FADE IN
INT. MANSON RESIDENCE-MORNING
GUEST ROOM
DANNY sleeps on the bed. SAM slaps a flyer in his chest. DANNY startles awake.
DANNY
What the hell, Sam?
SAM
I wanted to show you this.
DANNY begrudgingly looks at the poster.
The flyer is an advertisement for a circus called "Circus Gothika."
DANNY
You want to go, don't you?
SAM nods her head.
DANNY
Great. Have fun.
SAM
Don't you want to go?
DANNY
I thought I was keeping a low profile.
SAM
I already have a disguise for you.
SAM interlaced her fingers and places her hands under her chin. She pleadingly smiles.
SAM
Please!
DANNY
We better invite Tucker.
SAM
He already said "Yes."
SAM leaves the room.
DANNY
Stupid puppy dog eyes.
EXT. AMITY PARK CAMPGROUNDS-LATE MORNING
The circus is fully set at the campgrounds. Several black tents stand tall. Decorations with skull and bat motifs litter the area. Camper vans are parked out of the way.
PEOPLE stand in line at the ticket station. SAM stands in line while DANNY is off to the side. He dresses in a black hoodie with cargo pants and dark sunglasses. He keeps the hood over his head.
TUCKER runs over to DANNY.
DANNY
Oh, hey.
TUCKER
It's weird to see you out.
DANNY
Shut up! I would do things if I could. I didn't think this would be your scene.
TUCKER
I don't like circuses. Too loud. Sam was very persuasive, though.
DANNY
Yeah, why does she have to be so cute?
TUCKER
What?
DANNY
What?
SAM runs over to them. She grabs their arms and pulls them toward the main tent.
SAM
Come on!
INT. TENT
The bleachers are full of enthusiastic people, eagerly waiting for the show. The tent is buzzing with their voices.
The TRIO sits in their seats. TUCKER covers his ears.
DANNY
I brought my earbuds. You wanna borrow them?
TUCKER nods. DANNY takes his earbuds out of his pocket and hands them to TUCKER.
The lights go down. The sound of the crowd hushes.
A single spotlight lights up in the middle ring.
A MAN stands in the light. He is a tall, muscular man with aquiline features. He has long black hair and a goatee. He wears a black ringleader outfit with red and gold accents. The MAN lifts his head high toward the crowd. He waves his hands around with dramatic flair, showing off a ring on his hand. The ring has a large red gem with an opalescent sheen.
FREAKSHOW
Freaks of all walks, welcome to Circus Gothika. Be warned: this show is not for the faint of heart. Stepping into the darkness may change you forever. The world wants everyone to sit in a tiny box. Maybe most people can fit in that box, but what about those of us who cannot? How much do we need to twist and break to fit?
A light next to FREAKSHOW illuminates a small box, only two feet on all sides. The lid of the box opens, and a WOMAN's legs pop out.
The crowd gasps.
The CONTORTIONIST pushes herself out of the box. The contortionist has a light green skin tone and red eyes.
The TEENS watch with mouths agape. DANNY shivers and his breath turns white.
SAM
Here?
The lights come up, illuminating A STRONG MAN. The MAN has a snow white skin tone and red eyes with horns on his head. He stands next to a pickup truck. He picks it up off the ground with ease.
A LITTLE PERSON jumps into the back of the truck and does acrobatic moves. THE LITTLE PERSON's skin is bright red.
The three FREAKS have a symbol tattooed on their heads.
A TATTOOED WOMAN appears. She has long black hair and pale skin covered in black and gray tattoos of great beasts and mythical creatures. She does not have the symbol that the other have.
The TATTOOS lift off her skin. A TIGER TATTOO jumps out and roars at the crowd.
The CROWD roars with applause.
TUCKER
Hey, Danny, you don't think they could be ghosts, do you? Danny?
DANNY watches the show with a blank expression.
POV from DANNY's eyes. Everything is in red except for FREAKSHOW.
ANGLE on FREAKSHOW.
FREAKSHOW
Every show, someone wants to leave normal life behind. Someone wants to be extraordinary. That someone could be you. May we get a volunteer from the audience?
DANNY stands up.
SAM
What are you doing?
DANNY walks away without acknowledging her.
DANNY walks down the steps of the bleachers. FREAKSHOW sees him. DANNY stops at the barrier.
FREAKSHOW walks over to DANNY.
FREAKSHOW
Is it you, young man?
FREAKSHOW holds out a hand.
FREAKSHOW
Come on, won't you commiserate with a fellow reject?
DANNY reaches for FREAKSHOW's hand.
SAM grabs DANNY by the waist and pulls him away.
DANNY
Huh?
SAM
Sorry. He got caught up in the moment. (to DANNY) Get back here!
They go back to their seats.
FREAKSHOW furrows his brow. He returns to the show.
EXT. FOOD TRUCK-AFTER THE SHOW
The TEENS sits at the metal tables in front of the food trucks.
SAM
What happened to a low profile?
DANNY
I don't know what came over me.
TUCKER
Yeah, you were a zombie, man.
DANNY
Hey, you guys enjoy yourselves. I'm going home.
SAM
Danny, I didn't mean it like that.
DANNY
It's not that. I just don't like this place. Have fun.
DANNY leaves.
INT. CAMPER VAN-LATER
FREAKSHOW and the TATTOOED WOMAN sit in their CAMPER VAN.
FREAKSHOW
It was him, Lydia. I had him, and that girl stopped me.
LYDIA
Maybe it just isn't meant to be.
FREAKSHOW
So, it's better for the kid to just languish in this Podunk town with no one?
LYDIA
I'm not saying that.
FREAKSHOW
You know how hard it was for each of us before finding the troupe.
FREAKSHOW holds up his hand with the ring.
FREAKSHOW
My family could only see the small picture. Generations of hunting magical artifacts, and all they could think of was protecting the Veil. I want to prove that the worlds can get along.
LYDIA
Shush, love, shush. How about a cup of cocoa.
FREAKSHOW looks out the window.
FREAKSHOW
We may have a second shot.
EXT. CAMPGROUNDS-CONCURRENTLY
DANNY places the tracker device in his phone. The screen lights up with green dots in the area.
DANNY passes by the CREW'S CAMPER VANS.
FREAKSHOW appears.
FREAKSHOW
It's you. The guy whose girlfriend interrupted.
DANNY turns to FREAKSHOW. He is visibly nervous.
DANNY
Oh. She's not my girlfriend. She was right, though. I don't know what came over me. Speaking of, have you seen anything weird around here?
FREAKSHOW
You know, those feelings are said to be your spirit guiding you to your destiny. Maybe you and I have more in common than you think.
DANNY
I doubt that.
FREAKSHOW holds out his hand.
FREAKSHOW
Won't you humor a poor sinner?
DANNY gets a blank expression again. His sunglasses drop down slightly. His green eyes turn red.
DANNY grabs FREAKSHOW's hand and shakes.
A red energy swirls out of FREAKSHOW's ring and travels along DANNY's arm. He cries out in pain. A symbol appears on his forehead.
INT. CAMPER VAN-LATER
POV from DANNY's eyes. Everything is red. The FREAKS crowd around him with concerned faces. The colors fade to their natural coloration.
HELENA
Look, he's coming back.
DANNY looks around and jumps back.
DANNY
Where am I?
MIKEY
It's not the Hilton. That's for sure.
HELENA
Mikey! Don't mind him. He thinks he needs to be funny.
LYDIA
You okay, kid?
DANNY
No! What is going on? Who are you people?
HELENA
Well, I'm Helena, the contortionist. This is Goliath, our dwarf.
GOLIATH
Little person, dear.
HELENA
You met Mikey. This lovely lady is Lydia.
GOLIATH
Google, gaggle, one of us, bud.
DANNY
What? No. I'm going home.
DANNY leaves the CAMPER VAN.
GOLIATH and MIKEY mouth "Three, two, one." DANNY appears in the middle of the VAN.
DANNY
What just happened?
MIKEY
Look at your forehead, kid. That's Freakshow's sigil. You're property of Circus Gothika now.
DANNY looks in a mirror at the symbol on his head. He starts shaking.
HELENA stretches the top half of her body into the kitchenette. She grabs a bottle of water and gives it to DANNY. The water shimmers.
DANNY
What's this?
HELENA
Water from the Ghost Zone. It'll help your strength. You're looking a little haggard, kid.
DANNY
My name is Danny. I'm not like you!
GOLIATH
Oh, you better choose your words wisely.
DANNY
Not like that. I'm human. There was an accident, and I needed up like this. I just want to get my body back. You wouldn't know how I could do that, do you?
MIKEY
Freakshow knows how to pick them.
LYDIA places her hand on DANNY's head. Her eyes widen with surprise.
LYDIA
He's not lying, guys. You're a phantom. I've never seen one so solid before. Usually, phantoms are like afterimages.
The FREAKS look at DANNY with sympathy.
DANNY
I just want to go home.
HELENA
IT's not all bad. You get to travel the country, and you get to be famous.
The door opens. FREAKSHOW enters.
FREAKSHOW
How's our new cast member?
DANNY pulls back his hand to punch FREAKSHOW. DANNY's eyes turn from green to red again. He freezes.
FREAKSHOW
You won't be able to do that. Get some rest. You have practice in the morning.
FREAKSHOW turns away and leaves. DANNY unfreezes. He looks around with confusion in his eyes.
LYDIA places her hands on his shoulder.
LYDIA
He's not normally like this. He's just stressed. If you get to know him, he's really nice.
DANNY removes her hand. He steps away from her.
LYDIA follows FREAKSHOW.
OUTSIDE
FREAKSHOW walks to his CAMPER.
LYDIA (O.S.)
Derek!
FREAKSHOW stops and turns to LYDIA.
LYDIA
He's just a kid. He has a family.
FREAKSHOW
What do you think will happen if he tries to reveal himself to that family? They'll just accept him as he is? That worked so well for you.
LYDIA turns her head away.
FREAKSHOW
I'm sorry. That was over the line. How about tomorrow night, I'll make that Bolognese recipe you like so much?
LYDIA
What about the kid?
FREAKSHOW
You know how important it is to find your own family. He's lucky to have us.
FREAKSHOW walks away.
INT. MANSON RESIDENCE-MORNING
GUEST ROOM
SAM holds the phone to her ear. She looks around the room.
SAM
I thought maybe he was out patrolling last night, but he should be back now.
TUCKER (ON PHONE)
What do we do?
SAM
I'm going to the circus. Maybe I can trace his steps from there.
TUCKER
I'll meet you there.
EXT. CIRCUS-LATE MORNING
SAM wanders the CAMPGROUNDS, searching for DANNY.
SAM approaches the MAIN TENT. She sneaks under the tent.
MAIN TENT
SAM enters a storage area. She wanders around the props and costumes.
FREAKSHOW (O.S.)
What are you doing here?
SAM turns to him. She nervously smiles.
SAM
Hi. I'm looking for my friend. He's been acting weird lately.
FREAKSHOW
Do you have any idea how little that narrows it down?
SAM
Please. He's been missing since last night.
FREAKSHOW
You're lucky I'm a nice man. Come with me.
FREAKSHOW places his hand on her shoulder and guides her deeper into the tent.
INT. TENT
The FREAKS prepare for the next show.
DANNY stands far away from everyone else.
GOLIATH
Hey, kid. We gotta find a place for you. How do you feel about tightropes?
DANNY
Sorry. I don't have any talents. I guess your leader will have to just cut me out of the show.
GOLIATH
Nice try. You think we didn't try that one?
FREAKSHOW enters the tent. He drags SAM in with him. SAM is tied up and a handkerchief is tied around her mouth.
FREAKSHOW
Look what we got here, folks. A trespasser.
DANNY
Sam?
DANNY groans and clutches his head. His eyes turn red.
FREAKSHOW
Hey, Phantom. I have an idea for your act.
INT. MAIN TENT-AFTERNOON
The show is in full swing. The crowd roars with exuberance.
TUCKER wanders through the bleachers, scanning the room. He takes out his phone and sees no notifications from SAM or DANNY.
TUCKER
Come on, guys. Where are you?
FREAKSHOW takes the microphone and commands the audience's attention.
FREAKSHOW
Freaks and misfits, we have a special act for you called the "Dance Macabre," featuring our newest member, the Phantom Reaper, and a guest making her only appearance, Harriet Houdini.
The crew push out a giant water tank with a platform at the top. SAM is tied to a wooden plank with ropes and heavy chains. She still is gagged. A figure in a grim reaper outfit hovers next to the platform.
TUCKER watches from the audience.
TUCKER
Sam?
SAM turns to the figure. Her eyes are wide, and her brow is lowered. Her chin quivers as she turns to the figure next to her.
ANGLE on DANNY's face. He blankly stares out at the audience.
The platform drops SAM into the water tank. She struggles against the chains and ropes. Bubbles escape her mouth up to the top of the tank.
DANNY looks down at the bubbles in the water. His red irises turn green. He reaches down for her and grabs her shoulders. He phases her through the restraints and pulls her back up.
The crowd cheers.
FREAKSHOW glares at them with white-hot anger.
The lights go down.
DANNY removes the handkerchief. SAM coughs and tries to catch her breath.
DANNY
I'm so sorry. Are you okay?
SAM
Yeah, thank you.
DANNY's eyes change to red again. He stands up in a robotic fashion. FREAKSHOW strolls over to SAM.
FREAKSHOW
(whispers in SAM's ear)
Consider that your final warning.
SAM grabs a rock and hits FREAKSHOW in the face with it.
He cries out in pain. Blood drips down his face.
FREAKSHOW
You little wretch.
SAM
You…You're human.
FREAKSHOW
Little bit of wisdom, try to be open to how strange the world is.
FREAKSHOW walks away. DANNY follows him.
TUCKER runs over to SAM.
TUCKER
What is going on? Is that Danny?
SAM
The ringleader is controlling him somehow. We have to stop him.
TUCKER
How?
SAM
I don't know. I'm not in a great headspace for ideas right now.
TUCKER
(sheepishly)
Okay.
INT. FREAKSHOW'S CAMPER
FREAKSHOW starts packing things up. LYDIA watches him.
FREAKSHOW
We're leaving tonight.
LYDIA
What? We have a full set of shows tomorrow.
FREAKSHOW
There's too much baggage here. Let's get as far away as possible.
LYDIA
Then let Danny go. I don't get why you want him in the troupe so badly, anyway.
FREAKSHOW
Hey, I can't have you questioning everything. I can't have you sowing doubt. If you want this troupe to have the security it's had, you need to listen to me. Okay?
LYDIA stands there. She looks away from FREAKSHOW.
INT. CAMPER VAN
DANNY paces back and forth. HELENA, GOLIATH, and MIKEY watch him.
HELENA
Just tell Freakshow you're sorry. Maybe it won't be so bad.
DANNY
Do you hear yourself? He almost killed my friend!
GOLIATH and MIKEY look out the window.
MIKEY
Speaking of friends, I think they're outside.
DANNY
What?
DANNY looks out the window.
SAM and TUCKER stand outside the door.
GOLIATH
She's cute. I approve.
DANNY
Time and place.
OUTSIDE THE CAMPER
SAM knocks on the door.
SAM
Danny, I know you're in there. We're not leaving without you.
The door opens. DANNY greets them.
DANNY
Guys! You shouldn't be here.
TUCKER
Like we're going to leave without you.
DANNY
I can't leave, literally. Just get out of here and keep safe.
SAM
What about you?
DANNY
I don't know. I'll figure it out.
The FREAKS exit the CAMPER.
TUCKER
Uh, hi. We just want our friend back. If you could just tell us how to break the mind control-
SAM
Tucker!
TUCKER
What?
FREAKSHOW walks toward the CAMPER.
FREAKSHOW
People, start packing. We're leaving toni-
FREAKSHOW sees SAM and TUCKER.
FREAKSHOW
You! I've had enough of this.
FREAKSHOW waves his hand. DANNY's eyes turn red, and he enters the trance again.
MIKEY and HELENA'S eyes turn red.
FREAKSHOW
Mikey! Helena! Get rid of these kids for good.
MIKEY wraps his arms around SAM. HELENA stretches around TUCKER and covers his mouth and nose.
MIKEY squeezes SAM tightly. She turns her head to DANNY.
SAM
(strained)
Danny, you were fighting his control earlier. You can do it again.
FREAKSHOW
Save your breath. Or not. It might be better to make it quick.
DANNY grips his head. He places his hand on the sigil. His eyes flash yellow before turning green.
FREAKSHOW
What?
DANNY
Get this off me!
DANNY grips the sigil like a spider web. It rips off him. DANNY tries to stop the attacks on SAM and TUCKER.
LYDIA appears behind FREAKSHOW.
FREAKSHOW
Lydia, help.
LYDIA
It was always a lie, wasn't it?
LYDIA turns around, revealing a dragon tattoo on her back. The TATTOO comes alive and attacks FREAKSHOW.
FREAKSHOW trips on a root sticking out of the ground. He falls while screaming for his life.
LYDIA
Hey, Danny. He has a magic ring. That's what he uses to control the ghosts.
DANNY looks to FREAKSHOW, who holds up his arm to guard against the DRAGON TATTOO, revealing the red ring.
DANNY rushes to FREAKSHOW and pulls the ring off. DANNY places the ring in his hand. His hands glow. The ring melts in his hand.
MIKEY and HELENA return to normal. They put down SAM and TUCKER.
MIKEY
Are you okay?
SAM
Peachy.
LYDIA'S TATTOO returns to her back. FREAKSHOW looks around.
FREAKSHOW
No, what did you do?
DANNY punches him in the face.
EXT. CIRCUS-EVENING
The CIRCUS TROUPE join around a campfire. SAM and HELENA talk to each other, while TUCKER reluctantly lets MIKEY lift him up and down. FREAKSHOW is tied up with a sock in his mouth.
LYDIA and DANNY sit back away from the rest of the group.
LYDIA
I'm sorry it got this far. Even though the ring doesn't work on me, I still let him control me.
DANNY
Why doesn't the ring work on you?
LYDIA
I'm human.
DANNY
But you-
LYDIA
I'm a witch.
DANNY
Those are real?
LYDIA
(laughs)
Yes. Hey, let me see your arm.
DANNY holds up his arm. LYDIA pulls down his sleeve. She places her hand on his skin. Her hand glows. She lets go, revealing a minimalist wolf tattoo.
LYDIA
It's just a memento. Don't worry. It won't control you.
DANNY
What's this for?
LYDIA
When you feel down, just remember that you helped a lot of people today. Misfits need to stick together.
DANNY
Thanks.
LYDIA
You're so lucky to have friends like those two.
DANNY
Yeah, I'm realizing that.
SAM looks over to DANNY. She smiles and waves.
DANNY smiles and waves back.
AERIAL shot of people around the campfire.
FADE OUT
Author's Notes
1. Thank you to the people who left reviews, especially the one that suggested Freakshow as a villain. I forgot about him completely. When I read that, I couldn't get this idea out of my head.
2. I wrote this in about a day. There hasn't been much opportunity to edit, so if this one feels a little more slapdash, that's why. Dem bones are there. They just need a little more meat on them.
3. I wanted to get this out before college starts. The stuff I wrote so far was things I wrote over the summer before posting, and now I want to do heavy rewrites to make it more fun. My output is going to slow down, but I'll still post as much as I can.
4. Thank you to the people who have read this AU. This is just a silly little writing exercise for me, so it's great to see people enjoying it.
2