The ringmaster eventually decided on making Jared a monkey. But not just any monkey. First because his circus merely had farm or domesticated animals as performers. He was very conscious of the welfare of his beasts. Moreover, as a second reason, for those urban dwellers, pigs, donkeys, hens and other animals doing tricks looked very exotic indeed! Yet the most exotic performers, those simply resembling wild animals and imaginary creatures, were in fact real, refugees from the disappearing world of magic or humans hypnotised or forced to become others. Sometimes the Ringmaster took the decision to keep some transformed humans when he thought the addition would be a benefit or when he thought the volunteers, or rather victims, would be happier that way. The Ringmaster was generous that way. He'd see what he could come up with those two youngsters and decide later on. For this example of a surly teenager, he had a good idea.
"Jared isn't very happy now. He's a grumpy teenager. Let's make him happy and a lot more lovable!"
Everyone cheered and laughed, voicing their enthusiastic agreement. He gently took Jared's chin. Still transfixed by the silver sphere, the youngster did not notice anything. Well, he did notice dimly a soft contact. A contact which he could trust.
"Listen to me, Jared," the Ringmaster whispered in his ear. "I am your friend. Your closest friend. As your closest friend, I know what you are and what you like. Do you not agree?"
Jared nodded and when the Ringmaster's fingers brushed accidentally against his skin, he giggled.
"Oh! You are ticklish! Aren't you? Well you can tell me because you know you can confide everything in me, right?"
"Yes," simply said Jared.
"Good, good. Well, since I know everything about you. I know you are a little monkey,. Not a teenager no one appreciates. You are loved. Loved by me because that is what you are. A baby monkey! And everyone loves baby monkey! You act like a baby and you're a monkey! Simple as that! Babies have such an easy life! So much better than a teenager's life! Remember? Babies get coddled, have no worries, no school, no homework, are carefree and have everything dome for them. Always on vacation! And you can get raspberries on your tummy and tickles! Quite a life, don’t you agree? And you are a pampered baby because you are a sweet baby! In fact, the sweetest baby anyone has ever known. You are a sweet baby monkey. And as this is what you are, and I know so, just be what you are! A happy baby monkey, happy to be what he is because his life could not be better or more simple!"
The Ringmaster created a puff of white smoke and when it cleared, Jared was gone. Replaced by what appeared to be an excellent and realistic animatronic. It looked like a plushie monkey half of Jared's size, brown and beige, with a big thick diaper, a long tail protruding from it and a frilly blue baby bonnet atop its head. It gurgled and cooed happily, letting out a string of giggles. He rocked back and forth, sucking his thumb and grabbing his feet playfully. The audience cooed at him, declaring him the cutest. Jared just clapped randomly, happy to being a baby, lost in baby thoughts. He had no worries, not even having a body made of soft padding and essentially fabric. He just wanted to roll around on his back and have fun touching his feet. And he did just that, oblivious to the audience. When the Ringmaster approached him, he just smiled at him and looked up at him. He knew he could trust this tall man. And that tall man tickled him. Tickles! What he loved! He loved being tickled! And kissed! And pampered! His high-pitched screeches of laughter made the audience applause, in awe. The Ringmaster produced a round rattle and a pacifier, which Jared shook vigorously, immensely happy and sucked on as if his life depended on it. The Ringmaster then turned towards Jayla.
"Now, my circus-loving friend, what should be done to you?"