Big Fish Page #10

EDWARD (V.O.)

I had just left Ashton, and was on myway to discover my destiny. Not

knowing what that would be exactly, Iexplored every opportunity thatpresented itself.

Joining the crowd, he heads into the big-top.

INT. BIG TOP - NIGHT

A troupe of STILT-WALKING FIREBREATHERS finishes their act totremendous APPLAUSE.

As the performers clear away, the circus’ owner-andringmaster

AMOS CALLOWAY (50) approaches the stands. He mayonly be four feet tall, but Amos has a titanic presence.

AMOS:

Ladies and Gentlemen, you may thinkyou’ve seen the unusual. You may thinkyou’ve seen the bizarre.

(MORE)

53.

AMOS (cont'd)

But I’ve travelled to the five corners

of the world, and let me tell you, I’venever seen anything like this.

From behind Amos, CARNIES start rolling a massive balltowards the crowd.

AMOS (cont’d)

When I found this man, he was pickingoranges in Florida. His fellow workers

called him El Penumbra -- The Shadow --

because when you were working besidehim, he blocked out the daylight. He

could take a whole tree in his hands

and shake off the fruit. I had to payhis crew boss $10,000 just so I couldtake him with me.

Amos comes up to a MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN in the first row, aquieter moment.

AMOS (cont’d)

Not to alarm you, Ma’am. But if this

man wanted to, he could crush your headbetween his toes.

(she trembles)

But he won’t.

(a long beat)

He’s not going to hurt her, folks,

because he’s our own Gentle Giant.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give youColossus!

The carnies back away from the ball as a deep DRUM ROLLbegins. A moment, then the ball starts to bulge from inside.

A foot suddenly bursts out from within. GASPS from the

crowd. That foot is massive. In the stands, Edward lookscloser. Intrigued.

As the drum beat intensifies, a second foot breaks out.

Followed by hands. Shoulders. Finally, the head. This is

COLOSSUS.

From a very LOW ANGLE, we look up to see just how massive heis. He seems to fill the Heavens. With his shaved head and

giant club, he seems more ogre than man.

In the bandstands, a YOUNG BOY’s jaw drops in awe. Colossus

walks down the row, letting the crowd get a better look athim. Some reach out to touch him, disbelieving. A tightspotlight follows him, revealing faces in the crowd.

54.

Colossus passes Edward, who seems unimpressed. He leans with

the spotlight, WHISTLING to get the big man’s attention.

He points to the edge of the stands, where his friend issitting on the dirt -

KARL THE GIANT:

stands up, so big the spotlight has to widen just to holdhim. He’s a good foot taller than Colossus. There’s a GASP

from the crowd, along with nervous anticipation -- what willhappen next?

ANGLE ON Amos, stunned, megaphone dangling.

ANGLE ON Colossus, realizing the gig is up. With a resignedshrug, he rests his club on his shoulder and walks away intothe shadows.

CUT TO:

INT. BIG-TOP - NIGHT / LATER

As the stands empty, Edward and Karl talk to Amos.

AMOS:

What’s his name? Does he talk? It’s

not important.

KARL:

Karl.

AMOS:

Tell me Karl, have you ever heard ofthe term “involuntary servitude?”

Karl shakes his head.

AMOS (cont’d)

“Unconscionable contract?”

Nope.

AMOS (cont’d)

Great, great. That’s fantastic.

EDWARD (V.O.)

It was on that night Karl met his

destiny. And I met mine. Almost.

INT. BIG TOP - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

As Amos pulls Karl aside to give him the hard sell, Edwardnotices a BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMAN (16) leaving with her family.

55.

She’s wearing a blue dress and hat. For no good reason, shelooks back at Edward.

The two make eye contact. And as they do, all motionFREEZES.

A fiery baton remains mid-twirl, flames locked in place. A

spilled box of popcorn hangs in mid-air, each kernel like asnowflake. Even the elephant is mid-poop.

Only Edward is free to move, winding his way between thefrozen bodies, ducking underneath arms to get closer andcloser to this woman.

EDWARD (V.O.)(CONT’D)

They say when you meet the love of yourlife, time stops. And that’s true.

What they don’t tell you, is that oncetime starts again, it moves extra fastto catch up.

Suddenly, everything RUSHES. The crowd becomes a blur, andthe young woman is lost in its wake. Now it’s Edward who’s

frozen, helpless in time.

EXT. DIRT PARKING LOT - NIGHT

Edward checks in windows as cars pull out, searching for hisfated love. Not finding her, he becomes more frantic,

running down the rows.

CROSSFADE TO:

THE EMPTY LOT:

Colossus is thumbing for a ride. The last pickup truck stopsand lets him climb in back.

As the truck pulls out, it passes a dejected Edward. He’ll

never find that girl, the love of his life.

INT. BIG-TOP - NIGHT

Amos leans over so Karl can sign a contract on his back. He

spots Edward walking back into the tent.

AMOS:

Hey kid! Your friend just made himselfa star.

EDWARD:

That’s great.

Amos hands off the contract to a CLOWN.

56.

AMOS:

(introducing)

My attorney, Mr. Soggybottom.

EDWARD:

Good to meet you.

Mr. Soggybottom HONKS his horn, then waddles off.

AMOS:

What’s the matter with you, kid? I

haven’t seen a customer so depressedsince the elephant sat on that farmer’swife.

(beat)

Get it? “Depressed?”

Karl chuckles.

AMOS (cont’d)

See! The big guy likes it.

EDWARD:

I just saw the woman I’m going tomarry, I know it. But then I lost her.

AMOS:

Tough break. Most men have to getmarried before they lose their wives.

EDWARD:

(with absolute conviction)

I’m going to spend the rest of my lifelooking for her. That or die alone.

AMOS:

Jesus, kid.

(realizing)

Let me guess. Real pretty, blondehair, blue hat?

EDWARD:

Yes!

AMOS:

I know her uncle. Friends of the

family.

EDWARD:

Who is she? Where does she live?

AMOS:

Kid. Don’t waste your time. She’s out

of your league.

57.

As Amos starts to walk away, Edward hurries to catch up withhim. Karl follows as well.

EDWARD:

What do you mean? You don’t even know

me.

AMOS:

Sure I do. You were hot sh*t back in

Hickville, but here in the real world,

you got squat. You don’t have a plan.

You don’t have a job. You don’t have

anything but the clothes on your back.

EDWARD:

I’ve got a whole backpack full of

clothes!

He points to the bleachers, where no backpack is to be found.

EDWARD (cont’d)

(realizing)

Someone stole my backpack.

AMOS:

Kid, you were a big fish in a smallpond. This here is the ocean, andyou’re drowning. Take my advice and goback to Puddleville. You’ll be happythere.

Getting in front of Amos, Edward stops him.

EDWARD:

Wait. You said I don’t have a plan. I

do. I’m going to find that girl andmarry her and spend the rest of my lifewith her.

Amos smiles, amused.

EDWARD (cont’d)

I don’t have a job, but I would have ajob if you gave me one. And I may nothave much, but I have moredetermination than any man you’re evergoing to meet.

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