A Clown's Funeral

A Clown's Funeral

a short film

By Luis Rivera

INT. A CIRCUS RING

The Roustabout and the Tramp Clown are seen, mourning. The Strongman and the Juggler enter.

JUGGLER

Alegria!

TRAMP CLOWN

This is no time for alegria. A tragedy has occured.

JUGGLER

What happened?

TRAMP CLOWN

Fischietto is dead.

JUGGLER

Ah! The poor unfortunate soul.

All cry in a exaggerated manner. The Ringmaster enters.

RINGMASTER

What brings you lot here?

TRAMP CLOWN

Mister Ringmaster!

RINGMASTER

Don't you know that a tragic moment has happened? Fischietto is dead! At least pay some respect to the grieving party.

The group head for a bed where the Dead Clown.

RINGMASTER

Here lies the corpse.

TRAMP CLOWN

Ah! He looks wonderful.

DEAD CLOWN

(rises)

Hello, my dear friends. I bid you welcome to my funeral.

TRAMP CLOWN

Fischietto?! You are alive!

DEAD CLOWN

How can I be alive? It's my funeral.

TRAMP CLOWN

How can you be dead when you're walking and talking?

DEAD CLOWN

Show some respect. It's my funeral.

RINGMASTER

(presents scroll)

Here is the will.

DEAD CLOWN

(reads scroll)

I, Fischietto Jackson, sound mind and body, hereby give my harmonica, my costume, my props and my money to all my friends. Divide them among you.

The White Clown enters.

WHITE CLOWN

Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to witness the dearly departed in memoriam. Being his partner, I did all that I could to teach him some manners. I slap him across the face to get my point across. He made civilians laugh and made his own family cry. While I played classical music on my violin, he interrupted the proceedings by playing popular song on his harmonica. No matter what I do to discipline him, he did the same spiel that he always did. If nothing else, I hereby rest my case.

The Disk-jockey plays a dirge.

DEAD CLOWN

Maestro! Play something lively for a change.

The Disk-jockey plays an upbeat song.

RINGMASTER

Silencio! Silencio! This is supposed to be a funeral!

The Disk-jockey resumes the dirge.