Tales from the Darkside

Man lives in the sunlit world

of what he believes to be reality.

But... there is,

unseen by most, an underworld.

A place that is just as real

but not as brightly lit.

A dark side.

MAN (over P.A.): The museum will close in 15 minutes.

Hmm, "washing."

Foul things.

"Ture. Aura.

Sangloi."

Sangloi.

Better late than never.

But better never late.

How are you, Elizabeth?

I'm marvelous, Mary.

I couldn't be better.

I can hardly believe almost another year has gone by.

And I've thought about you so often.

Well, you look wonderful.

No, I don't.

You look like a million dollars.

I gather it was a good year.

The best ever.

I could do no wrong.

Everything I touched turned to gold.

And every time something terrific happened,

I honestly wanted to see you

and tell you all about it.

We ought to get together more often.

This is no get-together, Elizabeth!

This is the anniversary!

: Did you bring it?

Yes, but let me tell you about

my good fortune first.

I hardly know where to begin.

Let's see.

Well, I took all of my money

and I invested it in stocks.

They, um, split, or whatever it is

that stocks do, and I made $500,000.

I got involved in some

charity work, and Boston magazine wanted

to make me Bay State Woman of the Year. (chuckles)

Isn't that a stitch?

One of us-- if they only knew.

Well, tell me about your year.

It was dreadful.

One catastrophe after another.

First, my well ran dry.

Then lightning struck the house.

There was a terrible fire, and there were huge damages.

Somehow, I had let my insurance policy lapse,

so the repairs nearly cleaned me out.

And after all that, Puss died.

Puss died?

Oh, God, Mary, how awful.

I know the two of you

have been together forever.

What was it, old age?

She was poisoned.

When I get my talisman back

and find out who did it,

there'll be hell to pay.

Now hand it over.

I'd like to, Mary, but it's too early.

Venus will not be in conjunction with Mars

for another two weeks.

You're not trying to tell me

how to read the stars, are you?

It certainly sounds as if you'd had a trying time.

A-And I really do see why you're anxious for the transfer.

Elizabeth,

I have had the worst year of my life,

and I have lived

a long time.

Give me the talisman, Elizabeth,

or, by the devil, you will rue the day

you trifled with me.

All right.

You're upset.

You're positively ill with desire for what you want.

I know the feeling.

But feelings have very little to do with facts.

The stars and their motions are as indifferent

to your cravings as they are to mine.

You've got to wait two more weeks.

You skeevy witch!

You would try to steal the talisman.

Anta...

ashtu...

antu...

mau!

Mary Doyle...

I can't...

Anta...

ashtu...

Mary, stop that! Mary! Anta, ashtu...

anu...

Ana!

I can't brea...

This is what I should have done 300 years ago.

Loi, sangloi, sangloi...

Oh, no, please! Please don't close the door!

Oh, God, let me out!

It's all lies they've told you about me!

None of it's true!

Oh, no!

Oh, God, the witch Hobbes.

Oh, please, don't leave me in here with her!

What happened, Goody Eaton?

Did they find out what you've been letting

Giles Corey do to you in the barn?

You vile hag,

he was helping me bale the hay.

More like sow the seed, wasn't it?

Oh, no need to pretend for us.

We know you.

You sit in the front pew in the church

and lie on your back in the barn.

I've seen you.

: I've seen you.

It was you.

You were that toad.

Huh?

That foul, dirty, croaking old toad.

That was you!

You've been spying on me!

You watch your tongue.

I'm as clean as the next one.

Let me out.

Please, please let me out!

You've got no evidence!

They're all lies!

I'm not a witch!

A witch?

They're taking you for a witch?

: Oh! The ignorant fools!

What do they think we are?

They have five magistrates,

two courts and a brand-new gallows.

And I hear they've even sent for Increase Mather

all the way from Boston

to help them sort out their testimonies.

And they have taken you for a witch.

Oh! Let all women of Massachusetts

get in their houses and bar the doors!

Nobody's safe. (laughs)

It was that lying Mercy Warren who accused me.

She says I come to her house by night

and lie across her body till she can't breathe.

She pretends to take fits.

Her body's all covered in sores.

Every inch of it.

Some terrible disease.

God only knows who gave it to her.

But she's blaming me!

Ooh, wonderful.

Mercy Warren is a mean little creature.

: And we've been working ever so long

on those sores, haven't we?

Then she wasn't pretending.

You've been tormenting her.

Help me! Help me, please!

It was her!

It was the witch Hobbes!

Oh, save your breath to cool your porridge.

Don't deny it.

It was a black day for me when you came to Essex village.

You killed my cow!

And you cut down my vines!

They were growing on my fence.

Your fence is on my property!

You lie! You own the ground

your evil-smelling shack stands on

and not an inch more!

You are shrill and rude,

and you'd best mind your manners!

Who invited you to this God-fearing place with your

black arts?

The devil himself, so watch out.

I go where I please and where my master sends me.

Ha! If you're so powerful, why are you locked up in here?

I lost it.

That's the source of my trouble.

He gave it to me, and then I lost it.

I still have my witch's learning,

but, without my talisman, I cannot command my own destiny.

But I'll have it back.

And when I do, you'll know.

You'll be dead by then.

You watch your tongue.

Hung from new gallows, your neck cracked in half.

Birds will peck at your flesh!

You curse me enough!

My talisman!