The applause filtered through the sheer curtains and slowly dropped off as the tambourine sounded the end of the evenings show. Time for my real work to begin. I quickly pulled my silken undershirt out from under my corset and slipped my loud bangles off, the job I was about to perform was best done quietly. Before I rushed out the door I retouched my garish make-up and readjusted my scarf to cover my lower face that had been exposed for my sword-swallowing. As I slid out of the caravan I blended seamlessly with my friends and family around me then slipped off to follow a few obviously drunk men stumbling towards the town.<br/><br/>"They shur are preeety aint they?"<br/><br/>"Makes me wanna gypseee for my very ooownn." At those slurred words I felt myself smirk under my veil, all these men would need was a kiss and I would have every coin they had on them.<br/><br/>"Gentlemen, why do you leave so soon? The best part of the show comes after the young ones have left for the village..." I left little to their drunken imagination with my words and movements as I approached them. When they reached for me I deftly maneuvered around their gropes and reached my hands stealthily into the store of coins.<br/><br/>After I had cleaned out the men on the road of money, I slipped my hands into a few more coats as I walked through the town, hiding the coins expertly in the folds of my skirts. The moon was full on this tepid night and lit the overgrown path as clear as a candle, illuminating any pitfalls and roots. When the Inn was in sight I picked my pace up to a smooth bounding run, ignoring the looks chastising me. Respectable women are not supposed to run, what do I care though? I'm not a respectable woman anymore, I am a gypsy.