Todd drove through the
quiet town. No lights shone through any windows; even the street lights were off. Not a very good setting for tonight’s
activities.
Linda continued with her
earlier pretense of being annoyed with him and joined Shana in the back seat
instead of up front next to him. He smiled at her through the rear view mirror, amused
at her cute attempts to preserve her dignity.
Mike and David were
waiting for them in front of their store with Shirley by their side. They were dressed in tuxedos while Shirley
wore a short pink flouncy dress. They huddled together as protection from the
heavy winds that blew leaves and dust around them. Todd opened the passenger’s
door for Shirley.
Mike stepped off the curb
and said, “We picked up Shirley at her store, since we didn’t want her to wait alone.
The town is really eerie tonight: the weather started out warm with calm winds and then all of a sudden, the lights went out and the winds started to crazily pick up speed. The streets
are deserted; no one seems to be around.”
He squeezed into the back
seat with David and continued, “The stage is definitely being set for tonight:
we have the deserted town, the lights going out, and the strong winds. All we now
need is a haunted house and some demons, and then we’ll be all ready for
tonight’s entertainment.”
Todd didn’t appreciate
Mike’s theatrics. “The weather in this town is very unpredictable: it
constantly changes from calm to stormy. But this doesn’t mean that something
evil is afoot tonight.”
Shana giggled. “I like
the word ‘afoot’—it gives a spooky aura to everything.” Todd was thankful that Shana was helping him to
put everyone at ease. He was worried enough about this evening, and he didn’t
need to worry about Mike upsetting everyone unnecessarily.
“Doesn’t Todd look
adorable with his date, Shirley?” asked Shana.
“I didn’t know they were
going out,” said David.
“Of course we aren’t going
out, my dear boy,” said Shirley with a twinkle in her eye, “but I wouldn’t mind being Todd’s
date for the evening.”
“It will be my pleasure, madam,” responded Todd.
