[Music]
People have been
telling ghost stories forever.
You can read about ghosts,
watch them in movies and on TV.
And you can hear about
them from friends, like we do.
I love ghost stories.
Everyone does. You know why?
Sure, because they're
scary. People dig being scared.
Yeah, but what makes them scary?
What do you mean? Everything. The ghosts.
The ghosts. No. There's another reason.
Think about this. Even though
every ghost story is different,
they're all really about the same thing.
Yeah, scaring people.
No. They're about unfinished business.
Unfinished business?
All ghosts walked the
earth for the same reason.
Because they wanted to do
something when they were alive,
but didn't get the chance.
Because they died too soon.
Exactly. And there's the mystery.
Is the ghost here to
do something friendly?
Or is it here to haunt the living? To
create some unspeakable evil?
You never know. Until the ghost strikes.
And that's what makes it scary.
That is what makes it scary.
Submitted for the
approval of the Midnight Society.
I call this story.
The Tale of the Walking Shadow.
You!
[screaming]
Ross Doyle was in trouble.
He tried out for a part in a school
production of Macbeth,
so he could be closer
to this girl Vanessa.
He wasn't an actor and never really
thought he'd get the part.
But he did.
So now he's stuck having to go on stage
in front of a ton of people.
When all he really wanted was a date.
Hey, hi. Sit down.
Hi. Thanks.
So he's psyched about
finally rehearsing on a big stage?
Oh, yeah. I'm thrilled.
Well, who?
What's the matter?
Well, I've never done this before.
I mean, what if I
forget my lines or barf?
You won't.
Well, do you have any acting tips, like
picturing the
audience naked or something?
The best thing you can do is just forget
your acting and become the character.
What?
Okay.
Another big scene I have
where Lady Macbeth goes mad?
The one where she thinks she sees blood
on her hand and she can't wash it off?
Exactly.
When everything's working,
I can stop being me and
actually become Lady Macbeth.
It gets so intense, I can
almost see the drop of blood.
Bravo. What a performance.
Not funny.
Come on. If Beth is
allowed to kid Lady Macbeth...
No, no stage. He's not.
You're the director.
Direct her to lighten up.
I'm directing all you guys back to the
theater. We've got a ton of work to do.
Duty calls, my lady.
Wow.
It's so amazing to be on a real stage.
Little stage fright there, Ross?
That it's a good thing you're only
playing me stuff and not Macbeth.
What is that smell?
Oh, yeah. It's ham.
Oh, like you're not a ham?
Come on, Your Majesty.
Help me unload the car.
Could you guys clear the stage?
Sure.
Ross, don't mind him.
Macduff is a really important part.
It's okay. I don't need to hear that.
You know, I wish I could make you feel
the same inspiration I
get just from being here.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Then yet...
Here's a spot.
Oh, damn spot. How could I say?
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. What happened?
It was blood.
Why did you do that?
I didn't...
I was just trying to help
you, you know, and you're just...
Just what? What?
Just clear the stage, would you?
What?
[MUSIC PLAYING] [WHISTLING]
Stop that!
Don't you know it's bad
luck to whistle in a theater?
Uh, no. Uh, no, I didn't know that.
Well, now you do.
Uh, who are you?
Hermione Sinclair,
wardrobe mistress. Who are you?
Ross Doyle, lousy
actor. I'm playing Macduff.
Ah, Macduff. A very important part.
I don't need to hear that.
Well, Macduff, make yourself useful.
So, she thinks I spilled fake blood on
her hand, and I did it.
It was creepy.
It wouldn't be the first time odd things
have happened in this theater.
It haunted you, no?
Yeah, right.
I'm not joking.
A ghost has wandered
this theater for years.
They say he's harmless, but he has been
known to show anger towards those who do
not respect the
theater and its traditions.
Vanessa. You know, Hermione here says
that this theater is haunted.
Great. Hi, I'm Vanessa, Lady Macbeth.
No!
I played her once myself.
Did you know that this production will be
the first time this Scottish play has
been performed in this
theater for 50 years?
Scottish play? We're doing Macbeth.
Quick!
What?
Turn around three times.
What?
Don't argue. Turn around three times,
then leave the room and come back in.
Why?
It's appalling bad luck to refer to the
Scottish play by name.
Don't you know
anything about the theater?
Okay.
I'll never leave the
theater with your costume on.
Can I go now?
Come on.
[sighs]
[whistles]
Give me a break.
Macbeth!
Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth!
[music]
You probably shouldn't tell Roscoe
stories. He's scared enough as it is.
A little stage fright is a good thing.
But I'm afraid he
might walk off the show.
Oh, but he can't.
I mean, we'd never get
a replacement in time.
[phone rings]
[indistinct voices]
The final ban is between us and Macduff.
[screams]
What happened?
Look at the cauldron. Look at it.
[panting]
What are you talking about?
It was full of goo and the glove. It
grabbed me, I swear.
Like this. I'm not kidding.
You know, Ross, if you want to bail out
of the play because you're scared, do it.
But don't blame it on
some tongue-goe story.
No, no.
Ross, listen, wait. Listen, look.
Look, I'm not trying to bail here. It's
just that I thought I saw...
I'm not sure what I saw.
I don't know. This whole
play is just freaking me out.
It shouldn't be,
Ross. You're really good.
I thought you should have
gotten the lead instead of Jesse.
Really? Macbeth?
Yeah, that guy.
Oh, thanks.
You know, the only reason, the real
reason why I went out
for this play was...
so that I could hang with you.
Then don't listen to dumb-goe stories.
Relax. Have some fun. Okay?
Sure.
See you tomorrow. Don't you hear us?
(EERIE MUSIC)
Is this a dagger I see before me?
Dagger of the mind.
A false creation
proceeding from the heat of present.
Are you prepared for the battle, Macduff?
(EERIE MUSIC)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hey.
Look, guys, I really
hate to do this, but...
I got a drop out of the play.
What?
You know, it's school. I'm falling
behind, and I don't crack the books.
Ross, dress rehearsal is tonight. Macduff
is an important role.
I really don't need to hear that.
Vanessa, talk to him.
(EERIE MUSIC)
It's because you're afraid, isn't it?
You have no idea.
Come on, Kim.
We'll just find someone else.
Excuse me, Hermione.
I'm sorry. Who were you looking for?
Hermione, the costume lady.
Well, I'm the wardrobe mistress, but
there's no Hermione here.
But...
That's it.
I have totally lost it.
Can I help you with something?
Oh, I doubt it, unless
you believe in ghosts.
Ghosts?
Mm-hmm.
Then I take it you've seen Adrienne.
Adrienne? Who's Adrienne?
Adrienne Herkon, our resident spirit.
So he's real. You've seen him.
Oh, my, yes. Just the other day, in fact.
Oh, he scared the wits out of me.
Me, too. I think he's after me because I
broke some bogus theatre
traditions or something.
Ah, here we go. Such a tragic story.
It was opening night
of the Scottish play.
Adrienne had the lead.
Apparently, towards the
end of the performance,
he took ill and died.
There hasn't been another production of
the Scottish play in this theatre since.
Unbelievable.
So his ghost has been
haunting ever since.
Mm-hmm.
Whoa. Wait a second.
Hermione St. Clair is Lady Macbeth.
His wife. So sad.
I understand that she was
never the same after he died.
Why didn't Hermione
tell me about any of this?
Tell you?
Probably because she's
been dead for over 20 years.
What are you doing here?
Look, I wanted to prove
that I'm not crazy. I'm not.
This place is haunted.
And there was this guy
who died here playing Mac...
...playing the M-word. And for some
reason, he's after me.
And that's why I don't
want to be in the play.
Ross, just...
Just go away.
So we'll run from top to bottom.
I won't stop for notes unless something
really weird jumps out at us.
Let's make it great.
So, who'd you get to play Macduff?
I'm gonna do it myself.
Hey, is it too late for
me to come back? I mean...
Macduff is a really
important part, right?
Play on, Macduff.
I'm gonna leave now.
- If we should fail... - We fail?
But screw your courage to the sticking
place, and we will not face.
[humming]
- Thanks. - Hey, hey, hey.
It's okay. Everyone
gets a little stage fright.
- Oh, believe me, stage fright is the
last thing on my mind right now.
[dramatic music]
[gasping]
[dramatic music]
Here...
is the smell of the pied still?
All the perfumes of Arabia will not
sweeten this little head.
[dramatic music]
- Oh, gentle lady,
it is not for you to
hear what I can speak.
- The repetition in a woman's
ear would murder as it fell.
- Turn, hellhound, turn!
[door opens]
- Cue Jesse.
[door opens]
Hello, Macbeth?
Where's Jesse?
- Of all men else, I have avoided thee.
Get thee back.
My soul is too much charged
with blood of thine already.
[glass shatters]
- Lars, please.
He's waited so long.
All that's left is the final battle.
Please let him complete his performance.
- His performance?
[tense music]
[dramatic music]
[door closes]
- I have no words.
My voice is in my sword.
Thou bloodier villain
than terms can give thee out.
- Then lay on Macduff.
[dramatic music]
[metal clanking]
[dramatic music]
[suspenseful music]
[yel implementation]
- [screams]
[grunting]
[gasping]
Out, out, brief candle.
Life's but a walking shadow.
A poor player that struts and frets his
hour upon the stage,
and then is heard no more.
[applause]
Hi.
So all he wanted to
do was finish the play.
Yeah.
That was pretty amazing.
Yep.
See, how are we gonna
top that one exactly?
That'll do it.
So you're gonna stay with the play, right?
What, are you kidding me?
Uh, Macduff is a very important part.
But I still think I should
picture the audience naked.
So Adrian finally got to
finish the performance,
and take care of his unfinished business.
The end.
Wow, that's really good.
That was a great story.
And speaking of unfinished business,
you guys owe me for the popcorn and soda.
Now, if we divide it by--
Uh, sorry, man. I'll catch you next time.
I don't get my allowance till tomorrow.
Bye.
I didn't eat any, and I hate soda.
Uh, no excuse, no money. Sorry.
Oh, come on. We're supposed to--
And you're leaving me with the mess?
Guys?
This was way more fun when
it was the response we wanted.