American Horror Story (2011–…): Season 4, Episode 2 - Massacres and Matinees - full transcript

With a killer on the loose, police impose a curfew on Jupiter. Elsa hires a strongman, unaware of his dark past with Ethel.

♪ I saw you last evening ♪

♪ Standing up against a tree ♪

♪ I saw you last evening,
standing up against a tree ♪

♪ I heard you say
you was sick... ♪

Thank you.

♪ But you looked like
you strong to me... ♪

♪ Well, your hat
was on backwards ♪

♪ And your clothes
were comin' off of you ♪

♪ Well, your hat was on-- ♪

Hey, I was
listening to that.

...the town of Jupiter



is in the grips of terror
for a second week,

from four unsolved murders
and a child who remains missing.

Schools stand like mausoleums,

their attendance
drastically declined,

as parents keep their children
safely home.

Surprised to see you here.

Nobody else seems to be open.

Mr. Hanley says
it's business as usual.

Even though we haven't
seen a customer for days.

And we have learned,
though this report

has not yet been confirmed,

that one of their own,

possibly a Jupiter
police detective,

has himself been missing
for two days.



Reliable sources
in the police department

have circulated
the clarion cry that,

"No stone will be left unturned.

The boys in blue
are out for blood."

This news report
is brought to you...

You take care of the body

like we talked about?

Jesus.

Who's the proprietor
of this, uh,

freak show?

You're looking for Elsa Mars.

That's her tent, right there.

We have nothing to hide.

But I cannot allow you

to look around
without a search warrant.

My monsters cherish
their privacy.

You can see
all we have to offer...

...with a ticket
to the show.

There ain't gonna be
any show tonight,

or anytime soon.

We're setting up a curfew.

This town is shutting
down at night

till the killer's caught.

A curfew?

You are going to ruin
my business.

Every dark cloud has
a silver lining.

Ah...

Our famous

vanishing patient.

Or is it... patients?

They left the hospital

for the same reason anyone does:

they're weren't ill anymore.

Did you expect them to move in?

We like to get statements
from anyone involved

in a murder investigation.

They gave their statement.

To the other policeman.

I was there when they did.

He told us, off the record,

that their story
had the trademark

of the other killings.

He did seem...
drunk, though.

I agree with Miss Mars.

I smelled whiskey.

He never mentioned
that statement to us.

And now he's missing.

Hmm. Will you arrest us
for that, too?

His disappearance?

We're such easy targets,
aren't we?

We're not arresting
anyone for anything.

Yet.

We got a stack of murders

and a missing cop, though,

so expect to get to know us.

Mr. Hanley, got your coffee.

M-Mr. Hanley?

Mr. Hanley!

Kill the copper!
Kill the copper!

Kill the copper!
Kill the copper!

Kill the copper!
Kill the copper!

Kill the copper!
Kill him dead!

Kill the copper!

Kill the copper!
Kill the copper!

Drink up, Jimmy!

It's your victory cup!

Shut... up!

I'm sorry I snapped.

I never killed nobody before.

What if he has a family,

a couple kids,
wondering where he is?

I know what it's like
to grow up without a father.

Are we gonna
return the body parts

back to the family?

No. We're gonna
burn these body parts,

and we're gonna scatter
the ashes as far as we can.

Cops are already
sniffing around.

I'm sorry, guys.

I wanted to protect us

and instead, I created
a shit-storm of trouble.

You had no other choice.

He was gonna take
the twins away.

He called us freaks.

I hate that word.

They don't even know us.

If they just got to know us,

they would see we're
just like them.

No better, no worse, just...

regular people.

That's what we gotta do...

...let 'em know us.

Hey... look what I found.

I don't think it'll burn.

Maybe it'll melt.

Good catch, Evie.

I'll take care of that.

Snails?

How boring.

That's what you
ordered-- escargot.

Like you had in Paris.

Oh...!

Dora went to a lot of trouble.

Don't you make a sour face.

That boy's
working my last nerve.

You can't live on sweets
and cognac, Dandy.

It's bad for the temperament.

I'm still having nightmares

about the debacle with
the Cushing girl--

I told you
a million trillion times,

I did not touch her.

She was just miffed
'cause I said

she reminded me of
the pregnant hippo

we saw on safari.
Damn lucky for both of us.

Police Chief Pringle was
a high school beau of mine.

All those charming girls
I've introduced you to.

They're all smelly cows.

But what about a grandbaby?

It'd be such fun for us!

Never!

Babies are more
boring than anything.

I want to be a thespian.

But you keep ruining it.

It's not our world, Dandy.

You come from a long line
of such fine people--

generation after generation
of refinement.

I am simply protecting you

from a life of degradation
and opprobrium!

I'm turning to dust
from boredom.

Where are you going?

I don't know--
maybe St. Petersburg,

where they have
real caramel corn,

not that cardboard they sell
at the freak show.

Oh, stay, darling!

Stay with Mother.

We'll play
June Allyson paper dolls,

or whatever you'd like!

Something ghastly always happens
when you run off in a mood!

Miss Gloria...

I have some bad news.

I found some of those, uh,
parts... behind the tool shed.

There was some fur and teeth,

and neighbors been
stopping by all day,

looking for their cat.

And people have been
disappearing all over town.

Dandy had nothing
to do with that.

He's just bored.

What are you two loafers
doing out here?

Get up!

It's time to go
work on your act.

We're not performers.

Speak for yourself.

Around here,
we sing for our supper.

Christ on a wheel...

Who's that?

Somebody I used to know.

Please tell me
this is a rest stop.

As far as we're concerned,

this might as well be
the Garden of Eden.

So said the snake.

This ad
was placed months ago.

Well, we had to close out
our Midwest engagement

before we could get down here.

You were with the Giuseppe
Brothers of Chicago,

you say?

Last six years.

Dell Toledo...

the Stupendous Strong Man!

You probably heard of me.

I got a honey of an escape act.

I studied under Hardeen,

Harry Houdini's younger brother.

Truly.

Three sold-out
shows a night,

two matinees every weekend.

I was a smash in the Windy City.

But the real star of our family
is my wife here.

Desiree.

Those greasy Giuseppe Brothers
never understood that.

They had her opening up
for some lousy animal acts.

I couldn't stand
the stink of it.

So I loaded up our caravan

and I took my girl out of there.

Yours...

is a true love story.

Yes, it really is.

Hey, what the hell are you two
fruits doing around here?

We're waiting for our friend.

He's inside.

He thinks he can
change his stripes.

How's he figure
he's gonna do that?

Ah, ah, ah, oh!

That's it, baby.
Right there.

Aw, that's okay, baby boy.

There ain't no need to cry.

Desiree's got you.

Martin was right.

You're a miracle worker.

You're my salvation.

I never dreamed
that I would ever be able

to do this with a real woman.

Maybe now I can have a wife.

A family.

A normal life.

Oh, now, let's not get
ahead of ourselves.

Let's get you to come first.

You want me to use my extra bit

of business to get you there?

That's my wife!

My wife!
Dell!

The world of carny
folk is small, Mr. Toledo.

I've heard tales of a strongman

with a temper.

And murder.

There ain't murder
if there ain't no body.

And ain't no Chicago police
gonna drag his ass

all the way down to this swamp

on account of some dead poof.

They're lower than us freaks.

"Us freaks"?

Three titties,

proper girl parts
and a ding-a-ling.

I'm a full blown hermaphrodite.

Put that on your banner.

My word.

What does that make you?

The happiest man on Earth.

You are an enchanting couple.

But the position is filled.

To be frank, business is slow

these days.
I couldn't afford

a couple of your renown.

You put a contract
in front of me

for whatever you think is fair,
and I will sign it.

The truth is you...

you're our last stop.

You said it before.

The world
of carny folk is small.

Well, it's smaller
than you know.

We're a vanishing breed.

You turn us away,

there's no place left
for us to go.

Show me your hands.

What, are you gonna
read my future?

Your past.

Come on, show me.

Strong hands.

Calloused.

And not afraid of hard work.

Not afraid of anything.

Maybe what this place needs

is a strong male presence.

Do you bark?

Hell, I'll even howl
if you like.

♪ Kiss me sweeter... ♪

♪ Hold me tighter... ♪

♪ Say you love me ♪

♪ Say it just to me ♪

Excuse me? Excuse me!

Clown?

Do you do private parties?

For children?

I'll pay you handsomely for it.

My son's been
a little down in the dumps.

Maybe you can cheer him up.

Well, it ain't bad,
but the kids,

they really like those prizes
that come in the boxed stuff.

That's because they
haven't tasted this!

Listen, I know that's
not why you're here.

You got a thing for the twins.

Look, I don't judge, okay?
I get it, you know?

You see a piece of tail,
you just got to have it.

But us guys, we don't always
think with our brains.

It's not about the twins!

It's about me.

I'd like to join the show.

I've had an epiphany.

I truly believe
this is where I belong.

I've been ruminating

on my life and what I want.

This is the perfect place
for me.

Well, unless you got pony legs
under those trousers

or a double ding dong...

No, but I do know
the entire Cole Porter canon.

Listen.

You ain't the first kid

who wants to run away
and join the circus.

You got dreams of the lights.

But trust me.

It's nothing like you'd imagine.

You wouldn't last one day here.

You don't know me!

What you're looking at--

that's not who I am inside.

I'm one of you.

I'll prove it.

Please!
Just take a chance on me!

You'd be saving my life.

You know what I
wouldn't give to have

real hands like yours?

To be able to touch a girl
without scaring her?

From where I'm sitting
you got the world on a string.

So, you go home
to your mansion on the hill,

and you thank God
for all you got.

Now scram!

I got to sweep a tent.

I hate you! I hate you!

I hate you!
I hate you! I hate you!

I hate you! I hate you!
I hate you! I hate you...

You'd better eat
something, Miss Mott.

Your ulcer's gonna
start acting up.

He's home!

Dandy's home!

Leave me alone, Mother.

I have a surprise for you!
Something you've always wanted!

What happened to you?

I hate it here.

I hate this house.

I hate my life.

I hate you, Mother!

Nonsense, you just need
a little companionship.

Maybe a new friend.

Are your eyes closed?

Don't be stupid.

Let me in.

It's a clown.

Your very own clown!

You can do whatever
you want with him!

I'll leave you two alone.

Well, I'll be dammed.

If it ain't
old Honest Abe herself.

Ethel, you look good.

How's the old soup catcher?

I would've expected to see
some gray in it by now.

You been dyeing it? You can tell me.
Let's cut

the chitchat.
I won't be here long.

And here's a news flash:

You won't be either.

Whatever your story is,
you're not welcome here.

You stay away from my Jimmy.

Jimmy who?

Shut up!

You know what?
Life's rough, kid.

Especially for a mistake
like you.

I'm gonna save you
a lot of pain.

I never want
to see you ever again.

You say one word to my boy,

you get anywhere near him,

and my freaks will tear you
limb from limb.

Believe me, I didn't
come here for that kid.

And I sure as hell
didn't come here for you.

I'm married now.

She's a real lady.

And a star.

You wouldn't know a real lady
from a goat's ass.

You sure that's the way you want
to address your new boss?

You'll never be my boss.

She put me in charge
of the whole place.

Your-your friend Miss Elsa.

I simply pointed out
security around this place

is a little lax.

You wouldn't want
nothing wandering in

or wandering out.

You are aware there's a vicious
killer abroad in the land?

♪ When I'm calling you... ♪

♪ Will you answer to...? ♪

Nein! Stop! Halt!

You make my teeth ache.
You're flat.

I'm sorry.
I'm a little nervous.

A little tone deaf.
Yeah.

Come on, we try again, come on.

♪ When I'm calling you... ♪

Please, no more.

I thought you said you could
sing? I'm going to have

to find something else
for you to do.

Like what?

Uh, juggling. Doesn't matter.

What? What do you mean
it "doesn't matter"?

They're our headliners!

Hardly that!

They are my warm-up act.

It doesn't matter

that they're good.

They have two heads.

Please, Miss Elsa.

We don't want to just stand here

and be stared at.
It's embarrassing.

Me and Dell?

Uh, we saw this act
down in Mexico.

This senorita, could shoot

ping pong balls
right out of her...

What?

At least I'm trying
to come up with something.

What about Dot?

Dot doesn't have any talent.

That's true.

I don't even know that song.

So sing something else.

Whatever you want.

Sing it to me.

No. Pretend like nobody's here.
Just me.

Go on.

Give it a try.

♪ Stars shining
bright above you ♪

♪ Night breezes seem
to whisper I love you ♪

♪ Birds singing
in the sycamore tree ♪

♪ Dream a little dream
of me. ♪

Ha!

Not bad.

That'll go over
real nice tomorrow.

What, has the curfew
been lifted already?

Aw, hell no.

But we're not gonna
let that stop us.

3:00 matinee every day

until the curfew's lifted.
"Matinee"?

That's right. Folks
can come see the show,

be home in time for Uncle Miltie.
Nein.

Nein. No matinees.

No. No.

People don't come to see
freaks in the heat of day.

They come in the evening.

When the darkness moves in
and speaks of mystery.

The unknown.

When logic loosens its vice grip

and the imagination

comes out to play.

The night allows the stars

to shine and we come alive.

No.

Daytime is for kiddie shows.

Clowns and kewpie dolls.

Maybe that's
what you're used to.

But you're
in a real freak show now.

My freak show!

Dell? Listen to the lady.

She's your boss now.

No lady is the boss of me.

Why don't we go outside
and calm down, huh?

The hell with this.

I'm gonna go into town.

Post some bills.

There will be paying asses

in these seats tomorrow!

Curtain goes up at 3:00.

That man is going
to be a problem.

I will be the king, you be Anna.

We can do my favorite scene
from The King and I.

I saw the show on opening night.

And then every night for a week.

Yul Brynner was transcendent.

"Et cetera,
et cetera, et cetera!"

You're right, of course.

Puppetry is a sad cousin
to a live performance.

I like real puppets like you.

I've had quite the terrible day.

I could use a little diversion.

Amuse me, clown.

I'm sure Mother has
paid you handsomely.

Your silence is
utterly provocative.

But you'll have
to earn your keep, clown.

Come!

Find a toy,

and show me what kind
of clown you truly are.

Excuse me, miss?

You're back.

Yes, ma'am.

And I brought
some friends this time.

W-What do you want?

Well, this is a diner, ain't it?

We're hungry.

And we want to be served.

Remember, everyone,
manners matter.

Use your forks.

Napkins on the lap.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Is there any place
else you can eat?

You're upsetting my daughter.

Well, I'm sure she'd love
the show if she saw it.

Tell the ticket lady
Jimmy sent you.

We're ready to order now.

What do you want?

Salisbury steak
should hit the spot.

I'll have the iceberg wedge.

I'm watching my figure.

Yeah, that looks pretty good.

I think I'll just have that.

Paul.

Uh, what are you having, Pepper?

Meat loaf.

Meat loaf!
Yeah!

Meat loaf!

She'll have the meat loaf.

Meat loaf! Okay!

Um, excuse me.

That's not yours.

Let me guess.

This was your bright idea.

You eat at the camp.

We're not bothering anybody.

But that's not his food.

I'm gonna have
to bus this plate.

Don't you touch this girl!

She's just doing her job!

Apologize to the girl.

Hey! What's the
problem here?

She was gonna
throw it out anyway.

Like this?

I have the right
to refuse service.

You people have to leave!

Meat loaf! Meat loaf!

Meat loaf!

See what you did?!

You give these folks
a free show,

who's gonna want to buy tickets?

Meat loaf.

Come on, you stupid freaks.
Let's go.

Hey, stop calling us freaks!

We're people!

Just like everybody
in this joint.

I said, let's go.

Hey, come here.

Come help me.

Try this.

We're never getting out.

Now we have a chance.

Just be ready to run.

Girl.

Are you hurt?

My God, mister, please--
you have to help us.

Please, the clown, he's crazy!

Here, here.

Oh, wait.

We'll get to the bottom of this.

No, what are you doing?!

We can't go back...
He's a killer!

Don't!

Clown, look what I have for you.

You'll have to do a much
better job of confinement

if we're going to have any fun.

No...!

No! No!

Please!

No! Stop it! No...!

Elsa...?

Have you no decorum?

Barging into
a lady's tent unannounced?

You're bleeding.

He can't stay here, Elsa.

I take it you refer
to our new strongman.

You know he's out putting
matinee posters all over town,

after you asked him not to?

Perhaps it's for the best.

We don't know how long
this curfew will last.

I've decided to give
his scheme a try.

Why not?

Elsa, he'll tear
this troop apart!

Or hold it together.

If the killer who stalks
this town is not soon caught,

the people will seek out
scapegoats.

And your kind...

have always proven
convenient sacrifices

in such instances.

You think that thick-necked
goon is gonna protect us?

I think for now, it's good to
have a man of strength among us.

You've already got one.

What's that?

That's the only thing
left of the cop

who came here the other day.

He was gonna take
the twins, Elsa.

He threatened to run us
out of town or worse.

My liebchen.

How have I underestimated you?

Not just me.

Dell.

See where he's got you billed?

He's got to go.

Straight out of the jungle,

and fresh off the farm,

Meep the Geek!

Meep!

You like what you see, so far?

Well, hold onto your seats,
ladies and gents,

because today,
for the first time ever,

you will have the privilege
of watching a song and dance act

by our brand new headliners!

Ladies and gentlemen,

from the exotic land of Siam,

the Spectacular Siamese Sisters!

♪ I've been a bad, bad girl ♪

♪ I've been careless
with a delicate man ♪

♪ And it's a sad, sad world ♪

♪ When a girl will break a boy ♪

♪ Just because she can ♪

♪ Whoa, help me,
but don't tell me ♪

♪ To deny it ♪
♪ Deny it ♪

♪ I've got to cleanse myself
of all these lies ♪

♪ Till I'm good enough for him ♪

♪ I've got a lot to lose ♪

♪ And I'm betting high,
so I'm begging you ♪

♪ Before it ends ♪

♪ Just tell me where to begin ♪

♪ Ooh-ooh ♪

♪ What I need ♪

Where the hell do
you think you're going?

What, I got to ask permission
to take a leak now, too?

♪ 'Cause I'm feeling
like a criminal ♪

♪ And I need to be redeemed ♪

♪ To the one
I've sinned against ♪

♪ Because he's all
I ever knew of love ♪

♪ Yeah... ♪

♪ What I need ♪

♪ Is a good defense ♪

♪ 'Cause I'm feeling
like a criminal ♪

♪ And I need to be redeemed
to the one I've sinned against ♪

♪ Because he's all
I ever knew of ♪

♪ Love. ♪

Elsa Mars.

We have a warrant
to search the premises

for evidence pertaining
to the disappearance

of Detective Robert Bunch.

On what grounds, Officer?

We received an anonymous tip.

We have reasons to believe
he was murdered here.

Which one of these tents
belongs to Dell Toledo?

What?

That one over there.

- Turn it upside down!
- Wait a minute.

What the hell is going on here?

Hey, hold on, pal.

We only just got here
a couple of days ago.

We haven't done anything.

Shut your trap.

Dell! Dell!

We already
got an earful

about what a Boy Scout
you were, from Chicago PD.

I'm telling you--
there's nothing in there.

Why are you so smug?

You're the one with
the guilty look on your face.

Nothing in the trailer, sir.

Nobody moves a muscle
until we search every tent here!

Tear this place apart!

Is this what guilt looks like?

Tragic, isn't it,
when a plan breaks down?

Where do you think
you're going?

♪ What I need ♪

♪ Is a good defense ♪

Jimmy...

There was no way the cops
were ever gonna find

what you left behind
in my trailer.

Found it, sir!

Meep-Meep... Meep...

Meep...

It was under his bed roll.

This is Detective Bunch's badge.

I'm shocked, Officer.

Shocked.

Take this freak to the station.

I'm telling you,
there's no way this guy

is the mastermind
behind everything.

He had the badge.

Even if he didn't
kill those people,

he knows who did.
A night in the tank,

you'll name names.

Get a load of this.

So you're the big, scary killer?

You like to diddle
little kiddies, you sick freak?

I heard they
found the toy store owner

with his fingers missing.

How about I rip yours off,
one by one?

Meep!

Meep!

Meep!

Meep.

Wake up.

I came to congratulate you

on your triumph tonight.

They loved her, not me.

I kept trying to run
off the stage.

I felt so embarrassed.

And now she's really mad at me.

She's mad at you?
Mm-hmm.

Oh.

She deliberately eclipsed you.

She made you feel like shite.

I thought I would be good.

I thought all I needed
was an audience.

And it would all come together.

I'm such

a stupid fool.

That's how she
wants you to feel.

These people get
their confidence

from feeding off others'
self-doubt.

You talking in your sleep?

No, it's Elsa.

She came to congratulate us.

Well, tell her thanks.

We're sleeping.

It's like she's become
another person.

Oh.

Really, truly, anyone can see...

you are the star,

my angel.

But that one,

she has a dark soul.

Mm-hmm.

She wants what you have,

and she knows how to take it.

But you mustn't allow it.

You mustn't allow it.

My angel.

Son, what are you doing?

What's it look like I'm doing?

My sweet boy.

What's wrong?

I've never seen you
take a drink before.

I've always been
so proud of you,

staying away from this shit.

You're such an example
to the others.

I can't help the others.

They took Meep.

Meep.

He didn't do anything.

It's my fault.

That's nonsense.

You had nothing to do with that.

The police had no right,
roughing you up like that.

I just wanted him gone.

Meep?

Dell.

He's bad news.

More'n that, Jimmy,

I want you to stay away
from that man.

You hear me?

I gotta tell them.

I gotta get him out.

No, no, Jimmy...
Yeah, I've gotta tell them...

That's easier said than done.
...he can get out!

The bastard has
signed a contract.

Jimmy!

Not Dell!

Meep!

He's not gonna be able to spend
the night in jail, Mom.

He's not tough.

He's just weird.

I gotta...

I have to tell them everything.

I'm sorry.

Tell who what?

Jimmy?

Jimmy!