chapter 4 - in which we augment the ambiance

[toolshedarsenal]

[Mort appreciates the fact that the decorations have been stepped up a notch, but they're still lacking. so he's down in the lobby, tying cornstalks to the ends of the banisters and around the columns. some of them look a little bloody. and he's humming to himself, half-singing with the song in his head]And you may ask yourself - am I right, or

Comments

[thirteenth]

Why?

[toolshedarsenal]

It adds to the atmosphere. Back where I'm from, investigators draw chalk outlines around bodies before they're removed from a murder scene, for reference while they investigate it.

So, we need some chalk outlines. It'd make it a little spookier, see?

[thirteenth]

Oh, I see. And the point of this holiday is to frighten people?

[toolshedarsenal]

In part? Nothing too serious though. It's all in good fun. People ... like to be scared. We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones. So ... it's only natural that people around here who say that all kinds of bad shit's happened here are eating this up. Because none of it's real.

[thirteenth]

It's so interesting! This is my first Halloween celebration.

[toolshedarsenal]

Well, you're in for something special, then. Hope you have fun with it. ... Have you got a costume yet?

[thirteenth]

I'm still making it.

[toolshedarsenal]

Oh yeah, what's it gonna be?

[thirteenth]

A pumpkin.

[toolshedarsenal]

Good and traditional. Not a bad first choice! ... You'd make a good ghost, too, I bet.

[thirteenth]

But then I wouldn't need a costume.

[Looks genuinely mystified, as though speaking from real experience.]

[toolshedarsenal]

...... I'm sorry, what?

[thirteenth]

Ghosts don't look much different than you or I.

[toolshedarsenal]

They ... oh. [shrugs] Where I'm from, they don't exist, only in stories. And people tend to draw them as being all dressed in white, and pale. [gestures to his hair] I didn't mean to confuse you.

[thirteenth]

Oh, I see.

[Smiles.] Perhaps I shall consider a ghost for next year.

[toolshedarsenal]

I'll have to find you a book of ghost stories from home, I'm sure the library has a fair share.