Circle of Mystery

Summary

Three unemployed friends—Dexter, Moonpie, and Tommy—hatch an absurd scheme to escape their financial woes by fabricating an alien landing site in their Tennessee backyard. Using roofing tar, melted lead, and scorched grass, they create the titular "Circle of Mystery," drawing curious, paying tourists to their farmhouse while Dexter acts the part of a drooling, traumatized abductee. As the hoax spirals into a wildly successful roadside attraction complete with T-shirts, "mystery sandwiches," and local news coverage, the ethical weight of the con finally crashes down on Dexter.