DR. CALLAHAN'S CANDY EMPORIUM

INT. MR. C’S CANDY SHOP - NORMAL WORLD - DUSK

Leaning over a counter, a CANDYMAN known as MR. MARCUS CALLAHAN, takes notes on inventory. It's raining and there is barely anyone on the streets. The door opens which signals a tiny bell hung from the frame above. A YOUNG MOTHER enters holding KYLE her 5-year-old son's hand as he pulls forward.

YOUNG MOTHER

Kyle, slow down.

KYLE

Mommy, they have chocolate pretzels here!

Kyle tugs so hard that the young mother loses her grip. He runs up to the counter, holds his hands to the glass and looks in awe. The Candyman looks up from his paper, smiles unnaturally wide and floats towards the boy. He curves his abnormally lanky body over the counter.

MR. MARCUS CALLAHAN

Pushes his glasses closer to the bridge of his nose

Please do not touch the glass, little boy.

KYLE

Frightened, stutter, look back at mother

I- I…

YOUNG MOTHER

Catches up to her son, gives him an annoyed look, pats him on the back and offers his hand

Hi, I'm so sorry sir. My name is Nancy.

MR. MARCUS CALLAHAN

Shakes hand

It's quite alright

talks towards Kyle

And what is your name?

KYLE

Squeaks

Kyle

MR. MARCUS CALLAHAN

Straightens back

And what brings the two of you to my shop?

YOUNG MOTHER

We're passing through to Sacramento from Washington. We saw your shop and decided to stop for a little treat.

MR. MARCUS CALLAHAN

(grins) Then you simply must try a local favorite! It's my special recipe. (He motioned for them to follow him to the other side of the counter)

Mr. Marcus Callahan opens a cabinet from his side of the counter and pulls out a small decorated golden box. He opens the lid to reveal beautiful, vibrantly colored candies, wrapped in transparent sparkly paper.

MR. MARCUS CALLAHAN

Try a piece for free.

YOUNG MOTHER

Reaches for the candy, takes one for her and one for her son

I've never seen hard candy like this before. It's stunning.

MR. MARCUS CALLAHAN

Thank you.

Kyle did not immediately try the candy; he watches his mother unwrap it and plop it in her mouth. Initially she's enjoying it, but the Candyman starts to pull down the shades, flip the open sign on the door and lock them inside. Nancy tries to speak but then her eyes darken, and she starts to choke. She convulses, starts spitting up blood and falls dead to the ground in front of her son. Mr. Marcus Callahan towers over Kyle. Horrified Kyle starts to cry and the Candyman grabs his arm and drags him into the basement.

CUT TO:

EXT. CAR - NORMAL WORLD - DAY

Six months later. Twins COLIN and HALEY arrive in town. Their mother, EMILIANA is with them. They are in the car driving to their new home. They pass through downtown which looks drastically different in the daytime. It's also summer now so all of the tourists crowd the streets. The candy shop looks different on the outside re-branded as DR. CALLAHAN'S CANDY EMPORIUM. Haley is driving and also singing obnoxiously to her music. Colin is in the passenger seat mouthing the words to the song. Emiliana is quiet, sitting in the back seat with the map.

HALEY

turns down the music using steering wheel

Mom, this town is so cute!

EMILIANA

I'm glad you like it sweetie. It was one of your dad and I's favorite places to visit before we had you two.

HALEY

I really wish he was here.

COLIN

shifts uncomfortably in his seat

How much longer until we get to the house?

EMILIANA

Glances at the map

Not too long, we just take a right at the stoplight at the end of this main drag and then in about five minutes we'll take a left on Bachman St and the house is at the end of the drive.

HALEY

points

Look at that candy shop. There's a line outside the door.

Colin turns his head in the direction of his sister's finger. She was right, the candy shop had a lot of traction. Colin noticed a boy around his age lock his bike against the pole and cut the line to unlock the store doors.

EMILIANA

Must just be opening for the day. It's only ten o'clock.

HALEY

laughs

That boy is cute, half his hair is purple.

COLIN

scoffs, air quotations

Three hours away from home and you've already forgotten "Mr. Perfect".

HALEY

stiffens

We broke up actually.

Colin glanced at his sister, but didn't say anything, it's not something he expected. He was glad that it happened though. The guy was a prick.

EMILIANA

Oh, honey. I'm sorry. I know you really liked Aaron.

HALEY

It's alright. I wouldn't have trusted him to keep up long distance anyways.

EMILIANA

Quickly! Take this right!

Haley swerved the car quickly and the driver behind her laid on his horn.

COLIN

frustrated

A little more warning next time!

EMILIANA

Sorry! I got distracted.

HALEY

It's alright mom. You said it's Bachman Street?

EMILIANA

Yeah, on your left.