DD,
I rose early this morning, and now, even before the first cock’s crow, I enjoy the quiet energy of Big City as it awakes. Last night, my opening night with the Clothespin Repertory Theatre, was everything I dreamed it would be and more -- frightening, thrilling, exhilarating. I can’t sleep. I can only flutter happily from pillar to post. This is my first day off in weeks and I plan to enjoy every minute.
DD,
There is so much to see in Big City. It is everything I imagined it would be when I was back home by the old oak tree. Wandered the winding lanes in the oldest part of town, I saw a poster in a shop window that read, “The Legendary Pecky! The Celebrated Dancing Chicken!” I had to go in.
It took a moment for my eyes to become accustomed to the dark, but then I saw her. She was asleep in her booth. Approaching gingerly, I pecked on the glass. She awoke with a start, expecting it to be show time, but I had no money with me to pay for a show. “I rely on these shows for my daily feed,” she grumbled. I apologized and though she was tired and jaded, she accepted with, “Ahh, that’s alright, kid.” At first I thought she’d go back to sleep, but my enthusiasm melted her reserve. I was so excited to meet her. Pecky! The dancer! The headliner! She’s the one I heard about when I was on the road with the carnival! Finally, when I remembered my manners and introduced myself, it was she who was excited. She’s heard about my show! I couldn’t have hoped for a warmer welcome.
When a customer appeared and placed a dollar in the slot, I watched her dance on the turntable to “Turkey in the Straw.” She’s as good as they say she is! She suggested we meet when her day was done. When I returned, we climbed the stairs to her rooftop home. Nestled in a tiny coop behind a large roost crowded with pigeons, and next to a hutch filled with bunnies, we laughed and talked the afternoon away. I met her friend Claire, the renowned mentalist. She’s the one who endlessly and perfectly competes at tick tac toe with all comers. Big City is filled with such talented creatures! At last it was time to go home. I was surprised and delighted to meet not one, but two show business legends.
DD,
Brawler and I are living our dreams -- doing the work we love here in the Big City, and it is wonderful. Here he is a successful cockfighter, and I work all the time. It is hard too, though, because we have so little time together. There's hardly any time to sleep, much less for me to write to you, dear, DD. It seems as if I'm always either at rehearsal or a performance. I'm at the Clothespin Rep every night, and I start work on the Le Club Poulet act tomorrow. Brawler's either in the ring, or getting ready for a bout. Yesterday he came home battered and bloody, and he won. I'd hate to see the bird who lost . . . Brawler doesn't like it when I write, DD. I think he doesn't know how, although he'll never admit it. So for now, I'll take you to the theatre, and write between shows.
CLIPPING
"Seen last night at El Pez d'Orado, the golden couple of the moment: La Pulcina Piccola, rising star of the Clothespin Repertory Theatre and her cock-of-the-walk, "The Barnyard Brawler." And what about the Little Sparrow? Rumor has it that her beak is out of joint since that little chickie started taking this Big City by storm...
CLIPPING
Tout le Big City was at Le Club Poulet last night... The show and its star, La Pulcina Piccola, are hot as a pistol. And there's more... Who'd a thunk that the Sparrow would deign to attend her rival's opening night. But there she was with her paramour, the pilot and author of "The Worm and I", Cock Robin. Oooh, La La!