I'm Not Afraid of Clowns

During the citrus-colored era, lime green, bright orange and lemon-yellow flowers were common adornments that were wound through hair, and embroidered on clothing as symbols of a peaceful alternative to the Vietnam war. Summer’s hippy-like existence during this period was cut short, when she discovered that she was pregnant. As a devoted single mom, she tried to maintain an aura of Flower Power acceptance, but she felt increasingly alone and it was a challenge to make ends meet. A chance encounter with a charismatic leading man placed her in an enviable situation. And, as the saying goes, she was swept off of her feet. Josh gently guided, and encouraged, her to embrace the idea of joining his self-sustaining living arrangement. The thought of being surrounded by a group of like-minded souls, where her daughter could grow up in a loving, family-like environment, seemed like a gift from heaven.

Over the subsequent years, an elusive, but systematic, effort was made to secure the allegiance of the initial group of settlers, along with any new members, who were continually being recruited. Even though many followers had escaped from unpleasant situations, they welcomed the invisible bars of security that made them feel protected, and succumbed to a leader who looked after the mundanity of life so that they could subsist on a daily basis. Certain residents weren’t so easily lead, and instigated undesirable enquires that weren’t in sync with the overall philosophy of the collective.

Questionable events put the roles of some members in jeopardy, and the equilibrium of the leadership wavered in an effort to maintain control.