Circus Jack - Chapter 5. Escape into the Woods

Chapter 5: Escape into the Woods

Frank and Harry, partners in crime, find themselves in a heated argument over the division of their ill-gotten gains as they travel towards Baltimore. Their captive, Peppy the dog, becomes the focal point of their discord.

As tensions rise, Peppy seizes an opportunity to escape his wooden crate, bringing a glimmer of hope to his dire situation. The night is fraught with danger as Peppy navigates through the wilderness, pursued relentlessly by the determined thieves.

In a thrilling chase through the forest, Peppy's survival instincts kick in. He uses the cover of the dense woods to outmaneuver his pursuers, blending into the shadows and evading capture. Will Peppy manage to stay free, or will the thieves catch up to him?

Join us in this gripping chapter of Circus Jack as we follow Peppy's daring flight for freedom.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Music.

(00:10):
Hi, this is Richard Carlton, London. You're listening to the story Circus Jack.
Now let's continue on our story about Pepe, the hero of Circus Jack.
Chapter 5 Escape into the Woods We'll rest here for the night,
Frank said, swatting a mosquito.
The wagon moved at the pace of a single horse, in no hurry.

(00:33):
Tomorrow it's on to Baltimore and payment, he beamed.
We didn't settle the split of payment yet, partner, said Harry,
sitting beside Frank on the hardwood bench at the front of the wagon.
He looked at Frank with the dull eyes he inherited, beating his pants with his
second-hand cowboy hat to dispatch the day's road dust.
We did, too. Your brains are loose from the road if you think otherwise.

(00:57):
Did we? asked Harry. If that's so, then like any partnership we decided it's 50-50.
We didn't agree to no 50-50, Frank smirked. His lips curled as he wiped his
forehead with a red bandana and then swatted another mosquito.
You always were a thick-headed dope, Harry. We settled on a 70-30 split.

(01:19):
You're getting 30 because I did the work, and you're only along for the ride.
Frank thought about the consequence if he didn't pay off his gambling debt.
Something about his legs being broken if he skipped payment.
Payment he needed as much as he could pull from this dog napping job harry's
face reddened with anger as he clenched his fists that's not what we agreed

(01:40):
upon frank you said an even split,
are you trying to pull some trick on me because i swear if you are i'll bury you aside that mutt.
Trick frank sneered his hand slowly dropping down for his gun harry you imbecile
if you think this is a partnership where I work and you don't,

(02:01):
then you are dumber than a bag of rocks.
Harry heard the metallic click of a trigger ready to empty its chamber and held
up his hand saying, take it easy, partner.
They sat in a tense silence. The rising moon in a clear sky casting across their
faces accented the grime while etching away flesh from their hollow cheeks.

(02:22):
The night air grew colder with every moment they glared at each other.
I won't let you cheat me out of my share, Harry said, his voice trembling.
It ain't right. We've been through too much together for you to betray me like this.
The loud voices shook Peppy from his sleep.
Frank's eyes narrowed further ready to pounce. I have a debt to pay,

(02:43):
and you have done nothing to deserve a split.
This is my job. mob. A low growl echoed through the darkness coming from the rear of the wagon.
Both thieves turned their attention to the stolen dog they had kept in a crate
under the cover of a canvas.
Harry jerked the cover off. Peppy looked up at the two men. His ears folded

(03:05):
back, looking sad and hopeless.
He whimpered. Harry's anger subsided and a moment of compassion passed over
his face as he looked at the dog.
Frank, look at him, he said. He's just a little guy scared and helpless. We can't do this to him.
Frank sneered, unaffected by Harry's sudden pity. Well then,

(03:27):
maybe we shouldn't have kidnapped him in the first place, partner.
Why don't you earn your share and take this dog for a walk, so he can pee?
Harry jumped from the wagon seat, loosened the chicken crate latch and fixed
a rope around Peppy's neck, bringing the dog to the ground.
Peppy wobbled at first like a drunken sailor on land. He couldn't remember the last time he walked.

(03:50):
Take him toward the creek over yonder and be fast on this. We're traveling overnight.
Your turn at the reins while I sleep for a while. Give him some food and water from the creek.
The food was meager. Dried strips of tough beef and an uncooked potato,
but enough to bring some energy back into Pepe's body and mind with the goal

(04:12):
of dismantling his crate during the night's ride.
By mid-morning, Pepe's relentless efforts paid off.
With a final desperate push, he dislodged a wooden slat from the crate,
creating a gap in the cage just big enough for him to squeeze through.
He wriggled and squirmed his heart pounded as he escaped the confines of his

(04:33):
prison tumbling onto the floor of the wagon he crouched low his frame hidden
by the boxes crates and sacks,
the dog napper and his accomplice remained unaware as they sat on the front
bench harry held the reins of the wagon as frank sat slumped over snoring peppy's
escape from the wooden crate brought him a taste of freedom and hope.

(04:54):
But where could he be? And where would he go?
It seemed like hours had passed as Peppy remained hidden in the rear,
waiting on his next move.
The wagon came to a halt, and Peppy's heart clenched with anticipation.
His moment to bolt could be here. I have to relieve myself, Harry muttered to

(05:15):
the dozing Frank as he dropped from his seat and limped over to a nearby tree. And the time came.
With a burst of energy, Peppy darted from his hiding place and ran down the
road in the opposite direction.
Harry caught sight of Peppy's escape and shouted from the tree, the dogs escaped.
Get the wagon turned around. Hearing the shouts fueled Peppy's every stride

(05:39):
as he ran down the road, pushing him farther and faster.
He risked a glance over his shoulder, her, heart pounding in his chest,
only to catch sight of the two thieves mounted on the wagon and the horse running
at full speed toward him. The wagon grew closer.
With each passing second, Peppy felt the heavy hooves thudding against the ground

(06:00):
behind him, frighteningly close.
He knew he couldn't outrun them for long. As if on instinct,
Peppy took a hard right and dashed into the forest lining the dirt road.
Branches scratched against his flanks as he weaved through the undergrowth.
His lungs burned as he fought against the exhaustion that threatened to overtake

(06:21):
him as the dognappers came in full pursuit on foot behind him.
In a desperate bid for survival, Peppy darted behind a thick moss-covered tree
trunk, pressing his body against
it, trying to blend into the shadows and silence his heavy breathing.
The thieves thundered past Their footsteps fading into the woods.