FADE IN:
INT. IPSIG BROTHER'S CARNIVAL - BUSINESS OFFICE - NIGHT
Grizzly smacks Steve in the back of the head.
GRIZZLY
What did I tell you about keeping
your pecker in your pants, boy?
(to Walt)
I saw him with the girl. When he
got his pride hurt, I brought him
back to the booth. He was there all
the time after that. He didn't have
no time to bother nobody else.
WALT
He won't be bothering anyone else
for a while. He's got a warrant in
Oregon for armed robbery, and
they're waiting for him.
SARAH
So where is Becky?
JOHNNY
I think I know.
WALT
How?
JOHNNY
Process of elimination. I was dead
set on finding Jackie. And then
Steve. I didn't see the forest
through the trees. And it was right
in front of my face the whole time.
EXT. HIGH STRIKER TEST OF STRENGTH GAME - NIGHT
The game is deserted. The mallet lies on the ground. Walt picks it up. Johnny takes it from him. A flash of something comes to him.
JOHNNY
He took her. But he doesn't have
her now.
WALT
Where? Do you know where?
JOHNNY
She got away. But she wasn't alone.
He tosses the mallet aside. Heads in the opposite direction. Walt follows.
INT. PALM READER TENT - NIGHT
Johnny pulls aside the curtain. Seated on an ornate fluffy pillow is Madame Bolivar. She holds out a bowl.
MADAME BOLIVAR
(in her gypsy voice)
We've been waiting for you. Would
you like to join us for some ice
cream?
Becky holds out her own spoon.
BECKY
It's good.
She feeds it to the lion. Its face is covered in strawberry goop.
WALT
What the hell is going on here?
MADAME BOLIVAR
There are ladies present. Watch
your language!
JOHNNY
Really, Walt. Where are your manners?
LATER
They're all seated on the pillows, bowls of ice cream in hand.
MADAME BOLIVAR
He's a troublemaker. I told you so,
John Smith. I warned you. But did
you listen to me? Of course not.
(her Jersey accent returns)
I'm not such a fraud after all am I?
Walt hasn't touched his ice cream. Becky eyes it. He hands it to her, she digs in.
WALT
Where is he now?
MADAME BOLIVAR
He ought to pick on someone his own
size. Then again, it didn't take
much for an old bag like me to take
him out. One whack with that mallet
he was down. I gave him to one of
your deputies about ten minutes ago.
Johnny laughs. Walt doesn't.
EXT. MIDWAY - NIGHT
The hour is late. The crowd is thin. The last few stragglers eat, drink and make their way to the exits. Random lights flicker off.
The last of the hard driving music shuts off.
Sarah and Becky hold hands. Becky skips along, happy, and already having forgotten her earlier scare. Johnny trails behind, sullen.
They approach Bruce and Jackie who wait by the concessions.
Becky spots Jackie and takes off running.
BECKY
Jackie!
She leaps into Jackie's arms. They hug each other tight.
BRUCE
I love a happy ending.
JACKIE
Me too. I don't know about anyone
else, but I'm ready to go home.
BECKY
But I didn't get to go on the merry
go round.
JACKIE
You want to go on the merry go
round? Now? I'm tired. Aren't you
tired?
BECKY
No.
Jackie nudges Sarah.
SARAH
I'm tired too.
BECKY
I'm not tired. I had a nap. I want
to stay.
Jackie shrugs 'I don't get it'. Nudges Bruce.
BRUCE
I'm hungry. I still haven't eaten.
BECKY
I'm hungry. Look! Funnel cake.
BRUCE You want to get some?
BECKY
Yes!
BRUCE
Finally! Someone who appreciates
good food.
They head off hand in hand to the funnel cake vendor.
JACKIE
(to Johnny)
I can't thank you enough for what
you did. I don't know how you knew--
JOHNNY
Me? I didn't do anything. Thank
Madame Bolivar for her women's
intuition and knack for Astrology.
Jackie hugs him. He's uncomfortable as usual. She doesn't seem to notice and with a wave to Sarah heads off towards the funnel cake vendor.
Sarah and Johnny share yet another awkward moment.
JOHNNY
Thanks for your help. We couldn't
have done it without you.
SARAH
I didn't do anything.
JOHNNY
Yeah you did.
(beat)
About what I was going to say
before--
Sarah shakes her head.
SARAH
Life paths. Everybody has one.
Follow it and--
Becky bounds up to them, all noise and energy. She's followed close by Jackie and Bruce.
JOHNNY
(quiet)
Everybody wins.
Becky, Jackie and Bruce stick their treats up to Johnny's face. He looks like he's wearing an Elizabethan collar with the ring of white powdered cakes circling his chin.
BRUCE/JACKIE/BECKY
Funnel cake!
Everyone but Johnny laughs. He doesn't get the joke.
FADE OUT.