Somersaults

As Astra performed the cartwheels, the men applauded, in a show of both prurience and a more honest appreciation for her acrobatic ability. Sensing this, Ralph decided not to call for any overtly humilating commands - at least not for now. Ralph said, "I want you to perform a somersault." Astra shrugged her shoulders. Ralph motioned with a finger, moving it up in the air, making a circle, and then moved it back down. Astra nodded her head, and started back toward the wings, smiled at one of the men with the short iron wands that was blocking her way, turned back, and then started to run towards the center of the stage. She jumped up, tucked her head and knees in and spun forwards, and landed on her feet, performing a perfect somersault. The men in the audience cheered and applauded. Unbidden, Astra then performed a couple of backwards handsprings, and then tucked her head against her chest and her knees into her her belly again to perform a kind of backwards version of the somersault. The men in the crowd applauded again. Ralph nodded, and then he shouted, "double somersault." Astra's eyes widened, as she thought about whether she could carry this command out. She did not think that she could get high enough to make carry this trick off without hurting herself.

She decided

1. to try anyway. If she got hurt, at least she would be off this stage.
2. to suggest to Ralph that someone pick her up to give her some momentum. This would require a very strong man.
3. to suggest to Ralph that she could use the aisle between the benches to end the manuever offstage, giving her the required height to complete the request.

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