in the meantime , he must perform his duty to the hollow chimes and tinkling of small coins on cobblestone from deadbeatsskinflint tourists in this town or that , depending on where the carnival happens to be at the moment who do not wish to consider the inevitable approach and utter finality of that terminal afflictionthat destroyer which grows closer by the day : his laughter , in spite of this , is chattering and diversionary , for what else is one to do but engage in the fleeting gratifications of whimsical farce and acrobatic horseplay to keep the spectators entertained while they stuff themselves with crackers and nuts and fried meats , their juices gushing from every pore under the baking light of the sun , and prime themselves unwittingly to be devoured by this phantom what approaches from all sides .