Red Rock Film Festival 2008

In 1934, Jay O'Rourke realizes his job as a ventriloquist is not what it used to be -- no one is coming to the vaudeville troupe's performances and his once jokes-of-gold just aren't cutting it. To make matters worse, Chester, his ventriloquist's dummy, doesn't seem to see it as a problem. When the theatre owner ends the theatre run after losing too much business to the movies, Jay and Chester must survive on their own. As the two try to sort through their problems, Jay decides to steal some eggs from a farmer. When he is caught mid-theft, he tells the farmer he is an animal psychic who can make the animals talk back. After Jay gets money, the farmer asks him to 'speak' with a a deaf, mute sick girl. Chester warns him about taking advantage of the family, but Jay ignores his warnings. After being given the last of the family money, Jay and Chester sit on the side of the road. Too disgusted to acknowledge Jay, Chester is left behind.