Getting Ready For Halloween
Night had almost descended. Lights were on by every porch, waiting for the little children who would knock on the door yelling “Trick or Treat”. Dressed in fanciful costumes, clinging to their bag of goodies, they laughed and giggled as they went from house to house.
When they got to our place, they were going to be tricked before treated. My teenage son, Steve, loved Halloween, but he had a wicked sense of humor and spent hours preparing for the children to arrive.
One year he purchased a “monster kit” containing putty and various other items that he plastered to his face and nose. Watching his transformation from human to monster was fascinating to my daughters and me.
Still, he wasn't satisfied. One more thing was needed.
He took soapy water and splashed it in his eyes until they were so bloodshot he could barely see. Plastic fangs completed his black outfit. When he partially opened the door he would let out this howl. Talk about shocked children. They didn't know whether to cry or just run away.
Steve would immediately open the door wide and laugh.
“Gotcha, didn't I?”
The giggles and laughter would return as Steve filled their bags with several kinds of candy. By the time the last goblin or princess left, Steve's eyes were almost back to normal, much to my relief.
One year he decided to try something different. He convinced the local movie theater to rent a coffin to be placed in the lobby. Dressed as Dracula, he laid in the coffin quietly, arms crossed on his chest. The minute he heard footsteps on the padded floor, he would rise slowly, bare his fangs and howl. On that one night he was Dracula. The startled movie goers would gasp, then delightedly laugh. Candy and drink sales soared, making the manager one happy man.
Steve's pay? He and his friends got to see free movies.
Looking back to those days I still smile at my son's antics.
