Clown
An emotional support clown wrestles with his own emotions when he is hired to soften a break up. 

The emotional support animal craze has been quite the ride. At first a rarity, it quickly spread through all crevices of society. To restaurants. Schools. Any place humans interact. These days, wherever there’s potential strife, Pomeranian, Yorkie or Maltese “therapists” can be found.

But sometimes a well timed tail wag or nose lick just isn’t enough. 

In his comedy Clown, Lewis Eastwood imagines the “next generation” of support companions: clowns. Yes, we mean that literally. Not Pennywise or Joker – whew! More like the Bozo Balloon tying type. 

Being your standard neurotic mess, Doug’s brought a “support clown” along on his dinner rendezvous with Kate. As the old saying goes, “three’s a crowd.” And when that third makes a comical farce of even the most serious situations… three becomes a metaphorical circus. No matter how well intentioned they may be:

The sound of balloons squeaking.

INT. DINING ROOM - DAY

LUCY and DOUG (both 30s) sit across the table from each other. He fidgets. She shakes her head.
The balloon sound continues.

LUCY
Can you please take me seriously
for just one second?

DOUG 
I do.

LUCY
Then get rid of him.

REVEAL: A CLOWN sat at the head of the table making a balloon bouquet of flowers. It's hard to tell his age with all the makeup.

DOUG
He's my emotional support clown.

An emotional support clown who hands Doug balloon flowers. And makes exaggerated faces, pantomiming every poignant moment Doug and Lucy say. 

You see, Doug’s afraid Lucy’s about to break up with him. That’s why he needs “Clown” at his side.

Though, put yourself in Lucy’s (clown) shoes: if your partner brought an emotional support clown along on a date, wouldn’t you reconsider the relationship, too?

But wait: this clown car’s about to get even more crowded. Because there’s more than a “threesome” in this bizarre dynamic. In fact, there’s a four legged FOURTH.

Lucy’s Chihuahua - a tiny terror known as “Mimi.”  Lucy adores Mimi. As for Doug? He hates the fur-ball with a passion. For him, walking Mimi’s emasculating. And her barking’s insufferable. After all, Clown is a miming mute. Mimi… not so much. 

Make no mistake: clowns provide a useful service to many cultures. Lifting our spirits with outlandish antics, lightening the mood when times are tough. But does an “emotional support clown” really belong in the middle of a relationship dispute… especially where furry babies are concerned?

Directors: Clown is an easy, quirky, very low budget shoot. Taking the logic of “emotional support” assistants full circle, this little comedy wraps up in a strangely satisfying way you might not expect. One that’ll bring a smile to audiences’ faces – even without support jesters to help them out. Though, depending on the pet policies of what theater premieres this comedy, a well timed tail wag might be in order, too!