Rumor has it that the Circus Performers have been pressuring Ondar to get rid of all Sideshow Acts. They believe that the public comes to each show to see them and only them and not the "freaks of nature" (what they call the Sideshow actors). Tensions have been building over the last year between both groups and during the afternoon meetings tempers actually begin to flare and get out of hand.

Arial Flips and Guy Wires argue that the increase in revenue this past season is due to the "true" Circus Performers and not the freaks. This upsets most of the Sideshow Actors, and led by Stucco Widher and Ineeda Shave, they warn the group they will unionize to prevent them from being fired. The meeting gets so out of hand with shouting, name-calling, and belittling, that the staff of The Lodge threatens to expel the group from the hotel if they don't get control of themselves. The meeting is adjourned at 5:30 p.m. for a two-hour dinner break.

During the first hour of the break, (5:30 pm-6:30 pm), a secret meeting is held by all Sideshow actors, except Uptin Flames, in Ineeda's room to strategize and discuss forming the new UFOCSS (Union of the Federated Operating Circus Sideshow Stars), in case it would be announced that evening by Ondar that their acts were being let go from the Circus. The rest of the cast have their meals in the dining room where the Lodge is serving stuffed Chili Rellenos for the main course. Uptin Flames is seen by Pacca Derm eating with Annie Mable Lunes. They look as if they're having a serious discussion during their meal.

At 6:45 pm, on their way back to their rooms, Ima Fonny-Won and Y. Doncha Laff, could hear a commotion coming from Ondar's room. Besides Ondar's and Herums's voice, there is another voice but they are unable to recognize it. Herum is heard yelling, "These damn freaks are costing us too much money!" To which Ondar replies, "They have every right to be a part of this circus as the rest of us!" Ima and Y. Doncha could only hear the unrecognizable voice begin sobbing uncontrollably.

Ondar calls for a special closed board meeting in his room at 7:10 pm. Present are all board members, Ondar, Mackie, Annie Mable, Uptin, Herum. At 7:30pm, all cast members gather again in the meeting room downstairs. Some board members appear to be unhappy and quiet. Ringmaster Ondar gives praise to everyone for a season that was very profitable. During his speech, he states, "Even though I have felt much pressure to downsize our Sideshow actors, I will NOT, and let me repeat it, will NOT make ANY cast changes for next season!" There are many gasps and murmurs from the cast members, especially the Circus performers. Mackie N. Munny and Herum Pipes are both VERY visibly upset while Annie Mable Lunes and Uptin Flames remain emotionless.

The meeting continues with Ondar's shocking plans to expand the sideshow tent area the following year to include even more acts. Ondar states that in a 3-2 vote from the board members that evening, he believes the expansion will help to bridge the rift between the cast members. Furious, the Circus Performers get up and leave the meeting, yelling obscenities at Ondar and the Sideshow actors. With half the cast gone, the meeting has to be adjourned until 9:00 am the next morning.

Later that evening, between 8:00 pm-10:00 pm, cast members are all off doing their own things. (Drinking!) All the Sideshow Actors, except Don D. Hatch, are loudly celebrating in the Red Dog Saloon. Don has complained of not feeling well and gone to bed early.  There is a lot of talking and movement in the bar. During the two-hour period, all Sideshow actors leave the bar at one point to "use the restroom or make a phone call."  Uptin comes into the bar at 8:45 pm and pulls Ineeda and Stucco aside. The three men are seen whispering in a comer for about 15 minutes. Joy D. Hip is listening to music from her IPOD during this conversation, never hearing what her brother is saying with the two other men. Uptin then makes a toast and wishes his congratulations to all the Sideshow actors for sticking together. He heads upstairs at 9:05 pm. Pacca Derm, who's been drinking in the comer the whole time with C.M. Roar, becomes drunk beyond belief. She begins to taunt Andie Loose at 9:15 pm, calling her "a wild whore-freak" and the two women get into a huge cat fight. Mackie N. Monny and Liftin Tons have to pull Andie and Pacca off one another. Pacca yells at the top of her lungs, "I'm going to kill you one day!!" and storms outside. Andie bruised and bloody heads upstairs to her room at 9:25 pm.

Most of the other circus performers have chosen to stay upstairs in their rooms for the rest of the evening, but a few are seen sitting together in the Red Dog bar nursing their egos and scowling at the happy Sideshow Actors. Arial Flips and Guy Wires come in from 8:15 pm-8:40 pm. They do not speak to anyone only just have a beer and leave.  Y. Doncha and Ima come in around 9 pm and have a glass of wine. They witness the toast and the cat fight and are seen laughing during both. They leave at 9:20 pm. Ringmaster Ondar is seen with Annie Mable sitting by the fireplace by Ineeda Shave on his/her way back from the bathroom. He/she notes that around 9:40pm, Ondar receives a cell phone call and leaves in a hurry frantic upstairs. Everyone else stays in the bar until it closes at 10:00 pm then heads to their rooms.

The next morning at 9:00 am, everyone gathers again in the meeting room but Ondar and Uptin are nowhere to be seen. Annie Mable excuses herself to see if management can fetch them. After 15 or 20 minutes she bursts back into the room crying, 

"They're dead!  They're both DEAD!!"

Everyone begins consoling each other when Joy D. Hip realizes that Don D. Hatch is also missing at this time and sends management upstairs to his room.

All Sideshow Actors are now beside themselves because they are in mourning for the loss of Ondar, Uptin and Don. All Circus performers seem unmoved by the three deaths. They show no emotion what-so-ever and only keep repeating, when asked about the tragedy, "As Ondar said last night, the show must go on!" The remaining Circus Board members also seem indifferent about the deaths. Herum Pipes and Mackie N. Munnyjust shrug their shoulders, "We warned him that these freaks would cost us." Annie Mable Lunes is a wreck. A mystery man appears with a camera and notepad and begins taking pictures of the Sideshow Actors. Occasionally he laughs at the mourning actors as he takes their pictures. When he is done taking pictures he begins interviewing the board members.

Since the Cloudcroft police are so short staffed, they decide to let Mackie N. Munny lead the investigation into these deaths. She states that everyone is now a suspect and will not be able to leave until this tragedy is solved ... including the mystery man.  Everyone is told that they must report back Friday night for informal interviews and again on Saturday night for formal questioning and to hold elections for a new board President.

Why have these three men died? Who hated these men enough to kill them? What is to become of the show? Start putting your clues together, Sherlock, as you try to solve,

 “MURDER AT THE CIRCUS!”