A stroll along the boardwalk, a glimpse out towards the sea, aromas blowing in from the beach, stirs memories so close, yet just out of reach.

Walking in character, playing the role A psychological mess looking to become part of the side show.

I sit down on an empty bench and I close my eyes. I wake up to another time, in the same place.

My clothing has been changed and the bench I was sitting on is harder than it was before. I stand and I look around. I almost fall as a dizzy spell hits me.

I walk, I check my pockets, I have money to spend, plus a key to a room at a place called, Kensington hotel.

I sense an aroma, hot and fresh. I look and see a lady pushing a cart. I walk closer and I see she is selling knishes. We make small talk, she has an eastern European accent and a warm motherly smile. My hand pulls out a nickel from my pocket, I give it to her and she gives me a hot wrapped knish. I burnt my lip on the first bite, waited for it to cool and then a taste. The flavor pungent, salt, potato and onion. (Too much onion for my taste) but sweet and really delicious.

Mrs Stahl

I walk along the avenue watching as freaks blend in amongst the “normal” crowd, trying to fit in unnoticed. Little people avoid walking too close to the entrance into Lilliputian Village, lest they be revealed as escapees from a world they used to hide in.

Ursa is holding Bonita’s hand, as the bells ring out from the fire department answering another false alarm. Baby Alpine weighing 615 pounds and Rob Roy (The Albino wonder) try to find a quiet spot to drink the whiskey they lifted off Captain Copp (human tattooed art gallery) as he stumbled out of the tattoo parlor on surf avenue, falling to the floor, flask full of whiskey in hand.

I am tired, I am feeling dizzy. I lean against something…

I wake up and I’m back facing the ocean on Coney Island Beach. I have my phone in my hand so I know it’s 2022. My memory of the dream is fading fast, like all dreams seem to do.

As I walked away from the beach, I sensed an aroma that seemed so familiar. I turned and looked but all around me were just people walking, riding or waiting on line to buy something. My tongue touches my lip and I feel a numb spot, as if I burned my lip on something. I see a lady walking and she smiles a motherly smile. She looks familiar as if I had just seen her moments ago and conversed. I bite my lip and my phone rings.