Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 99(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 99(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
“Hey, Romi!” Shana calls, drawing me over. “You’re gonna love this. We managed to get the ancient fog machine we found in the storage room set up so it looks like the drinks are floating through a cemetery.”
"Brilliant." I grin, taking in the sight of wispy clouds rolling along the bar top. "They go perfect with the glow-in-the-dark tombstones.”
“Here’s your poison.” Shane hands me my usual Diet Coke with a splash of cherry syrup.
“Thank you,” I call over my shoulder as I wander over toward the stage where tonight's karaoke monsters are lining up.
It’s nights like these I love most, even if it means less sleep and more challenges. What other job lets you mix goblins with martinis and get paid for it? Tony often jokes that if his former job had this many costumes and candy corn, he might never have switched over.
As the night rolls on, I remember why our quirky town of Midnight Falls feels like home. It’s more than the full-moon weirdness or the jack-o’-lantern streetlamps. It's this—people coming together, pouring into Tony’s grand vision with a dash of my offbeat management style. A place where even ghosts can order a pint.
By closing time, I've lost count of the karaoke vampires serenading the room with off-key renditions of ‘Monster Mash’. I have the best job ever!
Chapter 2
Sullivan
The past week has been a whirlwind of animatronic arms moving when they shouldn't and smoke machines that seemed to have a mind of their own. I’m still surprised no one has summoned an actual ghost from the eerie atmosphere we’ve been conjuring. But at long last, "The Reaper's Reckoning" ride is up and running, terrorizing visitors just the way it's meant to and without any unintended asphyxiation events. With that checked off the list, I'm itching for a change of scenery.
So tonight, I've traded the techno-haunts for Trick or Treat, the newly minted bar that everyone in Midnight Falls is raving about. The thrilling bar is deep into its Thirteen Nights of Halloween celebration, and I’m game to join the fun. Who needs an excuse to don vampire garb in a town that reveres Halloween as devoutly as Texans do barbecue?
As I approach the bar, confidently swishing my ridiculous cape, I spot Hugh, the high school wrestling coach who moonlights as a bouncer, at the bar. He’s decked out in a snug T-rex costume. Irony at its finest since the guy could intimidate a rock if he chose.
“Evening, Count Sullivan,” he greets me with a chuckle, his roar more purr at this point in the evening. “Here for a couple of pints of Type O?”
“Definitely if you've got it on draft,” I quip back, biting down a grin. Hugh and I swap a few more playful jabs about fangs and fossils before he steps aside to let me in.
The interior of Trick or Treat is everything I’ve been told. The vintage stained-glass windows that line all the walls display scenes of autumn landscapes and Halloween motifs. When the disco lights hit them, they cast vibrant hues throughout the room, infusing the space with the festive spirit of this unique town. Each pane seems to narrate its own tale of artistry combined with spookiness.
Stretching across the far wall of the bar is a stunning stained-glass mural that intricately depicts spooky Halloween scenes. The rich colors of the glass send prismatic patterns through the room, creating a kaleidoscope of shadows and light that breathes life into the mystical scene.
There are several gothic-style fireplaces throughout the bar, their stone mantels adorned with gargoyles and twisted vines. These fireplaces cast a warm, inviting glow that complements the flickering candlelight scattered throughout the bar. The gentle crackle of burning embers adds a comforting sound to the ambiance.
Above us, elaborate chandeliers hang gracefully over all three levels of the bar, each a masterpiece of wrought iron and crystal. Shaped like upside-down black roses, their glossy petals cradle soft lights that cast intricate patterns on the ceiling and floors. As they sway slightly, the crystals catch the light, creating a dazzling effect that mimics twinkling stars in an inky night sky.
Three levels make up the bar, connected by sweeping wrought iron staircases adorned with carved pumpkins and trailing ivy. From the upper levels, you get a bird’s eye view of the bustling crowd below, each patron enveloped in Trick or Treat’s enchanting, ghostly charm. It’s a seamless blend of whimsy and gothic style, fusing Halloween mystery with vintage elegance.
But what truly intrigues visitors are the whispers about what's hidden beneath the main floor. Rumor has it there’s a unique speakeasy in the abandoned bomb shelter below the bar.
Known as Scared Shotless, this exclusive, invitation-only haunt is accessed through a secret door tucked behind an ordinary bookcase. Supposedly, the speakeasy boasts a Prohibition-era vibe, complete with vintage furnishings and a menu of classic, handcrafted cocktails.