Morning Preparations

Irene adjusted her red top hat and smoothed down her circus jacket. The morning sun streamed through the colorful tent windows of her freak show, casting rainbow patterns across the wooden floors.

"Good morning, everyone!" she called out cheerfully.

Yuki bounced up from her corner, red and black hair wild around her face. Her clown makeup had started melting again during the night. "Morning, Irene! What's today's show schedule?"

Sam stretched her arms with a loud crack that would make normal people wince. Her green hair caught the light as she perfectly mimicked Irene's voice. "Good morning, everyone!"

"Stop that," Sophie said, while Sally rolled her shared eyes. Their pale pink hair was tangled from sleep.

Oliver ducked under a low beam, his blue hair nearly brushing the tent ceiling at seven and a half feet tall. Mikey's white hair was barely visible as he blended into the striped tent wall.

Flash yawned, a small puff of smoke escaping his lips. His red hair stuck up at odd angles.

Shaggy's impossibly long brown hair trailed behind him like a carpet as he shuffled past.

Irene's green eyes sparkled with nervous energy. Tomorrow would be different.

The Morning Announcement

The next morning, Irene stood in the center of the tent with her hands clasped behind her back. Her green eyes held a serious look that made everyone stop what they were doing.

"I have an announcement," she said, her voice carrying across the colorful space.

Yuki's constant smile flickered for just a moment. Sam stopped cracking her knuckles mid-stretch. Sophie and Sally turned their shared head toward Irene, both looking curious.

"Today is haircut day," Irene continued. "We're all going to Sheldon's salon in town."

The tent erupted in chaos.

"NO!" Flash shouted, a burst of flame shooting from his mouth and singeing a nearby banner. "Not my hair!"

Shaggy's impossibly long brown locks seemed to curl protectively around him like a shield. "You can't make us!"

Oliver ducked lower, trying to hide his towering frame. Mikey vanished completely, blending into the tent wall until only his white hair was barely visible.

"My makeup will run!" Yuki wailed, her usual laughter replaced by genuine panic.

Sophie glared at Irene while Sally crossed their shared arms defiantly. "We're not going anywhere near scissors!"

Irene's eyes began to glow with a dangerous red tint.