It’s Gonna Be A Long One.

Northwest Mansioooonnnnn!! manor?? Big house.

It was just supposed to be a sketch-

Anyway, the haunting proceeds as normal.

It’s gonna be a long one.

Stanley, Fiddleford, Carla, and Stanford are lounging about the living room when news about the Northwest Manor party is announced. Stanley and Stanford aren’t too impressed with the idea, but Fiddleford and Carla both seem quite excited about it. They explain to the twins what it is and just how extravagant it is, Stanley soon joins the excitement when he learns about all the free handouts, but is still unsure about all the stuck up rich people. Stanford stands his ground, saying that Preston Northwest is insufferable. Cue Preston knocking on the door asking for help and Stanford promptly slamming it in his face.

“Wait, Ford! Look, I know you hate Preston. I do, too! I punched him! But look at how excited Fiddleford and Carla are. This would be the best date ever! She’d like- marry me or something if I took her to this party!”

“Stanley, taking her to this party would only skyrocket her standards for your dates. The bar isn’t even that high currently and you still have to jump for it.”

“Yeah, yeah! It’s not just for Carla, though! Fidds would probably have a blast exploring with you when you’re done with your ghost thing!”

When Stanford peeks back into the living room, Fiddleford and Carla are chanting “Dreams! Dreams! Dreams!” with excitement and Ford let’s put a heavy sigh.

“Alright.” He smiles.

Stanford is able to squeeze 3 extra tickets from Preston and they celebrate by screaming at a volume that makes Mabel wonder if they are being murdered, not that she checks.

At the party, Preston introduces Ford to his parents when they catch a glimpse at the twins. Stanley is wearing a dress shirt rolled up to his elbows over his regular T-shirt and Stanford is in his usual clothes. Preston is ordered to make them change. Stanley goes out of his way to pick a blindingly white suit knowing that even one stain will guarantee him ownership over it. Stanford picks a blue tux, it’s definitely not practical for his line of work. He’s sure it will tear at some point or another by the end of the night.

“Well, have fun on your date, Stan.” Ford huffs when Preston impatiently insists they head to the problem room.

“Oh...yeah...my date...see, well, I...I haven’t asked Carla yet.”

“What- but we’re here already. You know you’re supposed ask beforehand right?”

“Of course I do! But when I tried to ask, we made eye contact and...and I dunno, I got...shy.” Stanley mumbles, looking at his feet.

“Then ask her now...or ask her to dance. Tell me how it goes, okay?” Stanford shouts as he is ushered away by Preston.

Carla and Fiddleford are stuck at the guest book, looking over and teasing the many billionaires who were invited. Stanley takes a deep breath and as he begins his walk towards his friends, he is cut in front of by another boy. Much to Stanley’s horror, he asks Carla if she wants to dance. She says no, to Stanley’s relief but then another boy swoops in cutting in front of Stanley! He huffs, feeling discouraged and decides to wait it out by getting lost in the cheese fountain. Little to his knowledge, Carla says no to each boy, peering to Stanley every once in a while, hoping for him to come over. Fiddleford is extremely unimpressed with Stanley’s inaction.

“Yinno, Stanley, she wants to dance with you.”

“No she doesn’t, she’s talkin to all those boys.” He grumbles.

“She’s rejecting all those boys. All those stupidly rich high class boys.”

“What? Huh, I wouldn’t.” Stanley laughs. Fiddleford nudges Stanley with his elbow.

“Don’t make her wait too long, Stanley. She’s not gonna wait forever.” He points out as he strides back to Carla. Stanley shoves a spoonful of cheese into his mouth.

Meanwhile, Stanford and Preston are having less fun than the townsfolk waiting outside. Ford is unsure about what the best course of action should be for a spirit as vengeful and powerful as this large fiery lumberjack. As he and Preston run from the ghost, they discover the hidden room where Ford fortunately discovers the silver mirror. Stanford wants to celebrate shortly with Preston when the ghost is caught but Preston seems in a rush to leave the hidden room. Outside the manor, the ghost reveals the truth about the curse on the Northwest’s and Stanford is immediately enraged. Inside, Stanford confronts the Northwest’s about the truth.

“You’re no better than your parents, Preston.” Stanford glares. Preston momentarily loses his composure, but recovers quickly. Ford wasn’t expecting much of a reaction, but he wasn’t expecting to be even more disappointed by Prestons response.

“Yes, well, no matter how horrible you think I am, as a Northwest, I will always be better than you.”

Stanford briefly considers shattering the mirror, but simply sighs as he walks away defeated. Preston his patted on his back by his father, but watches Ford walk away with regret. Outside, the lumberjack convinces Stanford to hold the mirror to the forest and uses his flames to make him drop and break the mirror.

“Oh, great.”

Carla is surprised she can bored at the best party in the world. It would be a lot more fun if Stanley would talk to her. Every time they make eye contact from across the room he either turns away or runs to the snack table. Frustrated, she huffs and pushes her way through the line of suitors that have blocked her view of her friend. Stanley sees her coming and freezes like a deer in headlights. She’s so scary when she’s mad, but in a way that makes Stan blush.

“H-h-hey! Hi! Y-you come here often?” He winks.

“Stanley, you have cheese on your face.” She says and he quickly wipes away at his face.

“Yes.”

“Stan, why have you been avoiding me? I thought we came here together but you’re more interested in the snack table than me! Is it me? You don’t wanna hang out with me?” She shouts, causing a small scene.

“Wh-what? No! Carla! I...I just thought...” Stanley let’s out a sigh, “Look, I was gonna ask you to be my date before we got here, but I got scared. Then, I was gonna ask ya to dance earlier but all these boys started talking to ya. I thought maybe...you’d like to dance with some prince than...well, a stupid boy with cheese on his face.” He confesses. Before Carla can respond, the hall breaks into chaos with plates and furniture flying over everyone’s head.

“Oh! Dangit, Stanford! I stayed in the hall to avoid the paranormal activity! This is why we can’t have nice things, Ford!” Fiddleford shouts, ducking as a several plates fly pass his head.

Soon, the curse begins to take hold as the people in the hall begin to turn to wood. Stanford is distressed to see his friends and brother stuck in the positions they were last holding before the woodsman struck them with the curse. He immediately begs the Northwest’s to open the gates, telling Preston that he can still fix everything. Stanford is struck and is turned into a wood statue and Preston is left to decide the fate of his family. He is conflicted, knowing his hard earned trust will be lost completely with one action. He opens the gates anyways and the party guests spring back to life, gasping for air.

As the townsfolk flood the manor, Stanford gives Preston his friendly nudge.

“You did good, Preston.” He smiles.

“I know. These....people likely will be locked out next year, but...maybe that won’t be the case when I inherit the family fortune.” He shrugs as he walks back to his parents.

Stanford goes to find Fiddleford and does his best to calm him down, inviting him to explore the mansion only to be turned down. Fiddleford doesn’t want to run the risk of running into another ghost. Stanford opts for them to drown in the cider fountain instead and Fiddleford agrees happily. Meanwhile, Carla and Stanley are standing awkwardly side by side in the same place they had been since they were turned to wood.

“Wow, uh, we..uh...almost died.” Stanley bursts out.

“Yeaaahhh...we did.” Carla nods, looking away.

Stanley awkwardly and slowly reaches for her hand. “Do...you, uhm, do you..wanna dance?”

“Yeaaahhh...I do.” She says looking up at him and they both burst into giggles.

The four of them enjoy the rest of the party dancing, eating, and drawing on the occasional portrait. There is still more to come, however.