The Magic Circus The Magic Circus - Scene 28
The Magic Circus - Scene 28
Monday, 08 December 2008 23:58
Monk looking at page sees JTM waking on couch in his office-trailer. Feet on floor, elbows on knees, hands on top of his head as he stares at his feet on the floor. There's a knock on his door, then it opens. CK pokes his head in.
JTM - Come in...
CK enters, leaves door open, the screen door slams behind him. CK walks in sheepishly. He pulls the chair from in front of JTM's desk and drags it in front of JTM on the couch, sits on it backwards.
CK - Hey.
JTM - Hey.
CK - Heard you had a bad day.
JTM - You could say that.
CK - Listen. I know we go way back...
JTM - Kent. We went to school together. We went to war together. We built this circus. Saying we "go way back" doesn't begin to describe us.
CK - Yeah. I know.
Pause.
CK looks around at the shabbiness, JTM's scorched and damp suit hung up on a light fixture. Turns back to JTM.
CK - Look at this place, look at you. This is gonna kill you.
JTM - It's my baby, Kent. I've given my whole life to this operation. I can't just walk away.
CK stands up and walks away. Pulls open drapes and looks outside as the circus comes to life after a restless sleep. Nellie trundles by, Bud at his heels. CK turns back, shaking his head, shuffles to the center of the trailer, running his blackbooted foot along the grungy carpet.
CK - This could be my big break...
JTM - Who's it with, this audition?
CK - A band called August West, their lead guitar had a run-in with brandy and horse tranquilizers. They're on the brink, man. Been playing bigger venues, totally hit my demographic, slated to play the Vernal Equinox Festival in the...Spring.
JTM - Yeah? Sounds groovy.
CK - Hey, man. I still might make it. Their studio's by The Mountain, if I can get in early and catch a break on the traffic I might still make it.
Pause.
CK - Add another act. Drag the show out, I can still close.
JTM thinks, runs his fingers through his hair. Stands up, paces. He pats his chest, reflex, looking for smokes. Walks to suit and pulls soggy pack from the breast pocket. Limp cigarette between fingers. CK pulls out a pack and offers him one.
JTM - These aren't...Yooks?
CK - No. Ordinary tobacco. Harmless.
JTM pats his thigh looking for his lighter, but he's not wearing pants, just ratty underwear and a stained t-shirt. CK flips his zippo and JTM leans forward to get a light. He takes a long drag and CK lights one for himself.
JTM - Wally's working on a New Act with Bruce. We may be able to use that. Bilge has some crazy roller derby thing he's been working on with the girls. And, I could always get Bud and his pack to go long...This might just work!
CK - That's the spirit!
They exchange terrorist fist bump.
JTM - But, listen. We've already done all the adverts; posters, radio, RodenTV, the whole nine yards. If we don't have our headliner, we'll have one unhappy crowd. There might even be legal ramifications.
Pause
CK - Joe. I'll make it.
JTM - You better.
Pause.
JTM walks to the light fixture, pulls down his suit and starts to put it back on.
JTM - I gotta go find Bud and tell him he may have to spice up his bit.
CK - Those cats are funny. They'll rock.
Pause
CK - Are you really gonna wear that thing.
JTM - Baah. A little water never hurt nobody.
Kent finds an ashtray, finishes his smoke, stubs it out, makes a gun with his finger, shoots, leaves. He stops at door, turns to JTM.
CK - Catch ya' on the flip side.
The screen door slams.
End Scene