Caractacus Rogers in 200 words

The circus was in town and Caractacus Rogers longingly gazed at the Big Top as he walked past on his way back to the home. He stared at the poster, clutching his battered satchel by the two worn shoulder straps. The vibrant red of the clowns nose mesmerised him, how he wanted to see those clowns. He had never been to the circus and was never likely to go, still he could dream.

“Hey kid” a voice awakened him.

“Get me ten tabs and I'll give you threepence” , he looked round at the row of terraces. A brassy blonde woman wearing a black silky underslip threw a package of coins down at him.

“ Ten No. 6, put the tabs through the letterbox, you'll get your threepence then”

He picked up the money and rushed to the nearest shop.

Returning from his errand he delivered the cigarettes as instructed and waited for his reward.

He heard the blonde running down the stairs. She shoved her hand through the letterbox.

“Thanks kid”

He took the brass coloured coin from her and felt like a millionaire.

That threepence wasn't enough for the circus but it was all his.