The Dead Zone

The stout woman in the plaid jacket was not taking no for an answer, and it seemed as if her grandchildren were about to burst into tears.  Gunther put on his most apologetic face and tried to be delicate, but there was just no escaping reality:

"Ma'am," he said, and doubled up his efforts at reconciliation, "there really aren't any lion tamers."

The woman snorted, puffed out her chest.

"Nonsense!" she snapped. "This is a circus, is it not? All circuses have lion tamers!'

"No, ma'am," said...