October 31.
Today is the third day of the film's nationwide release.
It's also Halloween Eve—a night of revelry. In many countries and regions, plenty of people treat Halloween Eve as Halloween itself.
As for the original "Mass of All Saints" and other rituals, who cares in today's commercialized World?
Party!
Party like crazy!
Before nightfall—well, starting in the afternoon—countless Americans in bizarre costumes couldn't contain their excitement. They slipped into all kinds of outfits, transformed into ghosts and monsters, and poured onto the streets.
Sunset Boulevard.
A 27-kilometre stretch in western Los Angeles, California, lined with palm trees and movie billboards. Over time, it has become shorthand for Hollywood itself.
More than a thousand Hollywood films have featured Sunset Boulevard.
Today, dozens of groups—over a thousand people—are surging along that 27-kilometre strip toward every Hollywood landmark.
Mummies, Vampires, Witches, savages, zombies, blood-splattered Doctors and Nurses… youngsters in every outlandish outfit strut fearlessly.
A parade of ghouls—nothing less.
little sponge House Flagship Store.
"Jenny, Susan, fill those shelves fast—we're going to be swamped any minute now!"
James, the store manager and an old neighbour of Kyle's, is sweating buckets. He's been run off his feet for days.
Business is simply too good!
During the Halloween window, anything spooky is selling out.
Besides the movie that put Page Pictures on the map, the studio has plenty of horror titles.
…and even a trump-card TV series.
Those tie-ins can't stay in stock!
Day after day, little sponge Merchandise Chain's numbers keep climbing. Even compared with last Halloween, sales are way up.
And there's something even smarter!
"Compared with live-action films, animated series merch is far more popular. We've got,, —and the North-American rights to sell merch too."
"These cute collectibles are huge money-spinners with tourists, viewers, and everyday shoppers."
"Pump out a Halloween-specific batch and we'll sell out—and clean up."
The idea came from Hashimoto Taro, president of little sponge House Merchandise Chain. He mapped out the whole plan early on.
Special-edition little sponge for Halloween;
peppa pig family Vampire set;
Finding Nemo sea-creature horror/thriller line;
Even the red-hot bratz dolls got their own Halloween batch for the season.
Best of all, these holiday exclusives carry premium price tags.
"Wow!"
"Mom, look—it's little sponge! A Vampire little sponge with fangs. He looks naughty but still so silly!"
A seven-year-old girl in the store squeals with excitement at the window display of "Vampire" little sponge.
Cute, adorably dumb, evil, prankster—every limited variant is pulling shoppers in.
When a little girl falls in love, how can Mom say no?
Even at forty bucks—double the regular price—she pays up. It's a holiday, after all.
Figures, apparel, accessories, keychains, stationery, books… everything flies off the shelves. Before the busiest night even starts, the flagship's daily take has doubled; restocks vanish within minutes.
James, Jenny, Susan and the crew hurt—but it's a sweet pain.
"Keep at it, everyone! When this stretch is over, the company's handing out fat bonuses—and dream-trip prizes!" Manager James rallies the troops.
"Really? A vacation?"
Jenny lights up.
Susan calls over, "Where to—Hawaii or Miami?"
James grins: "Both, girls—but only if your Halloween hustle earns the slot. Now quit slacking!"
Jenny and Susan stick out their tongues and dive back into the crush.
Those holiday trips cost serious money.
With Kyle's legendary stinginess, he'd never okay it—if CEO Victor hadn't kept pushing.
At first Kyle wouldn't dream of the extra expense.
"Boss, our pay and benefits at Golden Dawn Entertainment HQ and every sub are frankly embarrassing."
"Across the America, our compensation is merely average for the sector—nowhere near top-tier."
"Benefits? We're basically bottom of the barrel among peers our size."
"Short-term it's fine, long-term it's poison for growth."
Victor finally swayed Kyle—though it pained him.
Victor was right: spending a bit more boosted morale and loyalty company-wide.
Since crossing over, Kyle admits he's got flaws—temper, stinginess—but also strengths.
He isn't pig-headed; he knows his limits, keeps learning, and heeds good advice… Night falls!
The wildest hours of Halloween Eve have arrived!
Early reports from theatres show attendance is up again—today's box office will be strong, maybe even great.
On a night this loud and crazy, Kyle sure isn't staying home.
He rounds up his girlfriend Lima, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron and the gang for club-hopping.
Ding-ding-ding—
Before they even get inside, Kyle's phone rings.
"Boss, Page Pictures just flagged a wave of online sniping—looks like Warner's handiwork," Alexander says.
Kyle smiles. "Guess the honeymoon's over—time we hit back."
Page Pictures and Warner had shamelessly carved up the release slate and crushed the competition; now, for a bigger slice, they're turning on each other.