The Circus Comes To Town

FADE IN:

EXT. AN ALLEY BEHIND A MOVIE THEATRE - NIGHT

AN HOBO is rummaging for sandwiches in dustbins. THE CAMERA moves in on him. He sees it and comes forward. He is extremely serious.

HOBO -- Part one. I know a man named John who is divorced. When he first became divorced he decided to throw caution to the wind. He asked his friend Rob if he knew where to "score some blow." John gave Rob his seven-thousand-dollar wedding ring in exchange for one kilo of 100% pure Robin Hood wheat-flour. It's a gesture that was meant as a joke. Part two. John is called to court. By this point his entire skin is malleable yellow like an unbaked pie-crust. He thinks the cocaine is making him buffer. It is in fact the second stages of a gluten infection. "You sir," the Judge is gesturing dramatically, "need to learn a thing or two about responsibility and, if it is my place to say, might also benefit from some Vitamin C." He doesn't have any money for alimony. He's not even awake enough to look over and acknowledge his kids. He just lounges there,mouth-breathing, hiccuping a faint white mist. Part three. He walks around with his mouth open, heavy-breathing, scratching at his patchy beard. Balding, gap-toothed, nibbling at his chapped lips. He extends an open palm, motioning for change. "Spare some change, brudder?" You are a sad-eyed social porcupine. “No." He exhales, grimaces, picks dirt out from under his fingernails. "Ah dat’s all-right. Y'know I used ta be somebody. Y'ever heard of me?" “No.” "Yeah but, mebbey I can give you some nickels for one of them cigarettes?" You roll your eyes.

He dismisses us with a pithy swish and shuffles off into the alley.

CUT TO:

BLACK