FADE IN:
EXT. GRIZZLY'S TRUCK - NIGHT
Grizzly tugs on Sarah's wrist. She groans in pain.
Johnny and Bruce appear out of the dark.
JOHNNY
Back off! Get away from her!
She squirms out of Grizzly's grasp. Jumps out of the truck. She runs just past Johnny and into Bruce's arms.
SARAH
(angry)
Where have you been?
BRUCE
We've been with you the whole time.
GRIZZLY
What's this all about? Who are you?
Are you with the D.A.? I paid that
back alimony, and I ain't had
nothin' to do with that crooked
brother of mine since he got out--
Johnny holds up a silencing hand.
JOHNNY
We're not police.
VOICE (O.C.)
Someone call security!
Johnny turns. A crowd has gathered behind them.
LATER
Sarah tries to blend into the background. She clutches her coat tight, pulling it closed.
Walt pushes through the crowd. He sees Johnny. He's not surprised.
Walt scans the crowd, and spots Sarah. Their eyes meet. His expression changes to one of confusion, and burgeoning anger. He walks over.
WALT
(whispered)
What are you doing here?
SARAH
I was going to visit you. And I
heard the commotion. Thought I'd
check it out.
He gives her a quick noncommittal hug.
WALT
Where'd you get the coat?
SARAH
I. We. I--
Her eyes lock on Johnny's. Walt follows her gaze. He frowns and walks away.
LATER
Sarah leans on the truck. Uncomfortable. Johnny stares at her. Through her. She avoids his gaze.
Walt jumps out of the truck followed by a DEPUTY.
WALT
There's nothing there.
SARAH
Deja vu.
WALT
What?
JOHNNY
(halting/guilty)
That's what I thought. When I
checked it out before. I was just
telling Sarah that when you came by.
Walt looks from Sarah to Johnny and back.
WALT
Why don't I believe one word of
what either of you have said this
whole time?
INT. BUSINESS OFFICE
Walt paces from one side of the room to the other. He's so angry at Johnny he can only sputter.
JOHNNY/SARAH
I can explain/There's a good reason--
Walt dumps over a pencil holder. Picks up the phone. Slams it down.
GRIZZLY (O.S.)
I'd like to hear the reason.
WALT
Shut up. I haven't decided if I'm
going to press charges against you
for assaulting my wife.
GRIZZLY
I was set up.
WALT
(to Johnny)
Go ahead. Explain.
LATER
GRIZZLY
What does this have to do with me?
I remember that retarded girl, but
I didn't touch her. I gave her the
lion and never saw them again.
WALT
Just the same you're coming with me
down to the station.
JOHNNY
(to Walt)
We might not have that much time.
Walt scowls. Gives Johnny a 'you'd better know what you're doing' look.
JOHNNY (CONT'D)
(to Grizzly)
Give me your hand. We'll know for
sure. Right now. And nobody has to
go anywhere.
GRIZZLY
I know my rights. I don't have--
WALT
I might consider dropping the
assault charge.
Johnny pulls up a rickety chair. Grips Grizzly's hand in his own.
EXT. EVERYBODY WINS BOOTH - NIGHT (VISION)
Johnny's P.O.V. Lights flash, sirens blare.
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--
Fireworks crackle and pop.
GRIZZLY
I can't leave my booth. You'll have
to go with my apprentice Steve.
(loud)
Steve! Come here. I need you.
Steve approaches. He chugs from a can of beer.
GRIZZLY (CONT'D)
Take these nice ladies to the truck
and get them the big lion. The one
in the back corner. It's dusty but
they can have it.
Steve lets his gaze linger on Jackie. It moves to Becky. She gives him a bright smile. He frowns, and makes a face.
STEVE
(drunk)
I got better things to do.
GRIZZLY
Like what? You haven't a damn thing
to do. Do as I say if you want to
keep your job.
Steve finishes off the beer, crumples the can, and throws it on the ground at Becky's feet. The smile drops from her face. She is confused. Jackie pulls her close.
STEVE
You always threaten me. Nobody else
would work for you. You're a tired
old man, and you never
(belch)
have anything good to say. Not even
to them.
He points out towards the midway, where the crowd is watching them.
GRIZZLY
(to the crowd)
Move on! Nothing to see here!
The crowd disperses.
GRIZZLY (CONT'D)
(to Steve)
You're drunk. Stay here. Don't move.
(to Jackie)
I promised you the animal. I keep
my promises.
He climbs over the counter, and walks towards the trucks. He motions for Jackie to follow.
GRIZZLY (CONT'D)
I'm not bringing it. You have to
come cart it away yourself.
Jackie looks down at Becky. She's smiling. She wants the toy.
JACKIE
You stick close. Don't let go of my
hand for anything.
BECKY
Okay.
Jackie, clutches Becky's hand tight, and they follow Grizzly.
Steve leans on the booth. Sneers at their back.
STEVE
(mocking)
Don't let go of my hand. Don't let
go you retard!
He falls over.
Johnny smirks, and follows Jackie and Becky.
EXT. GRIZZLY'S TRUCK - NIGHT (VISION)
Johnny watches from Becky's P.O.V. She holds onto a dusty, ugly, oversized stuffed lion. She looks UPWARDS into Grizzly's face.
BECKY
Thank you.
GRIZZLY
You're welcome. Enjoy! And remember,
everybody
(beat)
you give it a good home.
He pats Becky on the head, and walks away.
INT. BUSINESS OFFICE
Johnny finds Grizzly staring nose to nose into his face. Johnny startles and sits back.
JOHNNY
(still startled)
He's telling the truth.
WALT
Give me a description of the two
girls. I'll get my men out here,
and we'll start looking.
(into a walkie-talkie)
We're shutting this place down.
Cordon it off. Nobody leaves.
EXT. FRONT ENTRANCE - NIGHT
An ANGRY MAN argues with a DEPUTY. The Angry Man points to his CRYING CHILD, and the parking lot. A disgruntled crowd has gathered by the sign. They all want to leave. The queue has backed up as the DEPUTIES search the crowd for Becky and Jackie. The noise is deafening.
Several Sheriff's cars drive up, lights flashing, sirens blaring.
EXT. MIDWAY - NIGHT
The rides still operate. The booths are open. It would seem all is well except for the tense looks from the passerby towards the SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES winding their way through the carnival.
Walt, Johnny and Bruce search the crowd for signs of the missing women.
WALT
(loud over the general noise)
Has anyone seen a woman with Down's
Syndrome? She might be carrying a
large stuffed lion. Anyone?
BRUCE
It's a big ugly stuffed lion. Speak
up.
LATER
They pass through a cluster of people heading for the exit. Johnny spots a TALL GIRL with a stuffed lion in her arms. She fades into the crowd.
JOHNNY
Over there. I think I saw her.
He and Walt head off. Johnny uses his cane to part the crowd.
JOHNNY (CONT'D)
Sorry. Excuse me. Sorry. Gotta get
through.
WALT
Move out of the way people. Official
business.
The crowd parts. Johnny spots the Tall Girl and speeds over. He touches her shoulder.
JOHNNY
Excuse me, Jackie?
The Tall Girl turns. She's not Jackie.
TALL GIRL
Sorry you have the wrong person.
JOHNNY
I'm sorry. Can I ask you a question?
Where did you get that lion? I
mean, what booth did you win that at?
She looks like she's gotten her hand caught in the cookie jar.
TALL GIRL
I don't remember. We played a lot
of games tonight.
WALT
We?
TALL GIRL
My boyfriend and me.
She taps on the shoulder of a Denim Clad Teen with his back to them.
TALL GIRL
Hey, where did you win this?
He turns and scans the faces of the people surrounding him. He recognizes Johnny, and balks. Starts to run. The crowd has him boxed in. Walt grabs him.
DENIM TEEN
I didn't do anything. Keep
(to Johnny)
him away from me.
JOHNNY
Do I know you?
DENIM TEEN
You're crazy man.
(to Walt)
Lemme go.
JOHNNY
I just want to know where you got
that lion. If you can remember. My
girlfriend wants one too.
TALL GIRL
Okay. He didn't win it. But he
didn't take it either, okay? We
found it.
WALT
Where?
TALL GIRL
I don't remember. I've had a few.
Honest. But I'm legal. And I'm not
driving!
BRUCE
Where have we heard that before?
Johnny holds out a hand.
JOHNNY
May I see it?
The Tall Girl hesitates but gives it up.
EXT. GRIZZLY'S TRUCK - NIGHT (VISION)
Johnny watches Becky sitting cross legged on the ground. She plays with the lion. He stoops before her, reaches out, and touches the dirty animal. Becky smiles up at him, as if she can see him. As if she knows. The vision shifts and Johnny watches as
Jackie, stooped before Becky, pats the animal on the head. She stands and stretches. She frowns. Reaches down towards Becky.
JACKIE
Come on. Time to go.
BECKY
I don't want to go. I like it here.
It's quiet.
JACKIE
(losing patience)
Becky. It's time to go. We can't
stay here all night.
Jackie tugs on Becky's sleeve. Becky stands, but digs in her heels.
BECKY
I don't want to go. I want to play.
Jackie releases her grip.
JACKIE
Fine. You sit here and play. I need
a smoke anyway. But don't you move.
Not one inch. You hear me?
Becky sits down. She makes the lion dance. Giggles.
The vision shifts. Johnny is the lion. Becky giggles, and hugs him.
EXT. MIDWAY - NIGHT
Johnny realizes he's smiling. Notices Walt and Bruce looking at him oddly. He suppresses the 'warm fuzzy' feeling, and gets serious.
JOHNNY
She really liked that lion. I don't
think Becky would have just let it
go.
WALT
So where is she? Where's her care
taker?
JOHNNY
That I don't know. Yet. I want to
check out the inside of that truck.
Can I do that?
WALT
I think that can be arranged.
EXT. GRIZZLY'S TRUCK - NIGHT
Johnny tosses his cane into the truck. He has a hard time trying to lift himself in. Bruce gives him a leg up.
INT. GRIZZLY'S TRUCK - NIGHT
Johnny takes a flashlight from his pocket and turns it on. The inside of the truck is dusty, and full of cobwebs, but not much else.
He spots a pile of cardboard boxes. He crouches nearby. Touches them one by one.
EXT. GRIZZLY'S TRUCK - NIGHT (VISION)
Third person P.O.V. He watches Jackie lean against a wall, and try and light up. Her match refuses to spark. A hand holding a lighter appears.
Steve winks and flicks the lighter on.
JACKIE
I don't want any trouble.
STEVE
Then you shouldn't be wandering
around the place all alone. This is
a employee only area.
JACKIE
I didn't see any signs.
STEVE
You always did have a big mouth.
JACKIE
What do you want, Billy?
Steve looks around. He grabs her elbow.
STEVE
Steve. I go by Steve now. Got it?
Jackie pulls her arm loose.
JACKIE
Yeah. Fine. Steve. What do you
want, Steve?
STEVE
Nothin'. Just to greet an old
friend. So where's the retard?
JACKIE
She's not a retard. She's over by
the truck. Playing with that stupid
lion.
He twirls a lock of her hair.
STEVE
She okay alone?
JACKIE
I should get back. I probably
shouldn't have left her alone at all.
STEVE
I know somewhere she'd be safe by
herself for ten or fifteen minutes.
Johnny follows Jackie and Steve back to Grizzly's truck.
INT. GRIZZLY'S TRUCK - NIGHT (VISION)
Becky's watery eyed P.O.V. Jackie puts the stuffed lion down in the corner. Shuffles the cardboard boxes, and piles them on the floor. She takes Becky by the arm. Leads her over and sits her down.
JACKIE
Becky, I gotta go do something
really important with my friend
Steve, okay? You stay here, and
don't make a sound. I'll be right
back.
BECKY
But I want to come.
JACKIE
You can't.
STEVE
Yeah, we're going to fix one of the
rides, and you gotta be as tall as
me.
Jackie elbows Steve in the gut.
JACKIE
Really. I'll be right back.
They walk to the tailgate and jump out. The doors close. Becky is alone in the dark.
BECKY
Jackie! Jackie? Come back!
Third person P.O.V. in fast forward. Johnny watches in normal time, helpless.
Becky cries to herself, and clutches the lion. She seems to accept her fate and plays with the lion. Later she falls asleep on the floor holding it.
The door opens. A sliver of light breaks into the dark. An INTRUDER towers over Becky.
Johnny can see that the Intruder is large, muscular, and male. But his identity obscured by the dark. Johnny is desperate to see the intruder's face, but cannot.
Becky wakes. She is startled, and cries out as she is forced up from her bed on the cardboard boxes. Tears flow down her face.
The Intruder puts a hand over Becky's mouth, and drags her out of the truck.
Johnny follows. He can't move fast enough. They're gone.
INT. GRIZZLY'S TRUCK - NIGHT
Johnny rises. Walks back to the tailgate. Below him Bruce and Walt both wear expressions that say 'well?'
JOHNNY
Jackie or Steve.
(on Walt's look)
He's a carnie. Works for our pal
Grizzly.
BRUCE
The big dumb guy with moose hat?
JOHNNY
Yeah. He's full of surprises. His
name is really Bill Johansen. He's
a troublemaker.
(to Walt)
I bet you'll find a record on him.
And Jackie knows him. They go way
back. They're the answer. We need
to find one or both of them. And
fast.
EXT. FAIRGROUNDS - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT
Sheriff's deputies wander the outer reaches of the fairgrounds.
The barks of search and rescue dogs can be heard in the distance as the search continues.
EXT. MIDWAY - NIGHT
Johnny scans the remaining crowd. He bumps into someone. She turns to apologize. He turns to do the same.
EXT. SOMEWHERE NEAR GRIZZLY'S TRUCK - NIGHT (VISION)
Johnny is looking at Jackie through Steve's eyes. He leans in for a kiss. She pushes him away.
JACKIE
You think I'm just gonna fall into
your arms, Billy, you got another
think coming.
STEVE
Steve. Call me Steve. And why not?
You always did before. Let's have a
little fun. It's what you came here
for.
JACKIE
Well maybe I changed my mind.
STEVE
Let me convince you to change it
back.
Johnny's own P.O.V. He watches the couple make-out against the side of the truck. Steve makes quick headway. He grabs her behind. Squeezes hard.
Jackie yowls, and knees him in the groin. Steve sinks to his knees.
JACKIE
I told you no!
She storms off.
Johnny laughs and watches Steve writhe on the ground for a moment. He steps over him and follows Jackie.
She stops by the cab of the truck and lights up.
Steve stumbles past.
STEVE
Bitch.
JACKIE
Jerk!
She kicks the dirt.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
(muttered)
Dammit.
(loud)
Billy? I mean--
(beat)
Steve? Wait up!
She follows.
EXT. MIDWAY - NIGHT
Johnny glowers at Jackie.
JACKIE
Excuse me. Sorry.
She turns to go. He steps into her path. She steps aside, he does the same.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
I said I was sorry. I don't want
any trouble.
JOHNNY
That's what they always say.
JACKIE
I don't know what you're on, but
I'm in a hurry.
JOHNNY
You ought to be, Miss Connor.
(off her reaction)
My name is Johnny Smith.
JACKIE
How do you know my name?
JOHNNY
We've been looking for you.
INT. BUSINESS OFFICE
Tears stream down Jackie's face. She weeps into a handkerchief.
Sarah throws an arm over her shoulders.
JACKIE
I never meant for any of this to
happen.
SARAH
Of course not.
JACKIE
Billy is a jerk, but I don't think
he'd do anything like you say.
WALT
Your friend has a rap sheet five
pages long.
JOHNNY
I know what I saw.
WALT
But you didn't see him take her.
JOHNNY
No. I didn't.
WALT
We'll keep looking. That's all we
can do.
JACKIE
(to Johnny)
I've made a mess.
Jackie blows her nose into the handkerchief.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
(to Bruce)
Of everything.
She hands it to him.
Bruce makes a face, and holds it by the very edge. He feels a nudge at his elbow from Johnny. They exit the trailer.
EXT. BUSINESS OFFICE - NIGHT
Bruce hands Johnny the handkerchief.
Johnny concentrates.
EXT. GRIZZLY'S TRUCK - NIGHT (VISION)
He watches as Jackie heads back to the truck. Opens the rear door.
JACKIE
Becky? Come on. Let's get out of
here.
The truck is empty.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
(panicked)
Becky? Becky? Where are you? Don't
you hide from me. Becky!
She runs off.
EXT. BUSINESS OFFICE - NIGHT
Johnny holds the handkerchief out to Bruce.
BRUCE
Keep it. Get anything?
JOHNNY
Well, she's not holding out on us.
But that doesn't help any.
They hear a ruckus nearby. The Mean Clown, out of costume but still in makeup pulls a drunk, belligerent Steve towards the office.
Walt exits the trailer. The Mean Clown deposits Steve in front of him.
MEAN CLOWN
I hear you're looking for him. Is
there a reward? I heard there was a
reward.
FADE OUT.