When Ben returned to Monster Academy later with his family, monsters were streaming into the gym. As Ben followed his parents to seats on the risers, he saw Mr. Freaky leading Mayor Hubbletree and his son to seats in the front row on the floor. The principal's noses wiggled as he listened to the mayor.
"This is quite a thrill, Freaky!" Mayor Hubbletree said. "My son is really looking forward to the circus. Right, Timothy?"
The little boy nodded, his eyes growing wide as two skeletons rattled past. "This place is a little creepy, Daddy."
Mayor Hubbletree smiled. "You have nothing to worry about, son." Then he narrowed his eyes at the principal. "Isn't that right, Freaky?"
Mr. Freaky quickly blew his noses. "I can assure you that everything is totally under control, Mayor!"
"It had better be, Freaky!" Mayor Hubbletree patted his son's head.
"Just sit back and enjoy the show, Mayor!" Mr. Freaky hurried away.
After Ben's family sat down, Sid pointed upward. "Look at all those balloons!"
Ben looked up. A large net holding colorful balloons hung from the ceiling.
"Maybe they'll drop the balloons at the end of the performance," Dad said.
"Or they could be for one of the acts," Sid said. "What are the acts anyway?"
Ben shrugged. "Who knows? Everything about the circus is a big secret."
"Good evening, madam!" Oliver Scribblebottom suddenly popped up in front of Ben's mother with his camera. "Tell me—how do you feel about attending the first-ever people-monster circus?"
"Oh!" Ben's mother said, startled. "I'm, um, very excited!"
Just then Cleo hurried across the stage to lay down a pair of stilts. Ben waved to her, but she just stared straight ahead.
"That weird expression again," Ben thought. "It's driving me crazy!" He glanced at the clock on the wall. He had ten minutes before the show started—plenty of time to find Ronny and ask him some questions.
Ben jumped up, telling his parents he was going to the restroom. Then he wove through the crowd and slipped backstage, where the ringmaster was pacing around, studying some notes in his hand.
Ben floated toward him. "I don't know what you're doing to the performers, Ronny, but you're not going to get away with it!"
Ringmaster Ronny looked up, startled. "You again!" he snapped. "How dare you forget the wrath of the circus!"
"I don't care about the wrath of the circus!" Ben said. "You've done something to my friends, and I want to find out what it is!"
"That's absolutely true!" Ronny said, laughing loudly. "I've turned them into circus artists. I admit I had my doubts about working with monsters at first, but they have proven to be surprisingly well-behaved."
"Well-behaved?" Ben said. "They're acting like zombies."
Ronny chuckled. "Your friends may not seem like themselves right now, but that's because they've been working so hard. Trust me, young man, er, ghost, there's nothing to worry about—except getting a good seat for the show. Huck!" He waved to the crew member. "Please escort this young ghost back to his seat!"
Huck put down a piece of equipment and headed toward Ben.
"I'm going! I'm going!" Ben said, floating away fast. Just then he saw Sarah talking quietly to Zork.
"You'll be fine, Zork," Sarah murmured. "Trust me."
Zork shook his head. "It's so high!"
"Of course it is. It's a high wire!"
"But . . . but . . . " Zork clutched his stomach, suddenly looking very green—even for a lizard monster.
"Oh, for Pete's sake!" Sarah muttered. "Follow me, Zork."
As Sarah spun around, Ben ducked behind a rack of costumes. Peeking through the clothes, he saw Sarah leading Zork out into the hallway.
"Where are they going?" Ben wondered. There was only one way to find out. With a quick glance backward to make sure Huck hadn't followed him, Ben floated after them.
Sarah led Zork to a quiet spot in the hallway. "You won't fall, Zork, I promise."
Zork paced around, looking upset.
"Can you stop pacing for a moment?" Sarah said. "I just need to—"
"I quit!" Zork started to walk away, but Sarah caught his arm and pulled him back. "Zork, look into my eyes."
"What's she doing?" Ben thought, floating closer.
"Look into your eyes?" Zork squirmed to get away. "Why?"
"I just want to say . . . " She looked directly into his eyes. "Sludge!"
Instantly Zork stopped squirming.
"Whoa!" Ben thought. "He looks just like Cleo when she was twirling Waldo on her finger."
Then he realized Zork looked just like something else—Sid's zombie impression!