FADE IN:
EXT. IPSIG BROTHER'S CARNIVAL - ESTABLISHING - NIGHT
A rickety trailer sits at the edge of the parking lot where it abuts the entrance gate.
INT. BUSINESS OFFICE
A rickety, windowless trailer. Makeshift surroundings. Many times painted over and chipping folding chairs. A mottled desk.
A clothes rack stands in one corner, holding a variety of garish outfits, ranging from a tuxedo with tails to a belly dancer's halter and bikini.
Behind the desk, in uniform, is Walt.
Johnny and Bruce exchange an 'it figures' look.
Walt looks up with a smile. He sees Johnny and the smile drops from his face.
WALT
John. Bruce. What can I do for you?
Johnny and Bruce exchange another look. From Johnny 'What do I say?' and returned by Bruce 'You're asking me?'
WALT (CONT'D)
Come on. Spit it out.
JOHNNY
I think there's someone in trouble.
Well, maybe. Here at the carnival
for sure. I don't know who, or
when, or how. Yet. But I know
there's a problem. Or there will be.
WALT
You think. Maybe. They run a safe
carnival here. They have all the
right permits. The rides were
inspected. So far I haven't gotten
any reports of injury on the midway
or the rides.
He shrugs.
WALT (CONT'D)
We have had a few stomach aches
from the firebrand enchiladas--
JOHNNY
It isn't like that.
The door opens. A SEVEN YEAR OLD GIRL in tears shuffles in, trailed by Sarah.
SARAH
Hon? I found this poor little thing
wandering around by the Four-H. I
think she's--
Sarah sees Johnny and Bruce.
SARAH (CONT'D)
Hi Bruce. Johnny.
BRUCE
Hey Sarah. Volunteering for the
school?
SARAH
Uh-huh.
(to Walt)
I gotta get back. I'll leave her in
your hands.
JOHNNY
(terse)
We're in the middle of something.
SARAH
So am I.
JOHNNY
(to Walt)
Can we talk outside?
WALT
(to Sarah)
I'll be right back.
Walt stands, puts on his hat and exits.
EXT. BUSINESS OFFICE - NIGHT
Johnny leans on the trailer. Walt paces. Bruce observes it all with great interest.
WALT
I don't know what it is with you,
John. But it's always something.
You've got a good record I give you
that, but sometimes
(beat)
sometimes I think you just go
looking for trouble to find, and
eventually it finds you.
JOHNNY
I was just here for the funnel cakes.
Walt stops pacing.
WALT
Bring me proof. Solid, concrete
proof that there's a problem and
I'll get my men on it. But till
then you keep a lid on whatever it
is you got going on in that head of
yours. I don't even want to know
about it, and I don't want you
panicking this crowd. You understand
me?
JOHNNY
Perfectly.
EXT. MIDWAY - NIGHT
Johnny moves as best as he can through the crowd, which is bursting at the seams. Bruce is a step ahead. Searching the crowd, but for what he doesn't know.
EXT. EVERYBODY WINS BOOTH - NIGHT
Johnny stops dead in his tracks.
JOHNNY
This is the booth.
He runs his hand down the banner, and chewed up post.
Grizzly approaches, and gives Johnny the hairy eyeball.
GRIZZLY
You've looked at the woodwork, son.
You can take a step back now.
Johnny takes one small deliberate step back.
GRIZZLY (CONT'D)
Care to take a chance?
BRUCE
Doesn't look too hard to me. You
just throw the balls at the target,
and miss, and then you walk away
with less cash in your pocket than
you came with.
GRIZZLY
(with false humor and bravado)
Didn't you read the banner, son?
Everybody wins!
BRUCE
(to Johnny)
My dad showed me all the tricks
when I was a kid. Nothing's changed.
Grizzly holds up a bucket of baseball sized PLASTIC BALLS in three shades of green.
GRIZZLY
Put your money where your mouth is.
He slams the bucket down on the counter.
Bruce looks at Johnny. Johnny shrugs. Bruce rummages in his pocket and pulls out a small wad of cash. He plunks down a few bills on the counter. Grizzly hands Bruce three of the green balls.
Bruce winds up, aims and throws. He misses the first target by a big margin. He takes the second ball, winds up, aims and throws. He gets a little closer but not by much.
Johnny is visibly amused. Bruce is not.
Bruce takes the third ball, and without any fanfare throws it at the target. It falls to the floor like a lead weight.
BRUCE
See? It's a scam. No way I could
miss that bad.
GRIZZLY
You accusing me of something? I run
an honest game here.
(to Johnny)
Why don't you show your friend here
how its done. You look like you're
a strong fellow.
Johnny looks down at himself, and his cane. He ponders that for a second.
JOHNNY
Why not. Bruce, pay the man.
Bruce blusters, then lays out the cash. Grizzly hands Johnny three of the lightest colored green balls. Johnny tosses the first, and hits the target slightly off center. The second toss is the same, as is the third.
GRIZZLY
Sorry my friend. Better luck next
time.
BRUCE
(to Johnny)
I told ya. Come on. Let's go.
Steve the carnie, in a silly hat with moose ears, steps up.
STEVE
I can do better than that!
GRIZZLY
You come right on up, son. Take a
chance.
Steve puts down a few bills and is handed three DARK RED BALLS. He tosses the first, and misses. He tosses the second, and hits the target off the mark. The third ball thrown hits dead center. A siren sounds, and lights flash.
GRIZZLY
(to the crowd)
See? Everybody wins!
Grizzly grabs the smallest, ugliest prize, and gives it to Steve.
GRIZZLY (CONT'D)
Care to try double or nothing?
STEVE
No thanks.
Steve backs away.
A TEENAGE GIRL takes his place. She puts down her cash and is handed three YELLOW PLASTIC BALLS from a container under the counter.
Grizzly reaches back under the counter.
The girl lobs the first underhanded at the target. It just misses. Lights sound and the siren blares.
GRIZZLY
Everybody wins!
He hands the happy teenage girl a large stuffed animal.
Johnny motions to Bruce 'come here'. They wander away from the booth.
JOHNNY
It's rigged all right. I bet he
controls the lights and siren under
the counter. He kept reaching down.
Those balls are probably weighted
differently by the color. He gave a
yellow one to the girl.
BRUCE
I could have told you all that
before I spent my money.
(he gets it now)
You need one.
Johnny nods.
BRUCE (CONT'D)
One leaded yellow projectile coming
up.
They approach the booth. Bruce from the front, and Johnny from the side. Johnny leans in and reaches for one of the targets.
Grizzly jumps up, and charges over.
GRIZZLY
You! Get away from there. That's
private property. And I don't want
anyone touching it.
JOHNNY
I didn't mean any harm. I just
wanted to see what it was made of.
My friend and I have a bet going.
Meanwhile, as Grizzly is distracted, Bruce climbs over the front counter and rummages in the buckets for a yellow ball. He grabs one, and scoots back to the other side of the counter just as Grizzly turns around.
GRIZZLY
What you got there son?
Bruce drops his hand to his side. He drops the ball to the floor.
BRUCE
Nothing.
He shrugs. Palms up. 'Who me'?
GRIZZLY
What did you take from behind my
counter? I don't put up with
stealing. Give it back or I'll have
you tossed.
Bruce lifts up his jacket, and turns a three-sixty, while at the same time kicking the ball away from the booth and towards Johnny who lurks in the shadows.
EXT. NEARBY THE EVERYBODY WINS BOOTH - NIGHT
Johnny picks up the ball. He is swept away into the
EXT. EVERYBODY WINS BOOTH - NIGHT (VISION)
P.O.V. through someone else's eyes
But not the same pair. The perspective is different. Calmer. Level. An adult's view of the world. A tug on a sleeve. A tilt of the head down to reveal the face of BECKY (30's), and adult woman with Down's Syndrome.
BECKY
(naturally slurred)
Jackie can I play the game?
The P.O.V. shifts to Becky's. Uneven and TILTED UPWARD, looking at JACKIE (20's) a smiling and pleasant but unremarkable woman.
JACKIE
Go for it, Becky!
Becky turns from Jackie and looks up into Grizzly's smarmy, leering face. He doesn't mask his disdain.
GRIZZLY
(warped/filtered/overly slow)
Do you know how to throw a ball?
BECKY
Yes. I know how.
A dark green ball comes into view. It is tossed hard, but it travels only inches. A second ball, dark red, goes further but not nearly close enough. Arms encircle Becky.
Another ball in yellow is held in a pudgy hand cupped by another with long fingers. They throw together. The ball hits the target.
GRIZZLY
Everybody wins!
Lights flash. A siren sounds and the P.O.V. shifts.
Johnny stands free next to Becky and Jackie as Becky receives her prize. A small stuffed animal. She is disappointed. Whispers to Jackie.
GRIZZLY
Speak up girl. Did you want to try
for double or nothing?
JACKIE
She was wondering what it would
take to win one of the big animals.
GRIZZLY
I ain't got no more. These are the
last and they're for show.
(beat)
Well, I do have one more. Back in
the truck. Might be a bit dusty,
but nothing is wrong with it. If
she wants it.
BECKY
I want a big animal. Please, Jackie?
Becky jumps up and down. Jackie checks her watch.
JACKIE
I gotta meet somebody. When can you
have it here? So we can come back
for it?
Firecrackers spark and pop nearby.
GRIZZLY
I can't leave my booth. You'll have
to go with--
A flash from a firecracker comes very close. The light blinds Johnny. He covers his eyes.
EXT. NEARBY THE EVERYBODY WINS BOOTH - NIGHT
Johnny is back in the present. A cherry bomb explodes at his feet. He staggers backwards.
Two MISCHEVEOUS BOYS dash out of the shadows. They giggle and point.
Steve runs towards them, arms flailing.
STEVE
You kids get out of here. Don't you
know that's dangerous? Where are
your parents?
The boys run away.
Steve spots Johnny. Scowls.
STEVE
You two still here? If you ain't
gonna play any games, you'd better
move along and make room for
someone with money to spend.
JOHNNY
You work here.
STEVE
(sneering)
Yeah. And I'm proud of it.
JOHNNY
So what do you plan to do with that
toy you won before?
Bruce joins them.
STEVE
Get out of here before I throw you
out.
BRUCE
That's what all you rough, tough
carnies always say.
Steve invades Bruce's space. Bruce backs down.
BRUCE (CONT'D)
Hey it's cool. You're just doing
your job.
STEVE
Thought so. I don't want to catch
you two over here again.
He departs.
BRUCE
I don't think we're allowed to play
at his house anymore.
JOHNNY
(his wheels are turning)
I know somebody that will be.
INT. FOUR-H OFFICE - NIGHT
Sarah is showing a TEN YEAR OLD BOY a rabbit. A phone rings. Sarah hands the rabbit off and reaches for her purse. She digs out her cell and without thinking answers.
SARAH
Hey baby. When will you be done?
I'm lonely.
JOHNNY OVER THE PHONE
I can be right there if you really
want.
SARAH
(startled)
Johnny? I thought it was--
(beat)
I'm so embarrassed. Where are you?
JOHNNY OVER THE PHONE
Just outside the Four-H.
EXT. FOUR-H OFFICE - NIGHT
JOHNNY
Can you get away? I need your help
with something. Real quick. Real
simple. Well, not really--
INT. BUSINESS OFFICE
Walt shuffles papers at the desk. The phone rings. He answers.
WALT
Yeah? Where? Can I get your name?
The line goes dead.
Walt stands, puts on his hat, and exits the office.
The door opens. Bruce drops Johnny's cell into his pocket. He heads for the clothes rack, and pulls several outfits off their hangers. He leaves.
EXT. MIDWAY - NIGHT
Johnny leans against a pole. Checks his watch. And then again.
SARAH (O.S.)
You can stop checking. I'm back.
Johnny turns. Sarah is dressed in a long trench coat.
SARAH (CONT'D)
I don't know what I'm doing.
BRUCE
Nice togs.
JOHNNY
Did you?
He gives Sarah the once-over. She sighs and opens the coat to reveal a black leather mini-skirt and a low-cut red satin blouse.
BRUCE
Now that is what I call a
distraction.
SARAH
This was the lesser of the evils.
There was no way I was putting on
that belly dancer outfit.
(beat)
You couldn't ask someone else to do
this?
JOHNNY
Someone else is out of town. And
you're here.
(enjoying the moment)
Something is not quite right though.
I think you could hike the skirt up.
He gestures for effect.
JOHNNY (CONT'D)
Maybe tie the bottom of the blouse
up in a knot?
He reaches out towards her mid-section.
SARAH
That's going too far.
She pushes his hand away.
SARAH (CONT'D)
I'm--
EXT. A DIFFERENT CARNIVAL - NIGHT (VISION)
From the third person Johnny watches as the last moments of his old life pass by at high speed. The roulette game. The make out session in the car. Sarah's face. Young, beautiful, and full of love.
EXT. IPSIG BROTHER'S CARNIVAL - BUSINESS OFFICE - NIGHT
Sarah looks into Johnny's eyes. Waits for him to return. He does.
SARAH
Welcome back. How ironic. You were
only supposed to be gone a few
minutes back then--
(beat)
JJ always asks to come to the
carnival, every year. His dad
(matter of fact)
Walt. Always takes him. I ran out
of excuses for why I didn't go. At
first I wasn't sure I could face
it--
Johnny covers Sarah's hand with his own.
JOHNNY
This is hard for me too.
She pulls away.
SARAH
Let me finish. But it isn't as hard
as I thought it would be. I started
with the volunteer work. Then it
was easy. We'd actually planned on
coming back here tomorrow night. As
a family. I'm not psychic Johnny,
but I have a pretty good idea of my
life path.
She runs a hand through her hair. Straightens the blouse. Yanks down the skirt. Screws up all the courage she can muster.
SARAH (CONT'D)
Let's get this over with. Point him
out and tell me what I have to say.
EXT. EVERYBODY WINS BOOTH - NIGHT
Sarah strolls up. Grizzly's attention locks directly on her cleavage. He hikes one leg onto the counter, and leans an arm on it.
GRIZZLY
(to her breasts)
Hello there pretty lady. What can I
do for you this fine evening. I'm
at your beck and call.
SARAH
(barely hiding annoyance)
Does everybody really win here?
Grizzly looks up at her face. His carnie instinct kicks in.
GRIZZLY
Everybody wins! Three balls for a
dollar, five for two. But for you,
six. Because you have the
(back to her breasts)
prettiest face I've seen in a long
time.
She tosses money onto the counter. He gives her six yellow balls. She tosses one. Misses. Tosses the second. Misses. Tosses the third and hits the target dead on. The siren blares.
GRIZZLY
And the little lady wins a prize!
He hands her a medium sized stuffed animal.
Sarah purses her lips and pouts. She leans over just a little.
SARAH
But I was hoping for one of the big
ones.
Grizzly balks. He wipes his chin with a dirty handkerchief.
GRIZZLY
We're all out of the big prizes.
SARAH
Maybe you have something in storage?
We could maybe go look?
She leans over a little more.
Grizzly hurls himself over the counter.
GRIZZLY
Steve! Steve come on out here.
Steve appears from behind the booth.
GRIZZLY (CONT'D)
Watch the booth. I got something to
do.
Steve leers at Sarah. She ignores him, and walks off with Grizzly.
Bruce and Johnny step out of the shadows and follow.
EXT. GRIZZLY'S TRUCK - NIGHT
Grizzly ambles to the cab, climbs in and pulls out a flashlight. He returns and hands it to Sarah.
GRIZZLY
Hold his up so I can see.
He throws open the back of a beat-up semi. He holds his hands down, fingers intertwined, motioning 'come on'. She hesitates.
GRIZZLY (CONT'D)
I won't hurt you. I've got a bad
reputation but I'm just a harmless
grumpy old man.
She looks around, relents, and he lifts her into the truck.
He clambers in and disappears into the dark.
She holds up the flashlight. Within seconds the light flickers out. She smacks the bottom.
GRIZZLY (O.S.)
Shine that light here, girly. I
can't see a thing.
SARAH
The batteries are dead.
Grizzly comes back into the light. Rips the flashlight from her hand. She steps back a few feet. Presses her back against the truck wall.
He shakes the flashlight. Notices her trepidation.
GRIZZLY
You still think I'll hurt you?
Why'd you come here? Why'd you drag
me back here?
He looks out of the back of the truck. Searching.
GRIZZLY (CONT'D)
Who's out there? Show yourself!
He turns back to Sarah. Wields the flashlight like a weapon. Invades her space. Grabs her wrist.
GRIZZLY (CONT'D)
You tell me what you want. You had
better speak up, woman!
(yelling)
Who are you?
FADE OUT.