Tricks or Treats

Teddie McTavish wanted to be different from the other kids on Halloween. He thought that the usual plastic masks that his friends and neighbors wore were absurd rather than scary and he wanted to be genuinely scary that year. He told his mother and father and, whereas they agreed about masks, they warned him against unsafe methods*. They suggested that he wear scary makeup. Teddie thrilled at the suggestion, and considered various characters for making up. The simplest was a skull face, as it needed only white cream or powder and heavy shadows around the eyes. Teddie chose it for its relative simplicity. His mother helped him apply the makeup and observed its effects. She was scared although she knew it was him. Teddie was satisfied. 

"It looks great, mom! Thanks!"

"Don't forget to remove it when you come home."

Teddie nodded excitedly. Then he searched for black clothes and donned them neatly. His mother straightened them on him. Then he laughed and walked out the door. His friends were at his porch and complimented him.

"You look really horrible in that, Teddie!"

"Gee, thanks. Let's go!"

They went along their street, door to door typically, and stopped at each house to ring the bell. Customarily, a mother or daughter was available to hand out sweets. Teddie's gang, totally four kids, reached the doorstep and rang the bell. When the people saw his makeup, they screamed in pure shock. Teddie guarded his delight and thanked his mother in his mind. She was truly clever. 

They began about 8 PM that night, when Teddie joined them. They finished with the last house on their street round quarter till 10. They all thrilled at the effect of Teddie's makeup. They started for home about 10 PM. Their bags were stuffed with sweets, but the sky was black and almost starless, and the moon was almost full. At 10 PM sharp, Teddie arrived home and hurried indoors excitedly. His mother led him into the bathroom to make sure he washed off his makeup. Then she returned to housework. Teddie opened the tap so that water gushed out and lathered his hands. He applied both soap and water to his face fully but, after rinse, he freaked out. The makeup seemed to stick to his face.

"Mom, it won't wash off! Help!"

"Just take more time, Teddie. Sometimes, even mom has trouble."

Teddie tried again and again, with lots of water and even borrowed her removal kit. Nothing happened. He was truly scared. His mother came in to help him.  She looked at his face and screamed. The makeup was gone but Teddie's face resembled a skull.