Jacob rushes downstairs and finds his mother sobbing at the kitchen table.
She’s clutching something in her hand.
Jacob reaches out to her, trying to address her in a soothing voice.
But Jacob’s mother only turns away from him, pulling the piece of paper closer to her chest.
Jacob
About…Is it about Emily?
Mom
Honey, I told you that I don’t want you involved.
Mom
Go back upstairs. Officer Veil is already on his way.
Jacob
Come on, Mom, we’ve got to stay in this together.
Jacob
Please? I’m just as worried as you are.
Mom
I guess you’re right.
Mom
Besides, you’d probably just sneak down the stairs to listen —
Jacob’s mother is interrupted by a knock at the door.
A few minutes later, Officer Veil settles down at the table with them.
Officer Veil
You said they sent a ransom note, Dr. Grant?
Mom
Yes. They’re asking for quite a bit of money, but of course there’s no price I wouldn’t pay to protect my daughter.
Jacob
Mom, that’s ridiculous. You don’t negotiate with terrorists!
Jacob
I won’t! You’re a single mother. Are you sure you should be dipping into your savings like that?
After a moment, Officer Veil clears his throat. With a soft but firm voice, he takes control of the situation.
Officer Veil
Dr. Grant, your son does have a point — sometimes it’s unwise to give a hothead exactly what they’re asking for.
Officer Veil
But this isn’t an action movie.
Officer Veil
And it’s not like we’re two countries fighting over war hostages or something. This is Bruinsboro.
Officer Veil
Ultimately, the safest thing to do is give the kidnapper the money — just to appease them for now — until we can locate Emily and extract her.
Officer Veil
Let me see if I can squeeze any money out of the police budget to pitch in for the ransom.
Officer Veil
Nothing ever happens in this town, and I think we were able to do that last time there was a kidnapping.
Jacob
What do you mean, last time?
Officer Veil
Oh, it was three or four years ago.
Officer Veil
Come to think of it, it was around this time — when those freaks came into town.
Jacob
They aren’t ALL freaks, you know.
Officer Veil
Huh? Why the sudden change of heart, son?
Officer Veil
Just yesterday you told me to look into some sort of evil contortionist.
Jacob
Well, yeah. And there’s also a magician I’d like you to look—
Officer Veil
I’m gonna stop you right there.
Officer Veil
I’ve already gotten enough orders — sound orders — from my police chief.
Officer Veil
And though it’s early to give you this information, I’ll tell it to you so you’re encouraged to keep your nose clean...
Officer Veil
We’re circling in on the soothsayer at the faire.
Officer Veil
Yeah. Terrible past on that one.
Officer Veil
The kind that’ll turn a person cold inside and out.
Officer Veil
Apparently the faire was some kind of sanctuary for her, because she was pretty intensely abused.
Jacob’s heart falls into his stomach. He feels his cheeks flush.
Officer Veil
Yes. Interesting that you should know her first name.
Officer Veil
Because…she can be extremely cunning and…persuasive.
Officer Veil
Apparently, she thinks she’s doing some kind of “good deed” when she leads her victims into her lifestyle.
Jacob
What?! Rosemary would never do that! She’s a good person.
Officer Veil
I have to say, son, that statement is worrisome.
Officer Veil
Are you defending her?
Officer Veil
It sounds like she might have you under her spell too…
Jacob
Mom, I’m telling you. Rosemary’s completely harmless.
Officer Veil
Harmless? She only seems that way, trust me.
Officer Veil
Seriously, the safest thing you can do is stay away from her.
Officer Veil
We’re putting together a warrant for her arrest.
Jacob
What?! I can’t listen to this nonsense anymore.
But Jacob rushes out of his house before his mother says another word.
He pulls out his cellphone and texts Celia.
Jacob
Celia, things are worse than ever.
Jacob
Officer Veil thinks it’s Rosemary.
Celia
What?! That’s ridiculous.
Jacob
I know. There’s no way she did it.
Jacob
Meet me at the bearded lady’s tent?
Jacob
We’ve got work to do. STAT.
Jacob drives to the faire, ignoring the incoming text vibrating in his pocket.
When he arrives, he takes one look at the message and wishes he’d pulled over to read it.
Emily
Jacob, listen. The giraffe was here today.
Emily
I think the giraffe is trying to find my phone.
Jacob
Em, WHAT does that mean?
Jacob
You’ve got to give me another clue.
But again, Emily doesn’t answer, leaving Jacob shaken when he meets Celia.
Jacob
I got another text from Em. But it said that same thing about the giraffe.
Celia
I keep wracking my brain for memories that might include a giraffe…
Celia
But I’ve got nothing.
Jacob
I do too — but it keeps coming up blank.
Jacob
Ugh, it’s so frustrating. I feel like I’m throwing away an easy clue.
Celia
Well, it’s okay. We’re gonna solve this NOW — all right?
Celia
Let’s go into the funhouse. All the clowns live there, and they’re always the creepiest creatures at the faire.
Celia
I just have this feeling that they know something.
After Jacob fills Celia in on his conversation with Officer Veil, the two trade horror stories about clowns.
They think it’ll be a fun way to distract themselves on the walk over,
But by the time they’re pulling back the heavy metal door to the fun house, their hearts are already hammering in their chests.
Crouching in the doorway, Jacob edges forward, so only his head crosses the threshold.
His eyes are assaulted with a long row of mirrors, framing infinite reflections of his face.
He sees Celia’s multiplicitous form move into the eerie, gray hallway.
Celia
Whoa! Did you see that?
Celia takes a step forward into the funhouse, her arm stretched out like a zombie ballerina.
Jacob’s whispers grow more urgent.
Jacob
Celia! Get back here!
Celia
Come into the room. I see something.
Jacob steps forward — but as soon as he does, he knows he’s made a terrible mistake.
Because not even a second later, the metal door slams shut behind him…
And a maniacal laugh reverberates against all the glass.
