CASSIE: Halloween has always been the most exciting day in Middleton, and it all got started 150 years ago with a man named Cotton Perriwood, one of our more interesting inhabitants, for a self-described alchemist who used his deductive powers in a way that some people thought was magic. He lived alone on the outskirts of town but caught the attention of one lady, the mayor's daughter, who also happened to be a Merriwick. The two were engaged to be married until Cotton used his advanced scientific skills to predict the Middleton Bridge Collapse of 1886. Some people thought that Cotton Perriwood's magic played a part in causing the disaster, so he was banished from Middleton forever, chased off one stormy Halloween night, which means he never saw the woman he loved again. Cotton vowed revenge on the town, leaving behind a written prophecy that said Middleton would suffer a great curse. And ever since then, everyone has wondered, 'Is this the year that the prophecy comes true?' - He cursed the town all because he was in love with a Merriwick? - But he couldn't be with her, so he wanted everyone in Middleton to feel as bad as he felt. - What do you think the curse said? - I don't know, but the Merriwicks have always wondered if we fit into it. - Well, it'd be a little spooky if we did. - (CHUCKLES) Maybe so, but a little spooky keeps life interesting. - How about we put this... right here? - Uh, let's keep that spot open. I have Jared looking in the basement at City Hall, and I wanna leave a spot for whatever he finds. - OK. How about I put these empty bins away? - You're sure they're empty? (CURIOUS MUSIC) - Wow. Oh my gosh, there you are. - Aw, I remember when you made that when you were 8. - Can I put it on the mantel? - Why don't we stick with our tradition of setting it out last? - We light the candle together... - Mm-hm. - ...on Halloween night. - Yeah. - (CHUCKLES) - Hi, Sam. - Morning. - Morning. - So, what do you think? - I think anyone who looks at your house and then looked at my house would know right away that two very different people live here. - Wait, you're not putting anything up? - Oh, I` I think you've got enough decorations for all of us. - (CHUCKLES) I better get going. I have some guests arriving that I need to check in. - Oh, OK. But I didn't see any guests. (MAGICAL MUSIC) It's still a little bit spooky when you do that. - Well, that's what makes life interesting. Welcome to Grey House. I've set you up in the honeymoon suite. - How did you know we were on our honeymoon? - You were both playing with your new rings. - (CHUCKLES) We got married last week. - Just came back from Hawaii. We were going past Middleton and thought, 'Hey, we could spend our first Halloween together here.' - Mm-hm. You can come in. - We were just about to. - Oh. (CHUCKLES) - Your house looks amazing out there. - Thank you. My daughter and I decorate it together. - Yeah, we heard how all out this town goes for Halloween, so we just decided to check it out for ourselves. - For our anniversary. - Oh, how long have you been married? - 50 years last Saturday. - We got married last Saturday. - Really? Oh, congratulations. - I have a room available if you're looking for a place to stay. - We are, and` and we'd love to. - Yeah. (CHUCKLES) - Right this way. - After the honeymooners. - (CHUCKLES) (THOUGHTFUL MUSIC) (DOOR OPENS, PEOPLE CHATTER) - Oh, thanks. (SIGHS) - What's all that? - Oh, that's the last of my Halloween decorations. I brought all my old stuff over to the second-hand shop, then I found that box that I forgot to bring. - Aren't you putting anything up? - Yes, but I hired a company that is gonna bring everything I need and do all the work for me. Just as soon as they can fit me into their schedule. (SIGHS) - Mm. - Hmm. - Can I help you? - Oh, I was just curious to know when these would be displayed. - Ah, well, I'm not sure if they are. But if you stick around for a few more days, you can see this place come completely alive. - Mm. That's something I'm most interested to see. (MUSIC CONTINUES) - I don't know why you wanted anything dug out of storage. You already have Middleton's most decorated house, regardless of the holiday. - I just wanted to add a bit of Halloween history to what I did this year... - (SIGHS) - ...in case we found something unique, and it looks like you did. - Does it? Well, it's just a bunch of old junk. - Oh. - Look at that. It looks like some sort of a gargoyle. - And it looks like there are three more just like it. - Oh. - You know what? There's... There's writing on this. Oh my goodness. Will you look at that. - Mm. - I thought this was lost to the ages. - What is that? - It's the Perriwood Prophecy, written by Cotton Perriwood himself. - Is that the guy that was in love with the Merriwick woman? - It was, except hardly anyone's ever read exactly what he wrote. - Well, then I think a Merriwick should be the first to do it. - Hmm, right. Well, it's kind of hard to tell what it says. It's written in some sort of a verse. 'In the hall of sustenance found, the Halloween faces stare up from the ground.' - Oh, I wouldn't know what a Halloween face is, let alone why one would be staring up at us. - (GASPS) (SPOOKY MUSIC) Oops! - Halloween faces. - And that's probably just a coincidence, right? - (CHUCKLES) - Probably. Or maybe Cotton Perriwood wants this to be the most magical Halloween of all. (MYSTERIOUS MUSIC) Captions by Able. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2022 (GENTLE MUSIC) (BIRDS CHIRP) (SIGHS) Good morning, Nick. - Hey. What's all that? - Just a few decorations in case anyone around here wanted to, uh, use them. - Oh cool! I bet I could freak Dad out with this. - Good morning, Sam. - Well, hi. That's a pleasant surprise. - Mm. Hi. - Ooh, what did you bring me? - Mm, just something to help you get into the Halloween spirit. - And by Halloween spirit, do you mean scaring small children or giving them a week-long sugar rush? - I mean decorating and being with family and friends, like we're gonna do on Halloween night. - Oh yeah, your big party's coming up. - Mm-hm. - Speaking of which, do I have to wear a costume for that? - Some people dress up, but you don't have to. - Ah. Could I come as a doctor? - Yeah, I think that sounds perfect. - See? I can get into Halloween thing almost as much as you. (QUIRKY MUSIC) Think that's regular or decaf? - You didn't even flinch. You never flinch. Doesn't anything scare you? - (SIGHS) Nothing I can think of. (MUSIC CONTINUES) (CURIOUS MUSIC) - So, what did you find out? - Not very much. - Well, I thought you were supposed to be an expert in matters such as this. That's why I wanted you to take the Prophecy home and study it. - Well, I did. I read every page. 'While others pass to get their sleep, within the fount, the creatures leap.' And then there's this. 'Behold the rare foreboding sight, the chilling horde that soars by night.' - Leaping creatures? Soaring hordes? Well, sounds more like the 12 Days of Christmas than anything I can get our small-business owners excited about. - I'm not exactly sure why we would want to make this the year of the Perriwood curse. The last page predicts what might happen. Friendships will be tested, and we'll all be thrust into darkness, and` and love will struggle to survive. - Oh my. - But until any of these other things start happening, we don't need to worry about that. - Then we won't. Jared, put out a press release about the document being found ` 150 years old, magical predictions, blah, blah, blah, blah. Just don't say anything about the curse. Yuck. - Yes, Madam Mayor. Yuck. - Mm. In the meantime, I suppose we should all be on the lookout for anything that leaps or soars, just in case. Although, that would make Middleton's Halloweens even more famous than they already are. (CHUCKLES) Come, Jared. - (DOOR BELL JINGLES) - Thank you. (THOUGHTFUL MUSIC) - How goes married life? - So far, so good. - It's so weird to think that three months ago, we didn't even know each other, and now here we are, about to spend the rest of our lives together. - I didn't realise you got married that fast. - Well, can you blame me? It was love at first sight. And then I got to know her and found out that we like so many of the same things. - Well, if one of the things you both like is a good restaurant, you should try the Bistro. I think there's some things on that menu that you will both like. - (BELL JINGLES) - Thank you. (GENTLE MUSIC) (JAUNTY MUSIC) (DOORBELL CHIMES) - Oh. - Hello, Grace. - Hey. It's starting to look great in here. - It's gonna look even better when I'm done with it. - Well, then maybe you can use what I brought. My mom thought it would look good in here. If you have room, of course. - I think I dated him in college. - Really? He didn't mention it. Gargoyles don't kiss and tell. (CHUCKLES) - This will look good in here. - Mm. - It's a shame all these decorations go up, and then a few days later, they all have to come back down. - Oh, yeah. Halloween never lasts as long as I wish it would. - And nobody remembers all the hard work that goes into making places like this look so good. - Yeah. Unless they did remember. (MYSTERIOUS MUSIC) (QUIRKY MUSIC) - I assure you, Mrs Monaghan, there's nothing to worry about. I've seen the prophecies myself, and there isn't a word about anything happening to your parakeet. No, you're most certainly welcome. (MUSIC CONTINUES) - Mayor Tinsdale? - Grace, come in. - (CHUCKLES) OK, so, I know it's late and you're probably getting ready to go home, but I had an idea that I want to talk to you about. I hope it's OK, because I want to get started on it, like, right away. - Grace, I always have time for you, dear, so just don't rush. Please sit. - OK. (CHUCKLES) Thanks. (CLEARS THROAT) - (PHONE RINGS) - Oh, I'm sorry. I should get that. (CLEARS THROAT) This is the mayor. Oh! It's your mother. - Oh, hey, Mom. - What? Outside where? - (FROGS CROAK) - That's so weird. How would they have gotten here? - I have no idea. - You know, there's a pond on the other side of those trees, maybe. - Yes, but there's no way for them to get up that high. You don't think they could have just fallen out of the sky, do you? Oh, I really hope not. - But it is just like the Prophecy said. - Hmm? - 'While others pass to get their sleep, within the fount, the creatures leap.' - This was one of the things Cotton Perriwood predicted? - It is, which makes me start to wonder what's gonna happen next. (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC) (JAUNTY MUSIC) This meeting of the Middleton Small Business Owners Association will now come to order. Oh, I'm just so excited! I'm gonna break with parliamentary procedure and go straight to new business. All those opposed, say goodbye. Now, as you know, your mayor has found the Perriwood Prophecy. And though I'm not one to leap to conclusions, it appears that the first of these prophecies has already come true. I'm not counting those jack-o'-lantern faces on the ground. That was simply due to Stephanie's clumsiness. Aw. We've put out a press release which will bring even more attention to Middleton this Halloween, which means all of our shops and storefronts need to look their very best. And to encourage that, Miss Grace Russell has an idea. Grace. - Thank you, Madam Mayor. - Up, up. - Oh, right. (CHUCKLES) Sorry. So, I started volunteering at the children's ward at the hospital, and the moment that I got there, I thought, 'Wow, this place would be a whole lot more cheery and child-friendly if there were toys to make it, 'uh, well, more cheery and child-friendly.' (CHUCKLES) So I thought what if this year, we held a contest for the best-decorated business in Middleton? We can sell ballots, and anyone who votes can choose who they like best, and the money can go to buying toys for the kids. - So we'd all be the judges? - Exactly. And then on Halloween night, people can go from place to place and mark down their choice, and we can announce the winner at Grey House at my mom's party. - Which would be a good way for everyone to know who's the best. - It's really more about getting into the spirit of the holiday and helping out the children. - Thanks, Mom. - Mm-hm. - Well, I think it's a wonderful idea. A Halloween crawl through Middleton, showing off the best that this town has to offer. - Uh, I just got a big shipment of decorations at my store, everything from arachnids to zombies, whatever anybody needs. - Yes! - Perfect! - So don't hold back. Let's make Cotton Perriwood proud. (CHUCKLES) Oh, and speaking of him, I want everyone to watch out for anything odd. (CHAIR SCRAPES) - Madam Mayor, if I may? - Sir, this is a business-owners meeting. It's not open to the public. - Mm, well, I'm just curious, you know, when you might start talking about the specifics of the Perriwood curse. - Well, the Prophecy wasn't clear about exactly what that curse is. - You're the Merriwick. - There are actually a few of us who live here. - Well, then you must be especially concerned about the town splitting apart, falling into darkness. - WHISPERS: How did he know? - If these prophecies are starting to come true, then this is the year ominous things happen. Not just for the Merriwicks, but for everyone in the town. Well, just something to think about while you get back to your business. (PEOPLE MURMUR, WHISPER) - Does anybody know who that guy was? - It's probably just someone who's curious about how we celebrate the holiday. - Which is a very good reminder about all of the other tourists we're going to have in town over the next few days. So let your Halloween spirit shine, everybody. Let it shine! - Yay! - Well, don't just sit there. Let it shine. - Oh, yeah. (PEOPLE MURMUR) (THOUGHTFUL MUSIC) - Oh! (GASPS) No, no. Don't go in here, Jimmy. If this door closes, there's no way to get out. Here you go. - Thanks. - Dr Radford should be ready for you in a moment. - OK. - You can, um, get this prescription filled at the pharmacy right down the street. - Thank you so much. I can't believe I forgot my allergy pills. I'm just glad we didn't forget Pete's heart medication. - Especially at Halloween, with all those monsters creeping round ` scare a man half to death. - (CHUCKLES) Well, I've got a feeling it's the monsters that should be worried. - (LAUGHS) - Well, hello. Did you get everything you need? - Oh, we did. - Now we can take a walk through the hay maze without me puffin' up like a pot pie. - Well, if you get lost in there, you should call Sam to help get you out. He's an expert with hay mazes. - I blocked out that entire experience. - We should go. Thanks again. - No problem. - Thanks. - Bye. This looks nice. - Sam lets me put up a few decorations every year. - As long as there are no paper skeletons. - Yeah, he gets distracted if they don't have the right number of ribs. - The lung capacity of a human being needs a certain amount of negative space to... Forget it. - OK. Jimmy, let's go weigh you for your check-up. - OK. - Oh, I put a new lab coat for you in Exam Room Two. There's a stain on the sleeve. - Really? Where? - Just put on a new one. - You're the boss. So, we're still going to the movie tonight? - The original Phantom of the Opera. Although I was gonna ask if I could invite a couple that's staying at Grey House to come with. - Double date? - I just thought they would enjoy it. They got married last week. - Mm. Oh, so you and I could get an idea what married life would be like? - Mm, well, I think it looks pretty good. - Hmm. Sure, invite 'em along. - OK. - I'll see you tonight. - Yeah. (PATIENT COUGHS) - (LAUGHS) - Bye. (QUIRKY MUSIC) (SIGHS) (MUSIC CONTINUES) - (SCREAMS) - Oh, hey, Nick. Uh, don't forget to do the dishes when you get home, OK? (QUIRKY MUSIC) (THOUGHTFUL MUSIC) (BIRDS CALL) - Looking good, Harvey. - Oh, thanks. - (CHUCKLES) - Figured I'd spruce the place up before too much shopping begins. Plus, people were starting to trip over this root, so this will at least keep them away from it. - Hey, Stephanie. - Oh, hi. Cassie. - Is that all you're getting? - Yeah. Just a couple decorations for home. I actually hired a professional to do the Bistro this year, so this will probably be the last you'll see of me. - Well, if anything changes, you know I'm the only place in town that offers one-stop shopping for all your Halloween needs. - Yeah, of course. Thanks. (CHUCKLES) See ya. - (CHUCKLES) Bye. (GENTLE MUSIC) Hmm. Do you need something inside? - No. Just checking out the competition. - Mm. - Looks like I've got my work cut out for me already. I've been scoping out what other people are doing, and it seems like you're gonna be the one that's tough to beat. - Mm. What about Stephanie? - What about her? - She's hiring a professional. - Yeah, so she's not eligible. - I haven't heard that's part of the rules. - Wait, so I have to compete against all that and you? - I'm not competing. I'm just doing it for the fun of it, not for any award. But if she were decorating, that would be a pretty interesting contest between you and Stephanie. - That's a good point. Beating her would mean I really was the best. - Whoever wins will have certainly earned it. (CURIOUS MUSIC) (THOUGHTFUL MUSIC) - Hi. I'm just gonna grab that table in the back. Thank you. - Everything looks so good. - Yeah. What are you gonna have? - I think I might just get a hamburger. - A hamburger? They have a chicken risotto that sounds amazing. - Is that what you're gonna have? - I think so. - That does look good too. - Yeah, OK, but I need you here this week. Well, when can you get here? That's the day after Halloween. (SIGHS) OK, you know what? Forget it. I'm just gonna have to figure something else out on my own. (SIGHS) - What's wrong? - Oh, I hired this company to come decorate the Bistro, and now they say they can't do it. - That is a shame. What do you think you're gonna do? - I don't know. I guess I'm gonna have to put up my decorations from last year. Except I gave most of those away. - Hmm, yeah, that is a problem. (CELL PHONE RINGS) - I don't know this number. - You should probably find out who that is, though. - Hello? It's me. Earrings and $85? Oh, OK. Yeah, I'll come pick it up. - Who was it? - That was the second-hand store where I took my Halloween decorations. They say they found a pair of my earrings in one of the boxes. - So, that's good news. - Yeah, and apparently I left a jar of tip money in there too. I don't know how I'd forget about that. - Well, these things just sometimes happen. But that means you can go get all your old decorations and put them up like you did last year. - True. - And maybe even try and win that award. - You think I'd have a shot at it? - You'd be in the running. Plus, it's for a really good cause. - It's true. Yeah, you know what? I'm gonna give it a shot. - Great. So the competition is on, then. - Oh, it's on. It's on for sure. - (CHUCKLES) (GENTLE MUSIC) - (PEOPLE CHATTER) - (CHUCKLES) Hey, thanks for inviting us out. - Yeah, it was fun. - I just like old movies better than new ones. I don't even know why they make new movies any more. - (CHUCKLES) - Hi. - Hey, Pete. - Are you eating for two? - Uh, no. No, no. Alexis and I found a little park bench. I left her there and went hunting for ice-cream. - (CHUCKLES) Well, better get it to her before it melts. - I` I will. So I'll see you all later. - ALL: See you later. - Ice-cream sounds kind of good. Did the two of you wanna come get some with us? - Oh, why don't you two go on your own? Let the newlyweds have some time together. - Cassie's right. It's your honeymoon. Go, have fun. - We will. Thanks. - OK. Bye. - OK. - Goodnight. - So, who decided the way to improve The Phantom of the Opera was to turn it into a musical? - Because that made it more romantic. - Oh, because people can't just say how they feel; they have to sing it? - Sometimes words just aren't enough. - (BOTH CHUCKLE) - That movie we just saw didn't even have words. - You know, sometimes two people can be in love and just not have to say a thing. See? (CHUCKLES) You know, I'm really glad we invited Brad and Marinda along. - Yeah. They seem nice. - Yeah, they are. I really think that they're, uh, discovering things about themselves. - (CREATURES CHITTER, SCREECH) - What's that? - I don't know. - Are those bats? - Yes, they are. - Oh, that's weird. - Or predicted. 'Behold the rare foreboding sight, the chilling horde that soars by night.' - What does that mean? - It means another one of Cotton Perriwood's prophecies just came true. (PENSIVE MUSIC) I just wish we knew what it meant. Frogs in the fountain and` and bats in Middleton? I mean, have you ever seen bats in Middleton? - No. - Well, and if someone like you hasn't, I can't imagine anyone else has. (GASPS) Does this mean that the curse is happening? (SIGHS) Well, if that means we're looking at this town splitting apart and all of us being thrust into darkness, uh, that's just something I don't think any of us can endure. - Well, It's hard to know exactly what's gonna happen. - But if it did, you're a Merriwick, so you could stop it, yes? - I'm not always sure how things work. - Hmm. Well, then keep at it. Let me know what you learn. - Can I help you? - Help who? - Oh. Uh, why, I just wanted to say I share the Mayor's concerns. The curse could be something that threatens all of Middleton. - Now, you see? He agrees with me. And who exactly is agreeing with me? - Oh, it's just an interested visitor, one who's seeing the predictions come true and is eager to see what happens next. - (SIGHS) (PENSIVE MUSIC) Well, that was rude. - (DOOR BELL JINGLES) - He didn't even buy anything. (THOUGHTFUL MUSIC) - All right, so make sure to bring the ballot back to Grey House at the end of the night after checking out all the decorations. And you can wear a costume for Halloween if you want. Thanks. (PEOPLE CHATTER) - (GRUNTS) Oh, hey, George. Can I get you something? - These cinnamon rolls look pretty good. - Well, it just so happens that I have a deal today ` free cinnamon roll for all of my favourite customers. Just as long as you buy a ballot from Grace and promise to think about me when you're filling it out. - That sounds like a pretty good price. - (CHUCKLES) OK, enjoy. - Hi, Grace. - Hey, Grandpa. You want a ballot? - Yes, please. - Pay up. - What was that all about? - Oh, nothing. Just hoping a potential voter will notice all of the work I've done. - Well, I'd say you're in the running for a solid second-place finish. - Except I've just started. In fact, I'm headed over to Harvey's later, and I may just buy that whole place out. Hey, Grace, could you help me put these scarecrows up on the wall? - Oh, yeah, sure. - Wait a minute. So you have an assistant too? - Whatever it takes to win. - (SIGHS) - Grace, what are you doing when you're done here today? - Oh, I was just gonna help put up some more stuff with Mom. - Why? She doesn't even care about the competition. - OK, how could somebody not care about the competition? - Because she likes to make things look nice for Halloween. - Me too. I just like to be rewarded for my efforts. So I'm gonna need your help today and tomorrow. - And I'm gonna need your help when you're not helping her. - OK. Yeah, you know, I guess I could help the both of you. - Great. Let's get started, because these scarecrows are not gonna hang themselves. - It'd be extra spooky if they did, though, right? (CHUCKLES) I'm gonna get to work. (QUIRKY MUSIC) (THOUGHTFUL MUSIC) - Did they ever figure out where those bats came from? - No. There doesn't seem to be an explanation. - Hmm, maybe it's just a bunch of bats with a broken GPS. - (CHUCKLES) I know you don't believe in this stuff, but there are a lot of people who are starting to get scared about that curse. - I just don't understand how anybody can believe something like that. - Well, stick around. It's something you might learn. - (CHUCKLES) OK. Hey, I saw the poster for the movie they're showing tomorrow night, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. Wanna go? - Uh, Abbott and Costello? - Well, I was afraid you might not be into that. I always thought those guys were funny. There's a monster in it. - You know that Frankenstein was actually the doctor? - I know. I don't think that guy was board certified. - (CHUCKLES) Even if I wanted to go, my friend Margo is having a pumpkin-carving party, and she wanted both of us to go, but I don't think you'd be so into that. - (SIGHS) I... I just feel strange cutting into something without a surgical team next to me. But it sounds like fun. You should go. - Yeah, you should go to the movie. - I think I will. - OK. Oh. - (GRUNTS) - Hey. Did you have fun on the hay ride? - Yeah, we did. - Would either of you like some tea? - No, thanks. - That'd be great. You can go up. I'll be up there in a little bit. - Oh, OK. Goodnight. - Night. - Night. - So, it seems like you two are having fun together. - Does it? - Cassie's right. Seemed like you both enjoyed the movie. - Yeah. (SIGHS) Brad liked it. (CHUCKLES) I fell asleep three times. - Aw. Well, it looked like you were into it when I invited you. - I'm sure it did seem like that. When I heard that The Phantom of the Opera was playing, I thought it was the musical. (CHUCKLES) Thank you. But Brad knew it was the black-and-white version, and I could tell he was really into movies like that, so I just pretended like I was too. There's a whole list of that ` restaurants, books I've never read... - I don't think you need to pretend to be someone you're not when you're with a man who obviously loves you very much. - He loves the woman he thinks I am. The Stantons have been married for 50 years, and they seem to have so much in common. And the two of you, you're just so... right together, you know? But Brad and I, we're not like that. (DOWNBEAT MUSIC) I'm beginning to wonder... - What? - Maybe we never should have gotten married at all. (MUSIC CONTINUES) (GENTLE MUSIC) (SIGHS) (MUSIC CONTINUES) (SIGHS) (GLASS SQUEAKS) (HORROR MUSIC) Hey, Nick. I didn't think you ever got out of bed this early. - (SIGHS) I saw this in a movie, and I, for sure, thought it was gonna work. - Well, it might have if I hadn't seen that movie 14 times. Jamie Lee Curtis could really handle a knife. Huh. - Dammit. (QUIRKY MUSIC) - (LAUGHS) (GENTLE MUSIC) - You want me to help you decorate a decorations store? - Ironic, I know, but I could really use someone like you. - (SIGHS) Except I'm already helping two other people. - Well, I just need you for a little bit over the next few days. And I promise, when I win the award, I'll say that I couldn't have done it without you. - (CHUCKLES) You know, having another strong competitor in the contest would help us sell more ballots, which would mean more toys for the kids. - See? So it's a win-win-win. - I'm in. - (CHUCKLES) - (CHUCKLES) - Ah, Grace. I'm glad you're here. Can you help me find some cobwebs? - They're on aisle two. - Great. Thanks. - But we're all sold out. - Someone bought all your cobwebs? - ABIGAIL: I sure did. (CHUCKLES) - OK, well, how about the headstones? - Aisle three, but I bought all those too. - Right. - I have a couple of dozen plastic mummies if anybody wants those. - BOTH: I could use those. - $50 apiece. - $50? - Last week you were selling them for five bucks. - Supply and demand. Oh, and the Perriwood Prophecy T-shirts are going fast, so you'd better snatch those up before their price goes up too. - (SIGHS) - 'They stumble where the pumpkins set and purchase not their fair regrets.' - What does that even mean? - I don't know, but I have it in extra-small up to XXXL. - This isn't fair. You own the store with all the stuff we need. - Yeah, how are we supposed to compete with that? - Well, I guess you should have thought of that before you opened up a restaurant and a flower shop. - Oh boy. - And the award for best Halloween decorations goes to... me. (CHUCKLES) - Wow. (CURIOUS MUSIC) - (DOOR BELL TINKLES) - Hmm. Brad. Are you here by yourself? - Yeah. Marinda just wanted to hang out at Grey House. Are you looking for something special? - I don't know. Just something to remember this trip by. - Well, let me know if there's something that you and your wife might both like. (ROMANTIC MUSIC) Oh. I found this in Fiji. It looked beautiful on the white sand. Honeymoon Beach. - Huh. I really like it. Although I'm not sure a seashell is the right way to be reminded about Middleton. - Hmm, but you'll remember finding it here and what it means to both of you. - We'll take it. (GENTLE MUSIC) - There has to be some more information about Cotton Perriwood down here ` something to help us figure out what he meant by that curse. Ooh, gather up some more of those photos. I'll look at them in my office. Perhaps I'll discover something new about Middleton's history. - And... - (SHRIEKS) - ...perhaps its future as well. - (SIGHS) My goodness, you have a habit of showing up when nobody's expecting it. - Really? Hmm. I didn't realise I could be so... (MYSTERIOUS MUSIC) ...surprising. - (SIGHS) Uh, this area is not open to the public. - Well, I hope you can make an exception. I wanted to get some insight on the town's history and how it affects it today. (SIGHS) Such a fascinating man. (MUSIC CONTINUES) So many secrets to tell. Mm, and a beautiful woman. It's a pity the two of them were never able to be together. - (CELL PHONE RINGS) - Oh. Excuse me. (CHUCKLES, CLEARS THROAT) Hello? Harvey, what can I do for you? Well, uh, if it's a regulation, I'm not sure that I can... Yes, yes, fine. I'll be right there. I'm so sorry, but you'll have to excuse me. I need to speak to a small-business owner. (MYSTERIOUS MUSIC) (MAGICAL TINKLING) (THOUGHTFUL MUSIC) - What do you mean, we can't go in? Look, this competition is only a couple of days away and I don't have everything I need. - Well, don't blame me. Blame the politicians. Oh, look, there's one now. - What's going on? - Well, I came back from lunch, and I found this notice on the door and all of this blocking the way. The city is shutting me down. They said that this root is too close to the entrance and it's a hazard. It's all because of this old tree that they planted, and now I can't do business until they dig this root up, but they can't do the job for another two or three days. - Yeah, which is after Halloween. - Well, it looks like the ordinance is clear. - So there's nothing you can do? - I only have so much power. - What's going on? - Well, I'm closed because of that. - 'They stumble where the pumpkins set and purchase not their fair regrets.' - That was written on a T-shirt. - Yeah. It's a Perriwood Prophecy. - And now it's happening right here. - Abigail's right, which means that Cotton Perriwood has been right three times in a row now. And he could be right about everything. (PENSIVE MUSIC) (THOUGHTFUL MUSIC) Frogs and bats and now pumpkins. Everything is happening exactly the way that Cotton Perriwood said it would, which means this is the year that the curse is going to happen too. - Well, the future isn't always written exactly as it seems. - That's a very good point. It could be even worse. - No, what I meant is that the Merriwick women aren't ones for just letting things happen. - Does that mean you've figured out a way to stop the curse? - Mm, I wasn't saying that, exactly. - But what if you could? What if there was something in these pages that could tell us how to stop the worst things that are yet to come? - Well, I'll reread the Prophecy again. Maybe there's something that I haven't noticed. - We have to find out if there is. - Yeah. Excuse me. - But, uh... (SIGHS) - (DOOR BELL JINGLES) - Can I help you with something? Hi. - This is lovely. - It's an antique. (SNEAKY MUSIC) (MUSIC QUICKENS) - Here is your ballot, and we will see you for the Halloween crawl in just a few more days. - (DOORBELL CHIMES) - Here's your free box of chocolates and a rose. Give them to someone you love. - So, it's true. - We heard Abigail was giving away free stuff to influence voters. - Oh, I wouldn't know anything about that. - Here is your free box of chocolates. All buttercreams because I know they're your favourite. And I taped a ballot to the box to remind you who to vote for. - Thank you. - You know, if I could take back that free cinnamon roll, I would. - Or you could give me another one so I remain impartial. - Whatever. My decorations can speak for themselves. - Well, they certainly are loud and obnoxious enough. - OK. Can we please stop? Look, I know that we're all a little stressed out because of the competition and the prophecies coming true,... but I think it would be good for us to remember that we live in this town together. We have history with one another. And when people walk through our town, seeing all the decorations, that is what they should be thinking about ` our friendships, how we care about one another. Because if that is not who we are,... then maybe we do deserve whatever evil curse Cotton Perriwood put on all of us. (GENTLE MUSIC) - Grace, what are you doing at Abigail's right now when you're supposed to be helping me? - Helping you? She's supposed to be helping me. - How is she gonna decorate a store no one's allowed into? - Yeah. - Because I'm decorating the outside. - You guys, I can still help all of you. - Fine. - Good. - Great. Let's get back to work. - (CLEARS THROAT) - (DOORBELL CHIMES) - She took my candy. (QUIRKY MUSIC) (THOUGHTFUL MUSIC) (PEOPLE CHATTER) - Do you wanna share dessert? Something chocolate? - Sure. You can pick. - Oh, and I forgot to show you what I got at Cassie's shop. (CURIOUS MUSIC) I hope you like it. - (CHUCKLES) (ROMANTIC MUSIC) I love it. - It got me thinking about our first real date ` the day we went to that beach. - Yeah. (THOUGHTFUL MUSIC) - Oh, hi, Sam. - Hey. - Hey. - Aren't you supposed to be carving pumpkins? - Oh, not until after dinner. - Ah. Well, um, I was gonna eat before I go to the movie. Do you wanna get something? - Sounds great. Thanks. - Well, well, well. So this is where all the young people hang out, huh? - (CHUCKLES) - You keep calling us young people, and you're gonna have a free room the next time you stay at Grey House. - Oh, we'll be back, for sure. We love it here. - We're gonna make Halloween in Middleton one of our new traditions. - (CHUCKLES) Oh. - Ah. - (CHUCKLES) - (SIGHS) Those two would make a good advertisement for being married. - Yeah, they really do seem right for each other. - And it looks so easy, at least the way they do it. - Hmm. I guess some couples have to work harder at it than others, but, uh, I always thought it was worth it. - There you are. I have some very disturbing news about what I read in the Prophecy. - Oh, you read the Prophecy? - Yes, I... Oh. Well, it just sort of fell into my hands and I... Oh, anyway. Yes, I spent the entire afternoon poring over each and every word. - Well, what did you find? - Well, you were right about the curse. It's very clear ` all divisions and darkness and bleh! - Bleh? That's one of the predictions, bleh? - And here is the most frightening thing about the last page. It isn't there. I counted all the lines in the Prophecy, and I realised that there's a pattern to the way it was written. Now, look, you can see it right here. Each couplet is part of a larger section, and each larger section is 14 lines. - And that's disturbing because...? - The last section only has 11. - So you knew it was incomplete. Why didn't you tell me? - I didn't want you to get all worked up about something we don't even know. - But now we do know. Except we don't even know what we don't even know, which could be worse than what we already know. (SIGHS) We need to find the last page of this prophecy and stop the curse, or else everything that we have come to love about Middleton could be lost forever! (SPOOKY MUSIC) (MYSTERIOUS MUSIC) Captions by Able. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air.