2.02 Everybody Loves a Clown

All scenes from 2.01 In My Time of Dying, unless otherwise mentioned.
"Time Has Come Today" by The Chambers Brothers starts playing.
The screen is black.

THEN

Sound of a car screech.
From 1.01 Pilot, the Impala runs through Constance's spirit.
Dean (voiceover from 1.02 Wendigo): Dad wants us to pick up where he left off.
From 1.03 Dead in the Water, Dean pulls up Lucus from the lake.
Dean (voiceover from 1.02 Wendigo): Saving people,
From 1.12 Faith, Dean and Sam start down stairs with flashlights and tasers, looking for the Rawhead.
Dean (voiceover from 1.02 Wendigo): hunting things.
From 1.19 Provenance, Sam swings an iron poker through Melanie's spirit.
From 1.02 Wendigo, Dean is talking with Sam at the campfire.
Dean: The family business.
In 1.11 Scarecrow, the couple cowers behind Dean, who raises his shotgun to face the Scarecrow.
The music is ticking.
The screen goes black.
From 1.22 Devil's Trap, the sound of a car's tires screeching. The Impala is hit broadside by an 18 wheeler, which pushes it a short distance.
Winchesters are hurt inside the Impala, as Sam calls to them.
Sam: Dad. Dean!
Music starts.
Dean sits up from the hospital bed.
Dean stands in front of the hospital receptionist, waving his hand to catch her attention.
Spirit Dean (voiceover): It's not a dream. Have you ever heard
Spirit Dean flickers as he falls to his knees in pain.
Spirit Dean (voiceover): of an out-of-body experience? It means that we're spirits,
Spirit Dean is explaining to Tessa.
Dean: of people close to death
Dean runs back to his room, and sees his body on the bed in a coma.

Music:

Time has come today

Spirit Dean slowly moves forward, looking at his body, unbelieving.
Sam (voiceover): Your son is dying,
Sam is talking with Dad, who is sitting up in a hospital bed.

Music:

Young hearts can go that way

Sam: and you're worried about the Colt?
Scene fades out.
Scene fades in. Dean is heading downstairs, trying to find Sam and Dad after the car accident.

Music:

Can't put it off another day

From 1.22 Devil's Trap, John is on the floor with Azazel inside, begging Sam to kill the demon.
John: You shoot me in the heart son.
From 1.22 Devil's Trap, Sam brings up the Colt, pulling back the hammer.
Dean's body arches up from the paddles used to restart his heart.
From 1.22 Devil's Trap, Azazel pours out of John's mouth as black smoke.
John: Ah!
Sam (voiceover): You're planning on bringing the demon here, aren't you?
From Devil's Trap, black smoke escaping through cracks in the floor.
Sam confronts John in the hospital room.
Sam: Having some stupid macho showdown.
John opens the door to the boiler room.
John is drawing a symbol on the floor in chalk.
John (voiceover): If you'd killed that damn thing
John lights the summoning spell, flames shooting up.
John (voiceover): when you had the chance
John is in his hospital bed, arguing with Sam.
John: None of this would have happened!
Sam turns to look at Dad.

Music:

Oh!!!

Fast forward. Sam is on the floor with an ouija board. Spirit Dean is walking around to face Sam.

Music:

The rules have changed today

John is waiting for the demon, and a hand grabs him on the right shoulder. He turns to face the janitor.

Music:

Hey!

Sam is talking with Dean, who is lying in a hospital bed in a coma, dying.
John cocks the Colt, aiming at the janitor, who turns to face John.

Music:

I have no place to stay

John: I wanna make a deal.

Music:

Hey!

Azazel is intrigued.
Spirit Dean is searching the hospital for Tessa.

Music:

Thinking about the subway

Spirit Dean: You're much prettier than the last Reaper I met.

Music:

Time

Reaper Tessa looks up at Dean.
John (voiceover): I want to give you the Colt
Two other possessed hospital personnel are coming to flank John, while Azazel faces him.
John: and the bullet, but you gotta help Dean.
The screen goes black.

Music:

Time

John: So we have a deal?
The screen goes black.
The music is ticking.
Azazel is talking with John.
Azazel: You still need to sweeten the pot.
The screen goes black.

Music:

Time

Reaper Tessa, possessed by Azazel, turning to face Spirit Dean.
Tessa: Today's your lucky day, kid.
Her hand presses against his forehead, and he closes his eyes and gasps for air.
Dean wakes up in his hospital bed, gasping for air and choking.

Music:

Time

The screen goes black.
John is talking with Dean, after Dean wakes up.
John: You watch out for Sammy, okay?
The music's ticking is getting slower.
John leans over to whisper something in Dean's ear.
The screen goes black.
Close-up of John whispering in Dean's ear.

Music:

Time

John leaning back, Dean looking at him in surprise.

Music:

Time

The screen goes black.
A shot of the Colt being laid down on a hospital tray.
The screen goes black.
John is facing Azazel.
John: Okay.
The screen goes black.
Sam sees his dad lying on the floor, not moving.
Sam: Dad?
The screen goes black.

Music:

Tiiiiiiiiiiime (echoing)

Sam's cup of coffee hits the ground in the foreground. In the background, John lays unmoving.
Sam is over his Dad, screaming for help, but no sound. Sound of a monitor flatlining.
Close up of John's face, as the mask is taken off and a nurse checks for pulse.
Doctor (voiceover): Time of death: 10:41am.
The camera swings up to the monitor, showing everything flatlined.
Dean and Sam in the doorway are watching as their dad is declared dead.

Music:

Tiiiiiiiiiiiime (echoing)

The screen goes black. Music stops.

EXT. CARNIVAL - DAY
A carnival scene is bathed in red. Sound of a balloon popping, and the colors are fixed. Everyone is happy, enjoying themselves, as the camera rises.

Medford, Wisconsin

The camera pans over a ferris wheel, past a fire eater and close on two clowns entertaining a young girl. She is clearly enjoying herself, holding a spinning plate on a stick. Her parents stand behind.
Dad: God, I hate clowns. They always creep me out.
Mom: Shh. She likes them.
Different scenes around the carnival. The spinning plate she's holding. Tilt-a-Whirl. A man on stilts dressed in a gold jacket grabs a young boy and throws him extremely high up. A very flexible woman straightens up after being bent over backwards, double.
Announcer: Watch her twist her body! In every shape and size.
Dad checks his watch.
Mom leans over to daughter.
Mom: Last ride, Nora.
More noises in the background for the carnival is going on. Nora looks over to the side and seens a clown. She waves, it waves back a little creepily. Nora tugs on her mom's sleeve.
Nora: Look, Mom, another clown!
When the parents looks over the clown has disappeared. Mom leans close to Nora after glancing at Dad.
Mom: What are you trying to do, scare your father?
Nora is confused, looking for her clown.
Dad: (softly) Hey.
Mom chuckles and straightens back up, smiling at Dad.Nora smiles slightly up at her parents, then puzzled, looks for her clown again.

EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT
The family is driving home from the carnival.

INT. CAR - NIGHT
Dad is driving. Mom has her eyes closed in the front seat. Nora glances over and sees the clown again, on the side of the road, waving.
Nora: Look, Mom, the clown.
The car drives past. The clown disappears again as Mom opens her eyes, and looks over.
Nora: You missed him.
Mom smiles back at Nora, before facing forward. Scene fades out.

INT. HOUSE - NIGHT
Scene fades in. Nora is lying in bed, then hears something. Looking up, she sees a shadow on her ceiling from someone below. Puzzled, she gets up and goes to the window, before she sees the clown standing below outside. He takes a few steps forward, bells jingling. Nora smiles at him. He smiles back at her. She then goes downstairs and waves at him through the glass back door. Again, he waves back. Nora unlocks and opens the door, motioning for him to come in. He takes her hand and enters.

EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
A funeral pyre with the body wrapped, burns brightly, which sheds the only light in the darkened forest. Standing behind, hands in their pockets, are Sam and Dean. Sam is crying quietly and fidgeting. Dean staring into the flames silently, tears welling in his eyes.
Sam: Before he- before-
Sam sniffs.
Sam: Did he say anything to you?
Dean had half looked over, but shifted his gaze back to Dad's body.
Sam: About anything?
Dean: No. Nothin'.
The boys continue to watch their father burn. One lone tear runs down Dean's right cheek. The camera focuses on the fire. Scene fades out.

EXT. JUNKYARD - DAY
Scene fades in. The camera pans over a junkyard containing cars in various states of demolition.

One Week Later

EVERYBODY LOVES A CLOWN

"Shambala" by Three Dog Night starts playing. Dean is underneath his car working on it, only his legs sticking out.

Credit:

Starring JARED PADALECKI

It is little more than a frame, but the roof, hood, and trunk looks considerably less dented than last time. The front console has been replaced. Dean, sweating, is using a ratchet. Sam approaches.

Credit:

JENSEN ACKLES

Sam: How's the car coming along?
Dean: Slow.

Credit:

Guest Starring ALONA TAL (Jo Harvelle)

Sam: Yeah? Need any help?
Dean drops something heavy.

Credit:

CHAD LINDBERG (Ash)

Dean: What, you under a hood? I'll pass.

Credit:

SAMANTHA FERRIS (Ellen Harvelle) ALEC WILLOWS (Barry Papazian)

Sam: Need anything else, then?

Credit:

Consulting Producer BEN EDLUND

Dean pushes himself out from under the car, glancing at Sam, and stands.
Dean: Stop it, Sam.
Sam: Stop what?
Dean: Stop asking if I need anything,

Credit:

Supervising Producer MATT WITTEN

Dean: Stop asking if I'm okay. I'm okay. Really.

Credit:

Co-Executive Producer PETER JOHNSON

Dean: I promise.

Credit:

Supervising Producer PHIL SGRICCIA

Dean's sorting through his tools. Sam's at a loss on what to do, glancing around.
Sam: All right, Dean. It's just...

Credit:

Executive Producer JOHN SHIBAN

Sam: We've been at Bobby's for over a week now and you haven't brought up Dad once.

Credit:

Executive Producer KIM MANNERS

Dean faces Sam, who has his hands on his hips.
Dean: You know what? You're right. Come here.

Credit:

Executive Producer McG

Dean: I'm gonna lay my head gently on your shoulder.

Credit:

Produced By CYRUS YAVNEH

Dean: Maybe we can cry, hug. Maybe even slow dance.
Sam: Don't patronize me, Dean, Dad is dead. The Colt is gone, and it seems pretty damn likely that the demon is behind all of this, and you're acting like nothing happened.
Dean: What do you want me to say?
Sam: Say something, all right? Hell, say anything! Aren't you angry? Don't you want revenge? But all you do is sit out here all day long buried underneath this damn car.
Dean: Revenge, huh?
Sam: Yeah.
Dean: Sounds good. You got any leads on where the demon is? Making heads or tails of any of Dad's research? Because I sure ain't. But you know, if we do finally find it - oh. No, wait, like you said. The Colt's gone. But I'm sure you've figured out another way to kill it. We've got nothing, Sam. Nothing, okay? So you know the only thing I can do? Is I can work on the car.
Dean crouches by the car again, getting back to work.
Sam: Well, we've got something, all right?
Sam pulls out a cell phone.
Sam: It's what I came by here to tell you. This is one of dad's old phones. Took me a while, but I cracked his voicemail code. Listen to this.
Sam hands the cell phone to Dean, who stands and takes it reluctantly.
Ellen's Voice: John, it's Ellen. Again. Look, don't be stubborn. You know I can help you. Call me.
Sam: That message is four months old.
Dean: Dad saved that chick's message for four months?
Sam: Yeah.
Dean: Who's Ellen? Any mention of her in Dad's journal?
Sam: No. But I ran a trace on her phone number and I got an address.
Dean shrugs, a lot less belligerent.
Dean: Ask Bobby if we can use one of his cars.

THE ROADHOUSE

EXT. ROAD - DAY
In a beat-up, belt squeaking minivan, Dean and Sam drive down the road past a payphone.

Credit:

Created By ERIC KRIPKE

They pull up to the Harville's Roadhouse Saloon. "Do That to Me One More Time" by Captain & Tennille is playing.

Music:

With a man like you

Credit:

Written By JOHN SHIBAN

Music:

Do that to me one more time

Dean turns off the van.

Credit:

Directed By PHIL SGRICCIA

Dean: This is humiliating. I feel like a friggin' soccer mom!
Sam is walking toward the roadhouse.
Sam: It's the only car Bobby had running.
They start looking around. Dean is peeking through the window, as Sam heads over to the side.
Sam: Hello? Anybody here?
Dean: Hey.
Sam: Yeah.
Dean: You bring the, uh -?
Sam: Of course.
He tosses a small kit to Dean, who catches it. Dean opens the screen door and starts to pick the door lock.

INT. ROADHOUSE - DAY
Dean picks the lock and they and go inside. The saloon is dark and quiet. A fly dies on the bug zapper, causing them to jump and look over. They look at each other, as Dean passes the kit back to Sam, before they explore the bar. They go up a step to the back and see a man passed out on the pool table on his side.
Sam: Hey, buddy.
Pause. Dean is closer, leaning over slightly.
Sam: I'm guessing that isn't Ellen.
Dean: Yeah.
Sam goes into a back room, looking around. Dean goes down the step, then pauses. A rifle barrel slowly connects with Dean's back. He straightens.
Dean: Oh God, please let that be a rifle.
The gun cocks. Pan over to reveal an attractive blond girl. Dean's arms are out to the sides.
Jo: No, I'm just real happy to see you. Don't move.
Dean: Not moving, copy that. You know, you should know something, miss. When you put a rifle on someone, you don't want to put it right against their back, because it makes it real easy to do...
He turns fluidly, grabbing the rifle and unloading it, the shell dropping.
Dean: That.
Jo punches him in the face and takes back the rifle. Dean doubles over, clutching his nose.
Dean: Sam! Need some help in here. (muttering) I can't see, I can't even see.
The back door opens to reveal Sam, both hands on his head. He enters slowly.
Sam: Sorry, Dean, I can't right now. I'm a... little tied up.
He nods his head, indicating Ellen, who is behind him with a handgun pointed at his head. Jo has her rifle pointed back at Dean, who's holding his face.
Ellen: Sam? Dean? Winchester?
Sam and Dean: Yeah.
Ellen: Son of a bitch.
Jo: Mom, you know these guys?
Ellen: Yeah, I think these are John Winchester's boys.
Dean lowers his hand from his face, looking at her. Sam gives her a look as well. Ellen lowers the gun, laughing.
Ellen: Hey, I'm Ellen. My daughter Jo.
Jo also lowers her rifle, and Dean smiles at her.
Jo: Hey.
Dean: You're not gonna hit me again, are you?

INT. ROADHOUSE - DAY
Ellen is handing Dean a small towel filled with ice.
Ellen: Here you go.
Dean: Thanks.
Dean shifts the ice in his hand.
Dean: You called our dad, said you could help. Help with what?
Dean holds the ice to his face. Ellen and Jo are leaning against the bar.
Ellen: Well... the demon, of course.
Dean lowers the ice bag, exchanging looks with Sam.
Ellen: I heard he was closing in on it.
Dean: Was there an article in the Demon Hunters Quarterly that I missed? I mean, who, who are you? How do you know about all this?
Ellen: Hey, I just run a saloon. But hunters have been known to pass through now and again. Including your dad a long time ago. John was like family once.
Dean: Oh yeah? How come he's never mentioned you before?
Ellen: You'd have to ask him that.
Uncomfortable silence.
Dean: So why exactly do we need your help?
Ellen: Hey, don't do me any favors. Look, if you don't want my help, fine. Don't let the door smack your ass on the way out. But John wouldn't have sent you if...
She stops, realizing. She straightens.
Ellen: He didn't send you.
Dean looks down, then back at Sam. They exchange a look.
Ellen: He's all right, isn't he?
Sam: No. No, he isn't. It was the demon, we think. Um, it just got him before he got it, I guess.
Ellen: I'm so sorry.
Dean: It's okay. We're all right.
Ellen: Really? I know how close you and your dad were.
Dean: Really, lady, I'm fine.
Dean is staring at her steadily, to show her to back off.
Sam: So look, if you can help... we could use all the help we can get.
Ellen: Well, we can't.
Ellen and Jo look at each other.
Ellen: But Ash will.
Sam: Who's Ash?
Ellen: Ash!
The man passed out on the pool table jerks awake and sits up, flailing.
Ash: What? Closin' time?
Sam: That's Ash?
Jo: Mm-hmm. He's a genius.

INT. ROADHOUSE - DAY
A brown folder is slapped down on the bar; Sam and Ash are sitting, Dean standing behind them. Jo is on the other side of the bar pouring glasses of water.
Dean: You've gotta be kidding me, this guy's no genius. He's a Lynyrd Skynyrd roadie.
Ash: I like you.
Dean: Thanks.
Jo: Just give him a chance.
Ash smirks at Dean.
Dean: All right.
Dean sits and grabs the folder.
Dean: This stuff's about a year's worth of our dad's work. So uh, let's see what you make of it.
Dean pushes the folder over to Ash. Ash pulls out the papers and starts rifling through them. He shakes his head.
Ash: Come on. This crap ain't real. There ain't nobody can track a demon like this.
Dean and Sam exchange a look.
Sam: Our Dad could.
Ash: These are nonparametrics statistical overviews. Cross-spectrum correlations. I mean... damn. They're signs. Omens. Uh, if you can track 'em, you can track this demon. You know, like crop failures, electrical storms. You ever been struck by lightning? It ain't fun.
Sam: Can you track it or not?
Ash: Yeah, with this, I think so. But it's gonna take time. Uh, give me...
Ash stops to calculate mentally.
Ash: 51 hours.
He gets up and heads towards the back.
Dean: Hey, man?
Ash: Yeah.
Dean: By the way I, uh, dig the haircut.
Ash: All business up front... party in the back.
As he leaves, Jo walks by, flirting a little with Dean. He checks her out tiredly. Sam sees something behind the bar. Ellen is pouring salt into salt shakers behind the bar.
Sam: Hey, Ellen, what is that?
Ellen: It's a police scanner.
Dean gets up to follow Jo.
Ellen: We keep tabs on things, we...
Sam: No, no, no, no. The, um, the folder.
She reaches over and grabs it from the wall.
Ellen: Uh... I was gonna give this to a friend of mine. But... take a look, if you want.
She places it in front of Sam. It has some newspaper clippings attached to the front, and on the front, words in red marker.
Sam: Thanks.
At the window, Dean sits down by Jo.
Dean: How'd your mom get into this stuff, anyway?
Jo: My dad. He was a hunter. He passed away.
Dean: I'm sorry.
Jo: It's a long time ago. I was just a kid. Sorry to hear about your dad.
Dean: Yeah. So, uh, I guess I've got 51 hours to waste. Maybe tonight we should...
He looks up at her with a slight smile. They exchange glances, but Dean backs up emotionally.
Dean: No, you know what? Never mind.
Jo: What?
Dean: Nothing, just, uh... wrong place, wrong time.
Jo: You know, I thought you were gonna toss me some cheap pickup line.
Dean chuckles, embarrassed.
Jo: Most hunters come through that door think they can get in my pants with some... pizza, six pack, and side one of Zeppelin IV.
Dean: What a bunch of scumbags.
Jo: Not you.
Dean: I guess not.
Sam: Dean, come here. Check this out.
Dean heads over to Sam at the bar.
Dean: Yeah.
Sam: A few murders, not far from here, that Ellen caught wind of. Looks to me like there might be a hunt.
Dean: Yeah. So?
Sam: So, I told her we'd check it out.

A KILLER CLOWN?

EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT
Back in the minivan, Dean and Sam drive. It's raining; Sam has the research open in his lap, looking at it with a flashlight aimed down.
Dean: You've gotta be kidding me. A killer clown?
Sam: Yeah. He left the daughter unharmed and killed the parents. Ripped them to pieces, actually.
Dean: And this family was at some carnival that night?
Sam: Right, right. The, uh, Cooper Carnivals.
Dean: So how do you know we're not dealing with some psycho carnie in a clown suit?
Sam: Well, the cops have no viable leads, and all the employees were tearing down shop. Alibis all around. Plus this girl said she saw a clown vanish into thin air. Cops are saying trauma, of course.
Dean: I know what you're thinking, Sam. Why did it have to be clowns?
Sam: Give me a break.
Dean chuckles.
Dean: You didn't think I'd remember, did you? I mean, come on, you still bust out crying whenever you see Ronald McDonald on television.
Sam: Well, at least I'm not afraid of flying.
Dean: Planes crash!
Sam: And apparently clowns kill!
Dean can't respond to that, so he turns back to watching where he's driving.
Dean: So these types of murders, they ever happen before?
Sam: Uh, according to the file, 1981. The Bunker Brothers Circus, same M.O. It happened three times, three different locales.
Dean: It's weird, though, I'm mean if it is a spirit it's usually bound to a specific locale, you know, a house, or a town.
Sam: So how's this one moving from city to city, from carnival to carnival?
Dean: Cursed object, maybe. Spirit attaches itself to something and the, uh, carnival carries it around with them.
Sam: Great. Paranormal scavenger hunt.
Dean: Well, this case was your idea. By the way, why is that? You were awfully quick to jump on this job.
Sam: So?
Dean: It's just not like you, that's all. I thought you were hell-bent-for-leather on the demon hunt.
Sam: I don't know, I just think, taking this job, it's what Dad would have wanted us to do.
Dean: What Dad would have wanted?
Sam: Yeah. So?
Dean gives Sam a look.
Dean: Nothin'.
Sam gives Dean a look, before looking down.

INT. FUNHOUSE - NIGHT
A little boy and his father are going through the funhouse at the carnival. The boy is playing a hand-held video game that is beeping and not really paying attention.
Dad: Check it out. Hey, Evan, look! Scary!
Evan: (sarcastic) Yeah, dad. Scary.
Dad: What's over here? Wow.
Jars filled with fluid and human looking unborn babies are backlit.
Dad: You know, when I was your age this would have scared the pants off of me.
A demon looking mannequin comes flying at the man, laughing. The boy ignores his dad. He looks up and sees the creepy clown from earlier waving at him. He looks around, and the clown is gone. Evan turns to look once more around. The funhouse laughs. Evan is clearly upset.
Dad: Evan? Hey! What is it?
Evan: I... I saw a clown!
Dad: Don't be afraid of clowns. Th-they're nice, they're your friends. Okay? Come on.
Dad gently leads Evan out, who glances back to see if he can find the clown again. Scene fades out.

INT EVAN'S HOME - NIGHT
Scene fades in. Evan's parents are asleep in their bed; Evan places a hand on his dad's arm, shaking him slightly to wake him up.
Evan: (whispering) Dad. Dad.
Dad wakes slowly.
Dad: Evan? What is it?
Evan: You were right! He is my friend.
Dad: Huh?
He looks over to see Evan, before looking down at a white gloved hand holding Evan's hand. He looks up the arm and sees the Clown. Dad jumps, startled. It smiles. He screams.
The screen goes black.

EXT. CARNIVAL - DAY
The squeaky minivan pulls up outside the carnival. They see what appear to be two detectives talking to two clowns.
Dean: Check it out. Five-oh.

EXT. CARNIVAL - DAY
The spinning ferris wheel ride has a few cars spinning, but everything is stopped as if it's shut down.
Sam stands with his hands in his pockets as a three-foot-tall woman in a clown outfit starts to walk past him. He stares at her, nervous, and she stares back before moving on. Dean approaches. Sam breathes a soft sigh of relief.
Dean: Did you get her number?
Sam jumps and gives Dean a bitchface, as both brothers lean back against a ride's entrance ramp.
Sam: More murders?
Dean: Two more last night. Apparently they were ripped to shreds. And they had a little boy with them.
Sam: Who fingered a clown.
Dean pauses, giving Sam a weird look. Sam looks back, worried.
Sam: What?
Dean: Yeah, a clown, who apparently vanished into thin air.
Sam: Dean, you know, looking for a cursed object is like... trying to find a needle in a stack of needles. It could be anything.
Dean: Well, it's bound to give off EMF, so we'll just have to scan everything.
Sam: Oh, good, that's nice and... inconspicuous.
Dean sees a "Cooper Carnival. HELP WANTED. Inquire With J Cooper" sign.
Dean: I guess we'll just have to blend in.

INT. BLIND MAN'S TENT - DAY
Two knives land in the red bulls-eye area. A man picks up a few more knives to throw as Dean and Sam walk into the tent. Dean is impressed by the knife throwing, as both land into the red bulls-eye area.
Dean: Excuse me, we're looking for a Mr. Cooper. Have you seen him around?
Blind Man: What is that, some kind of joke?
He pulls off his sunglasses; he is blind.
Dean: Oh, God, I'm, I'm sorry.
Blind Man: You think I wouldn't give my eyeteeth to see Mr. Cooper? Or a sunset, or anything at all?
Dean: (quietly, to Sam) Wanna give me a little help here?
Sam: (quietly back) Not really.
Short Man: Hey Barry, is there a problem?
Dean turns, then looks down to see an extremely short man in a red cape.
Barry: Yeah, this guy hates blind people.
Dean is laughing nervously.
Dean: No, I don't, I-
Short Man: Hey buddy, what's your problem?
Dean: Nothing, it's just a little misunderstanding.
Short Man: "Little"?! You son of a bitch!
He is starting to be threatening.
Dean: No, no, no, no! I'm just - Can somebody tell me where Mr. Cooper is?
Sam laughs. Dean looks back at Barry.
Dean: Please?

GETTING A JOB

INT. MR. COOPER'S OFFICE - DAY
Mr. Cooper walks in, with Dean then Sam following him.
Mr. Cooper: You boys picked a hell of a time to join up. Take a seat.
Mr. Cooper sits behind his desk. Dean looks at the available chairs; one is normal, the other is pink, with a giant clownface on it. He beats Sam to the normal chair. Sam scowls, fidgeting.
Mr. Cooper: We've got all kinds of local trouble.
Dean: What do you mean?
Sam slowly sits gingerly in the clown chair. Dean smirks at Sam's situation.
Mr. Cooper: Oh, a couple of folks got themselves murdered. Cops always seem to start here first. So. You two ever worked the circuit before?
Sam: Oh yes sir. Last year through Texas and Arkansas.
Dean: Yeah.
Mr. Cooper: Doing what? Ride jockeys? Butcher? A&S men?
Sam: Yeah, it's, uh, little bit of everything, I guess.
Mr. Cooper: You two have never worked a show in your lives before, have you?
Dean smiles.
Dean: Nope. But we really need the work. Oh, and uh, Sam here's got a thing for the bearded lady.
Dean chuckles at his own joke. Sam gives him a bitchface.
Mr. Cooper: You see that picture? That's my daddy.
Sam: You look just like him.
Mr. Cooper: He was in the business. Ran a freak show, till they outlawed 'em in most places. Apparently, displaying the deformed isn't dignified. So most of the performers went from honest work to rotting in hospitals and asylums. That's progress. I guess. You see, this place, it's a refuge for outcasts. Always has been. For folks that don't fit in nowhere else. But you two? You should go to school. Find a couple of girls. Have 2.5 kids. Live regular.
Dean is about to say something, but Sam leans forward, eyes serious.
Sam: Sir? We don't wanna go to school. And we don't want regular. We want this.
Dean looks at Sam.
Dean (voiceover): Huh.

EXT. CARNIVAL - DAY
The boys are walking through the carnival.
Sam: What?
Dean: That whole, uh, "I don't want to go back to school" thing. Were you - were you just saying that to Cooper or were you, you know, saying it?
Dean watches Sam as they continue to walk.
Dean: Sam?
Sam: I don't know.
Dean: You don't know? I thought that once the demon was dead and the fat lady sings that you were gonna take off, head back to Wussy State.
Sam stops walking, faces Dean, who also stops walking to face Sam.
Sam: I'm having second thoughts.
Dean: Really?
Sam: Yeah. I think. Dad would have wanted me to stick with the job.
Dean: Since when do you give a damn what Dad wanted? You spent half your life doing exactly what he didn't want, Sam.
Sam: Since he died. Okay? You have a problem with that?
Dean: Naw, I don't have a problem at all.
Dean walks off, leaving Sam to look after him.

EXT. CARNIVAL - DAY, LATER
The Carnival is opened once more, with rides going and people screaming in fun. Tilt-a-Whirl is going full throttle. Lots of people are walking about, enjoying themselves. A red jacket of "COOPER CARNIVAL ON-THE-GO" is seen. The worker is picking up trash, and it turns out to be Sam. He's listening to an EMF reader that he's hidden inside his jacket.
Outside the funhouse two girls are running down the stairs.
Girl 1: Were you even scared?
Girl 2: No.
Girl 1: Really?
Sam looks at the funhouse, looks around, then heads inside.

INT. FUNHOUSE - DAY
Sam goes into the funhouse, still scanning. Screaming is heard from the speakers, as well as laughter. He scans the calliope. Two girls go through, then Sam scans several of the exhibits. A skeleton falls from the ceiling; Sam scans it, not getting a reading, but he has an idea.

EXT. CARNIVAL - DAY
Wearing a similar uniform jacket, Dean is putting trash into a dumpster when his cell phone rings. He picks up.
Dean: Hello?
Sam: (on phone) Hey, man.
Dean: What's the matter? You sound like you just saw a clown.
Sam is outside the funhouse, talking on his cellphone.
Sam: Very funny. Skeleton, actually.
Dean: Like a real human skeleton?
Sam: (on phone) In the funhouse.
Sam: Listen, I was thinking. What if the spirit isn't attached to a cursed object - what if it's attached to its own remains?
Dean: Did the bones give off EMF?
Sam: Well, no, but -
Dean: We should check it out anyway. I'm heading to you.
As he hangs up the phone, the Barry grabs his arm.
Barry: What are you doing here, kid?
Dean: I'm... I was just sweeping.
Barry: Bull. And what were you talking about? Skeletons? What's EMF?
Dean: Dude, your blind man hearing is out of control.
Barry: We're a tight-knit group. We don't like outsiders. We take care of our own problems.
Dean: We got a problem?
Barry: You tell me. You're the one talking about human bones.
Dean: Do you believe in ghosts?
Barry: What?
Dean: My brother and me... umm. We're writing a book about 'em.
Dean smiles convincingly at Barry.

THE NEXT FAMILY

EXT. NEAR FUNHOUSE - DAY
Having gotten away from Barry, Dean approaches Sam.
Sam: What took you so long?
Dean: Long story.
Little Girl: Mommy, look at the clown!
Dean and Sam both look over to see a little girl pointing at something.
Mom: What clown?
They look to where the little girl is pointing, but don't see anything.
Mom: Come on, sweetie, come on.
Dean and Sam share a look before looking after the girl and her mom. Scene fades out.

EXT. FAMILY'S HOME - NIGHT
Scene fades in. The dad is carrying the girl, as the family has arrived home and is heading inside through the front door. Dean and Sam pull up in the squeaky minivan across the street, watching the family. Dean turns off the minivan, as they settle in on their stakeout outside the family's home.
Sam: Dean, I cannot believe you told Papazian about the homicidal phantom clown.
Dean: I told him an urban legend about a homicidal phantom clown. I never said it was real.
Dean pulls a gun and cocks it. Sam grabs at it, pushing Dean's hands down.
Sam: Keep that down!
Dean: Oh, and get this. I mentioned the Bunker Brother's Circus in '81 and their, uh, evil clown apocalypse? Guess what.
Sam: What?
Dean: Before Mr. Cooper owned Cooper Carnival, he worked for Bunker Brothers. He was their lot manager.
Sam: So you think whatever the spirit's attached to, Cooper just brought it with him?
Dean: Something like that.
Dean turns to watch the house and sighs.
Dean: I can't believe we keep talking about clowns.

EXT. FAMILY'S HOME - NIGHT, LATER
A light goes on in the dining room. Dean is dozing. Sam shakes him awake.
Sam: Dean.
Inside, the little girl goes to the front door, where the phantom clown is waiting. She is smiles at the clown.
Little Girl: Wanna come in and play?
The clown nods, takes her hand and is led inside, before closing the front door.
The screen goes black.

INT. FAMILY HOME - NIGHT
As the girl leads the clown down the hallway, Dean and Sam are already hiding in wait, weapons ready.
Little Girl: Wanna see Mommy and Daddy? They're upstairs.
Sam leaps out and grabs the girl, who starts screaming, as Dean spins himself into the hallway and shoots the clown in the chest. It falls on its back, looking like it's dead, as the girl keeps screaming. Dean is cocks the shotgun again, and the clown starts to sit up.
Dean: Sam, watch out!
The clown leaps out the window from the back door, turning invisible as it runs away. The parents come rushing out.
Dad: What's going on here?
Mom: My God!
Sam throws up his hands to show non-threatening, as Dean throws up a hand as well.
Dad: Get away from my daughter!
Mom: What are you doing to my daughter?!
Dad: Who the hell are you?
Mom: Get out! Get out of my house!
Dean and Sam leave the girl and run away terribly fast.
Little Girl: Mommy, Daddy, they shot my clown!

EXT. BACKROAD - DAY
Dean and Sam have parked the minivan off the side of a road and are digging out their belongings - including the license plates.
Sam: You really think they saw our plates?
Dean: I don't wanna take the chance. Besides, I hate this freakin' thing anyway.
They start walking down the road.
Dean: Well, one thing's for sure.
Sam: What's that?
Dean: We're not dealing with a spirit. I mean, that rock salt hit something solid.
Sam: Yeah, a person? Or maybe a creature that can make itself invisible?
Dean: Yeah, and dresses up like a clown for kicks? Did it say anything in Dad's journal?
Sam: Nope.
Sam clears throat, pulls out his cell phone.
Dean: Who are you calling?
Sam: Maybe Ellen or that guy Ash'll know something. Hey, you think, uh... you think Dad and Ellen ever had a thing?
Dean: No way.
Sam: Then why didn't he tell us about her?
Dean: I don't know, maybe they had some sort of falling out.
Sam: Yeah. You ever notice Dad had a falling out with just about everybody?
Dean nods casually; Sam turns the phone off.
Sam: Well, don't get all maudlin on me, man.
Dean: What do you mean?
Sam: I mean this "strong silent" thing of yours, it's crap. I'm over it.
Dean: Oh, God.
Sam: This isn't just anyone we're talking about, this is Dad. I know how you felt about the man.
Dean: You know what, back off, all right? Just because I'm not caring and sharing like you want me to-
Sam: No, no, no, that's not what this is about, Dean. I don't care how you deal with this. But you have to deal with it, man. Listen, I'm your brother, all right? I just want to make sure you're okay.
Dean: Dude, I'm okay. I'm okay, okay? I swear, the next person who asks me if I'm okay, I'm gonna start throwing punches. These are your issues, quit dumping them on me!
They stop walking to turn to face each other.
Sam: What are you talking about?
Dean: I just think it's really interesting, this sudden obedience you have to Dad. It's like, oh, what would Dad want me to do? Sam, you spent your entire life slugging it out with that man. I mean, hell, you, you picked a fight with him the last time you ever saw him. And now that he's dead, now you want to make it right? Well, I'm sorry Sam, but you can't, it's too little, too late.
Sam: Why are you saying this to me?
Dean: Because I want you to be honest with yourself about this! I'm dealing with Dad's death! Are you?
Sam swallows, looks upset.
Sam: I'm gonna to call Ellen.
Sam turns away, leaving Dean breathing heavy and shaking his head for a bit. Scene fades out.

RAKSHASA

EXT. BACKROAD - DAY, LATER
Scene fades in. Further down the road, Sam is hanging up the phone. Dean pauses to let Sam catch up with him, and they continue walking together.
Sam: Thanks a lot. (to Dean) Rakshasa.
Dean: What's that?
Sam: Ellen's best guess. It's a race of ancient Hindu creatures. They appear in human form. They feed on human flesh. They can make themselves invisible, and they cannot enter a home without first being invited.
Dean: So they dress up like clowns, and the children invite 'em in.
Sam: Yeah.
Dean: Why don't they just munch on the kids?
Sam: No idea. Not enough meat on the bones, maybe?
Dean: What else you find out?
Sam: Well, apparently, Rakshasas live in squalor. They sleep on a bed of dead insects.
Dean: Nice.
Sam: Yeah, and they have to feed a few times every twenty or thirty years. Slow metabolism, I guess.
Dean: Well, that makes sense. The Carnival today, the Bunker Brothers in '81.
Sam: Right. Probably more before that.
Dean: Hey Sam, who do we know that worked both shows?
Sam: Cooper?
Dean: Cooper.
Sam: You know, that picture of his father. That looked just like him.
Dean: You think maybe it was him?
Sam: Well, who knows how old he is?
Dean: Ellen say how to kill him?
Sam: Legend goes, a dagger made of pure brass.
Dean thinks for a bit.
Dean: I think I know where to get one of those.
Sam: Well, before we go stabbing things into Cooper, we're going to want to make damn sure it's him.
Dean: Oh, you're such a stickler for details, Sammy.
Dean smiles at Sam. Sam smiles, looking down.
Dean: All right, I'll round up the blade, you go check if Cooper's got bedbugs.

EXT. COOPER'S TRAILER - NIGHT
The carnival is shutting down for the night. Sam walks around the corner, before glancing around and sauntering over to the window of Cooper's trailer to check inside. He picks the lock.

INT. COOPER'S TRAILER - NIGHT
Sam steps inside, glancing around.

EXT. CARNIVAL - NIGHT
Barry is leading Dean.
Barry: Well, I've got all kinds of knives. I don't know if I've got a brass one, though.

INT. COOPER'S TRAILER - NIGHT
Sam pulls out a pocket knife and throws the sheets up to reach the mattress to start slicing it open. A shotgun cocks behind him; Cooper is there, pointing the gun at him.
Mr. Cooper: What do you think you're doing?

INT. BARRY'S TRAILER - NIGHT
Barry leads Dean in and taps a trunk with his cane.
Barry: Check the trunk.
Dean leans down and opens the trunk. He finds a red clown wig. He pauses, before swinging around and standing, looking at Barry, realizing the truth.
Dean: You?
Barry drops his cane, pulls off his glasses; his eyes look normal.
Barry: Me.
His eyes turn bright green, his smile gets abnormally large, his face begins to melt. He waves, then his face disappears, cheshire-cat style with his eyes glowing last. Dean watches this all in surprise.
The screen goes black.

INT. BARRY PAPAZIAN'S TRAILER - NIGHT
Dean struggles with the locked door in Papazian's trailer, trying to get out. A knife flies past his head to bury in the door. He jumps backwards. Another lands with a thunk a little higher.
Dean: (yells) All right!
He manages to get the door open and books it out of there, tumbling.

EXT. CARNIVAL - NIGHT
Outside, Sam sees Dean run by.
Sam: Hey!
Dean slides to a halt, turning around to face Sam.
Dean: Hey.
Sam: So, Cooper thinks I'm a Peeping Tom, but it's not him.
Dean is pacing, looking all around.
Dean: Yeah, so I gathered. It's the blind guy. He's here somewhere.
Sam: Well, did you get the-
Dean: The brass blades? No. No, it's just been one of those days.
Sam thinks fast, as Dean looks around.
Sam: I got an idea. Come on.
Sam races off.

EXT. FUNHOUSE - NIGHT
First Sam, then Dean, race up the entrance to the funhouse before going inside.

INT. FUNHOUSE - NIGHT
Sam and Dean enter the funhouse; as they go through, a door slams between them. They struggle to open it.
Dean: Sam!
Sam: Dean!
Dean struggles to open the door. Sam leans close to yell through the closed door.
Sam: Dean, find the maze, okay?
Seperately, they each make their way through the funhouse, trying to find the maze. Sam finds a calliope, which is giving off steam. He grabs for one of the pipes, but it's too hot.
Sam: Gah!
Sam flinches from the heat. He takes a handkerchief from his pocket and starts pulling off a pipe. Dean comes around the corner.
Dean: Hey.
Sam: Hey! Where is it?
Dean: I don't know. I mean, shouldn't we see his clothes walking around?
A knife flies past Dean, pinning his right sleeve to the wall. Another one pins his right wrist.
Dean: Sam!
Sam pulls the pipe all the way off and stalks forward slowly. A knife flies past his head; he dodges. Dean is trying to free himself.
Sam: Gah!
Dean struggles to pull the knife out of the wall that's pinning his wrist.
Sam: Dean, where is he?
Dean: I don't know!
Dean reaches up and pulls a lever; more steam pours from the pipe organ. Both are looking around, trying to spot something. The steam gives a vague shape to the invisible attacker, which Dean sees.
Dean: Sam, behind you! Behind you!
Sam stabs the pipe behind him without looking. He turns and sees it buried in the still-invisible creature. Yelling, Sam pushes it deeper, causing blood to pour from the wound as Papazian screeches. Dean manages to free himself. They look to where it's fallen and see only empty clothes and a bloody pipe. Both are panting. Sam looks over at Dean.
Dean: I hate funhouses.
The screen goes black.

EXT. ROADHOUSE SALOON - DAY
Dust swirls lazily around, with several pickup trucks parked out front.

INT. ROADHOUSE SALOON - DAY
"Mississippi Mudd" by Tim P. & Stephen R. Phillips (Bosshouse Music) playing in the Roadhouse.
Man cocks a shotgun, as he finishes cleaning it. His partner is sitting across the table from him, cleaning his own gun. Camera pans up to show the bar. Sam and Dean are sitting at the bar; Ellen lays down a couple of beers.
Ellen: You boys did a hell of a job. Your dad would be proud.
Sam: Thanks.
Jo, sitting down on the other side of Dean, gives Sam a look with a grin. Sam grins back. Dean also looks at Sam with a meaningful look. Sam sees Dean finally, and glances between Dean and Jo.
Sam: Oh yeah, um, I've gotta... uh, uh, I've gotta go. Over there. Right now.
Sam gets up and leaves them by themselves. Dean drinks.
Jo: So.
Jo clears throat.
Dean: So.
Jo: Am I gonna see you again?
Dean: Do you want to?
Jo: I wouldn't hate it.
Dean: Hmm. Can I be honest with you? See, normally I'd be hitting on you so fast it'd make your head spin. But, uh... these days... I don't know.
Jo: Wrong place... wrong time?
Jo tilts her hand out.
Dean: Yeah.
Jo: It's okay, I get it.
The back door opens and Ash enters, carrying the folder and a bizarre looking laptop. Both Jo and Dean swing around to see him.
Ash: Where you guys been? Been waitin' for ya.
Sam: We were working a job, Ash.
Confused look from Ash to Sam.
Sam: Clowns?
Ash: Clowns? What the-
Dean: You got something for us, Ash?
Ash sets the laptop down on a table. It looks homemade, with exposed wiring.
Sam: Did you find the demon?
Ash: It's nowhere around. At least, nowhere I can find. But if this fugly bastard raises its head, I'll know. I mean, I'm on it like Divine on dog dookie.
Sam: What do you mean?
Ash: I mean, any of those signs or omens appear, anywhere in the world, my rig will go off. Like a fire alarm.
Dean reaches for the laptop.
Dean: Do you mind...
Ash gives him a look. Dean pulls his hand back from the keyboard, smiling at Ash.
Dean: Yeah.
Ash: What's up, man?
Sam scoffs.
Sam: Ash, where did you learn to do all this?
Ash: M.I.T. Before I got bounced for... fighting.
Sam starts to grin.
Sam: M.I.T.?
Ash: It's a school in Boston.
Dean: Okay. Give us a call as soon as you know something?
Ash: Sí, sí, compadre.
Dean takes another swig of his beer, then sets it down. Ash picks it up and drinks. Dean and Sam head for the door.
Ellen: Hey, listen. Um, if you boys need a place to stay, I've got a couple beds out back.
Dean: Thanks, but no. No, there's something I gotta finish.
Ellen: Okay.
Dean, then Sam, exit.

YOU WERE RIGHT

EXT. JUNKYARD - DAY
The car looks a bit better. Dean is squatting, working on the car again, putting a tire back on. Sam walks up to the trunk, then stops to look down at Dean. Dean glances up at him.
Sam: You were right.
Dean stands up to put his tire iron back with his tools.
Dean: About what?
Sam: About me and Dad. I'm sorry that the last time I was with him I tried to pick a fight. I'm sorry that I spent most of my life angry at him. I mean, for all I know, he died thinking that I hate him. So you're right. What I'm doing right now, it is too little. It's too late.
Sam's lips tremble. He shakes his head.
Sam: I miss him, man. And I feel guilty as hell. And I'm not all right. Not at all.
There are tears in Sam's eyes, as he takes a big breath.
Sam: But neither are you. That much I know.
A pause.
Sam: I'll let you get back to work.
Sam leaves. Dean is still for a moment. He picks up a crowbar and smashes the window of a nearby car. Then he starts slamming it into the trunk of his own car, over and over and over, beating out his feelings and frustrations, even going so far to punch a hole through the metal. It clatters to the ground, and Dean looks after where Sam has gone, lip trembling, and swallows.
The screen goes black.

In Memory of Our Friend PETER ELLIS