October 22, 2016
It’s the fiftieth anniversary of the classic It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. For decades, poor Charlie Brown has been getting rocks instead of candy. But did you ever wonder why the adults on his street would give a little boy rocks on Halloween? Read on for one man’s story.
The Time: Halloween 1966
The Place: The home of Burt and Luann Smith, just down the block from Charlie Brown’s house
BURT: (Looking out window) Hey Luann, it’s getting dark. Those trick-or-treaters are coming down the block.
LUANN: (Calling out from the kitchen) I’ve got a bowl of candy near the door, Honey. Don’t give them too much, just a couple of pieces each.
BURT: (Muttering) I’m keeping the Kit Kats for myself.
From outside, the distant sounds of children trick-or-treating can be heard.
BURT: (Still at the window) Aw Jeez Luann, that kid with the messed up head and the blanket is squatting in the Jackson’s pumpkin patch. What’s wrong with him? (Burt squints, looks closely) I think he’s got that little Sally Brown with him. (Muttering again) I bet the coyotes get her first.
LUANN: (Still in kitchen) What did you say dear?
BURT: Nothing, dear, nothing dear (bell rings) Uh, got to get the door.
Burt opens the front door. A group of kids in homemade costumes yells “trick or treat!” Burt gives them some candy, pocketing the Kit Kats for himself. They leave but before he closes the door, he looks down the block.
BURT: Luann, I’ll be back in a second. I just have to run out back for a minute. (Burt runs out the back door.)
LUANN: (Enters the living room) What? Where are you?
BURT: (Comes back) OK Hon, I’m back.
Burt puts a pile of rocks on the table near the bowl of candy.
LUANN: What are you doing with those rocks?
BURT: That Brown kid is coming down the street. He’s such a blockhead, his costume has about 50 extra holes in it. Match the ones in his head.
LUANN: Burt! He’s such a sweet little boy!
BURT: Yeah, such a sweet little boy. When’s the last time he cleaned up after his dog? That damn beagle keeps leaving piles in the front yard. And how did a dog get those goggles and that scarf anyway?
Burt opens the door a crack and peeks out.
BURT: Yeah, yeah, here he comes. You want a trick or treat? I got a trick for ya. (Quickly shuts the door.)
LUANN: Burt, really!
BURT: Shhh shhh here they come! (Bell rings)
Burt opens the door and a group of kids, including Charlie Brown, yell trick or treat.
BURT: Here you are, you cute little goblins! (He gives each in turn a piece of candy, except for Charlie Brown, who gets a rock.)
Burt closes the door, smiling a nasty grin.
LUANN: Burt! That was horrible! He’s just a little boy!
BURT: He’s lucky I gave him a rock and not one of his dog’s turds. I’ve got a dozen of them on the lawn.
Burt goes to the window, sees the kids comparing their candy and opens it a crack, just in time to hear Charlie Brown say “I got a rock.”
BURT: Serves you right, you little bald blockhead.
THE END
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