How to Stop the Villain from Going Crazy
Translator: Fuyu
Chapter 63 (1)
As the public's interest in the circus show grew, Polly Clermont soon became the talk of New Orleans.
The men concluded that the performance would inevitably be a failure, and Polly Clermont's investment would be a financial loss.
Why? First, Polly Clermont was a woman. These men had never seen a circus run by a woman.
It was already shocking enough that women wanted the right to vote. And now, this woman was wearing men's clothing and advertising her circus in the streets. This was simply offending public morality.
Second, everyone knew that women had long hair and limited vision and knowledge. They thought that even though Polly Clermont's hair was cut short, it couldn't change her limited vision.
Although a circus show was a low-end performance meant for the common folk, they believed that it still required a man's insight to support it.
Look at those successful theater troupes. They were all headed by men.
Did Polly Clermont really know how to run a circus? Did she think that by changing into men's clothing and playing some tricks, she would attract a lot of people to see her performance?
In high society, men weren't allowed to gossip about women. However, Polly Clermont was too bizarre, and she always appeared in public in men's clothing. The men felt she was challenging their dignity and began to criticize her every move.
The women were divided into two groups. One group agreed that Polly Clermont's behavior was an offense to public morality, but since she wasn't part of high society, it was inappropriate to comment on her. They silently closed their doors to her when she visited their homes.
The other group thought Polly Clermont was beautiful and looked noble and lovely in men's attire. It was worth inviting her to their homes, so they could admire her appearance.
At this time, Bo Li made an announcement; people had to sign a waiver before watching her show.
Her reason was that the show was too terrifying. Not everyone was suitable for watching the show or had the courage to win that $100. People with heart disease, asthma, epilepsy, etc were strictly prohibited from entering.
If travelers insisted on entering, then they had to go to the police station with her and sign a waiver that she wasn't responsible. Once they signed that waiver, even if they became frightened and had a seizure during the show, the circus won't be held responsible.
When the sheriff heard these words, he was originally adamantly against it. However, Bo Li offered to make the sheriff a shareholder in the circus and give him 20% of the profits if he sent a few police officers to experience her show and rate its fear level.
The sheriff didn't expect that he would get 20% of the profit just from expressing his objection. He immediately shut his mouth.
However, the police officers weren't happy about this. The sheriff was the one being paid, but they were ones that had to make a trip to rate the circus show performance. It was an arduous, thankless task.
"I won't go." A police officer curled his lips. "I'm already busy patrolling the streets every day. How can I have the time to go watch a circus show?"
"I'm not going either."
"Miss Clermont, my apologies. We're looking forward to your circus show, but you know how busy we are with official duties…"
"It's fine," Bo Li said with fake surprise, "I was going to say that the police officers can also get the $100 reward if they can watch the entire show, but since none of you are free, never mind then."
She smiled, took off her hat, and bowed. "Sorry to bother you."
When the police officers heard this, they suddenly had free time. One after another, they gathered around Bo Li to set a time to watch the show.
One police officer was rather impatient. He reached out to grab Bo Li's arm. He was the one that had curled his lips and was the first to voice his refusal. And now, he was worried that she would ignore him.
That police officer suddenly felt a cold and terrifying gaze.
Someone was staring at him.
The police officer had goosebumps. He abruptly looked back, but he didn't see anything.
However, when he turned his head back and looked at Bo Li, he felt that creepy gaze again. The coldness came from all directions.
There was a fireplace burning in the office. The police officer was so unsettled by the phantom staring that he broke out in cold sweat.
Bo Li didn't notice this incident.
She was actually apprehensive. She wasn't worried about going bankrupt, but that Erik would scare her customers to death.
Her plan was simple.
The show format was based on the modern haunted house. Apart from the deformed performers that would serve as NPCs, the most crucial link was Erik.
The original work stated that Erik's favorite hobby was stunning others to prove beyond a doubt that he possessed outstanding intelligence and ability.
He was simply a natural at playing the role of a haunted house NPC.
Coincidentally, he was also the protagonist of a horror movie.
Having him scare the customers was like sending a flock of lambs into a wolf's mouth, which was problematic.
Bo Li was a bit worried that he couldn't restrain his murderous nature and get carried away while scaring them and end up strangling these lambs.
After thinking it over, she decided that she would accompany these customers into every performance to prevent the haunted house from becoming a river of blood.
Translator Ramblings: The Chinese saying (头发长，见识短) that correlates long hair and limited vision/knowledge is so baffling. This phrase is frequently used in Chinese webnovels, especially the ones set in the 70's. I've never seen such an idea in Western literature or media. The closest thing I can think of is the blond stereotype.
For thousands of years in China, long hair for men and women has been a status symbol. Of all the ways to belittle women, I find it very ironic that chauvinistic people use a phrase that inherently insults Chinese culture.