History Recap / AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason7TheTaleOfTheTimeTrap

Next day, as Jason reaches into his locker, a flash of white light flares briefly behind him. He finds himself face to face with Belle, a young woman with bobbed white hair. Down the bustling corridor, she follows him. In English class, Jason sits down. Behind him sits Belle. For the report on ''Literature/TreasureIsland'' he left at home, she tells him to look in his bag. With a whoosh, it appears therein. The teacher has him read it allowed, and is displeased to find it a jumble of references to various film adaptations.

Tucker shares a tin of Grandma Aggie’s home-made cookies. With one taste, the others are instantly enamoured, and wolf down most of the batch - and quickly regret it. Tucker’s tale is of how too much of a good thing, especially on a life-changing scale, can have disastrous consequences. Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, he calls this story “The Tale of the Time Trap.”

Down a quiet street stumbles a man, Bobo. He finds the Magic Mansion, and enters.

He entreats old friend Sardo for help - not of the financial kind, but to take custody of a small metal casket, marked with symbols.

-->'''Sardo:''' How much do you want for it?
-->'''Bobo:''' ...Fifty dollars?
-->'''Sardo:''' Fifty?!
-->'''Bobo:''' I mean forty, my friend, for you, forty dollars.
-->'''Sardo:''' It’s too rich for my blood, Bobo.
-->'''Bobo:''' ''Free''. You sell it for what you can, and you give me what you think is fair.

After some deliberation, Sardo reaches to accept the casket. Bobo breaks out in a fit of deranged laugher.

-->'''Sardo:''' ...And this is funny because…?
-->'''Bobo:''' This is funny because you finally are losing on the deal!

With a splutter of laughter, he leaves.

In the school gym, at dodgeball, Brad Raw spectacularly knocks Jason Midas to the floor. spectacularly to the floor.

In the bustling school corridor, Jason closes his locker, and is excited to see Andrea.

With some nervousness, he approaches.

-->'''Jason:''' Hi, Andrea.
-->'''Andrea:''' Hi, Jason!
-->'''Jason:''' Uh, I was, um, wondering if, like, if, uh, if you weren’t doing anything Friday, like, you might, wanna… ''{bell rings}'' I gotta go.

On the way home, Jason spots Andrea walking the same quiet street as he. Overcome with nerves, he hurries into the shelter of the nearest shop - the Magic Mansion.

-->'''Sardo:''' Hiding from someone?
-->'''Jason:''' Um… yes. Uh, I’m sorry. ''{makes to leave}''
-->'''Sardo:''' Wait! I can see you’re the shy type. Trouble with the ladies?
-->'''Jason:''' Uh, yeah. Sort of.
-->'''Sardo:''' Ah! Then what you lack is confidence, am I right?
-->'''Jason:''' I - I guess.
-->'''Sardo:''' Ah-ha! Then I have exactly what you need!
-->'''Jason:''' Uh, you do?
-->'''Sardo:''' Yes! You see, confidence comes from experience, and experience comes from age, and age comes from - well, from this! ‘’{Holds up a small, corked bottle}’’. An Egyptian Aging Potion. Two tiny drops of this, and you’ll instantly become a more mature, confident person.
-->'''Jason:''' I don’t wanna be older, I just… I wanna have the guts to talk to girls.
-->'''Sardo:''' Of course you do! Of course you do, of course you do! Then what you need is something more like… like this!


He holds up the metal casket.

-->'''Jason:''' What is… this?
-->'''Sardo:''' Uh, well this is a… it’s a… ''{sees hand symbol on back}'' a hand. A hand ''some''. A handsome… a handsome Persian Victory Box! Warriors, for centuries, have used this to give them the confidence… to do battle. Imagine what it could do for your love life!
-->'''Jason:''' Okay… how does it... work?
-->'''Sardo:''' You put your hand… your hand… on top of it. And then you ask it for whatever it is you want. Then, bang! You shall have it.
-->'''Jason:''' ...Let me try!
-->'''Sardo:''' Uh, but you know, confidence like this doesn’t come cheap.
-->'''Jason:''' Well, what if I don’t believe it works?
-->'''Sardo:''' Oh, then maybe it will come cheap.

That evening, back in his house, Jason lays the box on the coffee table. He lays his hand on the box.

-->'''Jason:''' Uh, I wish that I was the kind of guy that girls like.\

With a smile, his mother calls him for dinner.

As Jason leaves, the box starts to rattle. From beneath its lid wafts vapour, followed by several darting beams of pink light…

Next day, as Jason reaches into this locker, a flash of white light flares briefly behind the open door. When he swings it closed, he finds himself face to face with a young woman with bobbed white hair.

-->'''Belle:''' Hi.
-->'''Jason:''' Uh… hi.

Belle follows him down the bustling corridor.

-->'''Jason:''' Hey, like… what do you want?
-->'''Belle:''' ''{laughs}'' Um, it’s what ''you'' want. You wished to be the kind of guy girls like, right? Well, when they see you with me, they’re gonna think you’re pretty special. ''{to a group of passing girls}'' Isn’t he a babe?

They laugh, in bemused disdain.
-->'''Jason:''' Would you stop that? How did you know what I wished?
-->'''Belle:''' It’s what I do. I’m… I’m Belle. Ready for some fun?!
-->'''Jason:''' What…? I don’t understand…
-->'''Belle:''' The box! The Zemi! It’s yours now. Whatever you wish, I can deliver!
-->'''Jason:''' Just, uh, leave me alone…

In English class, Jason sits down. A ball of paper bumps lightly against him.

-->'''Jason:''' ...You’re in this class?
-->'''Belle:''' I am now. ''{puts feet on desk}'' What’s the trouble?
-->'''Jason:''' The trouble is… I’ve got a book report on ''Literature/TreasureIsland'' due today, that I, of course, left at home.

There sounds a faint, shrill rush of energy.

-->'''Belle:''' Look in your pack.
-->'''Jason:''' I already looked in my pack…

He does so again - and finds the paper.

-->'''Belle:''' You’re welcome.\

Jason’s teacher calls for a reading of each book report, starting with Jason, who stands.

-->'''Jason:''' I, uh, did my report on ''Literature/TreasureIsland'' by Creator/RobertLouisStevenson. Uh, there have been many versions of ''Literature/TreasureIsland''. My personal favourite is [[Film/TreasureIsland1934 the old black and white one]]. The [[Film/MuppetTreasureIsland one with the puppets]]...
-->'''Teacher:''' You were supposed to do a book report, not a movie review… Did you read the book?
-->'''Jaon:''' Uh, yeah…
-->'''Teacher:''' Then why did you write about the movies?
-->'''Jason:''' I’m uh… have to get back to you on that one.
-->'''Teacher:''' Come by after school. We’ll straighten you out.

Merrily followed by Belle, Jason forlornly returns to the gym for another game of dodgeball. As Belle watches, Jason suddenly finds the ball to fly out of his hands with peerless speed and precision.

Brad takes vindictive aim at Jason, and throws a ball. Jason cringes - and the ball, inches before impact, falls to the floor. Awed, Jason picks up the ball, and throws it back. Brad ducks - and the ball smacks into the face of the PE teacher.

Now with two detentions under his belt, Jason, followed by Belle, steps outside.

-->'''Jason:''' I nearly could’ve killed a guy. How did you even do that?
-->'''Belle:''' I told you, the Zemi - whatever you want, I can give you.
-->'''Jason:''' What’s a Zemi?
-->'''Belle:''' The box! You put your hand on it, and made a wish! That makes it yours!
-->'''Jason:''' So… you’e a … genie?
-->'''Belle:''' Exactly.
-->'''Jason:''' And anything I wish for I can have?
-->'''Belle:''' Now you got it.
-->'''Jason:''' Well, you know, I wish I didn’t miss the bus, ‘cause now I gotta walk home.
-->'''Belle:''' No, you don’t.

With a zap, Jason finds himself stood before a tan roofless sports car.

-->'''Jason:''' Uh, is this your car?
-->'''Belle:''' No. It’s yours!


In the driver’s seat, with Bellie in the passenger’s, Jason dons a pair of leather gloves and shades.

-->'''Jason:''' Let’s roll!\

Before he can even turn the key, the wail of a siren is followed by a police car which parks directly behind him.

-->'''Jason:''' Oh, man! I just got my license last week.
-->'''Cop:''' See your license and registration, please.
-->'''Jason:''' Uh, yes, sir… ‘’{to Belle}’’ Where’s the registration?
-->'''Belle:''' …I dunno!
-->'''Jason:''' What do you mean you don’t know? Isn’t this your car…?

…

Jason and Belle are in prison.

-->'''Jason:''' They think it was stolen?! I’m in jail, now! How am I ever gonna explain this to my parents?
-->'''Belle:''' ''{laughs}'' Yeah... That should be fun.
-->'''Jason:''' Fun…? ''Fun''?! What kind of genie are you? Like, you give me what I wish for, but things end up worse off than they were before!
-->'''Belle:''' Every wish has its price! Look, I’ve been stuck in that dumb box for centuries. I gotta have fun somehow.
-->'''Jason:''' So you make things worse.
-->'''Belle:''' Sure, it’s fun. Okay, look. Someone once wished for an exciting voyage - I gave them the ''[[UsefulNotes/RMSTitanic Titanic]]''. A kid didn’t wanna go on a camping trip - I exploded the volcano at Mt St Helens. UsefulNotes/WorldWarOne? A reporter wanted an interesting story.
-->'''Jason:''' So, like… UsefulNotes/WorldWarTwo?
-->'''Belle:''' Oh, yeah. Nah… wasn’t mine. Nice work, though.
-->'''Jason:''' Oh, this is crazy…!
-->'''Belle:''' Nah! We’re just getting warmed up. Go on - wish for something! But be careful.
-->'''Jason:''' Alright, um… here’s your wish: ''leave me alone''.

The cell vanishes into total darkness. Beneath a faint spotlight, Jason ponders the situation.

-->'''Jason:''' What? Okay, I get it, I’m alone now. Well, like - can you get me out of here? Please? Where am I? I’m nowhere! ''GET ME OUTTA HERE''! Help! Genie, Belle, whatever your name is! Alright… I wish I was back with you!

The cell’s dim light returns, and with it, Belle.

-->'''Jason:''' Why don’t you go back to your lamp, or box, or whatever it is!
-->'''Belle:''' Sorry - it’s like a prison in there. When I get the chance to get out and work with someone, I take it.
-->'''Jason:''' What if I wished you back?
-->'''Belle:''' I might take you with me.
-->'''Jason:''' That allowed?
-->'''Belle:''' Try me.
-->'''Jason:''' But, you’ve gotta do what I wish, right?
-->'''Belle:''' Yep! Go for it, wish boy - but choose your words carefully.
-->'''Jason:''' Okay… I wish… I was back at that magic shop where this all started!

So saying Jason finds himself swiftly spun around on the spot. When he stops, he finds himself amidst passing cars, on the daylighted road by the Magic Mansion. A driver yells.

Jason enters the shop.

-->'''Jason:''' You! ...What’s your name?!
-->'''Sardo:''' It’s [[CatchphraseInterruptus Sar-]] er, let’s not go there, shall we? What… can I do for you?
-->'''Jason:''' That Persian Victory Box you sold me…
-->'''Sardo:''' I’m sorry, I don’t remember - so much time has actually passed…
-->'''Jason:''' It was yesterday!
-->'''Sardo:''' Oh, the ''Persian'' Victory Box! What seems to be the problem?
-->'''Jason:''' The problem is, it came with a girl.
-->'''Sardo:''' ...And that’s a problem?
-->'''Jason:''' She’s a genie, and… she makes wishes come true, and… I don’t want it anymore!
-->'''Sardo:''' ...Help me to understand this. I sold you a box that came with a genie, that will grant your every wish, and you don’t want it anymore.
-->'''Jason:''' Exactly.
-->'''Sardo:''' Perfectly understandable. I tell you what. You show me where it is… and I’ll… gladly take an exchange. But no cash. Store credit only, right? ‘’{taps nose}’’

Jason and Sardo enter Jason’s house.

-->'''Jason’s Mom:''' Honey? Who’s your friend?
-->'''Jason:''' Mom, this is Mr, er -
-->'''Sardo:''' Sardo. [[{{Catchphrase}} No Mr - accent on the do]].
-->'''Jason:''' Yeah, uh - he’s a teacher. He’s helping me with - current events.
-->'''Jason’s Mom:''' Good…! I’ll leave you too alone. Nice cape.

Jason and Sardo reach for the coffee table where sits the Zemi.

In flash of white, Belle materialises, with a hand laid on the box.

-->'''Belle:''' It’s not that easy, Jason!
-->'''Sardo:''' Who’s this?
-->'''Jason:''' A genie.
-->'''Sardo:''' Oh. Hello.
-->'''Jason:''' ''{to Belle}'' What do you mean? He wants it - he can give the wishes!
-->'''Belle:''' But he gave it up. He can’t take it back!
-->'''Jason:''' Why not?
-->'''Belle:''' Rules! I don’t make them up.

In despair, Jason sinks onto the sofa, and closes his eyes.

-->'''Jason:''' Man, I wish I was out of this nightmare…\

He opens his eyes - and finds himself in the living room of a strange house.

-->'''Sardo:''' How - how did you do that?!
-->'''Woman:''' Did I hear voices…?

The occupant of the house walks into view, and screams in fright.

-->'''Woman:''' Who are you? What are you doing here?
-->'''Jason:''' Uh, this is my house!
-->'''Sardo:''' I’m just visiting!
-->'''Woman:''' This isn’t your house! This is my house! And my husband’s gonna be home any second!

Sardo looks at a framed photo - which shows the woman stood with a uniformed policeman.

As the front door opens, the Woman runs to her husband. On the driveway, the couple convene.

In seconds, two more police cars arrive.

-->'''Cop:''' ''{through megaphone}'' ''Attention! You in the house! Come on out, or we’re gonna fire tear-gas!''

Jason and Sardo frantically consider.

→’’’Jason:’’’ I got it! I wish Sardo had a wish.
-->'''Sardo:''' No…! ...What happened?
-->'''Jason:''' I gave you a wish! Maybe the evil wishes only work with me. Look, you can wish us out of this!
-->'''Sardo:''' You mean I can wish for anything I want?
-->'''Cop:''' ''You’ve got one minute to come out with your hands up! Or we’ll start shooting!''
-->'''Sardo:''' This is the chance of a lifetime! I could wish for… for world peace! Or cure every disease! ...I’ve got it! I’ve got the perfect wish! I wish I had a million more wishes!

Sardo spins rapidly around, and vanishes into a flash of white light. It faded to reveal Belle stood in his place.

-->'''Belle:''' I’m out? ''I’m out for real''?!
-->'''Jason:''' Where’s Sardo?
-->'''Belle:''' He wished… a million wishes! ''{Picks up Zemi}'' That’s what I wished ages ago, and I got stuck in this dumb box! Look!

Inside the box, a miniaturised Sardo peers up Jason and Belle.

-->'''Sardo:''' Help! Let me out! I don’t wanna be a genie!
-->'''Belle:''' Oh, you’ve got a million wishes alright, but you’ve gotta grant them to others! ‘’{to Jason]’’ Starting - with you!

She laughs maniacally, claps euphorically, and bounds for the door.

-->'''Cop:''' ''Time’s up! We’re going to fire! Ten… nine''...
-->'''Jason:''' …What do I do?
-->'''Belle:''' Don’t ask me - '''''I’m not a genie anymore'''''!

With more crazed laughter, she runs out.

-->'''Sardo:''' Well, just don’t stand there! Wish something!\

Jason closes the box, lays a hand flat on it, and shuts his eyes.

-->'''Jason:''' I wish it was yesterday!\

In a white-glowing blur, countless instances from today and yesterday fly in reverse around him.

Jason finds himself back on the street where stands the Magic Mansion. Across the road, he sees Andrea. After a pause for thought, he runs to the door of the shop. Before it, he hesitates.

-->'''Andrea:''' Jason! Hi.
-->'''Jason:''' Oh, uh - hey, Andrea!
-->'''Andrea:''' Hey - what was it you were gonna ask me before?
-->'''Jason:''' Ask? Oh, uh, right - I was just wondering if you were doing anything Friday night, ‘cause I thought that maybe you’d like to go see a movie with me?
-->'''Andrea:''' I’d love to.
-->'''Jason:''' You would. That’s cool, that’s cool… So, where you headed?
-->'''Andrea:''' I’ve got a driving lesson…

They pass the shop widow. The curtains part. Sardo leans through, and puts on display a strange metal box…

-->'''Tucker:''' The end.
-->'''Megan:''' Awesome story!
-->'''Andy:''' So he found true love after all!
-->'''Vange:''' And Belle’s stuck back in the box. Cool!

From his bag, Tucker takes a metal box, just like in the story.
-->'''Tucker:''' Wanna let her out?
The others run in alarm - except for Quinn, who lies groaning on the sofa.
-->'''Tucker:''' You finished all the cookies?
-->'''Quinn:''' I had to - they were too good.
-->'''Tucker:''' I hope they taste as good on the way up as they did on the way down…!

-->'''Andrea:''' I’d love too.

* BecomingTheGenie: Jason, via a wish, bequeathes his wishes to Sardo, who then wishes for a million wishes. This frees Belle, and traps Sardo in the Zemi - [[spoiler: until a final wish from Jason reverses the whole predicament]].

-->'''Tucker:''' Wanna let her out?\

* BeenThereShapedHistory: In response to the incautious wishes of various Zemi custodians, Belle caused various disasters.

-->'''Sardo:''' It’s Sar[[CatchphraseInterruptus-]] er, let’s not go there, shall we? What… can I do for you?

* ShoutOut: Possibly to both ''Film/{{Bedazzled}}'' and its [[Film/{{Bedazzled}}2000 2000 remake]]; a confidence-challenged young man, by a [[LaughablyEvil malicious yet playful]] entity, is granted wishes which go hideously wrong. The entity [[Film/{{Bedazzled}}2000 takes the form of a flirtatious young woman]]. At the end, [[Film/{{Bedazzled}}1967 free of his supernatural obligations, the young man finds resolve to build his own self-confidence]].