Sweet, Sweet... Candy
A treat for a trick.
Jay was a proud gay man who was only trying to give his Boy Scout troop a good night out trick-or-treatin’ until he ran into a mysterious home and its female inhabitant.
Jay was already fed up with all the whining, banter, and bickering coming from his Boy Scout troop.
“Guys, knock it off already,” he said with frustration in his voice. “We’ll just do these houses on this street and then we’re going home.” It was already passed ten at night when Jay announced the annoying brats that were following him.
“But I didn’t even get any good candy!” One of the kids in a Count Dracula costume said with annoyance. “Come on, Jay! This Halloween really sucks now.” The boy was obviously disillusioned by how little candy they were getting, and most of the candy was crap.
It was sort of Jay’s fault for picking a different neighborhood this year, and it seemed as though the neighbors were being stingy as hell. Most of the candy on offer was candy corn, bubble gum, and lollipops. The kind of crappy candy that you will find at a dollar store.
“Sorry, kidos, but you know how it is,” Jay said thoughtfully. “The Sweetwater neighborhood only wants to give out candy to their own kids this year. Yeah, I know. I guess they got fed up with everybody in the county going there every year.” It was a harsh reality check for some in the troop as their scoutmaster gave them a lesson in wealth inequality.
“I know how it is. Some people just don’t want to share anymore. I, on the other hand,” Jay continued to lecture as he and the troop made their way down the dark sidewalk, “I’m not like that. You know how I am, guys. I want to share. But some don’t.” Jay gave a resigned look when he raised his own meager collection of crap candy that was inside a small bag.
Jay was a huge believer in social justice. As a gay activist, he understood what it meant to live in a caring and just world. A world without greed or hate. A world where the wealth is shared. He had to fight for his own justice as well.
As an openly gay man, he was not allowed to lead a Boy Scout troop. He was on the front lines in that battle until, finally, the Boy Scouts gave in and changed their policy. Which, of course, merited a special Rainbow Badge that he proudly displayed on his shirt.
He was also a huge believer in change.
But this trick-or-treat night was becoming a huge stink bomb as he saw the large, sad eyes on each member of his Boy Scout troop. He was about to say something else, until he paused for a moment.
Now wasn’t the time for calming words. Now was the time for action. His activist spirit came in. No matter how annoying the brats were, Jay knew how the boys were feeling. Some of them took their time this year to put their costumes together. The kids were really looking forward to this.
Jay took charge, his chest filling up with air. The gay guy who was bullied back in school and in the Scouts was now going to set things right. In his full Scout uniform, he led the pack down a dark alley. “Come on, let’s go this way,” Jay commanded.
All he did for this Halloween was to put on some makeup, painting his face in a nice but ghoulish white with traces of black around his eyes, nose, and mouth. He also had some pink eyeshadow. A little touch to show his gay pride.
The boys followed Jay through the alley and made a quick turn at the next street. They went by several houses and a couple of blocks until the street made a slight curve up a hill.
Strange.
Jay didn’t remember the street going up a hill. He was for a moment lost, but he never stopped. His scout troop tried to keep up pace and walked fast right behind him. They didn’t know where they were going, but neither did Jay.
All he knew was that if there was a problem, as an activist, you needed to get out there and find the solution. Get active or get radioactive.
They continued marching until they reached an old colonial home that overlooked the side of the hill. The house looked eerie as it loomed large over them.
Jay was a bit perplexed. He has driven down this road several times before, and he doesn’t seem to remember this creepy-looking place. But he didn’t think much of it.
He was on a mission to lift the spirits of his beleaguered troop. Surely, this house must have inhabitants who will spare some awesome candy or something.
As Jay and the boys made their way through the darkened pathway towards the front porch of the uncanny home, they noticed a pair of creepy-looking jack o’lanterns. Both had evil-looking expressions made worse by the flickering candlelight that sparked inside their orange bodies. The frowns on the pumpkins were not at all inviting.
The whole troop paused as they sensed an ounce of fear slowly creeping in.
“Maybe we should go somewhere else,” one of the boys said as he gulped down his anxiety.
“Yeah, Jay, I don’t like this place,” said another.
Jay, meanwhile, was also feeling a bit tense, but he wasn’t going to back down. He got the courage to go ahead and go up the steps of the dark and ghostly manor. It seemed as though nobody was there.
Still, Jay gathered some more courage to give the large wooden door a few good knocks. The nervous troop stood behind and waited to see if anyone, or anything, would open.
Jay waited patiently before he turned around nervously. “Damn, this house better have some rich old hag living here. It better be worth it,” he proclaimed.
Soon enough, the front door was immediately opened, and a deep woman’s voice came from within. “Oh, I think it will,” the voice said, which made everybody almost leap off their feet. Jay quickly turned around to see a woman in red silky lingerie.
