Le Pump King

Everyone in the trailer lurched forward as the hay ride abruptly ended. The engine went silent just as the headlights shut off. Where were they? It was too dark to tell. Then, barely visible in the moonlight, a huge form covered in vines rose up. "I am the pump king," it howled!

“I demand a tribute! No, I don’t know, ‘demand’ is maybe too strong a word. I… ENCOURAGE a tribute! Or at least a gift, like, a treat.” One passenger stood up, squinting at the silhouette. “Do you like white chocolate?” he asked. “NO!” came the booming reply. “I’m not a monster!”

Another brave soul spoke up. “How about candy corn?” A silence filled the room as the King stood up, drew his sword, and sprinted toward the passenger (who squealed and appeared frozen in place). Then, to the shock of all, the King dropped his weapon, and gently hugged the man.

"Candy Corn!" said the Pump King in a lilting tone. "Corn that tastes like candy! Being a gourd myself, I always seek to support local crops, and corn is certainly no exception!" And with a flourish of foliage, the king signaled subjects to gather all the candy corn in the land!

“What is this?!” “TYRANNY!” “Not my candy corn!” The local citizens shouted as the Pump King’s subjects went foraging through the garden rows. Rosemarie stood her ground. “The king has gone too far! I will not stand for this. Beet it you minions!”

The king was suddenly overcome with a flashback. Mummy and Daddy were taking him on his first trick or treating adventure, when he first learned of the healing power that delicious candy can have on a distressed soul. A tear came to his eye. “Candy for all!” he exclaimed.