step right up friends,
i said step right up!
and welcome to the great downtown freak show.
here you can find all the finest in oddities,
all the bitter dregs of humanity that the decadence of downtown
has swept into a convenient pile for your viewing pleasure.
we have all kinds here; that’s right, all kinds–
here we have vampires, men and women of dark secrets and darker intent,
ready at the drop of a hat to show you how vile and dangerous they are.
don’t step too close, now! though they actually faint at the sight of blood,
these creatures of the night rejoice in the frenzy of sadomasochism
via a cheap feel and a hickey on the neck of their victims.

here for only a penny or two you can view this common species:
          homo inferior,
those gays who choose to exploit their own otherwise valid sexuality
out of fear that there may be nothing else more important or interesting about themselves.
be sure to do as they do in their company: wear your orientation on your sleeve,
lest they throw themselves at you in an attempt to propagate.

here we have the painted ladies, and the painted boys,
children who create a mask for themselves
made from eyeliner and spray paint and magic marker,
from these they fashion facades to present you,
to frighten, confuse, disgust, and amuse!
notice now, how this species
fights amongst its own; each one battles
for the title of strangest, of the most individual,
the most pointless, bizarre, and freakish.
these are the ones we collect the most easily for our show–
they want very badly to be captured and displayed,
to be gawked at and laughed at and most of all, noticed.

it’s sad really, friends,
what drives this brood to mold such images.
what is it, which calls them to make rogues of themselves?
i’ll tell you, my friends. step closer.
why do these fiends, these horrors, come to be?
if you’ll step to the next exhibit, i’ll show you.

ah, here we are. the last stop on our tour
of the freak show downtown.
what’s that, you proclaim? there’s nothing in there?
move closer, and you’ll see. read the plaque,
and it will explain.
“common man.” yes, you read right.
what’s this? you don’t see the exhibit?
forest for the trees, my dear friends–
YOU fill this cell!
look around you–bars! this cage is the world!
look at yourselves, and then you’ll know:
you’re a vital part of my freak show.
your attentions, your fascinations
with all that is not yourself:
your horror, revulsion, and contempt
for that which you are too small to understand
brings these pitiful, unfortunate creatures into being.

i’ll leave you to your own devices;
i’ll leave you to your gawking selves,
food will be provided, whatever you may need,
and please–take note of the mirror in the corner.
look at yourselves as the days pass you by,
and watch yourselves change in your world.
someday i’ll be back for each of you,
when you’ve become ready for some other exhibit.
because, friends,
there’s a freak in all of you,
waiting for release,
a screaming child very much in need of the gazes and the whispers and the stares
only gross individuality can provide you.

so step right up friends,
yes i say, step right up,
and see the evolution of man!
get what you came for, by all means.
we have all kinds at the downtown freak show–
monsters and men, yuppies and yokels,
homeless and homely and ruddy and rich!
here we have all kinds–
we have me, and we have you,
and friends,
we’re just the same in our hearts.
so step right up
and
pick
your
cage