Chow Tent Book O' Jargon

2005-06-21T00:58:00.000-07:00

(Quick note - even though the date is always the same on this post, I am constantly updating jargon and definitions, so don't forget to bookmark this page, and refresh it to see the latest additions!)

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A
abominaiken: the term commonly used to describe American Idol overexposure
agknauftic: one who devoutly follows the writings and creations of Dan Knauf
amiable: used to describe the pleasant and friendly nature we strive for in the tent
asserole: a certain hbo executive's favorite meal
atwitter/twitterpated
auto-oarotic asphyxiation: self-inflicted death by putting an oar in one's mouth
avatarology
AWESOME

B
Beckcentric
Bencyclopedia: reference tool for understanding Ben Hawkins; a person with much knowledge of Ben Hawkins
bensake
breainhruts: a common cranial afflication that occurs when attempting to type too late in the night
brong it on!
Bug Hug: the kind of hugs exclusively found in The Tent; alt. - hugs reserved for certain loveable bugs

C
cahblooey
cannota
Carnivalevant
chaos: what happens in the Chow Tent during celebrity chats if the rules are not followed
chatocracy: the set of rules used in the tent to ensure free but polite discussion, where members must adhere to the ground rules; for the penalties of failing to comply, see "modsmacked"
chinilarity
Ciao Tent: how tenters say goodbye to one another
comparing apples to avatars: the act of comparing two unlike objects as if they were similar
cooterectomy
craxy: what drinking too much grape juice late at night in the Chow Tent will do to you.

D
damn skippy: what you do when skippy has been bad
dangknickerflitch: how to swear like a Fan of BN
darking
Darth Esquire
dermalogica
dink/dinked
disgustipating: something so awful, words must be combined to describe it

E
evilitis

F
fargo'ed out: the effect that watching too many movies in tandem has on the dialect of certain tent mods
flinging flarking: a word used to replace more well known curse words, especially in the company of children or the Chow Tent; frequently abused by lulafortune while she's attempting to decipher html code
fluck: a term used to describe the type of films which no one really cares about
fongers
fooked
fowlery
freaktastic: something that's so freakishly good, it's fantastic; alt. - the combination of freakishly talented + fantastic; ie., the cast of Carnivale
frenemies: a person one is friends with on the surface, but rarely speaks to, because one, in all actuality, dislikes them
fruckinfrackingrublejammit
fruit cup

G
gangusters: the only word able to fully describe the amount of pain involved in the act of losing a tooth - see "went all dental" for an example of such an act
geniosity: used to describe intellect so raw and powerful that making up a word was the only way to discuss it
gesling: a miniature hypothesizer
ginormous: an object of such a size, that it falls between gigantic and enormous
gits and shiggles: term used when describing something done just for the hell of it, without using the more crass term
goldarn mistake: the resulting effect of attempting to swear while watching a TNT movie
gorramit
greatfuel
groovalicious

H
Haterade: preferred beverage used by jilted Carnivale fans when toasting a certain hbo entertainment executive.
hibye: the greeting commonly extended to people who leave quicker than they can be greeted; see also "speedy leavers"
holy crappa loostica
holy smithy
holy wickets: exclamation used when one is excited about something, used for emphasis
hooby-wooby
horridisgustible
hotilicious: a person who is not only gorgeous, but delicious to the eye...i.e. "eye candy"
humoerdink

I
intelligent wittiness: FanofBN
internetese
internet loitering
intrense

J
jeezy creezy

K
KCHOW: the best little radio station this side of New Canaan - DJ'd by SmohQ and airs exclusively in the Chow Tent
kibby: unusual or uncharacteristic behaviour from a generally well-mannered person or object; see also "wonky"
kinkers & butchers
kinkster
Knaufian epistle: coined by Clancy Brown, in reference to the heart-felt "official" statement released by Dan Knauf upon the cancellation of Carnivale

L
laser beans
libatious: when carnies talk trash about their fellow carnies while drinking - an act which is heavily frowned upon in the Tent
Lodzized
lulacate: how one communicates with lulafortune in the Chow Tent

M
maroonish: the reddish-brownish shade of ink that thalidar often uses in the tent
milky white sin
modsmacked: what happens to naughty tenters when they misbehave
momory
more gooder: something that's betterer, of course
mp3ified

N
nerdtord: (see andamaroo for proper definition)
nonrebukedness

O
oathetic: something so pathetic, "pathetic" alone is not enough to describe it
oceany
Oliver-Plattastic: self-explanatory, really
overshare

P
pervtard: a person so perverted, they become socially retarded; used especially when involving celebrity crushes; for example, Kate and Michelle are pervtards.
platerism: when platypi study Plato
punch bowl pissers: those who don't possess the positive attitude that is required to be considered a true Carnivale fan

R
restraining order: favored term of Dan Knauf, issued to several Tenters by Mr. DK

S
scrumtrulessant: a word created to describe something so beautiful, so wonderful, so fabulous, so fantastico that none of these words do it justice
sexy satan boy: one who portrays satan, or a satanic type character, and comes off as sexy; originally used to describe Viggo, but could also be applied to Clancy
shit fire
shimmy: the special welcome dance you receive upon entering the tent, if you're lucky enough to meet andamaroo
SIN
snausages: the preferred doggie snack for tenter's pets (and it's just fun to say)
snerk: a cross between a giggle and a snort
snert: kissing cousin to a punch bowl pisser, commonly observed in posting form
snorgeldeeblort
sparklicize: the act of adding many tiny crystals to something to enhance its appearance - usually a cell phone
speedy leavers: tentgoers who leave immediately upon entering; alternate - those who leave the tent quickly without leaving an appropriate amount of time for others to say goodbye.
speel: where words go when they are too tired to function properly
sprakle
sprag
squidgy
Stroud the Singing Sadist
Stumpyism
stupid early: the time table in which hbo cut the cord on Carnivale; alt, see the opposite of "stupid o'clock"
stupid o'clock: according to the universal time the Chow Tent runs on, the late hour at which its patrons become increasingly delusional; see also "stupid early"
stwracks: the sound commonly associated with using an oar to smack someone who is over-chatting about Star Wars; see also "thwack"

T
taxo: preferred late night snack of Chow Tent chatters
Teeth Zombies: added to the CTBOJ for the sole reason that everyone should be aware of them and prepared to take action against them
Tent Gold: the newest, shiniest crayola color in the box; frequently seen when you enter the tent, and everyone simultaneously greets you
Tent Zone
tentsomnia
tenttard
Thank Shunny: an expression of gratitude to the tent for simply 'working'
thingy doodle
3hundy
thwack: the sound commonly associated with smacking someone with an oar
toophers
Trinity Hate: hatred to a nuclear degree - the shortened form "trate" is also acceptable
typonese: the language of typo

U
uber
uberawesomeness
unkickoutofbedable

W
went all dental: how Brother Justin demonstrated his displeasure with Norman
Wisconsin, I love milk: simply because Michael J. Anderson said so!
witching hour: what happens when tent members collectively lose their sanity, frequently occurs late at night
wonky: the lasting effects of a machine misbehaving; alt - a person after consuming too much alcohol. See also "kibby"
woon
wtfark

X
xnij: when two people say opposite things at the exact same time

Y
yob
youch

Jargon coming soon!

2005-06-18T12:34:00.000-07:00

Pending a gameplan as to how to arrange them, stay tuned for the upcoming jargon entries. In the meantime, please drop by my favorite Save Carnivale website!

Alamogordo, page 52 (last page!)

2005-06-18T03:03:00.000-07:00

- - - - -HIROSHI
(in Japanese)
- Gozo.

She bows, gestures for him to stand in front of

A FULL-LENGTH MIRROR

She moves behind him, slips off his kimono and steps back.

From Justin's SHOULDERS to PUBIS is the TATTOO of the DEAD BIRCH TREE, on his back, the STAND OF BIRCH TREES. Stylized BRAMBLES coil around the base, wrapping around his waist, trailing down his legs and buttocks.

Eyes glittering, Justin spreads his arms wide, beholds his transformation.

He is the TATTOOED MAN.

And we're

OUT

Alamogordo, page 51

2005-06-18T02:56:00.000-07:00

- - - - -SAMSON
- Well then, let's beat us one there.

Jones throws the truck into first.

EXT. CARNIVALE - DAWN - WIDE SHOT

The convoy lurches forward, north.

OUT.

OVER BLACK

A GONG sounds seven times.

FADE IN:

INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT

Justin, in a kimono, waits as Hiroshi enters with a tea bowl, places it atop a bamboo rest, next to a water jar.

Using a silk cloth, Hiroshi purifies the tea container and scoop, concentrating intently on her movements, a sort of meditation.

She ladles hot water into the tea bowl. Places six scoops of tea in. Lets it steep.

She passes the tea bowl to Justin, who bows, then raises and rotates it, makes sure she sees him admiring it.

He tastes the tea. Hiroshi does the same.

LONG BEAT

- - - - -BROTHER JUSTIN
(in Japanese)
- Arigato.

She bows. Justin lays money on the table.

INSERT - THE CASH

One hundred dollars in twenties.

SCENE

She picks up the bills, folds them neatly, places them in a nearby gold inlaid box.

Alamogordo, page 50

2005-06-18T02:50:00.000-07:00

- - - - -JONES
- The hell you talkin about?

Burley motions to--

SOFIE

lifting the sacks with the best of them.

BACK TO SCENE.

Jones' jaw tightens. He angrily shoves the spokes onto the truck.

- - - - -BURLEY
- Ain'tcha gonna do somethin?

- - - - -JONES
- No.

- - - - -BURLEY
- No? I know she lost her ma and all, but God-damn, Jonesy, I ain't workin with no skirt.

But Jones won't let his goat be gotten.

- - - - -JONES
- The hell with her.

Jones returns to his task. Burley stalks off.

CUT TO:

EXT. CARNIVALE - DAWN

The last trucks are buttoned up. MOTORS GROWL to life.

INT. LEAD TRUCK CAB - NIGHT

Jones climbs in next to Samson.

- - - - -JONES
- Where to?

- - - - -SAMSON
- Ingram.

- - - - -JONES
- Texas? That shit-spot's sure off the beaten path.

Alamogordo, page 49

2005-06-18T02:44:00.000-07:00

- - - - -SAMSON
- Maybe it was somebody looked like Skeeter.

She looks at Samson, opens her mouth to object. Thinks the better of it.

- - - - -RUTHIE
- Yeah...

He watches her for a moment.

- - - - -SAMSON
- Shame to let that perfume go to waste.
(offer an arm)
- I got standin reservations at all the finest establishments.

Ruthie takes his arm, and they head to the chow line.

EXT. CARNIVALE - NIGHT

Osgood and another ROUSTIE load tent sacks. Sofie joins them, pitches in. The Roustie does a double-take, taps Osgood on the arm, indicates Sofie.

Osgood stands there, mouth agape, until the roustie hits him a second time. He crosses to Sofie.

- - - - -OSGOOD
- Uh, hey, Sofie?

Sofie ignores him, keeps working.

- - - - -OSGOOD
(gently)
- Sokay, we got this fine.

She ignores him. Osgood turns back to his partner, shrugs, returns to his job.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Burley beelines to Jones, who is packing pieces of Colossus onto a truck bed.

- - - - -BURLEY
- You tell that dona she can work with us?

Alamogordo, page 48

2005-06-18T02:39:00.000-07:00

INT. COOK-TENT - NIGHT

Samson swigs from his whiskey flask when Ruthie arrives, all dolled up. Seeing her, he whistles.

- - - - -SAMSON
- Well, look at you. If this is your idea of tonin down for the boy...

- - - - -RUTHIE
- No boys, t'night. You seen Skeeter Lewis?

- - - - -SAMSON
(puzzled)
- Skeeter who?

- - - - -RUTHIE
- Skeeter Lewis.

She looks around, frowns. He stares at her, queerly.

- - - - -RUTHIE
- I think I been stood up.

- - - - -SAMSON
- I'll say.

- - - - -RUTHIE
- What...?

- - - - -SAMSON
- Man's dead.

- - - - -RUTHIE
- That ain't funny.

- - - - -SAMSON
- I ain't funnin.

- - - - -RUTHIE
- I saw him, big as life, just this morning.

- - - - -SAMSON
- I saw him put in the ground five years ago next July.

She's stunned.

Alamogordo, page 47

2005-06-18T02:31:00.000-07:00

Ben starts to protest.

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
- GO!

Ben fumbles at the doorknob, turns it, flees.

THE ALCOVE

Under the WET, RASPY BREATHS, a BIZARRE SOUND that may, in fact, be WEEPING.

EXT. MANAGEMENT'S TRAILER - NIGHT

Still dazed, Ben sits down on the steps, trying to make sense of what just happened.

- - - - -SAMSON (O.S.)
- Jumpin Jesus, kid. Thought you was a goner.

Ben looks up, sees Samson staring at him.

- - - - -SAMSON
- Next time might not be so lucky.

EXT. LODZ'S TRAILER - NIGHT

Sofie, in a shirt and pair of cinched-up trousers from Lodz' closet, sits on the stairs, alone. Her eyes are rimmed red from fatigue, yet she's wide awake, unable to sleep.

For a LONG BEAT, Sofie watches the carnival disemboweling itself, lanterns swinging as rousties CALL OUT to one another.

THE TEAR DOWN:

JUICERS roll up heavy double ELECTRIC CABLES.

TRUCKS swallow the HORSES of the carousel.

BEN helps the SLEDGE GANG yank out STAKELINES.

RIDE BOYS, pass around a quart of WHITE LIGHTENING, as they pack and fold the great SKINS OF CANVAS of the ten-in-one.

SOFIE

There's something comforting about the physicality of the work she sees, the mindlessness of it.

Alamogordo, page 46

2005-06-18T02:26:00.000-07:00

Ben's eyes clear. He stumbles back.

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
- Get out, you fool. Go! Now!

Ben backs up until he collides with the door, then remembers--

- - - - -BEN
- What about the other stuff?

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
(short of breath)
- What -- else --

- - - - -BEN
- What Kerrigan said?

Management's GASPS slow.

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
- You--must--find--the--crone.

- - - - -BEN
- An old lady?

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
- An old woman. Yes.

- - - - -BEN
- Where?

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
- Ingram. Texas.

- - - - -BEN
- How do you know that?

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
- That was the clever part. What your father did.

- - - - -BEN
- Scudder?

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
- Scudder, yes. What he burned into that unfortunate's mind.
(beat)
- The poems were by a man named James. C. Ingram.
(exhausted)
- Now, go.

Alamogordo, page 45

2005-06-18T02:18:00.000-07:00

- - - - -BEN
- What?

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
(hesitant)
- Come closer.

Ben takes a few steps forward.

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
- Closer.

Management's cadence is HYPNOTIC, SEDUCTIVE. The words are pregnant with desire.

Despite his trepidation, Ben finds himself unwilling to resist. Management PURRS:

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
- That's it. Yes.

BEN

Draws close, as if pulled by a magnet, eyes locked on--

THE CURTAIN

Slightly parted, the darkness within the alcove impenetrable.

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
- You must look upon me.

Ben reaches for the curtain, parts it slightly.

MANAGEMENT'S HAND

Beautiful, smooth, yet masculine. It slips into the dim light, palm open, as if reaching out to touch.

His BREATHING is heavier now, quickening, almost orgasmic.

BEN

Without realizing he's even doing so, he slowly raises his own hand.

MANAGEMENT'S HAND

Hesitates, trembling -- then, suddenly, with a TORTURED CRY, Management closes his hand into a tight fist and withdraws.

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
- NO!

Alamogordo, page 44

2005-06-18T02:12:00.000-07:00

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
- Samhain. Necrotus. Khaybet, Lord of Shadows. A thousand names in a thousand books, but they all mean the same: the Usher of Destruction.
(reverence mixed with fear)
- He is flesh.

Ben absorbs the information. So does Management. The import of the revelation hangs heavily on the latter.

- - - - -BEN
- What does that mean?

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
- It means the end-times are not near, Hawkins. They are upon us.
(despairing)
- You will never be prepared in time.
(bitterly)
- We are lost...

Ben considers this for a moment.

- - - - -BEN
- What about you?

A DRY CHUCKLE from behind the curtain.

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
- No.

- - - - -BEN
- Why the hell not? You're strong. You know things. I seen what you can do--

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
- I'm dying.

Ben is stunned. Then he looks at his hands, takes a step toward the curtain, eyes blazing.

- - - - -BEN
- I could heal you.

LONG BEAT. Management's BREATHING slows. A whisper--

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
(to himself)
- Perhaps.

Alamogordo, page 43

2005-06-18T02:06:00.000-07:00

- - - - -SAMSON
- Kid.

- - - - -BEN
- What?

- - - - -SAMSON
- He wants to see you.

Ben reacts to the older man's fright.

INT. MANAGEMENT'S TRAILER - NIGHT - MOMENTS LATER

Ben steps inside, closes the door behind him, guarded eyes on

THE ALCOVE

Behind the curtain, FAINT BREATHING can be heard.

BACK TO SCENE

Ben stands by the door, by the exit.

- - - - -BEN
- You wanted to talk?

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
- You've seen the Usher.

- - - - -BEN
- Usher?

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
- The tattooed man. Where?

- - - - -BEN
- In my dreams. When I'm awake. On the road. In town.
(then)
- There was a kid painted up like him. A ceremony.

- - - - -MANAGEMENT
(appalled)
- They worship him?

- - - - -BEN
- Not really. Some kinda parade. Who is he?

Alamogordo, page 42

2005-06-18T01:54:00.000-07:00

STROUD

stands, plucks a tweed suit-jacket off the chair, slips it on. Tightens the knot of his tie.

HIROSHI

brows knit in intense concentration, breathing heavily, excited by the infliction of pain.

STROUD

pulls a sheriff's badge from the inside pocket of the coat. Amused, he pins it on, straightens his lapels. Pleased, he steps away from the mirror, REVEALING

POLICE CHIEF LYLE DONOVAN

Slumped against the wall in his skivvies, HIS THROAT SLASHED into a wide, gaping smile, the front of his undershirt SOAKED WITH BLOOD.

THE CHEESE CLOTH

soaked with ink, rubbed over torn, oozing flesh. THE TAPPING CONTINUES THROUGH TO:

DONOVAN'S WATCH

A BLOOD FRECKLED Bulova, pearl face, the TAPPING MERGING WITH ITS TICKING. The watch is removed.

STROUD

Wipes the blood clean on Donovan's undershirt, slips it on his wrist, gazing down at the body as he straightens his cuffs, turns and walks out the front door.

OUT

FADE IN:

EXT. CARNIVALE - NIGHT

Late. The carnival is closed. The rousties are in the midst of the tear down.

EXT. MIDWAY - NIGHT

Ben carries a box of slum from the Cat Toss game, when he's waylaid by Samson, who is ashen-faced.

Alamogordo, page 41

2005-06-18T01:43:00.000-07:00

INT. HIROSHI'S APARTMENT - CALIFORNIA - NIGHT

Hiroshi pins up her hair in front of a full-length MIRROR. Her movements are deliberate, sensuous. Behind her, Justin lies waiting, naked, on a futon mat. INTERCUT WITH:

INT. DONOVAN HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Stroud sits at a roll-top desk, nattily dressed in shirt, tie, wide-brimmed hat. He sports a shoulder holster, which holds a GUN.

He sifts through old mail.

STEEL NEEDLES

Grouped in a bunch, tips RED-HOT in the HEAT of candle fire.

PULL BACK to see that the set is attached to a BAMBOO HANDLE, being held by Hiroshi. She lifts them from the FLAME and lightly blows on them.

STROUD

expressionless, continues his task.

JUSTIN

O.S., the staccato tat-tap-tap of bamboo against bamboo. Justin screws his eyes shut in pain and ecstasy.

A STILETTO

SLICES open an ENVELOPE.

A ROW OF PINS

stipple FLESH, DROPETS OF BLOOD appearing on SKIN, wiped away with a cheese-cloth.

STROUD

reads a letter, grins. He's found something of value.

JUSTIN

His face trembles, tears streaming down his cheeks, breath withdrawn in an ecstatic GASP. The insistent, ceaseless TAPPING.

Alamogordo, page 40

2005-06-18T01:36:00.000-07:00

- - - - -JONES (cont'd)
(adds)
- And her, I guess.

- - - - -LIBBY
- I guess.

- - - - -JONES
- I just wanted you to know.

Libby finds herself surprisingly touched.

- - - - -LIBBY
- I appreciate that.

She smiles. He returns it. They have a moment--

- - - - -STUMPY (O.S.)
- There you are, girl.

Stumpy approaches.

- - - - -STUMPY
- Been lookin' all over. Got a half-dozen gents waitin on ya.

Libby sighs, stands. She's feckless about her work. Jones shifts, embarassed. She flicks away her cigarette.

- - - - -LIBBY
- See ya around.

- - - - -JONES
- Sure.

Libby leaves Jones alone with Stumpy, who grins. He saw the moment.

- - - - -STUMPY
- Just lookit them stars, eh, Jonesy? They sure are out tonight.

- - - - -JONES
- Yeh...

Jones turns away until Stumpy exits. Jones settles back in the chair, sighs, eyes on the light in Lodz's trailer.

CUT TO:

Alamogordo, page 39

2005-06-18T01:17:00.000-07:00

SOFIE

stares at the card in horror.

EXT. CARNIVALE - NIGHT

The last customers file out. The FRONT LIGHTS wink off.

INT. COOK-TENT - NIGHT

Filled with carnies and rousties, enjoying after-show coffees, snorts and smokes.

LIBBY

alone at her table, smokes a cigarette, her gaze on--

LODZ' TRAILER

lit by lamplight.

- - - - -JONES (O.S.)
- Least she's alive.

Libby gives Jones a bitter smile.

- - - - -LIBBY
- That's somethin, alright.

Libby drops her cigarette to the ground, crushes it out and lights another. He takes a seat at her table.

For a long moment, neither says anything, then:
- - - - -LIBBY- - - - -/- - - - -JONES- - - - -
-I was just-- .................. About what happened--

An awkward beat. Libby shrugs.

- - - - -JONES
- That night...

- - - - -LIBBY
- I don't wanna talk about it.

- - - - -JONES
- I know. Me neither. I just wanted you to know. I ain't said nothin to nobody and I never will. It's between you and me.

(MORE)

Alamogordo, page 38

2005-06-18T01:08:00.000-07:00

- - - - -BEN
(shrugs)
Mebbe he can make sense of it.

- - - - -SAMSON
- Mebbe.

Samson nods, starts away.

- - - - -BEN
- I seen this other man. He got tattoos.
(withdraws the folded sketch)
Like this...

Samson unfolds it, looks at Kerrigan's sketch.

- - - - -SAMSON
- I'll show him.

Ben nods. Samson heads off to Management's trailer.

INT. LODZ' TRAILER - NIGHT

Sofie, exhausted, pulls on one of Lodz's robes, nudges her filthy clothes into a corner with her foot.

CLOSE - SOFIE

as she washes in a wash basin, dries herself off with a nearby towel, ties the robe closed. She crosses to the bed. When she pulls back the covers, she GASPS, wide-eyed--

HER POV

On the pillow is the deck of TAROT CARDS she threw away. One card is face up.

CLOSER

The Nine of Swords, a woman seated on her bed in lamentation with nine swords dangling over her. The card of utter destruction. Sorrow. Deception. Shame.

Alamogordo, page 37

2005-06-18T01:01:00.000-07:00

EXT. CARNIVALE - MIDWAY

Ben talks to Samson

- - - - -BEN
- It was jus a buncha gibberish.

- - - - -SAMSON
- Don't matter. Give it to me.

- - - - -BEN
- I can't.

- - - - -SAMSON
- You gotta. That comes straight from him.

Ben has no choice--

- - - - -BEN
- It was poems of some kind. Or a poem, I dunno.

- - - - -SAMSON
- Poems?

- - - - -BEN
- That's what I said.

Ben tries to remember.

- - - - -BEN
- "See a face all my own." "Her cheeks are hollowed and withered." "Two paths part where I find the crone." He kept on and on about a crone.

- - - - -SAMSON
- A crone? Like a old lady.

- - - - -BEN
(shrugs)
- And then "True men, like you men". "True men, like you men, are plenty here today."

Samson just stares at him.

- - - - -SAMSON
- That's it?

Alamogordo, page 36

2005-06-18T00:52:00.000-07:00

- - - - -ELEANOR
- 'Course. Come on, sweetheart.

A last shy smile and Celeste exits with Eleanor. Justin and Iris watch them go.

- - - - -IRIS
- Such a shame. A lovely girl like that with nobody else in the whole world.

Justin grabs an overcoat from a closet.

- - - - -IRIS
- Your words are the only thing she has. I'm sure she'll be completley devoted to you.

- - - - -BROTHER JUSTIN
- Like a sister?

Justin stares at her, evenly. Then gives her a kiss.

- - - - -BROTHER JUSTIN
- Don't wait up.

He exits the house.

Iris draws back the curtain of the front window slightly, observes Justin. We can hear his CAR STARTING, O.S.

Eleanor reenters the room.

- - - - -ELEANOR
- She's all squared away, Miss Iris.

Iris nods, deep in thought. Finally:

- - - - -IRIS
- That Mr. Dolan. He's quite a character.

- - - - -ELEANOR
- Yes ma'am. Asks a million questions about nonsense.

Iris looks back at Eleanor.

- - - - -IRIS
- Does he?

CUT TO:

Alamogordo, page 35

2005-06-18T00:45:00.000-07:00

INT. CROWE HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Justin comes down the stairs to find Iris with Celeste, who holds a battered valise.

- - - - -BROTHER JUSTIN
- Well, who do we have here?

- - - - -IRIS
- Justin, this is our new maid, Celeste Watkins.

Celeste, awestruck to be in Justin's presence, flushes prettily.

- - - - -IRIS
- Celeste will be keeping house while we attend to church business.

Justin smiles warmly at Celeste, takes her hand in both of his.

- - - - -BROTHER JUSTIN
- Welcome, Celeste.

She curtsies. Can't look him in the eye. He's charmed.

- - - - -CELESTE
- Thank you, sir. It's an honor.

- - - - -IRIS
- Celeste is an orphan. She came here all the way from Oregon when she heard your broadcast.

- - - - -BROTHER JUSTIN
- Really? How flattering.

She blushes, again.

- - - - -CELESTE
- I've never heard anyone talk like you. Not ever.

Justin smiles, takes a bow. Iris spots Eleanor crossing from the kitchen.

- - - - -IRIS
- Eleanor, please show Celeste to her room.

Alamogordo, page 34

2005-06-18T00:38:00.000-07:00

Sofie sits down on the bed, troubled, her mind a jumble of conflicting emotions.

EXT. LODZ' TRAILER - NIGHT

The bottle in one hand, the bag of laundry in the other, Samson rounds the corner of the trailer only to find--

LILA

Who corners him.

- - - - -LILA
- Whatchya doin?

- - - - -SAMSON
- Nothin.

Lila looks pointedly at the bag and the bottle.

- - - - -LILA
- What if he comes back?

- - - - -SAMSON
- Trailer's his.

She caught his hesitancy, reads the lie.

- - - - -LILA
- You talk to the boss like I asked?

Samson contemplates another lie, decides to end it.

- - - - -SAMSON
- Lila, honey, Mangament thinks he's gone and so do I. That's the way it is. I sure as hell wish I could tell you somethin different.

- - - - -LILA
(searches his gaze)
I wish you could too.

She leaves. He's so happy the charade is over, he doesn't pick up the slight chill in her voice.

CUT TO:

EXT. CROWE HOUSE - CALIFORNIA - NIGHT

LIGHTS burn from every window.

Alamogordo, page 33

2005-06-18T00:27:00.000-07:00

- - - - -SAMSON
- You ain't gonna totter off again?

Sofie braves a smile, shakes her head. Samson brightens.

- - - - -SAMSON
- That's bully. Cuz God knows we can use ya around here.

He grabs Lodz' dirty clothes, shoves them in a pillowcase.

- - - - -SOFIE
(sad)
- I can't read the cards...

- - - - -SAMSON
- Hell, Sofie. Nobody can. Not really.

- - - - -SOFIE
- Mama did.

Samson takes both her hands in his, meets her eyes.

- - - - -SAMSON
- Don't worry about it. We'll getchu back on your feet in no time sharp.

- - - - -SOFIE
(upset)
- But I don't know how--

He turns to her. Softly--

- - - - -SAMSON
- It don't matter, Sof. That ain't what's important right now.

He pats her hand.

- - - - -SAMSON
- You get your rest. Let somebody take care of you for a change.

She starts to protest.

- - - - -SAMSON
(stern)
- Management's orders.

Exhausted, she nods, attempts a smile. He gives her hand a squeeze, smiles and, plucking the half-full bottle of absinthe off the table, exits.

Alamogordo, page 32

2005-06-15T21:51:00.000-07:00

- - - - -SAMSON
- Nevermind that.

- - - - -RUTHIE
- Jus glad you're back, darlin.

Ben notes Ruthie's presence. Samson and the others lead Sofie away.

SOFIE

helplessly casts a grateful glance back toward

BEN

He gently smiles at her, nods. Ruthie takes his hand.

- - - - -RUTHIE
- You, too...

Ben pulls his hand away.

- - - - -BEN
(flat)
- Yeh.

Without another word, he walks off, leaving her devastated.

INT. LODZ' TRAILER - NIGHT

Carrying a lantern, Samson keys open the lock, holds the door open for Sofie and follows her inside.

- - - - -SOFIE
- Where's Lodz?

- - - - - SAMSON
- The perfessor took a powder.

- - - - -SOFIE
- Why?

He ignores the question, throws open a window. Exhausted, Sofie sits down in Lodz's chair.

- - - - -SAMSON
- A little airin out and it'll be just dandy. Gitcher self a shower. We'll rustle up some things for you to wear, incidentals, whatnot...

Sofie nods. Samson gives her an almost comically stern look.

Alamogordo, page 31

2005-06-15T21:41:00.000-07:00

- - - - -RITA SUE (cont'd)
(slow grind)
- How 'bout a little deposit, hm?

The man scribbles something on a five-dollar bill.

- - - - -RITA SUE
- That's more like it...
(reads his name written on the fiver, smiles)
- ...Mr. Smith See you after the show.

She tousles his hair. Other men begin furiously scribbling their names on five dollar bills, hand them to her.

EXT. COOK TENT - NIGHT

Ruthie, in her snake-charming outfit, finishes a coffee. HEADLIGHTS glare. A motor is switched off. Ruthie smiles, relieved, when she sees--

HER POV

Ben hops out of the CHEVY TRUCK. He moves to the passenger door, opens it for Sofie.

RUTHIE

Her smile fades, replaced by disappointment, maybe a touch of jealousy. She's immediately surprised and ashamed of herself, shakes it off.

SCENE

Ben helps Sofie out of the cab. Samson steps up along with Ruthie and SEVERAL OTHERS, all of them greeting Sofie, relieved to have her back.

- - - - -SAMSON
- Where'd you run off to, girl? You had us fit!

- - - - -BEN
- She was lost. Found her on the road.

She looks at Samson, playing the stern father, then the others, their expressions of concern.

- - - - -SOFIE
(weak but sincere)
- I'm sorry.

Alamogordo, page 30

2005-06-14T18:04:00.000-07:00

- - - - -STUMPY
- All you gotta do is line up one hole with the other and you see...
(peers closely)
- I can't quite tell if that's Rudolf Valentino or Errol Flynn.
(turns the dice)
- Oh yeah, that's Errol Flynn all right...

The CROWD responds, eagerly.

Rita Sue, dressed in a sheer negligee, appears to help peddle the dice. Customers rush them, toss COINS into the DING BOX, receive dice in return.

The chumps immediately try to work the device.

- - - - -COOTCH PATRON #1
- Don't see nothin.

- - - - -COOTCH PATRON #2
- Dog my cats! I see it!

The other patron tried to get a peek through #2's dice. Before any of them can think too much--

RITA SUE

Moves through the crowd, shimmying and shaking. She's having fun, something she hasn't had in a long time.

- - - - -STUMPY
(re: Rita Sue)
- That young lady down there is the Countess von Kraut, and for another four bits, y'all can stick around and get a gander. I guarantee you'll leave her show with your hand in your pocket and a new grip on life.
(beat)
- Flash her some greenbacks and she may even be available for you private pleasure.

Men grope her, WHISPER dirty things in her ears.

- - - - -RITA SUE
- What's that, honey? I can't take you seriously if you're just gonna talk a big game.

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