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Don Fox & The Arcane Circus

This is a short play I wrote for my intermediate theatre class, sophomore year, ~8 minutes.

The poster for the play 'Don Fox And The Arcane Circus', A circus tent with an eye, in the desert, with the stars and moon in the sky.

Characters:

(CONTAINS SPOILERS!)

Don Fox:

A detective who makes very drastic decisions. Unserious. Sneaky.

Dr Newall:

Don Fox’s assistant. Has never done detective work. Incredibly serious. Refuses to be called anything that isn’t Dr. Newall.

Nox Grimaldi:

The ringmaster of The Arcane Circus. Is actually a puppet used by an ancient being known as Khalguroth (pronounced kal-guh-roth).

Not Tall:

One of Nox Grimaldi’s assistants. Is inseparable from Not Short.

Not Short::

Nox Grimaldi’s other assistant. Is inseparable from Not Tall.

Lorem Ipsum:

Don Fox’s boss. Does not speak much. Talks very fancy-like. Shows up multiple times writing in a notebook. Follows around and watches Don Fox & Dr. Newall throughout the entirety of the show. Dr. Newall is not aware of Lorem Ipsum, Don Fox is.


Scene One
A detective's office
(Don Fox is sitting at his desk, staring out his window, something is on his mind. In the window a circus tent can be seen. Dr. Newall walks into the office, he paces back and forth.)
Dr. Newall
So, are there any leads for the case on the missing people yet?
(Silence. Don is still staring out the window.)
Dr. Newall (cont'd)
The townsfolk are starting to think you are incompetent. If you don’t solve this case soon, say goodbye to your days as a detective.
Don Fox
Shhhhh.
(Gestures toward the window.)
Do you see that, Newall?
Dr. Newall
First, it’s Doctor Newall. Second, if by that you mean the circus, it’s been here for about two weeks. Have you really not noticed it? And what does this have to do with the missing people?
Don Fox
When did these people go missing?
Dr. Newall
Around two weeks ago.
Don Fox
Tell me again, when did the circus show up here?
Dr. Newall
Like I said, just about two weeks ago.
(Dr. Newall realizes. Don Fox stands up and puts on his jacket.)
Don Fox
We will solve this case and we will solve it today.
Dr. Newall
We will? You seem to be mistaken, I am not a detective.
Don Fox
Well you are now, so take everything you need.
(Don opens a drawer and takes out a lighter.)
Don Fox (cont'd)
Hold this for a moment while I put on my hat.
(Don Fox hands Dr. Newall the lighter. Dr. Newall hesitantly takes it.)
Dr. Newall
(Concerned) What in the world would you need a lighter for?
Don Fox
You never know what could happen on the job.
(Don puts on his hat and takes back his lighter. Dr. Newall gives Don Fox a look of disapproval.)
Don Fox
Don’t be too worried about me damaging evidence, that’s why my jacket pockets are fireproof.
Dr. Newall
[Sighs] Well, I guess we better get going.
(All Exit)

Scene Two
The Circus Tent
(Don Fox & Dr. Newall Enter. Not Tall & Not Short enter from the other side of the stage, They are both suspiciously happy. Lorem Ipsum walks quickly across the stage while watching Dr. Newall & Don Fox and writing in a notebook.)
Not Tall & Not Short
Hello! Welcome to The Arcane Circus!
Not Tall
Two new visitors! May I interest you in some fried potatoes, fried apples, fried cookies, fried lizard, fried wizard, fried fingers, more fried potatoes, or peanuts?!
Don Fox
How about you tell us your names?
Not Short
Oh my goodness! We got so excited we forgot to tell you our names! I’m Not Short.
Not Tall
And I'm Not Tall.
Don Fox
We can see that. Please tell us your names, We’re running an investigation and this is vital information.
Not Tall & Not Short
(Confused) We just told you. Were you not listening?
Dr. Newall
What’s your connection to the circus?
Not Tall
(Joyful) We are messengers for the ringmaster, the great Nox Grimaldi!
Don Fox
(Trying to remember) (To Himself) Nox Grimaldi, where have I heard that name before?
Dr. Newall
Where can we find this “Nox Grimaldi”?
Not Tall & Not Short
The Great Grimaldi does not take visitors while preparing. You’ll have to wait for the performance.
(Lorem Ipsum is watching Don Fox & Dr. Newall from behind something, (Curtains, Blocks, etc.) while writing in a notebook.)
Nox Grimaldi (offstage)
Don Fox, is that you? Give me just a moment.
Don Fox
(To Dr. Newall) (Rushed) We need to go, now.
(Nox Grimaldi enters. Nox Grimaldi signals to Not Tall & Not Short to exit. Not Tall & Not Short Exit. Don Fox notices Lorem Ipsum, Lorem Ipsum disappears.)
Don Fox
(To Dr. Newall) (Rushed) We need to go, now.
Nox Grimaldi (To Don Fox & Dr. Newall)
You can’t leave just yet, you must see the performance first.
(Don Fox takes out his lighter)
Don Fox
How did you- I could’ve sworn that I-
(Nox Grimaldi interrupts Don Fox.)
Nox Grimaldi
Destroyed me? Now why would you think that?
(Nox Grimaldi takes Don Fox’s lighter.)
Nox Grimaldi (CONT'D)
Maybe you should stick with solving crimes instead of burning down my circus. You can’t expect to use the same plan against me twice and succeed.
(Nox Grimaldi snaps her fingers. Not Tall & Not Short enter. Not Tall And Not Short take Don Fox off stage.)
Dr. Newall
Where are you taking him! I demand that you tell me!
NOX GRIMALDI
There is no need for threats. Don Fox is a fool, but you, you are a genius. Forget about that Fox, I have much better plans for you than he ever did.
Dr. Newall
And why should I believe you?
NOX GRIMALDI
Let me ask you a question. Why should you believe The Snow Fox? He only brought you here because he needed someone to shift the blame to if he did something foolish, so he wouldn’t lose his reputation built upon a tower of lies. I can make you my assistant, and you can finally be more than just a glorified filing cabinet. You just need to believe me, do we have a deal, Doctor?
Dr. Newall
Yes.
(Dr. Newall & Nox Grimaldi shake hands.)
NOT TALL (OFFSTAGE)
He's getting away!
Nox Grimaldi
For my first order, I need you to go catch that fox.
(Dr. Newall runs offstage. Nox Grimaldi walks offstage in the opposite direction.)

Scene Three
Circus Storage Room
(Nox Grimaldi is sitting in the audience. There are many boxes scattered around. Lorem Ipsum walks quickly on stage with his notebook. He looks back and forth for a quick moment, and then he drops his notebook and runs offstage. Don Fox enters. Don Fox sits down on top of a box, he is alert. Don Fox picks up Lorem Ipsum’s notebook. Dr. Newall runs onstage.)
Dr. Newall
(Exhausted) There you are. I cannot believe you’ve been lying to me this entire time!
Don Fox
Excuse me? When have I lied to you?
Dr. Newall
Well Grimaldi told me that-
(Don Fox interrupts Dr. Newall)
Don Fox
I’m gonna need to stop you right there. The boss dropped this notebook. Just listen to this.
Dr. Newall
Boss? I thought that-
Don Fox
Never mind. (Reading) If anyone is reading this you must know that first of all, you should not trust Nox Grimaldi, She is the puppet of an eldritch being that spreads lies and chaos.
(Nox Grimaldi stands up from her seat.)
NOX GRIMALDI & DR. NEWALL (At The Same Time)
Nox Grimandi: No I am not!
Dr. Newall: No she is not!
(Nox Grimaldi sits back down.)
Don Fox
(No Longer Reading) (Sharp) Just listen. (Reading) Second, anyone who can’t make it out of the circus in time loses their own mind and becomes part of the circus’s puppet show. Third, the circus is that eldritch being-
(Nox Grimaldi runs on stage from her seat in the audience, she is holding Don Fox’s lighter.)
Nox Grimaldi
Give me that!
(Nox Grimaldi runs toward Don Fox. Dr. Newall trips Nox Grimaldi. Nox Grimaldi drops the lighter. Don Fox takes the lighter.)
DR. NEWALL
I’m going to need you to answer a few questions for me.
(Nox Grimaldi is still on the ground and is overdramatically pretending to be injured.)
DR. NEWALL
I thought it would be harder for me to manipulate a being made purely of lies, I also thought you would be better at puppetry.
NOX GRIMALDI
I am not a puppet!
(Don Fox sneaks offstage, lighter in one hand, and a box labeled “FLAMMABLE” in his other hand. Don Fox winks at the audience. Dr. Newall nods to Don Fox as he leaves. Nox Grimaldi does not notice.)
DR. NEWALL
We both know that isn’t true, just answer my questions.
NOX GRIMALDI
Fine.
DR. NEWALL
Are you aware of the incredibly flammable materials stored in the main tent? Those go against international codes. I will have to report you to the authorities.
NOX GRIMALDI
I do not keep them in the main tent, that is where my heart is stored. Do you think I’m a fool? I keep them safe in this tent, far, far away from anywhere else.
DR. NEWALL
So you admit that you are only a voice for the circus. Tell me, what are your plans with this town, eldritch god of chaos?
NOX GRIMALDI
(No longer pretending) I am only a manifestation of a greater being, a greater being known as Khalguroth. Khalguroth goes under many names, such as The Illusive Maw, The Unending Void, and of course, The Arcane Circus. I, Khalguroth, plan on entirely consuming your town. I have consumed more than half your town since you started your investigation. It may seem like you’ve been here for just half an hour, but in reality it has been so, so much longer. Everyone in your town has fled, and I will not stop with your town, I will keep consuming until the whole universe is gone. I tell you this because I know you cannot stop me. And you can’t escape either. For you will soon be under my control.
DR. NEWALL
I see. You said you keep the flammable materials in here, but I don’t happen to see any, think for a moment, how could that be?
(Nox Grimaldi looks around.)
NOX GRIMALDI
(Panicked) But they were here just a moment ago, where are they? Where’s Don Fox!
(Nox Grimaldi runs offstage. Dr. Newall follows.)

Scene Four
The Main Stage
(Don Fox is at Upstage Center holding his lighter. Many boxes labeled “EXPLOSIVE” & “FLAMMABLE” are in a throne-like pile at upstage center as well. Nox Grimaldi & Not Tall & Not Short run onstage)
NOX GRIMALDI & NOT TALL & NOT SHORT
Get away from those boxes! You don’t know what will happen if you set those aflame!
DON FOX
I am quite sure I do. I heard what you said to Dr. Newall. Try to stop me. Your time is limited.
(Dr. Newall runs on.)
DR. NEWALL
Don! I can feel myself starting to lose my mind! If you don’t end this right now you’ll never be able to!
Nox Grimaldi
The Great Consumption is the greatest thing to ever happen to this world, if you stop me your world will never be rid of its filth!
DR. NEWALL
Do not listen to her, end this!
( Not Tall & Not Short yell assorted threats at Dr. Newall. Nox Grimaldi, Not Tall and Not Short all start running toward Dr. Newall with intent of harming him.)
Don Fox
I was really hoping you wouldn’t do that.
(Dr. Newall, Nox Grimaldi, Not Tall, And Not Short All Run Offstage. Don Fox drops his lighter on top of the boxes. In a combination of lights and sounds, the circus explodes.)

Scene Five
The Ruins Of The Circus
(Sounds of rain can be heard. Don Fox is center stage, looking quite dead. The notebook and his lighter are next to him, Nothing happens for a few moments, and then Lorem Ipsum slowly walks on stage.)
LOREM IPSUM
Well then. “The great detective Don Fox, dead.” Is what the headlines will be saying, Case closed?
DON FOX
Case closed. Here’s your journal back. Fireproof pockets really are a wonder. What’s next… (pauses for a moment) …What is your name? Because I am fairly certain it isn’t boss.
LOREM IPSUM
My name is not something for you to know. But you also shall not call me boss for reasons that should be quite obvious to you. You can call me Lorem Ipsum.
DON FOX
Well then, what’s next, (Mockingly) Lorem Ipsum?
LOREM IPSUM
Don Fox is dead. You are known as Arthur Phoenix. And as for your next case, I heard there is an acting troupe in a rainy city quite far away.
DON FOX/ARTHUR PHOENIX
Did Dr. Newall survive?
LOREM IPSUM
We could not find Conan Newall while searching through these ruins. His whereabouts are unknown, I think I know what happened to him, and I believe it has to do with this troupe.
DON FOX/ARTHUR PHOENIX
Then let’s not waste time. Where is our office?
LOREM IPSUM
It disappeared in "unknown circumstances", our new office is located in London. You will be flying us there.
DON FOX/ARTHUR PHOENIX
You seem to be mistaken, I am not a pilot.
LOREM IPSUM
Well you are now, so take everything you need. Conan Newall needs you.
(Lorem Ipsum and Don Fox exit)

END.