Ghost Fever Half Moon Investigations

Seems, on the surface, like the world's divided

along two clean lines.

There are the people who believe in ghosts

and then there are the people who think those people are stupid.

But scratch beneath the surface and just maybe,

the world's a bit more complicated than that.

SCREECHING

HE CRIES OUT

And I stopped, in front of the old science block

and suddenly, I heard this noise.

-What kind of noise?

-Like a screaming.

There was a red eye staring at me.

-Whoa! Weren't you scared?

-No.

-Were your pants on fire?

-What?

-Are you a liar?

-No.

What kind of airhead believes this stuff?

-Wait, though.

-We heard screaming about seven o'clock.

We were cycling down a back lane.

We went straight home, in case it was Mr Pickles' ghost.

Yes. It was Mr Pickles' ghost. I saw him.

Guys, just a little point.

Mr Pickles' ghost doesn't exist.

It's just like an urban myth.

-What did he look like?

-Horrible.

What can you do(?)

Hot off the press. Read about the new school wheelie bins.

All right. Mrs Quinn grows wings and a beak.

-I see no-one's buying your newspaper any more.

-And you are?

Xenia Rice. Class 3D. I've been watching you.

-Times are hard in the newspaper business.

-Obviously.

-Because there's no news!

-Hence the article on wheelie bins.

Hey, it's time somebody examined the issues around.

Wheel-based garbage disposal.

OK. What am I supposed to do? Make up the news?

I think I can help you.

Super piece on our new dustbins.

-Thank you.

-Very interesting, Mavis.

I'm looking forward to more rubbish articles from you.

It's Mia.

You've got a week, hot shot. Make it count.

You've got one more minute...

for those of you who can't count,

one is a very small number.

BEEPING

Gotcha.

I'll take care of this, thank you. You know the rules.

You get it back in one week.

'Good old Freaky Bacon.

'His real name is Kevin but everyone calls him Freaky.

'This was the second time in as many weeks

'he'd had a game confiscated.'

Yes?

Sir, when can I get Skull of Doom back?

You've already had that one for a week.

Every time you ask, another week is added.

-A lot plus one equals even more.

-But, sir...

Do I hear a voice talking?

-I thought not. Right.

-BELL RINGS

Hand in as you go. Class dismissed.

..He had green smoke coming out his nostrils.

Whoa! What colour was his face?

I heard it was like green or something.

Yeah, with yellow blotches.

Up until now, Ralph Devlin's only real claim to fame

was that his dad runs a novelty shop in Boot Street.

But now his story about Pickles is sweeping the school like wildfire.

And Doobie had taken it upon himself to fan the flames.

..so disgusting that every single person hates him.

OK. Maybe I didn't see him, but the boy who did told me 12 feet tall.

-And apparently, he wears this hat.

-A hat?

I mean, a really scary one.

And he has claws instead of hands.

But you want to know the worstest thing? He's hunting for kids.

GASPS

That's why I'm getting this ready.

How tall? 15 feet.

And that's why I've got this.

And you believe all this?

Yeah.

So tell me, what is this thing?

It's a... it's a...

-Yeah. It's a monster.

-No.

-Vampire?

-Not a vampire.

A kind of werewolf?

I know. Is it like an Egyptian mummy that's come back to life?

No.

It's a...

-It's Mr Pickles' ghost.

-A ghost.

That's funny.

I don't want to like...

sneeze on your chips or anything, but won't that go straight through it?

Tell us again.

I was like running through the corridor

and then he was like chasing me,

but next time, if he does that again, I'll get the bat

-and just whack him and whack him and...

-Boo.

GIGGLING

You'll see.

There's no smoke without fire.

Mia soon discovered that nothing sells a school paper

like a good ghost story.

It's 50 years since mad science teacher, Mr Pickles,

was killed in a fire.

Today, we reprint the original report of his death.

Crazy science experiment to bring people back from the dead.

Green smoke hung over the school as fire raged.

Potty Pickles perfected potion prior to perishing...

and took it himself!

One day, his ghost will return to lay a curse on the school and its pupils.

I lost my lucky hair bobble, the sparkly one.

My phone died for no reason.

And it charges to one band, then nothing.

It must be the curse.

THEY GASP

..And it was over 20 feet tall.

Have I done well? Are you pleased?

Pleased? You finding that old article on the internet -

that's great reporting, Xenia.

Beginner's luck.

Hardly. Where was it from again?

Newton Herald? 3rd October 1959?

That's the one.

-Are you OK?

-Yeah.

Why wouldn't I be?

Tried giving one boy 100 lines.

He didn't know what 100 was.

Honestly!

It's enough to make a grown man weep.

What's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost.

"We know what you're doing after work."

All gone.

Every last copy.

Do you want me to start on the next edition?

Yeah, but there's something that's still bugging me?

You know that old article that you found on Mr Pickles?

-Yeah.

-New Town Herald?

-3rd October 1959?

-Yeah.

Well, it says here on their website

that the paper wasn't launched until 2005.

-So I wrote it. Big deal.

-What?

I mocked it up on the computer to look old.

So you lied to our readers.

-Before I came, you had no readers to lie to.

-That's not the point.

Don't tell me you didn't suspect something fishy was going on.

-You could have stopped this earlier but you didn't.

-That's not true.

Come on. I saw you. Every kid in the playground reading your paper.

-You loved it.

-Maybe.

-It's what you want, Mia.

-No. Not like this.

Leave it all to me. Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies.

It's supposed to be a newspaper. The clue's in the title.

It's about news. Xenia, you're fired!

Big mistake, lady.

'It didn't take Xenia long to act on her threat.'

This is outrageous.

"We at Fab News...

-Fab News?

-I know.

"..challenge Half Moon Investigations

"to find the truth behind Mr Pickles' ghost.

-But will they dare?

-What's this nonsense?

-Nothing.

-It's not real, Principle Quinn.

-Good.

Just remember, the old science block is out of bounds.

Anyone caught there will wish they'd been cursed by a ghost.

Yes, Mrs Quinn.

-So are we taking the case?

-It's not a case.

It's a charade to launch Xenia's paper.

And if there really is a ghost?

We're investigators. We deal in facts.

Ghosts are for kids.

But Moon's terrified of Quinn.

Not true.

Prove it...unless you aren't the big brave investigator you claim to be.

OK, then. Tomorrow night, me and Red'll find the truth.

We're going in.

Print that in Fab News.

-Sure you don't want a part of this?

-Quite sure.

We've got work to do.

And only one day to get ready.

Not quite.

Whatever spooked Ralph and the girls was human.

When they read Fab News, they'll think they're safe till tomorrow.

So we're going in tonight.

-Here we go.

-What is it?

Box of old junk from the garage?

Well, one man's junk is another man's detective security stuff.

If that's what you want to call it.

Just use your imagination.

OK, then.

Like wearing a pair of rubber dinghies on your head.

Very funny.

-What is this?

-Polaroid camera.

We'll glue a lever onto the shutter,

some fishing line for a trip wire and bingo, instant proof.

Take a picture of a ghost and we'll be millionaires.

No, Red.

There you are, sweetheart. Hello, Red.

-Hi.

-I wondered if you might like a hot drink each?

-Not just now, thanks, Mum.

-OK, then.

It's just that it might be time for winding down on a school night.

-It's quarter to five.

-Is it?

I'm so used to getting home late from work.

-Well, you can carry on playing then, if you like.

-We're not playing, Mum.

What are you doing then?

Collecting stuff for school hobbies night.

I didn't know anything about that.

Oh, it's so boring, I never thought to tell you.

What's the hobby? Torches?

Surveillance equipment.

Oh...lovely.

Well, if you change your mind

and feel like telling me about your day I'll be in the kitchen.

-OK. Bye, Mum.

-Bye, Mrs Moon.

They get older and their brains turn to mush.

OK. We need to get on our bikes.

Next stop, St Jerome's.

All seemed quiet, although Quinn's car was still there,

so we headed round the back of the old science block.

I kept a look out, while Red looked for a way in.

Come on, Half Moon.

Are you going to help me or not?

Whoever it was that scared Devereaux, they were here.

Come on. Let's go get the equipment set up, before it gets dark.

Try pulling the wire.

Sweet.

Now we wait.

He's in the cupboard.

I know.

Do we take a look?

Or run for our lives?

Your call.

We need to take a look at the film, first.

See who we're dealing with.

It's got a load of hair. I vote we back off.

-What kind of monster has...?

-Cover me.

I'm going in.

-Freaky Bacon?

-Sharkey?

Moon?

You're not meant to be here.

Exactly.

Well, you found your ghost. It's me.

Devlin saw the red recording light from my camera.

Yeah. So what was the screaming noise he said he heard?

Aha!

Plus he was screaming like a girl, too.

That's what the others must have heard.

We heard screaming about seven o'clock.

We were cycling down the back lane.

We went straight home, in case it was Mr Pickles' ghost.

Fitz and Mrs Quinn, they stay late, night after night.

They're up to something and I'm going to get the evidence.

-What for?

-Sounds like blackmail.

-Why?

I'll take of this. You know the rules. You get it back in one week.

'So I can get Skull of Doom back from Fitz and all my other games.

'I've got to get that game back.'

And all I need is a clear shot.

Look. There's Quinn. Stick it out. Go on. Stick the microphone out.

Go! Go!

Wait.

..to show how you jump and spin and kick.

Oh, yes.

Just think, one more level and we can claim the skull!

The Skull of Doom. They're playing MY game.

How about I lend you this tape?

I'm sure Fitz will be very interested.

My phone's working again.

I knew there was no curse.

It was so obvious.

I found my lucky hair bobble.

Little Ralph Devlin.

From zero to hero, to zero again...

in five days.

"My dad runs a novelty shop."

That's not the same as having a personality, though.

Ohh!

Can I interest anyone in a copy?

-No, thanks.

-No?

-You promised me you'd keep this anonymous.

You'd better not let Quinn see this.

Like there's any chance of that! No-one's interested in reading it.

-At least you're telling the truth now.

-Look where it got me. I'm you!

What you doing tonight, then?

Dad's out, so Mum's playing the quality-time cards.

Making popcorn and watching a DVD.

We used to do that.

I don't know what Mum did to the popcorn.

It was always nicer than Dad's.

SCREAM

-Mr Pickles.

-He's back.

Looks like you solved it, Moon...

-not.

-Bet he never even went in.

It's time we took this thing seriously, Moon.

You always told me, if you close your mind, you can never close a case.

Weigh the evidence before you.

And expect the unexpected.

It can't do any harm.

OK.

We're going back in.

CHEERING

There you are, Fletcher. What time do you want to settle down tonight?

-Seven o'clock?

-Um...

-I couldn't get that film you wanted,

so I got the Sound Of Music instead.

-Oh, in that case...

-Just teasing! I got your film...eventually.

-Had to search all over, though, and guess what?

-Mum...

Pecan-flavoured popcorn. Your favourite.

It is your favourite?

Well, that's a relief.

I can't remember the last time we had a night together,

just you and me.

'Great(!) Now what?

'I didn't want to let Mum down.'

What do I do?

Hi, Reg. Just to say, on second thoughts, it's off tonight.

We'll admit defeat on this one and become a laughing stock.

What's that? Why?

Oh, because my mum bought pecan-flavoured popcorn

and it is my very favourite...

I think not(!)

Bernstein, give me a clue.

"Sometimes,

"stepping hard on the bad guys means stepping on the good guys, too.

"It's called collateral damage.

"Every detective has let down a loved one, to close a case.

"Nobody said this game was a picnic."

Thanks a bunch.

'It didn't feel good, but I guess that's why they call it tough love.

'I had to get this case back on track.'

Mum.

-How's the homework coming along?

-Fine.

Mum, I've just realised, I'm meant to be meeting Red tonight.

Oh. Do you want to give him a ring?

I don't expect he'll mind.

Actually, it's quite important. I can't let him down.

Oh...

Popcorn'll keep, won't it?

Mum, if it's OK with you, I might stay at Red's tonight.

You know, if it gets late.

OK. Take your toothbrush...

-just in case.

-Sorry, Mum.

No. It's fine.

You have a good time.

'I'll make it up to you, Mum...

'somehow.'

Ssh!

You shush!

-FLAPPING

-Ohhh!

It was only a pigeon.

Why did you run then?

I was following you.

Of course(!)

Admit...you're scared, aren't you?

Let's remind ourselves, we are the hunter, not the hunted.

OK.

My dad got me this.

Is that what I think it is?

Depends on what you think it is.

An EMF meter.

It picks up electric magnetic fields.

Ghost hunters use them.

-That's the one.

-But why?

Dad gave it to me when I said what we were doing.

-So the whole Sharkey clan believes in ghosts?

-Kind of.

He gave it to me when my mum died...

just in case she was still around, sort of thing.

'Way to go, man.'

I didn't mean to laugh... you know, earlier.

It's OK.

Maybe there ARE ghosts, what do I know?

Maybe.

I think ghosts is the wrong word.

Whoo-hoo-oo! You know...

But sometimes, when you see something so perfect,

like a brand-new bike with no lock on it...

beautiful.

And it's like...

I can hear my mum's voice in my head...

saying, "Touch that, Red, and I'll box your ears so hard!"

Then there might not be ghosts,

but it's nice to think of her still here.

Keeping a beady eye on me.

BUZZING Whoa!

What was that?

-Seems like an electronic field has started up in here?

-What?

-Ssh!

I'm picking up a hissing noise.

-HOLLOW VOICE:

-This is Mr Pickles.

-Where are you?

-Quick. Use the meter to trace it.

The old class PA system. That must have set the trigger off.

It picked up the electromagnetic signal from the PA.

And look - a can of green monster smoke,

-that can be bought from any good joke shop.

-So...no ghost.

-No ghost.

-Who's messing us around this time?

I think I can find out.

Just need to speed this up.

-TAPE SPEEDS UP

-'Mr Pickles.

'What are you doing here? Stay away from here.'

-Xenia?

-'Go!'

Something tells me that she's not that far away.

Probably got a remote control in her hands.

Very clever.

Almost glad you rumbled me. I was getting cramp there.

I couldn't just let Fab News die.

'On the contrary, seems like you'll do anything to make it a success...

'including lying blatantly to your readers.'

SCREAM

-What was that?

-Another of your pranks, perhaps?

I'm all out of pranks.

-Then who made that noise?

-Mr Pickles?

-What do we do?

Nothing. It was probably the wind.

-I don't think so, Moon.

-Do something!

Arggh!

Run!

I'm it!

Real monsters don't run.

Ow!

Oww!

Ow!

You?

Who's next?

-Quinn in a gorilla suit.

-Why didn't you run off?

Cos there's no such thing as ghosts, dummy! What were you trying to do?

Trying to keep the story alive.

And I stopped right in front of the old science block

-and suddenly I heard this noise.

-What kind of noise?

'Getting scared out was the best thing that's ever happened to you.

'It gave you a story to tell and an audience keen to hear it.'

And his teeth, they were like sharpened.

'But when the story went up in smoke,

'it took your popularity with it.

'You had to find a way to keep it alive.'

I saw Xenia by the smoke canister from my Dad's shop.

Same place you got the costume.

I guessed what she was doing. Getting you back in here.

So you thought you'd jump on the bandwagon.

I'd scare you all. And people'd believe me again.

Can I just make a suggestion?

How about you take off your costume and we all go home?

Nice!

-Ready?

-Let's lay down some rules.

First, no screaming, however scary. Remember, it's just a film.

And no saying what's going to happen every five minutes.

You've got yourself a deal.

She's out of a job but she did me a favour in a way.

Gave me something to write about.

Want to come to mine? Freaky Bacon lent me Skull of Doom.

-He lent you it?

-Kind of hush money for keeping quiet about his part.

Bring it on!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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