Miles smiled to himself as the train began to slow. That last leg had been tortorus. He was excited to see that girl again. Alice. She was gorgeous. He got his things ready. Tiny suite case, camera bag, wallet, book. All here. He checked the camera carefully.

"The City of Ivy River," the conductor's voice came over the speakers again. "Ivy River. Next stop Gold Haven."

Miles grabbed his things and pushed to the door. He was going to be the first off, waiting for her. This was going to be great. A cute girl, a good show, and eventually a happy publisher. He found the ticket booth and waited off to the side of it.

Alice collected her things, her glee totally eaten by her brother. Maybe if he...just met him...
She sighed as Mick took her suite case from her. "I got it. Go find our boss and tell him about that man."
Alice hated being ordered, but she followed them all the same. She went to look for their boss. "Henry." she said softly. The large man turned around, aleady dressed and ready for show it seemed. It was tomorrow night, but he wanted to advertise it as much as possible.
"I met a man, he's a photographer and has agreed to take pictures of our show."
"Has he now!" Henry exclaimed, wrinkes formed at the corners of his eyes when he smiled. "Does he me liking me favorite lass?"
Alice smiled softly. "I don't really know."
"Well! Find out! We could use a bit of leverage now and again." He laughed.
Alice was so confused. Mick was on one side, and Henry was completely on the other.
"He should be outside by the ticket booth." she told her boss. Henry nodded. "Then I'll go! I'll go!"

Miles waited impatiently. She didn't forget did she? he wondered. He stood up tall, peering into the crowd. Come on. Please? Waiting always made him nervous, with people in any case.

Alice peered over the crowd, looking for Miles. She saw him and waved, but her hand was pulled down by her brother.
Mick was tall and thin, but built for what he did. Obviously a trapeze artist himself. Alice sighed and looked to Henry and pointed him to the ticket booth.
The large man nodded and laughed, walking over to Miles.
Alice was pulled away toward town. She looked back and frowned.

"You Miles?" Henry asked walking up to the photographer.

Miles thought he had seen a wave, but couldn't be sure. He glanced up at the man, to the crowd, then finally back. "Yeah," he said, confused. "Um... who are you?"

Henry grinned. "I'm the owner of the fabulous circus show called Enlightenment." He grinned. "A pretty flower told me you weren't interested in taking pictures of our show."

Miles focused more intently on the man, giving up looking for Alice for the moment. "Yeah... Alice," he said. "Um... I'd love to see the show." He lifted his camera bag. "Maybe take some photos. My boss hasn't been publishing my stuff. Says there's too many landscapes and boring birds." Miles shook his head. "So you're her boss, then?"

Henry grinned. "That I am, that I am. Alice is a sweet girl, she is. So, you've come to the right place me boy! We have it all! Tigers, elephants, bearded women! sword eaters and fire spitters! And of course our stars Alice and Mick, who are the finale of the show with their trapeze act." He laughed heartily. "So, what pay you asking for? Money? Or perhaps a night with that Alice girl." He laughed again. "I'm just messing around."

Miles licked his lips. Yes, actually, but... not that way... She was too pretty for such treatment. "Umm... well, what are we talking here?" he asked. "You want me to photograph your show for ads? Magazines? Newspapers?"

Henry murmured. "Well, everything actually, we're not made of riches, but perhaps we can work something out." He grinned. "How about I treat you to a drink. We're all staying at the Maryweather inn. You can meet the crew! You can go behind the scenes tomorrow!"

Miles nodded. "That'd be great sir," he said. "And I've got an in, with a couple places, so... they'd give us a discount for publishing. I'm sure they would. And, I could do a piece for you as well. Free of charge. My personal publisher might like it."

Henry clapped the boy on the back. "Sounds like a good plan! Anything free is a good plan." He laughed and started leading him down the street. "We'll be big! I want our show to be know across the lands! Posters everywhere! I want to be BIG!"

Miles smiled. He liked the seemingly good-natured man. "So... can I ask... how come Alice didn't come with you? She said she'd meet me..."

Herny sighed and shrugged. "Looks like Mick found out about cha, I guess'n. He has a tight leash on her these days. Can't keep a leash on a lass like that! It's un fair for all the men in this world." He chuckled. "If you know what I mean. She's a good girl that she is though. Always 'bout listening to her brother and all. If it were up to me I'd be makin sure she'd be getting out in the world. She's too kept up in room with lock and key if you ask me. Now she be nervous everywhere but the tightropes and the trapolenes."

Miles nodded slowly. "That's too bad," he said softly. "But your show travels?"