Description
Pepper's life is shattered when she awakens to find that Salty has died in his sleep. After trying to console Pepper, Desiree learns from Elsa about the origins of the freak show. Elsa begins by revealing how when she first moved to the United States, she worked as a chorus girl in a carnival in Boston, Massachusetts. Noticing the freaks weren't treated as they should be, Elsa set out to make a business and a family of her own. Pepper was the first to join Elsa's troupe, after being found in an orphanage. Elsa recalls that soon later she realized Pepper needed something else, thus she recruited Ma Petite and Salty to act as Pepper's own child and husband. Realizing Pepper has no one now after both have died, Desiree suggests returning Pepper to her elder sister. Meanwhile Stanley convinces Elsa to let him take care of Salty's body after telling her he'd have the pinhead cremated, but he quickly chops the head off and sells it to the Museum of Morbid Curiosities. Maggie confesses to Desiree that she and Stanley are con artists. Desiree warns her that if she finds out either of them hurt any of the freaks, she'll kill her dead. Dot and Bette attempt to convince Maggie to help Jimmy by getting him a lawyer with the money they saved up for the surgery, but Stanley gets to Jimmy first, suggesting another way to earn the money. Realizing she needs help, Maggie finally confesses to Desiree her and Stanley's true intentions, warning her that all the freaks will die soon if nothing is done. The two visit the museum, where Desiree is shocked to find Ma Petite and Salty. The curator reveals their newest display; a pair of hands supposedly belonging to Jimmy, thus causing Maggie to faint in horror. Elsa tracks down Pepper's sister Rita (Mare Winningham) and convinces her to take in Pepper. Things get worse when, nine years later, Rita gives birth to a deformed baby. Pepper's brother-in-law convinces her sister to frame Pepper for the baby's murder, committing her wrongly to Briarcliff. Sister Mary Eunice (Lily Rabe), though convinced Pepper committed the murder, sees a hint of remorse in her eyes. She has Pepper assist her in the library at Briarcliff with sorting magazines. While doing so, Pepper finds a magazine with Elsa on the cover, who seemingly achieved the fame she always wished for.