By Jack Bartholomew
So…. For this week, I’ve decided to construct something a little different. This is my first attempt EVER at writing a screenplay, so please don’t be quick to buzz me like a talent show judge. I’ll put the synopsis below of my (I suppose you can call it) idea so you have context for this masterpiece of a scene:
Lucas Gray, a factory worker in the Bronx, is distraught after his wife’s passing last year and wants to end his life… Until he gets offered an incomprehensible power to become A WOLFMAN!! After transforming a few times Lucas craves it and does anything he can to chase the soaring thrill it gives him. Although, very soon matters get complicated when he discovers there’s more of them and his boss is rounding the wolves up in an abandoned circus. He refers to himself as The Ringmaster. He possesses the ability to control the mind of every one of them. How will Lucas overcome this? Will he save humanity?
So you somewhat get the idea. I want to pay homage to the original ‘Hammer House Of Horror’ B-Movies whilst maintaining the gore of a modern day horror movie. So here’s the opening scene which introduces us to The Ringmaster. Sit back. Eat some popcorn. Prepare for frights!
WORD OF WARNING: This gets VERY gory, so I’d recommend not reading if you can’t bare that.
Beastly Bewildering (The Tale Of The Silver Bullet)
In a deserted field on a pitch black evening next to an eerie, silent highway lies a filthy, rustic circus tent. There’s a few fixed bright lights centred on the edges of the tent showing the faded colours and all the caravans behind it.
Inside the tent there’s around 1,500 empty plastic red seats on a wooden structure with steps going vertically up and down the whole circle. On the floor of the ring there’s a colourfully painted floor which is faded. Lights dangle from the ceiling like they’re about to collapse from the rusty metal holding them up.
The main light is focused on the ringmaster who is stood directly in the middle of the tent. He is wearing a red and yellow blazer with a sparkly shirt and black top hat holding a silver cane. There are two audience members sat in the centre of the front row, it’s a 40 year old father and his ten year old daughter. The daughter is dressed in a green dress and tights. The father is wearing a t-shirt and jeans.
RINGMASTER
Well, I see it’s a quiet night here in the amphitheatre but the Serlion Circus’ show must go on! Are you ready!?
FATHER AND DAUGHTER
(Clapping)
Yeah!
RINGMASTER
You sure!?
FATHER AND DAUGHTER
(Clapping)
Yeaahh!!
RINGMASTER
(winks and says with the charm)
You betcha!
(Stereotypical circus music plays on an old fashioned vinyl player)
(The ringmaster is thrown skittles by someone in the shadows. It looks like they were directly taken from a bowling alley. He starts juggling them whilst walking around)
RINGMASTER
(With a slight cocky but rehearsed tone to suit the show)
C’mon you thought that was it!?
(He is thrown a quad bike, he jumps and lands on it whilst still juggling)
RINGMASTER
Do you want me to turn up the heat boys and girls!?
(He throws the skittles back and they are then set then alight by the figure in the shadows. They are thrown back. He catches them on the quad bike and juggles whilst riding it)
FATHER
(Cheers at the ringmaster and then turns his head to his daughter as she looks frightened then whispers)
Are you alright dear? Is this too much?
DAUGHTER
I don’t like it, I wanna go home.
FATHER
(Reassuring tone)
Why? I thought you loved the circus! We’ve got this whole place to ourselves! This may never happen again.
DAUGHTER
It’s just….
(Cut off by the ringmaster who has a fire extinguisher put out by the figure briefly standing in the light and drops them to the floor before exiting his quad bike)
RINGMASTER
Now that’s how you start a show, am I right ladies and gentlemen!!?
FATHER
(Holds his daughter’s hand and cheers whilst she cowers away)
RINGMASTER
(Walks up so he’s a few feet away from the father and daughter and says in a less enthusiastic quieter tone)
Well…. Seeing as you two are the only ones in here it seems a little silly if I’m speaking to the empty seats rather than you directly, doesn’t it?
FATHER
(Looks at his uncomfortable daughter and looks back at the ringmaster)
Thanks for the effort, we really do appreciate you guys putting on this show and dance just for us but I think we’re gonna make a move. It was worth the admission just for the stunts you just performed anyway – that was incredible! My daughter’s only young and I think she’s a little nervous of this whole circus thing but thanks anyway… You really were fantastic.
RINGMASTER
I understand, don’t worry. I’m sure this whole thing was a little much for such a miniature girl. (Looks left and right, then whispers) How about I show you my lil animals which would’ve been in the finale would you like that?
DAUGHTER
(Smiles with excitement)
Yes, I love animals! I have a dog, a hamster and fish at hom….
RINGMASTER
(Interrupts)
You’ll love this world exclusive then… Trust me this will impress you (winks).
(a silhouette of a man-like figure can be seen entering out the doorway of the circus and stands there in the darkness almost watching)
RINGMASTER
You can come out boy, there’s nothing to be afraid of here. Just a kind lil girl and her…. Well, what I can presume is her father.
(looks to the father and daughter)
But you never know circumstance (winks).
FATHER
(looks confused and ready to leave as does his daughter)
I’m gonna go…
RINGMASTER
(Interrupts and yells)
He’s ready!
A wolf like creature appears. It is walking upright and it’s facial features also resemble somewhat of a human. It enters slowly out of the darkness into the limelight looking afraid in it’s expression. The ringmaster moves to the side and lets it take the spotlight. The father and daughter look petrified as if they had just awoken a nightmare.
RINGMASTER
I can tell what you’re thinking. This is the only creature of this kind in the world. A wolf among us! A living embodiment of what connects homo sapiens and Animalia’s together. (Yells) WOLFMAN!!!
The father and daughter run up the steps to the tent door but there’s a padlock on the zip. The father attempts punching and kicking his way through the tent. The creature slowly stalks them as another three appear directly behind him. They are cornered as the ringmaster watches from the middle of the circle at the bottom. The wolf bites a chunk out of the father’s stomach and the remainder of his body falls to the bottom of the staircase. The others feast on him feed on his organs.
RINGMASTER
(Laughs menacingly and sarcastically jokes)
Save some for me fellas, he looks tasty.
The wolf growls at the girl as she screams for her life with tears running down her face. He bites her arm off knocking her on to the steps and feasts on her body at the top of the stairs whilst the ringmaster keeps dementedly laughing.The shot pans to a closeup of his face.
When they’re finished there’s only chunks of flesh on skeletons remaining but they take the spine and hand it to the ringmaster at the bottom of the steps.
RINGMASTER
Hope you fed well… You certainly looked like you were enjoying that. Let’s clear up the circus. We don’t want them thinking we’re a show (laughs).
So Hollywood, you’re more than welcome to contact me through this blog if you’re interested. I’ll just make a few demands: cast Leonardo DiCaprio as The Ringmaster and Samuel L Jackson as Lucas… In all seriousness though, if you enjoyed this let me know and I’ll expand on it. I’m happy for any criticisms. I’m always happy to include something different, just to make it interesting as that is what this blog is about. Anyways people until next time, stay healthy and safe!
Earie Entertainment 