| The Quentin Carnival counts among its number Jeremy, a misshapen brute wrapped around a gentle soul. Far away, a mysterious figure notices this, and sends Renaldo to acquire Jeremy's services. But Quentin says no, offended at the apparent thought of selling Jeremy! When Renaldo has trouble taking no for an answer, Johnny physically ejects him! Meanwhile, Corky Franklin, the Quentin carnival's clown, receives a visit from his son Eliot. Corky wonders if Eliot will be staying "straight" this time... In the evening, Renaldo returns for Jeremy, and brings with him a small army of misshapen freaks! They seize Jeremy and Johnny; Renaldo wishes to repay him for his earlier mistreatment. Before leaving, Renaldo kicks Johnny in the ribs, hard. And Johnny embraces the curse, freeing Ghost Rider! Ghost Rider rides like the wind to catch the freaks before they can reach the airport. When Renaldo arrives, Ghost Rider is there to meet him. After a minute in the soul-burning embrace of the Rider, Renaldo is reduced to a whimpering wreck. But the Rider leaves the freaks, guilty of no more than obeying an evil man, alone. They leave... and Jeremy goes with them. They are his... brothers. |
