Jacob doesn’t stop running until he’s swallowed up by the crowds at the faire.
For a few minutes, he lets himself get carried away in the river of foot traffic.
Then he breaks free and pulls out his phone to text Celia.
Jacob
Listen, I’ve completely changed my mind.
Jacob
This whole situation with Emily — it’s dangerous.
Jacob
We can’t solve this crime on our own.
Celia
I know. I’m at a total loss. The bearded lady was nice and all, but she was a complete dead end.
Celia
She didn’t have a clue what had happened to Em…and that was after a whole hour of questioning.
Celia
It’s like all that time is…lost. We need help.
Jacob
Damn. Well, at least your visit sounds better than mine — I met a terrifying contortionist.
Jacob
She was playing mind games with me.
Jacob
It was horrible — especially since I’m just so worried about Em.
Celia
Ughh, that sounds creepy.
Jacob
It was. I think she could’ve captured Em. She definitely seemed evil.
Celia
Sounds like it. I mean, the bottom line is, Em was taken tonight.
Celia
And if these people are capable of kidnapping Em…
Celia
They’re obviously capable of anything.
Jacob
Agreed. That’s why we need to call in some real help.
Jacob
Yeah. And maybe Officer Veil. Let’s get a professional on the case.
Celia
Oh yeah, you’re right.
Celia
Officer Veil is so nice and friendly when he visits our school, so I never think of him that way…
Celia
But he IS a cop. He’ll be able to help.
Jacob
Okay, I’m glad we’re on the same page.
Jacob
I’m gonna talk to my mom. I’ll keep you posted.
He taps his foot impatiently as the phone rings,
And as soon as his mom picks up, the words rush out of his mouth without any sort of greeting.
Jacob
Emily’s been kidnapped.
Mom
Jacob, is that you, honey?
Jacob
And I’m serious — Emily’s been kidnapped.
Suddenly, something seems to snap within Jacob’s mother,
And when she speaks, her voice is cold.
Jacob and Emily used to joke about it, calling this her “Dr. Grant” voice,
But Jacob isn’t laughing now.
Mom
Jacob Grant, get home this instant.
Mom
I’m calling the police.
It doesn’t take Jacob more than fifteen minutes to get home.
In an isolated town like Bruinsboro, the country roads stay empty for miles.
Jacob floors the gas pedal and coaxes the car to coast.
When he arrives at the house, his mom throws open the door and calls out to him.
Mom
Oh! Thank goodness you’re home.
She races down the stairs and wraps her arms around him.
Jacob’s sixteen, so his mother’s hugs usually embarrass him — but not tonight.
He’s been through too much in the last few hours, so he lets himself sink into his mother’s love.
After a moment, they walk into the kitchen, where Officer Veil is sitting at the table.
He stands up, gruffly addressing Jacob.
Officer Veil
Your mother tells me your twin sister’s gone missing.
Officer Veil
We’re lucky you picked up on this issue.
Officer Veil
We’ve sent a couple officers to search the faire right away, but in the meantime…
Officer Veil
How’d you do it? How’d you find out she was missing?
Officer Veil
She TEXTED you?
Officer Veil
Amazing. That’s so simple.
Officer Veil
Can you please show me the texts? Every piece of information is helpful to us.
Officer Veil
You’d be surprised where we’ve found our best clues.
Jacob shows Officer Veil his phone.
The policeman shrugs after he finishes scrolling through,
And then Jacob tentatively tells him about his encounter with the contortionist.
As he speaks, his confidence grows, and he finishes the story with a self-assured statement.
Jacob
And that’s why we should seriously consider the contortionist.
Officer Veil leans forward, rubbing his coarse hands together.
When he speaks, his soft brown eyes lie squarely on Jacob’s.
Officer Veil
I think you may be right. We’re going to look into her.
Officer Veil
And every other one of those outsiders who travels with the faire.
Jacob
Thank you — I just have such a bad feeling about that place.
Officer Veil
I know. But listen to me carefully…
Officer Veil
I don’t think I need to remind you that this is a dangerous situation.
Officer Veil
Tread carefully.
Jacob
I get it. But — I need Em to come home.
Officer Veil
I know. And you also need to take care of your mother.
Officer Veil
Don’t get me wrong,
Officer Veil
I want you to keep informing me if you come across a clue…
Officer Veil
In fact, you can always text me here…
Officer Veil hands Jacob his business card.
Officer Veil
But don’t go looking for trouble, all right, son?
Jacob’s mother reaches across the table and clasps Jacob’s hand in hers.
Mom
Yes, please be safe, Jacob.
Mom
Don’t do anything reckless. I can’t lose you too.
Jacob looks into his mother’s pleading eyes and nods —
Because he’s unable to lie to her completely.
After Officer Veils leaves, Jacob’s mother stands up, speaking to Jacob in her “Dr. Grant” voice.
Mom
Jacob Grant, I’m serious.
Mom
I can see that look in your eye — that you want to help your sister —
Mom
But you can’t. I’m banning you from the faire.
Mom
I had a bad feeling about you and Emily going there alone and I should have listened to it in the first place.
Mom
You’re not allowed to go.
Mom
Now go to bed. And I’m staying up to make sure you actually do it.
Jacob hangs his head and climbs up the stairs to his bedroom.
But when he’s halfway there, a brilliant idea pops into his head.
He’ll set his alarm for 3 a.m., and sneak out his bedroom window.
And that’s exactly what he does.
In the middle of the night, he climbs down the magnolia tree in front of his house,
And, thinking it’ll be less conspicuous than his car, he pedals his bike all the way to the fair.
Once there, he sneaks into Rosemary’s tent, calling out a hushed greeting.
Jacob
Rosemary? You there?
There’s a gasp as a woman steps into the space, flicking on the lights.
She’s dressed in Gap pajamas, and except for her withered eye,
She looks causal — normal — like she could be anyone at Jacob’s school.
Jacob
Rosemary? Is that you?
Rosemary
Jacob, you shouldn’t be here.
Rosemary
Because you shouldn’t see me like this… not without…
Jacob
Your draping robes?
Jacob
Look at you, you’re beautiful like this.
Jacob
It’s like — this is who you are.
Jacob
Yes. Look, I don’t know what happened to you when you joined this faire —
Rosemary
You’re right. You don’t know.
Jacob
Whoa, you sound mad at me or something. Please don’t be — I hope I didn’t say anything wrong.
Jacob
I just — you’re hiding behind a mask.
Jacob
And I don’t know why.
Rosemary releases the angry breath she’s holding.
Rosemary
Jacob, we all hide behind masks.
Rosemary
Look at the history of my profession.
Rosemary
Once upon a time, a soothsayer would tell the truth…
Rosemary
Instead of dealing in the realm of divination.
Jacob
What does that even mean??
Jacob
Rosemary, come on, it’s me.
Jacob
You can tell me what you mean.
Rosemary
Sometimes, we tell ourselves lies…
Rosemary
To get us through a trying time…
Jacob
Stop speaking in riddles — just talk to me.
Rosemary’s response is cut off by a man’s deep, bellowing voice.
Man
You have absolutely no right to be here at this hour!
Man
Now I must ask — nay, demand — that you stop accosting my WIFE.
And as that final sharp word slices a hole in Jacob’s heart,
The man’s muscular paw wraps around Jacob’s upper arm,
And Jacob is forced out into the dark night air.
