instruments are kind of junk,” Nora said.
“The order for the first round will be random. We get to pick two songs from this list...” Maryann continued, handing the others a flyer. “No songs will be repeated so the bands that go first get the best choice.”
“That doesn't seem fair,” Leah said. “Later bands are going to get hosed if they haven't practiced all the songs.”
“Well, I think it's to balance out the fact that earlier bands will have to warm up the crowd, you know?”
“I suppose that's a good point.”
“Right. So we have to do covers.”
“Very Halloween-themed selection,” Isabella said. “I'm surprised 'Thriller' isn't included.”
“It's kind of long. Anyway, the 'Thriller' dance comes after the first round. There are two judges and the audience gets a vote with applause. Three finalists are chosen and the order will be random again. The finalists get to pick two of their own songs, within reason.”
“Good Lord, what time does this thing start?” Nora asked. “With having to switch bands, the first round could last three hours!”
“Starts at seven sharp. The Monster Mash usually runs way past midnight, so don't worry that,” she replied. “Anyway, two judges again and an audience vote. And then the winning band plays a two song encore, time permitting.”
“Well, this sounds fairly serious,” Isabella said. “And how much is the entry fee?”
“Oh, don't worry; I already paid it for us.”
“We didn't agree to do this thing until just now,” Nora said.
“I know. But I was sure you'd jump at this chance so I went ahead and paid the fee,” Maryann said. “So we should figure out the kind of show we want, right? I want to win this thing!”
The other three looked at her for a moment.
“I-I didn't know you felt so strongly about this band,” Nora said.
“Oh, that's fine. Now, let's get to work!”
Fueled by Maryann's enthusiasm, they did just that.
Halloween was shaping up to be a nice autumn evening, weather-wise, with a bright waxing moon rising in the sky. The evening was crisp but not chilly. The Monster Mash had three main attractions: the main stage housed in the livestock building, a haunted house, and a corn maze. All three structures were well lit on the outside by high-intensity lamps. The nearby food court was illuminated by the high-intensity lamps and a carefully watched bonfire. The livestock building was a large, long metal structure with large sliding doors at both ends and several regular-sized doors along the sides. A stage had been set up at one end with a decent set of equipment. About twenty feet from the livestock building was the haunted house. The corn maze had closed at dark for obvious reasons. Apart of the well-lit main attractions and food court, the only other well-lit area was a string of street lights that lead to the parking lot.
The band arrived at six to register and find out their performance order. The costumes they chose resembled ravens. They had short black dresses with long, flowing sleeves, and sleek hats with beak-like fronts that were decorated in black feathers and sequins. They wore sheer black panty hose, leather ankles boots, and identical heavy black make-up meant to make them look more bird-like. The costume was spoiled slightly by the black purses they carried with them, but there was no way around that and they didn't plan on having the purses on-stage anyway.
“I'm glad your parents don't expect us to babysit your brother,” Nora said.
“Nah, they're not like that. Anyway, they know why we're here and don't want us to have anything else to worry about. Skipper's hanging out with his friends. He probably won't even say 'hello' to us,” Maryann answered.
“Too bad he's not a fan,” Leah said.
“He's a big fan of us winning this thing so he can use the basement again. He was really looking forward to me moving out when I graduated high school.”
Isabella joined the others with the registration information. “Well, we're number 6. We got 'Superstition' and 'Witchy Woman.'”
“Not our first choices, but not bad, I guess,” Nora said.
“What do we want to do until our show?”
“Oh, there are lots to do,” Maryann said. “There are food and costume contests and scary story contests and a pumpkin carving contest and of course listening to the other bands!”
“Oh, that sounds great,” Nora replied dryly.
“Come on, let's get some food,” Leah said.
They wandered around the attractions at the Monster Mash and ate some standard fair food while Battle of the Bands got underway.
“So,” Maryann asked around a mouthful of corn dog, “does this time of year make it easier for you to see stuff without spells?”
“Depends on the year,” Isabella answered. “But I think in general the Veil is thinner between All Hallows Eve and All Souls Day.”
“Hey, that reminds me; Mom sent me some sugar skulls. They're really more for tomorrow, but I brought a few if you want to try some tonight,” Leah said.
“That's just morbid,” Nora replied.
“Depends on how you grow up,” Leah shrugged. “I got to go to Mexico City one year for the Day of the Dead celebrations. It was pretty cool.”
“Being raised like that might have made things easier for me,” Isabella said. “Well, at least I've got my grandmother Ami.”
Leah turned around to find a trash can when she saw a person dressed in a female skeleton costume walking around. The skeleton was dressed in an old-fashioned fancy dress, which made Leah think of the Catrina figures. As the skeleton costume passed near her, she suddenly realized that it wasn't a costume. She tugged on Isabella's sleeve. “I see dead people.”
“I was wondering when you'd pull out that tired line,” Nora sighed.
“No, really, look.”
They turned and looked at the skeleton.
“Oh, yeah, um, that's the real deal,” Isabella said. “I don't even need to do a spell to see that.”
“What do we do?” Maryann asked in a low voice.
“This time of year they have as much right to walk around as we do. So I know what to do,” Leah said, after first patting her crucifix necklace reassuringly. She walked up to the skeleton woman. “Hello.”
“I can't believe she did that,” Isabella said.
The skeleton woman looked at her with empty eye sockets.
Leah gulped but continued, undeterred. “So, what brings you way out in the middle of the country?”
“You clearly see what I am. You aren't frightened?”
“It's All Hallows Eve. I mean, as long as you aren't one of those souls out for vengeance, there's no real reason to be scared.”
“Interesting. I am not out for vengeance. I am passing through, and thought I would look around. But tonight is not without danger. There is something lurking outside the bonfire and the Veil is thin.”
“Thanks for the advice. We're playing in the number 6 slot if you want to listen.”
The skeleton woman almost seemed to smile, which was a neat trick for someone without muscles. “Thank you kindly for the invitation.”
“Oh, also, this is traditional in my culture,” Leah said, and pulled a tiny sugar skull out of plastic bag in her purse and offered it to the skeleton.
The skeleton woman seemed puzzled for a moment, but then she reached out to take the skull. She touched the skull in Leah's hand and pulled away a ghostly skull, leaving the actual skull. She put the ghostly skull in her jaws and seemed to eat it. “Thank you,” she said, nodded slightly, and then wandered off.
The other three joined her. “I can't believe you did that!” Maryann said.
“Seriously; I never assume the dead aren't dangerous,” Isabella added.
Leah shrugged. “Different culture, I guess.” Then she ate the skull in her hand.
“Ewww,” Nora said.
“Really, they're good. Anyway, it'd be a shame to throw o
ut a perfectly good sugar skull.”
“But a dead person touched it!”
“A spirit touched it, not a rotting corpse. How else was she going to take the offering?”
“You are so weird.”
“That could have been dangerous!” Maryann said.
“There's no reason to assume they're any more dangerous than we are, at least not right now,” Leah replied. “Now, if I saw a dead person on any other three days, I'd probably be freaked out. But this is their time of year. Oh, and she did say there's something hanging out outside the bonfires and the Veil is thin.”
“Okay, not sure what she meant by a thing outside the fires, but it's obvious the Veil is thin,” Maryann said. “I mean, I can see her without Isabella's magic.”
“No, there's more to it than that,” Isabella said. “I mean, she would know that's obvious. She must have meant something else. I hope she doesn't mean living people could cross over as easy as the dead can tonight.”
“What happens if someone living does accidentally cross over?” Nora asked. “Are they dead?”
“I'm not really sure. It doesn't usually happen. It usually can't happen,” she answered.
“Do we need to check out what's going on outside the bonfire?” Maryann asked.
“We'd better,” Isabella sighed. “But after we play. Come on.”
They finished their dinner and hastily headed back to the main stage. The crowd had been warmed up by the other five bands and was in the mood for a good show. The fact there were four young women showing a lot of leg probably didn't hurt their chances to win. They played their two songs and were rewarded with loud applause and lots of people talking