It was Halloween night and the number of trick-or-treaters was dwindling. Two Zombies stood idly on a street corner… trying to decide what to do to finish up the evening.
Zombie One: “We can’t go home yet. It’s too early. I don’t want to spend the rest of the evening at home.”
Zombie Two: “Yeah, but what else can we do? There must be a party somewhere we can crash.”
Zombie One: “There’s a street dance downtown. That always draws a good crowd.”
Zombie Two: “Is that the only thing you can think of?”
A minute of silence followed.
Zombie One: “Have you ever seen the Boogie-man?”
Zombie Two, laughing: “No, because there’s no such thing.”
Zombie One: “Are you serious? You really haven’t seen him?”
Zombie Two: “Nope… and I really don’t want to.”
Zombie One: “You don’t know what you’re missing.”
Zombie Two: “Give it a rest, will you. No such person exists.”
Zombie One: “Well, then, you’re in for a big surprise because here he comes.”
Zombie Two: “Have you lost your mind? You know it’s just a myth.”
Zombie One: “You seriously think so? Then, who’s that coming down the street?”
A strange-looking character was coming slowly down the street, moving in a weird way. Its head seemed to be nodding to some kind of silent rhythm while its arms and legs were twitching in all directions.
Zombie Two, frowning: “Looks a bit like the Scarecrow from ‘Wizard of Oz.’ Who – or what – is it?”
Zombie One: “I told you. It’s the Boogie-man.”
Zombie Two: “And I told you there’s no such thing as a Bogeyman.”
Zombie One: “You’ll see in a minute. Just wait till he gets closer.”
As the dark figure continued to draw closer to them, they could see that its clothing was made of dark, heavy fabric with many burlap patches and a burlap collar. His face covering was also burlap. There was straw sticking out from his sleeves and collar and the brim of his old felt hat was pretty ragged.
Zombie Two: “Why is he walking like that? He looks like his joints are too loose.”
Zombie One: “He always walks like that… I’ve never seen him walk any differently.”
Zombie Two: “He’s heading towards us, isn’t he? Will he stop?”
Zombie One: “Nah. He might say hello, but then he’ll walk on by.”
Zombie Two: “Isn’t the Bogeyman supposed to scare us or something?”
Zombie One: “Not this one. He isn’t interested in scaring us.”
Zombie Two: “Why not? Where’s he going? Is he going to scare someone else?”
Zombie One, laughing hysterically: “I don’t think there’s much chance of that, not on Halloween.”
The strange-looking character stopped when it reached them and acknowledged them by nodding his head slightly towards each of them in turn.
Zombie One: “Hey there, Mr Boogie-man. Going to the dance?”
The head with the creepy burlap mask nodded and the he danced a few steps. A low, hoarse whisper said, “I love to boogie… all night long.” He bowed from the waist and then continued on his way.
Zombie Two, watching him go: “You mean… he’s a dancer?”
Zombie One: “That’s right. He entertains at the Halloween street dance every year.”
Zombie Two: “And…?
Zombie One: “In between that, no one knows who he is or what he does. In fact no one knows for sure if it’s male or female.”
Zombie Two: “And that’s why he – or she – wears the costume. I have to see this.”
Zombie One: “I thought you might. And I guess we’ll do the ‘Zombie Shuffle’… all night long.”
Running feet pound the pavement as they head off behind the Boogie-man. They’d found a way to finish up their evening.
