Miles "Tiny" Turk's Questionnaire

I live in a tent, really. Well, the circus has many of them, and each one feels like home to me. I’ve spent most of my life on the move, so I guess you could say I’m a bit of a nomad. This lifestyle suits me just fine.

You see, I’ve had my fair share of “homes” in the past—places that felt more like prisons than sanctuaries, filled with people who didn’t understand me and experiences that left scars. But out here with the circus? It’s different. Each time we pitch the tent in a new town, it’s like a fresh start. The thrill of the road calls to me, and I can’t imagine settling down in one place like most folks do.

The circus is a wonderful place filled with vibrant personalities. I’ve got my friends around me—people who’ve been through their own struggles and know what it’s like to be an outsider. We may have our limitations, but the camaraderie is worth its weight in gold. We share laughs, stories, and the occasional slice of cake when we can snag one. Wherever we set up camp, whether it’s a bustling city or a quiet little town, I’m at home with them. This is my family now, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Right now, I get my money from the circus, which is just fine by me. It covers the essentials, but let me tell you, my appetite is anything but ordinary. I need to fuel this giant frame of mine, so I’m eating upwards of 10,000 calories a day. The circus offers three square meals and some snacks, but that's just a starting point for me.

Most of my money goes toward food and food preparation. I’ve got to make sure I’m getting enough protein and the right supplements to keep my strength up and stay in shape. I like to have control over my diet, so I often splurge on quality ingredients when I can, whether that’s fresh meats, vegetables, or the odd treat here and there. I even stock up on some non-steroid performance-enhancing drugs to keep me performing at my best.

The folks at the circus would probably arrange for me to have more if I complained, but honestly? I’ve got this covered. I prefer to manage my own meals. It’s just part of the routine for me. Plus, cooking is something I enjoy—it gives me a sense of normalcy on the road. So, between the circus and my culinary adventures, I’m making it work, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Ambition? Oh, I’ve got plenty of that. You see, I like to joke that I’m already dead—after all, I was presumed dead during that whole mess I got caught up in. So, what’s the worst that can happen? Die twice? Please.

But in all seriousness, I want to spend a few more years with the circus. We’ve got this collective dream of transforming our act into something world-class. I want us to consolidate, to really settle down and plant roots so that we can create a future for the kids and artisans involved. That’s what drives me—seeing us succeed and thrive together.

After that? Well, I’ve got big plans. I want to travel the world, experience life beyond the circus, and maybe even go to college. I want to try and unfuck the parts of my life that I missed out on growing up in the system.

How far would I go to achieve this? I’ve killed in the past, and I wouldn’t hesitate to do so again if the situation called for it. But I don’t relish it; I find it more trouble than it’s worth. Self-defense? That’s a different story entirely. In the end, I want to build, not destroy. I’m ambitious, sure, but I’m grounded too. I believe in lifting others up, not tearing things down, and that’s what makes this journey worthwhile.

Finding the guys, for sure. Before that I was freshly outta the system, working as muscle here and there and I was caught in the middle of a gang war, my first gig as outside muscle for the SoCal Dragons. I thought I was tough enough to handle it, but the chaos that unfolded was like nothing I had ever seen before. I was young and naive, believing that I could control the situation, but in the blink of an eye, it all spiraled out of control.

During the escalating tensions, I found myself face-to-face with another enforcer. Words were exchanged, and before I knew it, guy reached for the iron in his belt and grabbed him and I bashed his head in one of the parking lot's pillars. That was curtains, there was no choice and soon enough the entire parking lot became one storm of bulets and slashes. I was wounded in the fray, a deep gash in my side, and I knew I couldn’t go to the hospital. I would be a target for both sides, and I wasn’t ready to pay that price.

So, I fled, running through the countryside, staying upright on a cocktail of painkillers and adrenaline. I wandered, disoriented and desperate, barely able to think straight. It was a blur of fear, regret, and pain until my body finally gave out on me. I collapsed, and that’s when I was found by the circus. The people there took me in, nursed me back to health, and slowly I began to realize that there was another life beyond the violence I had known. It changed me deeply: gave me something to look up to, an ambition outlet what was about more than just posturing and pretending to be strong to avoid the jackasses. I made an act in which they now pay me for that sort of thing.

Jangles: He’s an insane man, and trust me, his clown appearance can be downright terrifying—his face is a patchwork of knife wounds that only add to his eerie charm. But beneath that scary exterior lies a heart of gold. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. Wait... that is not true. Actually, now that I think of it, he is very likely to be the spiritual successor of the Night Stabber. We'll, I'm not perfect either and we’ve bonded over our shared love for chocolate cake and puffed collars, and there’s no one I’d rather have by my side in this wild circus life, he is a great buddy.

Jingles: A pretty girl with a talent for the mystical, she works as a carnival psychic. She’s a professional charlatan, but you’d never know it; her clients leave feeling like they’ve had their fortunes told by someone with genuine powers. Jingles is a kind soul who helps people navigate their woes and grief, especially those struggling with their identities. She’s one of the nicest gals around, always ready with a comforting word and a smile. She helped me a lot in finding my comedic voice and noticed in me a talent with people that I wasn't aware I had. I owe her a lot.

Perpendicular Mike: An old-timer who walks with a funny gait, Mike is the go-to guy for maintenance, especially when it comes to electrical systems and diesel generators. He’s one of the few in the circus who has regular papers and no criminal record (that I know of). Mike offers great advice and can be relied upon to run errands into town. In return, I usually take care of his portion of the heavy lifting and help with organizing and maintenance. It’s a good deal for both of us, and I appreciate having him around.