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.

You're a rich man, Gideon Hackles.

Oh, I like the sound of that, Mr. Bundles.

And so, I'm sure, so do you.

For as I get richer, so does the firm of Biddle and Bundles.

Oh, we'll never get rich, driving here every month

from Philadelphia at 3:00 in the morning.

We always do the books at this hour

so as not to interfere with my regular business day.

Could you pass me that?

Why not hire a sales clerk for the store, Mr. Hackles?

You can certainly afford help.

I can afford a lot of things I don't have.

I don't want them.

I don't need them.

I don't trust clerks.

Clerks are lazy, unreliable.

Clerks steal from you.

Would it be possible for me to have another cup of coffee?

You want another cup of coffee,

I shall have to charge you four cents.

Four cents.

Four.

My cost, plus a 20% profit.

I never overcharge, I never cheat,

but I expect to collect every penny that's due me.

That's the secret of my success.

67 years ago, I earned my first penny.

You're a clever man, Mr. Hackles.

Oh, it isn't the clever inventions

that have made me rich, Mr. B.

It's the ordinary ones, clasps and fasteners.

Most people spend mere pennies all too willingly.

I, on the other hand, collect them.

Another cup of coffee.

That, that will cost you four cents.

Well, that seems certainly a fair price.

I'll, I'll have another,

I'll have another cup, yes, please.

Here, you can add these to this month's receivables.

More IOUs.

Everyone in this town must owe him money.

Almost everyone, Mr. B.

Almost everyone.

Oh, thank you, Mr. Hackles, thank you.

There are a few in town who, who don't owe me.

The smart ones.

Most people in this valley are content

to be downtrodden slaves to their crops.

Slaves to the weather.

They're careless little people leading careless little lives.

Some might think it careless

to keep a fortune hidden about in canvas sacks.

I don't trust banks.

I don't trust anyone.

That's why I'll have to ask you to sign.

Your signature, please.

An IOU for four cents.

The coffee, Mr. B.

I told you I take every penny that's due me.

Why don't we simply deduct it from this month's statement?

We've already prepared an invoice.

What's that?

What's what?

That.

Did you hear it?

Did you feel it?

You must feel it.

Death. Coldness.

The sudden coldness in the room!

What is it, Mr. Hackles, what is it?

Oh, the lights, the lights, no, no!

It's coming closer!

It's Halloween, gentlemen.

Halloween, have you forgotten?!

My favorite season.

Well, well, bright and early, Mr. Kimble.

A good example for the boy there.

Oh, we're up this time most every day, Mr. Hackles.

That's the way on a farm.

Now, I just wanted to make this here payment.

And, uh, to tell you that we won't be by your house tonight.

Oh, yes.

Yes, this is your, your first autumn in the valley,

isn't it, Mr. Kimble?

Pity we had such bad crops your first year.

You've built up a considerable debt in a very short time.

But your credit is good with me, Mr. Kimble.

Just as long as I have your farm as collateral.

I, uh, I do have your farm as collateral, don't I?

Yes, yes, I do have the farm.

Now, what was this about tonight?

All my customers, those with children, of course,

make it a tradition of dropping by my home

on Halloween for trick-or-treat.

It's a tradition I insist on.

I insist on.

We'd like to be excused.

Since you're new to the valley, Billy, perhaps you don't know.

At every Halloween, I take all these IOUs,

and I hide them in my house.

Then I invite all you young trick-or-treaters

to come and search for them.

And if you find them,

all of your father's debts are forgiven, forgotten,

canceled forever.

Your father can make a fresh start.

It's all up to you, Billy.

It's all up to you.

Dad, why can't I go?

Nobody's ever found those papers.

They probably aren't even in the house.

The papers are in the house, Mr. Kimble!

And in an obvious place.

I don't cheat. I don't have to.

People make their own misfortunes.

I heard what you do to the children, Hackles.

I've never harmed a single hair on a single head.

Come tonight, Billy.

Save your father from ruin.

The papers will all be there,

and nothing can stop you as long as your resolve is strong.

You'll succeed as long as you remember

never to listen to your heart.

Never lose sight of your goal.

And remember there's nothing as powerful as money.

I can do it.

I really know I can do it.

No, Bill.

We won't be there tonight, Mr. Hackles.

Maybe I'd better look at your records more carefully.

Perhaps the payments should be higher.

Oh, go ahead, take the farm if that'll make you happy.

I'd rather that, than let my boy visit you tonight.

I'm just surprised the others let their children do it.

Those parents make their children do it.

Charge this to your account, Mr. Muldoon?

Yes. You know I can't pay cash.

Of course in my day, we made our own costumes out of rags.

I trust that this means that Timothy will be with us tonight?

My Timmy's gonna find

what he's looking for tonight, yes, sir.

I've toughened him up with me strap.

I've toughened him up enough to beat you at your game.

Yes, sir.

Tomorrow morning, the Muldoons are gonna be out of debt

for the first time in their entire history.

Sign, please.

Trick or treat, Mr. Hackles, trick or treat?

Trick or treat, huh?

I've never been treated to anything in my life.

I've worked for my fortune and so should you.

Who are you?

Bess.

Bessie McGillicuddy.

Come in, Bessie.

Finders keepers, Bessie.

Come in.

It's okay, Bessie, it's okay.

Go on in.

Your family's IOUs are waiting, Bessie.

Can you find them, hmm?

That's a good girl, Bessie.

You're getting warmer.

Warmer. I'm gonna be all right.