Let Them Party to Relieve the Pain (Haunted Party House Short Story)
October 16, 2015
Irving Thackerman – Parking Expert (Short Story)
November 13, 2015
Here’s the second and final installment of the short story from my blog posting two weeks ago. Don’t let any of the ghosts and ghouls catch you when you’re out tomorrow night.
Word Count: 803
“Let Them
Party to Relieve
The Pain”
(Part II)
Prior to their first night in the house, both boys were experiencing a stabbing pain to their joints. That night they heard various creaks, groans, and sighs of relief. Accompanied by the shuffling of feet to strange musical sounds. Miles thanked his lucky stars the next morning that both of them had come off a two-day life on three hours of sleep, marathon-cram session for that Native American Antiquities 508 mid-term. Despite the noise, falling into La-La Land was easy.
Their second night, sleep wasn’t as easy. The same weird noises began to emanate from various corners of the structure. In addition, both guys were greeted by another interesting sound upon waking up at 3:00 am.
“I’m still stuck in that transition zone between sleep and cognizance. What exactly is that noise?” asked Miles. “The back pain has disappeared though.”
“No more intense trauma? Dan-O took a guess on the noise. “Sounds like bad Euro-Pop.
Miles smiled. “Played at ½ speed on an electric bagpipe. That possible?”
The following morning, after drinking six double-caffeinated lattes, the guys met Elvira Webberville, their mysterious landlord. Elvira was indeed as outrageous in appearance as the house itself. Tall, slim, with long, flowing black hair streaked in white, and wearing an ankle-length dress that must’ve been salvaged from some hidden corner of the Salvation Army thrift store.
As she walked up to the house, Dan-O looked out and thought that it must’ve taken her at least twenty minutes just to hook up the dress (had buttons even been invented when it was made?). At least two hundred of the things. A fast track to digital-arthritis some day?
“Ms. Webberville,” said Miles opening the door, sorely in need of WD-40. “Glad you could come by to discuss rental details.”
“How was your first two nights in the domicile?” asked Elvira, Genuine concern showing in her face.
Dan-O launched into a drawn out description of the oddness. He embellished it by asking if a ghost gathering was taking place.
“I should be honest,” said a reluctant Elvira. “Festivities were taking place last night. This house is haunted to a degree.”
“To a degree?” Dan-O queried. “What the Hell’s that supposed to mean?”
Ms. Webberville hesitated, then spoke haltingly. “#666 Dead-Wood Lane is a vessel for spirits to enter the physical world to enjoy festive occasions. No need to be alarmed. These spirits will not harm you. In fact allowing them to party will alleviate your own physical pains.”
“Wait a second,” remarked Dan-O. “You got us to sign a lease without mentioning that the place was haunted. Minor detail I suppose, right?”
“Like I said, they won’t work their evil upon you if they’re ignored.”
Dan-O tried not to sound skeptical. “Well I’ll sleep better at night knowing that information. How exactly are we supposed to pretend nothings happening?”
“Do not let the noises disturb you,” said Elvira. “Any pains you experience will disappear if these spirits are allowed to celebrate.”
Miles decided to roll with the punches. “Ok, I guess. Makes sense when you think about it. Yeah Dan-O, sort of like those old Twilight Zone episodes we used to watch-accompanied by a Pink Floyd soundtrack. Used to do that a lot in our pot smoking dazes. How come you don’t live here Ms. Webberville?”
“For years I did, but I discovered I need my beauty sleep in order to perform my tasks as a mystic. I’m sure you understand my reasons for moving out gentlemen.”
Miles and Dan-O immediately looked at one another. This wasn’t your standard landlord-lessee set-up. Was it also part of your normal graduate school lifestyle? Which it basically was, if you’re a studying to get your Masters degree as a psychic bodyguard?
“These ghosts won’t hurt us?” asked Miles.
Elvira chuckled. “As long as they’re allowed to engage in their spiritual festivities. If you stop them from partying, your pains will return.”
Miles cringed. “Pleasant thought.”
“You’ll still only charge us $300/month if we keep things hush-hush?” asked Dan-O, always considering the financial bottom line in these matters.
She smiled, “Definitely, gentlemen,”
The meeting closed with Elvira explaining how to arrange creative accents to enhance the Hellhole above the fireplace. Dan-O and Miles were relieved to see her depart and they discussed this new set of options facing them.
“What should we do?” asked Miles.
“Nothing,” replied Dan-O. “She did tell us as long as we let these ghouls and goblins party nothing happens to us. These vicious back pains vanish too.”
“That a lone is worth it.”
“Exactly, maybe these ghost-partiers will let us participate in a midnight shindig. Might be interesting.”
“Fun too, in an X-Files meets The Simpson’s sort of way. Throw in a bottle of pain pills too.”
