CIRCUS OBSCURUS 1

FADE IN:
EXT. 1894 CHICAGO FROM ABOVE – NIGHT –
OLD BRICK BUILDINGS, OCEAN, DIRT ROADS, SMOKE RISING
FROM CHIMNEYS.

CAMERA PANS OVER THE CITY AND THERE IS SWIRLING SMOKE

IN THE DISTANCE. WE ZOOM IN AND SEE THAT THERE IS A
TRAIN PARKED ON SOME LONE TRACKS ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF
TOWN UNLOADING ITS CONTENTS INTO WAGONS. THESE WAGONS
ARE BEING PULLED BY HORSES, AND HAVE MEN AT WORK
QUIETLY, SETTING UP WHAT APPEARS TO BE CIRCUS TENTS. WE
SEE PEOPLE DRESSED IN STRANGE VICTORIAN CIRCUS-LIKE
COSTUMES.

We see a small boy around 9 years old (James McCoy) in

loose trousers, and dirty white shirts under a sack
coat. He is watching the rabble from afar and a man
(Sebastian DuPont) dressed resplendently in a dark
tailcoat, trousers, dark waistcoat, derby hat, and gold
cane. He adjusts his gold cane and leans in towards the
boys.

SEBASIAN
(Booming voice with a vague European accent)
Hello there young man, what are you doing lurking
there in the bushes? We don't bite, come out.
James glances behind himself and steps forward,
closer to Sebastian.

JAMES
(Nervously)
Hello sir, what are you all doing?

SEBASIAN
(Leaning down)
Why can't you tell? The circus has come to town.
JAMES

(Suspiciously)
I didn't hear nothin' about a circus coming to
town. Which one are you?
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 2

SEBASIAN
Why we're the Circus Obscurus, the finest circus
in the entire world.We have animals from the wilds
of Africa to the Amazon, and dames that'll dazzle
your eyes.

JAMES
(More relaxed)
Really? That’s real exciting!

SEBASIAN
Why yes it is indeed. It's the gay 90's and the
world is still turning from the great fair. We'll
be unpacking for the next while, and this is no
place for children, but we start tomorrow night,
right at dusk.

JAMES
(excited)
I wouldn't miss it Sir!

SEBASIAN
(chuckling)
Well I am glad to hear that. I'll tell you what,
how about you tell the ticket boy tomorrow that
Sebastian DuPont, the ringmaster of Circus
Obscurus vouches for you and you can get in free
of charge. I'll even perhaps show you some of the
animals up close hmm? How does that sound?

JAMES
Wowie sir,that would be great! Really and truly!

SEBASIAN
Ok its a deal! But don't tell your friends, they
might get jealous. If we let you in for free then
they might want to as well right? So this will be
our little secret all right?

JAMES
Thank you sir!
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 3

SEBASIAN
Now you run along now, all right? We'll see you
tomorrow.

JAMES
Yes thank you! I'll be sure to not tell anyone
James runs off, sneaking a glance back towards the
raising big top tent. Ominous music plays in the
background as Sebastian turns away from the
retreating boys towards the circus. A small pained
grimace plays across his face as we see the
moonlight duck behind his hat

DISSOLVE:
FADE IN:
INT. EDEN'S ROOM, NEXT DAY -
SMALL WOODEN ROOM WITH A BED AND DESK WITH AN OIL LAMP
FLICKERING. SAT AT A DESK IS A SOMBER LOOKING EDEN
WRIGHT DRESSED IN AN OLD FASHIONED CRÈME DRESS. WE SEE
THAT SHE IS CAREFULLY WRITING WHAT LOOKS LIKE A LETTER.
A knock comes from the bedroom door and a tall and
imposing JOHN WRIGHT enters, dressed in a crisp black
evening suit and outer jacket with a black top hat sat
atop his head.

JOHN
(Exasperated)
Eden dear why aren't you ready? The carriage is
waiting outside.

EDEN
(Chidingly)
Why Papa, I told you I wasn't going, tonight, I'm
calling on Mary Helen for a game of Chinese
checkers.

JOHN
(Checking his pocket watch)
Why is that tonight? Time moves swiftly for us
geriatric gentiles.

EDEN
Oh Papa, you're hardly over 45, that is not what
I'd call Geriatric.
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 4

JOHN
Yes well you know how it is, here today gone
tomorrow. Anyways I'll be taking my leave now, I
presume The Wilder's carriage shall be picking you
up shortly.

EDEN
(Sweetly)
Why yes Papa of course, It'll be here at 6 o'clock
sharp.

JOHN
Well have fun tonight my dear.

EDEN
(Innocently)
Oh we will.

John exits the room and after waiting a moment Eden

jumps up and grabs her purse and shrugging on a large
coat. She looks out the window to see her father enter
their coach and drive away and she exits the room.

EXT. OUTSIDE EDEN'S HOME

MARY HELEN WILDER IS WAITING BESIDE SOME BUSHES DRESSED

IN A LONG BURGUNDY COAT. HER LONG BLONDE HAIR IS TUCKED
SENSIBLY IN A BURGUNDY BONNET.

MARY HELEN
Sneaking out, ooh how salacious and scandalous
Eden dear.

EDEN
(Looking around nervously)
We must hurry; I don't want anyone to see us

MARY HELEN
Why us? We're not doing anything wrong, just
gallivanting to the circus like wild animals.
Elizabeth and Johanna are meeting us there so we
better hurry though
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 5

EDEN
Yes let’s hurry, if father hears of us going out
without a chaperone he'd lose his head

MARY HELEN
(Grabbing Eden's hand)
Well he better not find out then.

We then see the girls from above as they begin to walk

the streets towards the circus. The camera pans up
above the buildings and the tents and smoke are visible
in the distance

DISSOLVE:
FADE IN:
EXT- ENTRANCE TO CIRCUS OBSCURUS

MARY HELEN AND EDEN ARE WALKING UP TO THE ENTRANCE OF

THE CIRCUS. ELIZABETH IS DRESSED IN A GREEN DRESS WITH
LONG BROWN HAIR TIED UP IN INTRICATE BRAIDS AND JOHANNA
IS DRESSED IN A GREY DRESS, HER LONG BLACK HAIR TIED UP
IN A WHITE HAT AND SHE IS CARRYING A PARASOL.

ELIZABETH
It’s about time you got here!

JOHANNA
Yes we have been waiting for absolutely ages and
we've been dying to have a look inside.

ELIZABETH
Yes it looks positively mad as hops.

MARY HELEN
Our tardiness is all due to Eden ladies; I had
nothing to do with it.

EDEN
It wasn't my fault, I had to wait for Papa to
leave before I could slip out, and he took
absolutely ages.
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 6

WE SEE A LOOMING SIGN THAT SAYS "CIRCUS OBSCURUS.

DAZZLE THE SENSES AND DELIGHT THE MIND. ENTRANCE 5
CENTS".

The girls approach the ticket booth looking around in

silent wonder as they pay their entrance fees and pass
through the tent flap into the circus. We see their
faces light up with the wonder of electric lights
stringing the tent.
DISSOLVE:
FADE IN:
EXT. ENTRANCE TO CIRCUS OBSCURO

We see JAMES approach the ticket booth looking around

nervously. The teller is a bored looking teenager
smoking a sloppily rolled cigarette.

JAMES
(Nervously)
Hello sir, I was told by Sebastian DuPont that I
could get in for free today and he would show me
the animals.

TELLER
(With an Irish accent)
Oh yeah, you're the kid? Hold on a moment Boyo.

The teller exits the ticket booth and points towards a

nearby tent to the right of the main entrance.

TELLER
Ok now just slip under that tent over there and
look around. Sebastian is busy doing a show
presently but once he is finished he will meet you
over there.

JAMES
But I wanted to see the rest of the circus and the
animals

TELLER
Oh you will boyo, just you wait and see
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 7

JAMES
Oh alright

We see JAMES walk towards the other tent and look

around one last time before slipping under the tent.

INT- CIRCUS OBSCURO MAIN TENT.

Eden, Mary Helen, Johanna, and Elizabeth are in a crowd

of people. To their right is a food cart selling what
looks like delicious popped corn, caramel apples, mixed
nuts, and piping hot cider. Mary Helen visibly ogles
the cart with delight, eyes wide.

MARY HELEN
Why I might just faint unless I get some of that
Popped corn and cider, my goodness!

ELIZABETH
(Laughing)
Yes well then just don't get too much, you still
need to find a husband

JOHANNA
Now Elizabeth, she's got suitors banging down her
door, don't you Mary Helen?

MARY HELEN
Yes well papa says I need to wait until next
season to meet more eligible men but until then
there's nothing wrong with seeing what is out
there. A girl can't be too careful with affairs of
the heart, now can she?

EDEN
(Sarcastically)
The scandal!

The girls laugh and approach the woman manning the cart,
BEATRICE ANDREWS. She is in her 60's and has a round,
kind face with wild curly hair with traces of red in it.

BEATRICE
Hello dearies, first time at the circus I see.
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 8

EDEN
Why yes, how could you tell?

BEATRICE
(Laughing)
I can always smell fresh blood, it’s a talent I
picked up over the years.

EDEN
Could we please get two popped corns and four
ciders?

BEATRICE
But of course my dear, that'll be 10 cents

Eden rummages in her purse and procures the money,

handing it to Beatrice. Beatrice then hands her the
food with a smile

BEATRICE
There you go dearies, enjoy the show.

MARY HELEN
(Excitedly)
Oh we will ma'am!

Eden hands out the drinks and food, taking a sip of

cider, after which her eyes widen in delight

EDEN
My goodness this is the most incredible drink!

ELIZABETH
(Taking a sip)
You weren't kidding, this is the most exquisite
thing I have ever tasted.

Elizabeth turns back to Beatrice who is helping another

customer

ELIZABETH
(Talking loudly over the crowd)
Ma'am this drink is incredible, how on earth did
you do it?
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 9

BEATRICE
(Looking up smiling,)
Why just my personal brand of cookery magic. And
nutmeg of course.

EDEN
(Taking a deep sip)
It really is excellent, I could drink that all day.

JOHANNA
Slow down Eden it's not a race!

EDEN
(Laughing)
Well if it was I would be winning.

The girls begin to walk further into the circus and

pass crowds of people weaving through the dark tent.
After walking a moment the see a tanned woman who looks
around 18 (Bijou) in a scandalously immodest outfit,
with a large brown snake draped around her shoulders. A
large Ostrich feather is affixed to a turban at her
head and beads jingle with each step.

MARY HELEN
(nervously)
Oh my Goodness gracious look at that... beast.

The girls stand and marvel at the sign as Bijou

approaches them

BIJOU
Would one of you like to hold her? Her name is
Agrippa.

EDEN
(excitedly)
I will!

ELIZABETH
No don't.
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 10

EDEN
(laughing)
Its not everyday I can hold a wild creature of the
Amazon girls, step back and watch my daring feat
of bravery.

Eden steps forward and the woman drapes the snake over
her shoulders. Her puffy sleeves are compressed by the
weight and she looks up grinning an impish smile

EDEN
If only father could see me now.

MARY HELEN
Yes, he'd take you to convent and have you become
a nun.

As she holds the snake, its head lifts up and begins

swaying from side to side. The snake handler sees this
and looks concerned, and starts to take the snake back

BIJOU
Well you are brave, have you seen the beast show
yet? Its every hour so the next one should be
starting shortly.

JOHANNA
No we haven't but that sounds very exciting.

BIJOU
It is, you really will never see anything else
like it.

A boy CHARLES VAN PATTEN appears, running from the side

of the tent. He looks to be 17-19, tall, with dark hair
slicked back. He is dressed in work clothes and has a
worried look on his face

CHARLES
(Panicked)
Bijou, come quickly!
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 11

BIJOU
(With a hushed voice)
What is it Charles?

CHARLES
(Starting to move quickly back from where he came)
It’s an emergency. It's happened again!

At his statement Bijou looks pale with a bleak

expression on her face. Without a word she rushes away
back to the side of the tent and quickly out of view

MARY HELEN
What in heaven's name was that?

EDEN
(Quizzically)
I haven't the slightest.

Eden begins to follow after the pair, as her friends

look at her concerningly.

MARY HELEN
(Astonished)
What are you doing?

EDEN
(Beginning to walk)
Why finding out what happened of course. There's
something exciting happening, I can feel it.

ELIZABETH
Eden, it isn't proper, and besides the show is
about to start.

JOHANNA
Yes come along and don't cause a fuss.

Eden looks conflicted for a moment and appears to weigh

the two options. She then turns and hurriedly goes in
the direction of the retreating pair.
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 12

Her friends look at each other unsure of what to do and

Eden is soon lost to the crowd. We then see Beatrice at
the food cart looking towards them with a pained
expression on her face.

We see Eden wade through the crowd trying to catch a

glimpse of Bijou's large feather and see spots them
ducking in a hidden corner of the tent. Her resolve
strong she follows after them, following into the
hidden flap, taking one last look behind her.

INT- SECOND TENT

THE HALLWAY IS EMPTY AND DARK. THE SOUNDS AND MUSIC OF

THE CIRCUS IS MUFFLED AS EDEN NERVOUSLY MAKES HER WAY
FORWARD. UP AHEAD WE HEAR MUFFLED VOICES ARGUING AND A
CRYING SOUND IS HEARD.

We see Bijou and Charles standing over a few bales of

hay. Agrippa the snake is off her shoulders sitting on
the ground wound up. There is a small figure laid atop
the hay with a white sheet over the top of it, with a
small hand clearly belonging to a child is sticking out

BIJOU
(Crying)
It can't have happened. Not here, not again!

CHARLES
I know Bijou but what can be done. We need to keep
it contained and quiet until we leave

As they talk we see Agrippa tilt her head up, looking

at Eden who is still hiding at the entrance to the room.
Bijou lets out a sob and snaps her fingers and a hanky
appears in her hand. Eden jumps back with a start and
gapes at her as Bijou pats her face lightly. Once done
she snaps her hand again and it disappears into thin
air.

CHARLES
Something needs to be done, we can't keep doing
this. People's lives are at risk
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 13

At this revelation Eden's hand jumps up to her face. We

then see Charles swirling his hand in a circular motion
and a grey fog appears

EDEN
(Whispering)
Oh my heavens, what in God's good earth is that?

Agrippa faces Eden again and slides over to her,

brushing her skirts. Eden screams and jumps back
causing Bijou and Charles to notice her in the shadows,
dropping his hands suddenly, forcing the fog to vanish.

BIJOU
(Angrily)
What are you doing back here? This is for
employees only, not patrons.

EDEN
(Stuttering)
I-I’m sorry, I was just leaving.

CHARLES
(Non-threateningly)
Oh no you don’t.

He then turns to Bijou with an angry expression on his

face, we also see Eden grab at her skirts to pull them
away from the encroaching Agrippa

CHARLES
(Directed at Bijou)
She saw us Bijou, she saw us!

We then see Bijou look nervously between Charles and

Eden, who has her skirts pulled up slightly as she
looks nervously at Agrippa

BIJOU
God damn us all .

CHARLES
(Angrily)
This is no time for profanities Bijou.
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 14

EDEN
(Incredulously)
How did you do that? The smoke and..[pause]..
Magic?

We then see Charles throw his face in his hands and let
out a long groan as Bijou begins to pace back and forth.
Eden ties to step back but Agrippa winds around her in
a circular motion, which causes Eden to stop moving

EDEN
I should go..

BIJOU
No right now you need to stay...[pause] You have
seen too much.

EDEN
(Nervously)
Well what does that mean?

CHARLES
Bijou is right, come here for a moment, we wont
hurt you but the situation has quickly spiralled.
We just need to talk. Agrippa, move away from her
at once.

Agrippa looks annoyed and lets out a small hiss and

returns to Bijou's outstretched arm and she winds her
way up and back around her shoulders

CHARLES
And of course, where are my manners, what is your
name?

EDEN
Uh.. Eden Wright

CHARLES
I am Charles Van Patten and this is Bijou.
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 15

BIJOU
My full name is Bijou Minorca Ilianna Cosmos, but
yes you may call me Bijou. And you have met
Agrippa.

EDEN
Oh yes, she is a beautiful snake, although I must
admit she is quite fearsome when she is free to
slither about.

BIJOU
Yes, snakes in the Python family are quite scary,
but they are non-venomous constrictors so very
safe. Agrippa wouldn't hurt a fly, unless I told
her to that is.

EDEN
(Nervously)
So what is under the cloth?

Bijou and Charles look towards each other with eyes

wide, and they turn back to Eden

CHARLES
(Sombrely)
A body.

EDEN
(Nervously)
Whose body?

BIJOU
(With tears spilling from her eyes)
A child.

Eden then runs to the cloth-covered body and we see the

lifeless corpse of James McCoy. He looks as if he was
only sleeping and there is no visible trauma. Eden
gasps and steps back letting the cloth flutter back
over James

EDEN
(Panicked)
He is a child. Was it Agrippa?
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 16

CHARLES
No, we don't know what… Sorry, who did it but it's
not the first time.

BIJOU
You must see, this isn't the first time we have
found corpses here, is previous cities there was
other children, elderly people, drunkards, and
prostitutes. There is no pattern and yet the
bodies keep appearing with no blood spilled and no
signs of force.

CHARLES
It is like they die of natural causes, but there
is nothing natural about it.

EDEN
So it is like HH Holmes? The serial murderer?

BIJOU
Similar, yes. However these murders…

(Charles interrupts her)

CHARLES
It is of no importance. All we need discuss is how
Ms. Wright needs to go back to her group and let
us deal with it.

BIJOU
I could try and remove her memory

EDEN
(loudly)
N-no! Don't touch me

Eden backs away, bringing her arms up as if to protect

herself

BIJOU
We aren't going to touch you, it's just to protect
you
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 17

EDEN
(Suspiciously)
How do I know you lot didn't do it?

CHARLES
(Annoyed)
Bijou was with you for ages out on the floor and I
was out front until I went back and found him here.
We need to solve this problem and now that you're
involved, an unchaperoned lady of means it just
complicates everything. You are a good Christian
woman I assume

EDEN
(Indignantly)
But of course!

CHARLES
Jesus himself said "blessed are they that mourn;
for they shall be comforted", That's from Matthew
5:4.

EDEN
And you think quoting the Bible will show me you
are a good Christian man?

CHARLES
I am a good Christian man, and I am here trying to
open your eyes to the reality of the situation.
You left the comforts of your life and have
stumbled into this world, which is far greater and
fearsome than anything you are aware of.

BIJOU
(Annoyed)
Enough of this!

She then holds out both of her hands on either side of

Eden’s head and begins to chant in a guttural tone of
voice. Her eyes go a milky white and Agrippa sways off
her shoulders. Eden looks confused but doesn't move.
The same grey fog from earlier sprung from her hands
and began to circle Eden and Bijou's hands
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 18

BIJOU
(chanting in latin)
in hac die deus sit forti in templo. hac de re ex
animo amovere vestigii; nudans spoliavit eam, et
lava. Et illarum scientiarum abluerit mentem
mundam et mundabimini.

There is a thundering noise and then everything goes

quiet. Bijou lets her arms drop unceremoniously and
Eden stands they’re looking around, a confused look on
her face

EDEN
...Nothing happened

CHARLES
(Annoyed)
Bijou! You said you had been practicing!

BIJOU
(pleadingly)
I have been, but it's unreliable when in stressful
situations.

CHARLES
Never mind, we don't have time for more dalliances.

EDEN
I can help, if you want.

CHARLES
No you have done quite enough, thank you.

At that, Charles grabs hold of Eden's arm and ushers

her towards the exit.

CHARLES
You didn't see anything, ok?

EDEN
(dazed)
Oh..[pause].. alright Mr. Van Patten.
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 19

CHARLES
Call me Charles. Actually don't call me anything,
this never happened. Good day Ms. Wright.

INT- CIRCUS OBSCURO MAIN TENT.

Looking back Eden exits the small walkway, ducking
under the heavy curtains. The bright lights cause her
to grimace and she looks for her friends. She sees a
few people glancing her way as she exits the walkway
and quickly disappears into the crowd
After walking a moment we see Mary Helen in the crowd.
Eden rushes to join her until we see an old hand reach
out and grab her arm. We then see that it is Beatrice
from the food cart earlier

BEATRICE
You shouldn't have gone back there sweetie,
there's no place for young ladies such as yourself
EDEN
(stuttering)
S-sorry I just lost my way and got confused,
that's all.

BEATRICE
It’s not safe here, especially without an escort.
If I were you I’d grab up your lady-friends and
hurry on home where it's safe and sound.

EDEN
Yes ma'am, I was just looking for my friends.

Beatrice nods towards Mary-Helen in the distance

BEATRICE
That's them over there ain't it?

EDEN
Yes, I was just on my way there

BEATRICE
All right dear, have a good evening. Remember
though the circus is a strange place, and many
people lose their common sense whilst here.
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 20

Ordinary becomes extraordinary when your mind is

given an exotic location
EDEN
You're right; lucky for me I didn't see anything
extraordinary except that wonderful snake from
earlier.

Beatrice nods, a tight smile on he lips

BEATRICE
Yes, isn't that the truth. I shall take my leave
now miss, best wishes.

EDEN
Farewell

Eden then hurries over to her friends who were milling

around the far corner looking at a set of conjoined
twin women.

MARY HELEN
(surprised)
Eden! Where on earth did you run off to? We were
worried sick, what would we tell your poor father,
that you ran away to the circus

EDEN
(nervously)
Yes, you are right. I got a little carried away
there, my apologies ladies

JOHANNA
(sarcastically)
Don't let it happen again Wright, if you spoil our
one naughty chaperone-free night out I’ll
positively never forgive you.

EDEN
My sincerest apologies Johanna, however I am
feeling quite ill after the events of the night,
Mary Helen would you mind terribly to walk home
with me? I feel a dreadful illness upon me.
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 21

MARY HELEN
Are you quite all right? I could send for father's
carriage, and we can try and weasel out of trouble
after?

EDEN
No, I wouldn't want you to get in trouble with
your father, I could just wait outside if it
pleases you ladies, and when you're ready to leave
I will accompany you then.

ELIZABETH
That sounds all right to me, ladies?

MARY HELEN
Oh all right, but no running after strange men
again, once is enough for one night.

EDEN
I swear it. Now if that is settled then, see you
later ladies.

MARY HELEN
See you later, don't go too far.

Eden then cuts through the crowd like a quick blade as

she weaves through starry-eyed patrons. She passes the
food cart and avoids eye contact with Beatrice, but
Beatrice watches her like a hawk as she walks past the
cart. Eden then exits the main entryway of the tent

EXT- ENTRANCE TO CIRCUS OBSCURUS

Eden steps into the cool night air and holds her arms
close to her in an attempt to stay warm, or comfort
herself from the events prior. She walks slightly past
the gate and stops in between the ticket booth and the
entrance. We see the moon in the sky and then another
shot of the moon shifting slightly to the West, to
illustrate the passage of time.
We see Eden is still standing there, looking cold and
the crowds have thinned out. A poor looking woman
approaches the tent and goes to the ticket booth, still
manned by the teen teller who was there earlier.
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 22

WOMAN
My boy is missing and I have it on good authority
that he's here.

TELLER
There's lots of boys here miss, it's a circus.
You'll have to be more specific.

WOMAN
His name is James McCoy, he's 9 years old, has
brown hair and eyes. Dirty clothes, brown pants.
You see him?

We see a shot of Eden's face wrenched in emotion and we

see a flashback to the dead boy in the backstage area.
We then go back to Eden looking in pain as she listens
to their conversation. This catches the attention of
the mother who turns around and looks at her

WOMAN
Have you seen him?

EDEN
(Nervously)
..Possibly, I’m not sure..[pause].. There was a
dead boy in the back, looked the same as you
described

The teller's face goes white and he tries to cut into

the discussion as the mother lets out a roaring scream

MOTHER
(Panicked)
My James? Not my James! It can't be!

The mother then jumps up at Eden and grabs her arms

MOTHER
(Yelling hysterically)
Where, take me to him!

TELLER
She is mistaken miss, no one has died here.
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 23

EDEN
That's untrue, there's a dead boy in the back.

WOMAN
(Demanding)
TAKE ME TO HIM.

Without replying Eden grabs the woman's arms and runs

her into the circus, weaving through the crowds. We see
the teller yelling at them in the distance.

INT- CIRCUS OBSCURO MAIN TENT.

The circus spins in a dizzying array of colours as the

two weave through the onlookers. Eden points to the
small entryway into the back area and ushers the woman
into it before ducking under the curtain herself.

INT- SECOND TENT

The pair makes their way down the short corridor and
quickly run into the area Eden was in earlier. They
halt to a stop and survey the room, which was empty
spare for the hay.

WOMAN
(hysterical)
Where is he? Why are we stopping?

EDEN
(confused)
He was right here, I swear it

A voice booms behind them, starling the two to turn

around, where a tall Sebastian DuPont now stands

SEBASTIAN
What are you doing back here? This is for staff
only?

WOMAN
My son! James is dead, where is he?
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 24

SEBASTIAN
Your son? Why no one has died here tonight my good
woman. I would know, as I am the ringmaster.

WOMAN
This girl said she saw him

SEBASTIAN
Are you filling people's heads with lies again
girl?

EDEN
Again? What do you mean? Where is the boy?

SEBASTIAN
I am truly sorry ma'am, this girl is severely
troubled. We just took her on as a working hand
and she is known to spin stories, right girl

At the last sentence, Sebastian places his hand on

Eden's shoulder. We see a visual and auditory clue that
he is using magic on her and her face screws up in
discomfort

EDEN
(Monotone)
It is true, I only made it up.

WOMAN
(Incredulously)
How dare you, you worthless animal. HOW DARE YOU.

At that word Sebastian swivels Eden away from the woman,

hand still placed firmly on her shoulder and we see
Eden's Face strain in pain

SEBASTIAN
I am truly sorry for your mental distress ma'am.
Leave your address with the teller at the front
and if we see your boy we will send him home with
someone.
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 25

WOMAN
You better thrash that girl there, I nearly keeled
over dead with her lies. She must be mentally
disturbed.

SEBASTIAN
Oh yes indeed ma'am, we're both truly sorry. And
don't you worry about punishments; she will get
what's coming to her.

WOMAN
Good.

At that the woman strides away, her dingy dress

scraping the dirt floors as she disappears. There is
silence until Sebastian turns himself towards Eden

SEBASTIAN
(Seething with anger)
Do you realize what you have done, you insolent
CHILD. How DARE you interfere with our affairs!

EDEN
(Broken from the previous spell, now terrified)
P-please sir, I’m sorry, but she was so afraid for
her boy and I...

SEBASTIAN
(bellowing)
Enough!

At that he grabs Eden's Arm and walks her aggressively

down the hallway, further from the main tent and as we
see Eden look back towards the shrinking exit, they
both turn and it vanishes from view. We then come to
another door draped with fabric, which they exit the
circus from.

EXT- BACK OF CIRCUS OBSCURUS

Now outside the tent we see rows of wagons and caravans

parked in a disarray. They walk in silence past a few
of them until we stop in front of a brown caravan with
bars on the windows. Sebastian snaps his fingers and
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 26

the small front door swings open and he pushes Eden

inside.

INT- BIJOU'S CARAVAN

Inside the small caravan we see Bijou sitting in a

small bed with her glamorous costume spread across the
caravan. She is now dressed in a plain nightgown and
she is midway through braiding her long black hair. A
shocked and puzzled look appears on her face at the
intrusion.

SEBASTIAN
Welcome to your new home girl.

EDEN
(panicked)
Wait, what? You cannot, My Father won't stand for
this.

BIJOU
(angrily)
What have you done?

EDEN
(Righteously)
Nothing, Only what was right.

SEBASTAIN
She nearly ousted us, so until further notice she
is your new problem. Teach her to do something
useful or we'll have to arrange something for her.

Eden and Bijou look towards each other as Sebastian

slams shut the door behind him. The sound of a lock
clicking into place.

BIJOU
(Glumly)
Now you've done it. I warned you

We see Eden looking frightened and then the scene fades

to an exterior view of the Circus
CIRCUS OBSCURUS 27

EXT- Circus Obscuro

The camera pans past the rows of carriages and slowly

over the circus tent, which was billowing smoke. We see
Eden's friends out front of the circus as they look
around, clearly looking for Eden. The camera then pans
over the soon awakening city of Chicago, as the sun
slowly begins to peek out behind the clouds, indicating
dawn.

THE END