"But.." the innkeeper trailed off, staring blankly ahead.
John and Carrie stared, puzzled at him, waving their hands in front of his face. "Hey!" John said, "Hey, buddy...hello?"
"It won't do you any good," came a woman's voice from behind the counter. John and Carrie jumped slightly, not expecting another soul to be around. The voice belonged to a middle aged woman, with long black hair and rather large breasts, dressed in a long black dress. She smiled at them, "A little jumpy, are we?"
"No," said Carrie, "We just didn't know anyone else was around."
The woman smiled in an almost patronizing way at Carrie before going around the end of the counter and joining the three of them. "You have to forgive him," the woman said, "the night brings a profound...CHANGE...in us." She stroked his hair in a loving gesture; obviously this woman was either his lover or wife.
"You're wearing costumes?" Carrie asked.
"Darling," the woman said, licking her lips in an undeniably seductive, yet predatory way, "Everyone in Halloween Town changes at night. Didn't the man in the costume shop remember to tell you that?"
"Funny...you know, he didn't?" John said, more to Carrie than to this woman.
"Yes, how...funny.." Carrie said, not really sounding in control of herself, her eyes staying locked on the woman.
"What did you say your name was?" John asked, growing concerned.
"Oh, where are my manners?" the woman asked, her voice slightly mocking, "I'm Bella. I'm the witch that runs this inn. This is my servant, Boris."
"Pleased..to...meet you," Carrie said, clearly mesmerized now.
"Quit it!" John said angrily, "Leave her alone!"
Bella's eyes flashed, and she said something in a tongue that John imagined might be latin, but he couldn't be sure. Suddenly, he went rigid, finding himself unable to move or even speak.
"That's much better, don't you think?" she asked Carrie, who seemed to slightly nod. "Boris, why don't you step outside?" she said, turning to the innkeeper, "I think I'll be wanting some alone time with our guests."
As oblivious as Boris had been to their words, he obeyed Bella's promptly. John heard the door open, and heard a single word uttered from Boris' lips. "Moonlight!" His ears were assaulted by the sounds of clothing ripping, followed by growling and a loud howl.
Bella smiled at John, then turned her attention to Carrie, who was still quite entranced. "Now, what SHOULD I do with you?" she asked.