 How does Shannon feel about the circus?
The Blue Behemoth By LEIGH BRACKETT Shannon's Imperial Circus was a jinxed space-carny leased for a mysterious tour of the inner worlds. [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Planet Stories May 1943. "We," he said, "are broke. With Shannon's Imperial Circus, the Greatest Show in Space, plastered so thick with attachments...." "The Greatest Show in Space. I've wet-nursed Shannon's Imperial Circus around the Triangle for eleven years, and I know. It's lousy, it's mangy, it's broken-down! Nobody insults Buckhalter Shannon's Imperial Circus to Buckhalter Shannon's face unless he's tired and wants a long rest in a comfy fracture-frame. I had plenty of time to think how I only weigh one-thirty-seven to Shannon's one-seventy-five, and how I'm not as young as I used to be. Bucky Shannon settled his shoulders and hips like a dancer. The little guy looked at Shannon with pale blue eyes like a baby, and his voice was softer than Bucky's. Bucky Shannon sighed, and let his fist start traveling, a long, deceptive arc. It was the most complete dead-pan I ever met, and you couldn't see into those innocent blue eyes any more than you could see through sheet metal. It has always been my desire to lighten the burden of life for those less fortunate...." He went on, quietly, "I have always held that entertainment, of the right sort, is the most valuable aid humanity can have in its search for the alleviation of toil and boredom...." "There are many towns along the Venusian frontiers where no entertainment of the— proper sort has been available. I propose to charter your circus, Mister Shannon, to make a tour of several settlements along the Tehara Belt." It was Gow, our zoo-man—a big, ugly son-of-a-gun from a Terran colony on Mercury. "She's the star attraction of our show, Mr. Beamish. The only other one on the Triangle belongs to Savitt Brothers, and she's much smaller than Gertrude." I only hoped she wouldn't die on us, because without her we'd have a sicker-looking circus than even I could stand. The extreme rarity of the animal...." I said tactfully, "We'd have to have at least a hundred U.C.'s." My attorney and I will call on you in the morning with a contract and itinerary.
 Despite it's quality, he truly cares about it.
 He needs it for money, nothing more.  He resents that he's stuck with it, and gets angry when people insult it.  Despite it's quality, he truly cares about it.  He believes in it's quality, and has faith in it.