_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_Interlude_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
The three mischief makers, Lock, Shock, and Barrel (also known as the Trick-or-Treaters) climbed into the claw-foot tub with Barrel steering. They rode through the crowded town, wreaking havoc as they went. Shock dropped a handful of marbles onto the cobblestones which led to several disheveled vampires lying in a heap while they glared at the three children. Barrel urged the bath tub to step on the feet of those passing by, causing them to trip and face plant onto the hard stone. Barrel snickered. Lock tossed a sulfur bomb into the depths of the crowd, narrowly missing the great Pumpkin King's bony head, and the devilish trio broke into giggles.
Barrel urged the bath tub forward, past The Gatekeeper, past the lake that smells like rotten meat and brine, all the way to the edge of the woods.
Barrel began singing in a high pitched voice, "We're bad!"
Lock laughed and sang, "We're ugly!"
Shock chimed in for her line, "All around no good!"
They began yelling and singing as one, "We're feared, we're cunning, you better watch out! Don't cross us, you'll see the things we can do and Oogie Boogie too! He's better, he's back, and that's a fact! On Halloween he'll appear and make Jack disappear!"
The three friends laughed maniacally. Shock stopped laughing before her friends did, she smacked the backs of their heads, "Shut up!"
"You're no fun," pouted Lock, rubbing the back of his head. His devil tail flicked and hit Shock's leg.
"Watch it," she snapped.
The tub stopped in front of a tree with a door shaped like a Christmas pine tree, all decorated and shining. Lock reached for the door knob and tugged it open, letting a swirl of wintery air and snow swirl about him.
"Let's go talk to the Sandy Claws," ordered Shock, and they stepped into the cheerful world, the door slamming shut behind them.