(We open with a shot of Beechwood Street on Halloween night. Children run across the street and stroll down the block, tugging parents and guardians. Katie, dressed as Little Red Riding Hood, pulls her mother down the street.)
Katie: Come on, Mama! We still have more houses to go to!
Emma: (She's trying to push Robbie's stroller at the same time; he's dressed as a little cowboy) Hold on, sweetie!
Katie: But Lil' Mick will catch up, and I wanna win!
Emma: Katie, what did I tell you? This is NOT a race. (Mutters) No matter what Micky Senior says.
Micky: Is someone using my name in vain?
Emma: (As Micky and Lauren walk up with the twins; Lauren holds Leah) I told Katie that this is NOT a race.
Katie: Yay! We got here first!
Lauren: But who ever said that kids, even the big ones, ever listen?
Katie: I'll bet we have more candy, too!
Emma: Katherine Nesmith, don't start.
Robbie: Canny! (He reaches over to try to grab a few pieces, but Emma moves his bag away)
Emma: Sorry, sweetie. You can't eat the candy until you get home, and even then, I'm going to have to sort out your candy to find some stuff you can eat. Papa and I are probably going to get most of this.
Katie: I'll bet you can't beat me to the door!
Emma: Katie...
Jordan: Wait up! (Valerie walks up with him next. He's dressed as Mickey Mouse, complete with black ears, red shorts, white gloves, a black sweater, and a long tail.) I want candy, too!
Valerie: You guys have to stop running ahead. We have at least a half and hour left.
Lauren: Take it up with Micky and the kids.
Jordan: Can't you wait for me?
Katie: Micky keeps goin' first!
Micky: Someone has to make sure it's safe.
Emma: Please. We know almost everyone who lives on this street.
Davy: *walks up with a sleepy Lizzie in his arms* Mick, 'o are you kidding? You want the candy as much or more than the kids do.
Katie: Well, let's go! Let's get candy!
Emma: Maybe one of us ladies ought to go up with you this time, instead of Micky...
Micky: Hey!
Valerie: Micky, I know you've been asking for candy. You're a little old for this.
Katie: But I like it when Unca Micky takes us! He's funny, an' all the ladies like him!
Lauren: All the more reason why he SHOULDN'T keep going.
Micky: It isn't MY fault!
Emma: Lauren, you know most of the women in this neighborhood are over 60, married, or both.
Lauren: I know that! Still...
Katie: Unca Micky, come on! (She grabs his hand and tries to pull him up to the door)
*Micky laughs.*
Emma: Katie, come back! (But she's already half-way to the door. Emma turns to the twins) I guess you guys had better follow her. Mind your sister and Lizzie. They're not quite as good of runners as you. I'll follow with Jordan and Robbie.
Davy: *looks down at Lizzie* I don't think this little lady will be doing much running.
Emma: (Smiles at Lizzie in her Cinderella costume) Not in those glass slippers!
Valerie: We'll guard your back.
(Cut to the front door of the house. Katie knocks as hard as she can on the door the moment she gets there.)
Katie: Come on, guys! It's Mrs. Filcheck's house! She gives out big chocolate bars!
(The other kids join Katie at the door as Mrs. Filcheck finally opens it. Katie, Jordan, and the twins hold out their bags at once.)
Kids (In unison): TRICK OR TREAT!
Mrs. Filcheck: Well, aren't you all just darling? (She drops a big, regular-sized candy bar in each child's bag) Here's something special for you!
Katie: Oooh, Snickers! Thanks!
Jordan: What did you guys get? I got Milky Way! (He peers into Little Mick's bag)
Little Mick: I got Three Musketeers!
Robbie: (He frowns when he looks in his bag) "Aw, I just got some little Mars bar! I didn't get a big one like you guys!"
Katie: You're still too little. Maybe you'll get a big one next year!
Jordan: (Looks over his shoulder as they leave Mrs. Filcheck's) Hey, how come Unca Micky's still there?
Katie: Maybe he's talkin' to Mrs. Filcheck!
Jordan: I guess he likes talking to her. I do, too. She's nice! She makes a good Lemon Pie!
Emma: (As she rounds up the kids) Ok, do we have everyone? Where's Micky?
Jordan: Back there! (Points back at Mrs. Filcheck's porch. Micky's still talking to her.)
Emma: What's taking him so long?
Robbie: Canny! (He tries to reach in his bag again; Emma pulls his hand out)
Davy: 'E's probably asking if she's got any cookies.
Valerie: I hope he doesn't eat the poor old woman out of house and home.
(Micky finally comes back down the walkway, whistling. Emma shakes her head.)
Emma: Micky, what were you doing, trying to move in?
Micky: No, I wasn't. I said I thought I could smell something had been baking. She gave me a handful of cookies that'd already cooled.
Valerie: Why are we NOT surprised?
Emma: Um, why don't we move along to Millie's and Larry's house? Larry should have some of Millie's Pumpkin Cookies all wrapped up and waiting for you!
Katie: Oooh, Nana Millie and Poppy Larry! Let's go!
Jordan: (As the kids dart down the street) I wish she'd give away cheesecake, or those big muffins Daddy likes!
Katie: I like her chocolate cake best! I'd love to get THAT for Halloween!
Jordan: I hope we haven't run too far ahead of everyone else.
Katie: (Looks over her shoulder) Hey, Lil' Mick the slowpoke! I'll bet you can't catch me!
Emma: Katie Nesmith.... (Sighs to Lauren) I wish Mike was here, but he said he and Peter were going out for some "guy time."
Lauren: As nice as it would've been to have them here, too, I think them spending time together alone was a good idea. They are the ones with the most mending to do.
Emma: Yeah, I know, but he's better with Katie than me. I just can't get her to listen. It's like handling my sisters all over again. (She picks up Robbie) But this little boy is MUCH better. He listens to his mama, doesn't he?
Robbie: (He smiles and nuzzles his mother) "Aww Mama, I'll always listen to you!"
Valerie: I wish Jordan wasn't so determined to keep up with the others. He's afraid of being left behind, but I'M afraid they'll lead him into trouble.
Davy: It makes me 'appy that Lizzie doesn't go along with any of it. *The little girl is now asleep, still in his arms*
Emma: That's because she spends more time with Leah, who doesn't go along with any of it either.
Lauren: *grins* Leah takes more after her mommy.
Emma: And Robbie just wants to do what his sister does.
Davy: And Micky takes aftah the kids. *points out Micky in the midst of the kids again*
Emma: (Groans; they're already up to the next house. We see Larry give out bags of cookies) I wish Millie was there instead of Larry. He probably wouldn't be able to talk extras out of Mil, but Larry's a pushover.
Valerie: Maybe we ought to put Micky on a leash.
Lauren: If we could catch him long enough to.
Katie: Mama! Aunt Lauren! (She races back to them) Look! I got lotsa pumpkin cookies!
Jordan: Me too! They're nice and soft!
Robbie: Uh-huh. (He's starting to nod off in his mother's arms)
Katie: (Gives her mother a bag of cookies) These are for Robbie!
Emma: How nice of Pop Pop Larry! Did you thank him?
Katie: Uh-huh. (Grins and looks over her shoulder) Here comes the twins! I won again!
Emma: Katie, I SAID this is NOT a race!
Micky: *grins as the kids compare goodies* I managed to snag some pumpkin whoopie pies.
Emma: (Sighs) Only you, Micky. How did you con Larry into it?
Valerie: Micky... (But he's already run ahead with the older kids again)
Emma: (Sighs; pats her sleeping son on the back) Darn it. Now we have to catch up with him again.
Valerie: Hey Davy, how did you end up taking Lizzie out?
Davy: She and the Abbies 'ad a recording session tonight, despite 'ow much they complained.
Emma: They probably all wanted to go out with the Martians and you guys.
Valerie: Are you kidding? I'll bet they all wanted to go trick-or-treating themselves.
Emma: I think we're coming up on the Parkers' house next.
Katie: Ooh! Mrs. Parker always gives out popcorn balls!
Emma: Katie, slow down! And Micky, don't encourage them!
Micky: What encourage? I want the popcorn balls!
Emma: I don't want them - or you - to fall down and hurt yourselves, or ruin your candy.
Katie: Oh, I don't want to smush my chocolate!
Jordan: I don't want to break my candy! I won't run!
Katie: Can I run slowly?
Emma: Katie...
Katie: (Turns to Little Mick) First one to the Parkers' house gets the biggest popcorn ball!
Emma: Katie Nesmith, I told you...
Jordan: No Katie, our candy!
Jordan: (Turns to Little Mick) You're not really going to follow her, are you? What if we break our candy?
Shelly: (Takes her brother's arm) No, he won't. Let Katie get in trouble. The last time he ran and Mommy said "no," he got spanked and sent to his room.
Little Mick: *shakes his head* If Katie doesn't want to listen, she can get in trouble. This is supposed to be a fun night, and I don't wanna get in trouble!
Emma: (She goes to Katie and grabs her arm) Katherine Martha Nesmith, you behave this instant, or we're going home! Your brother is already asleep. This is a fun night out, NOT a race!
Katie: Awww! (Sighs) Ok. I wanna get a popcorn ball. I won't run. (She turns to the other kids, muttering) Geez, Mama takes all the fun outta stuff...
Jordan: Well, we're gonna get popcorn balls! That's what matters.
Katie: (Sighs) Yeah. (Looks ahead) Hey, Uncle Micky is already at the Parkers' house!
Jordan: I wonder if Suzy's there?
Katie: I think you like her!
Jordan: No, I don't! She's too big for me.
Katie: You're turnin' red! You like her!
Jordan: Katie! (He just blushes redder)
Emma: Here we are! (She nudges Katie) Why don't you guys join Micky, before he eats all of Mr. Parker's popcorn balls?
Katie: Ooh, right! (She turns to the twins) Your Papa sure can eat! We'd better get up there, before he eats all the popcorn!
Jordan: Yeah! Mommy always says Uncle Micky has the biggest stomach in Los Angeles!
(The kids all walk as quickly as they can without getting in trouble up to the Parkers' house, where Mark Parker chats with Micky.)
Emma: Grace must be working or took Suzy and her friends out trick-or-treating.
Valerie: I hope Micky didn't hog all the popcorn balls.
Emma: (Shakes her head) He probably just wanted to talk to Mark.
Lauren: Probably.
Jordan: (All the kids come back with Micky this time) We all got balls!
Katie: (Holds out her bag to see) Mr. Parker gave us each a popcorn ball, and he gave us fruit candies for the little guys who can't eat popcorn!
Emma: And what did he give Big Micky?
Micky: Some of everything.
Valerie: Why don't we head for the Pad next? We're having our Halloween party there. We'll count your goodies, separate the candy for the little kids into what they can't eat and what us adults get, and let you kids play some quiet games?
Katie: Sure! (Grins) I hope we bob for apples! I'm good at that!
Jordan: I'm not!
Little Mick: I guess you wanna race some more, huh, Katie?
Katie: Yeah! You bet I do! All the way to my house!
Emma: No way! (She takes Katie's arm) We mean it, kids. No running and no fighting. You guys have to stop this. Look at what happened to your fathers when they got into a big fight. They almost killed each other.
Katie: But Mama...
Emma: Katie, just walk. It's getting late, ok? You and Micky can run races on the beach or in Micky's backyard tomorrow.
Katie: Ok.
Little Mick: Yay!
Jordan: (He smiles) Don't you want to walk with Shelly and me? We don't like to run! (Grins) But we can all look at our candy and talk about what we got!
Emma: Now, see there? You can do things without running. (Looks at Micky) You too.
Micky: I'm gonna check out my candy.
Emma: You're going to share some of that with your younger daughter.
Valerie: And Lauren. It's only fair.
Micky: Yes, I will.
Valerie: (Takes Jordan's hand) Ok gang, let's go home.
Katie: Yay! Party time!
Emma: That's right, honey, as long as you all behave.
Katie: I will!
Jordan: Me too!
Valerie: (Smiles and pats her son's head) Oh Jordan. (He leans gently into his mother's large stomach as we fade out on the group...and on Micky's huge smile as he inspects his bag of candy...)