Sunset Paradise: Rewritten

Ghost Count

(Ghost count - A false count of cards, often designed to hide an extra card.)

INT./EXT AURORA THEATRE - NIGHT

(We open with a single spotlight on a stage. Mayora Bora walks up and taps the mic before speaking.)

Mayora Bora: Hello, Port Aurora! I am your lovely Mayora Bora, and I've never been happier to welcome you to Port Aurora's most amazing talent show! (Crowd goes wild) Now you all know the drill, we have a large line of performers, some our own citizens, others coming from far away. You, the audience, will determine who has the best performance! And whoever wins will receive quite a large cash prize from us! Now, of course, this year being close to the Phoenix Festival and all, there has been major concern about crime growing in the area. But rest assured, we have our very own Port Aurora Police Department protecting the area from any trouble that could come! So sit back and enjoy the show!!!

(The audience applauses as Mayora Bora walks off and we see Auri using a walkie-talkie in the back row.)

Auri: Alright ladies, what's the scoop? Over.

(Outside, Meggy is standing by the door next to the ticket counter, getting a good look at anyone who enters.)

Meggy: The only crimes I'm seeing so far are fashion crimes, and I don't even care about fashion...(Annoyed) Over.

Auri: (Offscreen) Does that mean things are good? Over.

Whisk: (Voice) Looks like it. (She sighs as we cut to her sitting backstage, behind the curtain.) Can we go home already then? I'm hungry (Silence) Uh, Over.

(Cut to Auri in the back row)

Auri: Sorry Debra... We gotta stay here until the talent show is over....hello?

Meggy: (Voice) The talent show is what? Over.

Auri: The talent show is over.

Whisk: (Voice) Sorry one more time? Over.

Auri: I said the talent show is over! (Meggy and Whisk laugh a bit on the other end.) C'mon, do I need to say "over" twice?

Meggy: (Voice) Say what? Over.

Auri: Say- ah nevermind. (He chuckles) That was good.

Whisk: (Voice) So how much longer do we have to help out with the talent show?

Auri: Not too long, there's only a few acts left according to the program.

(Cut to Meggy outside, the shot zoomed on her upper half.)

Meggy: Finally. There's nothing going on out here. (Zoomout as we see her posing with some fans for a picture and waves as they leave) Don't forget to Splat on!

Auri: (Voice) Don't worry, guys! This is all going to the greater good in the end. (Cut to Auri) Come tomorrow, we get to visit the Phoenix Festival and we won't have to worry about anything else.

(Cut to Whisk)

Whisk: I guess so...but who would want to raid a talent show? (The backstage door opens as Whisk turns. Froy and Doy step in confidently.)

Mayora Bora: Ah there you are. We're almost to your spot in the schedule!

Froy: Apologies, Mr Mayor.