The Haunted Museum

A lifetime of investigating the paranormal.

It's taught me that when very bad things happen in the past

that there's always going to be massive repercussions here in the present.

Tragedies involving murder and mass death.

They release dark forms of energy,

and they reverberate around the living

like psychic echoes or aftershocks.

Bigger events, they can lead to much bigger aftershocks.

And in my mind, they don't get any bigger

than the Hartford Circus fire.

On July 6, 1944, a fire started

during a matinee performance

of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.

In what would become one of the deadliest fires in American history.

Almost 170 people were kille

and 700 injured by that hellish inferno that engulfed the big top.

Now, this is where it gets interesting.

A man would later confess to deliberately starting the blaze.

And while he was being interrogated, he claimed

that a demonic entity with flames

coming out of its head told him to start the fire.

In years ago, I acquired a costume

that was once worn by a famous clown

who actually performed on that tragic day.

And after placing it in my museum,

it was as if the spirit of that clown

was telling me to place the costume

and original photo of the Hartford Circus fire

beneath a vintage miniature diorama of a circus,

much like the one that was destroyed by that fire in 1944.

So that his spirit and all of the victims of that fire

could exist within the diorama.

And immediately, strange things began to happen.

Guests of the museum, they've reported seeing a very large apparition figure

roaming around the funhouse with them.

And in one case, this guy was walking through the funhouse.

He turned and he faced one of my clowns.

Something overtook his body and then he just collapses.

Now, all these events, they've led me to wonder

if a dark energy or echo

connected to the clown costume.

And that photo somehow opened

and then powered a portal within the diorama,

a portal that entities are now using to enter our world.

Now, the following film was inspired

by the experiences with these items

and explores the powerful

and at times terrifying hold

that the past still has over the present.

Welcome to the flea market.

Open now on Thursday through Sunday.

A place to find lost treasures,

magnificent antiques

and a little something for everyone.

Help me find anything in particular there, young man?

Oh, I was just looking. Thank you.

Let me know.

And Mr. Woolard at your service.

How much for this?

Well, that's a...

one of a kind set I could probably let that go for about 12.50.

That's... it's kind of steep.

Yeah, like I said, it's one of a kind.

How about that clown over there on the swing?

How much for that?

Tell you what, I'll do the clown in for 20 bucks.

It's still a lot.

Everything's got a price.

But you must be willing to pay it.

Hey. -

What is taking you so long?

Ah, I can't spin circles while you take your sweet time.

I told you in and out.

Now, come on, let's go.

Whoa, this thing weighs a ton.

Just get home, see what's inside.

So, I did good?

We'll see.

Got anything else?

I got this.

Hey, you keep it.

Ah, let's get out of here.

Not a whole lot of value here.

But this...

this is interesting.

And what do you think's inside it?

Well...

it's got a big lock.

Maybe something no one was supposed to find.

There's got to be something of value in here.

There's only one way to find out.

And step back.

Hey, Dad.

Yeah?

If there's something good inside,

maybe next weekend we can go to the movies, you know...

instead of working.

I'll tell you what.

We find some thing of value in here,

we take next week off.

Go to a movie or whatever.

Let's see what's inside.

What is it?

It's worthless junk.

Damage!

Dad. Dad!

Dad. Dad, it's a tent.

You have to come down.

Later, Sam.

Please, there's something inside it.

I'm not in the mood.

Just go. Look, I heard voice... - Enough!

I'm going to town.

Dad.

Wade. Hey, Wade.

I was just getting home from work.

I've got leftovers in case you and Sam are hungry.

I'm... I'm good.

Sam's inside.

Sam.

Sam.

Sam, are you okay?

Tough day?

Yeah, me too.

My boss, Mr. Butthead, was such a jerk tonight.

What happened?

I'm just trying to get a shift off, but he wouldn't budge.

What I'd give to be your age again.

I wish I was older, so I wouldn't have to do things I don't want to.

What don't you want to do?

Hey, what's up?

Me and my dad found this old tent,

and I set it up in the basement.

What do you mean?

I heard voices and something bad happened inside there.

Do you want to show me?

Come on, I'll show you, it's nothing.

Yeah, you won't listen either.

Sorry, Sam. I'm listening. I promise.

Oh, I...

I almost forgot.

Got those chicken fingers you like.

I would hate to have to eat them all by myself.

Hungry?

Cool.

Will you stay until I fall asleep?

Of course.

Oh, my God.

Oh. Oh.

Oh, Jesus Christ.

Oh.

You... you scared the shit out of me. I'm so sorry.

Um, there's... there's leftovers on the counter.

Sam already ate. He sound...

You don't have to do that, you know.

I can take care of my son.

I know. Wait, I was just trying to help.

I'm sorry.

It's been a long day.

It's okay.

I appreciate what you've done for Sam.

What you did for me and Jess when she was sick.

I should have said that a long time ago.

Of course. I...

I love you guys. Um...

I do miss getting invited over for Sunday dinners.

Oh, so Jess.

I'm not much of a cook.

She was always...

She's hard.

It's real hard without her.

You just let me know if you ever want me to take Sam

for a movie night at my place or...

or anything like that.

I should be going home.

Goodnight, Wade.

Goodnight.

Hello.

Hello.

Dad?

Dad?

You down there?

Dad.

Dad!

Dad.

Dad!

Are you okay?