Story and Photos by Sherry Dryja – Petite Over 40
Mitzi was an introverted clown who wanted to run away from the circus. She was born and raised at Circo Circus back when silent films were all the rage and tattooed people were considered rare. She came from a long line of circus performers, but she didn’t feel like she belonged.
For Mitzi, the circus was all too much. Too much moving from one place to the next. Too much noise. Way too many clowns. All she wanted was to find a place where she could sit still for a minute and hear her thoughts. She dreamed of becoming an accountant in an office in a small Midwestern town.
One night, after the crowds went home and she’d wiped off the makeup from her act, she listened to the other performers having a raucous party outside her trailer. The circus was in Marfa, Texas, a place known for its mysterious lights. Everyone buzzed about what luck the magic lights might bring.
Mitzi scoffed at the idea of such magic. She didn’t believe in it. As soon as she had that thought, though, she heard a click-clacking sound coming from her closet. When she stood up to investigate, she saw a warm light flicker from underneath the door.
She opened the closet door and light spilled out into her little room. There was something about it that beckoned her to follow it. A river of noise poured out as well–the same click-clacks, which reminded her of a typewriter, as well as sounds of shuffling papers and quiet murmurs of people. She’d never worked in an office before but she’d always imagined it to sound like that. It was hypnotizing. It pulled on her heart. Could magic be real after all? And could this be the light to her dreams?
Her curiosity urged her to go explore, but she hesitated. Something inside her told her life would never be the same if she stepped into that light and that thought scared her a little.
Still, the cadence of a quiet office called to her introverted soul. She had been raised to seek adventure. Maybe this was the greatest adventure of all. Maybe she could finally get out of the chaos of the circus.
One last look around at her old life, and then….
“Mitzi” is wearing:
- Cropped long-sleeve tee by Texture Clothing from Sassafras
- Wide-leg pants thrifted from My Sister’s Closet in Vancouver, BC
- Vintage novelty suspenders from Vintage by Suzanne
- Old lug-soled loafers and old Goorin Bros. hat
No links in this post are affiliated with any company. I will not receive compensation if you purchase from these companies.
What a fun post, Sherry. That short story is absolutely brilliant and I am loving Mitzi’s outfit! xxx
Thank you, Ann! These photos have been sitting dormant for over a year but my creativity finally loosened up for me to see the story behind them.
Great story, Sherry! I can fully imagine Mitzi at her new job, working the numbers and helping her clients manage their money! Love the outfit! – Amy
https://stylingrannymama.com/
Such a fun post, Sherry. I love this character you’ve created and would be interested in her next adventures too!
Thank you, Mel!! I created this character back when I did the photos for VOGOFF. These were the originals for that project but I didn’t like how they turned out, so I did a different outfit and set of photos. Funny how, a year and a half later, I see them so differently and could finally have fun with them. Thank you for inspiring the reason I took put together the outfit and photos in the first place.
Lovely, lovely, Sherry – all of it!
Thank you, Kelli! Oh, the fun one can have when they uncover old, never-used blog photos! Ha ha!