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* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: This was actually the first episode filmed, but placed fourth in the order (presumably to account for Frank's presence after "The Phantom Cab" was about his initiation). The Midnight Society look noticeably younger, indicating it was shot some time before the series was put up. There are references to "lights out", implying the concept was originally meant to take a place at a summer camp. Most obviously however, it opens with the end of Eric's story that he admits he hasn't thought of an ending for - whereas each episode would later open with a Midnight Society member already appointed as the week's storyteller.
* LighterAndSofter: The story is an adaptation of ''Literature/TheMonkeysPaw''. In that, one wish was for money that only came as the result of the couple's only son dying in a workplace accident; here Kevin just wishes to beat TheAce in a race, which just results in a broken leg. The wish resulting in death does happen later, but it only says Dougie's parents have been in an accident (and he hangs up before [[NeverSayDie he's told they're dead]]). And when Dougie makes a wish that nothing ever happened, he gets a ResetButton that restores his parents to life and heals Bostick's injury. The original story had the dead son stay dead, and a BittersweetEnding that the paw couldn't cause any more harm.
Changed line(s) 41 (click to see context) from:
* VoiceOfTheLegion: A gang of masked delinquents, having been drawn by the magic of the Claw to Dougie and Kevin, have eerily deepened, echoing voices.
to:
* VoiceOfTheLegion: A gang of masked delinquents, having been drawn by the magic of the Claw to Dougie and Kevin, have eerily deepened, echoing voices.voices.
* WickedWitch: Downplayed with Miss Clove, who has a reputation as 'the witch', and is a rather malevolent trickster. But on the other hand, she only wants to punish the children for assaulting her and ensure they learn a lesson.
* WickedWitch: Downplayed with Miss Clove, who has a reputation as 'the witch', and is a rather malevolent trickster. But on the other hand, she only wants to punish the children for assaulting her and ensure they learn a lesson.
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Changed line(s) 31 (click to see context) from:
* TheGrimReaper: The cloaked, hooded spectre which arrives in the unnamed boy’s bedroom evokes both this and [[Literature/AChristmasCarol the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come]]. Its groaning is reheard on arrival of Dougie’s deceased grandfather.
to:
* TheGrimReaper: The cloaked, hooded spectre which arrives in the unnamed boy’s Tony's bedroom evokes both this and [[Literature/AChristmasCarol the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come]]. Its groaning is reheard on arrival of Dougie’s deceased grandfather.
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Shortening my recaps.
Changed line(s) 4,305 (click to see context) from:
Shortly after midnight, an unnamed boy lies awake. An ethereal mist seeps from beneath the door, which opens to admit a towering, black-cloaked, hooded spectre. With a deep, discordant groan, it glides over to the bed. The boy wakes, glad to be free of his recurring nightmare. However, the spectre is still there, groaning away. The boy screams in fright…
...As do Kiki and Kristen. Eric, however, hasn’t yet figured out what happens next. Fortunately, David has a full story. Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, he calls it "The Tale of the Twisted Claw".
On the night before Halloween, known to some as Mischief Night, best friends Kevin and Dougie, armed with shaving foam and rolls of toilet paper, roam the neighbourhood in search of impudent fun.
To Dougie’s reluctance, they visit the house of elderly Miss Clove.
To her alarm, Kevin squirts shaving foam in her face. She stumbles backward into a displayed vase, which falls and smashes. As they flee, Miss Clove looks on, and suddenly gives a prolonged, foreboding laugh.
The next night, Halloween, Dougie, in a deathly mask and white sheet, laughs maniacally, falls back onto the floor and affects a death rattle. His dad looks up from the evening paper.
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' You finish your dinner?
-->'''Dougie:''' You could at least pretend! Gramps used to pretend to be scared.
Dougie's mother then announces Kevin, garbed in a loose-fitting shirt, floppy hat, and with a grimed-up face.
As three trick-or-treaters arrive, Dougie and Kevin set off.
...
Some time later, they continue to wander the darkened streets.
-->'''Kevin:''' Hey... let's go to Miss Clove's house!
-->'''Dougie:''' Are you bent? After last night?
-->'''Kevin:''' She didn't know it was us! And we have costumes on!
-->'''Dougie:''' Nobody goes to Miss Clove's house.
-->'''Kevin:''' Yeah...! We can tell everybody that we were the only ones brave enough to go to the witch's house on Halloween!
-->'''Dougie:''' Forget it. I'm outta here.
-->'''Kevin:''' Or... I could say that you were too scared and had to run home to mommy.
...
Kevin rings the doorbell, and steadies Dougie. The door creeps marginally open.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' ...Yes?
-->'''Dougie and Kevin:''' Trick or Treat.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Trick or treat? Trick... or treat? ''{opens door wider}'' I didn't think anyone was coming! Come in! Come in! ''{steers the two inside}'' I'm so glad someone finally came. I just love Halloween. But no children ever stop by. Maybe they think the place is haunted. ''{laughs}'' Let me see your costumes! Oh, nice. Very nice!
-->'''Dougie:''' We got a lot more houses to go, ma'am. And -
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Tell you what! Because you boys were the only children nice enough to come and see me on Halloween, I'm going to give you a special treat! Wait right here...
She briefly withdraws from the hall.
Dougie notices the fragments of the shattered vase to remain on the floor.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' I've got something special, for two very special boys!\
She opens a small wooden box, whose blue-cushioned interior holds a three-taloned wooden claw.
-->'''Dougie:''' What is it?
-->'''Miss Clove:''' It's the claw of a vulture.
-->'''Kevin:''' Eew!
-->'''Miss Clove:''' ''{laughing}'' It isn't real! It's made of wood. They say it's charmed, and whoever has it will get three wishes.
-->'''Kevin:''' Yeah?
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Mm!
-->'''Kevin:''' Three wishes a piece, or three for both of us?
-->'''Miss Clove:''' ''{chuckes}'' Oh, I'm sure it means three wishes a piece!
-->'''Dougie:''' Thanks, lady, but I think we'll just take some candy and call it a night.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Ah - nonsense. You must take it! ''{grins}'' I won't take no for an answer.
With a cautious nod from Kevin, Dougie tentatively reaches, and takes the Claw.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' There you go! Just one thing - be careful what you wish for... you might...just... get it.
...
Dougie and Kevin walk back to Miss Clove's gate.
-->'''Dougie:''' That was really strange.
-->'''Kevin:''' Ah, she's just a crazy old lady. Three wishes? Right!
-->'''Douie:''' Yeah? Well I wish we can go home, and lose this stupid trick-or-treating! ...'''Whoa'''!!
He drops the Claw.
-->'''Kevin:''' What's the matter?
-->'''Dougie:''' ...It... moved.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie, it's a piece of old, junky wood. Like your head. Now can we try and get some more candy?
...
They pass the local park.
Around a drum-held fire loiter five older kids in blank white masks.
-->'''Boy:''' Looky here! Some trick-or-treaters! 'D you get some candy, boys?
-->'''Girl:''' Candy's bad for ya! It gives you cavities!
-->'''Boy:''' Maybe you should give it to us!
-->'''Dougie:''' Forget it!
The ringleader snatches the bag, staggers back, and falls over.
Dougie and Kevin run for it, and hide behind a bench as the punks give chase.
-->'''David:''' ''{narrating}'' The punks gave Dougie his wish - no more Trick Or Treats. Coincidence? Or was it the Twisted Claw?
...
At school, by Dougie's locker, Kevin teasingly waves the Claw.
-->'''Kevin:''' If you think it's bogus, why are you so nervous?
-->'''Dougie:''' Sorry! It gives me the creeps.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''{snatches flyer}'' Yeah? Well it's gonna give me something I've wanted since I was a kid. Field Day's this afternoon - and I wanna beat Bostick in the six hundred.
-->'''Dougie:''' Forget it! Nobody beats Bostick.
-->'''Kevin:''' Until now. Someone's gotta shut him down. ''{raises Claw}''
-->'''Dougie:''' Oh, man! Don't do it!
-->'''Kevin:''' I wish... I wish I could beat Bostick in the six hundred.
Instantly, the wooden Claw exudes a flash of green light.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''Whoa''! ''{drops the Claw}'' It moved!
-->'''Dougie:''' I told you! That thing's alive!
-->'''Kevin:''' Well, if it helps me beat Bostick this afternoon, I don't care if it jumps up and picks my nose!
...
On the field, the Gym Teacher bellows commands. A grinning Bostick high-fives several of his admirers.
-->'''Kevin:''' He thinks he's so good!
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{smiles in genuine admiration}'' He is!
The runners fall into position. Bostick takes his place beside Kevin.
-->'''Bostick:''' Good luck, Kev.\
The Gym Teacher fires a starting pistol. The runners take flight. As they sprint across the field, the small crowd cheers them on.
An onlooking Dougie, from behind a nearby tree, hears the growl of a dog.
While Bostick takes first place, from behind the tree bounds a large dog.
With Kevin close behind, Bostick nears the finish line. The dog runs towards his path...
-->'''Dougie:''' ''No''...!\
Too late, Bostick sees the dog. With a pained yell, he tumbles to the ground.
A grinning Kevin leaps over the finish line. From somewhere unseen comes Miss Clove's sinister chuckle...
Surrounded by concerned onlookers, Bostick lies on the ground, clutching the his leg and moaning in pain. The Gym Teacher pats his shoulder.
-->'''Gym Teacher:''' Relax, son! It's gonna be alright. Help's coming.
-->'''Dougie:''' Is he okay?
-->'''Gym Teacher:''' If you call having a broken leg okay.
Suddenly troubled, Kevin backs away with Dougie.
-->'''Kevin:''' He tripped, right? It was an accident!
-->'''Dougie:''' He didn't just trip! It was the dog! Where's the dog?
The dog is nowhere in sight.
...
Back in reality, by the Midnight Society's campfire...
-->'''Kiki:''' So they each used up one wish.
-->'''Gary:''' And something evil happened each time, to make the wishes come true. Cool.
-->'''Eric:''' Hey, I'd wish for a million bucks and take my chances.
-->'''Kristen:''' ''{eagerly}'' So? What happened?
-->'''David:''' Dougie's parents went out for dinner. So Kevin came over. And he brought something with him - the gold medal he won in the six hundred.
...
While Kevin admires his gold medal, Dougie stresses the Claw's increasingly apparent sinister power.
-->'''Dougie:''' If Gramps were here, he'd no what to do.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie, enough!
-->'''Dougie:''' What if my parents find out what happened at Miss Clove's? I'll be grounded for life.
-->'''Kevin:''' They're not gonna find out! It's over!
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{picks up Claw}'' I say we take this back to Miss Clove's and apologise. Then I can tell my folks I did the right thing.
-->'''Kevin:''' Forget it! No one is telling nobody nothing!
-->'''Dougie:''' But my folks!
-->'''Kevin:''' 'But my folks'! 'But my folks'! ''{takes Claw from Dougie}'' I wish you would just lose your folks! ''{claw flashes green}'' ''Aah''!
He drops the Claw. They stare down at it.
-->'''Dougie:''' It moved, didn't it.
-->'''Kevin:''' No... no, it just...
-->'''Dougie:''' You made a wish!
-->'''Kevin:''' No, I didn't!
-->'''Dougie:''' You wished I'd lose my folks!
-->'''Kevin:''' Yeah, but...
The telephone rings.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''{softly}'' Don't answer it.
Dougie picks up the phone.
-->'''Dougie:''' Hello?
-->'''Lieutenant:''' Is this Douglas Freeman?
-->'''Dougie:''' Yes.
-->'''Lieutenant:''' This is Lieutenant Carruthers from the Cooper City Police. I... have some bad news for you, son. Your parents have been in a car accident. They've been taken to the hospital, and I'm afraid -
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{slams down phone and pulls its cord from the wall}'' '''''NO'''''!
-->'''Kevin:''' Who was that?
-->'''Dougie:''' Mom and Dad have had an accident! They're in the hospital! It was the wish!
He throws the phone to the floor.
Dougie runs to the Claw, and picks it up.
-->'''Kevin:''' Then wish for them to be okay!
-->'''Dougie:''' Yeah! ...No! Every time we make a wish something bad happens!
-->'''Kevin:''' Then do something!
-->'''Dougie:''' I wish Gramps were here, he'd know what to do - ''Aah''!
He throws the suddenly lively Claw across the room, where, still glowing green, it lands.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie... your grandfather's ''dead''. You don't think...?\
From outside sounds the horn of a car.
The two peek through the curtains into the night. Through the mist, a familiar car pulls to a stop.
-->'''Dougie:''' That's Gramps's car! It's him!
-->'''Kevin:''' ''No''! I don't wanna meet no ghost! We gotta wish it away!
-->'''Dougie:''' No!
Kevin searches for the Claw. Dougie follows.
Kevin kneels, and holds aloft the Claw.
-->'''Kevin:''' I wish...\
From behind, Dougie knocks the claw from Kevin's grasp.
-->'''Dougie:''' The wishes are bad!\
Outside, the car door closes. With a deep, yawning groan, an unseen figure slowly approaches the house.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie - ''he's dead''! He might be a skeleton! Or rotten!\
He lunges across the floor. From behind, Dougie leaps onto him.
Outside, through the mist, a shadow falls across the Freeman's yard...
On the carpet, the two friends struggle.
-->'''Kevin:''' I got one wish left! I ain't meeting no ghost!
-->'''Dougie:''' You can't! That's the wrong wish!
As they wrestle, the apparition reaches the door. The struggle is disrupted by a ring of the doorbell.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''Oh, man''!\
He freezes in fright.
Dougie seizes the claw.
-->'''Kevin:''' Wish it away, Dougie, please!
-->'''Dougie:''' No, I'm gonna make the wish we should've made from the start! We're sorry we broke Miss Clove's vase, and we wish it never, ever happened.
Upon his upturned hands, the Claw glows a fiery orange, exudes a waft of smoke, and fades away.
-->'''Dougie and Kevin:''' Whoa...\
The doorbell rings again.
-->'''Kevin:''' Don't answer it!
-->'''Dougie:''' I gotta.
Kevin leaps beneath a nearby table.
Dougie slowly approaches the door, and in a sudden movement, flings it open. In the doorway are his parents, completely unharmed.
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' Sorry - we forgot our keys!
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' Again! If I didn't take them, they wouldn't get taken. Hi, Kev.
-->'''Dougie:''' So... you guys are okay? Nothing happened?
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' We only went over to the Morrisons'.
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' Oh, apart from that maniac truck driver that almost sideswiped us.
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' Oh, wasn't that dramatic!
Dougie hugs his parents.
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' Whoa! What's this for?
-->'''Dougie:''' I'm just glad to see you.
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' We're glad to see you, too! Hang around, guys. I say we raid the fridge for some ice cream.
As one, Dougie and Kevin look outside for the spectral car - but it's gone.
The phone sits undisturbed on the table. Kevin's gold medal has vanished from his pockets.
-->'''Dougie:''' I finally made the right wish - none of it ever happened!\
The doorbell rings.
-->'''Kevin:''' Are you sure the car was gone?\
The two nervously answer the door. The night holds one last surprise - on the doorstep sits Miss Clove's unbroken vase. Inside is a note.
-->'''Kevin:''' What does it say?
-->'''Dougie:''' It says 'Trick or Treat'
-->'''David:''' ''{narrating}'' All they could hear was the sound of the wind, blowing through the trees. Or was it the cackle of a sly old witch...?
...
-->'''David:''' ...The end!
Hushed, the others depart.
...As do Kiki and Kristen. Eric, however, hasn’t yet figured out what happens next. Fortunately, David has a full story. Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, he calls it "The Tale of the Twisted Claw".
On the night before Halloween, known to some as Mischief Night, best friends Kevin and Dougie, armed with shaving foam and rolls of toilet paper, roam the neighbourhood in search of impudent fun.
To Dougie’s reluctance, they visit the house of elderly Miss Clove.
To her alarm, Kevin squirts shaving foam in her face. She stumbles backward into a displayed vase, which falls and smashes. As they flee, Miss Clove looks on, and suddenly gives a prolonged, foreboding laugh.
The next night, Halloween, Dougie, in a deathly mask and white sheet, laughs maniacally, falls back onto the floor and affects a death rattle. His dad looks up from the evening paper.
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' You finish your dinner?
-->'''Dougie:''' You could at least pretend! Gramps used to pretend to be scared.
Dougie's mother then announces Kevin, garbed in a loose-fitting shirt, floppy hat, and with a grimed-up face.
As three trick-or-treaters arrive, Dougie and Kevin set off.
...
Some time later, they continue to wander the darkened streets.
-->'''Kevin:''' Hey... let's go to Miss Clove's house!
-->'''Dougie:''' Are you bent? After last night?
-->'''Kevin:''' She didn't know it was us! And we have costumes on!
-->'''Dougie:''' Nobody goes to Miss Clove's house.
-->'''Kevin:''' Yeah...! We can tell everybody that we were the only ones brave enough to go to the witch's house on Halloween!
-->'''Dougie:''' Forget it. I'm outta here.
-->'''Kevin:''' Or... I could say that you were too scared and had to run home to mommy.
...
Kevin rings the doorbell, and steadies Dougie. The door creeps marginally open.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' ...Yes?
-->'''Dougie and Kevin:''' Trick or Treat.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Trick or treat? Trick... or treat? ''{opens door wider}'' I didn't think anyone was coming! Come in! Come in! ''{steers the two inside}'' I'm so glad someone finally came. I just love Halloween. But no children ever stop by. Maybe they think the place is haunted. ''{laughs}'' Let me see your costumes! Oh, nice. Very nice!
-->'''Dougie:''' We got a lot more houses to go, ma'am. And -
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Tell you what! Because you boys were the only children nice enough to come and see me on Halloween, I'm going to give you a special treat! Wait right here...
She briefly withdraws from the hall.
Dougie notices the fragments of the shattered vase to remain on the floor.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' I've got something special, for two very special boys!\
She opens a small wooden box, whose blue-cushioned interior holds a three-taloned wooden claw.
-->'''Dougie:''' What is it?
-->'''Miss Clove:''' It's the claw of a vulture.
-->'''Kevin:''' Eew!
-->'''Miss Clove:''' ''{laughing}'' It isn't real! It's made of wood. They say it's charmed, and whoever has it will get three wishes.
-->'''Kevin:''' Yeah?
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Mm!
-->'''Kevin:''' Three wishes a piece, or three for both of us?
-->'''Miss Clove:''' ''{chuckes}'' Oh, I'm sure it means three wishes a piece!
-->'''Dougie:''' Thanks, lady, but I think we'll just take some candy and call it a night.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Ah - nonsense. You must take it! ''{grins}'' I won't take no for an answer.
With a cautious nod from Kevin, Dougie tentatively reaches, and takes the Claw.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' There you go! Just one thing - be careful what you wish for... you might...just... get it.
...
Dougie and Kevin walk back to Miss Clove's gate.
-->'''Dougie:''' That was really strange.
-->'''Kevin:''' Ah, she's just a crazy old lady. Three wishes? Right!
-->'''Douie:''' Yeah? Well I wish we can go home, and lose this stupid trick-or-treating! ...'''Whoa'''!!
He drops the Claw.
-->'''Kevin:''' What's the matter?
-->'''Dougie:''' ...It... moved.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie, it's a piece of old, junky wood. Like your head. Now can we try and get some more candy?
...
They pass the local park.
Around a drum-held fire loiter five older kids in blank white masks.
-->'''Boy:''' Looky here! Some trick-or-treaters! 'D you get some candy, boys?
-->'''Girl:''' Candy's bad for ya! It gives you cavities!
-->'''Boy:''' Maybe you should give it to us!
-->'''Dougie:''' Forget it!
The ringleader snatches the bag, staggers back, and falls over.
Dougie and Kevin run for it, and hide behind a bench as the punks give chase.
-->'''David:''' ''{narrating}'' The punks gave Dougie his wish - no more Trick Or Treats. Coincidence? Or was it the Twisted Claw?
...
At school, by Dougie's locker, Kevin teasingly waves the Claw.
-->'''Kevin:''' If you think it's bogus, why are you so nervous?
-->'''Dougie:''' Sorry! It gives me the creeps.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''{snatches flyer}'' Yeah? Well it's gonna give me something I've wanted since I was a kid. Field Day's this afternoon - and I wanna beat Bostick in the six hundred.
-->'''Dougie:''' Forget it! Nobody beats Bostick.
-->'''Kevin:''' Until now. Someone's gotta shut him down. ''{raises Claw}''
-->'''Dougie:''' Oh, man! Don't do it!
-->'''Kevin:''' I wish... I wish I could beat Bostick in the six hundred.
Instantly, the wooden Claw exudes a flash of green light.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''Whoa''! ''{drops the Claw}'' It moved!
-->'''Dougie:''' I told you! That thing's alive!
-->'''Kevin:''' Well, if it helps me beat Bostick this afternoon, I don't care if it jumps up and picks my nose!
...
On the field, the Gym Teacher bellows commands. A grinning Bostick high-fives several of his admirers.
-->'''Kevin:''' He thinks he's so good!
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{smiles in genuine admiration}'' He is!
The runners fall into position. Bostick takes his place beside Kevin.
-->'''Bostick:''' Good luck, Kev.\
The Gym Teacher fires a starting pistol. The runners take flight. As they sprint across the field, the small crowd cheers them on.
An onlooking Dougie, from behind a nearby tree, hears the growl of a dog.
While Bostick takes first place, from behind the tree bounds a large dog.
With Kevin close behind, Bostick nears the finish line. The dog runs towards his path...
-->'''Dougie:''' ''No''...!\
Too late, Bostick sees the dog. With a pained yell, he tumbles to the ground.
A grinning Kevin leaps over the finish line. From somewhere unseen comes Miss Clove's sinister chuckle...
Surrounded by concerned onlookers, Bostick lies on the ground, clutching the his leg and moaning in pain. The Gym Teacher pats his shoulder.
-->'''Gym Teacher:''' Relax, son! It's gonna be alright. Help's coming.
-->'''Dougie:''' Is he okay?
-->'''Gym Teacher:''' If you call having a broken leg okay.
Suddenly troubled, Kevin backs away with Dougie.
-->'''Kevin:''' He tripped, right? It was an accident!
-->'''Dougie:''' He didn't just trip! It was the dog! Where's the dog?
The dog is nowhere in sight.
...
Back in reality, by the Midnight Society's campfire...
-->'''Kiki:''' So they each used up one wish.
-->'''Gary:''' And something evil happened each time, to make the wishes come true. Cool.
-->'''Eric:''' Hey, I'd wish for a million bucks and take my chances.
-->'''Kristen:''' ''{eagerly}'' So? What happened?
-->'''David:''' Dougie's parents went out for dinner. So Kevin came over. And he brought something with him - the gold medal he won in the six hundred.
...
While Kevin admires his gold medal, Dougie stresses the Claw's increasingly apparent sinister power.
-->'''Dougie:''' If Gramps were here, he'd no what to do.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie, enough!
-->'''Dougie:''' What if my parents find out what happened at Miss Clove's? I'll be grounded for life.
-->'''Kevin:''' They're not gonna find out! It's over!
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{picks up Claw}'' I say we take this back to Miss Clove's and apologise. Then I can tell my folks I did the right thing.
-->'''Kevin:''' Forget it! No one is telling nobody nothing!
-->'''Dougie:''' But my folks!
-->'''Kevin:''' 'But my folks'! 'But my folks'! ''{takes Claw from Dougie}'' I wish you would just lose your folks! ''{claw flashes green}'' ''Aah''!
He drops the Claw. They stare down at it.
-->'''Dougie:''' It moved, didn't it.
-->'''Kevin:''' No... no, it just...
-->'''Dougie:''' You made a wish!
-->'''Kevin:''' No, I didn't!
-->'''Dougie:''' You wished I'd lose my folks!
-->'''Kevin:''' Yeah, but...
The telephone rings.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''{softly}'' Don't answer it.
Dougie picks up the phone.
-->'''Dougie:''' Hello?
-->'''Lieutenant:''' Is this Douglas Freeman?
-->'''Dougie:''' Yes.
-->'''Lieutenant:''' This is Lieutenant Carruthers from the Cooper City Police. I... have some bad news for you, son. Your parents have been in a car accident. They've been taken to the hospital, and I'm afraid -
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{slams down phone and pulls its cord from the wall}'' '''''NO'''''!
-->'''Kevin:''' Who was that?
-->'''Dougie:''' Mom and Dad have had an accident! They're in the hospital! It was the wish!
He throws the phone to the floor.
Dougie runs to the Claw, and picks it up.
-->'''Kevin:''' Then wish for them to be okay!
-->'''Dougie:''' Yeah! ...No! Every time we make a wish something bad happens!
-->'''Kevin:''' Then do something!
-->'''Dougie:''' I wish Gramps were here, he'd know what to do - ''Aah''!
He throws the suddenly lively Claw across the room, where, still glowing green, it lands.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie... your grandfather's ''dead''. You don't think...?\
From outside sounds the horn of a car.
The two peek through the curtains into the night. Through the mist, a familiar car pulls to a stop.
-->'''Dougie:''' That's Gramps's car! It's him!
-->'''Kevin:''' ''No''! I don't wanna meet no ghost! We gotta wish it away!
-->'''Dougie:''' No!
Kevin searches for the Claw. Dougie follows.
Kevin kneels, and holds aloft the Claw.
-->'''Kevin:''' I wish...\
From behind, Dougie knocks the claw from Kevin's grasp.
-->'''Dougie:''' The wishes are bad!\
Outside, the car door closes. With a deep, yawning groan, an unseen figure slowly approaches the house.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie - ''he's dead''! He might be a skeleton! Or rotten!\
He lunges across the floor. From behind, Dougie leaps onto him.
Outside, through the mist, a shadow falls across the Freeman's yard...
On the carpet, the two friends struggle.
-->'''Kevin:''' I got one wish left! I ain't meeting no ghost!
-->'''Dougie:''' You can't! That's the wrong wish!
As they wrestle, the apparition reaches the door. The struggle is disrupted by a ring of the doorbell.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''Oh, man''!\
He freezes in fright.
Dougie seizes the claw.
-->'''Kevin:''' Wish it away, Dougie, please!
-->'''Dougie:''' No, I'm gonna make the wish we should've made from the start! We're sorry we broke Miss Clove's vase, and we wish it never, ever happened.
Upon his upturned hands, the Claw glows a fiery orange, exudes a waft of smoke, and fades away.
-->'''Dougie and Kevin:''' Whoa...\
The doorbell rings again.
-->'''Kevin:''' Don't answer it!
-->'''Dougie:''' I gotta.
Kevin leaps beneath a nearby table.
Dougie slowly approaches the door, and in a sudden movement, flings it open. In the doorway are his parents, completely unharmed.
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' Sorry - we forgot our keys!
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' Again! If I didn't take them, they wouldn't get taken. Hi, Kev.
-->'''Dougie:''' So... you guys are okay? Nothing happened?
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' We only went over to the Morrisons'.
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' Oh, apart from that maniac truck driver that almost sideswiped us.
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' Oh, wasn't that dramatic!
Dougie hugs his parents.
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' Whoa! What's this for?
-->'''Dougie:''' I'm just glad to see you.
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' We're glad to see you, too! Hang around, guys. I say we raid the fridge for some ice cream.
As one, Dougie and Kevin look outside for the spectral car - but it's gone.
The phone sits undisturbed on the table. Kevin's gold medal has vanished from his pockets.
-->'''Dougie:''' I finally made the right wish - none of it ever happened!\
The doorbell rings.
-->'''Kevin:''' Are you sure the car was gone?\
The two nervously answer the door. The night holds one last surprise - on the doorstep sits Miss Clove's unbroken vase. Inside is a note.
-->'''Kevin:''' What does it say?
-->'''Dougie:''' It says 'Trick or Treat'
-->'''David:''' ''{narrating}'' All they could hear was the sound of the wind, blowing through the trees. Or was it the cackle of a sly old witch...?
...
-->'''David:''' ...The end!
Hushed, the others depart.
to:
Shortly after midnight, an unnamed boy Tony lies awake. An ethereal mist seeps from beneath the door, which opens to admit a towering, black-cloaked, hooded spectre. With a deep, discordant groan, it glides over to the bed. The boy Tony wakes, glad to be free of his recurring nightmare. However, the spectre is still there, groaning away. The boy Tony screams in fright…
...As do Kiki and Kristen.fright... Storyteller Eric, however, hasn’t yet figured out what happens next. Fortunately, David has a full story. Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, he calls it "The Tale of the Twisted Claw".
On the night before Halloween, known to some as Mischief Night, best friends Kevin and Dougie, armed with shaving foam and rolls of toilet paper, roam theneighbourhood in search of impudent fun.
To Dougie’s reluctance, they visitneighbourhood. At the house of elderly reputed witch Miss Clove.
To her alarm,Clove, Kevin squirts shaving foam in her face. She stumbles backward into a displayed vase, which falls and smashes. As they flee, Miss Clove looks on, and suddenly gives a prolonged, foreboding laugh.laughs ominously.
The next night, Halloween,Dougie, in a deathly mask Dougie and white sheet, laughs maniacally, falls Kevin go trick-or-treating. Kevin urges them back onto to Miss Clove's house. Delighted to have visitors, the floor and affects elderly Halloween enthusiast presents them with a death rattle. His dad looks up from wooden vulture claw, said to have the evening paper.
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' You finish your dinner?
-->'''Dougie:''' You could at least pretend! Gramps usedpower to pretend grant any wish to be scared.its respective owners.
Dougie's mother then announces Kevin, garbed in a loose-fitting shirt, floppy hat, and with a grimed-up face.
As three trick-or-treaters arrive,On the way home, Dougie and Kevin set off.
...
Some time later, they continue to wander the darkened streets.
-->'''Kevin:''' Hey... let's go to Miss Clove's house!
-->'''Dougie:''' Are you bent? After last night?
-->'''Kevin:''' She didn't know it was us! And we have costumes on!
-->'''Dougie:''' Nobody goes to Miss Clove's house.
-->'''Kevin:''' Yeah...! We can tell everybody that we were the only ones brave enough to go to the witch's house on Halloween!
-->'''Dougie:''' Forget it. I'm outta here.
-->'''Kevin:''' Or... I could say that you were too scared and had to run home to mommy.
...
Kevin rings the doorbell, and steadies Dougie. The door creeps marginally open.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' ...Yes?
-->'''Dougie and Kevin:''' Trick or Treat.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Trick or treat? Trick... or treat? ''{opens door wider}'' I didn't think anyone was coming! Come in! Come in! ''{steers the two inside}'' I'm so glad someone finally came. I just love Halloween. But no children ever stop by. Maybe they think the place is haunted. ''{laughs}'' Let me see your costumes! Oh, nice. Very nice!
-->'''Dougie:''' We got a lot more houses to go, ma'am. And -
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Tell you what! Because you boys were the only children nice enough to come and see me on Halloween, I'm going to give you a special treat! Wait right here...
She briefly withdraws from the hall.
Dougie notices the fragments of the shattered vase to remain on the floor.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' I've got something special, for two very special boys!\
She opens a small wooden box, whose blue-cushioned interior holds a three-taloned wooden claw.
-->'''Dougie:''' What is it?
-->'''Miss Clove:''' It's the claw of a vulture.
-->'''Kevin:''' Eew!
-->'''Miss Clove:''' ''{laughing}'' It isn't real! It's made of wood. They say it's charmed, and whoever has it will get three wishes.
-->'''Kevin:''' Yeah?
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Mm!
-->'''Kevin:''' Threeoffhandedly wishes a piece, or three for both of us?
-->'''Miss Clove:''' ''{chuckes}'' Oh, I'm sure it means three wishes a piece!
-->'''Dougie:''' Thanks, lady, but I think we'll just take some candy and call it a night.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Ah - nonsense. You must take it! ''{grins}'' I won't take no for an answer.
With a cautious nod from Kevin, Dougie tentatively reaches, and takes the Claw.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' There you go! Just one thing - be careful what you wish for... you might...just...to get it.
...
Dougie and Kevin walk back to Miss Clove's gate.
-->'''Dougie:''' That was really strange.
-->'''Kevin:''' Ah, she's just a crazy old lady. Three wishes? Right!
-->'''Douie:''' Yeah? Well I wish we can go home,home and lose this stupid trick-or-treating! ...'''Whoa'''!!
He dropstrick-or-treating... and the Claw.
-->'''Kevin:''' What's the matter?
-->'''Dougie:''' ...It... moved.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie, it's a piece of old, junky wood. Like your head. Now can we try and get some more candy?
...
claw moves! They pass the local park.
park. Around a drum-held fire loiter five older kids in blank white masks.masks. The ringleader snatches the trick-or-trear bag, staggers back, and falls over. Dougie and Kevin run for it, and hide behind a bench as the punks give chase. Dougie's wish has been granted.
-->'''Boy:''' Looky here! Some trick-or-treaters! 'D you get some candy, boys?
-->'''Girl:''' Candy's badAt school, by Dougie's locker, Kevin takes the claw, and wishes to beat Bostick in the six hundred metre race. With a flash of green, the Claw moves. On the field, a grinning Bostick high-fives several of his admirers. As Dougie watches the race, he hears the nearby growl of a dog. With Kevin close behind, Bostick nears the finish line. From behind a dog runs towards his path. With a pained yell, Bostick falls. The Gym Teacher pats his shoulder, and pronounces Bostick's leg to be broken.
At Dougie's, while Kevin admires his gold medal, Dougie stresses the Claw's increasingly apparent sinister power. He urges a return of the Claw and an apology to Miss Clove, so he can tell his parents he did the right thing. Kevin takes the Claw - and offhandedly wishes forya! It gives you cavities!
-->'''Boy:''' Maybe you should give itDougie to us!
-->'''Dougie:''' Forget it!
The ringleader snatchesjust lose his folks. He drops the bag, staggers back, and falls over.Claw. They stare down at it. By telephone, Lieutenant Carruthers from the Cooper City Police announces Dougie's parents to have been in a car accident.
Dougie and Kevin run for it, and hide behind a bench as the punks give chase.
-->'''David:''' ''{narrating}'' The punks gave Dougie his wish - no more Trick Or Treats. Coincidence? Or was it the Twisted Claw?
...
At school, by Dougie's locker, Kevin teasingly waves the Claw.
-->'''Kevin:''' If you think it's bogus, why are you so nervous?
-->'''Dougie:''' Sorry! It gives me the creeps.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''{snatches flyer}'' Yeah? Well it's gonna give me something I've wanted since I was a kid. Field Day's this afternoon - and I wanna beat Bostick in the six hundred.
-->'''Dougie:''' Forget it! Nobody beats Bostick.
-->'''Kevin:''' Until now. Someone's gotta shut him down. ''{raises Claw}''
-->'''Dougie:''' Oh, man! Don't do it!
-->'''Kevin:''' I wish... I wish I could beat Bostick in the six hundred.
Instantly, the wooden Claw exudes a flash of green light.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''Whoa''! ''{drops the Claw}'' It moved!
-->'''Dougie:''' I told you! That thing's alive!
-->'''Kevin:''' Well, if it helps me beat Bostick this afternoon, I don't care if it jumps up and picks my nose!
...
On the field, the Gym Teacher bellows commands. A grinning Bostick high-fives several of his admirers.
-->'''Kevin:''' He thinks he's so good!
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{smiles in genuine admiration}'' He is!
The runners fall into position. Bostick takes his place beside Kevin.
-->'''Bostick:''' Good luck, Kev.\
The Gym Teacher fires a starting pistol. The runners take flight. As they sprint across the field, the small crowd cheers them on.
An onlooking Dougie, from behind a nearby tree, hears the growl of a dog.
While Bostick takes first place, from behind the tree bounds a large dog.
With Kevin close behind, Bostick nears the finish line. The dog runs towards his path...
-->'''Dougie:''' ''No''...!\
Too late, Bostick sees the dog. With a pained yell, he tumbles to the ground.
A grinning Kevin leaps over the finish line. From somewhere unseen comes Miss Clove's sinister chuckle...
Surrounded by concerned onlookers, Bostick lies on the ground, clutching the his leg and moaning in pain. The Gym Teacher pats his shoulder.
-->'''Gym Teacher:''' Relax, son! It's gonna be alright. Help's coming.
-->'''Dougie:''' Is he okay?
-->'''Gym Teacher:''' If you call having a broken leg okay.
Suddenly troubled, Kevin backs away with Dougie.
-->'''Kevin:''' He tripped, right? It was an accident!
-->'''Dougie:''' He didn't just trip! It was the dog! Where's the dog?
The dog is nowhere in sight.
...
Back in reality, by the Midnight Society's campfire...
-->'''Kiki:''' So they each used up one wish.
-->'''Gary:''' And something evil happened each time, to make the wishes come true. Cool.
-->'''Eric:''' Hey, I'd wish for a million bucks and take my chances.
-->'''Kristen:''' ''{eagerly}'' So? What happened?
-->'''David:''' Dougie's parents went out for dinner. So Kevin came over. And he brought something with him - the gold medal he won in the six hundred.
...
While Kevin admires his gold medal, Dougie stresses the Claw's increasingly apparent sinister power.
-->'''Dougie:''' If Gramps were here, he'd no what to do.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie, enough!
-->'''Dougie:''' What if my parents find out what happened at Miss Clove's? I'll be grounded for life.
-->'''Kevin:''' They're not gonna find out! It's over!
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{picks up Claw}'' I say we take this back to Miss Clove's and apologise. Then I can tell my folks I did the right thing.
-->'''Kevin:''' Forget it! No one is telling nobody nothing!
-->'''Dougie:''' But my folks!
-->'''Kevin:''' 'But my folks'! 'But my folks'! ''{takes Claw from Dougie}'' I wish you would just lose your folks! ''{claw flashes green}'' ''Aah''!
He drops the Claw. They stare down at it.
-->'''Dougie:''' It moved, didn't it.
-->'''Kevin:''' No... no, it just...
-->'''Dougie:''' You made a wish!
-->'''Kevin:''' No, I didn't!
-->'''Dougie:''' You wished I'd lose my folks!
-->'''Kevin:''' Yeah, but...
The telephone rings.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''{softly}'' Don't answer it.
Dougie picks up the phone.
-->'''Dougie:''' Hello?
-->'''Lieutenant:''' Is this Douglas Freeman?
-->'''Dougie:''' Yes.
-->'''Lieutenant:''' This is Lieutenant Carruthers from the Cooper City Police. I... have some bad news for you, son. Your parents have been in a car accident. They've been taken to the hospital, and I'm afraid -
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{slams down phone and pulls its cord from the wall}'' '''''NO'''''!
-->'''Kevin:''' Who was that?
-->'''Dougie:''' Mom and Dad have had an accident! They're in the hospital! It was the wish!
He throws the phone to the floor.
Dougie runs to the Claw, and picks it up. \n\n-->'''Kevin:''' Then He could wish for them his parents safety - but any wish asked of the Claw makes bad things happen. Dougie offhandedly wishes his deceased Grandpa to be okay!
-->'''Dougie:''' Yeah! ...No! Every time wehere. The Claw twitches and glows - what will its magic make a wish something bad happens!
-->'''Kevin:''' Then do something!
-->'''Dougie:''' I wish Gramps were here, he'd know what to do - ''Aah''!
He throws the suddenly lively Claw across the room, where, still glowing green, it lands.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie... your grandfather's ''dead''. You don't think...?\
of ''[[CameBackWrong this]]''? From outside sounds the horn of a car.
The two peek through the curtains into the night.car.Through the mist, a familiar car pulls to a stop.
-->'''Dougie:''' That's Gramps's car! It's him!
-->'''Kevin:''' ''No''! I don't wanna meet no ghost! We gotta wish it away!
-->'''Dougie:''' No!
stop. Over the Claw, Kevin searches for the Claw. and Dougie follows.
Kevin kneels, and holds aloft the Claw.
-->'''Kevin:''' I wish...\
From behind, Dougie knocks the claw from Kevin's grasp.
-->'''Dougie:''' The wishes are bad!\
Outside, the car door closes. With a deep, yawning groan, an unseen figure slowly approaches the house.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie - ''he's dead''! He might be a skeleton! Or rotten!\
He lunges across the floor. From behind, Dougie leaps onto him.
struggle. Outside, through the mist, a shadow falls across the Freeman's yard...
On the carpet, the two friends struggle.
-->'''Kevin:''' I got one wish left! I ain't meeting no ghost!
-->'''Dougie:''' You can't! That's the wrong wish!
As they wrestle, the apparition reaches the door.yard. The struggle is disrupted by a ring of the doorbell.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''Oh, man''!\
He freezes in fright.
doorbell rings. Dougie seizes the claw.
-->'''Kevin:''' Wish it away, Dougie, please!
-->'''Dougie:''' No, I'm gonna makeClaw. He apologises for breaking the wish we should've made from the start! We're sorry we broke Miss Clove's vase, and we wish wishes for it never, ever happened.
Upon his upturned hands, thenever to have happened. The Claw glows a fiery orange, exudes a waft of smoke, and fades away.
-->'''Dougie and Kevin:''' Whoa...\
away. The doorbell rings again.
-->'''Kevin:''' Don't answer it!
-->'''Dougie:''' I gotta.
Kevin leaps beneath a nearby table.
Dougie slowly approaches the door, and in a sudden movement, flings it open.again. In the doorway are his parents, doorway, completely unharmed.
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' Sorry - we forgot our keys!
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' Again! If I didn't take them, they wouldn't get taken. Hi, Kev.
-->'''Dougie:''' So... you guysunharmed are okay? Nothing happened?
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' We only went over to the Morrisons'.
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' Oh, apart from that maniac truck driver that almost sideswiped us.
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' Oh, wasn't that dramatic!
Dougie's parents. In relief, Dougie hugs his parents.
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' Whoa! What's this for?
-->'''Dougie:''' I'm just glad to see you.
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' We're glad to see you, too! Hang around, guys. I say we raid the fridge for some ice cream.
As one,them both.
Dougie and Kevin look outside for the spectral car - but it'sgone.
The phone sits undisturbed on the table.gone. Kevin's gold medal has vanished from his pockets. \n\n-->'''Dougie:''' I finally made the right wish - none of it ever happened!\\n\nThe Once doorbell rings.
-->'''Kevin:''' Are you sure the car was gone?\
The two nervously answer the door.rings. The night holds one last surprise - on the doorstep sits Miss Clove's unbroken vase. Inside is a note.
-->'''Kevin:''' What does it say?
-->'''Dougie:''' It says 'Tricknote: "Trick or Treat'
-->'''David:''' ''{narrating}'' All they could hear was the soundTreat?"
David closes with a note of thewind, blowing wind whistling through the trees. Or was it trees - which may have carried the cackle laughter of a sly old witch...?
...
-->'''David:''' ...The end!
Hushed, the others depart.
witch.
...As do Kiki and Kristen.
On the night before Halloween, known to some as Mischief Night, best friends Kevin and Dougie, armed with shaving foam and rolls of toilet paper, roam the
To Dougie’s reluctance, they visit
To her alarm,
The next night, Halloween,
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' You finish your dinner?
-->'''Dougie:''' You could at least pretend! Gramps used
As three trick-or-treaters arrive,
...
Some time later, they continue to wander the darkened streets.
-->'''Kevin:''' Hey... let's go to Miss Clove's house!
-->'''Dougie:''' Are you bent? After last night?
-->'''Kevin:''' She didn't know it was us! And we have costumes on!
-->'''Dougie:''' Nobody goes to Miss Clove's house.
-->'''Kevin:''' Yeah...! We can tell everybody that we were the only ones brave enough to go to the witch's house on Halloween!
-->'''Dougie:''' Forget it. I'm outta here.
-->'''Kevin:''' Or... I could say that you were too scared and had to run home to mommy.
...
Kevin rings the doorbell, and steadies Dougie. The door creeps marginally open.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' ...Yes?
-->'''Dougie and Kevin:''' Trick or Treat.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Trick or treat? Trick... or treat? ''{opens door wider}'' I didn't think anyone was coming! Come in! Come in! ''{steers the two inside}'' I'm so glad someone finally came. I just love Halloween. But no children ever stop by. Maybe they think the place is haunted. ''{laughs}'' Let me see your costumes! Oh, nice. Very nice!
-->'''Dougie:''' We got a lot more houses to go, ma'am. And -
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Tell you what! Because you boys were the only children nice enough to come and see me on Halloween, I'm going to give you a special treat! Wait right here...
She briefly withdraws from the hall.
Dougie notices the fragments of the shattered vase to remain on the floor.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' I've got something special, for two very special boys!\
She opens a small wooden box, whose blue-cushioned interior holds a three-taloned wooden claw.
-->'''Dougie:''' What is it?
-->'''Miss Clove:''' It's the claw of a vulture.
-->'''Kevin:''' Eew!
-->'''Miss Clove:''' ''{laughing}'' It isn't real! It's made of wood. They say it's charmed, and whoever has it will get three wishes.
-->'''Kevin:''' Yeah?
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Mm!
-->'''Kevin:''' Three
-->'''Miss Clove:''' ''{chuckes}'' Oh, I'm sure it means three wishes a piece!
-->'''Dougie:''' Thanks, lady, but I think we'll just take some candy and call it a night.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Ah - nonsense. You must take it! ''{grins}'' I won't take no for an answer.
With a cautious nod from Kevin, Dougie tentatively reaches, and takes the Claw.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' There you go! Just one thing - be careful what you wish for... you might...just...
...
Dougie and Kevin walk back to Miss Clove's gate.
-->'''Dougie:''' That was really strange.
-->'''Kevin:''' Ah, she's just a crazy old lady. Three wishes? Right!
-->'''Douie:''' Yeah? Well I wish we can go home,
He drops
-->'''Kevin:''' What's the matter?
-->'''Dougie:''' ...It... moved.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie, it's a piece of old, junky wood. Like your head. Now can we try and get some more candy?
...
-->'''Girl:''' Candy's bad
At Dougie's, while Kevin admires his gold medal, Dougie stresses the Claw's increasingly apparent sinister power. He urges a return of the Claw and an apology to Miss Clove, so he can tell his parents he did the right thing. Kevin takes the Claw - and offhandedly wishes for
-->'''Boy:''' Maybe you should give it
-->'''Dougie:''' Forget it!
The ringleader snatches
-->'''David:''' ''{narrating}'' The punks gave Dougie his wish - no more Trick Or Treats. Coincidence? Or was it the Twisted Claw?
...
At school, by Dougie's locker, Kevin teasingly waves the Claw.
-->'''Kevin:''' If you think it's bogus, why are you so nervous?
-->'''Dougie:''' Sorry! It gives me the creeps.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''{snatches flyer}'' Yeah? Well it's gonna give me something I've wanted since I was a kid. Field Day's this afternoon - and I wanna beat Bostick in the six hundred.
-->'''Dougie:''' Forget it! Nobody beats Bostick.
-->'''Kevin:''' Until now. Someone's gotta shut him down. ''{raises Claw}''
-->'''Dougie:''' Oh, man! Don't do it!
-->'''Kevin:''' I wish... I wish I could beat Bostick in the six hundred.
Instantly, the wooden Claw exudes a flash of green light.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''Whoa''! ''{drops the Claw}'' It moved!
-->'''Dougie:''' I told you! That thing's alive!
-->'''Kevin:''' Well, if it helps me beat Bostick this afternoon, I don't care if it jumps up and picks my nose!
...
On the field, the Gym Teacher bellows commands. A grinning Bostick high-fives several of his admirers.
-->'''Kevin:''' He thinks he's so good!
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{smiles in genuine admiration}'' He is!
The runners fall into position. Bostick takes his place beside Kevin.
-->'''Bostick:''' Good luck, Kev.\
The Gym Teacher fires a starting pistol. The runners take flight. As they sprint across the field, the small crowd cheers them on.
An onlooking Dougie, from behind a nearby tree, hears the growl of a dog.
While Bostick takes first place, from behind the tree bounds a large dog.
With Kevin close behind, Bostick nears the finish line. The dog runs towards his path...
-->'''Dougie:''' ''No''...!\
Too late, Bostick sees the dog. With a pained yell, he tumbles to the ground.
A grinning Kevin leaps over the finish line. From somewhere unseen comes Miss Clove's sinister chuckle...
Surrounded by concerned onlookers, Bostick lies on the ground, clutching the his leg and moaning in pain. The Gym Teacher pats his shoulder.
-->'''Gym Teacher:''' Relax, son! It's gonna be alright. Help's coming.
-->'''Dougie:''' Is he okay?
-->'''Gym Teacher:''' If you call having a broken leg okay.
Suddenly troubled, Kevin backs away with Dougie.
-->'''Kevin:''' He tripped, right? It was an accident!
-->'''Dougie:''' He didn't just trip! It was the dog! Where's the dog?
The dog is nowhere in sight.
...
Back in reality, by the Midnight Society's campfire...
-->'''Kiki:''' So they each used up one wish.
-->'''Gary:''' And something evil happened each time, to make the wishes come true. Cool.
-->'''Eric:''' Hey, I'd wish for a million bucks and take my chances.
-->'''Kristen:''' ''{eagerly}'' So? What happened?
-->'''David:''' Dougie's parents went out for dinner. So Kevin came over. And he brought something with him - the gold medal he won in the six hundred.
...
While Kevin admires his gold medal, Dougie stresses the Claw's increasingly apparent sinister power.
-->'''Dougie:''' If Gramps were here, he'd no what to do.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie, enough!
-->'''Dougie:''' What if my parents find out what happened at Miss Clove's? I'll be grounded for life.
-->'''Kevin:''' They're not gonna find out! It's over!
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{picks up Claw}'' I say we take this back to Miss Clove's and apologise. Then I can tell my folks I did the right thing.
-->'''Kevin:''' Forget it! No one is telling nobody nothing!
-->'''Dougie:''' But my folks!
-->'''Kevin:''' 'But my folks'! 'But my folks'! ''{takes Claw from Dougie}'' I wish you would just lose your folks! ''{claw flashes green}'' ''Aah''!
He drops the Claw. They stare down at it.
-->'''Dougie:''' It moved, didn't it.
-->'''Kevin:''' No... no, it just...
-->'''Dougie:''' You made a wish!
-->'''Kevin:''' No, I didn't!
-->'''Dougie:''' You wished I'd lose my folks!
-->'''Kevin:''' Yeah, but...
The telephone rings.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''{softly}'' Don't answer it.
Dougie picks up the phone.
-->'''Dougie:''' Hello?
-->'''Lieutenant:''' Is this Douglas Freeman?
-->'''Dougie:''' Yes.
-->'''Lieutenant:''' This is Lieutenant Carruthers from the Cooper City Police. I... have some bad news for you, son. Your parents have been in a car accident. They've been taken to the hospital, and I'm afraid -
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{slams down phone and pulls its cord from the wall}'' '''''NO'''''!
-->'''Kevin:''' Who was that?
-->'''Dougie:''' Mom and Dad have had an accident! They're in the hospital! It was the wish!
He throws the phone to the floor.
-->'''Dougie:''' Yeah! ...No! Every time we
-->'''Kevin:''' Then do something!
-->'''Dougie:''' I wish Gramps were here, he'd know what to do - ''Aah''!
He throws the suddenly lively Claw across the room, where, still glowing green, it lands.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie... your grandfather's ''dead''. You don't think...?\
The two peek through the curtains into the night.
-->'''Dougie:''' That's Gramps's car! It's him!
-->'''Kevin:''' ''No''! I don't wanna meet no ghost! We gotta wish it away!
-->'''Dougie:''' No!
Kevin kneels, and holds aloft the Claw.
-->'''Kevin:''' I wish...\
From behind, Dougie knocks the claw from Kevin's grasp.
-->'''Dougie:''' The wishes are bad!\
Outside, the car door closes. With a deep, yawning groan, an unseen figure slowly approaches the house.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie - ''he's dead''! He might be a skeleton! Or rotten!\
He lunges across the floor. From behind, Dougie leaps onto him.
On the carpet, the two friends struggle.
-->'''Kevin:''' I got one wish left! I ain't meeting no ghost!
-->'''Dougie:''' You can't! That's the wrong wish!
As they wrestle, the apparition reaches the door.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''Oh, man''!\
He freezes in fright.
-->'''Kevin:''' Wish it away, Dougie, please!
-->'''Dougie:''' No, I'm gonna make
Upon his upturned hands, the
-->'''Dougie and Kevin:''' Whoa...\
-->'''Kevin:''' Don't answer it!
-->'''Dougie:''' I gotta.
Kevin leaps beneath a nearby table.
Dougie slowly approaches the door, and in a sudden movement, flings it open.
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' Sorry - we forgot our keys!
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' Again! If I didn't take them, they wouldn't get taken. Hi, Kev.
-->'''Dougie:''' So... you guys
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' We only went over to the Morrisons'.
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' Oh, apart from that maniac truck driver that almost sideswiped us.
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' Oh, wasn't that dramatic!
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' Whoa! What's this for?
-->'''Dougie:''' I'm just glad to see you.
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' We're glad to see you, too! Hang around, guys. I say we raid the fridge for some ice cream.
As one,
Dougie and Kevin look outside for the spectral car - but it's
The phone sits undisturbed on the table.
-->'''Kevin:''' Are you sure the car was gone?\
The two nervously answer the door.
-->'''Kevin:''' What does it say?
-->'''Dougie:''' It says 'Trick
-->'''David:''' ''{narrating}'' All they could hear was the sound
David closes with a note of the
...
-->'''David:''' ...The end!
Hushed, the others depart.
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Changed line(s) 322 (click to see context) from:
** Dougie and Kevin keenly observe Mischief Night. They end up [[RealityEnsues startling an oldster and breaking a vase]].
to:
** Dougie and Kevin keenly observe Mischief Night. They end up [[RealityEnsues [[SoMuchForStealth startling an oldster and breaking a vase]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
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Changed line(s) 161 (click to see context) from:
-->''Gary:''' And something evil happened each time, to make the wishes come true. Cool.
to:
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Recap/ pages are Spoilers Off.
Changed line(s) 316 (click to see context) from:
* TheGrimReaper: The cloaked, hooded spectre which arrives in the unnamed boy’s bedroom evokes both this and [[Literature/AChristmasCarol the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come]]. Its groaning is reheard on arrival of [[spoiler: Dougie’s deceased grandfather]].
to:
* TheGrimReaper: The cloaked, hooded spectre which arrives in the unnamed boy’s bedroom evokes both this and [[Literature/AChristmasCarol the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come]]. Its groaning is reheard on arrival of [[spoiler: Dougie’s deceased grandfather]]. grandfather.
Changed line(s) 326 (click to see context) from:
* VoiceOfTheLegion: A gang of masked delinquants, having been drawn by the magic of the Claw to Dougie and Kevin, have eerily deepened, echoing voices.
to:
* VoiceOfTheLegion: A gang of masked delinquants, delinquents, having been drawn by the magic of the Claw to Dougie and Kevin, have eerily deepened, echoing voices.
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Deleted line(s) 157,170 (click to see context) :
Surrounded by concerned onlookers, Bostick lies on the ground, clutching the his leg and moaning in pain. The Gym Teacher pats his shoulder.
-->'''Gym Teacher:''' Relax, son! It's gonna be alright. Help's coming.
-->'''Dougie:''' Is he okay?
-->'''Gym Teacher:''' If you call having a broken leg okay.
Suddenly troubled, Kevin backs away with Dougie.
-->'''Kevin:''' He tripped, right? It was an accident!
-->'''Dougie:''' He didn't just trip! It was the dog! Where's the dog?
The dog is nowhere in sight.
...
-->'''Gym Teacher:''' Relax, son! It's gonna be alright. Help's coming.
-->'''Dougie:''' Is he okay?
-->'''Gym Teacher:''' If you call having a broken leg okay.
Suddenly troubled, Kevin backs away with Dougie.
-->'''Kevin:''' He tripped, right? It was an accident!
-->'''Dougie:''' He didn't just trip! It was the dog! Where's the dog?
The dog is nowhere in sight.
...
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Changed line(s) 211 (click to see context) from:
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{slams down phone and its cord from the wall}'' '''''NO'''''!
to:
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{slams down phone and pulls its cord from the wall}'' '''''NO'''''!
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Changed line(s) 226,227 (click to see context) from:
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie... your grandfather's dead... You don't think...?\
to:
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie... your grandfather's dead...''dead''. You don't think...?\
* NothingIsScarier: All we see of Dougie's grandfather is a slowly advancing shadow, accompanied by a deep, yawning groan.
Changed line(s) 337 (click to see context) from:
* RedOniBlueOni: Impulsive, ambitious Kevin and cautious, mellow Dougie.
to:
* RedOniBlueOni: Impulsive, ambitious Kevin and cautious, mellow Dougie.Dougie.
* VoiceOfTheLegion: A gang of masked delinquants, having been drawn by the magic of the Claw to Dougie and Kevin, have eerily deepened, echoing voices.
* VoiceOfTheLegion: A gang of masked delinquants, having been drawn by the magic of the Claw to Dougie and Kevin, have eerily deepened, echoing voices.
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Changed line(s) 211 (click to see context) from:
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{slams down phone and its cord from the wall}'' ''''NO''''!
to:
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{slams down phone and its cord from the wall}'' ''''NO''''!'''''NO'''''!
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Changed line(s) 315,316 (click to see context) from:
-->'''David:''' ...The end!\
to:
-->'''David:''' ...The end!\
end!
Deleted line(s) 319 (click to see context) :
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Changed line(s) 157,164 (click to see context) from:
That night, Dougie entreats return of the insidious Claw to Miss Clove with an apology for the vase. He frets over his parents finding out. Kevin angrily wishes Dougie to just lose his folks. The phone rings. A detective gently reports Dougie’s parents to have been in an accident. A horrified Dougie slams down the phone. As Kevin points out, he has two more wishes with which to undo the accident. Frightened of the potential malicious side-effects, Dougie carelessly wishes his grandfather were still here. The Claw once more glows and twitches. What might its magic make of ''this''?
As the boys panic over what deathly perversion of Dougie’s grandfather awaits them, a familiar car arrives outside. As the boys fight over the Claw, something slowly approaches the house. Dougie seizes the Claw. Kevin begs him to wish away the undead horror. But Dougie now knows what to do: he apologises for breaking the vase, and wishes the deed never to have happened. The claw glows one last time, and vanishes.
Dougie’s parents then arrive, quite unharmed, but a tad shaken by a close encounter with a reckless trucker. Overcome with relief, Dougie welcomes them home. The night holds in store one more surprise: a sudden ring of the doorbell leads the two boys to find on the doorstep Miss Clove’s vase, now undamaged, but with a note reading “trick or treat”.
David closes the story with mention of the sound of the wind in the trees, with what may have been the cackle of a sly old witch. Awed into silence, the others depart.
As the boys panic over what deathly perversion of Dougie’s grandfather awaits them, a familiar car arrives outside. As the boys fight over the Claw, something slowly approaches the house. Dougie seizes the Claw. Kevin begs him to wish away the undead horror. But Dougie now knows what to do: he apologises for breaking the vase, and wishes the deed never to have happened. The claw glows one last time, and vanishes.
Dougie’s parents then arrive, quite unharmed, but a tad shaken by a close encounter with a reckless trucker. Overcome with relief, Dougie welcomes them home. The night holds in store one more surprise: a sudden ring of the doorbell leads the two boys to find on the doorstep Miss Clove’s vase, now undamaged, but with a note reading “trick or treat”.
David closes the story with mention of the sound of the wind in the trees, with what may have been the cackle of a sly old witch. Awed into silence, the others depart.
to:
-->'''Gym Teacher:''' Relax, son! It's gonna be alright. Help's coming.
-->'''Dougie:''' Is he okay?
-->'''Gym Teacher:''' If you call having a broken leg okay.
Suddenly troubled, Kevin backs away with Dougie.
-->'''Kevin:''' He tripped, right? It was an accident!
-->'''Dougie:''' He didn't just trip! It was the dog! Where's the dog?
The dog is nowhere in sight.
...
Back in reality, by the Midnight Society's campfire...
-->'''Kiki:''' So they each used up one wish.
-->''Gary:''' And something evil happened each time, to make the wishes come true. Cool.
-->'''Eric:''' Hey, I'd wish for a million bucks and take my chances.
-->'''Kristen:''' ''{eagerly}'' So? What happened?
-->'''David:''' Dougie's parents went out for dinner. So Kevin came over. And he brought something with him - the gold medal he won in the six hundred.
...
While Kevin admires his gold medal, Dougie
-->'''Dougie:''' If Gramps were here, he'd no what to do.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie, enough!
-->'''Dougie:''' What if my parents find out what happened at Miss Clove's? I'll be grounded for life.
-->'''Kevin:''' They're not gonna find out! It's over!
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{picks up Claw}'' I say we take this back to Miss
-->'''Kevin:''' Forget it! No one is telling nobody nothing!
-->'''Dougie:''' But my folks!
-->'''Kevin:''' 'But my folks'! 'But my folks'! ''{takes Claw from Dougie}'' I wish you would just lose
He drops the Claw. They stare down at it.
-->'''Dougie:''' It moved, didn't it.
-->'''Kevin:''' No... no, it just...
-->'''Dougie:''' You made a wish!
-->'''Kevin:''' No, I didn't!
-->'''Dougie:''' You wished I'd lose my folks!
-->'''Kevin:''' Yeah, but...
The
-->'''Kevin:''' ''{softly}'' Don't answer it.
Dougie picks up the phone.
-->'''Dougie:''' Hello?
-->'''Lieutenant:''' Is this Douglas Freeman?
-->'''Dougie:''' Yes.
-->'''Lieutenant:''' This is Lieutenant Carruthers from the Cooper City Police. I... have some bad news for you, son. Your parents
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{slams down phone and its cord from the wall}'' ''''NO''''!
-->'''Kevin:''' Who was that?
-->'''Dougie:''' Mom and Dad have had an accident! They're in the hospital! It was the wish!
He throws the phone to the floor.
Dougie
As the boys panic over what deathly perversion of Dougie’s grandfather awaits them, a familiar car arrives outside. As the boys fight over
-->'''Dougie:''' Yeah! ...No! Every time we make a
-->'''Kevin:''' Then do something!
-->'''Dougie:''' I wish Gramps were here, he'd know what to do - ''Aah''!
He throws the suddenly lively Claw across the room, where, still glowing green, it lands.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie... your grandfather's dead... You don't think...?\
From outside sounds the horn of a
The two peek through the curtains into the night. Through the mist, a
-->'''Dougie:''' That's Gramps's car! It's him!
-->'''Kevin:''' ''No''! I don't wanna meet no ghost! We gotta wish it away!
-->'''Dougie:''' No!
Kevin searches for the Claw. Dougie
Kevin kneels, and holds aloft the Claw.
-->'''Kevin:''' I wish...\
From behind, Dougie knocks the claw from Kevin's grasp.
-->'''Dougie:''' The wishes are bad!\
Outside, the car door closes. With a deep, yawning groan, an unseen figure slowly approaches the house.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie - ''he's dead''! He might be a skeleton! Or rotten!\
He lunges across the floor. From behind, Dougie leaps onto him.
Outside, through the mist, a shadow falls across the Freeman's yard...
On the carpet, the two friends struggle.
-->'''Kevin:''' I got one wish left! I ain't meeting no ghost!
-->'''Dougie:''' You can't! That's the wrong wish!
As they wrestle, the apparition reaches the door. The struggle is disrupted by a ring of the doorbell.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''Oh, man''!\
He freezes in fright.
Dougie seizes the claw.
-->'''Kevin:''' Wish it away, Dougie, please!
-->'''Dougie:''' No, I'm gonna make the wish we should've made from the start! We're sorry we broke Miss Clove's vase, and we wish it never, ever happened.
Upon his upturned hands, the Claw glows a fiery orange, exudes a waft of smoke, and fades away.
-->'''Dougie and Kevin:''' Whoa...\
The doorbell rings again.
-->'''Kevin:''' Don't answer it!
-->'''Dougie:''' I gotta.
Kevin leaps beneath a nearby table.
Dougie slowly approaches the door, and in a sudden movement, flings it open. In the doorway are his parents, completely unharmed.
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' Sorry - we forgot our keys!
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' Again! If I didn't take them, they wouldn't get taken. Hi, Kev.
-->'''Dougie:''' So... you guys are okay? Nothing happened?
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' We only went over to the Morrisons'.
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' Oh, apart from that maniac truck driver that almost sideswiped us.
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' Oh, wasn't that dramatic!
Dougie hugs his parents.
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' Whoa! What's this for?
-->'''Dougie:''' I'm just glad to see you.
-->'''Mrs Freeman:''' We're glad to see you, too! Hang around, guys. I say we raid the fridge for some ice cream.
As one, Dougie and Kevin look outside for the spectral car - but it's gone.
The phone sits undisturbed on the table. Kevin's gold medal has vanished from his pockets.
-->'''Dougie:''' I finally made the right wish - none of it ever happened!\
The doorbell rings.
-->'''Kevin:''' Are you sure the car was gone?\
The two nervously answer the door. The night holds
-->'''Kevin:''' What does it say?
-->'''Dougie:''' It says 'Trick or
David closes the story with mention of
-->'''David:''' ''{narrating}'' All they could hear was the sound of the
...
-->'''David:''' ...The end!\
Hushed, the others
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Changed line(s) 96,98 (click to see context) from:
Dougie and Kevin run for it.
to:
-->'''David:''' ''{narrating}'' The punks gave Dougie his wish - no more Trick Or Treats. Coincidence? Or was it the Twisted Claw?
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At school, on Field Day, Kevin wishes to win the six hundred. Once more, the Claw twitches and glows. On the track, as star athlete Bostick nears victory, a dog runs from behind a tree and into the boy’s path, tripping him. While Bostick awaits an ambulance, Kevin is victorious.
to:
At school,
-->'''Kevin:''' If you think it's bogus, why are you so nervous?
-->'''Dougie:''' Sorry! It gives me the creeps.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''{snatches flyer}'' Yeah? Well it's gonna give me something I've wanted since I was a kid. Field
-->'''Dougie:''' Forget it! Nobody beats Bostick.
-->'''Kevin:''' Until now. Someone's gotta shut him down. ''{raises Claw}''
-->'''Dougie:''' Oh, man! Don't do it!
-->'''Kevin:''' I wish... I wish I could beat Bostick in the six hundred.
Instantly, the wooden Claw
-->'''Kevin:''' ''Whoa''! ''{drops the Claw}'' It moved!
-->'''Dougie:''' I told you! That thing's alive!
-->'''Kevin:''' Well, if it helps me beat Bostick this afternoon, I don't care if it jumps up and
...
On the
-->'''Kevin:''' He thinks he's so good!
-->'''Dougie:''' ''{smiles in genuine admiration}'' He is!
The runners fall into position. Bostick takes his place beside Kevin.
-->'''Bostick:''' Good luck, Kev.\
The Gym Teacher fires a starting pistol. The runners take flight. As they sprint across the field, the small crowd cheers them on.
An onlooking Dougie, from behind a nearby tree, hears the growl of a dog.
While Bostick takes first place, from behind the tree bounds a large dog.
With Kevin close behind, Bostick nears
-->'''Dougie:''' ''No''...!\
Too late, Bostick
A grinning Kevin leaps over the finish line. From somewhere unseen comes Miss Clove's sinister chuckle...
Surrounded by concerned onlookers, Bostick lies on the ground, clutching the his leg and moaning in pain. The Gym Teacher pats his shoulder.
-->'''Gym Teacher:''' Relax, son! It's gonna be alright. Help's coming.
-->'''Dougie:''' Is he okay?
-->'''Gym Teacher:''' If you call having a broken leg okay.
Suddenly troubled, Kevin backs away with Dougie.
-->'''Kevin:''' He tripped, right? It was an accident!
-->'''Dougie:''' He didn't just trip! It was the dog! Where's the dog?
The dog is
...
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[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screenshot_2019_12_21_at_204003.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"Be careful what you wish for...you might just get it."]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"Be careful what you wish for...you might just get it."]]
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expanding earlier articles
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screenshot_2019_12_21_at_204003.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"Be careful what you wish for...you might just get it."]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"Be careful what you wish for...you might just get it."]]
Changed line(s) 8,13 (click to see context) from:
On the night before Halloween, known to some as Mischief Night, best friends Kevin and Dougie, armed with shaving foam and rolls of toilet paper, roam the neighbourhood in search of impudent fun. To Dougie’s reluctance, they visit the house of elderly Miss Clove. To her alarm, Kevin squirts shaving foam in her face. She stumbles backward into a displayed vase, which falls and smashes. As they flee, Miss Clove looks on, and suddenly gives a prolonged, foreboding laugh.
The next night, at Kevin’s insistence, they return to the house in search of candy. Delighted to have visitors, Miss Clove happily observes the occasion by giving the boys something which may be either a treat or a trick: a wooden carving of the claw of a vulture, with the alleged power to grant three wishes each to its owners.
On the way home, an offhand wish not to have acquired so much candy is prompts from the claw a twitch and a flash of green light. Their sugary haul is then stolen by a gang of masked delinquents.
The next night, at Kevin’s insistence, they return to the house in search of candy. Delighted to have visitors, Miss Clove happily observes the occasion by giving the boys something which may be either a treat or a trick: a wooden carving of the claw of a vulture, with the alleged power to grant three wishes each to its owners.
On the way home, an offhand wish not to have acquired so much candy is prompts from the claw a twitch and a flash of green light. Their sugary haul is then stolen by a gang of masked delinquents.
to:
On the night before Halloween, known to some as Mischief Night, best friends Kevin and Dougie, armed with shaving foam and rolls of toilet paper, roam the neighbourhood in search of impudent fun.
To Dougie’s reluctance, they visit the house of elderly MissClove. Clove.
To her alarm, Kevin squirts shaving foam in her face. She stumbles backward into a displayed vase, which falls and smashes. As they flee, Miss Clove looks on, and suddenly gives a prolonged, foreboding laugh.
The next night,at Kevin’s insistence, they return to Halloween, Dougie, in a deathly mask and white sheet, laughs maniacally, falls back onto the house in search of candy. Delighted to have visitors, Miss Clove happily observes floor and affects a death rattle. His dad looks up from the occasion by giving the boys something which may evening paper.
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' You finish your dinner?
-->'''Dougie:''' You could at least pretend! Gramps used to pretend to beeither a treat or a trick: a wooden carving of the claw of a vulture, with the alleged power to grant three wishes each to its owners.scared.
On Dougie's mother then announces Kevin, garbed in a loose-fitting shirt, floppy hat, and with a grimed-up face.
As three trick-or-treaters arrive, Dougie and Kevin set off.
...
Some time later, they continue to wander theway home, an offhand wish not darkened streets.
-->'''Kevin:''' Hey... let's go to Miss Clove's house!
-->'''Dougie:''' Are you bent? After last night?
-->'''Kevin:''' She didn't know it was us! And we haveacquired costumes on!
-->'''Dougie:''' Nobody goes to Miss Clove's house.
-->'''Kevin:''' Yeah...! We can tell everybody that we were the only ones brave enough to go to the witch's house on Halloween!
-->'''Dougie:''' Forget it. I'm outta here.
-->'''Kevin:''' Or... I could say that you were too scared and had to run home to mommy.
...
Kevin rings the doorbell, and steadies Dougie. The door creeps marginally open.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' ...Yes?
-->'''Dougie and Kevin:''' Trick or Treat.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Trick or treat? Trick... or treat? ''{opens door wider}'' I didn't think anyone was coming! Come in! Come in! ''{steers the two inside}'' I'm somuch candy glad someone finally came. I just love Halloween. But no children ever stop by. Maybe they think the place is prompts haunted. ''{laughs}'' Let me see your costumes! Oh, nice. Very nice!
-->'''Dougie:''' We got a lot more houses to go, ma'am. And -
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Tell you what! Because you boys were the only children nice enough to come and see me on Halloween, I'm going to give you a special treat! Wait right here...
She briefly withdraws from the hall.
Dougie notices the fragments of the shattered vase to remain on the floor.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' I've got something special, for two very special boys!\
She opens a small wooden box, whose blue-cushioned interior holds a three-taloned wooden claw.
-->'''Dougie:''' What is it?
-->'''Miss Clove:''' It's the claw of atwitch vulture.
-->'''Kevin:''' Eew!
-->'''Miss Clove:''' ''{laughing}'' It isn't real! It's made of wood. They say it's charmed, and whoever has it will get three wishes.
-->'''Kevin:''' Yeah?
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Mm!
-->'''Kevin:''' Three wishes aflash piece, or three for both of green light. Their sugary haul is then stolen by us?
-->'''Miss Clove:''' ''{chuckes}'' Oh, I'm sure it means three wishes agang piece!
-->'''Dougie:''' Thanks, lady, but I think we'll just take some candy and call it a night.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Ah - nonsense. You must take it! ''{grins}'' I won't take no for an answer.
With a cautious nod from Kevin, Dougie tentatively reaches, and takes the Claw.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' There you go! Just one thing - be careful what you wish for... you might...just... get it.
...
Dougie and Kevin walk back to Miss Clove's gate.
-->'''Dougie:''' That was really strange.
-->'''Kevin:''' Ah, she's just a crazy old lady. Three wishes? Right!
-->'''Douie:''' Yeah? Well I wish we can go home, and lose this stupid trick-or-treating! ...'''Whoa'''!!
He drops the Claw.
-->'''Kevin:''' What's the matter?
-->'''Dougie:''' ...It... moved.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie, it's a piece ofmasked delinquents.
old, junky wood. Like your head. Now can we try and get some more candy?
...
They pass the local park.
Around a drum-held fire loiter five older kids in blank white masks.
-->'''Boy:''' Looky here! Some trick-or-treaters! 'D you get some candy, boys?
-->'''Girl:''' Candy's bad for ya! It gives you cavities!
-->'''Boy:''' Maybe you should give it to us!
-->'''Dougie:''' Forget it!
The ringleader snatches the bag, staggers back, and falls over.
Dougie and Kevin run for it.
...
To Dougie’s reluctance, they visit the house of elderly Miss
To her alarm, Kevin squirts shaving foam in her face. She stumbles backward into a displayed vase, which falls and smashes. As they flee, Miss Clove looks on, and suddenly gives a prolonged, foreboding laugh.
The next night,
-->'''Mr Freeman:''' You finish your dinner?
-->'''Dougie:''' You could at least pretend! Gramps used to pretend to be
As three trick-or-treaters arrive, Dougie and Kevin set off.
...
Some time later, they continue to wander the
-->'''Kevin:''' Hey... let's go to Miss Clove's house!
-->'''Dougie:''' Are you bent? After last night?
-->'''Kevin:''' She didn't know it was us! And we have
-->'''Dougie:''' Nobody goes to Miss Clove's house.
-->'''Kevin:''' Yeah...! We can tell everybody that we were the only ones brave enough to go to the witch's house on Halloween!
-->'''Dougie:''' Forget it. I'm outta here.
-->'''Kevin:''' Or... I could say that you were too scared and had to run home to mommy.
...
Kevin rings the doorbell, and steadies Dougie. The door creeps marginally open.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' ...Yes?
-->'''Dougie and Kevin:''' Trick or Treat.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Trick or treat? Trick... or treat? ''{opens door wider}'' I didn't think anyone was coming! Come in! Come in! ''{steers the two inside}'' I'm so
-->'''Dougie:''' We got a lot more houses to go, ma'am. And -
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Tell you what! Because you boys were the only children nice enough to come and see me on Halloween, I'm going to give you a special treat! Wait right here...
She briefly withdraws from the hall.
Dougie notices the fragments of the shattered vase to remain on the floor.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' I've got something special, for two very special boys!\
She opens a small wooden box, whose blue-cushioned interior holds a three-taloned wooden claw.
-->'''Dougie:''' What is it?
-->'''Miss Clove:''' It's the claw of a
-->'''Kevin:''' Eew!
-->'''Miss Clove:''' ''{laughing}'' It isn't real! It's made of wood. They say it's charmed, and whoever has it will get three wishes.
-->'''Kevin:''' Yeah?
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Mm!
-->'''Kevin:''' Three wishes a
-->'''Miss Clove:''' ''{chuckes}'' Oh, I'm sure it means three wishes a
-->'''Dougie:''' Thanks, lady, but I think we'll just take some candy and call it a night.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' Ah - nonsense. You must take it! ''{grins}'' I won't take no for an answer.
With a cautious nod from Kevin, Dougie tentatively reaches, and takes the Claw.
-->'''Miss Clove:''' There you go! Just one thing - be careful what you wish for... you might...just... get it.
...
Dougie and Kevin walk back to Miss Clove's gate.
-->'''Dougie:''' That was really strange.
-->'''Kevin:''' Ah, she's just a crazy old lady. Three wishes? Right!
-->'''Douie:''' Yeah? Well I wish we can go home, and lose this stupid trick-or-treating! ...'''Whoa'''!!
He drops the Claw.
-->'''Kevin:''' What's the matter?
-->'''Dougie:''' ...It... moved.
-->'''Kevin:''' Dougie, it's a piece of
...
They pass the local park.
Around a drum-held fire loiter five older kids in blank white masks.
-->'''Boy:''' Looky here! Some trick-or-treaters! 'D you get some candy, boys?
-->'''Girl:''' Candy's bad for ya! It gives you cavities!
-->'''Boy:''' Maybe you should give it to us!
-->'''Dougie:''' Forget it!
The ringleader snatches the bag, staggers back, and falls over.
Dougie and Kevin run for it.
...
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Added DiffLines:
* NightmareFetishist: Whereas Kiki and Kristen scream in fright at Eric's unfinished tale, Betty Anne's response is a gleeful "Oh, ''yeah''!"
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Changed line(s) 26 (click to see context) from:
* AdultFear: Two young boys run into a gang of potentially violent bullies, and a boy breaks his leg in a race.
to:
* AdultFear: AdultFear:
** Two young boys run into a gang of potentially violent bullies, and a boy breaks his leg in a race.
** Two young boys run into a gang of potentially violent bullies, and a boy breaks his leg in a race.
Changed line(s) 37 (click to see context) from:
* ThePrankster: Dougie and Kevin keenly observe Mischief Night. They end up [[RealityEnsues startling an oldster and breaking a vase]].
to:
* ThePrankster: ThePrankster:
** Dougie and Kevin keenly observe Mischief Night. They end up [[RealityEnsues startling an oldster and breaking a vase]].
** Dougie and Kevin keenly observe Mischief Night. They end up [[RealityEnsues startling an oldster and breaking a vase]].
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Changed line(s) 27,29 (click to see context) from:
** A horrifying [[InvertedTrope inversion]] when a carelessly worded wish from Kevin arranges Dougie’s parents to suffer a road collision. [[spoiler: Mercifully, Dougie’s final wish reverses all damage]].
* TheBully: A gang of masked delinquants steal Kevin and Dougie’s candy.
* CameBackWrong: [[spoiler: Dougie wishes his deceased grandfather were here.]] Both boys quickly realise the horrifying potential of this request.
* TheBully: A gang of masked delinquants steal Kevin and Dougie’s candy.
* CameBackWrong: [[spoiler: Dougie wishes his deceased grandfather were here.]] Both boys quickly realise the horrifying potential of this request.
to:
** A horrifying [[InvertedTrope inversion]] when a carelessly worded wish from Kevin arranges Dougie’s parents to suffer a road collision. [[spoiler: Mercifully, Dougie’s final wish reverses all damage]].damage.
* TheBully: A gang of maskeddelinquants delinquents steal Kevin and Dougie’s candy.
* CameBackWrong:[[spoiler: Dougie wishes his deceased grandfather were here.]] here. Both boys quickly realise the horrifying potential of this request.
* TheBully: A gang of masked
* CameBackWrong:
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Changed line(s) 8,9 (click to see context) from:
On the night before Halloween, known to some as Mischief Night, best friends Kevin and Dougie, armed with shaving foam and rolls of toilet paper, roam the neighbourhood in search of impudent fun. To Dougie’s reluctance, they visit the house of elderly Miss Clove. To her alarm, Kevin squirts shaving foam in her face. She stumbles backward into a displayed vase, which falls and smashes. As they flee, Miss Clove looks on, and suddenly gives a prolonged, foreboding laugh. The next night, at Kevin’s insistence, they return to the house in search of candy. Delighted to have visitors, Miss Clove happily observes the occasion by giving the boys something which may be either a treat or a trick: a wooden carving of the claw of a vulture, with the alleged power to grant three wishes each to its owners. On the way home, an offhand wish not to have acquired so much candy is prompts from the claw a twitch and a flash of green light. Their sugary haul is then stolen by a gang of masked delinquents.
to:
On the night before Halloween, known to some as Mischief Night, best friends Kevin and Dougie, armed with shaving foam and rolls of toilet paper, roam the neighbourhood in search of impudent fun. To Dougie’s reluctance, they visit the house of elderly Miss Clove. To her alarm, Kevin squirts shaving foam in her face. She stumbles backward into a displayed vase, which falls and smashes. As they flee, Miss Clove looks on, and suddenly gives a prolonged, foreboding laugh.
The next night, at Kevin’s insistence, they return to the house in search of candy. Delighted to have visitors, Miss Clove happily observes the occasion by giving the boys something which may be either a treat or a trick: a wooden carving of the claw of a vulture, with the alleged power to grant three wishes each to its owners.
On the way home, an offhand wish not to have acquired so much candy is prompts from the claw a twitch and a flash of green light. Their sugary haul is then stolen by a gang of masked delinquents.
The next night, at Kevin’s insistence, they return to the house in search of candy. Delighted to have visitors, Miss Clove happily observes the occasion by giving the boys something which may be either a treat or a trick: a wooden carving of the claw of a vulture, with the alleged power to grant three wishes each to its owners.
On the way home, an offhand wish not to have acquired so much candy is prompts from the claw a twitch and a flash of green light. Their sugary haul is then stolen by a gang of masked delinquents.
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Changed line(s) 12,13 (click to see context) from:
That night, Dougie entreats return of the insidious Claw to Miss Clove with an apology for the vase. He frets over his parents finding out. Kevin angrily wishes Dougie to just lose his folks. The phone rings. A detective gently reports Dougie’s parents to have been in an accident. A horrified Dougie slams down the phone. As Kevin points out, he has two more wishes with which to undo the accident. Frightened of the potential malicious side-effects, Dougie carelessly wishes his grandfather were still here. The Claw once more glows and twitches. What might its magic make of ''this''? As the boys panic over what deathly perversion of Dougie’s grandfather awaits them, a familiar car arrives outside. As the boys fight over the Claw, something slowly approaches the house. Dougie seizes the Claw. Kevin begs him to wish away the undead horror. But Dougie now knows what to do: he apologises for breaking the vase, and wishes the deed never to have happened. The claw glows one last time, and vanishes. Dougie’s parents then arrive, quite unharmed, but a tad shaken by a close encounter with a reckless trucker. Overcome with relief, Dougie welcomes them home. The night holds in store one more surprise: a sudden ring of the doorbell leads the two boys to find on the doorstep Miss Clove’s vase, now undamaged, but with a note reading “trick or treat”.
to:
That night, Dougie entreats return of the insidious Claw to Miss Clove with an apology for the vase. He frets over his parents finding out. Kevin angrily wishes Dougie to just lose his folks. The phone rings. A detective gently reports Dougie’s parents to have been in an accident. A horrified Dougie slams down the phone. As Kevin points out, he has two more wishes with which to undo the accident. Frightened of the potential malicious side-effects, Dougie carelessly wishes his grandfather were still here. The Claw once more glows and twitches. What might its magic make of ''this''? ''this''?
As the boys panic over what deathly perversion of Dougie’s grandfather awaits them, a familiar car arrives outside. As the boys fight over the Claw, something slowly approaches the house. Dougie seizes the Claw. Kevin begs him to wish away the undead horror. But Dougie now knows what to do: he apologises for breaking the vase, and wishes the deed never to have happened. The claw glows one last time, and vanishes.
Dougie’s parents then arrive, quite unharmed, but a tad shaken by a close encounter with a reckless trucker. Overcome with relief, Dougie welcomes them home. The night holds in store one more surprise: a sudden ring of the doorbell leads the two boys to find on the doorstep Miss Clove’s vase, now undamaged, but with a note reading “trick or treat”.
As the boys panic over what deathly perversion of Dougie’s grandfather awaits them, a familiar car arrives outside. As the boys fight over the Claw, something slowly approaches the house. Dougie seizes the Claw. Kevin begs him to wish away the undead horror. But Dougie now knows what to do: he apologises for breaking the vase, and wishes the deed never to have happened. The claw glows one last time, and vanishes.
Dougie’s parents then arrive, quite unharmed, but a tad shaken by a close encounter with a reckless trucker. Overcome with relief, Dougie welcomes them home. The night holds in store one more surprise: a sudden ring of the doorbell leads the two boys to find on the doorstep Miss Clove’s vase, now undamaged, but with a note reading “trick or treat”.
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Changed line(s) 8,13 (click to see context) from:
On the night before Halloween, known to some as Mischief Night, best friends Kevin and Dougie, armed with shaving foam and rolls of toilet paper, roam the neighbourhood in search of impudent fun. To Dougie’s reluctance, they visit the house of elderly Miss Clove. To her alarm, Kevin squirts shaving foam in her face. She stumbles backward into a displayed vase, which falls and smashes. As they flee, Miss Clove looks on, and suddenly gives a prolonged, foreboding laugh. The next night, at Kevin’s insistence, they return to the house in search of candy. Delighted to have visitors, Miss Clove happily observes the occasion by giving the boys something which may be either a treat or a trick: a wooden carving of the claw of a vulture, with the alleged power to grant three wishes each to its owners. On the way home, an offhand wish not to have acquired so much candy is followed by a twitch and a flash of green from the wooden Claw. The boys then run into a gang of masked delinquents who steal their sugary haul.
At school, on Field Day, Kevin wishes to win the six hundred, seemingly just to humble star athlete Bostick. Once more, the Claw twitches and glows. On the track, as Bostick nears victory, a dog runs from behind a tree and into the boy’s path, tripping him. While Bostick awaits an ambulance, Kevin is victorious.
That night, Dougie entreats return of the insidious Claw to Miss Clove with an apology for the vase, and frets over his parents finding out. Kevin angrily wishes Dougie to just lose his folks. The phone rings. A detective gently reports Dougie’s parents to have been in an accident. A horrified Dougie slams down the phone. As Kevin points out, he has two more wishes with which to undo the accident. Frightened of the potential malicious side-effects, Dougie carelessly wishes his grandfather were still here. The Claw once more glows and twitches. What might its magic make of this? As the boys panic over what deathly perversion of Dougie’s grandfather awaits them, a familiar car arrives outside. As the boys struggle over the Claw, something slowly approaches the house. Dougie seizes the Claw. Kevin begs him to wish away the undead horror. But Dougie now knows what to do: he apologises for breaking the vase, and wishes the deed never to have happened. The claw glows one last time, and vanishes. Dougie’s parents then arrive, quite unharmed, but uneasily amused by a close encounter with a reckless trucker. Overcome with relief, Dougie welcomes them home. The night holds in store one more surprise: a sudden ring of the doorbell leads the two boys to find on the doorstep Miss Clove’s vase, now undamaged, but with a note reading “trick or treat”.
At school, on Field Day, Kevin wishes to win the six hundred, seemingly just to humble star athlete Bostick. Once more, the Claw twitches and glows. On the track, as Bostick nears victory, a dog runs from behind a tree and into the boy’s path, tripping him. While Bostick awaits an ambulance, Kevin is victorious.
That night, Dougie entreats return of the insidious Claw to Miss Clove with an apology for the vase, and frets over his parents finding out. Kevin angrily wishes Dougie to just lose his folks. The phone rings. A detective gently reports Dougie’s parents to have been in an accident. A horrified Dougie slams down the phone. As Kevin points out, he has two more wishes with which to undo the accident. Frightened of the potential malicious side-effects, Dougie carelessly wishes his grandfather were still here. The Claw once more glows and twitches. What might its magic make of this? As the boys panic over what deathly perversion of Dougie’s grandfather awaits them, a familiar car arrives outside. As the boys struggle over the Claw, something slowly approaches the house. Dougie seizes the Claw. Kevin begs him to wish away the undead horror. But Dougie now knows what to do: he apologises for breaking the vase, and wishes the deed never to have happened. The claw glows one last time, and vanishes. Dougie’s parents then arrive, quite unharmed, but uneasily amused by a close encounter with a reckless trucker. Overcome with relief, Dougie welcomes them home. The night holds in store one more surprise: a sudden ring of the doorbell leads the two boys to find on the doorstep Miss Clove’s vase, now undamaged, but with a note reading “trick or treat”.
to:
On the night before Halloween, known to some as Mischief Night, best friends Kevin and Dougie, armed with shaving foam and rolls of toilet paper, roam the neighbourhood in search of impudent fun. To Dougie’s reluctance, they visit the house of elderly Miss Clove. To her alarm, Kevin squirts shaving foam in her face. She stumbles backward into a displayed vase, which falls and smashes. As they flee, Miss Clove looks on, and suddenly gives a prolonged, foreboding laugh. The next night, at Kevin’s insistence, they return to the house in search of candy. Delighted to have visitors, Miss Clove happily observes the occasion by giving the boys something which may be either a treat or a trick: a wooden carving of the claw of a vulture, with the alleged power to grant three wishes each to its owners. On the way home, an offhand wish not to have acquired so much candy is followed by prompts from the claw a twitch and a flash of green from the wooden Claw. The boys light. Their sugary haul is then run into stolen by a gang of masked delinquents who steal their sugary haul.
delinquents.
At school, on Field Day, Kevin wishes to win the sixhundred, seemingly just to humble star athlete Bostick.hundred. Once more, the Claw twitches and glows. On the track, as star athlete Bostick nears victory, a dog runs from behind a tree and into the boy’s path, tripping him. While Bostick awaits an ambulance, Kevin is victorious.
That night, Dougie entreats return of the insidious Claw to Miss Clove with an apology for thevase, and vase. He frets over his parents finding out. Kevin angrily wishes Dougie to just lose his folks. The phone rings. A detective gently reports Dougie’s parents to have been in an accident. A horrified Dougie slams down the phone. As Kevin points out, he has two more wishes with which to undo the accident. Frightened of the potential malicious side-effects, Dougie carelessly wishes his grandfather were still here. The Claw once more glows and twitches. What might its magic make of this? ''this''? As the boys panic over what deathly perversion of Dougie’s grandfather awaits them, a familiar car arrives outside. As the boys struggle fight over the Claw, something slowly approaches the house. Dougie seizes the Claw. Kevin begs him to wish away the undead horror. But Dougie now knows what to do: he apologises for breaking the vase, and wishes the deed never to have happened. The claw glows one last time, and vanishes. Dougie’s parents then arrive, quite unharmed, but uneasily amused a tad shaken by a close encounter with a reckless trucker. Overcome with relief, Dougie welcomes them home. The night holds in store one more surprise: a sudden ring of the doorbell leads the two boys to find on the doorstep Miss Clove’s vase, now undamaged, but with a note reading “trick or treat”.
At school, on Field Day, Kevin wishes to win the six
That night, Dougie entreats return of the insidious Claw to Miss Clove with an apology for the
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Changed line(s) 25 (click to see context) from:
* {{Expy}}: The titular Twisted Claw alludes to ‘’Literature/TheMonkeysPaw’’.
to:
* {{Expy}}: The titular Twisted Claw alludes to ‘’Literature/TheMonkeysPaw’’.''Literature/TheMonkeysPaw''.
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Changed line(s) 25 (click to see context) from:
* {{Expy}}: The titular Twisted Claw alludes to ‘’Literature/TheMonkey’sPaw’’.
to:
* {{Expy}}: The titular Twisted Claw alludes to ‘’Literature/TheMonkey’sPaw’’.‘’Literature/TheMonkeysPaw’’.
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Deleted line(s) 20 (click to see context) :
* AmbitionIsEvil: [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]]; Kevin’s wish to win the six hundred metres seems driven by desire to humble Bostick.
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Changed line(s) 6,7 (click to see context) from:
...As do Kiki and Kristen. Eric, however, hasn’t yet figured out what happens next. Fortunately, David has a full story.
to:
...As do Kiki and Kristen. Eric, however, hasn’t yet figured out what happens next. Fortunately, David has a full story. \n Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, he calls it "The Tale of the Twisted Claw".
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Changed line(s) 4,5 (click to see context) from:
Shortly after midnight, an unnamed boy lies awake. An ethereal mist seeps from beneath the door, which opens to admit a towering, black-cloaked, hooded spectre. With a deep, discordant groan, it glides over to the bed. The boy awakes, glad to be free of his recurring nightmare. However, the spectre is still there, groaning away. The boy screams in fright…
to:
Shortly after midnight, an unnamed boy lies awake. An ethereal mist seeps from beneath the door, which opens to admit a towering, black-cloaked, hooded spectre. With a deep, discordant groan, it glides over to the bed. The boy awakes, wakes, glad to be free of his recurring nightmare. However, the spectre is still there, groaning away. The boy screams in fright…
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Deleted line(s) 1,2 (click to see context) :
!!The Tale of the Twisted Claw
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Added DiffLines:
!!The Tale of the Twisted Claw
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screenshot_2019_12_21_at_204003.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"Be careful what you wish for...you might just get it."]]
Shortly after midnight, an unnamed boy lies awake. An ethereal mist seeps from beneath the door, which opens to admit a towering, black-cloaked, hooded spectre. With a deep, discordant groan, it glides over to the bed. The boy awakes, glad to be free of his recurring nightmare. However, the spectre is still there, groaning away. The boy screams in fright…
...As do Kiki and Kristen. Eric, however, hasn’t yet figured out what happens next. Fortunately, David has a full story.
On the night before Halloween, known to some as Mischief Night, best friends Kevin and Dougie, armed with shaving foam and rolls of toilet paper, roam the neighbourhood in search of impudent fun. To Dougie’s reluctance, they visit the house of elderly Miss Clove. To her alarm, Kevin squirts shaving foam in her face. She stumbles backward into a displayed vase, which falls and smashes. As they flee, Miss Clove looks on, and suddenly gives a prolonged, foreboding laugh. The next night, at Kevin’s insistence, they return to the house in search of candy. Delighted to have visitors, Miss Clove happily observes the occasion by giving the boys something which may be either a treat or a trick: a wooden carving of the claw of a vulture, with the alleged power to grant three wishes each to its owners. On the way home, an offhand wish not to have acquired so much candy is followed by a twitch and a flash of green from the wooden Claw. The boys then run into a gang of masked delinquents who steal their sugary haul.
At school, on Field Day, Kevin wishes to win the six hundred, seemingly just to humble star athlete Bostick. Once more, the Claw twitches and glows. On the track, as Bostick nears victory, a dog runs from behind a tree and into the boy’s path, tripping him. While Bostick awaits an ambulance, Kevin is victorious.
That night, Dougie entreats return of the insidious Claw to Miss Clove with an apology for the vase, and frets over his parents finding out. Kevin angrily wishes Dougie to just lose his folks. The phone rings. A detective gently reports Dougie’s parents to have been in an accident. A horrified Dougie slams down the phone. As Kevin points out, he has two more wishes with which to undo the accident. Frightened of the potential malicious side-effects, Dougie carelessly wishes his grandfather were still here. The Claw once more glows and twitches. What might its magic make of this? As the boys panic over what deathly perversion of Dougie’s grandfather awaits them, a familiar car arrives outside. As the boys struggle over the Claw, something slowly approaches the house. Dougie seizes the Claw. Kevin begs him to wish away the undead horror. But Dougie now knows what to do: he apologises for breaking the vase, and wishes the deed never to have happened. The claw glows one last time, and vanishes. Dougie’s parents then arrive, quite unharmed, but uneasily amused by a close encounter with a reckless trucker. Overcome with relief, Dougie welcomes them home. The night holds in store one more surprise: a sudden ring of the doorbell leads the two boys to find on the doorstep Miss Clove’s vase, now undamaged, but with a note reading “trick or treat”.
David closes the story with mention of the sound of the wind in the trees, with what may have been the cackle of a sly old witch. Awed into silence, the others depart.
!! This episode provides examples of:
*AdultFear: Two young boys run into a gang of potentially violent bullies, and a boy breaks his leg in a race.
** A horrifying [[InvertedTrope inversion]] when a carelessly worded wish from Kevin arranges Dougie’s parents to suffer a road collision. [[spoiler: Mercifully, Dougie’s final wish reverses all damage]].
*AmbitionIsEvil: [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]]; Kevin’s wish to win the six hundred metres seems driven by desire to humble Bostick.
*TheBully: A gang of masked delinquants steal Kevin and Dougie’s candy.
*CameBackWrong: [[spoiler: Dougie wishes his deceased grandfather were here.]] Both boys quickly realise the horrifying potential of this request.
*DisproportionateRetribution: Miss Clove responds to Dougie and Kevin’s act of accidental vandalism and minor assault by giving them a potentially lethal magic claw.
*EvilLaugh: Miss Clove’s prolonged, delirious cackle.
*EvilSoundsDeep: Assuming it is evil, the spectre from Eric’s unfinished story emits a deep, yawning groan.
*{{Expy}}: The titular Twisted Claw alludes to ‘’Literature/TheMonkey’sPaw’’.
*TheGrimReaper: The cloaked, hooded spectre which arrives in the unnamed boy’s bedroom evokes both this and [[Literature/AChristmasCarol the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come]]. Its groaning is reheard on arrival of [[spoiler: Dougie’s deceased grandfather]].
*InnocentBystander: Kevin’s wish to win the six hundred metres is granted by champion runner Bostick tripping over a dog which suddenly runs across the track.
*JackassGenie: The Claw grants wishes by malicious augmentation of circumstances.
*ThePrankster: Dougie and Kevin keenly observe Mischief Night. They end up [[RealityEnsues startling an oldster and breaking a vase]].
** Miss Clove, in return, gives them a wooden vulture’s claw whose apparent power to grant wishes brings mishap, a fatal instance of which they closely evade. She finds it a right laugh.
*RealityWarper: The vulture’s claw rearranges circumstances at the behest of its holder.
*RedOniBlueOni: Impulsive, ambitious Kevin and cautious, mellow Dougie.
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screenshot_2019_12_21_at_204003.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"Be careful what you wish for...you might just get it."]]
Shortly after midnight, an unnamed boy lies awake. An ethereal mist seeps from beneath the door, which opens to admit a towering, black-cloaked, hooded spectre. With a deep, discordant groan, it glides over to the bed. The boy awakes, glad to be free of his recurring nightmare. However, the spectre is still there, groaning away. The boy screams in fright…
...As do Kiki and Kristen. Eric, however, hasn’t yet figured out what happens next. Fortunately, David has a full story.
On the night before Halloween, known to some as Mischief Night, best friends Kevin and Dougie, armed with shaving foam and rolls of toilet paper, roam the neighbourhood in search of impudent fun. To Dougie’s reluctance, they visit the house of elderly Miss Clove. To her alarm, Kevin squirts shaving foam in her face. She stumbles backward into a displayed vase, which falls and smashes. As they flee, Miss Clove looks on, and suddenly gives a prolonged, foreboding laugh. The next night, at Kevin’s insistence, they return to the house in search of candy. Delighted to have visitors, Miss Clove happily observes the occasion by giving the boys something which may be either a treat or a trick: a wooden carving of the claw of a vulture, with the alleged power to grant three wishes each to its owners. On the way home, an offhand wish not to have acquired so much candy is followed by a twitch and a flash of green from the wooden Claw. The boys then run into a gang of masked delinquents who steal their sugary haul.
At school, on Field Day, Kevin wishes to win the six hundred, seemingly just to humble star athlete Bostick. Once more, the Claw twitches and glows. On the track, as Bostick nears victory, a dog runs from behind a tree and into the boy’s path, tripping him. While Bostick awaits an ambulance, Kevin is victorious.
That night, Dougie entreats return of the insidious Claw to Miss Clove with an apology for the vase, and frets over his parents finding out. Kevin angrily wishes Dougie to just lose his folks. The phone rings. A detective gently reports Dougie’s parents to have been in an accident. A horrified Dougie slams down the phone. As Kevin points out, he has two more wishes with which to undo the accident. Frightened of the potential malicious side-effects, Dougie carelessly wishes his grandfather were still here. The Claw once more glows and twitches. What might its magic make of this? As the boys panic over what deathly perversion of Dougie’s grandfather awaits them, a familiar car arrives outside. As the boys struggle over the Claw, something slowly approaches the house. Dougie seizes the Claw. Kevin begs him to wish away the undead horror. But Dougie now knows what to do: he apologises for breaking the vase, and wishes the deed never to have happened. The claw glows one last time, and vanishes. Dougie’s parents then arrive, quite unharmed, but uneasily amused by a close encounter with a reckless trucker. Overcome with relief, Dougie welcomes them home. The night holds in store one more surprise: a sudden ring of the doorbell leads the two boys to find on the doorstep Miss Clove’s vase, now undamaged, but with a note reading “trick or treat”.
David closes the story with mention of the sound of the wind in the trees, with what may have been the cackle of a sly old witch. Awed into silence, the others depart.
!! This episode provides examples of:
*AdultFear: Two young boys run into a gang of potentially violent bullies, and a boy breaks his leg in a race.
** A horrifying [[InvertedTrope inversion]] when a carelessly worded wish from Kevin arranges Dougie’s parents to suffer a road collision. [[spoiler: Mercifully, Dougie’s final wish reverses all damage]].
*AmbitionIsEvil: [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]]; Kevin’s wish to win the six hundred metres seems driven by desire to humble Bostick.
*TheBully: A gang of masked delinquants steal Kevin and Dougie’s candy.
*CameBackWrong: [[spoiler: Dougie wishes his deceased grandfather were here.]] Both boys quickly realise the horrifying potential of this request.
*DisproportionateRetribution: Miss Clove responds to Dougie and Kevin’s act of accidental vandalism and minor assault by giving them a potentially lethal magic claw.
*EvilLaugh: Miss Clove’s prolonged, delirious cackle.
*EvilSoundsDeep: Assuming it is evil, the spectre from Eric’s unfinished story emits a deep, yawning groan.
*{{Expy}}: The titular Twisted Claw alludes to ‘’Literature/TheMonkey’sPaw’’.
*TheGrimReaper: The cloaked, hooded spectre which arrives in the unnamed boy’s bedroom evokes both this and [[Literature/AChristmasCarol the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come]]. Its groaning is reheard on arrival of [[spoiler: Dougie’s deceased grandfather]].
*InnocentBystander: Kevin’s wish to win the six hundred metres is granted by champion runner Bostick tripping over a dog which suddenly runs across the track.
*JackassGenie: The Claw grants wishes by malicious augmentation of circumstances.
*ThePrankster: Dougie and Kevin keenly observe Mischief Night. They end up [[RealityEnsues startling an oldster and breaking a vase]].
** Miss Clove, in return, gives them a wooden vulture’s claw whose apparent power to grant wishes brings mishap, a fatal instance of which they closely evade. She finds it a right laugh.
*RealityWarper: The vulture’s claw rearranges circumstances at the behest of its holder.
*RedOniBlueOni: Impulsive, ambitious Kevin and cautious, mellow Dougie.
