Phoebe and Cole came out of a restaurant downtown. It was just past noon and it was a beautiful day, as usual, in San Francisco. In the middle of the afternoon on a crowded street in San Francisco it was unlikely that a demon would attack.
"That's odd," said Phoebe.
"What?" Cole asked.
"That building across the street," said Phoebe. "I've eaten here at least a dozen times. I never noticed that building was green before."
"Maybe they just painted it," suggested Cole. "In fact, it looks like a lot of the buildings are getting a new paint job."
Phoebe looked up and down the street. Several buildings along the street were the same shade of green as the one across the street. She also noted that all of the buildings were city government buildings of one type or another.
"Maybe the city decided to paint all government buildings green," she said. "To make them easier to distinguish from the surrounding buildings."
"You think so?" Cole asked. "Maybe you're right. But it's just strange they'd pick such an unusual emerald green for the color. Still you're probably right."
"So, what kind of movie shall we see?" Phoebe asked.
"Well, I know how much you like those romantic comedies," Cole said. "Of course, we haven't seen a good psychological thriller lately. And a sci-fi movie can be good. Or maybe a murder mystery."
"Come on,' said Phoebe. "Let's go see what's playing. We can decide after that."
Phoebe and Cole walked into the manor. It was clear Phoebe was not happy. Cole, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to Phoebe's mood. He seemed not to have a care in the world.
"I'm going to see what Piper's up to," Phoebe said to Cole. "Her car is out front so I guess she decided to come home early. Why don't you see what's on TV?"
"Sure thing," said Cole as he headed for the living room.
Phoebe headed for the kitchen. She stopped at the door and looked back at Cole in the living room. He sat on the sofa with the remote control in his hand. He was flipping through the channels as if he couldn't decide what to watch. Phoebe just sighed and walked into the kitchen.
"I think Cole has finally lost it," Phoebe said, walking into the kitchen. "He couldn't decide what he wanted for lunch, he couldn't make up his mind what movie to see, and now he's sitting in the living room flipping through the channels."
Phoebe stopped short as she looked around the kitchen. The entire room was filled with cakes, pies, pastries, and all other sorts of baked goods. The table and every bit of counter space, even the chairs, were filled to capacity.
"Piper, what's going on?" Phoebe asked, looking around.
"Nothing, dear, why?" Piper asked as she took yet another pie out of the oven.
"Baking much?" Phoebe asked. "Piper, what's all this?"
"It was just such a beautiful day, I felt like making a special dessert," Piper said.
Her voice was high pitched, almost as if she were singing. She moved around the kitchen in a flowing motion as if she were dancing instead of carrying an extremely hot pan. She was definitely not acting like Piper Halliwell.
"Piper, are you okay?" Phoebe asked.
"Of course, dear," said Piper. "I'm fine."
"Okay, this is strange," said Phoebe. "First Cole can't seem to make even the simplest decisions. And now you're here acting all Mary Poppiny. What's going on around this house?"
"Pssst, over here."
Phoebe turned to see Leo cowering in the corner behind a cabinet. His eyes darted around as if he were looking for something. And there was a look of fear on Leo's face.
"She's coming," Leo whispered. "When she finds us we're all going to die."
"Who?" Phoebe asked. "Leo, what's the matter with you?"
"The witch," said Leo. "She's coming. When she finds us we'll all die."
"There you are," cackled a voice from the kitchen door. "Give me what I want and maybe I'll let you live."
Phoebe turned to see Paige standing in the kitchen doorway. She was dressed completely in black and was holding a broom. Phoebe looked around at her family wondering if the entire world had suddenly gone crazy.