Secret under the Circus Dome

Leon had always dreamed of seeing a circus live. When the colourful Arcadia Circus tents appeared at the end of his street, he couldn't believe his eyes. With a huge ticket in his hand and his heart beating faster than a clown on a trampoline, he stepped under the giant striped dome. Inside, the lights twinkled and the smell of candyfloss and popcorn mingled with the mysterious scent of dust and sawdust. The audience whispered excitedly. The circus director appeared in the arena wearing a red tailcoat and carrying a tall cylinder. His moustache flew as he announced unusual attractions: flying acrobats, magical illusionists and even the enigmatic Mr Panther, who can talk to animals. However, Leon noticed something strange. After each number, an artist would gently wave someone towards the artists' entrance, as if giving a secret sign. Occasionally, a bluish light flashed under the arena, but when he tried to get a closer look, everything immediately went quiet. While everyone was looking at the trained lion, Leon slipped out of the spectator area and moved towards the forbidden door with the sign "For artists only". The door was slightly ajar. Soft laughter and indistinct whispers came from inside. The boy took a deep breath and slipped inside, ready to discover what was really going on behind the scenes. In the darkness behind the stage, between the colourful boxes and shiny costumes, he spotted a mysterious box from which a bluish light was emanating. Leon reached out to touch it, when suddenly a voice rang out from behind the curtain: "Oi, what are you doing here?" At this point Leon hesitated....