Final answer:
The circus managers were reluctant for the human cannonball to quit because his act brought in audiences and his unique skills would be hard to replace, creating potential financial and logistical challenges for the circus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The circus managers did not want their human cannonball to quit because he was a unique act that attracted audiences, and finding a replacement of similar skill and draw would likely be quite difficult.
In the realm of circus acts, particularly those as unique and dangerous as the human cannonball, performers hold significant value. The uniqueness of such an act is a potent crowd-puller, a rare spectacle that people would pay to see. Given the nature of the act, it is not something that can be easily replaced or replicated.
Trained performers who are willing and able to be shot out of a cannon are scarce. The departure of such a talented individual could result in a considerable decline in-audience numbers and consequently, the circus's earnings. An existing performer has a known value - both in terms of skill and audience appeal, and in the case of the human cannonball, the performer also likely had a fan following and a reputation that contributed positively to the circus brand.
Moreover, the act of the human cannonball, being a headline act, would have been essential to the circus's repertoire. When such a performer leaves, the circus not only loses a key element of their show but also faces the challenge of filling that void with an equally captivating performance, adding to the potential loss of revenue and increase in operational difficulties.