[Child laughing]
Well, friends come and friends go.
And I'm sorry to say
that 2 of our good friends have gone.
David and Kristen's families have moved.
We won't be hearing their stories anymore,
but they'll always be a part of the Midnight Society.
We'll miss them.
But...
That means that we have room
for 2 new members.
Betty Ann?
My friend Sam wants to join,
but needs time to work on an initiation story.
Well, that's cool. No rush.
I've got someone I want to sponsor,
and I brought him here tonight.
He's ready.
So bring him on.
Kinda small, isn't he?
Small? I'll show you small!
Oh, man, not a chance.
No way.
Come on, man, not your little brother!
I've got no choice.
I've either gotta bring him,
or I can't come anymore.
You're kidding.
Hey, we're not baby sitters.
You know, members gotta tell stories.
If you scabs would lighten up,
maybe I could tell one.
Listen, give him a chance.
You'd really have to quit?
Yeah, yeah, I know.
Tucker, this better be good,
or I'm gonna let Frank pound you.
Tucker: OK.
You guys make up ghost stories all the time.
But, there are some ghost stories
that have been around for so long,
that it makes you wonder if maybe, just maybe,
they might not be made up.
My story's about a famous ghost,
and about a legend that's so popular
it just won't die.
Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society,
I call this story...
Tucker: They called him
the Headless Horseman.
Legend says he was a soldier
who had his head ripped off
by a stray cannonball.
Night after night,
his ghost would ride through the countryside
near Sleepy Hollow searching for a new head
and a victim to steal it from.
Then, one Halloween night,
a lonely schoolmaster named Ichabod Crane
took a wrong turn in the woods
and was chased down by the demon ghost.
[Horse whinnying]
Ichabod rode like crazy
to get to the Bridge of Souls,
a bridge the Headless Horseman could never cross.
But he didn't make it,
and poor Ichabod was never seen again.
Ever since then, on Halloween night,
the ghosts of the Headless Horseman
and Ichabod Crane return to Sleepy Hollow
to ride again.
Or so the legend says.
Ian Matthews just moved to Sleepy Hollow
and was trying hard to make friends.
But like everything Ian did,
sometimes he tried a little too hard.
Heads up!
Brad!
I'm sorry, babe.
Um--um, please allow me.
Oh, thanks.
He really burns me sometimes.
Hi, um--I'm Ian.
I'm Katie.
Um--aren't we in the same lit class?
I sit by the...
Window! Uh--yeah, we are.
What is all this stuff?
Oh, it's decorations for the Halloween dance tonight.
Uh--tonight?
Hey, I'm available if you need any help.
Really? That would be great.
I could use all the...
Oh, look what he did.
I was gonna help.
If you want to help, you can get this fixed pronto.
And bring it inside, because we'll be
setting up for the dance.
Lead on.
Hey, is he putting moves on Katie?
Not if he wants to live.
So, how do you like Sleepy Hollow?
It's nice.
But you know, kind of boring compared to the city,
but it--it's nice.
You're from the city?
Yeah, I just moved in this summer.
Need some help, babe?
No thanks, babe.
We're almost done.
So are you going to the dance with me tonight?
Brad! How many ways do I have to say it?!
It's over.
We don't go out anymore.
Look, I'll say when we don't go out anymore.
Good thing you've got such a hard head.
Sorry about that.
So are you going to the dance tonight?
Why, are you asking? Ha ha.
You stay away from her,
unless you want to walk around toothless.
I don't believe it. I'm sorry.
He can be really juvenile sometimes.
He can be really scary, too.
Don't let him bother you.
Are you coming tonight?
Wouldn't miss it.
Great. Save a dance for me.
Well, this is gonna be interesting.
[Dance music]
Hey, we're twins.
Great minds think alike.
Hey, I love bumping into old friends.
Come on. You owe me a dance.
A debt I'd be most happy to pay, my lady.
Tucker: Ian was kind of a goofy guy,
and everybody thought he was pretty funny.
Well, almost everybody.
Ian didn't know it,
but he was walking through some very dangerous territory.
Thanks.
Would you just listen to me for a second?
Hey, guys, how are you doing?
Take off, geek.
Listen...
Call me crazy, but I don't think
she wants to talk to you.
It's OK, Ian...
Excuse me?
I think you should leave her alone.
Oh.
Brad!
All right.
You, outside.
Brad, don't do this.
Put your fists down, geek.
Uh--I'd rather not.
Look, I don't want to fight you.
I'm gonna do you a favor.
Uh--good, I think.
Brad, cut the macho stuff. It's old.
You know the Legend of Sleepy Hollow?
Uh--yeah, sorta.
Well, let me refresh your memory.
It was Halloween night back in 1700 whatever,
when Ichabod Crane came to a fork in the road.
He should have gone left,
but he went right.
So, instead of getting to the Bridge of Souls,
a bridge the Headless Horseman could never cross over,
he went deeper into the woods.
Yeah, I know,
the Headless Horseman threw a pumpkin
and took his head. So what?
So, it's Halloween,
and we have a tradition here in Sleepy Hollow.
When some new guy shows up,
he's gotta be initiated.
Oh, please.
Whaddya gonna take my head?
Not exactly.
No.
See, the old bridge is still there,
just like in the story.
It's through the park and into the woods.
Yeah, so?
So what you gotta do
is go to the bridge,
get the Headless Horseman's pumpkin,
just like we all did.
Come on, Ian, you don't have to.
You're kidding, right?
You got a choice.
Go get the pumpkin,
we'll cut you some slack.
don't get it,
and you can put your fists back up.
Well, uh--since I don't believe in ghosts,
I'll uh--take my chance with the pumpkin.
Have fun.
Look, this isn't a tradition.
You don't have to do this.
It's OK. I'll play a little game,
get it over with.
Save a dance for me.
[Ian whistling]
Fork in the road.
OK, Ichabod, which way to the bridge?
You went right. I'm going left.
[Sound of horse whinnying]
OK, guys, where's the pumpkin?
Nice touch.
[Crackling sound]
[Male voice in the distance]
Yeah, ha ha, Brad. I know it's you.
[Sound of footsteps running]
Gimme a break!
You guys aren't...
Oh!
No, no!
No.
No, don't take my head!
No!
Boo!
Oh, man, this is gonna go down in history.
Help! Help! Don't take my head!
Ian, are you OK?
Don't mess with me, you little weasel.
I'll take your head off myself.
Let's go, Katie.
I'm staying with Ian.
Would you forget this loser?
Brad, I'm sick of your stupid games!
Why don't you just take your traveling circus, please,
and leave me alone?
Do whatever you want.
Just remember, it's Halloween.
I don't think your pal here
has the guts to stand up to the real Headless Horseman
if he shows up.
Ian, I'm really sorry.
No, no. Hey, I like ridicule.
I can't wait for school on Monday
because I'm gonna get tons.
Listen, would you walk me home?
'Tis the one thing that would make
this horrible night worthwhile, my lady.
Take thee my muddy arm.
I am really glad this night is over.
I think you're really great.
You know, Brad never would have come out here by himself.
Hey, you're shivering. Take my jacket.
No, I'm OK.
[Horse sounds]
It was brave how you stood up
to Brad at the dance, too.
Yeah, right. Brave and stupid.
No, it's about time someone stood up to...
[Horse whinnying]
You hear that?
It's a horse.
Does Brad ride?
I don't think so.
I uh-- think we'd better--ah!
Good evening, children.
Oh, I didn't mean to startle you.
I'm afraid I've lost my way
in these wretched woods.
Would you be so kind
as to direct me to the Bridge of Souls?
Uh--yeah, sure.
Uh--take a left at the fork.
Oh, lucky thing.
I surely would have taken a right.
Thank you kindly.
Who are you?
Crane, Ichabod Crane, the new schoolmaster.
Good evening.
Ichabod Crane?
You gotta be...
Where'd he go?
Let's get you home. Let's...
Ian, I'm really glad I met you.
Me, too.
I--I mean, I'm glad I met you.
Uh--at the risk of needing dental work,
I--uh--I'd like to see you again.
Me, too.
I mean, I'd like to see you again.
[Dog barks]
I just remembered my bike.
Um--I left it at the school.
Good night.
[Sound of horse whinnying]
You're spooking yourself, Ian, old boy.
[Laughter]
[Horse whinnying]
Aw, come on.
Brad?
Brad, I'm not buying it.
[Sound of horse gallop]
Man, this guy is good.
Oh, no, the key, I forgot it in my jacket.
[Laughter from a distance]
Forget it. I'm outta here.
Ah!
It's just me.
What are you doing here?
Thanks, but I could have gotten it tomorrow.
Oh.
Come on, I'll ride you home.
Relax. Why are you so nervous?
You know, Brad, the bridge.
You know, that real wacky guy in that costume.
Let's just pretend none of this ever happened.
Ian?
[Laughter]
That's it. I've had it.
Enough's enough, Brad, all right?
She doesn't like you anymore!
You want to fight, we'll fight.
But stop with the stupid games.
Say what?
[Laughter]
[Horse whinnies]
Brad?
Run for your life!
What is this? What's the matter?
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
just stopped being a legend. Look.
Aaaahhhh!
Meet your brother, pal!
Don't take my head!
This can't be, can it?
Katie, the thing came out of the wall.
This is no joke. It's the Headless Horseman.
I thought he's supposed to be after Ichabod Crane.
Yeah, except we told old Ichabod how to get to the bridge.
We changed the story.
No, it's after us.
There's only one thing we can do.
What?
We've got to play the story out.
We've got to get to the bridge. He can't cross it.
If you think I'm going...
Aaahhh!
Ha ha ha ha!
I think we lost him.
He'd never think we'd be stupid enough to come back here.
Go!
Faster!
Stop! Turn right!
There!
Now what?
He can't get both of us.
I'll distract him. You run for the bridge.
He'll get you!
Have you got a better idea?
Yeah, I'll distract him.
No!
Ian, go!
Aaahhh!
[Katie screaming]
Aaaahhh!
You supernatural air head.
It's me you're after. Come on.
Come and get me!
I hope this legend works both ways.
Guess not.
The bridge!
Run!
Ian!
And I thought this place was boring.
It worked.
We set the story straight.
Wonderful.
You children should not be out so late.
And on Halloween to boot.
They say these woods are haunted, you know.
Why are you coming back?
Oh, I'm afraid I've totally lost my way.
I think it best to go back to the fork
and take the right path.
That should set things straight.
Uh--yeah, I think it probably will.
Take care.
Beware of the Headless Horseman.
Happy Halloween.
[Horseman laughing]
The end.
Well?
You'll do.
Excellent.
Just keep him out of my face.
Yes!
Nice going, bro.
Welcome to the Midnight Society.
You put out the fire. I'm gonna catch up.
Uh...
I hope I'm not gonna regret this.
Captioned by Grant brown