Mary McCune Author

THE INTERSTELLAR CIRCUS

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 5, 2019

He thought the ache in his #knee was arthritis brought on by a night outdoors watching meteor showers. But the swelling wriggled away when he put a heating pad on it. A small talon cut a slit through his skin. A creature stuck out its head and asked, “Is it safe?” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 5, 2019

His horror fled at the sight of its kitten like face, replaced by an urge to protect it at all costs. “Safe from what?” “The authorities. They’re pursuing me.” “Why?” “I dared to #swing from a star.” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 6, 2019

“What’s wrong with that?” “Circuses are outlawed, but some of us put on a performance in the nebula outside our home planet. We broadcast it on a pirate network. It woke my people from their #sleep, now there’s revolution in the streets.” “And you’ve been blamed?” “Yes.” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 7, 2019

Ben often disagreed with his government’s policies, but at at least they hadn’t banned circuses. “How can I help?” “You’ve sheltered me. Would you be willing to help the others?” “The others?” “My fellow performers.” “Of course, how?” “Would you happen to have a #straw?” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 8, 2019

He watched alien after alien slide from the end of the straw held to his visitor’s mouth, each larger than the one before. The visitor ducked inside last, emerging with a flip and a flourish. “You really stuck that landing,” Ben said. The alien took a bow.#vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 9, 2019

“Inner body transportation is a thing?” “It’s a circus tradition. We train from an early age.” Ben supposed it wasn’t so different from sword swallowing. The diminutive aliens dripped with bodily fluids. “Let’s get you washed up.” He handed them a #cake of soap. #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 10, 2019

“I’m not much of a #chef,” Ben said as the aliens emerged from their bath, “but I made you an omelette. You must be hungry after everything.” They set to, purring contentedly, until a pounding on the door rattled the house. “The Authorities!” they screamed in terror. #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 11, 2019

Hissing, the aliens unsheathed their talons and struck threatening #poses as Ben opened the door. “Sorry to disappoint,” Ben laughed, “It’s just my dog Max.” Max took one look inside and ran away whimpering. Ben gawked at the aliens. They were almost as tall as he was. #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 12, 2019

The alien leader #smiled at his expression.”No size shifters on your world, Ben?” “Not as such. We start out small and get bigger, but once we reach full size, we stay there. There’s no turning back.” “We’ll see about that. How would you like to join our circus?” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 13, 2019

Joining the circus had been a childhood dream, but Ben hesitated. “We’ll #teach you everything you need to know.” “But I don’t even know your names, or where you’re from!” “I’m Alpha. My siblings are Beta, Delta, Gamma, Epsilon and Zeta. We’re from Charon. Let’s go!” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 14, 2019

“Wait!” Ben said. “You haven’t told me about the Authorities yet!” “They are few but hold most of the wealth of our planet.” “Sounds familiar. How’d they get it?” “They hold the patent for the interstellar #drive and charge a fortune for interplanetary travel.” #vss365View on Twitter

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 15, 2019

A loud grinding sound outdoors interrupted their conversation. “Sorry,” Ben said. “Ever since my neighbor got a new lawn mower, he seems to spend every spare moment cutting the #grass.” “That’s no lawnmower,” Alpha gasped. “That’s the sound of an interstellar drive.” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 16, 2019

“I don’t mean to be inhospitable, but it’s time to leave.” The aliens looked at Ben sadly and walked to the door. “Stop, I meant all of us! Shrink down, I’ve got a plan.” Once he’d distributed the aliens in his cargo pants pockets, he #pushed the door open and whistled. #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 17, 2019

A crystalline dodecahedron sat on the lawn. It reflected the sun’s rays, #spreading light into the deepest shadows of the trees. One of its surfaces slid open, revealing a trio of figures. “Hand them over,” a cold voice said. Ben heard a tell-tale jingle.”Come bye Max!” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 18, 2019

The border collie circled left to cut the Authorities off, then #leaned in to herd them to the side, creating an opening for Ben to get to the ship. “That’ll do, Max!” Ben emptied the aliens from his pockets onto the floor. “I hope you know how to drive this thing!” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 19, 2019

Their lockstep broken by Max, the Authorities tipped over. Helpless as a #beached whale, they watched their ride take off without them. Soon an endless black sea of space surrounded the ship, interrupted only by nebula eddies and white caps made of stars. “Wow,” Ben said.#vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 20, 2019

Max ran from surface to surface, trying to herd the stars. “Lie down,” Ben commanded. “Your dog has circus potential,” Alpha said. “Thanks. Where are we headed?” “The #Horseshoe nebula.” “To perform?” “No, to pick up some luck before we head home. We’re going to need it.” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 21, 2019

A comet drifts by, a strand of the universe’s #hair. The reality of what he’s done sinks in. “We’ve left the Authorities on Earth,” Ben says. “Yes.” “What if they try to take over my world? I have to go back.” “We’re no match for them alone. We need help.” Max barks. #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 22, 2019

“Border Collie Max, please report to the #bridge! I’ve always wanted to say that,” Ben laughed. “Time for your first circus lessons, Max,” Alpha said solemnly. “Zeta will train you.” “Your first trick to learn is tossing rings. We’ll be passing Saturn soon,” Zeta said. #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 23, 2019

“We need to set you up with a #GIRL,” Alpha told Ben “I can find my own dates, thank you.” “Not a girl, a GIRL! A Gravity and Inertia Resistant Light Jacket.” “Don’t you mean life jacket?” “No. It’s a jacket made of light, to protect you from black holes during practice.”#vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 24, 2019

Friction and air resistance disappeared when Ben put on the light jacket. He did triple flips effortlessly, casting rays into every corner of the crystal spaceship until it looked like a green house on a #sunny day. #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 25, 2019

The spaceship dripped with luck after its journey through the Horseshoe nebula, but Alpha wasn’t satisfied. “We all need to be in the #pink before we take on the Authorities,” he told Ben. They set course for GJ 504b “Isn’t that a bit far?” “We know a short cut.” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 26, 2019

The spaceship bounced off an asteroid like a bank shot in a game of #pool and spun into a wormhole. “Light jackets on all. You too, Max!” Alpha shouted at the border collie. “It’s going to be a dark ride!” With a graceful roll Max slid into the jacket. Ben zipped it up #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 27, 2019

The pink light from the planet suffused the spaceship, giving everyone inside a slightly embarrassed look. Ben wished his #parents could see him now. They’d always urged him to get out more and meet new people. “What next?” Ben asked. “Time to put on a show,” Alpha said.#vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 28, 2019

Jealous, Ben watched Max leap into the air above the tightrope, spin, and land facing the opposite way. Ben walked slowly across, eying the adhesive Beta used to #stick the line to the ship’s walls, worried it wouldn’t hold. “Initiation over, welcome to the troupe!” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 29, 2019

The tight rope fell like #London Bridge as soon as Ben stepped off. “That was close!” “Timing is everything in a performance,” Beta said, “and yours is excellent. Speaking of timing, we need to get going if we want to be on time.” “On time for what?” “The Revolution.” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 30, 2019

” What about Earth, Beta! Who knows what the Authorities are getting up to?” Ben said. “Not to worry! Stranded on Earth, they’re nothing but #pantomime villains. No one will take them seriously.” “Are you familiar with recent Earth history?” “Oh right. Change of plans!”#vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Jan 31, 2019

Ben felt a sense of #bliss when Earth came into view, its blue waters a symbol of life and light in the darkness. He hadn’t realized how much he missed it. “Wait, something’s different! They’ve built a wall!” It zigzagged across the U.S., spelling out “The Authorities.” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 2, 2019

Ben couldn’t believe what he’d just #read. “How is this possible? We’ve only been gone a few weeks!” “Time passes differently in space,” Alpha said. “Delta, you have the best internal clock, how long have we been gone?” “Ten weeks.” “Don’t worry, we’ll fix it,” Alpha said.#vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 2, 2019

They performed next to the wall, used it as their big top, then struck it down at the end with a #bow, as if that was part of the show. Critics gave the circus 5 stars, called it performance art. People followed them cross country and joined in until not a brick was left. #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 3, 2019

“Well, I guess we’ve showed the Authorities not to mess with Earth,” Ben gloated. “We’ve gotten rid of the symptoms, but not the cause,” Alpha said. “To bring this chapter of Earth’s history to a #close, we have to get the Authorities off your planet. We’ll need help.” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 4, 2019

“Who’d you have in mind?” “A #convict serving a life sentence. We’ll have to break her out..” “What’s she in for?” “Attempted murder by laughter in the 1st degree.” “A clown?” “Yes.” “She’d risk taking on the Authorities?’ “Who do you think she tried to kill?” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 5, 2019

“It’s illegal to make a joke?” Ben asked. “The Authorities make the laws & privatized the justice system-they’re prosecutor, judge & jury. They only #deliberated seconds to reach a verdict..” “But no death penalty?” “They run the prisons. It would cut into their profits.” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 6, 2019

“What are the prisons like?” “Each prisoner is #deserted on an asteroid in the Kuiper Belt with a crate of survival equipment and provisions.” “Alone?” “It’s to save money on guards. This way they only pay for pilots to drop supplies from time to time.” Alpha sighed. #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 7, 2019

“Doesn’t anyone #object?” Ben asked. “You’d be imprisoned for contempt of court,” Alpha said. “What’s the penalty for helping a prisoner escape?” “To serve the same sentence as the #convict.” “We’ll be stranded on an asteroid if caught?” “Yes.” “What are we waiting for?” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 8, 2019

“It’s a bit #bougie,” Ben said. “If we dress like the Authorities, we’ll throw off suspicion. They often visit the prisons to get them in the news. It’s free advertising,” Beta replied. “OK. But the next time I wear a top hat, it better be because I’ve become ringmaster.” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 9, 2019

The trip to the asteroid went smoothly. Dressed in the Authorities’ clothes and traveling in their space ship, the security satellites didn’t look twice. But the prisoner ran when they approached. “Get away from me, you bunch of randos!” “Wait Mom! It’s us!” Alpha said. #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 10, 2019

She turned back with a #hangry look, devouring their faces. “What took you so long. A clown without an audience? It’s been unbearable.” “I’m so sorry,” Alpha said. “And the rest of the litter?” “On board. By the way, meet Ben.” Ben tried not to wince as she groomed him.#vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 11, 2019

Back On Earth- The Authorities marched in lockstep to the ruins and #palmfaced simultaneously. Red and blue bricks littered the ground where the wall had once stood. Spelling their name and built big enough to be seen from space, it was an SOS. Time for another Gofundme. #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 12, 2019

“It’s facepalmed, not palmfaced,” Alpha said. “Who’s the clairvoyant?” Delta asked, annoyed. “I say what I sense!” “No time to fight. Their wall’s #munted, but it won’t stop them long,” their mom warned. “They’re near a bridge, wearing cowboy hats.” “Texas,” Ben said. #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 13, 2019

It was night by the time they got to Texas. “I can’t see anything in this dark,” Delta said. “A crystal ship can be used as a #downlight,” his mom suggested. “Did I mention how big Texas is?” Ben asked. “We’ve got plenty of luck left,” Alpha said. “Throw the switch!” #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 14, 2019

A silver glow emanated from the bottom of the space ship, interrupting the purples and grays of the #eventide. “There they are!” Ben cried. The Authorities shrank away from the light, like insects exposed when a rock is lifted. “Now what to do with them?” Max barked. #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 15, 2019

Max drove them up the ship’s ramp and into a corner. The Authorities glared at their captors. “Time for answers,” Ben said. “Who will be #rapporteur?” “We’ll never talk,” the Authorities said. “Walk on, Max.” They shook as the dog approached. “What do you want to know?”#vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 16, 2019

Ben stared at the Authorities. Unlike Alpha and his litter mates, they were identical; most of their height came from their top hats. “What made you into such #abominable creatures? How could you outlaw circuses and make joke telling illegal? And what’s up with that wall?”#vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 17, 2019

“We’ve always been #eclectic in our choices of oppression,” they answered as one.”We rise by pushing others down.” “How do you get away with it?” Ben asked. “The privileged think those who reach the top deserve it. Others lack the power to stop us.” “We’ll see about that.”#vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 18, 2019

The circus troupe huddled to discuss their plan. The alien’s mother Mu put on her makeup; the others donned top hats. “Prepare for #paradigm shift!” Alpha said. “Fasten your seat belts everyone, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!” They strapped the Authorities in and took off.#vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 19, 2019

On reaching Charon, the spaceship bobbed and weaved. “What’s wrong?” Ben asked. “Nothing. It’s the skywriting function-we’re announcing the show,” Mu said. “In scribbles?” “In #demotic, our common language.” They airdropped thousands of replicated top hats as they flew. #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 20, 2019

Despite the rehearsals, Ben’s stage fright #malingered. But when he gazed out at the “Mountain in a Moat” on Charon’s surface, a sense of awe replaced it. The capital city resembled the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde. From each opening, tiny catlike faces peered out. #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 21, 2019

All attention was on the crystal space ship. A line shot out and lodged itself in the mountain, creating a tight rope. The circus troupe walked out one by one. At their #behest, everyone donned top hats when the performance began. The Authorities couldn’t look away. #vss365V

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 22, 2019

The performers danced on the wire, hurling hats like frisbees, swapping one for another. On their signal, the audience joined in. A murmuration of black hats flew through the air, each landing with a graceful flip. A single #teardrop ran down the face of each Authority. #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 23, 2019

The Authorities had mocked her when she’d challenged them years ago, nicknamed her #lame because she walked differently. She gazed at the tightrope longingly until she caught Max’s eye. He helped her onto the line. She’d show them what she could do with her claws. #vss365

M. P. McCune @MPMcCune2 Feb 24, 2019

The Authorities’ top hats, expensive and imported, declared their superiority, The spectacle of #humble citizens playing with the symbols of their power maddened them. But it was nothing next to the sight of the rebel leader they called “Lame Lambda” taking center stage. #vss365