The big event has finally arrived. Spookyville 2020, Animalia's celebration of Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day. While there were those who were still confused about what 'Mad Scientists' and 'Tentacles' would be part of, with some suggesting some things that were definitely NOT PG-13, it was a relief to know what it would be about. While both the election, the pandemic, and the plane crash at Mieni Atoll held a good deal of attention, there were those who were more focused on other things, since a lot of those things were considered "bad news" for some people.
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Miles was learning one of the benefits of being a member of Animalia Ambassadoria: first in line for all Animalia's major events. While for some this would be the only benefit, they did have to record everything for Animalia Ambassadoria's special coverage of Spookyville. It also helped explain the clues.
"I've had a bit of a problem." said the guy done up as a mad scientist, "One of my mutant tentacles has just grown arms and is trying to take over the world. Fortunately I've got three other people taking care of it, with one of them I already know."
"Oh yeah," said Miles, remembering seeing a commercial for the remastered version, "Maniac Mansion: Day of the Tentacle."
"But now I've got a new invention." said the now identified Dr. Fred, "A special space/time capsule that enables people to travel to the Spirit World, where Spookyville is."
"But I do have to ask, since no one else will." said Miles, "Have any people ever been hurt or killed in this thing?"
"Of course not." answered Dr. Fred. "This is the first time I've ever tried it on people." This part of his answer made everyone rather nervous, even though it was technically true. But they didn't get to say much more before Dr. Fred activated the mechanism, plunging everyone into darkness. The last thing they heard from him was a simple, "Well, I'll be!".
What followed next was a seemingly Halloween-themed disco strobe light display outside the windows of the "space/time capsule" accompanied by a zany soundtrack, but after a few moments, the lightshow and music suddenly stopped.
"Are we dead?" asked Jen-jen, sort of dreading the answer.
But then the door was opened by a skeleton carrying a scythe and wearing a long, black robe. But when he greeted them, it wasn't the greeting they expected from such a being.
"Buenos Dias." said the skeleton.
"Wha...?" asked Miles.
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As it turned out, they had arrived at the ticket office/booth for Spookyville, and the Skeleton that greeted them was Manny Calavera, who was selling the tickets, etc., for Spookyville. But it was his way of getting people to move on so he could get to the next group of customers that was the most annoying, telling really bad jokes. But fortunately the Animalia Ambassadoria members were able to get to Spookyville so they could enjoy everything that was going on. But they also had to record almost everything that was going on for people who weren't able to come to Spookyville for various reasons, not just the pandemic.