#2: "Tales from Sparkyville (Episode 23)"
HPDrummerman: This is my second favorite episode I've done since starting this series. I borrowed heavily from anthology shows and movies for this one like "Tales from the Crypt" (where I borrowed the name of this episode from) and "Creepshow". But I wanted to give it a kid-friendly twist and not make too gory or scary. And the three stories I did for this all had happy endings, as well. I also brought back Verona and Damien from "Descent Into Darkness-Great Pumpkin Rising" who served as the hosts for this episode. Here are some highlights from the episode. Watch, IF YOU DARE! BWAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!
(sound of thunder roaring)
1st Clip from "Tales from Sparkyville"
THE LAST SLUMBER PARY
"All right, enough boy talk," said Peppermint Patty. "Who here knows any horror stories?"
"I don't like telling horror stories," said Sally, holding a teddy bear. "I always scare myself!"
"Oh, good grief!" sighed Lucy.
"How about the story of Sleepy Hollow?" suggested Marcie.
"Heard it!" said Patty.
"C'mon, Marcie," said Peppermint Patty. "We need something original."
"How about the Banshee of Hennepin County?" said Violet.
"Who?" asked Frieda.
"The Banshee of Hennepin County," Violet repeated. "It's a Sparkyville urban legend."
"I've never heard of this Banshee," said Sally.
"Not too many people have, Sally," said Violet. "Long before Lucy here gained the crown, the Banshee was the original Slumber Party Queen. No one talks of her name, but twenty years ago, she used to throw the best slumber parties in town. She was the most popular girl at school that all the boys wanted to date. She also had a loving family and actually got along with her younger siblings."
"Now I know this is fiction!" joked Lucy. "Who actually gets along with their siblings? I barely tolerate my own brothers."
"Well, one night before Halloween, she decided to throw a Halloween-themed slumber party for her friends. She had planned to have her friends come over to her house to spend the night and the next day was Halloween, which was on a Saturday that day, so no school the next day. She sent invites to her friends and had her mother buy all of the food for the party."
"When does she become the Banshee?!" asked an impatient Sally.
"I'm GETTING to that part!" sneered Violet. "ANYWAY, unbeknownst to the poor girl, her friends had already accepted an invite from another girl named Cindy Reyes. Cindy was another popular girl at the school. They had all planned to go to Cindy's house the night before Halloween. Well, when the night of the party arrived, the girl wondered where her friends were and what was taking them so long. So, she decided to go around and find out what was happening. She had tried to call all of them but no answer from any of them. She finds out from some other girl that Cindy was having a big slumber party blowout at her place. She went to Cindy's house only to find all of her friends there. She had never received an invite to Cindy's party herself, so she didn't know about the party until that night.
"To say she was upset was an understatement. She was furious; so furious that she crashed the party and called out her so-called friends. She wanted to know why they didn't come to her party or even tell her about Cindy's party. One of their friends told her that they couldn't stand her grandstanding at her parties and that they wanted a different place other than hers to go to. After being told that, the girl ran out and back for home where she told her mother to cancel all plans for the party and to let her brothers eat the food. It was later that night when she ran away from home figuring her friends deserted her and didn't want to be her friends anymore. She fled into Monte Woods never to be seen again. Until a few years later, the anniversary of her disappearance, all of her old friends were said to be haunted by her spirit which became the Banshee of Hennepin County. Each and every one of her former friends disappeared without a trace that night like she did those years ago. But it wasn't the end. Every Halloween Eve, it has been said that the Banshee haunts slumber parties and takes girls to parts unknown, never to be seen again."
"Tonight is Halloween Eve!" said a scared Sally.
"Oh relax, Sally," said Lucy. "It's just an urban legend."
"There's no such thing as a Banshee of Hennepin County," added Frieda.
"Do you think there's truth to that story, sir?" asked Marcie to Peppermint Patty.
"Don't be ridiculous, Marcie," her best friend responded. "It's only folklore. Pure fiction. Right, Violet?"
"Well, it is true that the girl disappeared and is still missing to this day," Violet explained, "but as far as the Banshee story goes, 100% fake!" Sally and Marcie breathed sighs of relief as the other girls laughed.
2nd Clip from "Tales from Sparkyville"
THE LAST SLUMBER PARTY cont.
Then they heard the wailing again, but this time someone said something behind it. "I am the true Queen of the Slumber Partiiiiiiiiiiiiies!"
"GOOD GRIEF!" exclaimed Patty. "IT'S HER!"
And before they knew it, a ghostly figure appeared before them. She looked like a young girl their age, but was floating and scary-looking.
"I am the Banshee of Hennepin County," said the ghost. "I was once the undisputed Queen of the Slumber Parties. But my crown was taken by that awful Cindy! Now I am forced to haunt slumber parties like this one and take the girls of said slumber parties away. Which reminds me, YOU WILL ALL COME WITH ME!"
"Not if we can help it, sister!" said Peppermint Patty. "RUN FOR IT!"
And the girls ran out of the house with the Banshee hot on their tracks. They made it to Monte Woods and stopped running when they saw that the ghost had disappeared.
"All right, we need a plan," said Lucy, panting and out of breath.
"But what can we do to avoid the Banshee?" asked Sally.
"We split up," suggested Peppermint Patty. "She can't get all of us at once. She has to chase one of us, but she can't chase all of us if we're apart. We will meet back at Lucille's once we lost the Banshee. Is everyone agreed?" The girls reluctantly nodded. "Okay. Marcie, you come with me. I may know someone who's dealt with the paranormal before, but I'll still need your help."
"Okay, sir." And the girls split up and went different directions. But as they tried to get away from the Banshee, the scepter was too fast for them. First to be scooped up was the girl who told the story about the Banshee in the first place, Violet. Then her best friend, Patty, was collected. Frieda and Lucy were next to go, and then, despite some bargaining and trying to make a deal, Sally was collected by the Banshee, as well. All who was left was Peppermint Patty and Marcie, who made it to the place that dealt with paranormal activity. They knocked on the door and answering was a tall-lanky kid with blond hair, who wore a robe with a hood.
"Freddy, we need your help," Peppermint Patty announced. "We're dealing with…"
"…The Banshee of Hennepin County?" said Freddy, finishing the sentence. "Get in now! My place is the only place where you'll be safe." And the two girls complied. Continuing he said, "Before you got here, I was already working on a spell that will send the Banshee back to the beyond. The only problem is, while I can get rid of the Banshee, I won't be able to get the girls she's taken away back."
Peppermint Patty and Marcie gasped. "Our friends are still out there," said Marcie. "What if the Banshee had grabbed them?"
"Maybe it's not too late still," Freddy pondered. "So as long as we can vanquish her tonight, there's a chance we could still save your friends and bring them back. But we have to do it before the sun peaks over the horizon. If we don't vanquish her before sunrise, your friends are lost with the other girls the Banshee has claimed. Now I got the spell ready; all we need to do is head back into Monte Woods, because that's where the girl disappeared when she ran away in the first place." And the three of them went back to Monte Woods.
Once they got near the center of the woods, they spotted the Banshee swirling around the clearing. She spotted the three heroes.
"Ah, you came to join your friends, after all," the scepter said. "Well it won't hurt a bit. You'll just disappear from existence."
"Don't even try it, girlie!" said Freddy, who held a vial of potion in his hand. "Your days of claiming souls are over! It's time you've went back to the great beyond where you belong." And he threw the vial under the ghost.
"Ha!" said the Banshee, with an air of smugness. "You didn't even hit me! Hmph! Nerd!"
"That's the point, Banshee baby," said Freddy with a grin. "This potion you don't throw AT ghost; you throw under them, causing a chemical reaction with the air and ectoplasm in your aura!" Just then the potion started to bubble in the spot Freddy threw it at. And then blue lights shot out of the potion and started to suck the Banshee in.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" shrieked the Banshee. "I can't go back! I must reclaim my crown!"
"It's only a slumber party!" said Peppermint Patty. "Not a wedding!"
"NO MATTER WHAT," the scepter said as the light sucked her in, "I WILL ALWAYS BE THE QUEEN OF SLUMBER PAAAAAAAAAARTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIES…"
And with that the Banshee was sucked back to the beyond. And the lights disappeared. Just then, Lucy, Frieda, Violet, Patty, and Sally reappeared where the Banshee was.
"You saved us!" cried a grateful Frieda.
"I am never telling scary stories again!" swore Violet.
"Probably for the best," agreed Patty.
"If that Banshee ever comes back, I'll pound her!" fumed an angry Lucy.
"That's it!" shouted Sally. "From now on, I'm going to slumber parties where they don't tell scary stories!"
3rd Clip from "Tales from Sparkyville"
WEREBEAGLE
Charlie Brown headed for home. Once he reached his house, he saw his dog, Snoopy, laying on top of his doghouse. Before he could even open the door, his young sister, Sally pulled him in.
"Get in, big brother!" she demanded. "Do you want the werebeagle to get you?!"
"I was just coming in, Sally," said Charlie Brown. "I wasn't going to be attacked by the werebeagle."
"You don't know that!" Sally protested. "Just as you were about to turn the knob, the werebeagle could've eaten you up before you even stepped into the house!"
Just then the siblings heard a knock on the door. Sally stopped her brother from answering the door. But was relieved when they heard, "Open up, Charlie Brown. It's me. Linus!"
"Well you can let my future husband in," said Sally.
As Charlie Brown opened the door for his best friend, Linus said without missing a beat, "I am NOT your future ANYTHING! Anyway, I am glad I got here. I heard the werebeagle's howl in the distance."
"Are you sure it wasn't a coyote, Linus?" asked Charlie Brown.
"I know a coyote's howl, Charlie Brown," said Linus. "This howl was more high-pitched. And the werebeagle usually has a higher howl than a coyote or a wolf." Just then, the three kids heard the high-pitched howl for themselves. It was louder than before.
"The werebeagle must be close," warned Linus. "Quick turn out all of the lights! And find somewhere to hide!" And Charlie Brown, Sally, and Linus hid in different areas. The howling continued for about a half hour and then it stopped. The kids emerged from their hiding spots and went to a window and looked around.
"No sign of the werebeagle," said Charlie Brown. "He must've left this area."
"Maybe," said Linus, "but we still have to be on high alert. I'm not leaving here until dawn."
"I don't blame you, Linus," Charlie Brown responded. "I wouldn't want to be out there with the werebeagle out right now." And the kids went to bed and eventually went to sleep.
4th Clip from "Tales from Sparkyville"
WEREBEAGLE cont.
Later that night, Charlie Brown was in bed. Soon, he heard the familiar howl outside.
"It's the werebeagle!" he whispered to himself.
Soon he heard some munching sounds from outside, and then a springing noise. The werebeagle was captured. All Charlie Brown heard was some snarling noises. He went to wake up Sally.
"Sally wake up!" he said. "I caught the werebeagle!"
"Really?" said Sally. "Where is he?"
"In the backyard," said Charlie Brown. "Linus and I set up a trap for him this afternoon." And the two kids went into the backyard and saw the werebeagle. It wasn't very large. In fact, it was smaller than the kids. Although its fur was very long and shaggy, and it had teeth hanging out of its mouth. Its eyes were bloodshot and he had a big nose. The Brown siblings looked at the creature and thought it looked very familiar.
"Sally, I think I know who the werebeagle is," said Charlie Brown.
Just then, Linus, Lucy, Frieda, and Franklin came running up.
"Did you catch the werebeagle, Charlie Brown?" asked Linus.
"I did, Linus," Charlie Brown replied.
"My hero!" cheered Frieda, and she went to hug and kiss Charlie Brown.
"How about that?" said Lucy. "There really is a werebeagle!"
"My brother was just saying that he thinks he knows who the werebeagle was," Sally replied.
"Who is it, Charlie Brown?" asked Franklin.
"I think it's my own dog Snoopy," Charlie Brown responded. "Look at him. Look at the markings."
"Well there's one way to find out," said Linus. "Hey Snoopy, it's suppertime!"
And right on cue, the werebeagle jumped out of the snare trap and started dancing around like Snoopy always did.
"Good grief!" said Lucy. "It is that stupid beagle! Rather, that stupid werebeagle!"
"I can't believe it!" sighed Charlie Brown. "My own dog a werebeagle! Snoopy, how did this happen?!" And Snoopy pointed to his paw which was bandaged.
"Well they say that when a man is bitten by a wolf, he turns into a werewolf," said Franklin. "Maybe Snoopy was bitten by a wolf and he turned into the werebeagle. But instead of attacking people like a werewolf would do, he goes after the one thing he loves more than life; food!"
"Snoopy, were you bitten by a wolf in a fight or something?" asked Linus. Snoopy nodded.
"What are we going to do?" said a distraught Charlie Brown. "Snoopy can't keep turning into the werebeagle."
"Hey I just remembered," said Linus. "The only way to keep a man turning into a werewolf is to have him wear something of silver, or shooting him with a silver bullet. Maybe it will work on dogs, too. Franklin, do you still have that silver medallion your grandfather gave you?"
"Right here." Franklin pulled out the medallion. Linus took the medallion and placed it around Snoopy's neck. Almost immediately, he turned back to normal.
"Charlie Brown, make sure that silver medallion stays on Snoopy until that bite gets treated and heals," said Linus. "Even after the bite gets treated, he will still have the power to turn into a werebeagle. So the medallion has to stay on him until the bite heals completely." And Charlie Brown brought Snoopy inside so he can stay out of trouble for the rest of the night. He kissed Frieda goodnight and said goodnight to everyone else. He and Sally went back to bed. Snoopy joined him and kept the medallion on his dog collar so he could stay normal until the bite was taken care of. The next day, Charlie Brown took Snoopy to a vet to treat the bite. He knew when the bite healed up that his dog would be back to normal.
5th Clip from "Tales from Sparkyville"
BEETHOVEN FANATIC
The next day, Lucy was walking with Frieda and Peppermint Patty towards Schroeder's house. They wanted to share what Schroeder missed at the dance the previous night.
"I wish I could have danced with my Schroeder," Lucy lamented. "Once he hears what fun he missed out on, I'm sure he won't stand me up again."
"Maybe, Lucille," Peppermint Patty began, "but I wouldn't count on it."
"The only things he loves more than even you is playing the music of his idol Beethoven," added Frieda. "While it's okay to love classical music, there is such a thing as too much of one kind of music."
"Maybe," said Lucy, "but try telling him that." When they approached his house, they heard the sound of Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Opus 111 playing loudly. As they entered the house, they saw Schroeder at the piano. While they were used to seeing him playing his piano as he always did, they couldn't help but notice that he looked different. His hair was done up in a late 1700s/early 1800s style, and he looked really stern and frustrated, even for him.
"Schroeder?" Lucy started. "Are you feeling all right?"
"Nicht jetzt, Frau!" he shouted with his voice sounding drastically different. "Ich bin damit beschäftigt, meine Sonate zu üben!"
"What did you say?" asked Lucy, getting upset.
"Kann ein Mann seine Musik nicht in Ruhe üben?!" he responded.
Peppermint Patty recognized the language. "Lucille, he's talking in German!"
"How do you know, Patty?" Lucy asked.
"Uh, you do know my boyfriend, Franco, just so happens to be German," Patty retorted.
"Yeah, but why is Schroeder all of the sudden speaking it?" wondered Frieda.
"Well with him liking Beethoven and all, maybe he's picked up on the German language," reasoned Lucy. Turning back to her boyfriend, she said, "Schroeder, can't you go back to talking English, please?"
"Guter Kummer, Frau!" he shouted, finally stopping playing. "Schröder ist nicht mehr. Du kannst mich Ludwig nennen!"
"I think he said his name was now Ludwig, as in Ludwig van Beethoven!" said a concerned Patty.
"What are we going to do?" asked Frieda.
"Patty, call Franco and tell him to come over here right away," said Lucy. "He's German, so he'll understand Schro- I mean Ludwig here. Afterwards, I'm calling Linus."
"What will Linus do?" asked Patty.
"He's been studying up on removing spirits and exorcisms," Lucy replied. "He will be crucial to saving Schroeder."
A few minutes later, both Linus and Franco showed up. Charlie Brown and Snoopy also came for extra help. Franco talked in his native German language to "Ludwig" so he can be calm around another native German. Linus, meanwhile, got ready to perform the exorcism.
"Everyone circle the host and piano," Linus started. "Now hold hands." And everyone held hands. For Snoopy, one paw was holding his owner's hand, and the other beckoned Lucy's.
"I AM NOT HOLDING HANDSOR PAWS WITH THAT STUPID BEAGLE!" she ranted.
"Good grief, Lucy, do you want to save Schroeder or not?!" said a frustrated Charlie Brown. "Set your stupid pride aside for now and grab my dogs paw!"
Lucy reluctantly held Snoopy's other paw and the exorcism began. "Oh spirit of Ludwig van Beethoven," Linus began. "Leave this boy! You must move on. Your music will forever survive and your last sonata will always be performed. Just move on."
And the kids started chanting "Move on" and Schroeder's body started shaking and twitching before finally collapsing on top of the piano. After a while, Schroeder groaned and got up.
"What happened?" he asked.
"Schroeder, you wouldn't believe me if I told you," said Lucy. And the rest started laughing. Schroeder was back to normal.
A few days later, Lucy went to Schroeder's house to see if he had recovered fully from his possession. He was watching TV and not at his piano like he usually was.
"Schroeder," she began. "How come you're not playing your piano?"
"Well I thought about what you said, Lucy," he began, "and I figured you were right. I do need to take a break from playing. I will play once again, but for now, I'm going to take it easy. Plus, I think I need a break from Beethoven. As much as I like playing his music, somehow I feel like I should stay away from it for a while. Maybe play some Bach or even some Holden."
"Now that sounds like a plan, baby," said a happy Lucy. She joined her boyfriend to watch TV and relax for the afternoon.
End of Clips
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