Story 365: How Time Doth Fly; Or, Now There Is a Story for Every Day of the Year

          (Friend 1 and Friend 2 are sitting on beach chairs in the local park, watching the lake and occasional passers-by as the autumn leaves fall gently around them)

            Friend 1: (Wearing summer clothes and sunglasses) You think the trees missed the memo that there’s no fall season on this planet anymore?

            Friend 2: Probably – I’m just waiting for winter to get completely phased out, but I think that’s got a few more polar vortexes in it before then.

            Friend 1: Huh…. Vortexes or vortices?

            Friend 2: No idea.

            (They sit in companionable silence for a few minutes)

            Friend 1: You know, I think the last real, authentic autumn chill we had – that school’s-starting-summer’s-over-no-more-fun chill – was back when we went to that concert five years ago.

            Friend 2: You mean the Manly Men one?

            Friend 1: Yeppers.

            Friend 2: That was seven years ago.

Friend 1: No it wasn’t, it was… hmmmmm…. (Stares unseeingly into the distance while mentally stretching back across the years)

Friend 2: 2013.

Friend 1: (Shaking head) Nooooo….

Friend 2: (Nodding head) Yesssss….

Friend 1: It wasn’t seven years, that’s the length of a TV series!  I remember it as if it were last year, but I’m being generous and saying five.

Friend 2: (Works on a phone) Then chunks of years must’ve fallen out your ears – look.  (Hands over the phone showing photos from the concert and points at the date) See that?  Time-stamped August 15, 2013.

Friend 1: (Hands back the phone) Lies.

Friend 2: Whatever makes you happy.  (Puts the phone away and settles back in the beach chair to relax)

Friend 1: OK then –

Friend 2: [Sigh] Yes?

Friend 1: How about when you had your appendix taken out?

Friend 2: That’ll be a year in December.

Friend 1: Ha!  Wrong!  I clearly remember it being 90° that day, so it must have been July 2019, which makes it a year and a half in December!

Friend 2: I think I’d know the date when I’ve had one of my internal organs removed.  And it’s been 90° in December for quite some time now.

Friend 1: Oh.  Are you sure North America just hasn’t slid down into the Southern Hemisphere, and no one wants to tell us?

Friend 2: We’d probably have a lot more problems going on if that’d happened.

Friend 1: Gotcha.  (Ponders for a few moments) What about when I was having my job crisis meltdown a while back?  Was that five years ago?

Friend 2: (Thinks for a bit) Yes – it was a little before the latest round of Astral Skirmishes movies had come out.

Friend 1: (Laughs) Oh yeah.  Oh wow, it feels like that whole hullabaloo just started, and now it’s already over and the first movie was released half a decade ago.

Friend 2: Mm-hm.  Before you know it, the 20^th anniversary edition’ll be out and the special effects’ll be upgraded to whatever 3D-V.R.-A.I.-A.R.-whatever is out at that point.

Friend 1: Yeah… oh.

Friend 2: What?

Friend 1: By the time the 20^th anniversary edition comes out, we’ll be in our 50s.

Friend 2: (Calculates the years) Oh yeah – that’s funny.

Friend 1: That’s darned depressing, is what that is.

Friend 2: Oh come on, we’ve been doing the same stuff for nearly a decade now, you think our lives are really going to be that much different just because we’re middle-aged?  By then, 50’ll probably be the new 10!

            Friend 1: I guess, but at that point I’ll have to start wasting more time in doctors’ offices getting more and more tests, and fighting against my own failing stamina, and yelling at insurance companies for prescriptions I’d rather not have to take but need to or I’ll die, and going to more funerals than weddings, and –

Friend 2: I feel like I’ve lost 10 years just having this conversation.

Friend 1: Fine; we’ll go back to enjoying the unseasonable day, then.  (They watch several ducks paddle by on the lake)  Think we’ll even remember this conversation in 10 years?

Friend 2: Knowing my luck, this will be the last memory I ever forget.

Story 364: Reverse Trick-or-Treating

             (In an office, Coworker 2 is on the phone and typing on a computer)

            Coworker 2: Uh-huh…. Listen, I’m actually in the middle of sending something else out; could you call me back in about 10 minutes and go into more detail then?... You know you’re the most important person in my work life, but this other thing is a little time-sensitive…. Frankly, I’m not so sure I should be the one sending that out since you’re, you know, the manager – (Is cut off by Coworker 1 dropping a heavy bag of candy directly onto Coworker 2’s workspace) Ah!

            Coworker 1: Bad time?

           Coworker 2: No – (To the screaming voice on the phone) Hi, something-just-came-up-gotta-go-bye.  (Hangs up) What’s all this?

            Coworker 1: I had a grand total of one trick-or-treater this year: 195 pieces of candy remain.

            Coworker 2: That stinks – and you can’t even return the bag.

            Coworker 1: No kidding.  So.

            Coworker 2: Soooo…?

            Coworker 1: Take some.

           Coworker 2: (Pats stomach) I would, but I overdid it this year.  I don’t even know if I’ll be able to face Thanksgiving.

            Coworker 1: The candy doesn’t expire until next Halloween.

            Coworker 2: Ew.  And I don’t even know if I’ll be able to face next Halloween, either.  (Stares at the bag and turns slightly green) I was really bad.

            Coworker 1: (Grabs the bag and stalks off) Fine – no help whatsoever!

            Coworker 2: (Stares at the ringing phone) Story of my life, apparently.

            (Coworker 1 heads to another area of the office and drops the bag onto Coworker 3’s workspace)

            Coworker 1: Here.  Take some.

            Coworker 3: Ooh, thanks, but I started my diet yesterday.

            Coworker 1: The one you quit by every Thanksgiving?

           Coworker 3: The very same.  Means I get in at least three weeks of good behavior a year.

            Coworker 1: (Picks up the bag and drops it onto Coworker 4’s workspace) Here.  Take some.

            Coworker 4: You know I have diabetes.

            Coworker 1: I thought you still need emergency candy just in case?

            Coworker 4: Yeah, like one piece!

           Coworker 1: (Tilts the bag towards Coworker 4) I don’t mind – every bit helps the cause.

            Coworker 4: (Pushes the bag away) Sorry for my lack of support.

           (Coworker 1 grabs the bag and stalks off to the break room, grabs a large bowl from a cabinet, pours the candy into that, heads to the front of the office, and firmly sets the bowl on the receptionist’s counter)

            Receptionist: Uh, H.R. actually said we can’t have stuff like this out anymore.

            Coworker 1: Since when?!

            Receptionist: Since two years ago.  Trying to keep our health insurance costs down.

           Coworker 1: Ugh, health!  First innocent tobacco, now innocent sugar!  (Grabs the bowl)

            Receptionist: (Reaches out) Wait, can I take one?

            Coworker 1: Please do.  (Begins dumping the bowl’s contents onto the counter)

            Receptionist: Hey-hey-hey!  One piece, not one bowl!  (Starts tossing pieces back into the bowl)

            Coworker 1: (Begins dumping the bowl’s contents onto the counter again) But surely your heart is telling you to take more, and more, and –

Receptionist: (Pushes a panic button) H.R.!  I’m being bombarded with unwanted saccharine advances!

           (Coworker 1 looks up, sees two H.R. guards advancing, grabs the remaining loose candy, and runs away with the bowl)

            (Slowly walking down a residential street while carrying the candy in the bag again, Coworker 1 stops at a random house and rings the doorbell)

           Resident: (Opens the door and smiles) Well, hello there!  And what are we supposed to be dressed up as?

            Coworker 1: The Dregs of Corporate America.  (Holds up the bag) Treat.

           Resident: Why thank you, little office worker!  (Takes a piece of candy) You stay safe out there now, OK?  Bye-bye!  (Closes the door)

            Coworker 1: (Smiles down at the bag) Sweet.  At this rate, I’ll be done by New Year’s.

Story 363: Haunted Attraction Bait-and-Switch, Part 2

 

(Friends 1 and 2 grip the fireplace pokers tighter as the noises of the approaching werewolf grow louder)

Friend 1: (Whispering) By the way, if we accidentally kill the Caretaker in this form, would we be charged with homicide or animal cruelty?

Friend 2: (Whispering louder) Would you just shut up for once?!

Friend 1: Fine – but I’ll be asking you about this later.

(They clench their teeth and fists as the heavy tread and steady growls come closer, closer, closer – then farther, farther, farther)

Friend 1: Is that it then?

Friend 2: Ssh!

(The tread and growls stop down the hall; they hear a soft knock followed by a “Who is it?”  After a few moments of silence, they hear a door open and Guests 1 and 2 gasp and scream “How stupid of us!”  They then hear growls, screams, running footsteps, and crashing furniture.  They continue to hold their fireplace pokers aloft, twitching and glancing at each other)

Friend 1: …Should we try to get some sleep again?

Friend 2: That’s it!  (Starts moving aside the furniture blocking the door)

Friend 1: Soooo, new plan?

Friend 2: Yeah, it’s called “Getting Out of the Death Trap,” which is what we should’ve done hours ago!

Friend 1: But we’re still locked in.

Friend 2: (Points to the open window) Not everywhere!  C’mon, help me out!

(Friend 1 helps Friend 2 move a bureau, and the latter then unlocks the door.  They tilt their heads towards the door and hear the sounds of struggle continue down the hall)

Friend 1: Is someone in there giggling?

Friend 2: I’d hate to find out.

(They open the door, leap out, and pause facing the direction of Guests 1 and 2’s door)

Friend 2: I dunno, maybe we should try to help –

Friend 1: By all means!  (Shoves Friend 2 in that direction and turns to run in the opposite just as Guest 3 opens a door)

Guest 3: (Beckoning frantically with both arms) Quick, get in here!

Friend 2: (Points with the fireplace poker down the hall) What about those two?

Guest 3: It’s too late for them, but we can still save us!

Friend 1: I like the sound of that.  (Strolls into Guest 3’s room; Friend 2 follows reluctantly; Guest 3 locks the door behind them and moves the bed to block it)

Guest 3: Now – (Grabs a map of the castle that was on a lamp table) I’ve been studying this thing all night and figured out that if we can get down to at least the second story of this place, we can jump to the ground safely from there if a window’s open like this one is.  (Gestures to the open window, which has knotted sheets dangling out of it)

Friend 1: Aw, why didn’t we think of that?!

Friend 2: Because we’re not mountain climbers!  And I doubt the sheets go down far enough to that floor!

Guest 3: They don’t, but they at least reach a balcony we can use to break into a room and go downstairs from there – hopefully our host’ll still be busy with our poor fellow guests to know we’re down there before we jump to freedom.

Friend 2: So why didn’t we just run downstairs while we were out in the hall?!

Guest 3: We would’ve had to run past their room; trust me, climbing down the building and then dropping 20 feet is much safer, now let’s go!

(Guest 3 leads the way, climbing over the windowsill and down the sheets to the balcony below while Friends 1 and 2 watch)

Guest 3: (Drops onto the balcony and looks up) What are you waiting for?!

Friend 1: Just making sure you made it without breaking your neck before I risked mine.  (Turns with Friend 2 towards the door as louder growls are heard, then quickly sticks the fireplace poker under an arm, climbs over the windowsill, and shimmies down the sheets to drop onto the balcony.  Friend 2 begins climbing down the sheets as Guest 3 opens the balcony door, runs to open the room door, and peers up and down the hallway)

Friend 2: (Dropping onto the balcony and grabs shoulder) Ow!  I think I pulled a muscle.

Friend 1: I’m just amazed we made it at all – I haven’t done anything this athletic since senior year in high school and that was decades ago.

Guest 3: (Waves at them, whispering) All clear, let’s go!

(They huddle together as they double-time it towards the nearest down staircase, each floorboard and step creaking loudly all the way)

Friend 1: Great, all our friend has to do is shut their yap for two seconds and they’ll know exactly where we are.

Guest 3: No choice – keep moving!

(They continue running down creepy hallways and pounding down stairs, with Guest 3 occasionally checking the map to see how many flights they have left)

Guest 3: One more!

(They freeze as a loud howl is heard above them)

Friend 2: You think they heard us?

Guest 3: Too late now!

(They run again and approach the last staircase as a figure suddenly appears in their path)

Ghost: Oh hello, I was wondering if you could help me with this: I heard there were vacancies for the haunting positions here – do you know if they’re still interviewing applicants for those?

Friend 1: Buzz off, pal, we’ve got not time for your employment issues!  (All three run through Ghost and down the stairs)

Ghost: (Sighs) They’d told me it’s rough out there.  (Drifts off)

(Guest 3 leads the other two to a room similar to the last one they left; they open the balcony door and peer over the edge of the railing)

Friend 1: (To Guest 3) You’re right!  Totally doable!  (Hops onto the railing and jumps off)

Friend 2: Wait!  Oh too late – you OK?

Friend 1: (Stands and brushes off gravel) Yeah: if I’d thought about it, I’d’ve broken something.

Guest 3: (Pocketing the map) Good enough for me!  (Hops onto the railing and jumps off)

Friend 1: (Pats Guest 3 on the shoulder after the latter gets up off the ground) Well done!

Guest 3: Thanks – (Mutters to Friend 1) 20 feet is definitely a lot higher than I thought, though.

Friend 1: (Mutters to Guest 3) You’re not kidding – (Shouts up to Friend 2) it’s OK, you’ll hardly feel it!

Friend 2: (Nods nervously) OK.  (Hops onto the railing and jumps off, tipping over to the side on landing)

Friend 1: Oopsie.  (Helps up Friend 2) You all right?

Friend 2: (Shaking) Yes I am, liar.

Friend 1: I’m not apologizing for effective results.

Guest 3: Fine-fine-fine, let’s get to the cars!

(They run to the parking lot at the front of the castle and head for the cars, then stand there staring at them)

Friend 2: (To Friend 1) Did you bring the keys?

Friend 1: Why would I; it’s your car!

Guest 3: You didn’t bring your keys?!

Friend 1: You didn’t bring yours?!

Guest 3: Hey, I had the plan and the map, what more do you want from me?!

(They simultaneously look up the castle looming above them)

Friend 1: Think one of us can run back in there and grab them?

Friend 2: That sounds like a volunteer talking.

(A loud howl reverberates through the walls)

Friend 1: (Grabs the roof of Friend 2’s car and rocks it) Oooooh, useless!

Guest 3: No worries, we’ll just call the cops!  (They all look expectantly at each other) Either of you have your phone?

Friend 1: On the lamp table.

Friend 2: In my bag.

Guest 3: In my other pants.

Friend 1: OK!  New plan: we run to the main road, follow it back to the closest town, and flag down the first motorist we see; if they’re a serial killer or an everyday pervert the three of us can take `em on, right?

Guest 3: Oh yeah we can!

Friend 2: OR, better idea: we go to the fast food restaurant that’s RIGHT HERE and use their phone!  (Points to the fast food restaurant next to the castle)

Friend 1: But my adrenaline’s all geared up for the other thing.

(Friend 2 drags Friend 1 by the shirt as they and Guest 3 run into the fast food restaurant, which is devoid of customers; the lone Employee is half-asleep on an elbow at the cash register)

Employee: (Startled awake) `Lo – (Clears throat) welcome to Haunted Food Emporium [Trademarked] where the shakes are to scream for and all the food is dead, what can I get you this eve – early morning?

(The three rush the counter)

Friend 2: (Smiling semi-calmly) Hi, can we please use your phone?

Employee: Can’t use the phone until you buy something.

Guest 3: But it’s an emergency!

Employee: Sorry, don’t make the rules.

Friend 1: Listen kid –

Employee: My acne’s maintained by the fryer; I’m actually 31 years old.

Friend 1: Could you dial 9-1-1 and tell the cops we’re being attacked by a – a –

Guest 3: Homicidal maniac!

Friend 2: Rabid animal!

Friend 1: Homicidal maniac, please?

Employee: Wait, aren’t you all staying at the castle next door?

Friend 1: Clearly!

Employee: Yeah, it’s just the new werewolf attraction they’ve got going on there; no biggie.

(The three blink at Employee)

Friend 1: No… biggie?!

Employee: Yeah, it started about a year ago and the guests seem to love it – the few who actually come over here, that is.  You know, the franchise owners thought they’d make a killing – `scuse the expression – setting up shop right next to a haunted tourist stop, but if food’s included in the stay then who’s gonna trek all the way down 50 flights of stairs to come here?  That’s right, no one!  The guests who do come in are either on their way home or can’t go two days without fried meat, but whatever: if those guys keep paying me to stand here for hours, I’ll keep doing it; not my money.

Friend 2: So, wait, the werewolf’s attacked people before?

Employee: I wouldn’t say “attacked,” per se; from what I’ve heard, there’s lots of howlin’ and growlin’ and screamin’ and runnin’ and that’s about it – everybody goes home satisfied.

Friend 1: …For real?!

(There suddenly is a loud howl at the entrance to the restaurant; they all look to the front and see the werewolf standing menacingly in the doorway, claws and fangs out.  Friends 1 and 2 raise their fireplace pokers, Guest 3 raises two fists, and all three scream)

Employee: HEY!  (They all stop) I told you already: you’re not registered as a service animal, you can’t come in here!  (The werewolf slumps down and shuffles off; to the other three) Don’t misunderstand: when the Caretaker’s in human form I set `em up with a salad and shake about once a week here, but as that – (Waves a hand at the empty doorway) Department of Health’d shut us down in two seconds if I let `em in.  Plus it’s bad enough I have to clean up human hair; I’d rather not have wolf hair on top of that, I-thank-you.

(The other three stare at each other)

Friend 1: So we did all that running and climbing and jumping for nothing?!

Guest 3: You have to admit, the non-danger of the experience wasn’t clearly explained.

Friend 2: So now what, do we just… go back inside?

Friend 1: I guess – no wait, door’s still locked, forgot.

(Friend 2 sighs dramatically and tosses the fireplace poker to the floor)

Employee: Sounds like you all are having a great time tonight – would you like a cheeseburger and shake to celebrate?

Guest 3: Sure!  (To Friends 1 and 2) Either of you have your wallet?

(Friend 1 shakes the fireplace poker at the ceiling as Caretaker enters the restaurant with bedraggled Guests 1 and 2)

Caretaker: Hello there; you three doing all right?  You scuffed the furniture to block the doors and knotted a bunch of fine sheets and left balcony windows open to the bats; that’s being added to your bills.

Guest 1: Yeah, did you guys get the werewolf attack at all?  It was great!

Guest 2: Really spices up the relationship.

Friend 1: (Grinds teeth) No, we missed it.

Friend 2: We decided to flee for our lives instead.

Caretaker: Oh, that’s too bad.  Well, don’t you fret; there’s still one more night in your stay for me to get you all riled up.

Friend 2: I think one night was more than enough, thank –

Friend 1: That’s right, we’ve got a whole `nother night here to do this all over again, I can’t wait!

 THE END

Story 362: Haunted Attraction Bait-and-Switch, Part 1

 (On a deserted road through the woods during twilight, Friend 2 drives with the high beams on and white knuckles on the steering wheel)

Friend 1: (Snacking on potato chips in the passenger seat) – and the worse it gets at work, the more I wish I could leapfrog ahead to retirement; but then I think, “What if this is the time in my life where I’m at my peak?”

Friend 2: (Scanning the road for sudden deer) Huh?

Friend 1: I mean, what if this point in my life is the best it’s ever gonna be?  As in, I’ll never be in better health, my family and friends are all in handy reach, my financial debt is… manageable, I don’t have weirdos stalking me, most of my free time’s spent doing stuff I actually wanna do, that sort of thing!  Flash forward 30 – or let’s be realistic, 40 – years, I can finally stop dragging myself five days a week to a place I don’t want to be and deal with people I don’t want to talk to, BUT – I’ve been paralyzed by a stroke, or nearly all my family and friends are gone or hate me, or I have to live with the worst roommate ever just to have a roof over my head, or I’m, you know, bored!

Friend 2: (Glancing at the car’s navigation system) Oh thank goodness the entrance is coming up.  (Signals to turn onto a creepy overgrown drive)

Friend 1: (Looks out the window at the menacing trees evilly silhouetted by the red setting sun) No one ever wants to hear the truth.

(They park near several other cars in a gravel lot in front of a huge, run-down castle situated next to a fast-food restaurant; each take an overnight bag out of the car’s trunk and walk up a large set of stairs to the castle’s front door; Friend 1 slams the demon’s-head knocker mightily, three times)

Friend 2: I didn’t realize there were castles like this in the U.S. – it looks more like we’re in Romania or something.

Friend 1: (Rubbing at a spot of flaking paint on the door) Never underestimate the whims of rich people.

Friend 2: (Bobbing in place while waiting) So, think we’ll see any actual ghosts this weekend?

Friend 1: We’d better.  Although they hedged their bets by saying the history of the place and the setting and the mold and the mildew and whatever will be more of the experience, but I fully expect to be tormented by lost souls and screaming ghouls or by gum, someone’s going to hear about it.

Friend 2: (Sighs) I don’t doubt it.

(Caretaker opens the door with a wide smile)

Caretaker: Hello!  Welcome to The Haunted Castle [Trademarked] – come on in!  (Leads Friends 1 and 2 into the entranceway and lets the giant door boom shut behind them) You’re the last of our guests to arrive, so I’ll bring your bags to your room while you join the others in the great hall.

Friend 2: (As both clutch their bags to their chests) That’s OK, we can hold onto them.

Caretaker: Suit yourselves.

(They enter the great hall and head over to a roaring fireplace where three other guests are seated)

Friends 1 and 2; Guests 1-3: Hi.

Caretaker: (Gestures to two empty chairs while sitting in large armchair) Pop a squat.  (Still clutching their bags, Friends 1 and 2 sit) Now, this is just a brief get-together so you all know who’ll be staying with you in this massive fortress – otherwise you can spend the entire weekend wandering about the place without seeing each other once.

Friend 1: (Quietly turns to the side) Yessssss!

Guest 1: You mean “without seeing another soul,” don’t you, wink-wink?

(Friends and Guests 2 and 3 politely chuckle)

Caretaker: I don’t follow.

Guest 1: …Never mind.

Caretaker: (Distributes keys and maps) Now, most of the excitement’ll be later, but for the nonce simply enjoy this labor-intensive fire here, grab a quick dinner from the sideboard over there (Points to the sideboard), and get a quick nap in before I transform into a werewolf at midnight and the hunt begins.  (Heaves out of the armchair and shuffles to other end of the great hall)

(Friends and Guests stare at each for a few moments)

Friend 1: (Leaps out of the chair, still holding the overnight bag, and runs after Caretaker; Friend 2 and Guests follow) Excuse me!

Caretaker: (Turns to Friend 1 and smiles benignly) Yes, dearie?

Friend 1: Uh, not sure how to put this, but my friend and I made a reservation for The Haunted Castle –

Caretaker: Yes?

Friend 1: To be blunt, the description of the place quite clearly mentioned ghosts.  The kind that make books fall of the shelf and loud winds moan down a hallway, stuff like that.

Caretaker: (Frowns slightly) Oh.  I see the Web site’s not been updated, again.  (Expression clears) Well, fact is, a medium came here about a year ago and helped the ghosts settle their unfinished business, so they all cleared off.

Guest 2: What?!  I specifically came here to be harassed by frustrated phantasms!

Guest 3: Yeah, if this place is now just a dingy old safety hazard then I want my money back!

Caretaker: Relax, duckies, you’ll get your money’s worth: when the ghosts left the company recruited me to do the scaring, so you’ll be taken care of, don’t you worry.  (Pats Friend 1 soothingly on the arm)

Friend 1: (Shrugs off hand) We didn’t sign up for a werewolf attack!  We signed up for passive horror!

Guest 1: Yes, this is supposed to be a relaxing screamfest!

Caretaker: As a matter of fact, you all did sign up for a werewolf attack – says so in your final agreement and liability waiver.

(Friends and Guests all take out their cell phones, access their e-mail, and scroll through the agreement and waiver)

Friend 1: Huh, whaddya know, it does say “werewolf” – several times.

Friend 2: You told me to just sign it `cause you’d read it and it was fine!

Friend 1: The headings appeared to be in order.  (To Caretaker) By the way, I’ve always wondered: what exactly does “indemnify” mean?

Guest 2: (Groans while reading) I can’t believe this!  We waive the right to sue if we suffer loss of limb or LIFE!

Guest 3: Or property!  (To Caretaker) You are not getting your literal paws on my shoes – I will rip them to shreds myself first!

Guest 1: And not for nothing, if you call a place “haunted” that means ghosts should be here!

Caretaker: Not necessarily: you can be haunted by the living just as easily as by the dead.  `Sides, they couldn’t change the name of the place, it’s trademarked.  (The others all start talking at once) Dearies, please, don’t spoil the weekend.  Let me show you to your rooms, you go get some sleep, and I’ll be sure to give you plenty of howls before I start comin’ after ye, one-by-one.  (Starts gently herding the group to the main staircase)

Guest 1: Forget that – we’re outta here!  (Grabs Guest 2’s hand and they run to the front door; they struggle to turn the handle but the door refuses to budge)

Caretaker: (Chuckling) Now, now, don’t strain yourselves: we’re on lockdown till 2 p.m. Sunday.

Friends and Guests: WHAT?!

(Guest 1 runs to a window and tries to shake it open; failing that, Guest 2 grabs a vase and prepares to throw it through the glass)

Caretaker: (Moves like lightning to Guest 2 and grabs the vase) Oi!  You break anything and we have the right to sue you!

Guest 2: Argh!  (Sits down on the floor and fumes)

Friend 2: (Quietly to Friend 1) Want to risk it?

Friend 1: Normally I’d say yes, but I have a feeling I’d wind up slicing an artery instead.

Caretaker: (Sets the vase back down on a table and beams at the group) Now!  Anyone for hot cocoa before turning in?  (The rest all look at each other, then Friend 1 raises a hand) Splendid!

(Friend 1 still is drinking the cocoa as Caretaker leads both to their room)

Caretaker: (After Friend 2 unlocks the door and they all enter) As promised: twin beds, full bath, free Wi-Fi, starting up the fireplace’ll cost you extra, and a perfect view of the full moon that’s calling to me as we speak.

Friend 1: (Sets the empty mug down on a random table and hurries Caretaker out of the room) Lovely, marvelous, well done, I’m sure we’ll see you later, bye!  (Slams the door and puts on all the locks; to Friend 2) You wouldn’t happen to have any silver bullets handy, would you?

Friend 2: (Glares) Even if I had a license to carry a gun, why on Earth would I have silver bullets to load it with?!

Friend 1: Just checking.  (Goes to the window and opens it) Huh.  Thought we were on lockdown?

Friend 2: (Looks out and down) It’s a hundred-foot sheer drop!

Friend 1: Guess the owners don’t want us to suffocate before we’re torn apart by our host.  (Leaves the window and flops face-down onto one of the beds)

Friend 2: What are you doing?!

Friend 1: As recommended: taking a nap before the games begin.

Friend 2: How can you even think of sleeping right now?!  I’m freaking out!

Friend 1: (Talking into the pillow) Oh relax: go fill a spray bottle with water and just squirt our furry friend in the face after the door’s broken down.

Friend 2: Un-believable.  (Begins stacking furniture in front of the door as Friend 1 snores)

 11:59 P.M.

            (Friend 2 shakes Friend 1 awake)

            Friend 1: Hm?  Am I late for work?

           Friend 2: (Whispering) Ssh – you wish!  Here.  (Carries a fireplace poker and holds out another one to Friend 1)

           Friend 1: (Grudgingly takes it while yawning and scootching out of the bed) Fine, but I seriously think you’re overreact – (Is cut off by several loud, long howls)

            (Friends 1 and 2 stare at each other, then at the door)

           Friend 2: (Whispering even softer as they assume a defensive stance facing the door) Next time we go away for a long weekend I’m booking the place, understand?!

            Friend 1: Oh, like you’ve never had a reservation changed on you before!

            Friend 2: They sent you an e-mail about it!

            Friend 1: And who has time to read?!

           (They clam up as the sounds of a heavy tread and soft growls approach their door)

TO BE CONTINUED