[PBRSTREETGANG]

The rider wasn't a tightrope walker (btw).

Interesting place to learn how to stand on a tightrope. (Must admit, I find that one somewhat hard to believe.)

[Prodigal Son]

I believe it's true. The thing is, the tightrope walker never accounted for how tired he would become with the fellow on his back. The fellow on his back knew him to be a skilled tightrope walker so he had his confidence beforehand. Once the walker needed the rest, there was nothing that could be done for it. It doesn't take a lot of practice to stand there. You, yourself, could do it easily. That long pole makes it very easy to balance even on a wire. The tricky part would've been getting off his back. The rider had to slowly work his way down the guy's back and get his feet on the wire. The alternative was death. I can see him deciding to do it.