a good clown

8/8/2019 A Good Clown

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FADE IN:

EXT: THE DULOX HOTEL Ð LATE NIGHT

ROBERT ANDERSON, 28, jumps out of a cab and dashes into thehotel.

INT: THE DULOX HOTEL - LATE NIGHT

Robert rushes in and looks at his WATCH. It is 11:32PM.Robert looks ahead and sees the elevator doors closing.

He briskly walks towards the elevator. Robert notices theshape inside of the elevator as it closes.

ROBERTPlease hold elevator!

A red glove reaches out and pushes the elevator doors open.Robert slightly smiles. Once he enters the elevator, Robertis stunned.

INT. THE ELEVATOR - LATE NIGHT

Standing inside the elevator is BOBO THE CLOWN, 41, anaverage size man. He is wearing a green jumpsuit, a rainbowcolored top hat, red gloves, and big red shoes. He has aglowing white face and a large exaggerated ruby red grinpainted over his mouth.

BOBOWell, luck is on your side, son!You made it!

Robert just nods and presses the 17th FLOOR BUTTON. He keeps

his eyes at the ceiling.BOBO (CONT'D)

Are you going to the New Year's EveCostume Ball?

ROBERT(faintly)

Yes.

BOBOOh, I'm performing here and---

Suddenly, the elevator comes to a complete stop.

V.O.



Do not be alarmed, the elevator isoff track. I repeatÉ Do not bealarmed, the elevator is off track.

BOBOThis happen all the time... I'vework here for many years and this

elevator never seems to stay fixed.

Robert nods and wipes the sweat forming on his head with theback of his hand.

INT. THE ELEVATOR - LATE NIGHT - MINUTES LATER

Robert is completely uncomfortable. He is sweating badly,continuing to wipe his forehead.

BOBOAre you alright, son? You're reallysweating.

BoBo starts looking his bag.

BOBO (CONT'D)I-I have a mini fan in my bag.

ROBERT(firmly)

I'm fine. I'm fine.

BOBOThat doesn't sound like your fine.You sound like my daughter whenshe hears lighting.

Robert looks over at BoBo's caring smile.

ROBERTI'm not a huge fan of clowns ortight spaces.

BOBOI've been a clown for thirty yearsand not once, not once have I met aperson who hates clowns. You knowwhat? I'll take my shoes and hatoff, maybe that will ease you abit.

BoBo slowly removes his hat and shoes, and places them on thefloor.

BOBO (CONT'D)(Smiling)

See, I'm just an old man under all

this get up, nothing to be afraidof. Is this better, son?



ROBERTIt's fine, thank you.

BOBONot a problem, that's what I do. Itry to make people feel at ease.I'm BoBo the clown.

BoBo extends his hand to Robert, he nervously shakes it.

ROBERTI'm Robert and I don't hate clowns.I just had a very experience... Idon't like to talk about it.

BOBORobert, maybe it's time to talkabout it. I don't mind.

Robert sighs as he let BoBo's honey dipped words soak in. Hewipes his hands on his side of his pants and unbuttons hissuit jacket.

ROBERTI haven't talked about this in overa year. Maybe you're right.

BOBO(Sitting down)

We're not going anywhere anytimesoon.

Robert joins BoBo on the floor of the elevator. He watchesBoBo's smile stretch across his painted face.

ROBERTWhen I was seven, my father took meand my mother to the circus for thefirst time.

(sighing)I remember how excited I was thatnight; seeing the acts, theanimals, and the clowns... Theclowns were the best part.

BoBo leans in closer. He seems very interested in Robert'sstory.

ROBERT (CONT'D)It was a good night overall, untilwe headed for home...

BOBOWhat happened?

ROBERTWe were coming around a corner and

a car came out of nowhere and justran right into us. My parentsdidn't survive, but the driver did.



He... He was a clown from thecircus. He was driving drunk.

BOBOOh my Lord!

ROBERT

When the cops came to take himaway, he kept screaming that it wasthe circus' fault because theyfired him. And when he saw me... Helooked right me and said it was myfault. It was my fucking fault!

BOBOWhat happened to that horribleclown?

ROBERT

He died in prison a few years ago.Actually, he was killed there;strangled by his cellmate. I keptthe news article about his death.To be honest, I was glad to know hedied that way. And sometimes, Iwish I was there to see it.

BOBOOh Robert... I'm so sorry, I'm sosorry. I can't imagine your pain.You were so young. You had no ideahow to deal with those tainted

emotions

ROBERT(voice cracks)

A few years of therapy helped andlife got better. But sometimes... Istill see his half painted, dirtyface looking at me, blaming me.

Bobo stares deeply into Robert's eyes. He places his hand onRobert's knee.

BOBOI'm so sorry, Robert. He was not agood clown.

Robert's face turn deathly pale.

ROBERTWh-What did yoÑ

Suddenly, BoBo slams a yellow cloth in Robert's face. Robertstruggles; trying to pull the cloth away from him, but BoBois too strong.

After a few seconds, Robert is unconscious, BoBo smiles.

BOBO



A good clown wouldn't make a childcry or suffer the way that you did.A good clown would have taken youout as well, so you could be withyour family in Heaven; and now, youwill. Isn't that nice, Robert?

BoBo spreads out an unconscious Robert gently on the elevatorfloor.

BOBO (CONT'D)See, I'm a good clown, Robert. Agood clown makes you happy.

BoBo stands up and presses PHONE BUTTON. He looks at hiswatch. It's 11:56PM.

V.O.Yes, BoBo?

BOBOYou can restart the elevator now.One more will be joining us.

BoBo squats down towards Robert and grins wildly.

BOBO (CONT'D)And you know what, Robert? We'rejust in time for the new year. Justin time.

THE END

a good clown

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