Nearly everyone has visited the circus at least once in his or her lifetime. The bustle of activity, bright colors and fantastic costumes, and amazing performances of people and animals make the circus "the greatest show on earth." Most people take the circus at face value: they enjoy it and go home entertained. There are others in our society who question the very existence of the circus, and in particular, the use of animals for mere amusement. With accusations of animal cruelty flying about regularly, one wonders what it is really like behind-the-scenes at the big top.