Ringmaster of the Grand Vale Circus, voice of the big top and the person who tells you where to look next.
Max Vale grew up behind the curtain, sweeping sawdust and memorizing every cue before he was tall enough to see over the ring fence. He took the coat and the top hat at the age of twenty-two and has not given them back.
His rule for the show is simple: the animals and acrobats are the stars, and his job is to make the crowd feel that every act is happening just for them. He introduces each performer by name, and he is the first one to bow to the elephants.
When the tent empties, you can still find him in the center ring, checking the lights and humming the opening march.