Summerween (Part 2)
(Back at the Shack)
There were still a few hours to kill before the fun of trick or treating began, so the gang decided to plan their route and strategy; much to Cooper's annoyance.
"Whatcha kids up to?" Mabel asked as she walked in the room with something hiding behind her back.
The gang sat around the table in deep focus. Ford, with Gompers at his side, then Fids, Stan, Heather, Susan, Buddy and finally a reluctant Cooper.
"Strategizing." Fids answered. His costume had been completed and now he had little gray ears popping out of his hood. Black rings were painted around his eyes and white marks around those. His banded black and white tail nearly touched his feet, and his black, claw-tipped gloves clutched the potato sack in his "paws".
"Well, I'll only interrupt you for a moment." Mabel assured them. She was dressed up as "Glitter tornado! Which was a carboard cut out of a tornado with way too much glitter on it. She also wearing a glittery jumpsuit underneath. She pulled to costumes out from behind her back. "Zombie Pirates!" She declared.
"Awesome!" Stan exclaimed taking the trousers and pulling them over his shorts. He then placed on the white long sleeve and the peg leg. He then completed the look with an eye patch and pirates' hat. The outfit had holes and blood stains to make it look like Stan had received a fatal blow.
"It's like that movie with the pirates curse." Ford said as he placed the second outfit which matched his brother's.
Finally, Mabel gave them some body paint so they could paint their skin like dead Zombies. "You are going to be the best ones out there!" She said proudly. I am so glad you kids are dressing up. It's such a shame when people say you're too old."
"Except Cooper." Stan pointed out.
"Hey, I agreed to hang." Cooper said. "Not dress up like babies."
"Come on even Gompers is dressed up." Heather said.
"Who?" Cooper asked.
"My Goat." Ford said he gestured to Gompers who wore a helmet and a silver outfit that had lines drawn on it to look like armor he also wore a belt with a fake sword tucked in it. "Sir Knight Gompers of the Round Table!" He joked as he and Stan finished their face paint.
"And we are ready to own this Summerween!" Stan declared.
"I'm surrounded by nerds." Cooper groaned.
"Yep." Heather laughed. "And I hear it's contagious."
Susan giggled.
"Well, I for one am looking forwards to this." Buddy said as he looked over their planned route. "Now that I see it on paper it seems so simple."
"Great we're done planning to nerd out." Cooper scoffed. "Now let's go get this over with."
A hard knock came to the door.
"Could one of you get that before you kids go?" Mabel asked from the kitchen. "I have to finish sorting these treats." She said as she stated making little bags of candy for the trick or treaters.
"Cooper?" Heather looked to him hopefully.
Cooper rolled his eyes. "Fine."
Cooper opened the door. Hardly fitting on the porch was a man with spindly legs as long as Grauntie Mabel was tall, long gangly arms that reached a bit past his knees, and a squat, thick body covered only by a scarecrow's jacket and hat. A smiley bag wrapped around his face to create a mask. The man's voice was slow and heavy. "Trick or treat."
"Don't you think you're a bit old for trick-or-treating?" Cooper prompted. "Sorry."
"But, wait! I-" The door was slammed shut in his face.
"Cooper!" Ford chided. "Why'd you close the door?"
"The guys like twice our age." Cooper said. "Only a creep dresses up at that age."
The door knocked again; this time louder.
Cooper opened the door again. "Look, man, just go to another house!" He shut the door again.
Stan crossed his arms. "Where's your Summerween hospitality?"
The door knocked again, louder with frustration.
"I'm not getting' that," Cooper stated.
"Well then I will." Ford walked past him and opened the door. He smiled. "I apologize for my friend He–"
"SILENCE!" the long-legged creature demanded, pointing a finger straight at Ford and holding the other arm close to his own head in a fist. Ford went silent. "You have insulted me! For this you must pay… with your lives!"
Ford hesitated and chuckled, "Oh-ho! Nice!" He complemented obviously mistaking this for some Summerween fun.
"'Nice'?" the creature repeated and stepped through the door. Ford skittered back and then yelped as he tripped. The creature stood up tall, nearly scraping the ceiling. "You think I am joking…Do I look like I am joking?"
"The Summerween Trickster!" Fid's voice raised in a squeak while Susan's was slightly deeper in a gasp. Buddy unceremoniously pulled them back to avoid getting anywhere near the creature.
Heather stepped in front of Them protectively.
Cooper, however, looks unimpressed. "Oh, come on it's just a creep in mask." He prompted.
Outside, a plump little kid in a pirate outfit hobbled to the door. "Trick-or-treat!" The Summerween Trickster grabbed the kid by the head and swallowed him whole.
"Remember me!" the kid yelled as he was eaten.
The kids gasped.
"Yeah, a creep who eats kids!" Stan exclaimed as he helped Ford to his feet. Fids hid behind Susan fearfully.
The Summerween Trickster went on in a calm, heavy voice, "There is only one way for you to avoid his fate." The creature put his hands together. "I need a treat. If you can gather five hundred pieces of candy," he took out a Jack-o-Melon off Mabel's porch and lit it with his finger. "-and bring it to me by the time the last lantern goes out," he blew out the fire. "I will let you live."
"Five hundred treats in one night?" Cooper exclaimed. "That's impossible!"
"The choice is yours," the Summerween Trickster reminded him and walked backwards until he was outside. "You must trick-or-treat… or die." He folded his legs and then leaped onto the roof. The kids followed him outside. They were able to see a glimpse of his body retreat over the roof of the house. Then, he was gone.
"Oh my gosh," Stan breathed. "Do you know what this means?"
"Yes," Ford stated. "Now Cooper has to trick-or-treating with us."
"Yes!" Heather squealed.
"And wear a costume." Susan added.
"No costume." Cooper snapped. "Besides how are we going to get that much candy in one night?!"
"I hate to agree with him, but it does sound unlikely." Buddy agreed.
Ford jumped onto a haybale in their yard and clapped his hands. Gompers hopped up next to him. "Listen up, people! This is crazy and we were just cursed by a legendary child-eating monster. But he messed with the wrong people. With Fidds knowledge, Stanley's strength, Heather's and Susan's Summerween know-how, my smarts, Buddy's charisma and all of our creativity put together, we will get that candy and have fun doing it! Even if it takes all night!"
Fids clapped and bounced on his heels. Susan nodded, eyes narrowed and grin wide in her determination.
"All night!" Cooper whined.
"Cooper it's trick or treating or die!" She reminded him. "Get perspective!"
Cooper glanced down at the orange flier he had crumpled up in his pocket. 9:00. His watch read 6:00.
When Cooper hesitated, Stan grabbed him by the arm and ran off. "Come on!"
And with that the kids were off to get started. "For glory!" The children charged through the already open door.
"And our lives!" Fids added.
All throughout the Neighborhood, kids and adults alike ran about the streets. Dan's family dressed as Vikings. The three boys held a battering ram. Down the streets, Sherriff Blubs and Deputy Durland walked. They were both dressed as each other. As they walked, they complimented each other's costumes on their realism.
Meanwhile, Stan, rolled a wheelbarrow while the others walked beside him.
Cooper sighed, "Can't we just buy the candy."
"That's cheating, Cooper." Ford pointed out.
"I'm trying to take the 'or-Die' out of this, Nerd." Cooper reasoned.
"Tempting." Fids admitted. "But Ford's right the Trickster probably won't approve of us going about this the easy way." He said as they stopped in front of "Growling" Grenda's house. A pharaoh, alien, knight, and unicorn also stood with their bags in front of them. The pharaoh rang the doorbell. "Trick-or-Treat!" they called once "Growling" Grenda, wearing a witch's costume, opened the door.
"Well aren't you just the cutest? Is everyone in costume? Oh, good! Wonderful!" she prompted as she opened a bag of candy and poured a few pieces into each bag. She waved once they left with a "Happy Summerween!"
Stan and his friends ran up next all, but Cooper who wasn't even trying.
"Trick-or-Treat!" They yelled.
"Is everyone in costume?" Grenda prompted and looked to each kid in turn. "Vampires, dog, Pirates, minion, and… what are you supposed to be?"
"I'm… not wearing a costume," Cooper answered. " Now could you warp this up. We're kind of in a hurry here."
"Oh. I see." "Growling" Grenda's voice flattened a bit. She put a single piece of candy in each bag–save for Susan whom she gave a second–and nothing in Stanley's wheelbarrow. "Enjoy!"
"Five pieces?!" Stan exclaimed. "We'll never get five hundred by the end of tonight."
"Sorry kids." Grenda said. "But I give the good stuff to those with spirt in their group."
Heather sighed. "We understand."
"Oh, say high to Mabel for me." She said to the twins.
"We will." Ford told her.
"Yeah, if we live to see her again." Stan added as Grenda closed her door.
Fids picked out a string of black licorice Grenda gave him from his bag. "Oh! A black licorice? I didn't know people gave these out on Halloween."
"Um… peanut butter thing?" Susan raised an eyebrow at the little black-wrapper thing.
"And a corn pop?" Ford prompted. "Oh, and she gave Heather a circus peanut."
"And I got a granola bar." Buddy said, showing it off.
"I got a cough drop." Fids said. "An actual cough drop!"
This… is the loser candy you were telling us about." Ford said to Stan. "We've got to up our game."
"You have to put on your costume." Heather told him. "The one I made you." She added.
"I said no costumes." Cooper argued. "They're for babies."
"Oh really?"
The group gasped as the Summerween Trickster appeared perched on the pole on all-fours like a spider. He climbed down and put a hand on Fid's shoulder. The boy froze in terror. The Summerween Trickster picked up the single piece of candy in his bag. "Hmm. I've seen better." He dropped it, took the Jack-O-Melon from next to "Growling" Grenda's house, and leaped silently onto the roof of the house across the street. "Tick-tock!" He blew out the candle and then jumped back behind the house and out of sight.
Ford raised an eyebrow at Cooper. "What was that about costumes being for babies?" He asked.
Cooper clenched his fist, but then gave a reluctant sigh. "Fine show me this outfit."
"Yes!" Heather screamed.
Cooper rolled his eyes; he was already regretting this.
(Back At the Shack…)
Ford stood on the steps up to the attic and waved her arms "Introducing, for the first time in public:" Cooper stalked down the stairs wearing a male version of Heather's costume. "The Vampire Clown Groom and his bride!"
"Ooooh!" Fids gasped. "You two look amazing together!"
"We told you." Ford prompted trying to keep his jealousy to himself. He wished he and Heather were the ones wearing matching outfits instead, but feels guilty the moment he thinks it.
"Matching outfits always work." Stan finished for him.
"They better, because I'm not feeling ridiculous for nothing." Cooper vowed.
"I think you guys look great." Susan said taking a picture with her phone.
"Well hopefully it makes a big difference." Buddy said as they set out again. "We don't have much time." He reminded them as they ran to the next house on their list.
Cooper rang the doorbell and looked at Ford. "Do you really think this will make a difference?" He asked looking unsure.
Ford gave him a thumbs up as the door opened to reveal one of the burly men who spent his time in the biker joint downtown. A bowl of candy was in his hands.
The Stan twins did a small dance before putting their arms around each other, spreading their arms out, and announcing, "Ha-cha-cha! Twins!"
The man smiled, a small tear running down his beard, and dumped the entire bowl into the bag they held together without speaking a word.
Heather elbowed Cooper and they did a similar dance and sang. "Matching!"
A woman ran out from the house and dumped an entire bag of candy into the wheelbarrow.
Cooper blinked in disbelief.
"See we told you." Stan said as they moved on to the next house.
"Works every time." Ford agreed.
And it did! The Gang did the same little dance and even included acts with Fids Buddy and Susan. Not only were Stan and Stanford's matching outfits definite money makers, and Heather and Cooper pulled off the couples look, the trio made an adorable little show. Sometimes, Stan or Buddy would dance with Susan, causing the kids to laugh and the adults at the door to coo.
Stan chucked pieces of candy into their wheelbarrow. "…thirty-four, thirty-five, thirty-six."
A few houses later, Fids plucked his candy and threw it into the wheelbarrow. "…twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four! One hundred and twenty-four!"
Someone blew out the candle of their Jack-O-Melon and went to bed.
None of the houses were that scary. Adults normally dressed in the cliché outfits found in stores or easily made at home. Pirates, mummies, witches, clowns, and goblins answered the doors.
Ford parked the wheelbarrow on the grass next to a couple of trees and bushes. He plucked the last few pieces of candy out of Fid's bag. "…four ninety-seven, four ninety-eight, four ninety-nine! Four hundred and ninety-nine! We just need one more!"
"Yes!" Fids hissed.
"And it's 8:30!" Cooper announced. "We have plenty of time to go to the party."
"See it all worked out." Susan pointed out.
Fids laughed, "And it looks like you actually had fun!"
Heather grinned at him knowingly.
Cooper rolled his eyes but nodded. "Okay yeah I'll admit it wasn't as bad as I thought."
"Last one to the last house is a rotten egg!" Stan teased as he ran.
"No way!" Fids gasped and the group of friends chased after him.
"Cooper watched the candy." Heather instructed him. "Once we're done, we'll go to the party." She promised.
Cooper stayed by the wheelbarrow and looked about the street. He glanced at his watch and sighed. "I guess I really did have nothing to worry about." He thought out loud. "Plus, the dorks aren't so bad." He admitted.
Just than A very familiar van slowed and turned the corner. Cooper gasped it was Heather's Brother Rob and his friends along with Dan. He pushed the wheelbarrow of candy behind the bushes and wormed out of the suit and leaned against the tree.
"Hey, Cooper!" Dan called from the driver's side.
"Hey, Dan! What's up?" Cooper called back with a bright smile.
"Are you comin' to the party, or what?" Rob cut in.
"Yeah we're just finishing up." Cooper answered.
"Doing what?" Mikey teased. "Trick or treating with the babies?"
"Oh, no we're watching the trick-or-treaters," Cooper replied with a casual shrug. "Remembering how we use to dress up. It's silly really."
"Well, see you there, then." Dan waved.
"Later!" Cooper called. The van drove off.
"Was that Dan and them?"
Cooper spun around to see his friends had returned. "Yeah." He said. "They were checking to see if we changed our mind about the party."
"Oh, I wish you'd ask if they'd carry the candy back for us." Heather said. "That wheelbarrows gonna be heavy…Cooper where's the candy?"
"Relax! The candy's just over here, behind these bushes." Cooper assured her. "I was scared your brother would laugh at me." He admitted as he led them to the spot, he put the wheelbarrow. He pushed back the bushes. They stopped dead in their tracks. "So, I hid it right…here…"
Unfortunately, the bushes hid a cliff that jutted straight down a small, clogged stream. Their wheelbarrow, laying on its side, spilled all but perhaps a dozen pieces of candy into the stream.
There was silence.
Cooper looked to Heather apologetically. "Heather I…"
"I can't believe you!" Heather screamed.
"Look I'm sorry." Cooper yelled over her.
"Sorry?" Heather scoffed. "No sorry can't fix this. You just couldn't stand to look silly in front of the big kids just this once! Not even for me! And now-"
"Look what you Did!" Ford breathed and turned to him.
Fids turned around and yelped.
Buddy saw it too. "Uh… guys?"
When they looked back, they saw the streets were dark. The wind blew out a lit Jack-o-Melon mounted on a scarecrow.
"Oh no!" Ford gasped. "They're all out!"
"No there's just got to be one more." Susan said as they all looked around hopefully.
"There!" Stan pointed to the last lit Jack-o-Melon, held by none other than "Crazy" Chiu.
"He-he! Good night!" she chuckled and took off the lid of the melon.
"NO!" the kids screamed and raced to her side.
"Eh? Eh? What's happening?" The old woman gasped and hopped from foot to foot.
Ford put a hand on her arm. "Don't blow out that candle."
"Whaaaat?" she yelled.
"DON'T BLOW OUT THAT CANDLE!" Ford yelled back.
She hesitated and then laughed. "I'm 'Crazy' Chiu!" She took a deep breath to blow out the candle.
Stan shoved her aside and snatched the Jack-o-Melon from her. She gasped and raced back into the junkyard. The kids sighed in content. The Jack-o-Melon, lid open and exposed, went out.
And just like that their time was up!
-To Be Continued