Freak Like Me [American Horror Story Freak Show]

Chapter One

1952 was the best year of my life. Granted it didn't start out that way. I was a poor girl portraying a boy selling newspapers until Stanley found me. He was a creeper of an old guy, but he was nice enough to provide me a place to stay. He reminded me a lot of my uncle, Franklin, but that man was long gone, rotting in prison somewhere I think.

Winter had been a bitter thing as always in New York, but Stanley told me that I could go places as an actress, like I had always dreamed about. We were supposed to travel to California and find some guy in Hollywood who would give me a job. I was excited for the whole thing...until we got to the set. It was the shooting of a pornographic movie, something that held none of my interests. Stanley was persistent, telling me that I had to start somewhere.

"That somewhere will not be here," I told him sternly as I walked off set, leaving both him and the director confused. I may have been dying for an opportunity to fulfill my dream, but I wasn't going to stoop to such a level. I had waited four hours in the motel room for Stanley to come back. When he did, he wasn't angry, nor disappointed. His clothes were disheveled so I assumed that I owed some loose street gal a thank you for calming him down.

Stanley had gone to bed with a smile on his face. The next morning he gave me some strange news that I wasn't expecting. "We are heading out to Florida," he said happily, his evil grin set on his face. I set down the morning paper that the manager had been so nice to bring for me with no charge, and stared at him in confusion.

"Why?" He shrugged his shoulders and tucked his hands into his pants pocket.

"There's a buddy of mine down there. I called him after I left the set, director wasn't happy that he had to find a new face, but my buddy, Filmore, said that he would love to have you shoot pictures for him." I raised a brow and reached for my pack of cigarettes.

"I won't do nude photos, Stanley, I thought I made myself clear," I said as I placed a cigarette between my lips. Stanley stepped forward, his lighter already out. I took a few puffs as he ignited it and he sat down next to me at the table.

"It won't be like that, I promise you. Filmore wants a nice wholesome looking young girl to pose for some advertisements for his store." I nodded my head and flicked the ashes into the tray. "He said he will pay you five dollars for every picture you shoot, plus he is willing to split the profits that you give him thirty-seventy." I raised a brow, exhaling the toxins.

"Make it fourty-sixty and he has a deal." Stanley's wicked grin was back.

"That's actually what he offered first hand, I just wanted to see if you'd take it." I shook my head, giving him a smile. He slapped his knees and stood back up. "Finish your cigarette and start packing. I'm going to go get us checked out and then we are on the road again!" He went into his room and threw on a button-up shirt and one of his blazers, heading out without another word. I put the cigarette out and started to pack my bags. Stanley came back, tucking the receipt into his pocket. He helped me carry my stuff downstairs and we loaded our car. I got into the passenger seat, sliding on some chic sunglasses as Stanley drove off, smoking his first cigarette of the day.

"Where in Florida are we going?" I asked him. He sent a puff of smoke out the window.

"Jupiter. You'll love it there!" He cued the radio and had it blaring. Soon enough I was fast asleep.

When I woke up, Stanley had stopped for gas and directions. There was a few sodas and snacks sitting in the drivers' seat, and I reached in to snatch a water. Stanley got back in, moving the bag into the backseat. I fell back asleep, paying no mind to the static radio.

After about a week of traveling, we were finally in Jupiter, Florida. I stepped out of the car after Stanley pulled over at a motel. The town seemed quaint and quiet, close to what I was expecting. Stanley had gone inside to discuss prices with the manager. I took a glance through the window and shrugged my shoulders, walking off towards a diner. When I walked through the door, a bell rang and people raised their heads to spot me. I gave them a shy smile and sat at the counter.

The man at the counter greeted me with a smile, and left a menu for me while he tended to other patrons. A bubbly young waitress stopped by me and I ordered a tonic and some chicken strips. She took my menu and left. The bell dinged and I didn't look over my shoulder. I tapped my foot and Stanley came to sit beside me. "Next time you take off tell me, would ya? I was worried sick when I came back outside and found you missing," he told me, sounding like my father when he was alive.

"Sorry," I said, tapping the palms of my hands against the table. "but I was hungry. Found this place and walked over here. It's not like I went too far."

"Out of my sight is too far," Stanley replied firmly. "and you better remember who are you here with, Maggie. Without me, you'd still be selling newspapers and pickpocketing rich people." I turned my gaze away from his when the waitress brought my chicken strips and tonic over.

"Alright, alright. Geez get your panties out of a bunch, will ya? It's not like I walked out of your life forever. I got hungry so I came in here to eat. You knew where I was obviously."

"It was a guess."

"Then maybe you should start gambling 'cause it was a mighty fine guess." I started in on my chicken strips, sipping on my tonic. "Now when is Filmore wanting me at his store?" Stanley cleared his throat and looked out the window.

"He...he isn't." My head snapped over to look at him. To say I was livid would have been an understatement.

"What do you mean?"

"Filmore did write to me and said that you sounded like a great girl, but..."

"But what?" I asked firmly. People were beginning to stare at us, but I didn't care. "Stanley, why would you lie to me?"

"'Cause I knew you wouldn't come out here with me if I told you why we were really out here."

"I'll bite. Why are we really out here?"

"A freakshow."