Trip to Mars

 

My mother’s grandfather disappeared on April 17th, 1911. At least that’s how the story was passed down through the generations.

There were as many theories as there were relations. ‘He had run away with a flamenco dancer’, said one. ‘He had stolen 500 guineas from the local bank and was now living the highlife in Timbuktu’, said another.

My mother’s grandmother had sworn to her dying day that he had gone to live on Mars. I kid you not – Mars, as in the planet.

You see one day in April 1911 a circus came to town. It was unusual to have something so entertaining to head out this way.

Mostly the folks in our little town had to entertain themselves. This led to my Auntie Betty becoming the town juggler, acrobat and school cleaner. Everyone had a talent in our little place. Mine was to talk backwards – admittedly there weren’t many places I could use the ability – but still one day, I might meet another backwards talking person, and we could go for a beer.

My great grandfather had heard about the ‘Trip to Mars for a Dime’ show from his brother, Hubert. Hubert had tried the adventure in Palooza, a little town two counties over. He had said it was all lanterns and smoke to make a soul believe that they actually were on Mars.

The first night of the shows my great grandfather was down there, standing first in the queue - he tried to get my great grandmother to join him - but she hit him on his shoulder, told him not to be so stupid and went off to get a sweet candy apple.

That was the last time she saw him.

According to eyewitnesses, he paid his ten cents, went into the show and just disappeared.

The following day the Circus left town, and nothing was ever heard of them or my mother’s father again. The Cops got involved, but all lines led to a dead-end.

He had simply vanished. My family said he was born a rascal and probably died a rascal. My great grandmother waited on his return – spurning all suitors and sitting ready for when her one true love came home.

He never did.

However, in the 1960 an unmanned spacecraft made a near pass of the Red planet and in two of the photographs – there was what looked like a message.

It said – “Hello”.

bobby stevenson 2020