"So many people think of the holiday Halloween as a time for children to go out dressed as ghosts and goblins and witches, running from door to door to beg for candy and treats. They are right, but what so many also seem to fail to understand that it's just as much a holiday for adults."
"Yes, adults. You see, adults can take this one evening out of the year and turn back the clock to the childhood where they too were able to enjoy such simple pleasures as dressing up in costumes and enjoying an evening with friends. Statistics show that adults have the market cornered when it comes to rentals and sales of Halloween costumes and props."
"I mean, just go to you average store that specially deals with Halloween decor and clothing. Have you actually seen the things they sell? Gory masks and makeup, frightening props that would send young children crying in defiance at having to enter with their parents. I've seen just that myself recently. I went into a store that's only open this time of year for Halloween and I thought I'd treat myself. I love dressing up, obviously, and throwing a fun party, so I thought I'd see what they had that I might find of use."
Hope stood in the aisle of the Halloween shop, looking over a rather large selection of intricate makeup to go with his chosen costume, when he heard the sharp, shrill cry of a young child. Curious as was his nature, he moved to the end of the aisle but pretended to just be browsing. He looked up and just a few yards away was a father holding his young daughter as she clung to him desperately. There were tears streaming down her face as she stared up in morbid fear at the spectral image of the winged reaper cloaked in black, hanging almost directly over her head. Her father tried without success to calm her as a foot away, her mother and older sibling watched with some hint of embarrassment on their faces at the scene being displayed.
Hope shook his head and went back to his shopping at the end of the aisle once again. He glanced up and saw the father take the girl outside of the store to soothe her fears while the mother and son went on ahead with their shopping in the store.
"Seriously. Given the high level of realistic props and scary things this store specializes in, what on earth would make any parents think it alright to bring such a young child in and it wouldn't frighten him or her?"
Hope was seen in his loft apartment, seated on a small chair with SCW's own Pussy Willow seated across from him with a table in between them. On the table were piles of colorful materials, some of which were hefted onto Hope's lap while he worked on it with a needle and thread. There were also a couple of saucers with coffee cups and a small plate of cookies to share with his guest. Say what you will, but Hope is a very astute 'hostess'.
Pussy Willow picked up a small cookie on her tray and took a bite before setting it down and reaching for her coffee.
PUSSY: I have to agree with you there. Some of those stores can be pretty frightening to small children. Heck, they're frightening to some adults.
She set her coffee cup down and smiled as Hope glanced up at her from his sewing project and grinned.
HOPE: Such as yourself?
Pussy Willow smiled and a hint of color touched her cheek bones.
PUSSY: Something like that. Oh don't get me wrong. I love the costumes and makeup but the scary things? Yeah not so much.
HOPE: I understand. Personally I've always loved Halloween. From a kid to now. Then again I don't know of any gay men or women who don't love this holiday. I like to think of it as 'our' holiday.
Hope chuckled and Pussy smiled. She leaned over to get a look at Hope's project.
PUSSY: Is that why you're spending so much effort on your costume for your match?
Hope nodded.
HOPE: Oh that's certainly one reason why, but I think you know how much of an impression I enjoy making during my appearances. I think this costume will certainly do the trick. I don't want any of those boys I'm up against to ever forget our time in the ring together.
Pussy Willow laughed as she rubbed her chin with her fingers.
PUSSY: Oh knowing you as we've come to so far, I don't think that'll be possible. Vaughn Andrews is one of your opponents but he has really yet to make any sort of personal appearances for SCW. Do you think he'll be much of a factor?
Hope shook his head, a frown on his brow.
HOPE: None what so ever. He seems to be the type who shows up and gets signed, thinking he's going to be in for an easy road. The moment he finds out he has to put some effort into things, he tucks his tail between his legs and leaves.
PUSSY: What about Gene Banton Jr?
Hope paused in his sewing and looked up in contemplation.
HOPE: I have no clue what to make of that kid. Over confident, that's for sure. But how can you not expect him to be, given who his daddy is? Kid probably thinks the Banton name should carry him through everything. Though I do have to give him credit for one thing.
PUSSY: Oh? What's that?
Hope closed his eyes and sighed dreamily.
HOPE: The boy has a butt you could crack an egg on.
Both share a light hearted laugh.
PUSSY: Indeed! But the last person in the match, you should actually be pretty familiar with. After all, your first match in SCW was against him. James Huntington...
HOPE: I remember.
He looked up at Pussy Willow and she could see the thought irked him.
HOPE:And I haven't forgotten what happened in that match. That brat was lucky, plain and simple. I mean, he won by accident yet to hear him, you'd think he had just won a world title or something. That kid doesn't have what it takes to be main event material. He thinks his wealth should give him everything on a silver platter. Including success in SCW.
Hope looked up and shook his head.
HOPE: I can't wait to get my hands on that little punk. Banton and Vaughn can play together as much as they want to, but that punk is going to be my little Halloween treat. I plan on rubbing it completely in his face when I go on to the supercard as the third person in the roulette championship match.
PUSSY: You certainly are focused. Now...
Pussy Willow nodded towards the colorful folds of silk fabric.
PUSSY: When do we get to know what exactly you're going to show up as?
Hope looked at her and winked.
HOPE: Not until Sunday toots. That's going to be my little treat.
Hope went back to his sewing while Pussy Willow picked up her coffee again and watched with interest.
<marquee>HALLOWEEN -- THE GAY PEOPLE'S CHRISTMAS!</marquee>
