Create an Edward Gorey-style illustration depicting a trio of surreal puppets, each with a unique and unsettling design. Utilize intricate cross-hatching to add depth and shadow to each character, giving them a textured and slightly worn appearance. The monkey-like puppet should have a vacant stare and a quirky polka-dotted bow, rendered with fine, precise lines. The acrobat puppet, with its elongated limbs, should be suspended mid-air, captured in a motion that seems both graceful and unnaturally rigid. The dog-like figure should wear a tattered military outfit, with a solemn expression that hints at melancholy. Keep their facial features simple, evoking a cold, emotionless atmosphere typical of Gorey's characters. The background should be minimal, with empty spaces emphasizing the eerie detachment of the scene, while adding a few symbolic elements such as hanging stars or a distant clock to heighten the mysterious tension.