The Medicine Show

In a large American city, a group of about eight twenty-somethings formed a commune and had an idea how to survive. There were four women and four men, and we were all very intelligent, creative people. We bought an old bread delivery truck and outfitted it like a patent medicine wagon in the Old West. We made up the name Dr. Schubert, and Fred would get made up and costumed as old Doc Schubert himself. On Saturday and Sunday, we would set up at someplace where there was a lot of foot traffic and proceed to put on our show. Tom would dress up like an Indian and he did a knife and tomahawk throwing routine, assisted by Debbie, decked out like an Indian princess. Bobby, the youngest of the troupe at 22 juggled and rode a unicycle. I played an instrument called an Omnichord and sang along with it. I had about twenty cartridges, and each had three songs. Mary, the only black girl in the bunch, who had an astounding voice, would harmonize with me. We each had a little schtick that we did anf then we would pass the hat. Then Doc Schubert would launch into his spiel for Schubert’s Miracle Elixer. which could cure everything from hiccups to gout. We would buy six-ounce bottles, fill them with distilled water, a drop of food coloring and a bit of peppermint oil. We had the labels printed up to look like a reaal patent medicine bottle we had found in a book, A small label on the back listed the ingredients and stated it was a novelty only and cured nothing exept maybe thirst.

We all took part in the craft of candle making and made and sold some very beatiful candles. This was really our main money maker, outside of the hat for donations.