man is holding onto his tall hat as he ducks through the tent opening. He looks up, startled. He didn't expect me. Kind of careless for a mind reader.

"Hi," he says. He keeps walking, toward another tent in the back of the lot.

"I'm here to help you," I say.

"We're not hiring," he says, without looking back.

"Our friend sent me," I say. "He wants me to tell you that the men in black are here."

He looks at me like I'm crazy. "Look, honey, I'm pretty busy here."

"I know you can read minds," I say.

He laughs. "It's just a trick, sweetie. Now go back out front."

"But you asked him for help--"

Suddenly, he is really mad.

• "Go away! Just go away"...