Chapter Twenty: Tales from the Darkside

"What you are about to witness are three twisted tales connected to the tragic and macabre events that befell the town of Riverdale. Known as the "Black Hood murders," they were all the more tragic because those who bore witness to these terrible things were so young. A seemingly random shooting quickly revealed itself to be the first in a series of gruesome attacks perpetrated by a hooded assailant. These latest chapters began with the discovery if a letter from the Black Hood affixed to the door of Pop Tate's Chock'lit shoppe."

- Opening narration

"Chapter Twenty: Tales from the Darkside" is the seventh episode of the second season of Riverdale, and the twentieth episode of the series overall.

Synopsis
A TEST FROM THE BLACK HOOD — Riverdale remains on edge after a chilling letter from the Black Hood challenges the town’s residents to remain sinless for 48 hours – or he’ll strike again. Meanwhile, Jughead and Archie’s friendship gets tested after Penny Peabody unexpectedly calls in a favor that Jughead owes her. Elsewhere, Betty and Veronica team up to investigate someone who Betty thinks could be the Black Hood killer. Finally, things take an unexpected turn for Josie when a secret admirer takes things one step too far.

Plot
SPOILERS AHEAD


 * NOTE: PLOT IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

A recall of previous events ended with an audio with scratchy quality, and white text slowly crawls across the screen.

"What you are about to witness are three twisted tales connected to the tragic and macabre events that befell the town of Riverdale.

Known as the "Black Hood murders," they were all the more tragic because those who bore witness to these terrible things were so young.

A seemingly random shooting quickly revealed itself to be the first in a series of gruesome attacks perpetrated by a hooded assailant.

These latest chapters began with the discovery of a letter from the Black Hood affixed to the door of Pop Tate's Chock'lit Shoppe."

At Pop's, the owner of the diner is joined by Sheriff Keller and the mayor of town, Sierra McCoy. Sheriff reads the letter, which says,

"People of Riverdale,

'''I have rid this town of the drug-dealing child-killer, and others like him. Now you must choose your fate. The next 48 hours will be a test, and I will be watching you very closely. Show me you're a pure-of-heart, and my work ends. Continue to sin, and I will take up this work again."'''

Jughead and Betty are sleeping in his trailer at Sunnyside Trailer Park. Betty says that she thought that she outsmarted the Black Hood. By having Robert Phillips arrested, she thought he would be safe and his life wouldn't be taken. Jughead, who thinks she's putting herself down, attempts to comfort her. He says that Phillips didn't deserve what was coming to him, but he brought up the fact that he was a high school teacher that deals drugs, under the name of the Sugarman. He attempts to go on, but Betty cuts him off, wondering as to how the Black Hood got into the station in the first place. She was also about to say something, but trailed off, which prompted Jughead to ask her what she was about to say, and called her "Poirot". She shoos it away, saying that it was crazy. His phone rings, and he reaches to answer it. It turns out to be Penny Peabody, who brings up the "favor" that she talked about recently. She says that she's calling it in, and Jughead is confused and remembers what his father, FP Jones, said about her. Penny tells him to meet her at Pop's, as she's hungry, as the line disconnects, in which he scoffs in disbelief.

At Pop's, he tells her that he won't be able to do the favor for her, whatever it is. He even considers having to pay her for helping his dad, when Penny interrupts. She says that he needs more help, which was the purpose of calling him. FP got in a little "accident", she says, with some Ghoulies in the prison showers the other day. Jughead is in disbelief, and eyes filled with concern. Penny attempts comforts his concerns, telling him that he's in the infirmary. Jughead asks if he is okay, in which Penny replies with that they messed up "that pretty face of his", in which he exhales in relief. She said that the purpose of the confrontation was that the Ghoulies wanted "blood payback" for the deal that Jughead and the Northsider made with the sheriff. She continues, saying that the deal got all the Ghoulies' higher-ups locked away. He was about to say that wasn't his doing, but follows up, asking what they can do in order to get him out, prematurely killing his first sentence. Penny livens up, saying that in order to do that, they'd need money, and says that rich people don't sit in jail, and money "greases the wheels of justice". He brings up the fact that he only has $18 to his name. She thinks of this as an idea and snatches it. She says that they should maybe think of the favor as job, as a one time delivery, hinting the task, whilst Jughead is not taking the hint. She reveals the task, which is just picking up a crate on the Southside, and deliver it to an address in Greendale. He asks what the contents of the crate are, and she replies with "pancake mix". He gets what she's saying, and tells her that he won't be her drug-runner. She denies the term of drug-runner, instead replacing it with "transportation adviser". Penny says that if he does the task, she'll use Jughead's cut of the cash for his dad's case. He gives in, and accepts the task. She says that he just has to make the drop-off and get out before midnight, as he does not want to be in Greendale after midnight, according to her. She continues, saying that the crate will not be able to fit on her bike, and asks if he can get a car, which leads to one of the twisted tales that are connected to the tragic and macabre events that befell Riverdale.

At Riverdale High School, Jughead is talking to Archie Andrews, when Cheryl Blossom pushes them out of the way, calling them "Bert & Ernie", as Josie McCoy is right behind her tail. Jughead attempts to enlist Archie's help in the drug transport. In order to ensure the acceptance from Archie, he says that Archie owes him, after the little stunt he pulled at the drag race. Archie accepts, telling Jughead to tell him the details, in which he replies, saying that it's tonight, and that his father, Fred Andrews, may need to be involved in terms of the mode of transportation. Jughead notices that Archie is attempting to ask a question, in which he says that no questions should be asked, as the lesser he knows, the better.

They arrive at a storage facility, in which the crate is held. They both share a glace towards each other, and back at the crate. Archie says that he'll grab one side of the crate, and Jughead will grab the other. They drive off after they've secured the package. The travel is awkward, as no one is talking, whilst they both sneak glances towards each other. Archie finally breaks the silence, saying that he will help Jughead see this thing through, but where does it end? Jughead attempts to divert the actual meaning of the question by giving him the address of the location in which they will drop off the package. Archie won't let him get the upper hand, and makes it blunt, asking when him being a Serpent will end. Jughead doesn't know, in which Archie replies with a sigh. Jughead continues, saying that he's just kind of living minute-to-minute right now. Archie changes the subject, saying that he apparently has this stupid idea, which entails of him instead of going to college after graduation, that both Jughead and Archie would move to New York. Jughead would be this wonderful writer of sorts, and Archie would be some sort of musician, and they'd both live in the East Village or something of the sort. Jughead says that he thinks that an actual East Village is non-existent now, and asks where Betty and Veronica are in this scenario, to which Archie replies, saying that they're also roommates in Park Avenue. Archie gets back to the point, and says that if Jughead will still stay on this path, he'll end up in jail, or maybe worse. Breaking the seriousness of the situation are tires blowing, ending up in them skidding. Archie pulls off to the side of the road, and inspects the damage done. He completes the inspection, and says that he doesn't have a spare tire, and says that they're going to have to call Triple C, to which Jughead contradicts his decision, as the crate containing drugs is in the back, but Archie doesn't know that. He proposes calling Betty, to which Archie contradicts, saying that Betty isn't an option, and that Archie will not let him drag Betty into this mess. Jughead tries to think, and says that they should call Kevin, as he has a truck as well. Archie attempts to make contact with him, to no avail. Apparently, right on cue, is a truck driving past, which upon seeing them stops. A man steps up, and asks if they're having car trouble, to which they reply with both yes and no. Jughead confronts him, and asks the mysterious man for a spare tire, or a trip to Greendale, if he can help. The man says that they have no spare tire, but he is passing through Greendale. The man spots the crate, and asks what the contents of the crates are, in which Jughead replies with "pancake mix". The mysterious man said that he can take him, but it's going to cost. Jughead offers up his only $18, and the man says that there is only room for one of them, in which Jughead offers to ride with him, and with the crate. Jughead walks back to the car, but is confronted by Archie, and is in disbelief. He asks if Jughead is really going to do this, to which he replies, saying that he has no idea. The man asks if they're going to do this or not, to which Jughead accepts. Jughead turns back to Archie and comforts him, and tells Archie to stay with his dad's truck. Both Archie and Jughead load the crade onto the truck, and they notice a tarp that is surrounded with flies, in which the man tells them to not look under the tarp.

The mysterious man and Jughead drive off, and he sees Archie in the rearview mirror. The man breaks the minor silence, and says that he thought Archie was Jason Blossom, for just a hot minute. He continues, by saying, "You never know on the road to Greendale." On the radio, there is a preacher speaking. He's saying, "This is truly judgement day, and he is the reaper, for Riverdale is soulless and corrupt. But in the Black of the Hood is the light of God, and when you see it, you will die. Unless you are of heavenly things and pure..." and is cut off, when Jughead asks if he can turn the radio down, as he's feeling unsettled. The man says that the people believe say that the Black hood is doing God's work. Jughead replies, saying that's one way to say it. The man continues, asking Jughead if he knows what the whole Black Hood thing reminds him of, to which Jughead silently replies with no. The man replies, calling the reminder the Riverdale Reaper, and says that it makes his blood run cold just by thinking about it.

Back at the stop where Archie is with his father's car, the maintenance man from Triple C fixed the tire, and drove away. Archie spots a deer attempt to walk across the road. It was bloodied, and when it made contact with Archie, it's flooded with jet black. The deer walks on, and Archie is complete unsettled.

At the gas station, the man tells Jughead to fill up on gas, and he uses his only $18. Jughead becomes curious as to what's under the tarp, and sees a trail of blood, and flies buzzing around the tarp. He lifts the tarp, to see a dead deer, which unsettles him. The mysterious man calls him, and Jughead becomes on edge, as he knows that he shouldn't have looked under the tarp. The man didn't seem to notice, and tells him that there is a cafe nearby, and says that he's starving.

At the cafe, the man reveals that he did actually happen to see Jughead look under the tarp. He tells Jughead to not worry, as he has his permits, which allow him to hunt. He's not a thrill-seeking sicko, like the Black Hood OR the Riverdale Reaper. Jughead is curious, and asks who the Riverdale Reaper is, to which the man reveals the story.

"There was a family living out near Fox Forest. Good family. Mother, father, two kids. One night, they were all asleep, someone broke in. A boogeyman went room to room with a shotgun. Shot 'em all dead. No survivors. Some people say the lynch mob got him. Hung him from the tree near Pickens Park. Others think he hopped a train and went out to California. Started praying to the Devil. Others say he never left Riverdale."

Jughead asks if the man thinks that the Riverdale Reaper is the Black Hood. The man says that he's sayign that there's a cycle to things. What's happened then, what's happening now. "It's killing season in Riverdale. And I wouldn't be surprised if it was the same man," he said. The waitress slams down the check, and tells them to pay when ready. The man turns the tables on Jughead, saying that Jughead will pay for it. Jughead is confused, and says that he doesn't have any money, as he gave the rest of the $18 to the man, to which he responds, saying that he used that for the gas. The waitress cuts in, saying that somebody has got to pay for the meal. The man wishes "Crown Boy" good luck, and attempts to leave with the crate, to which the waitress denies exit, and that she's calling the sheriff. Both men yell no, when Archie walks in and asks what's going on. The waitress says that they're trying to attempt a dine and ditch. The man tries to turn it on them, saying that they have a crate full of "God-knows-what". He calls both men sinners, and tells them to be careful, or they'll taste the Reaper's blade next. Archie offers to pay for the bill, and asks if they take debit.

Outside the cafe, the man drives away, whilst Archie and Jughead are loading up the crate in Archie's father's newly-repaired truck. Jughead thanks Archie for coming back for him, and Archie says that he said he'd see this through. Jughead notes the time, and says that it's close to midnight, and they get going. Again, they have a moment, a few moments rather, of awkward silence. They arrive at the location, and unload the crate. They enter a huge room, and load the crate in the center of the room. They notice wheels squeaking, and see a pair walking into the room. Rather, one man walking into the room, wheeling someone else into the room. A woman tells them that they are late. The woman has a strong European accent, and the assistant makes a flair with his jacket to reveal a gun in its holster by his side, to which both Jughead and Archie jump back in fear. The woman tells them to not be late next time. Jughead tells her there is no next time, and that this was a one time thing. She replies, saying, "That's not what Snake Charmer tells me," referring to Penny Peabody. She continues, saying that Penny said that the Serpents are taking over for the Ghoulies, that they're set for a regular delivery, with a regular delivery boy. She concludes, asking which one of the boys is Jughead Jones. Jughead asks how she knows his name, and he reveals his identity. She is somewhat satisfied, and Jughead and Archie rush out of the area, obviously unsettled.

They reconvene at Pop's, and Jughead thanks him again for helping him tonight, and that this event violates every strand of his DNA. Archie says that everyone has done bad things, ever since the Black Hood walked into the diner. "It's like he's making us do them," Archie says. Jughead says that he's thinking about the guy that stopped for them tonight, and called him "Mr. American Gothic". He says that he was also thinking about his story about the Riverdale Reaper. He says it's probably just a tale from the dark side, but what if it's an actual lead? Jughead proposes another thing that him and Archie could do, which is go to the library, to which Archie cuts him off, saying that him and Reggie Mantle are taking Moose Mason to physical therapy, after the shooting at the park that Midge Klump was also a victim of, with the Black Hood being the perpetrator. He says that he also has dinner with his girlfriend Veronica Lodge, and her family, Hermione Lodge and Hiram Lodge. He proposes the day after, and Jughead accepts. Archie asks if there is any way that Jughead could get out of all this bad business. Jughead says that he'll try. Archie asks if he can take Jughead home, as it's practically dawn, but Jughead declines the offer, as visiting hours starting right at sun-up, and he's going to go visit his dad. As Jughead leaves the diner, the phone rings.

The ringing continues until Jughead is at the jail, in the visiting station. The door buzzes, to let FP in. Jughead is slow to pick up the phone, and looks terrified, which catches FP's attention. FP asks what is wrong, saying that Jughead looks like he's seen a ghost. He takes a deep, shaky breath.

At his trailer in Sunnyside Trailer Park, Jughead asks, "What the hell game are you playing, Penny?!", obviously enraged, as she lied to him, which is revealed that FP didn't actually get into a confrontation with the Ghoulies in the showers. Penny attempts to make sense of the situation, saying that she incentivied him. Jughead fires back, saying that she said that this was going to be a one-and-done. Penny finally cuts right to the chase, and says that at least he doesn't have a choice. She pulls out her phone, and shows him a surveillance video of him and Archie pulling the cart of drugs into the facility. Jughead asks what this is, to which she replies with, "...insurance you'll do what I say." And if he makes a stink, attempts to back out, or raise his voice to her again, she'll make sure that the video will go STRAIGHT to the Sheriff's office. She continues that FP's heart would be broken if that video leaked to the authorities. He asks, "Why me?", to which Penny replies with that FP made her a promise, that he didn't keep. And as far as she's concerned, his debt is also Jughead's, and that she's still just getting started with him, and walks out of his trailer.

The next twisted tale is Josie. She is practicing her song, and the door opens. She's startled, and scared at the same time. It's nothing to fear, as it's the school's janitor, Mr. Svenson. He says that he's about to lock up, and asks if she'll be okay. Josie says that she'll slip out the side door, as usual. He accepts, as long as she doesn't tell Waldo Weatherbee, the principal of the school, as he'd have the janitor's head. She makes a motion across her mouth, as if to signal that their secret is safe with her. She continues practing.

As she exits the school, she hears footsteps approaching, and walks at a quicker pace, and soon breaks out into a run.

At the Five Seasons, Sierra McCoy sees her daughter as she walks in, as to confront her. She takes a deep sigh of relief. Sierra asks her daughter why she moved them to the Five Seasons, to which she replies with that SIerra didn't feel safe living at their home. She replies, saying that she doesn't want Josie walking the streets alone, not with the Black Hood still at large. She continues, saying that she's really close to assigning Josie a deputy for more assured security. Josie scoffs, saying that she doesn't need a bodyguard, and refers to Whitney Houston, saying that she's not her...yet. Sierra doesn't take the joke and says that she wants Josie in the hotel before dark from now on, and asks for Josie's understanding, and is met with a deep sigh and a yes.

At Riverdale High, Josie is walking with Cheryl, and tells her that the Black Hood has her mother is on edge, which also has her on edge, and when she's stressed, it makes the polyps on her vocal chords swell and lose her voice. On top of that, she's going behind the Pussycats' back, which is the band that she is the current leader of. She's working on songs without them. Cheryl understands, saying that Josie feels like she's sinning, and the Black Hood is going after sinners. She says that she gets it, and that she's allowed to feel guilty. Cheryl said that she took a video of the Pussycats singing a cover of "Milkshake" and send it to a producer at Shabbey Road Studios. She continues, saying that he was adamant about giving Josie and Josie alone, studio time.

Starring

 * KJ Apa as Archie Andrews
 * Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper
 * Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge
 * Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones
 * Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom
 * Ashleigh Murray as Josie McCoy
 * Casey Cott as Kevin Keller
 * Skeet Ulrich as FP Jones

Co-Starring

 * Alvin Sanders as Pop Tate
 * Cameron McDonald as Mr. Svenson
 * Barclay Stiff as The Criminologist
 * Christiaan Westerveld as Slender Man
 * Gina Stockdale as Older Women
 * June B. Wilde as Waitress

Guest Starring

 * Jordan Calloway as Chuck Clayton
 * Martin Cummins as Sheriff Keller
 * Robin Givens as Sierra McCoy
 * Brit Morgan as Penny Peabody
 * Lochlyn Munro as Hal Cooper
 * Tony Todd as Farmer McGinty
 * Asha Bromfield as Melody Valentine
 * Hayley Law as Valerie Brown

Soundtrack

 * Rodes Rollins - Wes Come Back
 * Scene: Archie and Jughead find the crate containing drugs in the shipping container. They load it in the truck and head off for Greendale.
 * Dusty Springfield - Spooky
 * Scene: Farmer McGinty tells Jughead about the Riverdale Reaper.
 * The Dreamliners - Just Me And You
 * Scene: Jughead and Archie leave the drop off point. They reconvene at Pop's, where they discuss Jughead's predicament.
 * Riverdale Cast ft. Ashleigh Murray - Spooky
 * Scene: Josie works on a new song when she is interrupted by Mr. Svenson / Chuck interrupts Josie's rehearsal / Josie dreams that she is attacked by the Black Hood / Cheryl listens to Josie's track.
 * Shayne Burke - This Is How It's All Going Down
 * Scene: Chuck and Josie hang out a Pop's to discuss how he has changed.
 * Chuck Berry - Sweet Little Sixteen
 * Scene: Chuck and Josie dance in the middle of Pop's
 * Chris Montez- Spooky
 * Scene: Betty tries to convince Veronica that Sheriff Keller is the Black Hood / Betty sneaks into the Keller house to find proof of her accusations, but it caught by the Sheriff.

Trivia

 * The episode title comes from George A. Romero's 1983 anthology horror TV series of the same name.
 * The episode was previously titled "Riverdale Confidential". Possibly, a reference to James Ellroy's 1990 noir novel L.A. Confidential and the 1997 film of the same name by Curtis Hanson.
 * Barclay Stiff voiced the opening scene.
 * Josie makes a reference to The Bodyguard, a thriller/drama that Whitney Houston was a part of, who was also part of a reference made by Josie McCoy.

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